Everyone Loves Cracker Barrel, But These 8 Southern Establishments Are Better

Though the restaurant has had its ups and downs over the years, most people will tell you that Cracker Barrel is a great place to eat. They have a huge menu with a wide variety of entrees. You can go in the morning and get a big breakfast, then visit again at night and enjoy chicken-fried steak. They also have sandwiches, adult beverages, steak, and more. However, if you're looking to add a little variety to your routine, know that other Southern establishments are just as good, if not better.

Cracker Barrel has been in the news quite a bit over the past year after suspending its restaurant remodeling plans in September 2025, following customer backlash to a modern redesign and logo change. Still, many loyal customers stand by this chain even though there are plenty of other quality options out there.

From the convenience of fast food restaurants like Krystal and Golden Chick to the great atmosphere of sit-down restaurants like Logan's Roadhouse and Texas Roadhouse, there's a lot out there to consider. Take a look at this list, and you may find your new Cracker Barrel alternative.

This post was updated in April 2026 to include updated information about Cracker Barrel restaurants and additional editorial enhancements.

Bojangles is one of the Southern establishments that everyone should try at least once. This restaurant is known for its tasty fried chicken, and it's worth a try if you like the chicken options at Cracker Barrel. Many people go there for their signature fried chicken, but you may also like the maple bacon grilled chicken. No matter what you prefer, you can get something great at Bojangles, and there will be no long wait to eat!

There are a limited number of options at Bojangles, but they're all delicious. Order the fried boneless chicken that you can eat by itself or on a bun. Bojangles also has a great selection of fried chicken nuggets that come with a delicious jug of iced tea. The restaurant also has a big selection of tasty sides, ranging from fries and rice to green beans and coleslaw.

You may not immediately think about Waffle House when you consider the best Southern establishments, but if you like Cracker Barrel, then you'll likely be a fan of Waffle House, too. The food is good at the Barrel. However, if you're really hungry for breakfast, then go to a restaurant that specializes in that type of food.

If you haven't been to Waffle House in a while, then it's time to rectify that. The breakfast restaurant has come a long way since the 1990s, and they have some spectacular dishes. If you're extra hungry, stop in for the All-Star Special, which supplies you with waffles, eggs, bacon, and toast. Waffle House also has several great omelets.

Although it's not a five-star steakhouse, Cracker Barrel offers some great options. They even have a couple of tasty New York strip options. However, if you're going there for the meat but don't want to deal with the long wait times, consider Logan's Roadhouse instead. They serve all things steak and BBQ, and you'll probably find yourself going back again.

There are many mouthwatering dishes at Logan's Roadhouse. The large menu features chicken, pasta, various appetizers, desserts, and more. As far as steak, you can get a 22-oz. porterhouse, the New York strip, and more. All of these steaks are cooked to order, and they're served with tasty sides. It is one of the best discount steak restaurants you can try.

The South is very famous for its BBQ dishes. If you live in the North, you can still find good BBQ, but it's a little harder to find. Cracker Barrel doesn't have much in the way of BBQ, so you may have to look elsewhere, and Famous Dave's may be the solution. Famous Dave's is a major chain that serves many tasty dishes, ranging from ribs and brisket to amazing BBQ sandwiches.

Famous Dave's is one of the best Southern establishments to visit when you have a hankering for authentic BBQ. There are many dishes you need to try at least once. For instance, during your first visit, you need to try some of their award-winning ribs. They're perfectly tender, and the meat falls off the bone. During your second visit, try one of their BBQ sandwiches.

If you love hot chicken and you'll settle for nothing less than perfection, then you need to stop at Hattie B's Hot Chicken at least once. The restaurant is mostly located in the South, so you may need to take a drive, but trust us, it's worth it. Cracker Barrel has some good chicken dishes, but they don't have anything close to what you'll get at Hattie B's.

There are many tasty dishes at Hattie B's, but keep in mind that just about everything is mildly hot to very hot. The heat levels rise from "Mild" to "Shut the Cluck Up!!!," which is extremely hot. You can get anything from chicken tenders to chicken and waffles at any of these heat levels. Whatever you choose, you won't regret it.

Golden Chick is a great southern restaurant chain that serves some of the best fried chicken in the nation. It's just like what you'd eat at Cracker Barrel, but much more affordable, and you don't have to wait forever to be seated and served. Order here, and you'll get the chicken you love, plus extra sides, pickles, or whatever else you choose.

You'll be shocked by how large the menu is at Golden Chick, which is why it's one of the premier Southern establishments. If you only go once, consider one of the many Golden Combos. One of the best is the Golden Fried Chicken, which comes with 1-3 pieces of chicken, plus your choice of side and a yeast roll. Another great option is the Texas Pecan Chicken Salad Sandwich.

Krystal is a restaurant that started in the South. They are similar to another restaurant, White Castle, in that they sell small burgers. However, they're more than that. While there, you can get a chicken sandwich, fried chicken wings, small hot dogs, and more. No, it won't be the same as going to Cracker Barrel, but if you're looking for similar comfort food, then you can't go wrong.

Krystal is a great fast-food restaurant to visit if you like the breakfast food options at Cracker Barrel. If you live near a Krystal, be sure to stop in for the sausage gravy biscuit or the sausage gravy biscuit scrambler. You can even go in and try their famous three-egg breakfast plate, which also comes with bacon.

Southern establishments don't get any better than Texas Roadhouse. This is another restaurant that, similar to Cracker Barrel, sells a little bit of everything, and they do it well! Go there for great stakes, catfish, chicken dishes, and more.

You'll want to go to Texas Roadhouse many times because they have a menu full of goodies. If you like hand-cut steaks, you can't go wrong with the Dallas filet that will melt in your mouth. If chicken is more of your thing, then we recommend the country-fried chicken. Another great choice is the chicken critters, which are two tenders that are perfectly cooked. The grilled BBQ chicken is another must-have dish.