We Tried Everything On The Cracker Barrel Breakfast Menu And This Is What You Should Order

The great American road trip wouldn’t be the same without Cracker Barrel. I do a lot of long solo drives and I get pretty sick of eating the same old gas station eggs and bagged nuts over and over. So whenever it’s time for a hot meal on the road, Cracker Barrel is always there for me (unless I’m in one of the six states without one, in which case I settle for the mysteriously wet egg wrapped in plastic). Cracker Barrel is pure Americana, through and through. It warps you back in time with its little tabletop games, warm maple syrup, and rocking chairs galore. Have you ever tried to pull out your phone to send a text while at a Cracker Barrel? It feels like sacrilege.

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I got the chance to try every single breakfast classic at Cracker Barrel in one grandiose morning meal that’d make Grandma and Grandpa seethe with jealousy. After feasting, I identified the best brekkies at America’s favorite cozy little spot off the interstate. Let me tell—not every dish was a winner, but CB really knows how to dish up some breakfast staples just the way they were meant to be. Here are the must-order items the next time you need a break from those creepy, moist eggs.

Grits

I’m from New York, and there, the only place to get fresh, hot grits is Cracker Barrel. I didn’t realize how good CB’s grits were until I lived in the South and realized most places don’t get them right. They’re not overly buttery here or seasoned with anything funky, and they’re made with the perfect water ratio so that each bite is hearty and satisfying rather than runny.

Fried Apples

I can’t think of another breakfast chain that does a sweet side dish quite like this. Cracker Barrel’s fried apples aren’t like the sloppy apple goop you get from a can when you need a last-minute “homemade” pie. They’re toasty warm and perfectly sweetened with plenty of cinnamon. Tack on a side to top pancakes or just eat them on their own after a savory meal like a breakfast dessert (that should be a  thing).

Eggs

I know it sounds like a boring addition to this list, but I spent over a decade as a breakfast cook, so I know how hard it is to get eggs right every time during a rush. And CB nails it. Every. Single. Time. The over-easy eggs have thoroughly cooked whites and liquid-gold yolks (and no brown spots) and the scrambleds are so pillowy yet still delicate and plenty buttery.

Hashbrowns

The GM at a Cracker Barrel in Binghamton, New York, told me this is the most popular item at their store and I can see why. These ain’t your grandma’s hashbrowns (well, I guess they are, because she probably goes to Cracker Barrel). They’re drenched in a light layer of gooey cheese and lots of lightly grilled onions. Usually I skip breakfast potatoes, but not here. Ask for them extra well done if you know what’s good for you.

Pancakes

This is my favorite dish here, bar none, and it’s a Cracker Barrel fan favorite for good reason. The pancakes here aren’t the fluffy, cakey kind with butter and syrup cascading down the tiers like a breakfast avalanche. They’re almost paper-thin and exceptionally buttery, soaking up warm maple syrup like a sponge. Every bite melts in your mouth and the delicate, crispy edges provide enough contrast to accentuate their buttery, melty quality. Nobody does it better, truly.