OT: Kinda, not really...

"kilikini" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

I have to ask, what is the big deal with Cracker Barrel? Went there for
the
first time this morning with my mother-in-law, her SO and my hubby. DH
got
the fried catfish, 2 eggs over easy, grits, biscuits & gravy and the
hashbrown casserole. MIL got the same but with ham instead of catfish.
MIL's SO got a bowl of grits and I got a side dish of the hashbrown
casserole.

First of all, the place is loud and extremely tacky.

Second, the hashbrown casserole was absolutely disgusting - hubby agreed.

Third, the price for the 4 of us (and two of us didn't really eat!) came
to
about $25.00.

My side of hashbrown casserole was about as big as 4 quarters put
together,
my MIL's SO's bowl of grits wasn't even a BOWL, more like a rameken, and
the
grits were runny. Both our dishes were $2.00 a piece. Should have been
more like $.50 a piece.

Crappy food, way too crowded, gaudy "store", and terrible banjo music.
Ugh.
And people flock to this place? Why?

kili

I NEVER GO THERE! You said it all for me, no further comment necessary.
There is a place called the Haag Hotel, in Shartlesville, PA, off hwy 78
that has good reviews. People flock there. I feel the same way about it.
It's a source of amusement when we see the signs as we drive/whizz by,
yelling, Shall we stop -- Oh, Oh, you missed it!
Dee Dee

kilikini <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
==> Cracker Barrel: What gives? <==

I'm right there with ya, kilikini! I can only guess
location-location-location is the secret to Cracker Barrel's success.
Well, that, and doping every last dish of food up with extra fats and
tons of salt so it appeals to Middle America's tastebuds.

The Ranger

"Dee Randall" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

"kilikini" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I have to ask, what is the big deal with Cracker Barrel? Went there for
the
first time this morning with my mother-in-law, her SO and my hubby. DH
got
the fried catfish, 2 eggs over easy, grits, biscuits & gravy and the
hashbrown casserole. MIL got the same but with ham instead of catfish.
MIL's SO got a bowl of grits and I got a side dish of the hashbrown
casserole.

First of all, the place is loud and extremely tacky.

Second, the hashbrown casserole was absolutely disgusting - hubby

agreed.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Third, the price for the 4 of us (and two of us didn't really eat!) came
to
about $25.00.

My side of hashbrown casserole was about as big as 4 quarters put
together,
my MIL's SO's bowl of grits wasn't even a BOWL, more like a rameken, and
the
grits were runny. Both our dishes were $2.00 a piece. Should have been
more like $.50 a piece.

Crappy food, way too crowded, gaudy "store", and terrible banjo music.
Ugh.
And people flock to this place? Why?

kili

I NEVER GO THERE! You said it all for me, no further comment necessary.
There is a place called the Haag Hotel, in Shartlesville, PA, off hwy 78
that has good reviews. People flock there. I feel the same way about it.
It's a source of amusement when we see the signs as we drive/whizz by,
yelling, Shall we stop -- Oh, Oh, you missed it!
Dee Dee

Dee Dee, I had to go to the Haag's Hotel's website just to check it out.
Dutch food, okay, I'm Dutch, but I don't know a thing about Dutch food.
It's really that bad?

kili

"The Ranger" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

kilikini <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
==> Cracker Barrel: What gives? <==

I'm right there with ya, kilikini! I can only guess
location-location-location is the secret to Cracker Barrel's success.
Well, that, and doping every last dish of food up with extra fats and
tons of salt so it appeals to Middle America's tastebuds.

The Ranger

I'm so glad that it's not just me! But why, why, why do people *go* there?
I don't get it. The place was PACKED.

kili

kilikini said:

I have to ask, what is the big deal with Cracker Barrel?

My side of hashbrown casserole was about as big as 4 quarters put
together, my MIL's SO's bowl of grits wasn't even a BOWL, more like a
rameken, and the grits were runny. Both our dishes were $2.00 a
piece. Should have been more like $.50 a piece.

Crappy food, way too crowded, gaudy "store", and terrible banjo
music. Ugh. And people flock to this place? Why?

kili

It must vary from location to location. The one in Bartlett is very good.
I've never ordered just a side so I can't comment on your portion sizes. (I
think a lot of places charge too much for just a "side".) If I order a
regular breakfast it's usually too much food, but it's good food (even the
hash brown casserole!) The grits at this location are not runny; in fact
you could probably stand a spoon in them.

As for tacky, it's supposed to be! LOL It's someone's idea of an "old
fashioned country store". Yes, it's noisy; I've never heard any banjo
music, though. When John and I went for breakfast it was about $13 for the
two of us. I don't consider that unreasonable. The service wasn't stellar
but that, too, varies.

Jill

kilikini <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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"The Ranger" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

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Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

kilikini <[email hidden]> wrote in message

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Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

==> Cracker Barrel: What gives? <==

I'm right there with ya, kilikini! I can only guess
location-location-location is the secret to Cracker Barrel's
success. Well, that, and doping every last dish of food up
with extra fats and tons of salt so it appeals to Middle
America's tastebuds.

I'm so glad that it's not just me! But why, why, why do people
*go* there? I don't get it. The place was PACKED.

For the same reason other (similar) chain-restaurants are packed
day-and-night. There's a formula to success and when hit, will bring
people flocking in. It's consistency of product and (mostly) service.

McD, Denny's, Red Robin, Applebee's, Houlihan's, BJ's, etc. have pinned
that formula back at the ears and hard to the wall! The food is laced
with fats that give it positive mouth-feels and -tastes. Salt is added
to enhance the fat flavors, or cover any major flaws. Spices are generic
and _anything_ that might present a different experience, to the
customer base these chains are attempting to draw from, is removed
completely or toned down in such a way as to not notice it. These chains
are NOT shooting for foodies, or people that are wanting something
exceptional. They're looking for John Doe and his family of four where
eggs are cooked to order, pancakes are consistently the same shape and
size, the price is "reasonable," the meals are of large portions
(helping John justify his skewed thinking that he's getting a good
deal), and John can get-in and get-out within 40 minutes.

(The other -- very important -- portion of the success formula is
location.)

I've been. I tried it. I won't go back.

The Ranger

kilikini said:

I have to ask, what is the big deal with Cracker Barrel?

Ok...it wasn't your cup of tea. Don't go back. Driveling on about
what you didn't like will not change the minds of all the returning
curstomers. ...and they have plenty.

"jmcquown" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

kilikini said:

I have to ask, what is the big deal with Cracker Barrel?

My side of hashbrown casserole was about as big as 4 quarters put
together, my MIL's SO's bowl of grits wasn't even a BOWL, more like a
rameken, and the grits were runny. Both our dishes were $2.00 a
piece. Should have been more like $.50 a piece.

Crappy food, way too crowded, gaudy "store", and terrible banjo
music. Ugh. And people flock to this place? Why?

kili

It must vary from location to location. The one in Bartlett is very good.
I've never ordered just a side so I can't comment on your portion sizes.

(I

Quoted message said:

think a lot of places charge too much for just a "side".) If I order a
regular breakfast it's usually too much food, but it's good food (even the
hash brown casserole!) The grits at this location are not runny; in fact
you could probably stand a spoon in them.

As for tacky, it's supposed to be! LOL It's someone's idea of an "old
fashioned country store". Yes, it's noisy; I've never heard any banjo
music, though. When John and I went for breakfast it was about $13 for

the

Quoted message said:

two of us. I don't consider that unreasonable. The service wasn't

stellar

Quoted message said:

but that, too, varies.

Jill

It took at least 30 minutes to get our food after we ordered. I justified
that to the place being super busy. I didn't find the portions huge at
all - especially mine. I finished my hashbrown casserole before Allan, his
mom and Bill finished salting and peppering their plates - THAT's how small
my portion was. For $2!!!!!! Allan's plate had 2 eggs, 1 piece of catfish,
hashbrowns equivalent to mine, a rameken of grits and 2 biscuits. He came
home and asked me what I was cooking for breakfast. :~) That's just
Allan, though, sigh. LOL

I thought, at least if all I'm ordering was a side of the hashbrowns,
wouldn't they up it a little? Actually, I was glad they didn't. They were
nothing but raw tater maggots covered in cheese and onion. Ick.

kili

"Ward Abbott" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

kilikini said:

I have to ask, what is the big deal with Cracker Barrel?

Ok...it wasn't your cup of tea. Don't go back. Driveling on about
what you didn't like will not change the minds of all the returning
curstomers. ...and they have plenty.

Yes, I'm aware of that. What I'm trying to understand is why people *go* at
all? Ranger had the best explanation.

kili

"kilikini" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Crappy food, way too crowded, gaudy "store", and terrible banjo music.
Ugh.
And people flock to this place? Why?

There's a market for everything, and Cracker Barrel's no different. The only
redeeming quality, according to a friend, is that if you're driving across
the country, you can borrow talking book CDs from one location and return it
at another. Smart idea. But, other than that...blech.

"Doug Kanter" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

"kilikini" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Crappy food, way too crowded, gaudy "store", and terrible banjo music.
Ugh.
And people flock to this place? Why?

There's a market for everything, and Cracker Barrel's no different. The

only

Quoted message said:

redeeming quality, according to a friend, is that if you're driving across
the country, you can borrow talking book CDs from one location and return

it

Quoted message said:

at another. Smart idea. But, other than that...blech.

You can really do that? That's so funny! I saw the talking book display,
but I thought it was for purchase, not rental. You gotta laugh at that one.

kili

The Ranger said:

kilikini <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
==> Cracker Barrel: What gives? <==

I'm right there with ya, kilikini! I can only guess
location-location-location is the secret to Cracker Barrel's success.
Well, that, and doping every last dish of food up with extra fats and
tons of salt so it appeals to Middle America's tastebuds.

The Ranger

I agree that it is way too noisy (poor planning on the acoustics) and
the food mediocre. BUT, they have this great service with "Books on CD"
that you can "rent" (you buy, then refund at any other cracker barrel
for a total cost of $3.49) that has provided me with many enjoyable
driving hours for little trouble. It is convenient. You can also find
some great old time candies and snacks in that corny shop.
Goomba

"kilikini" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

"Ward Abbott" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

kilikini said:

I have to ask, what is the big deal with Cracker Barrel?

Ok...it wasn't your cup of tea. Don't go back. Driveling on about
what you didn't like will not change the minds of all the returning
curstomers. ...and they have plenty.

Yes, I'm aware of that. What I'm trying to understand is why people *go*
at
all? Ranger had the best explanation.

kili

They're right off of highway exits or near cookie-cutter-style hotel sites,
so they're just the thing for people who are unable to find other restaurant
options. I find it interesting to get lost in a new place, but some people
become apoplectic when this happens to them.

kilikini said:

I'm so glad that it's not just me! But why, why, why do people *go* there?
I don't get it. The place was PACKED.

kili

I think for some, bad food they "recognize" is preferable to trying
something new that they don't?
Goomba

Goomba38 said:

The Ranger said:

kilikini <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
==> Cracker Barrel: What gives? <==

I'm right there with ya, kilikini! I can only guess
location-location-location is the secret to Cracker Barrel's success.
Well, that, and doping every last dish of food up with extra fats and
tons of salt so it appeals to Middle America's tastebuds.

The Ranger

I agree that it is way too noisy (poor planning on the acoustics) and
the food mediocre. BUT, they have this great service with "Books on
CD" that you can "rent" (you buy, then refund at any other cracker
barrel for a total cost of $3.49) that has provided me with many
enjoyable driving hours for little trouble. It is convenient. You
can also find some great old time candies and snacks in that corny
shop.
Goomba

I have some oil lamps I bought in that corny shop, cheaply! which have
served me well during long power outages. I picked up some Vistaware bowls
there, too, just for grins.

Jill

"kilikini" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

I have to ask, what is the big deal with Cracker Barrel?

I haven't been there, but I have a friend who loves the chicken pot pie.

"kilikini" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

"Ward Abbott" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

kilikini said:

I have to ask, what is the big deal with Cracker Barrel?

Ok...it wasn't your cup of tea. Don't go back. Driveling on about
what you didn't like will not change the minds of all the returning
curstomers. ...and they have plenty.

Yes, I'm aware of that. What I'm trying to understand is why people *go*
at
all? Ranger had the best explanation.

kili

My guess would be the same reason anybody goes anyplace, because they like
it.

Kathy

"kilikini" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

"Dee Randall" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

"kilikini" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I have to ask, what is the big deal with Cracker Barrel? Went there for
the
first time this morning with my mother-in-law, her SO and my hubby. DH
got
the fried catfish, 2 eggs over easy, grits, biscuits & gravy and the
hashbrown casserole. MIL got the same but with ham instead of catfish.
MIL's SO got a bowl of grits and I got a side dish of the hashbrown
casserole.

First of all, the place is loud and extremely tacky.

Second, the hashbrown casserole was absolutely disgusting - hubby

agreed.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Third, the price for the 4 of us (and two of us didn't really eat!)
came
to
about $25.00.

My side of hashbrown casserole was about as big as 4 quarters put
together,
my MIL's SO's bowl of grits wasn't even a BOWL, more like a rameken,
and
the
grits were runny. Both our dishes were $2.00 a piece. Should have
been
more like $.50 a piece.

Crappy food, way too crowded, gaudy "store", and terrible banjo music.
Ugh.
And people flock to this place? Why?

kili

I NEVER GO THERE! You said it all for me, no further comment necessary.
There is a place called the Haag Hotel, in Shartlesville, PA, off hwy 78
that has good reviews. People flock there. I feel the same way about it.
It's a source of amusement when we see the signs as we drive/whizz by,
yelling, Shall we stop -- Oh, Oh, you missed it!
Dee Dee

Dee Dee, I had to go to the Haag's Hotel's website just to check it out.
Dutch food, okay, I'm Dutch, but I don't know a thing about Dutch food.
It's really that bad?

kili

Well, you be the judge (tee hee). To me, Dutch food is just plain ole'
American food, if there is such a thing. You know, Amish food. There used
to be a food program on PBS, I used to watch it occasionally. One day she
made the perfect pie crust. I know I'm exaggerating (only a little). She
blended together god only knows how much lard with the flour, and pushed it
out in a pie pan with her fingers. Lordy, my, anyone could do this. But
when I think of Dutch/Amish food, it reminds me of her book. Some here will
know it. I can't remember, too long ago. But I think the book is still
around, I believe I saw it in Borders the other day.
Yes, I think the food at the Haag was a cut-below Cracker Barrel, or at
least on-par.
Dee Dee

kilikini said:

all? Ranger had the best explanation.

I liked Goomba's better. With the right promo, people will eat [censored].

nb