Cracker Barrel Old Country Store on I-35

CB food and atmosphere are always good and reliable. What was notable for this meal was the amazing and exemplary service received by our server, Brett. Possibly the best service EVER! Brett was kind, courteous, prompt, and went out of his way to ensure that we were fully satisfied with our meal experience.

Had the chicken and dumplings, and they were so gross. I did not eat them. I told the waitress and she mentioned it to the manager and said that he tasted them and said that it was watered down. I was offered a different meal, but I declined. They were so watered down and had no flavor. The chicken used to be large pieces of chicken breast (like tender size). What I got looked like stringy small pieces of chicken parts, and the dumplings were like flat noodles all stuck together. The waitress apologized profusely and said she tried to get them taken off, but wasn't allowed to. The food used to be good, but the last few times we've been so disappointed. 15 for a meal I didn't eat, at least the carrots were good 🙄

I love Cracker barrel restaurants, but not every restaurants has a good cook like this one iN WACO TX. We liked the food and nice clean restaurant. Service was great. We will come back 😃

From the moment I walked in, I was impressed with how clean and inviting the store side was. The country-style décor and well-stocked shelves made it fun to browse while I waited to be seated. Everything was tidy and organized, and it really set the tone for a comfortable visit. The hostess greeted me right away with a big smile, and she was both polite and genuinely friendly. That first impression carried through the whole meal. The staff as a whole were very welcoming, which made me feel right at home. I ordered the chicken fried steak with dumplings, mac and cheese, and hash brown casserole. The chicken fried steak was cooked perfectly—crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, smothered in flavorful gravy. The dumplings tasted just like homemade, soft and comforting. The mac and cheese was creamy, cheesy, and rich without being overwhelming, and the hash brown casserole was golden, cheesy, and perfectly seasoned. Each side complemented the main dish beautifully, and together it was a hearty, satisfying meal. My waitress was excellent—extremely polite, attentive, and quick to check in on me without ever being intrusive. She made sure my drink stayed filled, asked if I needed anything else at the right times, and brought my food out promptly. Her kindness and attentiveness really stood out and made the meal that much more enjoyable. Overall, the entire experience was outstanding. Between the clean and charming store, the welcoming staff, the delicious food, and the top-notch service, Cracker Barrel delivered on every level. I left full, happy, and already looking forward to my next visit.

This place has gone dramatically downhill. What used to be decent comfort food now feels like overpriced cafeteria garbage. The beef was severely overcooked, dry, and chalky. The hash brown casserole was somehow both undercooked and crunchy, with a bizarre taste and texture that reminded me of plastic. The okra tasted like it had been sitting around for days, stale, overcooked, hollow inside, and mushy. The mashed potatoes were practically inedible, with a texture like sandpaper and cardboard. They also forgot one of my sides, and when I pointed it out, they only gave me half of what I ordered. For the prices they charge, this is completely unacceptable. There is nothing remotely appealing about paying restaurant prices for food that tastes old, poorly prepared, and borderline inedible. Cracker Barrel has gone from comfort food to overpriced garbage. I genuinely don't understand how the quality has deteriorated this badly.