Cracker Barrel is putting its menu overhaul to test in 14 Texas locations through August 5. For a limited time, guests can try and offer feedback on new items including Cinnamon Bread French Toast, Slow-Braised Pot Roast and Hashbrown Casserole Shepherd's Pie.
"For nearly 55 years, guests have known and loved us for our authentic, homestyle cooking, and that's not going away,” Cammie Spillyards-Schaefer, SVP of operations for the Lebanon, Tennessee-based family-dining chain, said in a statement. “We've only added more flavor and crave to the menu and made it easier to navigate.”
The test, which covers about new 20 menu items, includes an updated menu design that eases guest decision-making. And reduced recipe complexity eases kitchen operations.
Here’s a look at some of the new offerings and their menu descriptions:
- Hashbrown Casserole Shepherd's Pie: Slow-simmered pot roast in a savory sauce with onions, celery, carrots, peas and mashed potatoes topped with a griddled hashbrown casserole crust and sour cream. Served with a choice of hand-rolled buttermilk biscuits or cornbread muffins.
- Green Chile Cornbread: Cheesy green chile cornbread, drizzled with honey and topped with whipped butter.
- Chicken n' Dumplin Soup: Homestyle dumplings with shredded chicken, celery, carrots and onions in a savory broth.
- Cinnamon Bread French Toast: Cinnamon-streusel bread, hand-dipped in Cracker Barrel's signature batter, griddled golden brown and topped with cinnamon and cream cheese icing. Served with two eggs and choice of bacon or sausage.
- Banana Pudding: Homestyle banana pudding layered with vanilla wafers, whipped cream and caramel sauce.
The optimized menu also includes a revamp of Daily Specials—guest favorites only available on certain nights of the week. These include the new Southern BBQ Ribs and Chicken n' Rice as well as Lemon Pepper Trout n' Classic Turnip Greens.
“We're excited for the Texas community to be the first to experience some of our new culinary innovations like premium, savory Chicken n' Rice and Green Chile Cornbread,” said Spillyards-Schaefer. “We look forward to gaining valuable feedback, from both our guests and employees on the test.”
The limited-time test is taking place in the Texas cities of Abilene, Allen, Amarillo, Arlington, Benbrook, Cypress, Houston, Kingwood, Lubbock, Midland, Weatherford and Wichita Falls.
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