Cracker Barrel, the beloved purveyor of homestyle cooking and nostalgic comfort, is embarking on a significant culinary expansion, rolling out an array of exciting new menu items designed to capture the essence of the fall and upcoming holiday seasons. These additions promise to deliver the warmth and flavor patrons have come to expect, alongside some innovative twists. However, this expansive menu evolution comes with a compelling strategic layer: a substantial, limited-time menu test in select Texas markets, offering a tantalizing glimpse into potential future offerings, yet creating a distinct geographical catch for eager diners.
As the holidays draw near, the restaurant chain is wholeheartedly embracing the festive spirit, introducing an impressive lineup that balances returning fan favorites with genuinely innovative dishes. This comprehensive refresh aims to delight guests with a renewed focus on comfort foods, enticing breakfast options, and convenient Thanksgiving feasts for families. Cracker Barrel is clearly signaling its intent to remain a relevant and cherished dining destination.
Among the immediate highlights making their way to menus are several dishes that exemplify the chain’s commitment to hearty, satisfying fare. The Broccoli Cheese Casserole, a returning fan favorite, is once again available, described as “brimming with comfort.” This super delicious take on a classic features broccoli and rice enveloped in a rich cheese sauce, finished with a topping of crushed buttery cracker crumbles, inviting diners to savor its familiar warmth.
Breakfast aficionados will find much to celebrate with the introduction of the Breakfast Burger. This ingenious creation is dubbed by the chain as “basically every comfort food dream stacked on a bun.” It’s a truly substantial morning meal, loaded with a beef patty, crisp bacon, a sunny-side egg, American cheese, and, as a signature flourish, Cracker Barrel’s famous Hashbrown Casserole, promising a super filling and protein-packed start to the day.
For those seeking a unique savory experience, Cracker Barrel is elevating its country-fried offerings with the new Country Fried Turkey. Moving beyond traditional chicken or steak, this dish features turkey cooked similarly to fried chicken. It presents “hand-breaded tenderloins with herbed pan gravy,” and is pictured accompanied by classic sides such as cranberry sauce, mac and cheese, green beans, and a few biscuits, offering a fresh take on a Southern classic.
Sweet tooth cravings are addressed with the indulgent Cinnamon Swirl French Toast, another breakfast item that promises a luxurious experience. This dish showcases Cracker Barrel’s trademark French toast generously adorned with “indulgent cinnamon and cream cheese icings,” creating a delightful blend of flavors perfect for a comforting morning treat. These immediately available items set a high standard for the season’s culinary journey.
The broader fall menu further enriches the offerings with a host of seasonal delights, emphasizing the comfort and warmth of autumn. Diners can enjoy the Signature Fried Apple French Toast Bake, a breakfast or brunch masterpiece combining thick slices of bread soaked in rich vanilla custard, topped with sweet fried apples and crunchy streusel, served with buttery pecan syrup and a choice of breakfast meat. This limited-time item, priced at $11.99, encapsulates autumnal indulgence.
A standout offering, the Hashbrown Casserole Shepherd’s Pie, a hearty dish layering savory beef with Cracker Barrel’s famous hashbrown casserole, also takes a prominent place on the fall menu. This iteration includes tender pot roast cooked with carrots, peas, onions, and celery, topped with a crispy hashbrown casserole crust and served alongside mashed potatoes with a choice of buttermilk biscuits or corn muffins for $17.99. This dish beautifully blends traditional comfort with a beloved Cracker Barrel staple.
For a truly satisfying meal that evokes a Sunday dinner feel, the Sunday Pot Roast delivers with its tender, slow-cooked rib roast, accompanied by carrots, onions, celery, and rich beef gravy. Served with two Country Sides and a choice of buttermilk biscuits or corn muffins for $17.39, it promises a deeply flavorful and comforting experience. Dessert options are equally enticing, with the Southern Apple Cobbler featuring tender cinnamon apples nestled under a crisp, buttery topping, finished with a caramel drizzle, available for a short period only at $6.29.
The fall menu also introduces an impressive array of steak options. The New York Strip Steak n’ Eggs, for $20.99, includes a 10 oz New York strip steak topped with a rich garlic butter sauce, accompanied by two eggs and a choice of breakfast side. For those desiring a combination, the New York Strip Steak n’ Chicken Combo and New York Strip Steak n’ Shrimp Combo, both at $25.19, offer the 10 oz steak drizzled with garlic butter sauce, paired with either fried chicken tenders or Smoky Southern Grilled Chicken, or Country Fried Shrimp respectively, both including two sides and bread.
Further expanding the savory selections, the Monday Chicken n’ Rice, available for $15.59, features oven-baked chicken breast covered in a rich mushroom sauce, served on a bed of seasoned rice with two Country Sides and bread. The Saturday Southern BBQ Ribs, priced at $22.19, showcase tender St. Louis-Style ribs slow-cooked to perfection and coated with a sweet and tangy brown sugar BBQ sauce, served with two Country Sides and bread, providing a robust weekend option.
The seasonal drink menu is equally inventive, featuring limited-time beverages like the crisp Granny Smith Apple Tea, available for $8.99 for both a single serving and a half gallon. Coffee enthusiasts can indulge in the French Toast Latte, a warm blend of cinnamon, espresso, and steamed milk, topped with whipped cream, cinnamon crumbles, and syrup, available hot or iced for $4.49. These creative drinks offer a refreshing or comforting complement to any meal.
Cracker Barrel’s new fall lineup also sees the return of Uncle Herschel’s Favorite, a popular breakfast plate that allows for customization with two eggs cooked to preference and a choice of Sugar Cured Ham, Country Ham, Grilled or Fried Catfish Fillet, Crispy Tender Dippers, or the latest addition: a premium New York Strip Steak. This beloved plate is rounded out with Hashbrown Casserole or Fried Apples, Buttermilk Biscuits, Sawmill Gravy, and grits.
Additional innovative breakfast options include the Sausage & Egg Hashbrown Casserole, layered with Colby cheese over Sawmill Gravy, scrambled eggs, crumbled smoked sausage, onions, red peppers, and green chiles, finished with crispy fried onions, diced tomatoes, green onions, and served with biscuits. A Bacon & Egg Hashbrown Casserole offers a similar delicious experience, layered with bacon pieces, scrambled eggs, Colby cheese, and the same fresh toppings, also served with Buttermilk Biscuits.
The Butter Pecan French Toast Bake presents a sweet breakfast alternative, featuring vanilla custard-soaked, thick-cut country bread topped with a cheesecake filling, served with a choice of bacon or sausage, with an upgrade option for Cracker Barrel’s signature Praline Pecan Streusel and Butter Pecan Syrup. For dinner, the Herb Roasted Chicken, a slow-roasted half chicken topped with lemon herb butter sauce, is served with mashed potatoes, a Classic Side, and choice of bread. The Slow-Braised Pot Roast makes another appearance with slow-roasted rib roast, carrots, onions, celery, homestyle gravy, and creamy mashed potatoes, served with a Classic Side and bread.
Dessert innovation continues with Butter Pecan Sticky Buns, a warm, tender, and perfectly sweet bun coated in Butter Pecan Sauce and baked with a gooey praline pecan topping. The Cinnamon Roll Skillet offers freshly baked cinnamon rolls filled with gooey cinnamon filling and topped with cream cheese icing. Beverages are expanded with the Sweet Brown Sugar Latte, featuring espresso and steamed milk, topped with whipped cream and Butter Pecan Syrup, and a Wild Berry Tea, a freshly brewed iced tea with added wild berry flavors.
However, amidst this exciting national rollout, there lies a significant strategic catch that highlights Cracker Barrel’s forward-thinking approach to menu development. The restaurant chain has been conducting what it calls the “biggest menu test in the brand’s history,” featuring 20 new items that are not yet widely available. This exclusive culinary experiment is confined to only select Cracker Barrel locations across Texas, running for a limited time that concluded on August 5.
This focused test provided a unique opportunity for diners in cities such as Abilene, Allen, Amarillo, Arlington, Benbrook, Cypress, Houston, Kingwood, Lubbock, Midland, Weatherford, and Wichita Falls to sample future menu possibilities. The geographical restriction and finite timeframe underscore a data-driven strategy, allowing Cracker Barrel to gather valuable insights on new concepts before a broader commitment. It’s a clear indication of careful market analysis at play, shaping future menu landscapes.
Among the intriguing items featured in this exclusive Texas test were Hashbrown Casserole Shepherd’s Pie (an item that seemingly transitioned to the general fall menu after its test phase), Green Chile Cornbread, and Chicken n’ Dumplin Soup, showcasing a blend of traditional Southern flavors with innovative twists. Other test items included Cinnamon Bread French Toast, Banana Pudding, Southern BBQ Ribs, Slow-Braised Pot Roast, Chicken n’ Rice, Creole Shrimp, Crispy Tender Dippers, and a Signature Saucy Chicken Sandwich. The overlap of some test items with the later, more broadly announced fall menu suggests that the Texas trial served as a successful proving ground for these new additions.
This ambitious testing strategy wasn’t without its immediate impact on public perception. Cracker Barrel’s initial teasing of the news on Instagram elicited a mixed bag of responses from its passionate fanbase. While some commenters expressed enthusiasm, saying, “Looks super good!”, others voiced apprehension, with one writing, “Stop changing my beloved cracker barrel.” Another fan chimed in with, “Hope ur not changing it too much and making sure all locations are consistent.”
Responding to these evolving customer sentiments, Senior Vice President of Operations Cammie Spillyards-Schaefer provided reassuring clarity on the company’s strategic direction. She noted, “For nearly 55 years, guests have known and loved us for our authentic, homestyle cooking, and that’s not going away, we’ve only added more flavor and crave to the menu and made it easier to navigate…we look forward to gaining valuable feedback, from both our guests and employees on the test.” This statement highlights Cracker Barrel’s commitment to preserving its core identity while carefully integrating new elements.
Beyond dine-in experiences, Cracker Barrel is also addressing the increasing demand for convenience with the return of its Heat & Serve Holiday Meals. These offerings provide a stress-free solution for holiday feasts, capable of feeding four to ten people for $114.99 and ready in just two hours. Customers can pre-order these meals now at CrackerBarrel.com for pickup from November 22-30, perfectly timed for Thanksgiving celebrations.
The Thanksgiving Heat & Serve Family Dinner, designed for 4-6 people, includes an oven-roasted turkey breast, sweet potato casserole, green beans served with cornbread dressing, gravy, cranberry relish, and rolls. For larger gatherings, the Thanksgiving Heat & Serve Feast caters to 8-10 people, featuring two oven-roasted turkey breasts, sweet potato casserole, green beans, mashed potatoes with cornbread dressing, gravy, cranberry relish, rolls, and both pumpkin and pecan pies for dessert. These options underscore the brand’s adaptability to modern consumer needs.
Further innovations extend to the shareables menu, with new Barrel Bites additions like White Cheddar Cheese Bites and Country Fried Pickles, both served golden brown with buttermilk ranch. These bites also expanded to the catering menu, making them convenient choices for tailgates and game-day spreads. The chain also introduced a limited-time offer for a free Classic Side with a qualifying in-restaurant purchase from August 23-24, allowing guests to enjoy favorites like Fried Cinnamon Apples, signature Hashbrown Casserole, or Steak Fries.
This period of dynamic change at Cracker Barrel also follows the unveiling of a new logo, described by the company as being “rooted even more closely to the iconic barrel shape and word mark that started it all.” This cleaner, more contemporary approach signals a broader brand evolution, moving away from the ornate script and the iconic image of a man, nicknamed “Old Timer,” from previous versions. It reflects a desire to modernize the brand’s visual identity while staying true to its heritage.
In essence, Cracker Barrel is not merely adding new dishes; it is actively shaping its future through strategic innovation, careful market testing, and responsive engagement with its customer base. From the hearty warmth of its widespread fall and holiday menu items to the forward-looking experimentation in select markets, the chain is navigating the evolving landscape of consumer tastes with both reverence for tradition and an eye towards culinary evolution. The balance between beloved classics and fresh, exciting options, underpinned by a robust business strategy, ensures Cracker Barrel remains a compelling destination, continuing to offer authentic homestyle comfort while also charting new, flavorful paths for its diners across the nation.
