Earlier this 12 months, I caught wind of a press launch from Cracker Barrel about their new Crispy Tender Dippers. Hand-breaded hen tenders with a lineup of sauces, together with a Nashville sizzling sauce? Proper up my alley. I made a word to attempt them…finally.
Properly, “finally” got here after we discovered ourselves in Tampa for a number of days and noticed a Cracker Barrel. They’d simply began rolling out Halloween merchandise, so it felt like the best time to examine each containers: meals and spooky decor.
Fast Information – Cracker Barrel (Seffner)
Cracker Barrel Outdated Nation Retailer
📍 6150 Lazy Days Blvd, Seffner, FL
📞 813-621-7323
🌐 crackerbarrel.com
📸 Instagram | Fb
🕒 Hours:
Solar–Thu: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Fri–Sat: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Halloween in July? Form Of.
The primary cease was the present store. Marcela instantly zeroed in on the Halloween part. Not every little thing was out but (we’re nonetheless in the course of summer time, in spite of everything), however there was sufficient to browse. We picked up a coffin-shaped “Right here Lies Pepper” salt and pepper shaker. One thing about that identify on a coffin simply made us chuckle.
Getting Seated and Sizing Up the Menu
As soon as we sat down, I ordered a lemonade, which wasn’t as tart as I want, however a minimum of it wasn’t overly candy—a dealbreaker for me. Whereas ready for Marcela to settle in, I noticed the Loaded Hashbrown Casserole Tots with ranch. Needed to get them. I normally go for Cracker Barrel’s traditional hashbrown casserole, so these felt like a pure evolution, however they weren’t.
The Meals Rundown
Marcela finally joined me and ordered the Crispy Tender Dippers with the Nashville sizzling sauce. She additionally selected sides of dumplings and mac & cheese. We had been requested if we wished cornbread or biscuits—our server warned us off the biscuits, so cornbread it was.
I debated ordering their burger, however months in the past I had written them asking if it was made with recent beef. They by no means responded. That informed me all I wanted to know, so I handed. I landed on the meatloaf with mashed potatoes and brown gravy and—you guessed it—mac & cheese, forgetting Marcela had already ordered it.
Large mistake.
The dumplings? Bland. The mac & cheese? Disappointing. Now we had two parts of mediocrity on the desk. On the flip aspect, the mashed potatoes with gravy had been stable. The meatloaf was good, loaded with little veggie bits and topped with a traditional tomato glaze. You may see it within the image above.
Crispy Tender Dippers: The MVP
However the very best factor we ate? The Crispy Tender Dippers, arms down. True to their identify, they had been genuinely crispy, and the Nashville sizzling sauce had a stable kick, bonus factors for being hand-breaded. Truthfully, I’d come again only for these.
Peach Cobbler & a Little bit of Nostalgia
Marcela was too full for dessert, however I couldn’t resist the peach cobbler when requested if I wished it with ice cream. In fact, I stated sure. It got here with a scoop of vanilla and a flaky pastry on prime, which wasn’t wonderful however wasn’t dangerous both. I had a number of bites and loved it sufficient, however in all probability wouldn’t exit of my strategy to order it once more.
Which sums up how I really feel about Cracker Barrel as an entire. I need to adore it, but it surely by no means fairly will get there.
The Peg Sport: A Basic Distraction
One last item: What’s your tackle that Cracker Barrel peg recreation at each desk? I haven’t touched it in years, however I’ve bought fond reminiscences of coming right here with the fellas and watching Jarce dominate it each time. Should you’re feeling nostalgic, it’s even on the market within the present store. Simply thought it is best to know.