Cracker Barrel

The first time I drove across the United States, I kept seeing signs for this place called the "Cracker Barrel" but it looked so quaint and country-ish that I did not bother to stop. Somewhere in Tennessee starvation overtook us and we decided to see what this Cracker Barrel place was all about. How I wish we had stopped sooner!

Scattered all along the major highways from Arizona to Connecticut, east and west, north and south, this restaurant and gift shop with its old fashioned country store appearance is definitely an oasis for travelers and locals alike. Step up to the front porch and take a moment to relax in their dozens of rocking chairs.

You first walk inside a gift shop loaded with everything a traveler really needs... nostalgic candy, snacks and soda as well as seasonal merchandise, clothes, and toys. Remember those Moon Pies from your childhood? Here you can buy a case at a reasonable price. They also have the great old candy like valomilk bars or the Skybars and chocolate neccos.

Don't fill up on too much candy. The dining room is to the left and a friendly hostess or host is ready to seat you. You sit at tables and chairs that surround a large fireplace on one wall. The other walls are decorated in old-time cooking utensils, tools, equipment, photos, etc.

Then there's the food. Comfort food never tasted so good! Check out the chicken and dumplings or chicken fried steak! I love the hearty beef stew with cole slaw and corn muffins on the side. It is served in a one-serving size cast iron pan. The chicken and dumplings are made from scratch with thick strands of the dumplings that look like wide noodles but melt in your mouth they are so soft and tender.

My absolute favorite is the Cracker Barrel breakfast. Every breakfast is served with a bowl of warm grits. If you've never had grits, don't knock it. Add a little butter and sugar and take a bite. It is similar to oatmeal but made with corn meal. The pancakes are light and delicious. The sausage is slightly spicy, so I pour a little of the country gravy over the patties and its perfect. The biscuits are so light and delicious! If you need sugar free jam or pancake syrup, just ask. They are always accomadating. And trust me, your cup of coffee will never run out.

The closest Cracker Barrel to Los Angeles unfortunately is all the way in Kingman, Arizona. I don't know why they haven't found a spot here in California. They could certainly do a booking business off the 5 freeway in Burbank. Or on the 14 in Palmdale. Etc.