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Family Breakfasts at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

May 13, 2015|Posted in: Family and Relationships

IMG_4247 (1)Every Sunday morning, my four older sisters and I, and our spouses, go out to breakfast and we’ve been doing it for a good number of years now. Most of the time, we go to Cracker Barrel Old Country Store. We started the tradition when our dad became elderly. It was a great way for us to spend time with him as well as to get him out of the house for an enjoyable time. So originally, it was my sisters and I, our dad and his dear friend Bettie, every Sunday morning, having breakfast at Cracker Barrel.  It was dad’s favorite place to go and he enjoyed it so much he felt at home!

I’ve wanted to write about what a positive experience we always have at Cracker Barrel, but I wasn’t sure how to explain it so that readers would really understand how great it is. Then this last Sunday the waiters and waitresses made our experience so incredible, that I thought if I described it well, my readers would get the picture of how enjoyable it really is!

These days there are usually nine of us, and frequently one or two, or a few, of our kids and grandkids join us as well. This particular Sunday quite a few of our offspring had joined us! We asked them to seat us at two tables, with the guys at one table and the ladies and grandkids at another. (That makes it easier on the Cracker Barrel staff, plus sits everyone where they find the conversation most interesting).

Well, this last Sunday they showed us to our tables and before we had even taken our seats, two or three waiters and waitresses came with trays of drinks, lots of Diet Cokes (one with lemon) for my sisters and me, coffee for the guys and coffee with cream for Bettie. We didn’t even have to tell them what we wanted. They already knew.

Without fail, the staff is always courteous and friendly like that!  They make us feel comfortable and at home!  They know how we like things and pay attention to details, like remembering to bring sugar free jam and a Diet Coke with lemon for my oldest sister, and cream for the coffee for Bettie. The food is always delicious and tastes like something mom or grandma would make at home!  The atmosphere is always homey and comfortable and we just relax and enjoy each other’s company and a tasty breakfast.  Our waiter or waitress always keeps our drinks refilled and patiently splits our order into individual checks just the way we want them to.

One waitress is especially friendly, although always very professional. She never fails to greet us, whether we are seated at her table or not.  Her name is Cocoa and my dad was especially fond of her, as I believe she was of him. Every week they would exchange a few pleasantries with each other and that made the experience even more enjoyable for Dad.

After a couple of years dad began to slow down a whole lot and I’m sure that Cracker Barrel’s staff noticed when it got to the point that he would shuffle in slowly, with one of us holding his arm, steadying him as he walked. Finally the Sunday morning came when it was just us sisters, our spouses and Bettie that went out to breakfast. I will never forget when Cocoa came to greet us and asked about where Dad was. Her eyes filled with tears when we told her that he had passed away.

We continue to enjoy breakfasts together as a family at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store.  We love the food and the relaxing atmosphere.  After breakfast we enjoy shopping in the store and often purchase fun gifts for our kids and grandkids or beautiful decorations for our homes. Shopping is one of our favorite parts of the morning!  My sisters and I appreciate so much how the staff at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, make every Sunday morning special for us!

The picture above is of my three brothers-in-law (now the patriarchs of our family) in the wonderful rocking chairs outside of the store, where we always gather for a few minutes after breakfast to finish up our conversations and tell one another goodbye and have a great day!  I’m especially fond of this picture (by the way, there’s a lot of wisdom represented there). It reminds me of the great times we have going out to breakfast as a family and how we simply enjoy the time we have to Eat, Shop and Relax at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store!

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10 Comments

  1. Meagan
    May 14, 2015

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    This is a great post! Cracker Barrel is Soooo good! I love their pancakes. Looks like fun with the whole family.

  2. Chelsea
    May 14, 2015

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    Great post! I’ve never been to Cracker Barrel but I’ve always wanted to! 🙂

  3. Jessica
    May 14, 2015

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    I haven’t been to the local Cracker Barrel is a very long time, but I just loved your story about Cocoa and your dad. What a very special lady to have such compassion and caring for your family.

  4. Heather
    May 14, 2015

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    When my family drives down to Florida to visit the rest of my family, we always stop at Cracker Barrel along the way – which is good since it is about a 24 hour drive! We have always enjoyed it. I especially like the little store that is attached to the restaurant, so fun to look at all the items they have!

  5. Logan Can
    May 14, 2015

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    I love Cracker Barrel! I haven’t been in a while now, but this made me want to go soon! Those biscuits! haha

  6. Brandee
    May 14, 2015

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    What a wonderful story! It really is the little things that can mean so much, isn’t it? I’ve never been to a Cracker Barrel, as we don’t have them here, but based on your description of the one you go it, it sounds fantastic. It’s funny how people come into our lives in different ways and play a part, like your Dad and Cocoa did. Thanks for sharing this.

  7. Cindy
    May 14, 2015

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    i have always enjoyed our meals at the Cracker Barrel. The atmosphere is always welcoming and the staff were super friendly.

  8. Anne Campbell
    May 15, 2015

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    Cracker Barrel never disappoints. It offers the best comfort food and environment. The breakfast menu is our favorite!

  9. Joi Lin
    May 31, 2015

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    You should send this to Cracker Barrel. I’m sure they would love hearing it!

    • LoriGraceH
      June 1, 2015

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      Joi Lin, I did send it to them, not when I originally posted it, but just the end of last week. I haven’t heard anything from them. Maybe, I still will. No way to know if it gets to the right person though.

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