A very nice article regarding the beginning of my favorite breakfast spot, Cracker Barrel. How enjoyable to read of it's beginning. It is a shame to see successful businesses as this beat up on by minority groups wanting to make a quick buck, but
Cracker Barrel is one of a few that defended themselves correctly and never rolled over and reached in their pockets.
Thans for the article.

I guess when you wait long enough, you get a chance to tell the true story about the beginnings of the Cracker Barrel...and Im saying Mr. Dan Evins
is not telling the truth about the beginnings of this great idea. It wasnt his idea, and it didnt start in Lebanon....The first Cracker Barrel was in Manchester, (look it up), and was built where I-24
passes by Manchester. The idea arose from the fact that my then wife and I had to travel from Greencove Springs Fla, to Tennessee to visit family. There was not a place between Fla and
Tenn that offered good home cooked meals...at that time. The name Cracker Barrel came from my contact with a country store in Eagleville , that I thought had a barrel of crackers, but when I stuck my hand down in the barrel (to get fresher? one. I jammed my finger...the crackers were only about an inch thick....A friend of mine, Donald Smoot , who owned Smoots Flowers in Manchester, got the option to buy this piece of property, and asked me to see if I could come up with an idea...I did, and it included serving good old southern cooking, with good old southern accent
menus...and I can remember the fateful meeting we had with supposedly backers, and they told us the idea absoutely would not work. They could see no reason to invest...I was so disappointed, I left all the drawings, including small paned windows,
using antiques as a backdrop, having a porch with rockers, (even some haybales laying around) there on the table. As soon as Donnie gave up the option on the property. "Someone bought it
and the first Cracker Barrel was born". I had no recourse, I couldnt "prove anything". But now you know the truth!!!!!

I was fortunate to be one of the first customers of the "new" Cracker Barrel Store in in fall of 1970 after the MTSU homecoming football game. It was great then and still is today. I no longer live in TN but I am happy to be able to visit our local CB here in New Jersey.

We love Cracker Barrel and eat there when we travel. Unfortunately, there are non in California and I am sure they would do great here, but Cracker Barrel won't pay the current minimum wage for waitresses and waiters.

I admit I really like the food. It's too bad though that the owners/mgt wouldn't allow gay people to work there. I think that's changed now, which is obviously a good thing.

Customers associate this place with the South so it's a shame that the folks in charge discriminated like they did. It adds to the "bad image" of the South instead of focusing on the good things.

Please put a Cracker Barrel here in California,, It would be great for us to have had the experience of your chain here. Thanx

PLease put A Cracker Barrel in California,,,,We would really appreciate it!!

I have heard about the discrimanation againest African Americans.....but I bet the kitchen had 90% of African Americans as workers....what does that tell you? Mr. Cartwright...we are not trying to make a fast buck.......but then again its people like you.....narrow minded a__holes...thta make this country what it has turned into......get a life!

we also love cracker barrel's. i've been is ones from flordia to michigan. i live in michigan and we have to travel 45minutes to the nearest one. we would love for one to be bilt in oakland county, michigan soon.

I grew up in Lebanon. I knew Danny Evins and his family when we were young and have been an observer of the Cracker Barrel business all along. I thought the first Cracker Barrel was close to the present day intersection of I-40 and Highway 109 in Wilson County. Also, Lebanon is a small town with a population of over 20,000 people. I remember when the store opened along I-24 near Manchester, but I thought it was the second store.

My entire family loves CB....we eat nowhere else when we are all on the road, which is frequently!
Enjoy the foods that are available for purchase...esp the pie fillings! They are THE best. We live in the metro Atlanta area and there is only one here, and it is clear on the other side of town. Bring some into the North Fulton County area...Roswell, Alpharetta...it will be well-attended!!!!

In 2001 I had a "blind date" with a gentlemam that I had talked to several times. In case he was a "weirdo", I asked him to meet for coffee at the Cracker Barrel so I could escape if need be. Since we hadn't seen each other, I suggested we meet in the rocking chairs. I think we were both pleased with each other because we went inside & had breakfast. We were so alike & stayed about 2 hrs. just talking & laughing. Well, 14 mos. later we were married & that was the best decision we ever made. (Oh by the way, we are senior citizens, 60 & 64) Our 1st date was on Sept 21st & that date is as important to both of us as our wedding day. We go back to Cracker Barrel at least twice a month & we always come away happy. I've taken children & grandchildren there & they enjoy it also. Every Sept. 21st we always ask for the same table we sat at on our 1st date & will wait for it if we have to. I'm a "southern belle" & my husband is a "yankee". He has learned a lot about my southern roots & to enjoy good ole down home cookin'. He especially likes the fried okra. Thank you so much for providing such a wonderful restaurant. Also, for the fun general store, most of our holiday decorations were purchased there. Going to the Cracker Barrel is like going to visit an old friend.
Anne Zimmerman, Omaha, NE.

This is a real intresting story that I didn't know the histroy of the place is, I ate at one at the San Marcos Outlet Mall for the first time and the food was great!!!! Also the deserts was wonderful!!!! They had a nice country store where you can buy items of your choice.

Overal I would recommend to anybody that like Southern cooking or Stop In From A Long Trip.

Have visited Crackerbarrels from California to Maine and Miami. Food and service are always excellent. I hate shopping so I buy half of my wardrobe in the 15 minutes between the time I give my order and the time they bring it. I eat there at least once a week unless we are traveling, and then more. Love how managers circulate and ask how things are. Have met AfroAmerican managers and servers. I frequently ask servers if they have health insurance. Most say yes. Bought 100 shares of the company because of my experiences. Great stock.

I love going to Cracker Barrel. The food is excellent. I wish we could have one in Oak Harbor WA. I love the atmosphere.

Carl Price: Growning up in Lebanon did you know
J.D. Flyod or Billy Baxter. I heard that were early
investors of Cracker Barrel.

Crackers eat there?

I would love to see a CB in Southern Cal! I eat at them everytime I visit family in AZ. I pine for the apple butter and biscuits!

Think about a few in SoCal!

As an employee for this company over 8 years, I was happy to see just how much support there is for our company, despite all the bad media that has gone on over the years. I am proud to work for the best family restaurant in the country...Thanks for the loyalty everyone!

Love to eat at Cracker Barrel ! The food is always great.
But the best is the retail store outside the restaurants.I can always find unique inexpensive items there.The ladies that work in the retail side are always so sweet and helpful.THANK YOU for continuing to gift wrap at no cost.