Cracker Barrel Is Changing Its Menu to Add Beer, Wine and Mimosas

I think we can all agree: There’s something special about Cracker Barrel. Maybe it’s the nostalgia—the “throwback” style of the store entrance, the decor in the dining room and the peg game that’s on every table. Maybe it’s the drool-worthy Southern food.

The only thing missing from Cracker Barrel was a boozy beverage menu. Now, that’s set to change, and we can’t wait to sip mimosas with our breakfasts! Here’s why the change is happening—and when.

Does Cracker Barrel Serve Alcohol Right Now?

Before the COVID-19 quarantine, 20 Cracker Barrel locations were serving alcohol. It was a test of sorts, to see if drinks would even be popular with customers. Then, like pretty much every other restaurant, Cracker Barrel closed its dining room and started delivering instead. Not surprisingly, the chain struggled during the pandemic.

Now, with dining rooms opening across the country, they’re thinking of ways to bolster their earnings—like adding beer, wine and mimosas to menus. It sounds like Cracker Barrel plans to expand that pilot program to many of its 600+ locations around the country when they’re open for in-person dining. We’ll take a mimosa with our Pecan Pancakes, please!

There isn’t currently a list of which locations have booze, so call ahead if you have your heart set on a drink.

Will There Be Other Changes?

Cracker Barrel also announced that once dine-in services resume, the menus might be a little smaller than diners are used to. That change was made in an effort to make things easier when everything starts up again.

You also might notice some new dishes, like Chicken Pot Pie and Saturday Fried Pork Chops—those, like the beer and wine, were items the chain experimented with before the shutdown. If you’re still not keen on dining in, Cracker Barrel has said it’s continuing to offer delivery and curbside pickup. You can also check out our best Cracker Barrel copycat recipes, with favorites like apple dumplings, chicken fried steak and gravy and, of course, mashed potatoes.

The Cracker Barrel Recipes to Make at Home

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Inspired By: Cracker Barrel's Country Ham

Browned potatoes are a simple but perfect side for country ham. Not only do the potatoes pick up the flavor of the ham, but they look beautiful! Just add veggies or a salad and dinner’s done. —Helen Bridges, Washington, Virginia

Get Our Recipe for Country Ham and Potatoes

Inspired By: Cracker Barrel's Baked Apple Dumplin'

I received this recipe for baked apple dumplings with Mountain Dew from a friend of mine, then tweaked it to suit my family's tastes. The soda is definitely the secret ingredient in this rich apple dessert. —Chris Shields, Monrovia, Indiana

Get Our Recipe for Apple Dumpling Bake

Inspired By: Cracker Barrel's Country Fried Steak

As a child, my grandmother taught me how to make this chicken fried steak. I taught my daughters, and when my granddaughters are bigger, I’ll show them, too. —Donna Cater, Fort Ann, New York

Get Our Recipe for Chicken-Fried Steak & Gravy

Inspired By: Cracker Barrel's Chicken n' Dumplins

Using pre-cooked chicken and ready-made biscuits, this hearty dish is comfort food made simple. It's the perfect way to warm up on chilly nights. —Lakeya Astwood, Schenectady, New York

Get Our Recipe for Quick Chicken and Dumplings

Inspired By: Cracker Barrel's Biscuits n' Gravy

This is an old Southern biscuits and gravy recipe that I've adapted. Homemade sausage gravy is a classic, hearty breakfast that takes you on a trip to the South every time it's served. —Sue Baker, Jonesboro, Arkansas

Get Our Recipe for Biscuits and Sausage Gravy

Inspired By: Cracker Barrel's Meat Loaf

The combination of onion, carrots, parsley and cheese—plus the tomato-mustard topping—makes this meat loaf really colorful. The recipe lends itself easily to being doubled or halved to suit the number you're cooking for, and it freezes well, too. It's the best meatloaf ever! —Anna Baker, Blaine, Washington

Get Our Recipe for Best-Ever Meat Loaf

Inspired By: Cracker Barrel's Roast Beef

This well-seasoned roast is Mom’s specialty. Everyone loves slices of the fork-tender roast beef and its savory gravy, and people always ask what her secret ingredients are. Now you have the delicious recipe for our favorite dish! —Linda Gaido, New Brighton, Pennsylvania

Get Our Recipe for Mom’s Roast Beef

Inspired By: Cracker Barrel's Mashed Potatoes

When it comes to mashed potatoes recipes, this is one of my favorites because they can be made ahead, refrigerated and then popped into the oven just prior to dinnertime. When my grandchildren come for dinner, I have to double this recipe. They love it! —Vivian Bailey, Cedar Falls, Iowa

Get Our Recipe for Deluxe Mashed Potatoes

Inspired By: Cracker Barrel's Macaroni n' Cheese

This is a great way to make America's most popular comfort food. The dish turns out cheesy, rich and creamy. —Jennifer Babcock, Chicopee, Massachusetts

Get Our Recipe for Potluck Macaroni and Cheese

Inspired By: Cracker Barrel's Buttermilk Oven Fried Chicken Breast

My family loves this chicken recipe. The coating keeps the chicken nice and moist, and with the taste enhanced by marinating, the result is delicious. —Stephanie Otten, Byron Center, Michigan

Get Our Recipe for Spicy Oven-Fried Chicken

Inspired By: Cracker Barrel's Corn Muffins

I turn classic corn bread muffins into something special by serving them with a honey butter. They're gone in a flash! —Suzanne McKinley, Lyons, Georgia

Get Our Recipe for Homemade Corn Muffins with Honey Butter

Inspired By: Cracker Barrel's Hashbrown Casserole

My son-in-law gave me the recipe for this hash brown casserole, which my kids say is addictive. It's an amazing make-ahead dish.—Amy Oswalt, Burr, Nebraska

Get Our Recipe for Deluxe Hash Brown Casserole

Inspired By: Cracker Barrel's Chicken Pot Pie

Why look for potpie in the frozen food aisle when this easy homemade chicken potpie tastes much better? Under its golden-brown crust, you'll find the ultimate comfort food for kids and adults. —Amy Briggs, Gove, Kansas

Get Our Recipe for Homemade Chicken Potpie

Inspired By: Cracker Barrel's Cheese Grits

Grits are a staple in southern cooking. Serve this as a brunch item with bacon or as a side dish for dinner.—Jennifer Wallis, Goldsboro, North Carolina

Get Our Recipe for Cheese ‘n’ Grits Casserole

Inspired By: Cracker Barrel's U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish

You can use this recipe with any thick fish fillet, but I suggest catfish or haddock. The Cajun flavor is great! —Traci Wynne, Denver, Pennsylvania

Get Our Recipe for Skillet-Grilled Catfish

Inspired By: Cracker Barrel's Chicken Fried Chicken

Here's a lightened-up take on classic southern comfort food. This chicken gravy recipe has been a hit at our house since the first time we tried it! —Ruth Helmuth, Abbeville, South Carolina

Get Our Recipe for Country Chicken with Gravy

Inspired By: Cracker Barrel's Breaded Fried Okra

Golden brown with a little fresh green showing through, these okra nuggets are crunchy and addicting! My sons like to dip them in ketchup. —Pam Duncan, Summers, Arkansas

Get Our Recipe for Southern Fried Okra

Inspired By: Cracker Barrel's Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake

We live in Coca-Cola country, where everyone loves a chocolaty, moist sheet cake made with the iconic soft drink. Our rich version does the tradition proud. —Heidi Jobe, Carrollton, Georgia

Get Our Recipe for CokeCola Cake

Inspired By: Cracker Barrel's Grilled Pork Chop

A little brining and a special dry rub go a long way to making the perfect pork chop. Once you've mastered the techniques, you'll be enjoying them all summer long. —Matthew Hass, Franklin, Wisconsin

Get Our Recipe for Ultimate Grilled Pork Chops

Inspired By: Cracker Barrel's Pinto Beans

Any time Mom had the gang over for dinner, she made these pinto beans. Once she made a batch for my cousin’s birthday, and he ate the entire thing. —Joan Hallford, Fort Worth, Texas

Get Our Recipe for Patio Pintos

Inspired By: Cracker Barrel's Fried Apples

If you’re feeling festive, scoop some vanilla ice cream over a bowl of my cinnamon spiced apples. They’re homey, aromatic and just plain heavenly. —Amie Powell, Knoxville, Tennessee

Get Our Recipe for Cinnamon Spiced Apples

Inspired By: Cracker Barrel's Open-Faced Roast Beef Sandwich

Just like Mom or Grandma used to make—but so much quicker! Store-bought mashed potatoes and gravy and deli roast beef help you turn out this heartwarming combination before you can say, “Order up!” —Ruth Ann Bott, Lake Wales, Florida

Get Our Recipe for Deli Roast Beef Sandwiches with Mashed Potatoes

Inspired By: Cracker Barrel's Homestyle Chicken

Fried chicken may have been perfected in the South, but it is loved everywhere! Seasonings add a little something extra to this recipe, as does a rich gravy. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Get Our Recipe for Southern Fried Chicken with Gravy

Inspired By: Cracker Barrel's Buttermilk Biscuits

These fluffy biscuits are so tasty slathered with butter or used to mop up every last drop of gravy off your plate. I can still see Mom pulling these tender gems out of the oven. —Vera Reid, Laramie, Wyoming

Get Our Recipe for Mom’s Buttermilk Biscuits

Inspired By: Cracker Barrel's 10 oz. Ribeye Steak

A true Southerner to the core, I love to cook—especially on the grill. This recipe is one of my favorites! The seasoning rub makes a wonderful marinade, and nothing beats the summertime taste of these flavorful grilled steaks! —Sharon Bickett, Chester, South Carolina

Get Our Recipe for Peppered Ribeye Steaks

Inspired By: Cracker Barrel's Eggs-in-the-Basket

American Toad in a hole is one of the first recipes I had my children prepare when they were learning to cook. Much easier than the European version, this fun egg-in-a-hole is sure to please. My "little ones" are now grown (and have advanced to more difficult recipes!), but this continues to be a traditional standby in my home and theirs. —Ruth Lechleiter, Breckenridge, Minnesota

Get Our Recipe for Toad in the Hole

Inspired By: Cracker Barrel's Apple Cider BBQ Chicken Breast

I'd just been apple picking and wanted to bake something new with the bounty. I decided on apple chicken by throwing them in the slow cooker with some barbecue sauce. The dish fills my whole house with the most delicious smell. —Caitlyn Hauser, Brookline, New Hampshire

Get Our Recipe for Autumn Apple Chicken

The post Cracker Barrel Is Changing Its Menu to Add Beer, Wine and Mimosas appeared first on Taste of Home.

Emily Hannemann