Cracker Barrel Breakfast Sides: What You Need to Know
Are you looking for the perfect accompaniments to your morning meal at Cracker Barrel? With a wide variety of breakfast options, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Cracker Barrel is renowned for its authentic Southern-style food, and its breakfast sides are a crucial part of the experience.
Understanding the range of meal options available can help you tailor your dining experience. From classic comfort food to innovative twists, Cracker Barrel’s breakfast sides are designed to complement their main dishes. Whether you’re a fan of their famous Hashbrown Casserole or looking to try something new, this guide will walk you through the best Cracker Barrel has to offer.
The Cracker Barrel Breakfast Experience
The Cracker Barrel breakfast experience is built around the idea that the right sides can make your meal truly unforgettable. When you visit Cracker Barrel, you’re not just ordering a meal; you’re participating in a Southern breakfast tradition that emphasizes hearty, comforting food.
The Southern-Style Breakfast Tradition
Cracker Barrel’s breakfast is deeply rooted in Southern cuisine, offering a variety of dishes that are both familiar and comforting. The Southern-style breakfast tradition is all about generous portions and rich flavors, making it a beloved meal time for many.
- Their breakfast sides reflect regional specialties, offering a cultural experience.
- Many customers enjoy customizing their meals with the variety of side options available.
Why Sides Make the Meal at Cracker Barrel
Sides are a crucial component of the Cracker Barrel breakfast experience. They aren’t just accompaniments; they’re often the highlight of the meal. The versatility of Cracker Barrel’s side options allows you to tailor your meal to your taste, whether you prefer sweet, savory, or a mix of both.
- The sides add textural contrast, flavor variety, and nutritional diversity to your plate.
- Regular customers often have their favorite side combinations, making these dishes an integral part of their Cracker Barrel experience.
- Cracker Barrel puts significant effort into making their sides distinctive and crave-worthy, unlike many other restaurant chains.
By focusing on quality and variety in their sides, Cracker Barrel enhances your overall breakfast experience, making every visit a satisfying one.
Popular Cracker Barrel Breakfast Sides
The breakfast menu at Cracker Barrel is a symphony of flavors, with sides playing a crucial role. When you visit Cracker Barrel, you’re presented with a variety of options to complement your breakfast entrée.
Overview of Side Options
Cracker Barrel offers a diverse range of breakfast sides that cater to different tastes and dietary preferences. From classic comfort foods to fresh fruit, there’s something for everyone. Some of the most popular sides include Hashbrown Casserole, Fried Apples, and Buttermilk Biscuits.
- Hashbrown Casserole: A creamy, cheesy casserole made with shredded potatoes and a blend of spices.
- Fried Apples: Tart apples cooked to perfection in a sweet and crispy batter.
- Buttermilk Biscuits: Flaky, buttery biscuits served hot, perfect for sopping up Sawmill Gravy.
How Sides Complement Breakfast Entrées
Cracker Barrel’s breakfast entrées are designed to be paired with their side offerings, creating a balanced and satisfying meal. The menu suggests specific side pairings to enhance the flavors of the main dishes. For example, the sweetness of Fried Apples pairs perfectly with the saltiness of country ham.
| Entrée | Recommended Side | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Country Ham | Fried Apples | Sweetness balances saltiness |
| Eggs | Hashbrown Casserole | Hearty, filling combination |
| Biscuits | Sawmill Gravy | Classic Southern comfort food |
By choosing the right side, you can elevate your breakfast experience at Cracker Barrel. Whether you’re in the mood for something sweet or savory, there’s a perfect pairing waiting for you.
Hashbrown Casserole: Cracker Barrel’s Signature Side
Cracker Barrel’s Hashbrown Casserole has become a staple for breakfast lovers, offering a deliciously satisfying side option. This beloved dish is a perfect blend of shredded potatoes, cheese, and creamy sauce, making it a comforting start to any day.
What Makes It Special
The Hashbrown Casserole’s appeal lies in its rich flavor profile, which is achieved through a combination of shredded potatoes, cheddar cheese, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, butter, and diced onions. This blend creates a dish that is both creamy and crispy, with a bit of texture from the potatoes. The casserole’s casserole structure allows for a generous serving size, making it a satisfying side dish.
Nutritional Information and Taste Profile
While the Hashbrown Casserole is a treat for the taste buds, it’s also important to consider its nutritional content. Per serving, it contains approximately 190 calories, with a significant portion coming from carbohydrates and fat. The dish is relatively high in sodium due to the cheese blend and seasonings. However, it does offer some nutritional benefits, including protein from the cheese and vitamin C from the potatoes. The taste profile is dominated by a savory cheese flavor, complemented by the subtle sweetness of onions and the earthy base of potato.
Fried Apples: A Sweet Morning Treat
If you’re looking for a sweet and savory breakfast treat, Cracker Barrel’s Fried Apples are an excellent choice to start your day. These tender, cinnamon-coated apples are more like a dessert, providing a perfect contrast to the savory breakfast options.
Preparation and Flavor Notes
Cracker Barrel’s Fried Apples are made with tender apples that are sweet and coated with cinnamon, creating a deliciously unique flavor profile. The apples are cooked to perfection, offering a warm and comforting side dish that complements a variety of breakfast entrées.
Best Entrées to Pair With Fried Apples
When it comes to pairing Fried Apples with other breakfast items, there are several options that enhance your meal. Here are some popular choices:
- Fried Apples create a perfect sweet-savory contrast when paired with saltier breakfast proteins like country ham, bacon, or sausage.
- The Old Timer’s Breakfast becomes more balanced when Fried Apples are selected as the side, offering a sweet counterpoint to the savory eggs and meat.
- Pancake breakfasts at Cracker Barrel are enhanced by Fried Apples, which provide a fruit component that complements the maple syrup without being redundant.
- Country Fried Steak benefits from the acidic sweetness of Fried Apples, which cuts through the richness of the gravy and fried coating.
- Momma’s Pancake Breakfast with Fried Apples creates a dessert-like experience that many customers specifically visit Cracker Barrel to enjoy.
- The Sunrise Sampler becomes more interesting with Fried Apples added, as they provide a different texture and temperature contrast to the other components.
- Grandpa’s Country Fried Breakfast paired with Fried Apples offers the ultimate comfort food experience, balancing the heaviness of the fried meat with the lightness of the fruit.
- For those who prefer a lighter breakfast, Fried Apples pair well with the Multi-Grain Breakfast, adding natural sweetness without requiring additional syrup.
Buttermilk Biscuits and Sawmill Gravy
For many, a visit to Cracker Barrel isn’t complete without ordering their renowned buttermilk biscuits and sawmill gravy. This classic Southern breakfast dish is a staple on their menu, and for good reason. The combination of warm, flaky biscuits and rich, savory gravy is a match made in heaven.
The Southern Staple Explained
Buttermilk biscuits and sawmill gravy have long been a cornerstone of Southern cuisine. The biscuits are typically made with buttermilk, which gives them a tangy flavor and tender texture. Sawmill gravy, on the other hand, is a type of country gravy made with pan drippings, sausage, and flour. It’s hearty and filling, perfect for accompanying the biscuits. Cracker Barrel’s version is made fresh throughout the day, ensuring that customers receive warm, fresh biscuits regardless of when they dine.
Key characteristics of this Southern staple include:
– Made with buttermilk for a tangy flavor
– Sawmill gravy contains substantial pieces of sausage
– Gravy is prepared from scratch in each location
How Cracker Barrel’s Version Stands Out
Cracker Barrel’s buttermilk biscuits and sawmill gravy stand out from the competition due to their commitment to quality and freshness. The biscuits are slightly larger than industry standard, providing a better ratio of biscuit to gravy. The sawmill gravy contains more substantial pieces of sausage than many competitors, giving it a heartier texture and more pronounced meat flavor. Additionally, the restaurant offers the option to order extra gravy on the side, acknowledging that many customers prefer a higher gravy-to-biscuit ratio than the standard serving provides.
The distinctive features include:
– Biscuits are made fresh throughout the day
– Larger biscuits provide a better ratio of biscuit to gravy
– Option to order extra gravy on the side
Grits and Other Breakfast Staples
Grits, a Southern breakfast favorite, are a staple on Cracker Barrel’s menu, prepared to bring out the best in this classic dish. Cracker Barrel’s breakfast menu is diverse, offering a range of hot and cold options that cater to various tastes and dietary preferences.
Southern Grits Done Right
Cracker Barrel’s grits are a comforting, creamy delight, made with stone-ground corn and cooked to perfection. The preparation involves a traditional recipe that ensures the grits are smooth and flavorful, making them a satisfying breakfast choice. Whether you prefer them as a side to your eggs and bacon or on their own, Cracker Barrel’s grits are a delicious way to start your day.
Other Classic Sides: Tomatoes, Fruit, and More
Beyond grits, Cracker Barrel offers a variety of other breakfast staples that complement their main courses. Sliced tomatoes provide a fresh contrast to richer dishes, while seasonal fruit adds a sweet and refreshing touch. The menu also includes other potatoes dishes, such as home fries with peppers and onions at some locations, giving customers multiple potatoes options.
| Side Dish | Description |
|---|---|
| Sliced Tomatoes | Fresh and tangy, providing a nice contrast to heavier breakfast items. |
| Seasonal Fruit | Varies by season, featuring melons, berries, and citrus fruits. |
| Home Fries | Crispy potatoes cooked with peppers and onions, available at select locations. |
Cracker Barrel’s diverse side options ensure that there’s something for everyone, whether you’re in the mood for something light and fresh or hearty and filling. Their commitment to offering a range of choices makes it a great place to enjoy a Cracker Barrel food experience.
Meat Sides: Bacon, Sausage, and Ham Options
Meat sides at Cracker Barrel, including bacon, sausage, and ham, are a key part of the breakfast experience. These protein-rich options can elevate your meal, providing a satisfying and filling start to your day.
When comparing the protein choices available as sides, several factors come into play, including taste, portion size, and price.
Comparing the Protein Choices
The primary meat sides at Cracker Barrel include bacon, sausage patties, and country ham. Each offers a distinct flavor profile and texture. Bacon is known for its crispy exterior and smoky flavor, while sausage patties provide a hearty, savory option. Country ham, on the other hand, offers a salty, meaty flavor that’s characteristic of Southern cuisine.
| Meat Side | Portion Size | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Bacon | 3-4 thick-cut slices | $3.99-$4.99 |
| Sausage Patties | 2-3 patties | $3.99-$4.99 |
| Country Ham | Varies | $4.99 |
| Smoked Sausage | Hearty portion | $4.99 |
Which Meat Side Offers the Best Value
When evaluating the best value among the meat sides, consider both the price and the portion size. Sausage patties typically offer the most protein for the price, making them a good value for those looking to maximize their protein intake. The Sampler Breakfast, which includes smaller portions of bacon, sausage, and ham, provides an excellent variety value for those who can’t decide on just one meat. For those with larger appetites, smoked sausage offers a heartier portion size, making it a better value in terms of quantity.
In conclusion, the best meat side at Cracker Barrel depends on your individual preferences and priorities. Whether you’re looking for the most protein per dollar or the most distinctive flavor experience, there’s a meat side option available to suit your needs.
How to Create the Perfect Cracker Barrel Breakfast Sides Combination
Cracker Barrel’s breakfast menu is designed to let you mix and match sides to create your ideal meal. With a variety of options, you can tailor your breakfast to suit your taste preferences.
Balancing Sweet and Savory
When choosing your sides, consider balancing sweet and savory flavors. Pairing fried apples or pancakes drizzled with maple syrup with savory options like hashbrown casserole or bacon creates a well-rounded breakfast. For instance, you could enjoy pancakes with a side of scrambled eggs and sausage for a filling meal.
Value Meals with the Best Side Options
Cracker Barrel offers several value meals that include a variety of side options. The Old Timer’s Breakfast is a great value, including a choice of side plus biscuits and gravy. Other options like Grandma’s Sampler and Momma’s Pancake Breakfast offer multiple sides and pancakes, providing a satisfying breakfast experience. You can also customize your meal by ordering “Eggs in a Basket” with two sides for a cost-effective way to enjoy multiple options.
Some popular value meals include:
- The Old Timer’s Breakfast for a two-side meal under $10
- Grandma’s Sampler for a variety of sides and meat options
- Momma’s Pancake Breakfast for pancakes, a meat side, and eggs
- The Sunrise Sampler for grits, Hashbrown Casserole, biscuits, and gravy
By choosing the right combination of sides and value meals, you can enjoy a delicious and satisfying Cracker Barrel breakfast.
Conclusion: Making the Most of Your Cracker Barrel Breakfast Experience
With a wide variety of sides to choose from, Cracker Barrel makes it easy to craft your perfect breakfast. By understanding the diverse range of options available, you can tailor your meal to suit your taste preferences, whether you’re in the mood for something sweet or savory.
To get the most out of your dining experience, consider the time of day and your appetite when selecting sides. Heartier options like Hashbrown Casserole are ideal for early morning meals, while lighter choices such as fruit are better suited for later breakfasts. Don’t hesitate to ask your server for recommendations, as they can provide valuable insights into pairing sides with your chosen entrée.
Feel free to experiment with different combinations to find your ideal breakfast composition. The flexibility to substitute or add sides to any breakfast for a small upcharge allows you to take control of your meal. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a regular, embracing the relaxed atmosphere and savoring the various components of your meal will enhance your overall experience.
Some additional tips to elevate your Cracker Barrel breakfast include trying sampler plates to explore various sides, taking advantage of seasonal specials, and considering leftovers for later enjoyment. By doing so, you’ll be able to fully appreciate the Southern tradition of breakfast as a social meal, making the most of your Cracker Barrel experience.
