We went to the Cracker Barrel for dinner. If you have been to one Cracker Barrel you have been to all the Cracker Barrels because they are all the same. We went there for breakfast over the weekend and decided to go again for dinner.
Walking into the restaurant the greeter asked me how my day was going and thanked me for coming to the Cracker Barrel. The person who arranges for your seating asked me how my day was going and thanked me for coming to the Cracker Barrel. The person who then seated me thanked me for coming to the Cracker Barrel.
Our waitress took our order. I ordered a hamburger steak with two country veggie sides. We had a big discussion at what constituted a veggie, because I didn’t think fried apples should be classified as a vegetable. I learned that it was ‘country vegetables’ which it seems are different from city vegetables. That aside, I ordered the fried apples and the steak fries for my sides, and the meal came with some kind of rolls. My wife ordered the country fried steak and she choose green beans and the fried apples as a side, but then changed the green beans to corn.
A manager came by and asked us how everything was going. Some other staff member came by and asked how things were going and would I like a refill on my soda. Then another manager came out with our rolls and assured us that our meal was coming right out, and of course wanted to know if we were doing okay.
At this point I made the comment to my wife that I was really getting sick and tired of people asking me if everything was okay.
Our food came, our waitress did not bring the food, they have separate people for that. I’m not sure how there are so many people out of work! Cracker Barrel must have hired half the town. Anyway, my wife’s plate not only had the country fried steak but had both green beans and corn along with the fried apples.
My meal also arrived with the fried apples and corn, I didn’t order corn but it looked good so I was happy with the mistake. Our Waitress brought the bill and of course asked if everything was to our liking. Seeing as we both had a mouthful of food we nodded ‘yes’. I like the fact that they bring the bill first, that way I don’t have to wait for it when I want to leave. We briefly looked over the bill to make sure they didn’t charge us for the extra side dish. They didn’t. A moment later somebody else showed up with my steak fries, and of course wanted to know if everything was okay. Grrr!
Another manager showed up at the table and asked us if we were enjoying the meal and if everything was to our satisfaction. I wanted to tell him everything was wonderful except for the fact that we were being constantly interrupted by staff people asking us if everything was okay. But I kept my mouth shut. My wife explained about all the food we got and the extra sides. We made sure he knew we were not upset. He said he would look into it, (not that we cared if he did or didn’t).
Our waitress came back to refill our drinks, and of course wanted to know if everything was okay. My wife made mention about the extra sides. The waitress apologized and said she probably put the order in wrong. We assured her that she didn’t because she had read it back to us and that we did get everything we ordered plus some. Even after we assured her that all was good she apologized again, and hoped that our meal was to our satisfaction.
I went to pay the bill. All three cashiers were busy at the moment, but there was another employee standing there who asked me how my meal was, and wanted to make sure everything was okay. He also assured me that a cashier would be free in just a moment and he would direct me to the cashier when one became available. This stumped me a little bit, I wear glasses but I’m not blind, certainly even a moron like myself would be able to figure out when a cashier was free. But this guy did stay with me and tried to make small talk, all I really wanted was for him to go away. Then two, count ’em, two cashiers opened up at the same time. I took it upon myself to choose which one to go too and was heading to the closest one but I was wrong. The man ushered me to the furthest one, so I took the extra half step not a big deal. As he led me to the cashier he thanked me for choosing Cracker Barrel. The cashier then asked me how I liked the hamburger steak and hoped everything was okay! I was honestly amazed that I rejected all the witty sarcastic remarks that I could have made. Instead I just thanked her very much and paid the bill and headed for the door.
I was so close. I had my hand on the door and was heading outside. But I wasn’t fast enough. From behind I heard a voice talking to me. I turned my head, an employee was opening the door for me and once again he hopped I had a pleasant dining experience and thanked me for choosing Cracker Barrel.
I’m thinking the next time we go back and they constantly ask me if everything is okay I’m going to reply that no, everything is not okay. I have Crohn’s disease so in about half an hour my stomach is going to hurt. Also I work very hard at my job and I don’t get paid nearly enough. I’m going to tell them that we heat our house using oil and I’m really worried about oil prices. I might throw in the fact that we have six cats and a husky and they are all getting up there in age and it seems like we are taking somebody to the vet every other week. And… and, well you did ask!
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