The must-try dish of the fall season is here. Get in line for a cozy dining experience from Cracker Barrel.
Few days into the fall season can mean increased cravings for comfort food. Is there a better way to celebrate the first crack of autumn than having a warm casserole pie? Cracker Barrel fans say there isn’t, especially after the brand’s latest casserole pie went viral.
Cracker Barrel’s new Hashbrown Casserole Shepherd’s Pie is taking the social media by storm after it received rave reviews from customers. One fan was thrilled to share that the hashbrown crust is the best part of dish. Another one vowed to order the limited-time casserole pie again.
Cracker Barrel shared that its latest menu innovation has been close to selling out. Which is why they’re encouraging those who haven’t tried it yet, so they can discover why the dish is trending. According to the National Restaurant Association, the strong desire for comfort and coziness is pushing people to go for classic comfort food options. These include stews, soups, melty cheeses, and stuffed veggies.
The Hashbrown Casserole Shepherd’s Pie features a slow-simmered pot roast topped with the the fan-favorite hashbrown casserole crust and finished with sour cream. Underneath the crust, guests can dig into the delicious homestyle gravy and a fresh mix of ingredients including peas, mashed potatoes, carrots, celery, and onions. The dish is served with your choice of bread, either corn muffins or buttermilk biscuits.
The viral casserole pie was included in the 20-menu item test conducted by Cracker Barrel at select Texas restaurants. This menu test was reportedly part of Cracker Barrel’s strategic menu transformation, as per latest food news.
Cracker Barrel’s Fall Menu Lineup
Autumn’s arrival at Cracker Barrel brought with it menu items that will remind you of soft blankets, a cracking fireplace, and all-around homey indoor spaces. The trending Hashbrown Casserole Shepherd’s Pie is part of the brand’s fall-themed menu and it got fans interested in other items as well. Surely, Cracker Barrel didn’t plan to make just one crave-worthy dish for the fall, no? Let’s see the lineup and maybe you’ll find more items that could go viral!
- Signature Fried Apple French Toast Bake: There’s a new breakfast craving in Cracker Barrel town and it got some sweet fall flavors! This new menu item is made with thick-cut bread and a cream cheese filling with just the right amount of sweetness. Finished with the signature Fried Apples and a brown sugar streusel, this breakfast delight offers a hint of juiciness. The dish is also served with bacon or sausage and warm Butter Pecan syrup for a complete fall flavor experience.
- Southern Apple Cobbler: If you’re team apple this fall season, here’s another item that you’ll love. The Southern Apple Cobbler is a fruit-filled dessert with warm cinnamon apples. For added texture and flavor, it is topped with a buttery and flaky crust and caramel drizzle.
- Samplin’ Platter: Moving on to something crunchy and juicy, Cracker Barrel also have something for fall gatherings. The new Samplin’ Platter is perfect for sharing as it consists of Southern Fried Chicken we all love and chicken tenders with a dipping sauce. The platter serves 10 people and is also available for a limited time.
- French Toast Latte: This cup of cozy features what I believe to be one of the best fall flavors out there: cinnamon. It is mixed with espresso and milk, so you get a latte with a little bit of sweetness and a little bit of creaminess. Try it and it might just become your new seasonal favorite!
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Best-Selling Items at Cracker Barrel
If you’re looking for other meals to try at Cracker Barrel, you can’t go wrong with the most ordered ones. They do capture what old-fashioned country cooking is all about. Even during the fall season, you’re going to love these items because they’re warm, comforting, and delicious!
Momma’s Pancake Breakfast
This is perhaps the most customizable pancake breakfast out there. As a standard order, you will get three buttermilk pancakes, two eggs, and butter. The breakfast meal is served with a thick slice of bacon or sausage and a pure Natural Syrup. But just like your mom, Cracker Barrel cares so much about what you want for breakfast. That’s why you can swap the buttermilk pancakes for blueberry or pecan pancakes (if desired).
For the syrup, you also have other choices like blueberry syrup, strawberry syrup, and sugar-free maple syrup. You can also add some extra toppings like chocolate whipped cream or fresh strawberries. And for an additional price, you may change your meat to another tastier option like the spicy chicken sausage, sugar cured ham, or impossible sausage.
Grilled Chicken Tenders
Meanwhile, the Grilled Chicken Tenders is a satisfying meal with less than 300 calories. Guests are treated to marinated chicken tenders that are grilled to perfection. These are served with your choice of two or three sides plus corn muffins or buttermilk biscuits. If you pair the tenders with fresh fruits and broccoli, you can still get a meal with less than 400 calories. Healthy, right?
Roast Beef
Another country meal that can keep one’s tummy full is the Roast Beef with two to three sides. Of course, the star of the show is the USDA Choice chuck roast that is cooked until fork-tender and juicy. How long, you ask? The meat is slow roasted up to 14 hours. This meal also comes with your choice of buttermilk biscuits or corn muffins.
RELATED: The Comforting Cracker Barrel Meatloaf Recipe: Elevating Family Dinner
From The Club
Cracker Barrel obviously cracked the code for a tasty and comforting dish when its Hashbrown Casserole Shepherd’s Pie went viral. But as someone who visits the restaurant a couple of times a year, I can say for sure that they’ve been good at serving hearty meals even before the new comfort food sensation made it to social feeds. I can’t wait to see more seasonal offerings from Cracker Barrel and discover future faves!