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Cracker Barrel Breakfast
©TripAdvisor

You won’t really know Southern comfort until you’ve had breakfast at Cracker Barrel. Since 1969, Cracker Barrel has been the go-to pitstop for road trippers and Southern food fans, with a cozy, down-home dining experience that’s hard to beat — and a jam-packed country store where you can buy knick-knacks and such. 

When it comes to a really hearty, filling Americana breakfast, look no further. Cracker Barrel serves breakfast all day, with dozens of delicious items on the menu. Whether you’re an early bird or a late riser, you can always get your breakfast fix here. In our opinion, these nine items are the best and must-tries. 

Best: Old Timer’s Breakfast

A plate with two strips of bacon, two fried eggs, and a serving of hash browns sits on a wooden table at Cracker Barrel. A napkin and a crumpled piece of paper are nearby.
Lellani R. / Yelp

No matter which Cracker Barrel location you visit, the Old Timer’s Breakfast tastes just as good as your local restaurant. It’s one of the restaurant’s longest-serving items on the menu, and while it may look light, it’s surprisingly filling. 

You get two eggs cooked just the way you like them, grits, and your choice of fried apples or hash brown casserole. Additionally, options include bacon, turkey sausage, or smoked sausage patties. It’s got everything you need to kickstart your day. 

French Toast

Six slices of French toast topped with powdered sugar and a dollop of butter are arranged on a white plate, capturing the classic comfort of a Cracker Barrel breakfast, with another plate and utensils visible in the background.
Jerry L. / Yelp

Cracker Barrel’s French Toast is a must-try. Each order includes four pieces of their house sourdough bread, dipped in a rich egg batter and griddled to perfection. The result is a crispy, golden crust on the outside and a moist, flavorful center. 

The sourdough gives a nice twist, adding a slight tang that balances the sweetness. Add some bacon or sausage on the side, and you’ve got a breakfast that hits all the right notes. 

Biscuits n’ Gravy with Bacon or Sausage

A wicker basket with blue and white checkered paper holds three biscuits, a bowl of white gravy with a spoon, and a bowl with several packets of salted butter—just like you'd find at Cracker Barrel.
Soo H. / Yelp

No other restaurant makes biscuits as soft, buttery, and divine as Cracker Barrel — fight us on this. Cracker Barrel’s biscuits are truly exceptional. They strike the perfect balance between soft, fluffy, and just a bit crispy. 

Paired with their thick, rich sawmill gravy, which is almost as hearty as mashed potatoes, these biscuits are a true comfort food classic. Add your choice of crispy bacon or savory sausage, and you’ve got a breakfast that’s both hearty and satisfying.

Country Boy Breakfast

Country Boy Breakfast
©TripAdvisor

The Country Boy Breakfast is the way to go if you have a big appetite. It’s loaded with three eggs, fried apples, hashbrown casserole, and grits, plus your choice of a sirloin steak, sugar-cured ham, or country ham. This one will definitely keep you full for hours.

Momma’s Pancake Breakfast

Three golden pancakes topped with a dollop of butter are served on a white plate, just like at Cracker Barrel, with other breakfast dishes such as biscuits, eggs, and a drink visible in the background.
S L. / Yelp

You know a pancake is stellar if you eat it cold straight from the fridge the next day (like you’re perfect) and it still tastes good. 

Cracker Barrel’s Momma’s Pancake Breakfast is the most popular item on their menu, and it’s no surprise why. This hearty breakfast includes three golden buttermilk pancakes, along with two eggs made just the way you like them. The buttermilk pancakes are perfection, especially with Cracker Barrel’s warm syrup.  You also get your choice of crispy bacon or savory sausage. 

Stuffed Cheesecake Pancakes

A blue and white floral plate with pancakes topped with melted cheese, fresh strawberries, whipped cream, and a small cup of syrup on the side—just like a cracker barrel breakfast classic.
Brian L. / Yelp

Dessert for breakfast might not be your nutritional win of the day, but hey, you’re at a Southern restaurant, you’ll get nutrition for your soul. 

Three buttermilk pancakes stuffed with rich, creamy cheesecake filling and topped with fresh strawberries, powdered sugar, and whipped cream are sure to make your morning magical.

It’s perfect for indulging your inner child (or your actual child).  

Bacon n’ Egg Hashbrown Casserole

A blue dish inspired by Cracker Barrel with scrambled eggs, crispy fried onion strings, diced tomatoes, chopped green onions, melted cheese, and bacon pieces on a white plate with a blue floral pattern.
Emma S. / Yelp

Cracker Barrel’s hashbrown casserole is a winner on its own and one of the favorites on the menu. Now imagine it taken to the next level with the Bacon n’ Egg Hashbrown Casserole. This dish comes with the hashbrown casserole topped with melted Colby cheese and scrambled eggs, finished off with crispy bacon.

It’s the perfect combination of cheesy, savory goodness.

Double Meat Breakfast

Cracker Barrel Double Meat Breakfast
©TripAdvisor

For meat lovers, the Double Meat Breakfast is a dream. It includes three eggs, a full order of thick-sliced bacon, and smoked sausage patties, served with grits and all the usual fixings. It’s a protein-packed powerhouse.

Fried Apples

A small white plate holds several slices of glazed baked apples on a wooden table, reminiscent of Cracker Barrel’s classic comfort food. The apple slices are shiny and coated in a syrupy sauce.
Soo H. / Yelp

Cracker Barrel’s Fried Apples are technically a dessert but they are also served as a breakfast side. These tender, cinnamon-spiced apples are cooked to perfection and taste like a pie without the crust.

More From Cheapism

An assortment of breakfast sandwiches with eggs, biscuits, croissants, and tortillas, partially unwrapped from branded paper wrappers, are spread out on a table.
Wilder Shaw / Cheapism

Meet the Writer

Alex Andonovska is a staff writer at Cheapism and MediaFeed, based in Porto, Portugal. With 12 years of writing and editing at places like VintageNews.com, she’s your go-to for all things travel, food, and lifestyle. Alex specializes in turning “shower thoughts” into well-researched articles and sharing fun facts that are mostly useless but sure to bring a smile to your face. When she’s not working, you’ll find her exploring second-hand shops, antique stores, and flea markets.