You don’t have to swear off restaurants to save some cash. Sometimes being selective about your dining options can actually help you go out to eat more. Nowadays, there are so many great resources for discounts, menu hacks, and inside information at your favorite establishments, like Cracker Barrel.
We’ve discovered 11 simple ways to cut costs while dining out at Cracker Barrel.
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Try the Pick 2 Country Combo
Every Cracker Barrel storefront has regular weekday specials, though they may vary by region or location. Head over any day of the week to grab two selected menu items for $8.89.
Choose from a house salad with your preferred dressing, a loaded baked potato, a loaded baked sweet potato, and vegetable soup.
Grab a $6 Take Home Meal
Did you know that Cracker Barrel puts chilled meals together for a discount? Grab grilled chicken and mashed potatoes, meatloaf and man and cheese, or fried chicken and mac and cheese for just approximately $6 per plate.
The Signature Fried Apple French Toast Bake is phenomenal as dessert or breakfast, and available for the same price.
Indulge in endless bread
Some restaurants serve free chips or cinnamon rolls, and Cracker Barrel serves free biscuits or corn muffins before meals to help curb your appetite.
You do have to specifically request them, but don’t feel shy about it. They avoid serving them upfront to reduce waste, among other things.
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Go on Wednesdays for some broccoli cheddar chicken
A Wednesday-only lunch special is this decadent, delicious oven-baked broccoli cheddar chicken dish. The fresh broccoli is almost juicy next to the crusted, tender chicken.
Choose from buttermilk biscuits or cornbread muffins and a host of sides to complete this deal, which clocks in at $9.99. It’s even large enough to share.
Score a free meal
Cracker Barrel often plays host to buses full of tour groups and travelers. Unlike other restaurants, they love big groups so much that they incentivize them to come in.
If you stop in with a group of 15 or more, both the bus driver and the designated guide get a free meal on the restaurant.
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Sign up for emails
Cracker Barrel knows how to reward its subscribers. Anyone who signs up for their email newsletter will almost immediately begin to get coupons in their inbox to encourage more visits.
Introductory promo codes for free beignets are known to make the rounds, followed by discounts and promotional menu items.
Order off the kids menu
At Cracker Barrel, there’s no official age limit for the kids menu. These meals are sizable portions for anyone who wants to finish everything without handling leftovers.
Score two sliders and fries or chicken tenders and fries for just $6.49, while mini pancakes and sausage or bacon are just $5.49. Other meals include crispy shrimp and mac n’ cheese.
Pick up a Family Meal for your next sit-down
If you are serving many mouths, Cracker Barrel has convenient Family Meals — essentially its own catering option — from $32.79 to $67.99, depending on what you get.
Feast on chicken and french toast with a side, meatloaf, or take home all of the fixings for a pancake platter, among other delicious meals.
Buy a discount gift card
Cracker Barrel gift cards are available from a wide variety of vendors, both in-person and online. Websites like cardbear.com post gift card price comparisons and discounts.
GiftCardGranny.com offers cash back, and has partnered with Rakuten for even more cash back. Pay less for more with this method.
Earn money online by taking surveys
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Get free coffee with dessert
If you purchased a soft drink earlier in your meal and have somehow made room for dessert, Cracker Barrel offers a free cup of black coffee to enjoy with it.
The Cracker Barrel brew is delicious, according to Redditors.
Scoop a Party Platter to go
Cracker Barrel’s bulk options don’t stop at full family meals. Feel free to grab your favorite mains on a platter.
Perfect for graduation parties, birthdays, and other celebrations, you can grab 30 or 60 chicken tenders, a fried or grilled homestyle chicken sandwich bar, and a cheeseburger slider platter, all for around $30 each.
Bottom line
Sometimes, saving money on essentials means downsizing your meal or grabbing a restaurant’s special deals of the day.
Pop into the country store for nostalgic candies after saving money on your meal for a free sweet treat for the ride home.
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