Cracker Barrel
How to Order Lighter at Cracker Barrel
The standard advice — "just get a salad" — collapses immediately at most casual dining chains, because the salads are often the most calorie-dense items on the menu thanks to creamy dressings, candied nuts and fried protein. Cracker Barrel is no exception. Here is what actually works.
Five lighter picks
- Fried Apples — 180 cal, 1g protein
- Buttermilk Biscuit — 180 cal, 4g protein
- Hashbrown Casserole — 230 cal, 5g protein
- Grilled Chicken Tenderloins — 280 cal, 52g protein
- Macaroni n' Cheese — 290 cal, 12g protein
Five to plan around (or split with a friend)
- Grandpa's Country Fried Breakfast — 1330 cal, 2810 mg sodium
- Country Fried Steak Breakfast — 1100 cal, 2410 mg sodium
- Chicken Fried Chicken — 810 cal, 2210 mg sodium
- Country Fried Steak (Lunch/Dinner) — 810 cal, 2010 mg sodium
- Momma's Pancake Breakfast — 790 cal, 1820 mg sodium
A couple of universal moves at Cracker Barrel
- Skip the complimentary bread/breadsticks at the table — they are easily 300+ calories before the meal arrives.
- Order any creamy or vinaigrette dressing on the side; it usually doubles a salad's calorie count.
- When in doubt, swap fries for a side of seasonal vegetables or a side salad with vinaigrette on the side.
- Box half before you start. Restaurant portions are calibrated for sharing, even when they are not labeled that way.
Browse the full Cracker Barrel nutrition guide on the brand page above for any item we did not call out here.