General Discussion

My take on most chain restaurants is that they tend to neither feature:

a. The absolute best food you will ever find anywhere

nor

b. Inedible slop

Most chain restaurants deliver a known commodity--Average to above average food, usually at prices that are not exorbitant.

Therefore, they are typically a "safe" choice if you are looking for an efficient and not too pricy meal, usually with family, and for no real special occasion other than having dinner. Where you don't want to cook, and you aren't necessarily in the mood to gamble with an independently owned restaurant that might be really great but might not be.

Cracker Barrel isn't real Americana? No shit!

Next you'll tell me Olive Garden isn't actually an authentic Italian cucina nestled deep in some Tuscan village.

Only idiots would think that Cracker Barrel and Olive Garden are authentic, fruit of the earth regional culinary experiences.

On the other hand, people who act like complete snobs about chain food places are equally as irksome to me.

They're chain restaurants, neither of them are bad nor are they phenomenal, and you take them for what they're worth.

I will say, however, Cracker Barrel really did have a great sausage biscuit platter. It's a shame they don't have that as an entree any longer.