re: How is every cracker barrel (trigger warning) always packed?

It's called "comfort food" for a reason. Things like chicken fried chicken, pot roast or meatloaf with sides and biscuits and cornbread were staples of the American diet when mothers cooked meals with love and the family gathered around the table and enjoyed time together.

There was a time when lots of people knew how to prepare those kinds of meals. That's not the case anymore.

But that doesn't mean people don't want to eat those kinds of meals. So places like Cracker Barrel stay packed. Because people want to eat hot comfort food in a warm, country environment.

The food may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's consistent and the Cracker Barrel model is pretty smart - build right off the interstate to appeal to the folks from all over who want a hot meal that isn't fast food.

I enjoy it and it's one of the few places my five year old will willingly eat. So i'm a bit partial.

Also, breakfast all day is a huge plus.