Cracker Barrel, Effingham Illinois

The Cracker Barrel, for those of you who are unaware, is half gift shop, half restaurant and all country. However, after my family's visit to the Effingham Illinois location, I don't think I'll be returning. There are a few things that are not the location's fault - the menu is under the impression that everyone LOVES grits, for instance. Out of the entire menu, there were maybe three things I thought I could manage to eat. I chose the meatloaf, my family ordered, and the wait began. My family got their drinks, and I got a little antsy for the chocolate milk I had requested.Twenty minutes later, the waitress, (who had been mysteriously absent until now) informed me that although every one's meal was ready, they were out of meatloaf. And no chocolate milk, either. All I could wonder, was if she had spent that twenty minutes hiding from us, trying to figure out how to break it to me. I need to mention at this point that there are only four other tables in the entire place that have a butt in a seat. What a dinner crowd. So I chose the steak, and told them to bring my five year old her meal, as I don't think she should have to wait for her food over someone else's incompetence. At this point, I was informed later, the waitress overheard me telling my family how I couldn't wait to write about this in the review when I got home. Evidently that got the message across. At least, partially.My fiance still had to request my beverage, which the waitress hastily brought out. He also asked for napkins, which took awhile to appear, and multiple requests - even with the manager hovering!The manager also stopped by a few times to make sure everything was OK, and escorted my steak and the rest of the meals. I was happy that the steak was cooked properly. Massively disgusted by the green beans. Vaguely insulted that my beverage consisted of two Deans chocolate milk cartons and a glass being unceremoniously dumped on the table in front of me. My fiance reported an overwhelming amount of onion in the cheesy hash browns, our friend reported extremely dry chicken in his chicken and dumplings. My daughter had no complaints, but she has stomach like a trash compactor. We were offered desserts on the house, which weren't too bad. And we were charged for the meatloaf, not the steak. But I have to say that you could not pay me to eat in a Cracker Barrel after that experience. That's right, they ruined it for every other location. My fiance is rather upset, since he loves biscuits and gravy. But not even those are worth the hassle, the mediocre food, the terrible service, and the fact that anyone not born and raised in the deep country would starve. Before you say anything about that last comment, I live in the country, and like most country food. However, Cracker Barrel has gone too far. Their syrup isn't even edible. They claim it is 100% pure maple syrup. I have tasted 100% pure maple syrup, and that my friends is not it.


My Rating:
Ambiance - 3/5 [The place was freezing, I heard three people ask for the fireplace to be lit, and It never was. The staff was surly and rarely smiled. And the most "gawd-awful" twangy music was playing (as spoken by the gentleman who appeared to be a farmer at the table behind us)].

Range of Menu - 1/5 [I was appalled at the limited selection of food. Everything comes with grits or is smothered in something. Or has pancakes, which taste awful with that terrible syrup).

Quality and Presentation of Food - 3/10 [It wasn't terrible, but you can tell plating is not something covered at any great extent in their training. Imagine food slopping over the sides and the plates being rudely dropped in front of you, making everything slide together. The quality was lacking - and there wasn't any meatloaf, on an absolutely dead dinner hour]

Service Quality - 2/5 [Even when they tried harder, it still missed the mark.

What Makes This Establishment Special:
The lack of pride of service, and the terrible food.

In short, if you are in Effingham, Steer clear of the Cracker Barrel. In fact, I recommend Niemerg's (post to follow).