Cracker Barrel’s Return to Roots: Classic Comfort Food Makes a Comeback

In a move that’s delighting loyal patrons across the country, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store has announced the return of two beloved classics to its menu. The Tennessee-based restaurant chain revealed that Hamburger Steak and Eggs in the Basket—two comfort food staples with deep historical connections to the brand—are “returning by popular demand.” This revival represents more than just menu additions; it’s a symbolic return to the authentic Southern comfort food experience that built Cracker Barrel’s reputation since its founding in 1969. As Thomas Yun, the company’s vice president of menu strategy and innovation, explained, “Winter calls for comfort and connection, and nothing delivers that better than the classics. Bringing back Hamburger Steak and Eggs in the Basket was an easy choice. Not only are they timeless favorites with deep roots on our menu, but they’re also among the most requested dishes from our guests.”

The Hamburger Steak holds a special place in Cracker Barrel history, having appeared on the original menu when the restaurant first opened its doors in 1969. This classic dish features a “juicy, seasoned beef topped with a savory buttery garlic sauce and served with two or three classic sides.” It’s the kind of hearty, satisfying fare that generations of families have come to associate with the Cracker Barrel dining experience. Meanwhile, Eggs in the Basket brings back “a nostalgic breakfast favorite featuring two slices of golden-grilled sourdough bread with an egg nestled in the center, served with bacon or sausage and one classic side.” Both returning items are being featured as part of Cracker Barrel’s value-focused Meals for Two deal, available Monday through Friday all day for $19.99—making them not just a nostalgic choice but an affordable one for customers seeking quality dining experiences despite inflation concerns.

For many customers, these returning dishes represent more than just food—they’re portals to cherished memories. Atlanta-based cookbook author Kelli Ferrell suggested that the return of these classic dishes indicates Cracker Barrel is reconnecting with its Southern heritage after what many perceived as missteps with last year’s logo redesign and makeover that alienated portions of its customer base. “Cracker Barrel is known for Southern comfort, you know what I mean?” Ferrell remarked. “It’s one of those things where you can get breakfast, lunch and dinner. I think that they should stick to their staple pieces.” The Hamburger Steak, in particular, evokes childhood memories for Ferrell: “Anything hamburger, for me, is a go,” she shared, highlighting the deeply personal connections many have to these traditional offerings.

The emotional response to the return of Eggs in the Basket has been especially pronounced among longtime fans of the restaurant chain. Rachel Love, who describes herself as a Cracker Barrel enthusiast from Tennessee, expressed immediate nostalgia upon hearing the announcement. “I remember when they took them off the menu,” she recalled with genuine emotion. Love shared a poignant memory of visiting a Nashville-area location with her best friend only to discover the dish had been discontinued. “We were distraught,” she admitted, emphasizing just how deeply these menu items become interwoven with customers’ lives and relationships. For many like Love, these dishes are more than food—they’re touchstones to specific moments in their personal histories.

What makes these returning items particularly special is their authenticity and simplicity. Love described Eggs in the Basket as “literally eggs in a cutout piece of bread… one of the easiest things to make for breakfast,” yet referred to it as a “Southern staple that deserves its comeback.” This sentiment encapsulates what many appreciate about traditional Cracker Barrel offerings—unpretentious, straightforward comfort food that nonetheless holds deep cultural significance. Yun echoed this understanding when he stated, “These dishes are uniquely Cracker Barrel—rooted in tradition and loved for generations—and we’re thrilled to bring back classics our guests know and love, made the way they remember.” In today’s dining landscape, where trends come and go rapidly, there’s something refreshingly authentic about a restaurant recommitting to the dishes that built its reputation.

This menu revival comes at a significant moment for Cracker Barrel and the restaurant industry at large. After challenging years of pandemic disruptions, supply chain issues, and changing consumer preferences, many restaurant chains have been reimagining their identities and offerings. Cracker Barrel’s decision to return to its roots by bringing back these classic dishes represents a strategic acknowledgment of what has always made the brand special to its core audience. Rather than chasing fleeting food trends, the company is leaning into its authentic identity as a purveyor of Southern comfort food and nostalgic dining experiences. By making these classics part of an affordable Meals for Two promotion, they’re also acknowledging economic pressures facing many families while providing a compelling reason to return to their restaurants. For those who have long associated Cracker Barrel with road trips, family gatherings, and comforting meals shared across generations, the return of Hamburger Steak and Eggs in the Basket feels like a welcome homecoming—a reminder that sometimes the best way forward is to remember what made you special in the first place.