The Best Time To Dine At Cracker Barrel To Avoid A Crowd (And Save Money)

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Cracker Barrel is among the most unique, delicious, and affordable chain restaurants out there, but these consistent qualities come with an understandable downside: a sometimes long wait. If you'd like to minimize the amount of time you spend waiting for a table, the answer can be as simple as heading to Cracker Barrel at the right time. According to those in the know, that's weekdays between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Timing is one of the most underrated rules you need to know for eating at Cracker Barrel for several reasons. By dining early, you are able to easily avoid crowds because many 9 to 5 workers are still at their jobs or commuting home during this early dinner window, reducing the competition for tables and favoring those with more flexible schedules. This lull also allows you to take your time and truly enjoy your dining experience, rather than dealing with the hectic dinner rush.

Stopping by for a weekday dinner during these off-peak hours also allows thrifty diners to save a few bucks on their bill. Between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., Cracker Barrel customers can enjoy discounted prices on homestyle chicken, meatloaf, and country-fried steak, three of the chain's classics. Although this promotion, known as early dinner deals, comes with a smaller portion size, it still represents potential savings.

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Although the savings associated with early dinner deals are only available in a specific window, if your primary objective is to avoid crowds, there are some top times not to visit. Cracker Barrel has called Thanksgiving its busiest day of the year, with other holidays such as Mother's Day and Easter similarly packed. 

Of course, not everyone's schedule allows them to make this late afternoon window, while others simply don't like to eat quite so early. Fortunately, there are other ways to avoid long waits on your next Cracker Barrel visit. The chain now offers a mobile app that not only allows you to monitor the wait at your local Cracker Barrel in real time, but also provides an option to join the waitlist remotely, minimizing the time you'll spend waiting when you arrive. Budget-conscious diners will also love that the app tracks Cracker Barrel rewards, providing tasty, money-saving bonuses to regular visitors.

With all of this in mind, consider heading to Cracker Barrel a little earlier than you might have otherwise. You'll likely avoid the biggest crowds and can even take advantage of savings on some of Cracker Barrel's best menu items.