Cracker Barrel Old Country Store - American restaurant in Joliet - 1511 Riverboat Center Dr, USA

I haven’t been to a Cracker Barrel in 5 yrs. It was so good. I got the grilled chicken with Mac n cheese and green beans. Loved it. The chicken was seasoned just right. Our server was super nice and friendly. And they had alcohol 🍷 Very clean and they had a real fireplace lit 🔥 Of course we shopped! So many cute gifts 🎁

On 1/20/24 I visited the restaurant at 1511 Riverboat Center, Joliet, IL. I want to preface this with Cracker Barrel is one of my absolute favorite restaurants and, when given the choice, this is where I want to go to eat. On this evening at approximately 6:30, we were greeted by an amazing host and seated. After close to 20 minutes, we finally had a server come to our table to get our order. We chose to order our food and drinks at the same time since it had been so long. Our orders consisted of Chicken and Dumplings (mine), 2 Chicken Fried Steaks and the Country Fried Shrimp. Chicken and Dumplings is my favorite item on the menu and it is what I look forward to and just about the only thing I ever order. Another 15-20 minutes goes by and the server comes over and states there is a problem. They have run out of Dumplings. I was terribly disappointed and couldn't understand why on a Saturday night when they were not even very busy could you run out of one of the most popular dishes on the menu. Also didn't understand why it took so long to let us know. I searched the menu and landed on Chicken fried Chicken and asked that I have country gravy on that and the mashed potatoes I had ordered. At that point, we were also informed that there was no country gravy. My husband and daughter's boyfriend had ordered Country Fried Steak...they weren't offered the option to change their order, they were just told they would get brown gravy. When 3 of the 4 entrees were received, we finally got the biscuits we ordered. If we were going to be forced to wait that long, why wouldn't they have at least brought out the biscuits?? Also, the biscuits were tiny. Not like in the past. I received my order with a side of country gravy and was completely confused. On top of everything, all of the sides were minuscule in portion size and nothing like what we were used to receiving with our meals. One person paid extra for the premium side of the broccoli cheese casserole. He received one large floret...that's it. My daughter's order of shrimp was bland and she said the shrimp weren't even crispy. Ultimately, my meal was comped but I honestly feel the entire check should have been taken care of. To be in a restaurant that is not busy in the least and to wait that long for a meal is ridiculous. To say I was disappointed is an understatement to say the least. I will NEVER return to this location. Something needs to be done about the quality of the food, service and wait times.

We’ve tried to keep giving this establishment another chance and today took the cake! We will never go back! Put an order in to go, picked greens as a side and this is what they gave us. When my husband asked for more he was told that they measured this and no they would not increase the portion. I’ll surely spend my money elsewhere. Never hear with subpar quality.

Ordered the tips,tenders and Shrimp platter. Everything was way to salty. Tenders were tiny and thin. Shrimp was super tiny and 90% breading. Tips were pretty decent. Got coleslaw as a side and it was super bland, had no flavor at all. Fried apples were delicious. Overall I was very disappointed. I understand the pictures they take are professional but it was so far from the truth I feel lied to.

Felt like we were in the Twilight Zone. Took forever to get served. Several wait staff but only one or two actually working. Several were in the back what sounded to be casual chit chat. Two wait staff got into a verbal confrontation. Some workers on the empty side of the restaurant were wiping clean tables and sweeping floors that were already swept. About five tables not bussed. Food order was wrong. Our waiter was nice but seemed stressed.

One of my favorite places to go with family! We always enjoy the food and the atmosphere! The rainbow trout was cooked to perfection! The maple bacon grilled chicken was juicy and soooo good! My waiter-Chase was engaging, kind, and delivered the best customer service! So many people complain about young people; however, this young man was a pure example of how to deliver! Thank you! The fireplace was needed on such a cold winter day! We sat perfectly across from it! The overall experience is simply worth coming back over and over again!

Brought my family here for a lovely breakfast on Tuesday. Food and service was outstanding. Had sooo much fun in the gift shop. Lauren, the retail manager and her staff were all so professional, friendly and went out of their way to help us find lovely gifts. They were more than accommodating to help my family and I all around the gift shop. We had a blast!! Best experience ever !!

Drove 1hr to the restaurant to meet with a new acquaintance because it was close to an Interstate exit. Easy access, waitress very accommodating and made items suggestions and was agreeable to vary the meal . Since this was a date night the waitress agreed to “ignore us until we were ready to order.” Good food. Good service, good price. We had a good time . For two people in their 70’s we appreciated the quiet so we could talk. Arrived approx 2:00 pm on a Sunday.