‘Cross country Day 3: Entering Southern Cooking
It takes us six years and a cross country drive to set foot into one of the Cracker Barrel, thanks to Mudpie waking up right as a sign comes into view to show which exit to take from I40. (In my defense, Cracker Barrel doesn’t show up in the Bay.)
There are as many people in the store as antique candies on the tables and shelves near the cashier. We put our name on the list, then quickly merge into the buzzing about knick knacks and candles, preparing for a thirty minute wait. A mere ten minutes later our name echoes on the microphone, we get seated near the dining hall entrance, four menus swatted onto the wooden table, the waitress is a little disappointed that we aren’t ready to order yet.
Then it comes our turn to wait for the food, and we play games.
We get the usual Southern flavors: chicken fried chicken with brown gravy, mashed potatoes, fried okras and green beans,…
… and the creamy chicken and dumpling with two side “vegetables“, choosing among cabbage, turnip greens, beans, corn, fried okras, macaroni ‘n cheese, cole slaw, fried apples, and a few others. The fried apples (pictured), almost crystal clear and melting like butter on hot pan, taste like wedges of soft brown sugar, but Little Mom and Mudpie love ’em.
They even say that it’s better than the glazed apples in my cider-braised roast pork shoulder. Mai disagrees. But they can’t deny that the supertender, honey-like pork triumphs today, accented with dried cranberries and pecan bits. Deservingly being an in-store special, it is so good I forget all about my backache and fork right in.
We could consider a fruit cobbler for dessert, however the check comes just as quickly as the food got served. They rush us out for the waiting patrons, which is understandable but makes Cracker Barrel’s atmosphere less countrily charming than Pickett House in Woodville. It turns out there’s a CB ten minutes drive from my parents, busy like a beehive even on Monday, and when it comes to chicken and dumpling, Little Mom decides she prefers CB’s to Pickett House’s. But if it’s country food, I prefer a little country style (and space).
Or perhaps a Goo Goo, “a nourishing lunch”? 😉
Money talk:
1 chicken fried chicken ($8.99) + 2 chicken ‘n dumplings ($7.39/each) + 1 pork roast ($8.99) + tax = $35.05
Address: Cracker Barrel Store #617 (I never saw it before, now I see it everywhere)
5700 Redlands Road N.W.
Albuquerque, NM 87120
(505) 352-5430
Exit 155 from I40
Thank you, I have recently been looking for information about this subject for ages and yours is the best I have discovered so far. But, what about the bottom line? Are you positive in regards to the supply?
1so much wonderful information on here, :D.
2Hi, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your website in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, fantastic blog!
3Do you have a spam problem on this site; I also am a blogger, and I was wondering your situation; we have created some nice procedures and we are looking to swap solutions with other folks, please shoot me an email if interested.
4Those are yours alright! . We at least need to get these people stealing images to start blogging! They probably just did a image search and grabbed them. They look good though!
5You can certainly see your skills within the paintings you write. The world hopes for more passionate writers such as you who are not afraid to mention how they believe. At all times go after your heart.
6Heya! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new iphone! Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts! Carry on the excellent work!
7Very interesting topic, appreciate it for putting up.
8You really make it seem really easy with your presentation however I to find this topic to be actually one thing that I feel I would by no means understand. It sort of feels too complex and extremely huge for me. I’m looking forward on your next put up, I’ll attempt to get the hang of it!
9I love your writing style really loving this internet site.
10Hi there! Quick question that’s entirely off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My web site looks weird when viewing from my iphone 4. I’m trying to find a theme or plugin that might be able to fix this problem. If you have any recommendations, please share. Cheers!
11I am not really great with English but I get hold this really easy to translate.
12I’m still learning from you, as I’m improving myself. I definitely liked reading all that is posted on your site.Keep the tips coming. I enjoyed it!
13Hi there, I discovered your web site by the use of Google whilst searching for a similar matter, your web site got here up, it seems good. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
14Heya i’m for the first time here. I came across this board and I find It truly useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and aid others like you helped me.
15Really clear site, appreciate it for this post.
16you’ve gotten an amazing weblog here! would you prefer to make some invite posts on my blog?
17What i do not realize is actually how you’re now not really a lot more smartly-preferred than you may be right now. You’re very intelligent. You understand therefore considerably relating to this matter, produced me individually imagine it from a lot of various angles. Its like women and men are not interested until it is something to do with Lady gaga! Your own stuffs outstanding. At all times maintain it up!
18Great beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your website, how could i subscribe for a blog site? The account aided me a applicable deal. I have been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered vivid clear idea
19Hiya very cool web site!! Man .. Beautiful .. Superb .. I will bookmark your blog and take the feeds alsoKI am glad to search out so many helpful info here in the submit, we’d like develop more strategies on this regard, thank you for sharing. . . . . .
20I’ve read several good stuff here. Certainly value bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how so much attempt you place to create this sort of wonderful informative web site.
21It is appropriate time to make some plans for the long run and it’s time to be happy. I’ve learn this post and if I may I desire to suggest you few fascinating things or suggestions. Maybe you could write next articles referring to this article. I desire to read even more things approximately it!
22Good day! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could get a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having trouble finding one? Thanks a lot!
23Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point. You definitely know what youre talking about, why waste your intelligence on just posting videos to your weblog when you could be giving us something enlightening to read?
24Its like you read my mind! You seem to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can do with some pics to drive the message home a bit, but other than that, this is magnificent blog. A great read. I will definitely be back.
25Great post, you have pointed out some fantastic points, I besides believe this s a very good website.
26Some really superb info , Glad I noticed this. “Someone’s boring me. I think it’s me.” by Dylan Thomas.
27Some truly nice and utilitarian info on this internet site, too I think the layout has excellent features.
28I just could not leave your site before suggesting that I extremely loved the standard info a person supply on your guests? Is gonna be back regularly in order to check up on new posts
29As a Newbie, I am continuously exploring online for articles that can benefit me. Thank you
30Hiya, I am really glad I’ve found this info. Nowadays bloggers publish just about gossips and internet and this is really irritating. A good site with interesting content, that’s what I need. Thanks for keeping this web site, I’ll be visiting it. Do you do newsletters? Can not find it.
31Hello, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and i was just curious if you get a lot of spam remarks? If so how do you protect against it, any plugin or anything you can advise? I get so much lately it’s driving me insane so any help is very much appreciated.
32Some really great info , Gladiola I observed this. “If a child can’t learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn.” by Ignacio Estrada.
33I’m not that much of a online reader to be honest but your sites really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your website to come back later. Many thanks
34I’ve recently started a blog, the info you provide on this web site has helped me greatly. Thanks for all of your time & work.
35Hey There. I discovered your blog the usage of msn. That is a really neatly written article. I’ll be sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful info. Thank you for the post. I will certainly return.
36Does your website have a contact page? I’m having trouble locating it but, I’d like to shoot you an email. I’ve got some suggestions for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great site and I look forward to seeing it grow over time.
37I like this website very much, Its a real nice billet to read and find information. “I’d better get off the phone now, I’ve already told you more than I heard myself.” by Loretta Lockhorn.
38Good day very nice website!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Superb .. I will bookmark your web site and take the feeds also…I am happy to search out numerous helpful information right here within the put up, we want work out more techniques on this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .
39The subsequent time I learn a weblog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I imply, I do know it was my option to learn, however I really thought youd have something fascinating to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you may repair if you werent too busy in search of attention.
40I couldn’t resist commenting
41Thank you for any other informative website. The place else may just I get that kind of information written in such a perfect method? I have a mission that I’m simply now operating on, and I’ve been on the look out for such information.
42Good day! I just wish to give a huge thumbs up for the nice data you have here on this post. I will be coming again to your weblog for extra soon.
43I will immediately snatch your rss as I can not to find your e-mail subscription link or newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Please allow me know in order that I may subscribe. Thanks.
44Really enjoyed this post, how can I make is so that I receive an email sent to me whenever there is a fresh article?
45I absolutely love your blog and find the majority of your post’s to be just what I’m looking for. Does one offer guest writers to write content available for you? I wouldn’t mind creating a post or elaborating on many of the subjects you write about here. Again, awesome blog!
46You have brought up a very great points, thanks for the post.
47I haven’t checked in here for some time since I thought it was getting boring, but the last several posts are great quality so I guess I’ll add you back to my everyday bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂
48Some really grand work on behalf of the owner of this site, perfectly outstanding subject matter.
49Its like you learn my thoughts! You appear to know so much approximately this, such as you wrote the e-book in it or something. I feel that you just can do with some to pressure the message home a bit, but instead of that, this is fantastic blog. A fantastic read. I will definitely be back.
50