‘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
Regards for helping out, great information.
1You are my inspiration, I possess few web logs and rarely run out from brand :). “Analyzing humor is like dissecting a frog. Few people are interested and the frog dies of it.” by E. B. White.
2Wonderful goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you are just extremely great. I really like what you’ve acquired here, certainly like what you are saying and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still take care of to keep it smart. I cant wait to read much more from you. This is actually a great site.
3I enjoy you because of all of the hard work on this blog. My mom delights in making time for investigations and it’s really simple to grasp why. I hear all concerning the lively method you present good information by means of this blog and in addition cause participation from other individuals on this situation so my child is certainly starting to learn a lot of things. Take advantage of the rest of the new year. You are always doing a superb job.
4I am curious to find out what blog system you are using? I’m having some small security problems with my latest website and I’d like to find something more secure. Do you have any recommendations?
5Wohh precisely what I was searching for, thanks for posting.
6I was reading some of your posts on this internet site and I think this site is really informative ! Retain posting.
7he blog was how do i say it… relevant, finally something that helped me. Thanks
8It is really a great and helpful piece of info. I’m glad that you shared this helpful information with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.
9You completed certain good points there. I did a search on the topic and found nearly all folks will go along with with your blog.
10I am not sure where you are getting your information, but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for excellent information I was looking for this info for my mission.
11Hello, Neat post. There’s a problem together with your site in web explorer, might test this… IE still is the marketplace chief and a good element of other folks will pass over your excellent writing because of this problem.
12I am often to blogging and i really appreciate your content. The article has really peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your site and keep checking for new information.
13You have mentioned very interesting details ! ps nice site.
14Hi! Do you know if they make any plugins to safeguard against hackers? I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any tips?
15I’m very happy to read this. This is the kind of manual that needs to be given and not the random misinformation that is at the other blogs. Appreciate your sharing this greatest doc.
16Howdy would you mind stating which blog platform you’re using? I’m going to start my own blog in the near future but I’m having a difficult time making a decision between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something unique. P.S My apologies for getting off-topic but I had to ask!
17Regards for helping out, fantastic info. “Hope is the denial of reality.” by Margaret Weis.
18What i do not realize is actually how you are not really much more well-liked than you may be right now. You’re very intelligent. You realize therefore significantly relating to this subject, made me personally consider it from a lot of varied angles. Its like men and women aren’t fascinated unless it is one thing to do with Lady gaga! Your own stuffs great. Always maintain it up!
19Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back frequently!
20Hi there very nice website!! Man .. Beautiful .. Wonderful .. I will bookmark your site and take the feeds also…I’m satisfied to seek out numerous helpful info here within the put up, we want develop extra strategies on this regard, thank you for sharing. . . . . .
21My partner and I absolutely love your blog and find nearly all of your post’s to be exactly what I’m looking for. can you offer guest writers to write content in your case? I wouldn’t mind publishing a post or elaborating on a few of the subjects you write concerning here. Again, awesome web site!
22Wow, amazing blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your web site is great, as well as the content!
23What’s Happening i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I have found It positively helpful and it has helped me out loads. I hope to contribute & aid other users like its aided me. Good job.
24I see something really interesting about your weblog so I saved to favorites.
25I was very pleased to find this web-site.I wanted to thanks for your time for this wonderful read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you blog post.
26Hello my friend! I wish to say that this article is awesome, nice written and include approximately all vital infos. I’d like to see more posts like this.
27What’s Happening i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve found It positively useful and it has helped me out loads. I hope to contribute & assist other users like its helped me. Great job.
28I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post…
29Thanks for another magnificent post. Where else could anyone get that kind of info in such a perfect way of writing? I have a presentation next week, and I am on the look for such information.
30Thank you a lot for giving everyone remarkably superb opportunity to check tips from here. It is often very terrific and stuffed with a great time for me and my office acquaintances to visit the blog minimum three times in a week to read through the latest stuff you will have. And lastly, I’m also actually astounded with the cool concepts you give. Certain 3 tips in this post are undoubtedly the best I’ve ever had.
31I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you make this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz respond as I’m looking to construct my own blog and would like to know where u got this from. cheers
32Hello There. I discovered your weblog the use of msn. That is a very smartly 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’ll certainly comeback.
33excellent post.Ne’er knew this, thanks for letting me know.
34