Cracker Barrel Daily Special Menu
The Cracker Barrel Daily Special Menu offers rotating discounted meals throughout the week, providing cost-effective dining options while featuring signature dishes. Understanding which specials run on specific days helps budget-conscious guests plan visits to maximize savings.
How Cracker Barrel Daily Specials Work
Cracker Barrel operates daily specials differently than many chain restaurants. Rather than uniform nationwide offerings, individual franchise locations maintain autonomy in setting daily special menus. However, common patterns emerge across most locations.
Key Characteristics:
- Specials typically available all day (breakfast through dinner)
- Featured items rotate on predictable weekly schedule
- Pricing usually $2-4 below regular menu prices
- Most specials include standard side dish options
- Availability varies by location and region
Important Note: Always verify current specials with your local Cracker Barrel, as offerings change based on franchise decisions, seasonal availability, and regional preferences.
Common Weekly Special Patterns
While not standardized nationwide, these patterns appear frequently across Cracker Barrel locations:
| Day of Week | Common Featured Special | Typical Price Range | Regular Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Meatloaf Plate | $8.99 – $10.99 | $11.99 – $13.99 |
| Tuesday | Country Fried Steak | $9.99 – $11.99 | $12.99 – $14.99 |
| Wednesday | Chicken n’ Dumplins | $8.99 – $10.99 | $11.99 – $13.99 |
| Thursday | Sugar Cured Ham | $9.99 – $11.99 | $12.99 – $14.99 |
| Friday | Catfish or Shrimp | $10.99 – $12.99 | $13.99 – $15.99 |
| Saturday | Grilled Pork Chops | $10.99 – $12.99 | $13.99 – $15.99 |
| Sunday | Roast Beef or Pot Roast | $10.99 – $12.99 | $13.99 – $15.99 |
Prices and offerings vary significantly by location
Monday Meatloaf Special Details
Monday’s meatloaf special typically features Cracker Barrel’s signature homestyle meatloaf with tomato topping:
Included Components:
- Two slices of meatloaf (7-9 oz total)
- Choice of three country sides
- Buttermilk biscuits or corn muffins
- Brown gravy (typically included)
Average Savings: $2-3 compared to regular menu price
Best Paired With: Mashed potatoes, green beans, and mac and cheese create the ultimate comfort food combination for Monday dinners.
Tuesday Country Fried Steak Special
Tuesday specials frequently spotlight country fried steak, Cracker Barrel’s most popular breaded beef dish:
What’s Included:
- Hand-breaded beef cutlet with white pepper gravy
- Three country vegetable sides
- Biscuits or corn muffins
Portion Size: Full-sized country fried steak (same as regular menu)
Savings Potential: $3-4 off regular pricing, making this one of the week’s best value days
Pro Tip: Request extra gravy at no charge for heartier sauce coverage.
Wednesday Chicken n’ Dumplins Special
Mid-week specials often feature chicken n’ dumplins, a Southern comfort food staple:
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Main Dish | Tender chicken pieces in savory broth with flat dumplings |
| Portion | Generous serving (12-14 oz) |
| Sides | Two country sides (one fewer than other specials at some locations) |
| Bread | Buttermilk biscuits or cornbread |
Why Wednesday: Traditional “church supper” dish aligns with mid-week comfort food cravings
Customization: Request extra dumplings or extra broth based on preference (availability varies)
Thursday Ham Special
Thursday typically features sugar cured ham:
Standard Offering:
- Two thick-cut ham slices (approximately 6-8 oz)
- Three country sides
- Biscuits or corn muffins
- Optional honey mustard or brown sugar glaze
Nutritional Note: Ham contains high sodium (1,500-2,000mg per serving). Pair with low-sodium sides like steamed broccoli and fresh apples to balance.
Friday Seafood Specials
Many Cracker Barrel locations honor the traditional Friday fish dinner:
Common Options:
- Fried Catfish: Two catfish fillets, hand-breaded
- Fried Shrimp: 8-10 pieces of breaded shrimp
- Grilled Options: Some locations offer grilled catfish or salmon
Typical Pricing: $10.99-12.99 (compared to $13.99-15.99 regular price)
Regional Variations: Coastal locations may feature additional seafood options or locally-sourced fish
Weekend Specials Pattern
Saturday and Sunday specials cater to family dining:
Saturday Common Features:
- Grilled pork chops (2 pieces, bone-in)
- Country fried chicken (occasionally)
- Larger portions to accommodate family-style dining
Sunday Traditional Offerings:
- Roast beef with brown gravy
- Pot roast with vegetables
- Sunday dinner classics appealing to post-church crowds
Breakfast Daily Specials
Some Cracker Barrel locations extend daily specials to breakfast hours:
| Breakfast Day | Common Special | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Weekday Mornings | Sunrise Sampler | $6.99 – $8.99 |
| Saturday/Sunday | Old Timer’s Breakfast | $7.99 – $9.99 |
| Anytime | Momma’s Pancake Breakfast | $6.49 – $7.99 |
Breakfast specials deliver even higher value than dinner specials, with savings of $2-4 per meal compared to regular pricing.
How to Find Your Location’s Daily Specials
Multiple methods exist to determine current specials:
Most Reliable Methods:
- Call ahead: Phone your local restaurant and ask about today’s special
- Visit in person: Specials displayed on table tents and menu boards
- Ask your server: Staff can explain current and upcoming specials
- Social media: Some locations post weekly specials on Facebook pages
Less Reliable Methods:
- Cracker Barrel website (often shows general menu, not location-specific specials)
- Mobile app (may not reflect daily specials accurately)
- Third-party websites (frequently outdated information)
Combining Specials with Other Discounts
Strategic approaches maximize savings:
| Discount Type | Daily Special Compatibility | Additional Savings |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Discount (10%) | Yes, applies to special price | $0.90 – $1.30 |
| Military Discount (10%) | Yes, at participating locations | $0.90 – $1.30 |
| Rewards Program Points | Yes, earn points on special purchases | 2% back in points |
| Gift Card Bonus Promotions | Yes, use bonus cards for specials | 20% effective discount |
Stacking Strategy: Use senior/military discount on daily special, pay with bonus gift card earned during holiday promotion, and accumulate rewards points for maximum savings (effective 30%+ discount).
Nutritional Considerations for Daily Specials
Daily specials typically mirror regular menu nutritional profiles:
General Calorie Ranges (With Standard Sides):
- Meatloaf Special: 1,100-1,400 calories
- Country Fried Steak Special: 1,200-1,500 calories
- Chicken n’ Dumplins: 900-1,200 calories
- Ham Special: 800-1,100 calories
- Catfish Special: 1,000-1,300 calories
Lighter Options: Request grilled proteins when available and choose vegetable sides (green beans, carrots, turnip greens) to reduce total meal calories to 700-900 range.
Value Analysis: Specials vs Regular Menu
Determining actual value requires examining what’s included:
Daily Special Advantages:
- Predictable $2-4 savings per meal
- Same portions as regular menu
- Includes all standard sides and bread
- No compromise on quality or preparation
When Regular Menu Makes Sense:
- Craving specific item not featured as daily special
- Using rewards certificates (better value on higher-priced items)
- Ordering Barrel Bites for smaller portions
Break-Even Analysis: For parties of 4+, daily specials save $8-16 per visit. Over monthly frequency (4 visits), annual savings reach $384-768 by strategically choosing daily special days.
Seasonal Variations in Daily Specials
Cracker Barrel adjusts specials seasonally:
Spring/Summer Changes:
- Lighter proteins (grilled chicken, fish)
- Fresh vegetable sides featured
- Reduced emphasis on heavy gravies
Fall/Winter Adjustments:
- Heartier comfort foods (pot roast, stews)
- Thanksgiving-inspired specials in November
- Holiday ham offerings in December
Holiday Weeks: Daily specials may be suspended during major holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter) when special holiday menus take precedence.
Lunch vs Dinner Special Availability
Most locations offer daily specials all day, but nuances exist:
- All-Day Availability: Monday-Friday specials typically run from 11 AM to closing
- Dinner-Only Specials: Some premium items (steaks, seafood) may be dinner-exclusive (after 4 PM)
- Breakfast Specials: Usually end at 11 AM when lunch menu begins
- Best Practice: Call ahead if planning to order dinner special during lunch hours to confirm availability.
Takeout and Daily Specials
Daily specials translate well to takeout orders:
Ideal for Takeout:
- Meatloaf (retains moisture)
- Chicken n’ Dumplins (improves after resting)
- Ham (stays warm, easy to transport)
Challenging for Takeout:
- Country fried steak (breading softens)
- Fried catfish (loses crispness)
Ordering Tip: Request gravy and sauces on the side for takeout to maintain texture quality during transport.
Conclusion
The Cracker Barrel Daily Special Menu provides substantial savings opportunities for strategic diners. While specific offerings vary by location, common patterns include meatloaf on Mondays, country fried steak on Tuesdays, and seafood on Fridays. Savings of $2-4 per meal make daily specials the most cost-effective way to enjoy Cracker Barrel’s signature dishes.
Maximum value comes from combining daily specials with senior or military discounts, using bonus gift cards, and earning rewards points simultaneously. Always verify current specials with your local restaurant, as franchise autonomy means offerings differ across locations. For regular Cracker Barrel diners, planning visits around preferred daily specials can reduce annual dining costs by 20-30% while maintaining full-portion satisfaction.