Road Trip to the 2017 World Food Championships: Cracker Barrel in Phoenix, AZ

This post was sponsored by Cracker Barrel but the opinions expressed here are my own.

A brisk morning heralded the start of our road trip to the 2017 World Food Championships in Orange Beach, AL. Starting in Orange County, CA, we traversed 369 miles to our first stop at Cracker Barrel in Phoenix, AZ. This location is just off of the 10 freeway and easy to find. You can’t miss that Cracker Barrel logo! If you have been to a Cracker Barrel, you are immediately greeted by the welcoming porch furnished with a row of rocking chairs. As you open the doors, the aroma of country comfort food invites you in. Once inside, you’ll catch a glimpse of their Country Store, a must stop for after your meal. We arrived after the lunch rush so getting a table was quick. It was great to be out of the car to stretch and enjoy a good meal.

Breakfast for lunch? Why not! Momma’s Pancake Breakfast^® consists of three buttermilk pancakes served with 100% pure natural syrup n’ butter plus two eggs and thick-sliced bacon or sausage (pictured: sunny-side eggs and thick-sliced bacon). I have never had pancakes like this in my life – crispy, buttery outer layer enveloping a warm, fluffy interior. And did I mention that the pancakes are HUGE! The syrup comes in these cute little glass bottles, too. The thick-sliced bacon has a smoky, savory pork flavor that perfectly compliments the pancakes. I can’t wait to order this again! Rating: 5/5

Cast Iron Pressed Maple Jam N’ Bacon Burger starts with two patties topped with maple pepper bacon, Colby cheese, maple onion jam, and finished with lettuce and tomatoes. If this seems like too much meat for you, you can opt for a single burger patty, too. The hubby had a huge appetite after driving for so long. The burger patties are juicy with a great balance of salty, sweet, and smoky flavor. I love that Cracker Barrel uses Colby cheese. You don’t see it very often and it has a wonderful gooey, creamy texture. Cole slaw is my hubby’s favorite side at Cracker Barrel. It is flavorful with just enough dressing on it so it’s not dry. Fries are crispy but fluffy inside. Rating: 4.5/5

All-American Apple Pie is served with no sugar added and topped with premium vanilla ice cream. This has to be one of the best apple pies I have ever had. It is all about the crust! The crust tastes homemade like my Dad’s. The apples are just sweet and tart enough and work well with the sweet, creamy vanilla ice cream. Rating: 5/5

Chocolate Pecan Pie (seasonal) is topped with premium vanilla ice cream. We don’t see pecan pie in SoCal very often but the name “Chocolate Pecan” piqued my interest. This is also the second time I’ve ever had pecan pie. It is delectable, but the combination of pecans and chocolate reminded me of a good chocolate granola bar. It’s a yummy choice, but my favorite is still the All-American Apple Pie. Rating: 4/5

Atmosphere: 5 out of 5 stars

Service: 5 out of 5 stars

Décor: 5 out of 5 stars

Food: 5 out of 5 stars

For more information:

Cracker Barrel

5022 E. Chandler Blvd

Phoenix, AZ  85048, United States

+1.480.961.9443

Hours: Sunday through Thursday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m

Parking: Free parking lot