Something Wicked This Way Comes...Oh Wait, Thats Just Fried Okra.

I have decided that Tennessee’s official state restaurant is The Cracker Barrel. It would not be an understatement to say that there is a Cracker Barrel at every single exit. It’s even more pervasive than McDonalds. I was noticing this today as I drove into work. At exit 78, there’s a Cracker Barrel. Exit 81, look, it’s a Cracker Barrel. Exit 89….sweet jebus, it’s another Cracker Barrel. I could keep going but I think you would probably just stop reading around exit 104. There are so many Cracker Barrels in Tennessee, if a horde of locust was to swarm the state, they wouldn’t make it 10 miles before they were filled up on corn bread, turnip greens and gravy…assuming of course they could get seats. Not only is there a Cracker Barrel at every exit, each and every one is always full. Do people in Tennessee eat anything other than Cracker Barrel?
To further underscore this point I give you the following anecdote. My aunt was in the area on business and we were able to hang out for a few days. In an effort to find decent food she went to the front desk and asked the concierge (also the desk clerk and bell hop) for the names of the best restaurants in town. In response to my aunts quest for fine dining, the girl at the desk gave 3 choices one of which was, you guessed it, The Cracker Barrel. Now, I have been to a number of Cracker Barrels and, while I do like the food, it really shouldn’t be considered in the “Best Fine Dining” list. “Best Place for a Heart Attack,” maybe; maybe even “Best Place to Become a Lard Ass” but certainly not “Best Fine Dining.”
Don’t get me wrong, I like eating at the Cracker Barrel on occasion. I just get ornery when it’s my number 1, 2 and 3 choice for places to eat. And with that, I’m off to get dinner…at the Cracker Barrel.

Tomorrow’s post: Is Tennessee Cheating on The Cracker Barrel w/ The Waffle House?