Cracker Barrel Just Released Its Summer Menu—Here’s What’s Worth Ordering (& What I’d Skip)

• What It Is: a foil pack filled with a marinated, seasoned half-chicken, corn on the cob, red skin potatoes, carrots, grape tomatoes and onions in a buttery broth
• Retail Price: $15.49

The chicken is fall-off-the-bone tender and outrageously juicy, thanks to it being steamed and cooked within its foil pack. It's akin to rotisserie chicken, and it's generously portioned, giving you an entire half a bird to savor, split or save for later. That said, the corn and veggies were a bit soggy and bland, compared to the other foil pack meals in the mix. Given how renowned Cracker Barrel is for its sides, I found myself yearning for a swap. These standard, savory boiled carrots were fork tender, but they've got nothing on the honeyed sweetness of the cooked baby carrots normally on offer. 

• What It Is: grilled shrimp and andouille sausage cooked in a buttery broth with campfire-seasoned corn and potatoes
• Price: $10.99

Shrimp can easily turn overcooked and rubbery; this was blessedly not the case here. The seafood was slightly chewy but still tender, though the standout here was the smokey, lightly spiced andouille sausage. It was loaded with flavor, and it infused the buttery broth the meal was cooked in with a similar spice (well, that and the Cracker Barrel-signature Campfire Seasoning the shrimp was cooked in, which adds garlicky, onion-y notes). I wanted to sop up the juice with a biscuit, it was that good. Here, the corn remained sweet and fairly crisp, not mushy, which makes sense, given the shorter cook time for shrimp. It seems more aligned to warming the corn without overdoing it.

While the portion is a bit smaller with this meal than the others, the price reflects it—at $11 for a shrimp dinner, it’s one heck of a deal.

• What It Is: a foil pack filled with braised beef, corn on the cob, red skin potatoes, carrots, grape tomatoes and onions in a buttery broth
• Price: $16.99

I'm just as surprised as you are that this was my favorite of the bunch—I’d heard too much hype surrounding the Campfire Chicken dinner—but the beef was unbelievably tender, breaking apart as I prodded it with my fork, and loaded with savory, pot roast-like flavor. The potatoes soaked up the beef broth,  and while the corn wasn’t as crisp as it was in the shrimp skillet, it was still fairly sweet with a decent crunch. The grape tomatoes paired beautifully with the beef, adding a touch of sweetness.

My only edit, to really take things over the top? Ask for a side of Country Comeback Sauce to dip the potatoes in. Essentially a remoulade, this creamy, peppery, mustardy sauce provides just the kick the dish is missing. (It’s typically served with the Fried Onion Petals appetizer, which is a great addition, if you’re feeling extra hungry.)

The Bottom Line: Are the Campfire Meals Worth It?

In all honesty, I’d skip the Campfire Chicken, but the Shrimp Skillet and Campfire Beef exceeded expectations. They’ll put you in the camping mindset—without requiring you to tend a fire or ward off mosquitoes.