Cracker Barrel Vs Dennys: How The Restaurants Compare

Among the all-day breakfast options, Denny's and Cracker Barrel stand out as iconic chains in the competitive world of casual dining, synonymous with comfort food, friendly service, and the quintessential American breakfast experience. Since opening in 1953 as a donut shop, Denny's evolved into the 24-hour diner many know and love. Renowned for its Grand Slam breakfast and commitment to always being open, Denny's has become a haven for night owls, truckers, and families alike, offering a welcoming space where anyone can savor a meal at any hour. On the other hand, Cracker Barrel has been replicating the warmth of Southern hospitality and charm since 1969, providing a hearty meal for those looking for a home away from home, which is made possible by the distinctive rocking chairs on the front porch, the crackling fireplace, and the country store filled with unique finds.

As we explore the diverse offerings of Denny's and Cracker Barrel, it becomes evident that they both offer not just a meal but an experience: a slice of Americana served alongside pancakes and burgers. Plus, they have a wide selection of lunch and dinner options, ample sides to choose from, and so much more. While these are some of the key elements that have propelled these breakfast giants into the hearts and stomachs of millions across the nation, which chain outperforms the other in these categories? Keep reading as we compare these two breakfast institutions.

Pancakes stand as a golden standard for diners looking to satisfy a sweet tooth first thing in the morning, and both Denny's and Cracker Barrel aim to please those taste buds with their sweet stacks. However, in this syrupy contest, Denny's has managed to flip its way to the top, winning over customers with a pancake selection that steals the spotlight. 

Denny's Pancake Slams feature delights such as caramel banana pancakes, cinnamon roll pancakes, double berry banana pancakes, and chocolate banana pancakes (a.k.a. choconana pancakes). The diner even provides a choice of multigrain pancakes if you want a more nutritious option. Every stack comes with a side of eggs, hashbrowns, and bacon or sausage, ensuring a well-rounded and indulgent breakfast experience. As for Cracker Barrel, the diner's buttermilk pancakes menu includes pancakes paired with sides of eggs and bacon, sausage, or ham, as well as stuffed pancakes with both sweet and savory options.

But what really sets Denny's and Cracker Barrel's pancakes apart are the customer reviews. On the one hand, Denny's seems to have mastered the art of pancake perfection, consistently earning praise from Tripadvisor reviewers, who describe them as amazingly fluffy, delicious, and a highlight of their visit. In contrast, Cracker Barrel's pancake narrative on Tripadvisor paints a mixed picture, with lukewarm and chewy critiques contrasting with praise.

Whether you're yearning for the comfort of Southern traditions at Cracker Barrel or the expansive variety of Denny's non-breakfast options, both diners deliver a satisfying and diverse experience that goes beyond the breakfast table. On the one hand, Cracker Barrel's lunch and dinner menu features a symphony of Southern-inspired specials. Consumers can indulge in classics like Southern fried chicken, roast beef, chicken pot pie, and meatloaf, each dish paying homage to the culinary traditions of the South. The seafood options, including a variety of grilled and fried fish, as well as fried shrimp, add a coastal twist to the menu, ensuring that seafood enthusiasts can also enjoy a satisfying meal.

On the other hand, the T-bone steak, spaghetti and meatballs, pot roast, and chicken skillets at Denny's showcase the diner's commitment to providing a range of flavors. Yet, in this case, the seafood choices are more limited, consisting mainly of battered fish fillets and grilled haddock. Therefore, while both diners offer an array of non-breakfast menu items that appeal to a spectrum of tastes, Cracker Barrel wins this round thanks to its broader lineup of options.

For diners with specific dietary needs, the quest for suitable options can be a decisive factor in choosing where to dine. While both Denny's and Cracker Barrel may not offer dedicated menus for vegans, vegetarians, keto enthusiasts, low-calorie seekers, or gluten-free diners, they do provide customizable alternatives that cater to a spectrum of dietary preferences, meaning that, for this category, we've got ourselves a tie.

You can find the loaded veggie omelette as a vegetarian option at Denny's, while health-conscious diners can explore alternatives like salads, the Fit Slam (featuring scrambled egg whites with veggies, turkey bacon, English muffin, and fruit), or the multigrain wheat pancakes. In addition, for those avoiding gluten, items marked as gluten-free (GF) adhere to the FDA-specified definition of less than 20 parts per million for a gluten-free claim, ensuring a safer dining experience for gluten-sensitive individuals. 

Similarly, while lacking a specific menu for specialty diets, the offerings at Cracker Barrel allow for customization to meet various dietary preferences. Vegetarians can explore dishes like the Country Vegetable Plate, featuring a selection of vegetable sides that form a satisfying and meatless meal. For those adhering to a gluten-free diet, the diner offers choices like grilled chicken or beef, which can be paired with sides such as hashbrown casserole tots or turnip greens.

Denny's and Cracker Barrel strive to create a welcoming atmosphere where hearty meals can be enjoyed together. However, when it comes to bringing those hearty meals home, Cracker Barrel is the clear champion, thanks to its array of choices. Denny's family pack, known as the Grand Slam Pack, offers a classic breakfast feast that serves up to five people. It includes buttermilk pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon strips, sausage links, and hash browns.

However, Cracker Barrel steals the spotlight with an extensive selection of family meal options that go beyond the traditional breakfast fare. From full breakfast or dinner meals to individual family-sized dishes serving five people, Cracker Barrel leaves nothing behind. Families can indulge in comfort classics like meatloaf, steak tips, or fried chicken, paired with buttermilk biscuits and sides, and breakfast enthusiasts can enjoy French toast or pancakes alongside scrambled eggs, bacon or sausage, and hash browns. Yet, what sets Cracker Barrel apart are its family-sized individual dishes, including a variety of Southern-inspired sides such as casseroles, mashed potatoes, or coleslaw; Barrel Bites featuring country-fried pickles, hashbrown tots, and biscuit beignets; desserts like pecan pie or cinnamon roll pie; and an assortment of breads, including buttermilk biscuits and corn muffins.

For budget-conscious diners seeking a satisfying meal without breaking the bank, understanding the price differences between Denny's and Cracker Barrel is an important matter. Although it varies depending on the menus at different Denny's locations, the priciest dishes are the T-Bone Steak & Eggs breakfast, the T-Bone Steak dinner, and the Mac 'n Brisket Skillet, which all currently cost around $20. The Strawberry Stuffed French Toast Slam and the Lumberjack Slam are close behind in the breakfast department. Otherwise, most of Denny's menu items range from $10 to $15 for a main course.

Cracker Barrel positions itself as slightly more upscale, (and by that we mean it's not a 2 a.m. and you're slightly buzzed dining option) but its menu prices keep it real. The restaurant offers over 20 meals available for under $12 for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Most of the other options cost around $10 to $15, except for a few outliers like the Cracker Barrel Sampler and Barrel-Cut Sugar Ham which cost a few dollars more. With daily specials at great prices, its affordability makes Cracker Barrel an accessible choice for families, students, and those looking for a value-driven dining experience. Compared with Denny's, the Southern chain offers a wide variety without breaking the bank.

When looking for discounts, coupons, and loyalty programs, both Denny's and Cracker Barrel compete for attention, offering enticing options to sweeten the deal. But while Cracker Barrel introduces its Peg-based rewards program, Denny's brings a distinctive edge with a permanent AARP discount. 

Cracker Barrel's Rewards program, aptly named Cracker Barrel Rewards, operates on a Peg system. Members earn 1 Peg for every dollar spent on qualifying purchases in the restaurant, retail store, and online. This versatile rewards currency can be redeemed for a variety of options, including discounts on restaurant food and beverages or for savings on retail purchases. The inclusion of retail discounts expands the scope of rewards beyond the culinary spectrum, appealing to those seeking a broader range of benefits. Plus, Cracker Barrel's gift cards further enhance the appeal, serving as versatile gifts.

Similarly, Denny's offers numerous discounts and rewards through its robust loyalty program, which facilitates easy access to deals, discounts, and gifts, adding a layer of value to the dining experience. Noteworthy perks include the "Kids Eat Free" promotion, allowing free meals for kids with adult entree purchases of $6 or more. Yet, while both diners provide gift card options, it's Denny's that introduces a unique and permanent 15% AARP discount, enhancing its appeal by offering consistent savings for this demographic. In this category, both Denny's and Cracker Barrel showcase their dedication to customer satisfaction, offering a variety of incentives to ensure that every dining experience comes with its own perks.