Don't Feel Like Cooking on Thanksgiving? Head to Cracker Barrel for a Full Meal

The only thing on our minds come Thanksgiving is that post-food coma we'll be in for days following the holiday. Okay, that and the fun Thanksgiving activities we'll get to enjoy with family. But seriously, the hefty roast turkey and all those side dishes that make up the rest of your Thanksgiving menu will definitely sneak up on you—and pretty quickly, too!

Though, not everyone chooses to eat an elaborate home-cooked meal for Thanksgiving. In fact, some might instead head to any of the restaurants open on the holiday (or maybe one of the fast food restaurants) for an easy lunch or dinner. Honestly, not having to clean-up after eating sounds oh-so lovely! And if we're talking restaurants with Thanksgiving-worthy meals, we've obviously got to include Cracker Barrel! The American chain is known for their options of soulful fried food and hearty Southern classics. We're drooling just thinking about it. 🤤

But, we have to ask... do we know for sure that Cracker Barrel is open on Thanksgiving? We're doing all of this talking about how delicious and convenient its menu would be on the holiday—so it would be a shame if its door stayed locked. Well, we did some digging to find the answer to that question, and let's just say that you'll probably be more than content with the answer.

cracker barrel thanksgiving hours
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Is Cracker Barrel open on Thanksgiving in 2023?

Good news—and some that we're very thankful for. Cracker Barrel will operate during regular business hours on Thanksgiving. That means the restaurant will be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., though this can change from store to store. As always, you should check with your specific location to see if their hours are the same! We should also note that their Thanksgiving offerings won't be available until 11 a.m.

Do I need to make a reservation at Cracker Barrel on Thanksgiving?

If you're heading out with the whole family to feast at Cracker Barrel, you might be hoping to make a reservation. Unfortunately, Cracker Barrel does not accept reservations, but they do have an online waitlist that you can join once your party is on the way. To join the waitlist, visit the Cracker Barrel store locator webpage, search for your local restaurant, then click "Join Waitlist." You can also join the waitlist by downloading the Cracker Barrel mobile app.

What will be on the Thanksgiving menu at Cracker Barrel?

For those looking to get a delicious deal, Cracker Barrel has a few Thanksgiving specials! Cracker Barrel's holiday special includes a traditional meal you'd be able to find at any home Thanksgiving event, including a roasted turkey breast, cornbread dressing, gravy, sweet potato casserole, cranberry relish, sweet yeast rolls, and more. You can even get pie as dessert!

The best part is that you can also choose to get a festive meal catered to your home, or pick it up to-go if spending the holiday in public isn't your thing. There's the Heat n' Serve Family Dinner that feeds four to six people, the Heat n' Serve Feast that serves eight to ten people, and the Hot and Ready Family Dinner that comes ready to serve. For details on each offering, check the Cracker Barrel website.

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