Anyone like it?
To me it's plain. I actually had no issues with the old logo.
I like the old logo better, and TIL that the man sitting in the chair beside the titular barrel is named Uncle Herschel, who was a relative of the company's founder. Any logo that is an homage to something or someone is good to me, so the old one wins.
Y'all are a bit late. They said they were going back to the old logo after the backlash.
The new logo is already dead:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0K8zB2baBKhGRmHakF6L9EMkFS4vfqMuWegSmUP9Tzx4wdDvwmgEQei5TeJF6Hkekl&id=100064423520342&mibextid=wwXIfr
Is this a New Coke-like marketing ploy? One has to wonder given how the Cracker Barrel stock price skyrocketed after the announcement that the new logo was dead. That and a large portion of the populace is suddenly talking about the brand.
Also, of course people who had nothing to do with the decision are taking credit for the revert, even though it wasn't just them that hated the new logo. For one, I absolutely despise the oversimplification of logos that has resulted in most brands having the same goddamn font...
Quote from: roadman65 on August 26, 2025, 09:50:52 PMAnyone like it?
To me it's plain. I actually had no issues with the old logo.
Why on earth would you start a thread about this topic, ask that question, but not show us the new logo?
I have no opinion about the new logo, because I have zero clue what it looks like.
Quote from: kphoger on August 26, 2025, 11:14:46 PMQuote from: roadman65 on August 26, 2025, 09:50:52 PMAnyone like it?
To me it's plain. I actually had no issues with the old logo.
Why on earth would you start a thread about this topic, ask that question, but not show us the new logo?
I have no opinion about the new logo, because I have zero clue what it looks like.
(https://i.imgur.com/epQvY4R.jpeg)
Since this somehow has become a political issue for some people, Christopher Bates of Electoral-Vote did a piece on it today. I thought this particular point he made was insightful:
QuoteThe point here is that Cracker Barrel is fighting a very uphill battle; their shtick is basically 1940s nostalgia, along the lines of the show The Waltons. That, plus mediocre food [NB: in the previous paragraph, he was talking about a similarly-themed local restaurant he contended had better food], might work out OK as long as there are people around who fondly remember the 1940s. But there aren't too many people like that anymore. So, it's innovate, or die (though it might well end up being innovative, and die anyhow).
Well, the food is mediocre.
Quote from: Scott5114 on August 26, 2025, 11:19:51 PMSince this somehow has become a political issue for some people
2025 in a nutshell.
I think many of the people outraged by the new (and now rejected) Cracker Barrel logo design were just looking for something to bitch about. Way too many Americans are just wanting to be triggered by something. It's pretty telling when some of these wannabe experts in graphic design were calling the new logo "woke."
That's not to say the new/rejected logo design was great. The new design is kind of bland looking. It's what some people call a "word mark" rather than a "logo." But it had two positive aspects. One: it's more functionally legible than the previous Cracker Barrel logo. Two: the design is a single, unified element. The old logo is definitely not.
The old logo is more of a graphical illustration. The graphic of the guy sitting next to the barrel may be a cherished design element by fans of that restaurant. But all the line work in that element makes it functionally suck ass on outdoor signage. That element cannot be clearly read at long viewing distances. Neither than that tiny "old country store" lettering underneath the overall design. And the primary "Cracker Barrel" lettering isn't that much better. Brand familiarity is the only thing that tips viewers off when seeing a Cracker Barrel sign at a far distance. Someone not familiar with Cracker Barrel isn't going to know what the hell it is until they're literally driving past the store.
Another problem with overly complicated logos: they suck when printed at small sizes. A very simple logo, like the Nike "swoosh" icon can be printed damned near microscopic in size yet still be recognizable.
Many restaurant chains are struggling financially. Many Americans are financially strapped and cutting back on discretionary spending, such as eating out at restaurants. Cracker Barrel arguably appeals to a certain demographic of the general public, a demographic that is aging. I think the attempt at a brand re-fresh and attempts to change the decor in restaurants was a ploy to appeal to potential customers under the age of 60.
Quote from: Rothman on August 26, 2025, 11:22:05 PMWell, the food is mediocre.
I agree (in fact, I would go farther and say it's bad), but there are some people who are weirdly into it, and I didn't want people to latch onto that offhand remark by Prof. Bates and assume that he was just hating on the logo because he didn't like the food and miss the bigger point he was making. (Also, I know there is someone on the forum who spent a large part of his career working for Cracker Barrel, so I wanted to provide a little bit of context for his benefit, should he read the excerpt I quoted.)
Quote from: Bobby5280 on August 26, 2025, 11:35:37 PMThat's not to say the new/rejected logo design was great. The new design is kind of bland looking. It's what some people call a "word mark" rather than a "logo." But it had two positive aspects. One: it's more functionally legible than the previous Cracker Barrel logo. Two: the design is a single, unified element. The old logo is definitely not. [...] Another problem with overly complicated logos: they suck when printed at small sizes. A very simple logo, like the Nike "swoosh" icon can be printed damned near microscopic in size yet still be recognizable.
How a logo looks at small sizes is very important in digital contexts as well. I've seen commentary that suggests that one of the motivations for redesigning the logo was probably so that it was more legible at the size of a smartphone app icon.
I've never set foot in a Cracker Barrel in my life but watching people melt down about this has been absolutely hilarious.
It's a Malaysian highway shield. Cracker Barrel, more like Sharia Barrel?
Quote from: kernals12 on August 27, 2025, 03:04:16 AMI've never set foot in a Cracker Barrel in my life but watching people melt down about this has been absolutely hilarious.
The memes and fake logos associated with all this have been top tier:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02BuQApiyu6TM5x8uujy9M3y1Wu8nTgyMxDenqu68eUegEV7vprADhcM4UcB8fKGD8l&id=100064829792698&mibextid=wwXIfr
Quote from: Rothman on August 26, 2025, 11:22:05 PMWell, the food is mediocre.
My experience with Cracker Barrel consists of three times getting takeout so that I can get the same meatloaf/mashed potatoes/mac and cheese/cornbread order that I used to get from Boston Market. Quite frankly, Boston Market was better.
This also means that I have zero nostalgia for the logo or their decor, so I don't understand why so many people are screeching about the changes.
Quote from: Scott5114 on August 27, 2025, 01:04:57 AMHow a logo looks at small sizes is very important in digital contexts as well. I've seen commentary that suggests that one of the motivations for redesigning the logo was probably so that it was more legible at the size of a smartphone app icon.
Indeed. Even taking out the barrel and Uncle Herschel, the old logo is completely illegible in digital contexts (like their Facebook profile picture).
We went to Cracker Barrell a few times in the 90s. It was decent back then. The decor was kinda hip in a retro way.
But it fell off of our radar due to their anti-LGTBQ policies...which were changed by the way.
The only time since then that we have been to one was after a 9am bourbon tasting somewhere in Kentucky.
Quote from: Scott5114 on August 26, 2025, 11:19:51 PM(https://i.imgur.com/epQvY4R.jpeg)
Thank you! Now I can form an opinion...
Quote from: Scott5114 on August 26, 2025, 11:19:51 PMChristopher Bates of Electoral-Vote did a piece on it today. I thought this particular point he made was insightful:
Quote... their shtick is basically 1940s nostalgia ... That ... might work out OK as long as there are people around who fondly remember the 1940s. But there aren't too many people like that anymore. So, it's innovate, or die (though it might well end up being innovative, and die anyhow).
Quote from: Bobby5280 on August 26, 2025, 11:35:37 PMCracker Barrel arguably appeals to a certain demographic of the general public, a demographic that is aging. I think the attempt at a brand re-fresh and attempts to change the decor in restaurants was a ploy to appeal to potential customers under the age of 60.
Two things, though:
1. Even among younger folks, the old-timey-ness of Cracker Barrel is more than half the reason to go there—assuming they're not just a transplant from the South and itching for some fried okra. The old-fashioned stick candy, the big front porch, all of that old-timey stuff: that's, like, the whole point of going to Cracker Barrel. People want to browse the store for a few minutes, eat, browse the store for another minute, take a selfie while they rock in a rocking chair for 25 seconds, and then go home. Trying to downplay that stuff is a huge gamble, and in my opinion too big of a gamble.
2. The new logo still looks old. It's brown on orange, barely modifies the font, and there's nothing about the shape that looks modern. If this is supposed to be a logo 'refresh', then the result sure doesn't look very 'fresh'.
Quote from: Rothman on August 26, 2025, 11:22:05 PMWell, the food is mediocre.
Quote from: Scott5114 on August 27, 2025, 01:04:57 AMI would go farther and say it's bad
My own take is that I can never find more than one or two items on the menu that I might even want to order. At a restaurant like Cracker Barrel, I'm not really expecting better than mediocre, but I do expect a better selection so that, if something I order is pretty bad, then next time I can avoid that and get something else I like instead. I just don't think there's enough variety on the menu for that, personally. Of course, that has nothing to do with the logo.
Quote from: Scott5114 on August 26, 2025, 11:19:51 PMSince this somehow has become a political issue for some people
Quote from: LilianaUwU on August 26, 2025, 11:27:52 PM2025 in a nutshell.
Quote from: Bobby5280 on August 26, 2025, 11:35:37 PMWay too many Americans are just wanting to be triggered by something. It's pretty telling when some of these wannabe experts in graphic design were calling the new logo "woke."
Wow. Just wow. 4% of me wants to know how on earth people have made this a political thing or a 'woke' thing. But the other 96% of me is perfectly happy to not try and find out.
Quote from: NE2 on August 27, 2025, 06:48:54 AMIt's a Malaysian highway shield. Cracker Barrel, more like Sharia Barrel?
Yes, it's a highway shield! No, I suspect Cracker Barrel will not become a court of Islamic law.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on August 27, 2025, 07:30:24 AMThe memes and fake logos associated with all this have been top tier
This is generally true of any logo refresh. For example, with the recent Wal-Mart logo mini-update:
(https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/v2/D4E10AQFMwRpfLax0Bw/image-shrink_800/image-shrink_800/0/1737473530300?e=2147483647&v=beta&t=fk0WxXDiEF4lW3iT6EUvBTL809wK8MU0twjTJhZehOU)
I saw something arguing that the old logo is important because it provides a pictorial for people who cannot read in that it includes a cracker and a barrel.
(I don't see what the big deal is either way. We often eat breakfast at Cracker Barrel when we visit our relatives in Broward County because there's one next door to the hotel where we always stay. The breakfast is decent. Never been there for any other meal. The logo doesn't seem like it would have any effect on the food.)
Quote from: 1995hoo on August 27, 2025, 09:38:13 AMI saw something arguing that the old logo is important because it provides a pictorial for people who cannot read in that it includes a cracker and a barrel.
You mean the white guy in the chair?
The nearest Cracker Barrel to me is about 12 miles north of where I live, but in my 6½ years of living in North Dallas, I haven't eaten there. There was a Cracker Barrel in Sacramento, but that has long since closed. (FWIW... I also haven't been to a Dennys since I moved to North Dallas.)
From what I understand, the food quality has gone downhill across the chain. That's... not good. There are plenty of mom-and-pop establishments that serve better quality food in this area. Also, when I travel, I try to avoid the chains that are established in my area and try the local restaurants because of the blandness of the chains.
Quote from: ZLoth on August 27, 2025, 10:28:01 AMThe nearest Cracker Barrel to me is about 12 miles north of where I live, but in my 6½ years of living in North Dallas, I haven't eaten there. There was a Cracker Barrel in Sacramento, but that has long since closed. (FWIW... I also haven't been to a Dennys since I moved to North Dallas.)
From what I understand, the food quality has gone downhill across the chain. That's... not good. There are plenty of mom-and-pop establishments that serve better quality food in this area. Also, when I travel, I try to avoid the chains that are established in my area and try the local restaurants because of the blandness of the chains.
Sometimes you just want something you know.
Quote from: SEWIGuy on August 27, 2025, 10:30:00 AMQuote from: ZLoth on August 27, 2025, 10:28:01 AMThe nearest Cracker Barrel to me is about 12 miles north of where I live, but in my 6½ years of living in North Dallas, I haven't eaten there. There was a Cracker Barrel in Sacramento, but that has long since closed. (FWIW... I also haven't been to a Dennys since I moved to North Dallas.)
From what I understand, the food quality has gone downhill across the chain. That's... not good. There are plenty of mom-and-pop establishments that serve better quality food in this area. Also, when I travel, I try to avoid the chains that are established in my area and try the local restaurants because of the blandness of the chains.
Sometimes you just want something you know.
I couldn't personally have a more opposite mentality.
Quote from: ZLoth on August 27, 2025, 10:28:01 AMFrom what I understand, the food quality has gone downhill across the chain.
That might explain why others have a worse opinion of Cracker Barrel than I have, considering I haven't been there in more than six years, and only twice in the last fifteen.
Quote from: NE2 on August 27, 2025, 06:48:54 AMIt's a Malaysian highway shield. Cracker Barrel, more like Sharia Barrel?
(https://i.imgur.com/sZa8uR8.png)
Nah, just different food.
"Boy, that Cracky Barrel nasi goreng is something special I tell you hwat."
"Rendang beef for me. The commercials don't lie.
Sedap makan sekarang."
"Me, I gotta cut down on that roti prata. It's the coconut rice. Puttin' on some weight."
"Yup"
Quote from: kurumi on August 27, 2025, 10:45:09 AMQuote from: NE2 on August 27, 2025, 06:48:54 AMIt's a Malaysian highway shield. Cracker Barrel, more like Sharia Barrel?
(https://i.imgur.com/sZa8uR8.png)
Nah, just different food.
"Boy, that Cracky Barrel nasi goreng is something special I tell you hwat."
"Rendang beef for me. The commercials don't lie. Sedap makan sekarang."
"Me, I gotta cut down on that roti prata. It's the coconut rice. Puttin' on some weight."
"Yup"
Rendang is a top 10 food for me. If Cracker Barrel started making it, I would actually seek out a Cracker Barrel. :)
Quote from: vdeane on August 27, 2025, 09:21:37 AMQuote from: Scott5114 on August 27, 2025, 01:04:57 AMHow a logo looks at small sizes is very important in digital contexts as well. I've seen commentary that suggests that one of the motivations for redesigning the logo was probably so that it was more legible at the size of a smartphone app icon.
Indeed. Even taking out the barrel and Uncle Herschel, the old logo is completely illegible in digital contexts (like their Facebook profile picture).
That's a plausible point. The NFL cited such legibility issues when it redesigned its logo in 2008 to change from 25 stars to 8 and to change the typeface for the three letters.
The current logo is at the top center; the one that preceded it is to the current logo's left. The others are all older designs. I find the one at the bottom left particularly illegible.
(https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6F77yfBF9Gy47hNubP7Q78-650-80.jpg.webp)
Quote from: SEWIGuy on August 27, 2025, 10:30:00 AMSometimes you just want something you know.
I can understand that perspective, and if I'm traveling, I may stop by a Carl's Jr/Hardees for that bundle of sin called a Western Bacon Cheeseburger only because the three locations in my area are at least 45 minutes away. It just bothers me when you go on vacation hundreds of miles from home and you choose to go to a McDonalds, KFC, Dennys, Applebee, Whataburger, IHOP, or Panda Express when the local businesses could benefit from your tourist dollar. And, there are regional chains that are worth trying as well.
Quote from: SEWIGuy on August 27, 2025, 10:30:00 AMSometimes you just want something you know.
Quote from: ZLoth on August 27, 2025, 11:05:09 AMI can understand that perspective, and if I'm traveling, I may stop by a Carl's Jr/Hardees for that bundle of sin called a Western Bacon Cheeseburger only because the three locations in my area are at least 45 minutes away. It just bothers me when you go on vacation hundreds of miles from home and you choose to go to a McDonalds, KFC, Dennys, Applebee, Whataburger, IHOP, or Panda Express when the local businesses could benefit from your tourist dollar. And, there are regional chains that are worth trying as well.
If you're on an eight-day vacation, trying out the local spots seven of those days, maybe you just want something you know on the eighth day. Especially if you didn't end up liking two of those local spots.
Quote from: JayhawkCO on August 27, 2025, 10:30:50 AMQuote from: SEWIGuy on August 27, 2025, 10:30:00 AMQuote from: ZLoth on August 27, 2025, 10:28:01 AMThe nearest Cracker Barrel to me is about 12 miles north of where I live, but in my 6½ years of living in North Dallas, I haven't eaten there. There was a Cracker Barrel in Sacramento, but that has long since closed. (FWIW... I also haven't been to a Dennys since I moved to North Dallas.)
From what I understand, the food quality has gone downhill across the chain. That's... not good. There are plenty of mom-and-pop establishments that serve better quality food in this area. Also, when I travel, I try to avoid the chains that are established in my area and try the local restaurants because of the blandness of the chains.
Sometimes you just want something you know.
I couldn't personally have a more opposite mentality.
Usually I don't have that mentality. Sometimes I do.
Quote from: SEWIGuy on August 27, 2025, 11:38:48 AMQuote from: JayhawkCO on August 27, 2025, 10:30:50 AMQuote from: SEWIGuy on August 27, 2025, 10:30:00 AMQuote from: ZLoth on August 27, 2025, 10:28:01 AMThe nearest Cracker Barrel to me is about 12 miles north of where I live, but in my 6½ years of living in North Dallas, I haven't eaten there. There was a Cracker Barrel in Sacramento, but that has long since closed. (FWIW... I also haven't been to a Dennys since I moved to North Dallas.)
From what I understand, the food quality has gone downhill across the chain. That's... not good. There are plenty of mom-and-pop establishments that serve better quality food in this area. Also, when I travel, I try to avoid the chains that are established in my area and try the local restaurants because of the blandness of the chains.
Sometimes you just want something you know.
I couldn't personally have a more opposite mentality.
Usually I don't have that mentality. Sometimes I do.
The only time I can say I've ever had this was after having been gone for about a month on a backpacking trip in Southeast Asia and decided I wanted to have a burger. Otherwise, I relish trying only local stuff 100% of the time.
For me, I'll try more local places if I have time. But, when time is more urgent, fast food is a necessary convenience.
Quote from: JayhawkCO on August 27, 2025, 11:41:34 AMThe only time I can say I've ever had this was after having been gone for about a month on a backpacking trip in Southeast Asia and decided I wanted to have a burger. Otherwise, I relish trying only local stuff 100% of the time.
I've never wanted a Big Mac as much as I did after a week in Europe.
Quote from: JayhawkCO on August 27, 2025, 11:41:34 AMQuote from: SEWIGuy on August 27, 2025, 11:38:48 AMQuote from: JayhawkCO on August 27, 2025, 10:30:50 AMQuote from: SEWIGuy on August 27, 2025, 10:30:00 AMQuote from: ZLoth on August 27, 2025, 10:28:01 AMThe nearest Cracker Barrel to me is about 12 miles north of where I live, but in my 6½ years of living in North Dallas, I haven't eaten there. There was a Cracker Barrel in Sacramento, but that has long since closed. (FWIW... I also haven't been to a Dennys since I moved to North Dallas.)
From what I understand, the food quality has gone downhill across the chain. That's... not good. There are plenty of mom-and-pop establishments that serve better quality food in this area. Also, when I travel, I try to avoid the chains that are established in my area and try the local restaurants because of the blandness of the chains.
Sometimes you just want something you know.
I couldn't personally have a more opposite mentality.
Usually I don't have that mentality. Sometimes I do.
The only time I can say I've ever had this was after having been gone for about a month on a backpacking trip in Southeast Asia and decided I wanted to have a burger. Otherwise, I relish trying only local stuff 100% of the time.
Honestly I don't really care.
Quote from: kphoger on August 27, 2025, 11:43:07 AMQuote from: JayhawkCO on August 27, 2025, 11:41:34 AMThe only time I can say I've ever had this was after having been gone for about a month on a backpacking trip in Southeast Asia and decided I wanted to have a burger. Otherwise, I relish trying only local stuff 100% of the time.
I've never wanted a Big Mac as much as I did after a week in Europe.
Were you in a European country with good food? (i.e., not the UK?) ;-)
Quote from: SEWIGuy on August 27, 2025, 11:44:50 AMQuote from: JayhawkCO on August 27, 2025, 11:41:34 AMQuote from: SEWIGuy on August 27, 2025, 11:38:48 AMQuote from: JayhawkCO on August 27, 2025, 10:30:50 AMQuote from: SEWIGuy on August 27, 2025, 10:30:00 AMQuote from: ZLoth on August 27, 2025, 10:28:01 AMThe nearest Cracker Barrel to me is about 12 miles north of where I live, but in my 6½ years of living in North Dallas, I haven't eaten there. There was a Cracker Barrel in Sacramento, but that has long since closed. (FWIW... I also haven't been to a Dennys since I moved to North Dallas.)
From what I understand, the food quality has gone downhill across the chain. That's... not good. There are plenty of mom-and-pop establishments that serve better quality food in this area. Also, when I travel, I try to avoid the chains that are established in my area and try the local restaurants because of the blandness of the chains.
Sometimes you just want something you know.
I couldn't personally have a more opposite mentality.
Usually I don't have that mentality. Sometimes I do.
The only time I can say I've ever had this was after having been gone for about a month on a backpacking trip in Southeast Asia and decided I wanted to have a burger. Otherwise, I relish trying only local stuff 100% of the time.
Honestly I don't really care.
You didn't have to respond to my comment. It's okay to have differing opinions.
Quote from: Rothman on August 26, 2025, 11:22:05 PMWell, the food is mediocre.
At best, and after having been to a couple locations that's the reason I haven't tried them again. I don't give a fig what the logo looks like.
Quote from: kphoger on August 27, 2025, 11:43:07 AMI've never wanted a Big Mac as much as I did after a week in Europe.
Quote from: JayhawkCO on August 27, 2025, 11:45:09 AMWere you in a European country with good food? (i.e., not the UK?) ;-)
The food in the countries we visited was absolutely amazing, and a lot of it was homemade by people we were staying with. Poland, Austria, Germany. It was of much better quality than McDonald's, that's for sure.
But that's not what cravings are about, is it? When my wife was pregnant with our eldest son, she frequently craved Funyuns. Let me tell you, it wasn't because she thought they were a high quality product! In the winter, I often crave a can of Campbell's condensed soup, but not because I think it's the highest quality soup I can get.
As for your parenthesis... I've only been to the UK once, as part of a big junior high music group tour. What I recall about the food in England:
1. Fish and chips at a small joint just outside Windsor Castle. Best fish and chips I've ever had.
2. Breakfast buffet at the hotel. Mandarin orange wedges soaking in liquid that tasted like cheap white wine. Absolutely disgusting, an offense to humanity.
3. Chinese take-away from a small joint near the hotel. Calamari, absolutely swimming in grease. Fried rice, so dry it was awful. Poured the excess grease from the calamari over the rice to balance it out. Serviceable.
Quote from: kphoger on August 27, 2025, 12:03:54 PM3. Chinese take-away from a small joint near the hotel. Calamari, absolutely swimming in grease. Fried rice, so dry it was awful. Poured the excess grease from the calamari over the rice to balance it out. Serviceable.
Are you telling me a squid fried this rice?
Quote from: NE2 on August 27, 2025, 12:26:08 PMAre you telling me a squid fried this rice?
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMTgwNDM4ODU4M15BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwOTg2MjEzMjE@._V1_QL75_UX500_CR0,47,500,281_.jpg)
Quote from: kphoger on August 27, 2025, 11:12:19 AMIf you're on an eight-day vacation, trying out the local spots seven of those days, maybe you just want something you know on the eighth day. Especially if you didn't end up liking two of those local spots.
In the end, it's your money and your choice. Seeking out a "familiar" spot on the last day of a vacation when you just want to be home is fine. Like I said, what bothers me is when you travel hundreds of miles away from home, yet only dine at the familiar spots instead of the local spots. If I ever traveled to Maine, I would have stopped at a McDonalds to try the lobster roll, but I understand it was discontinued in 2017.
Going back to the original thread... a new logo won't fix underlying food quality issues that is chasing away customers.
Quote from: ZLoth on August 27, 2025, 12:53:37 PMLike I said, what bothers me is when you travel hundreds of miles away from home, yet only dine at the familiar spots instead of the local spots.
The bolded word is new, and it completely changes the meaning of your post.
Quote from: ZLoth on August 27, 2025, 12:53:37 PMQuote from: kphoger on August 27, 2025, 11:12:19 AMIf you're on an eight-day vacation, trying out the local spots seven of those days, maybe you just want something you know on the eighth day. Especially if you didn't end up liking two of those local spots.
In the end, it's your money and your choice. Seeking out a "familiar" spot on the last day of a vacation when you just want to be home is fine. Like I said, what bothers me is when you travel hundreds of miles away from home, yet only dine at the familiar spots instead of the local spots. If I ever traveled to Maine, I would have stopped at a McDonalds to try the lobster roll, but I understand it was discontinued in 2017.
Going back to the original thread... a new logo won't fix underlying food quality issues that is chasing away customers.
And yet when Coca Cola did this back in the 1980s people flocked to the stores to get their familiar Coke product amid the New Coke saga. I suspect short term Cracker Barrel will see a restaurant sales boon given that the new logo is now dead.
Quote from: ZLoth on August 27, 2025, 11:05:09 AMIt just bothers me when you go on vacation hundreds of miles from home and you choose to go to a McDonalds, KFC, Dennys, Applebee, Whataburger, IHOP, or Panda Express when the local businesses could benefit from your tourist dollar. And, there are regional chains that are worth trying as well.
Also, the bolded word is key. Not every trip is a vacation, and the nature of the trip matters.
For example, my family recently spent a few days up in Kansas City, and my sister and her husband came down from Des Moines too. We were on the edge of the Westport neighborhood, which has all sorts of hip local establishments. But we weren't there for a vacation. My dad was having brain surgery. So we got food from places that we were familiar with because we knew (a) my wife could find something that won't spike her blood sugar and my sister could find something that works with how she eats too, (b) our kids already have an idea of what they want before we go, (c) it's easy enough to order to go and take back to the hospital or rental house.
Or I remember the time we drove nearly 1500 miles round-trip to Tennessee, but it was just to buy a car. We weren't there to explore the local scene. I have no clue what restaurants we ate at while we were there, but I guarantee they were fast food chains.
Hope your dad is doing okay.
Quote from: kphogerEven among younger folks, the old-timey-ness of Cracker Barrel is more than half the reason to go there—assuming they're not just a transplant from the South and itching for some fried okra. The old-fashioned stick candy, the big front porch, all of that old-timey stuff: that's, like, the whole point of going to Cracker Barrel.
I think the appeal of Cracker Barrel is pretty limited with people in the Millennials and Gen-Z age groups. Hell, even plenty of people in my generation (Gen-X) think Cracker Barrel is a restaurant solely for old, conservative white people. While my generation is getting old that doesn't mean I'm growing more fond of Cracker Barrel or any other place that sells what amounts to cafeteria food.
We have a Cracker Barrel location here in Lawton off I-44 at the Gore Blvd exit. It opened in the late 1990's and has hasn't noticeably changed since then. The place gets pretty slammed with customers at lunch time on Sunday. Business is steady, if not slow the rest of the time. I'm pretty certain if the restaurant wasn't located close to several hotels by the Interstate the place would have been closed a long time ago.
While this attempt at a brand re-fresh may have failed, I'd expect Cracker Barrel to revisit the task within the next few years. The brand they've had is outdated and doesn't function well.
IMHO
- I don't care. Forced to choose, the now cancelled new logo is very generic.
- CB is, appropriate to this forum, a very highway focused chain, I would speculate it get a very high percentage of interstate travelers vis local.
- There are three new Coke theories, I subscribe to the least popular of the three, but you probably guessed that.
- Know your customer base. The downfall of many enterprises is become unhappy with your base. I think some people ran with this and the other changes at CB were it doing so. I have no idea if this is so. If the CB management is not happy with its old skewing base, no amount of changes are getting that changed. Someone else will be glad to fil that niche and take that money.
Quote from: SP Cook on August 27, 2025, 02:19:46 PMKnow your customer base. The downfall of many enterprises is become unhappy with your base.
Or not really knowing who your base is, a la Tesla.
I felt the logo rebrand was just following in line with all the other corporate bland logos, just a big 'meh'.
I was more disappointed about the revamped interiors that removed all the old signs, antiques, and general kitsch. The new interior gives off Paula Deen or Pioneer Woman, or a bland HGTV makeover. Maybe it's not specific to Cracker Barrel, but the spreading of the corporate blandness that's been removing personality from these places like McDonalds and trying to 'upscale' them.
Quote from: Bobby5280 on August 27, 2025, 02:02:41 PMHell, even plenty of people in my generation (Gen-X) think Cracker Barrel is a restaurant solely for old, conservative white people.
They must not have noticed all the middle-aged black people who want a taste of how their aunt used to cook.
This is one area where I agreed with the conservative sentiment, but for a different reason. Minimalist design is ridiculously easy for AI to replicate, so if those design trends continue to be common, the entire graphic design profession will be in jeopardy.
Quote from: kphoger on August 27, 2025, 09:31:05 AMEven among younger folks, the old-timey-ness of Cracker Barrel is more than half the reason to go there—assuming they're not just a transplant from the South and itching for some fried okra. The old-fashioned stick candy, the big front porch, all of that old-timey stuff: that's, like, the whole point of going to Cracker Barrel. People want to browse the store for a few minutes, eat, browse the store for another minute, take a selfie while they rock in a rocking chair for 25 seconds, and then go home. Trying to downplay that stuff is a huge gamble, and in my opinion too big of a gamble.
Sure, but theoretically younger folks could do the same thing at an "old-fashioned 1970s" restaurant, while they would also be bolstered by the audience of people who actually remember the 70s—that was the original customer mix that Cracker Barrel relied on.
Cracker Barrel opened with its 1940s theme in 1969, so if an equivalent were opened today, it would be a 1990s-themed restaurant. (There actually are a few such restaurants here in Las Vegas—I haven't been there so I can't recall its name, but one [I think it's a pizza place] actually opened in the early 90s and never updated the aggressively-dated decor, so it's even more authentic than Cracker Barrel is to its time period.)
Quote from: kphoger on August 27, 2025, 09:31:05 AMMy own take is that I can never find more than one or two items on the menu that I might even want to order. At a restaurant like Cracker Barrel, I'm not really expecting better than mediocre, but I do expect a better selection so that, if something I order is pretty bad, then next time I can avoid that and get something else I like instead. I just don't think there's enough variety on the menu for that, personally. Of course, that has nothing to do with the logo.
That mirrors my experiences there—it's been decades since I went there (my grandmother insisted on going to the location on 78th Street in KCK every time we were in town, until it finally went out of business; it appears to already have the real-estate signs on it on 2007 GSV), but there wasn't a whole lot on the menu that even seemed appetizing, and what was (fried chicken for example) wasn't actually any good.
Quote from: ZLoth on August 27, 2025, 10:28:01 AMFrom what I understand, the food quality has gone downhill across the chain. That's... not good.
Given my previous experience there, that would imply that now it's not even edible.
The new logo reminded me of a three-digit New York state highway marker in Catskills-Adirondacks colors.
The food is the type that those of us who aren't particularly healthy eaters love. It reminds me of what my grandmother used to fix -- fried, slathered in gravy, garden vegetables, etc. I can imagine these new-age vegan types and people who never ate country fried steak wouldn't be fond of, but otherwise, if you can't find something you wouldn't like there, you have weird taste in food. I have a hard time deciding between the aforementioned country fried stake, the chicken fried chicken, the fried catfish, or the meatloaf.
Portion sizes have decreased in recent years, though, to the detriment of the establishment.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on August 27, 2025, 07:30:24 AMThe memes and fake logos associated with all this have been top tier
https://www.reddit.com/r/facepalm/comments/1n0d3hg/cracker_barrel_logo_design_proposal/
https://www.reddit.com/r/forwardsfromgrandma/comments/1mzembs/grandma_blames_liberals_and_democrats_for_cracker/
https://www.reddit.com/r/graphic_design/comments/1n0859s/i_redesigned_cracker_barrel_logo/
https://www.reddit.com/r/ChatGPT/comments/1mz64bh/logo_redesign/
https://www.reddit.com/r/logodesign/comments/1n04h6y/my_proposal_of_a_new_cracker_barrel_design/
I love how that last one flagged as 'NSFW' on my computer. Huhhhhh??
Something I learned from this rebrand is my memory of the old dude's pose is completely wrong. From glancing at the logo on signs, my memory was that the old man was sitting in the chair with his legs apart, his leg behind the barrel, and he was leaning forward a bit, perhaps somewhat ominously.
But instead he has his ankles pressed together in a way that doesn't look particularly comfortable or natural.
(https://i.imgur.com/epQvY4R.jpeg)
Quote from: hbelkins on August 27, 2025, 05:52:50 PMI have a hard time deciding between the aforementioned country fried stake, the chicken fried chicken, the fried catfish, or the meatloaf.
See, I grew up in Oklahoma, so I have a taste for all of that stuff. Cracker Barrel just botches the execution of all of them, in my experience. So that just leaves the weird stuff that I probably don't like as options.
Quote from: kphoger on August 27, 2025, 05:54:46 PMI love how that last one flagged as 'NSFW' on my computer. Huhhhhh??
I clicked the links out of order, so for a second I thought you meant the JD Vance one was flagged NSFW...
Quote from: hbelkins on August 27, 2025, 05:52:50 PMIt reminds me of what my grandmother used to fix -- fried, slathered in gravy, garden vegetables, etc. I can imagine these new-age vegan types and people who never ate country fried steak wouldn't be fond of, but otherwise, if you can't find something you wouldn't like there, you have weird taste in food. I have a hard time deciding between the aforementioned country fried stake, the chicken fried chicken, the fried catfish, or the meatloaf.
Portion sizes have decreased in recent years, though, to the detriment of the establishment.
Quote from: hbelkins on August 27, 2025, 05:52:50 PMIt reminds me of what my grandmother used to fix -- fried, slathered in gravy, garden vegetables, etc.
I'm in the mood for something slathered in gravy about twice a year, tops. Fried food, OK, but only if it's good quality. Plain old garden vegetables just heated up and dumped on the plate, no thanks, I can do better than that with little effort at home.
I don't mind the chain restaurants for breakfast. Denny's, IHOP, Cracker Barrel...it's hard to screw up eggs, bacon, hashbrowns, pancakes or toast. I'm in Denny's and IHOP fairly often because many of them are 24 hours and I'm often looking to have breakfast out of the way before 6 a.m. Cracker Barrels aren't open that early so I'm only in there if I'm getting a later start and there happens to be one right next to the hotel. More often, if places that open at 7 a.m. work for me that day, I would scan Yelp and take a chance on a local cafe.
I have never eaten any meal other than breakfast in a Cracker Barrel, and nothing other than breakfast at a Denny's or IHOP in probably 40 years. Too many other options. Sometimes I draw a really lousy meal or one that's too expensive for what you get, but I'd rather take that chance than settle for a chain.
Quote from: gonealookin on August 27, 2025, 06:15:18 PMI have never eaten any meal other than breakfast in a Cracker Barrel, and nothing other than breakfast at a Denny's or IHOP in probably 40 years. Too many other options. Sometimes I draw a really lousy meal or one that's too expensive for what you get, but I'd rather take that chance than settle for a chain.
I found that IHOP is a good option for non-breakfast stuff should you find yourself in the position of being up late enough that most places have switched over to breakfast, yet (because you're not just waking up), you're not in the mood for breakfast stuff.
Of course, that is less of a problem in Nevada, where there is a larger selection of 24-hour restaurants than in other states.
I have never successfully eaten at a Denny's. I tried to on a roadtrip once—we stopped at the one in Tucumcari for dinner, and stood at the front for like ten minutes, but nobody ever showed up to seat us. So we shrugged, continued on to Amarillo, and ate there.
Quote from: kphoger on August 27, 2025, 01:20:17 PMNot every trip is a vacation, and the nature of the trip matters.
For example, my family recently spent a few days up in Kansas City, and my sister and her husband came down from Des Moines too. We were on the edge of the Westport neighborhood, which has all sorts of hip local establishments. But we weren't there for a vacation. My dad was having brain surgery.
Under a situation like this, the KISS concept comes into play as there are more serious issues to contemplate. It also varies with the territory. The nearby medical center has multiple chain and local restaurants within one mile with both national and regional chains. Time also plays a factor, and Whataburger, McDonalds, and Waffle House are all open 24 hours.
Quote from: kphoger on August 27, 2025, 01:20:17 PMOr I remember the time we drove nearly 1500 miles round-trip to Tennessee, but it was just to buy a car. We weren't there to explore the local scene. I have no clue what restaurants we ate at while we were there, but I guarantee they were fast food chains.
Google Maps and Yelp would have helped, but you were dealing with a serious time constraint. I get that.
Like most logo redesigns, I don't care. It's not my company and if it's not offensive nor embarrassing...whatever. The irony that it's a restaurant decorated with dozens of old logos and brands and someone fired up their rage-store-bater over this just plain dumb.
Their food tastes the same year after year.* Most Southern cooking is somewhat simply seasoned, overly salted, incredibly sweet, or even bland. And all that old stuff on the wall makes me feel young, since most of it harkens back at least two generations before my time.
Although, we used to go more frequently but now visit maybe once or twice a year, because everyone finds something they like, especially when extended family visits. Nothing incredibly special but never terrible. Service is kind of a scattered affair.
* Everyone seems to truck out this excuse for nearly every restaurant because they had one bad experience, perhaps one day they realized their tastes changed, you realized you're not eight anymore, found another place that makes ___ better, or your prescription medication / guru / diet / experience altered your perception of food. Nobody easily admits they changed.
Quote from: Scott5114 on August 27, 2025, 06:22:09 PMOf course, that is less of a problem in Nevada, where there is a larger selection of 24-hour restaurants than in other states.
More so in Vegas than Reno. A lot of 24-hour restaurants up here are inside the hotels and are overpriced. Outside, many of the 24-hour places are really bars and have a very so-so limited menu.
In Vegas, a couple of the Blueberry Hill locations (https://www.blueberryhillrestaurants.com/locations) are open 24 hours, and in the Denny's/IHOP/Cracker Barrel realm they are quite good. I never stay on the Strip in Vegas; my cheap-ass stays are at places like Arizona Charlie's on Decatur, and one of the 24-hour Blueberry Hills is just down the street from there.
Quote from: Scott5114 on August 27, 2025, 06:22:09 PMQuote from: gonealookin on August 27, 2025, 06:15:18 PMI have never eaten any meal other than breakfast in a Cracker Barrel, and nothing other than breakfast at a Denny's or IHOP in probably 40 years. Too many other options. Sometimes I draw a really lousy meal or one that's too expensive for what you get, but I'd rather take that chance than settle for a chain.
I found that IHOP is a good option for non-breakfast stuff should you find yourself in the position of being up late enough that most places have switched over to breakfast, yet (because you're not just waking up), you're not in the mood for breakfast stuff.
Of course, that is less of a problem in Nevada, where there is a larger selection of 24-hour restaurants than in other states.
I have never successfully eaten at a Denny's. I tried to on a roadtrip once—we stopped at the one in Tucumcari for dinner, and stood at the front for like ten minutes, but nobody ever showed up to seat us. So we shrugged, continued on to Amarillo, and ate there.
Both IHOP and Denny's have superior tasting food versus blandness Cracker Barrel offers. Plus, both locations don't actually try to put on a facade of "class" that some people think Cracker Barrel has.
Quote from: kphoger on August 27, 2025, 01:20:17 PMOr I remember the time we drove nearly 1500 miles round-trip to Tennessee, but it was just to buy a car. We weren't there to explore the local scene. I have no clue what restaurants we ate at while we were there, but I guarantee they were fast food chains.
Quote from: ZLoth on August 27, 2025, 06:32:41 PMGoogle Maps and Yelp would have helped, but you were dealing with a serious time constraint. I get that.
Pertinent point bolded. Would have helped with what, exactly? There wasn't really any difference between, say, going to Wendy's while we were there and going to Wendy's on the other side of town if we had bought the car there instead. It was just a place to drive to and buy a car. A chain fast food restaurant provides a reliable, predictable place to eat at an affordable price in a short amount of time. No Google or Yelp reviews required. Not every trip to a restaurant has to be an experience; it can just be a place to eat food, whether that's five miles away or five hundred.
For what it's worth, it really was an out-and-back trip. I don't know why you assumed there was a time constraint, but there kind of was. We left Wichita after church on Sunday, drove through a snowstorm in southern Illinois that turned into an ice storm in Kentucky, got in to our cheap motel in Clarksville at around midnight. Got up the next morning, drove to Lebanon, test-drove the new vehicle around town a little bit, signed papers, grabbed lunch at some point, headed out of town, met up with some of my wife's family for a late night meal at Steak 'N Shake in Springfield, and finally made it back to Wichita at about 3 am.
Quote from: formulanone on August 27, 2025, 06:36:52 PMLike most logo redesigns, I don't care. It's not my company and if it's not offensive nor embarrassing...whatever. The irony that it's a restaurant decorated with dozens of old logos and brands and someone fired up their rage-store-bater over this just plain dumb.
To be fair to the rage-baiters, in this case the logo change was intended to be paired with a proposed store remodel that adopted a much more minimalist design aesthetic, which would eliminate the dozens of old logos displayed around the store. I am not sure whether the store redesign, which to me is more objectionable than the logo redesign, has also been cancelled. Keeping the old logo with the new store design would be a rather noticeable tonal mismatch.
Quote from: gonealookin on August 27, 2025, 08:51:59 PMQuote from: Scott5114 on August 27, 2025, 06:22:09 PMOf course, that is less of a problem in Nevada, where there is a larger selection of 24-hour restaurants than in other states.
More so in Vegas than Reno. A lot of 24-hour restaurants up here are inside the hotels and are overpriced. Outside, many of the 24-hour places are really bars and have a very so-so limited menu.
In Vegas, a couple of the Blueberry Hill locations (https://www.blueberryhillrestaurants.com/locations) are open 24 hours, and in the Denny's/IHOP/Cracker Barrel realm they are quite good. I never stay on the Strip in Vegas; my cheap-ass stays are at places like Arizona Charlie's on Decatur, and one of the 24-hour Blueberry Hills is just down the street from there.
It's a shame the video-poker-bar-with-food concept (which is sometimes branded a "Nevada-style tavern" down here) doesn't normally have very good food up north. There is chain of those here called Timbers that knocks it out of the park. The food selection is nothing special—burgers, chicken strips, that sort of thing—but the execution has been on point every time we've been there. There are several competing chains with similar offerings that I've been meaning to try.
I have yet to try Blueberry Hill either, but from what I have read it seems to occupy that niche where it really hits the spot when it's late at night and you're drunk/high. I have also heard from some longtime locals that it has gone downhill from what it once was, but it's still in business so it can't have fallen that far—the Vegas restaurant market is extremely competitive because there is just so much good food out there that there is no reason for a customer to suffer through mediocre fare.
I don't blame you for avoiding staying on the Strip—unless you intend to do the typical tourist walk up and down the Strip to visit all the casinos, it is kind of terrible from a value-for-money standpoint. The one time I stayed on the Strip was at the Excalibur, which although I'm fond of it from an aesthetic perspective, is not a glamorous property by any means, and even that set me back over $1000 for a week's stay. Were I to stay here again as a visitor, I think I would try my luck staying at one of the locals casinos like Suncoast or Red Rock and see what the bill for that looks like (I'm sure Arizona Charlie's is still cheaper, but that part of Decatur is a little more rough around the edges than I'd prefer).
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on August 27, 2025, 09:17:00 PMPlus, both locations don't actually try to put on a facade of "class" that some people think Cracker Barrel has.
There's someone that thinks Cracker Barrel is classy??? Now I've heard everything.
Quote from: kphoger on August 27, 2025, 09:54:37 PMGot up the next morning, drove to Lebanon, test-drove the new vehicle around town a little bit...
Ironically, the only thing I know about Lebanon TN is that Cracker Barrel was founded there, so it would have qualified as local food if you ate there!
Old white Boomer crowd types particularly of the retiree community demographic I've found love Cracker Barrel. Kind of reminds me much of the same phenomenon tied to Bill Knapp's in the 1990s.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on August 27, 2025, 10:06:39 PMBill Knapp's
Oh, wait... What is that? Bill Knapp was my wife's grandfather's name, yet I've never heard of this.
Quote from: kphoger on August 27, 2025, 10:07:45 PMQuote from: Max Rockatansky on August 27, 2025, 10:06:39 PMBill Knapp's
Oh, wait... What is that? Bill Knapp was my wife's grandfather's name, yet I've never heard of this.
Former Midwest family chain which went defunct in 2002.
Quote from: NE2 on August 27, 2025, 06:48:54 AMIt's a Malaysian highway shield.
Jalan Persekutuan Cracker Barrel:
(https://i.imgur.com/3sDWQPx.png)
Quote from: cockroachking on August 28, 2025, 12:25:39 AMQuote from: NE2 on August 27, 2025, 06:48:54 AMIt's a Malaysian highway shield.
Jalan Persekutuan Cracker Barrel:
(https://i.imgur.com/3sDWQPx.png)
This would've actually been a good logo.
The problem with using that logo in Malaysia is that it would likely be abbreviated to CB, which is offensive (cheebai or one of several variant spellings, meaning female genitalia) in Malaysian English.
Quote from: Scott5114 on August 27, 2025, 10:03:36 PMTo be fair to the rage-baiters, in this case the logo change was intended to be paired with a proposed store remodel that adopted a much more minimalist design aesthetic, which would eliminate the dozens of old logos displayed around the store. I am not sure whether the store redesign, which to me is more objectionable than the logo redesign, has also been cancelled. Keeping the old logo with the new store design would be a rather noticeable tonal mismatch.
According to something I heard on a podcast yesterday, said to be read from a Cracker Barrel social media post, the interior redesign is also scrapped. I heard a reference to "antique decor sourced from our warehouse in Lebanon,Tenn.," or something similar. So it would appear that the restaurant interiors are going to remain as they were.
I haven't been in one of the redesigned restaurants, but one thing I didn't like about what I saw of the redesign was a move from tables to booths. I may have lost 60 pounds in two years, but I still prefer a table to a booth because it's easier to get up and down at a table than it is to get in and out of a booth.
Quote from: hotdogPi on August 28, 2025, 08:28:36 AMThe problem with using that logo in Malaysia is that it would likely be abbreviated to CB, which is offensive (cheebai or one of several variant spellings, meaning female genitalia) in Malaysian English.
I thought "cheeba" referred to marijuana.
Quote from: hotdogPi on August 28, 2025, 08:28:36 AMThe problem with using that logo in Malaysia is that it would likely be abbreviated to CB, which is offensive (cheebai or one of several variant spellings, meaning female genitalia) in Malaysian English.
Must make it awkward for truck drivers to communicate with their CB radios.
In my work world, 'CB' means 'commercial business'.
Quote from: hbelkins on August 28, 2025, 03:34:30 PMAccording to something I heard on a podcast yesterday, said to be read from a Cracker Barrel social media post, the interior redesign is also scrapped. I heard a reference to "antique decor sourced from our warehouse in Lebanon,Tenn.," or something similar. So it would appear that the restaurant interiors are going to remain as they were.
I haven't been in one of the redesigned restaurants, but one thing I didn't like about what I saw of the redesign was a move from tables to booths. I may have lost 60 pounds in two years, but I still prefer a table to a booth because it's easier to get up and down at a table than it is to get in and out of a booth.
Here's a link to a news story with a pic of the redesigned store layout, with tables.
https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Food/cracker-barrel-fans-mixed-feelings-restaurant-chains-redesign/story?id=124542164
Quote from: kphoger on August 27, 2025, 09:54:37 PMFor what it's worth, it really was an out-and-back trip. I don't know why you assumed there was a time constraint, but there kind of was. We left Wichita after church on Sunday, drove through a snowstorm in southern Illinois that turned into an ice storm in Kentucky, got in to our cheap motel in Clarksville at around midnight.
The time constrant came from the phrase "We weren't there to explore the local scene." which indicates a time constraint, and the elaboration above confirms that. It also sounds like a bit of a miserable trip thanks to the weather. :-/
I still can't believe this difference in perspectives has gone in this thread. My perspective of preferring mom-and-pop places (support local business) and chains that are not in my area is legitimate, along with the concern about people traveling hundreds of miles only to eat at restaurants that they can find at home, is valid. You have pointed out exceptions (family emergencies, quick trips with and no time and/or intention of exploring the local scene) that are also very valid.
As for the casino buffets, I can't speak for the Las Vegas ones. However, there have been times where the cost of the buffet was more expensive than a nearby restaurant. One example that comes to mind is Thanksgiving 2016 or 2017 at Red Hawk Casino in Diamond Springs, CA. The per person cost for their buffet that holiday was $45 per person. My mother and I ended up having Thanksgiving Beef Enchiladas and Thanksgiving Chile Rellenos at a restaurant directly across from the buffet, with drinks, for around $35 for both of us. I checkedg their web site (https://www.redhawkcasino.com/dining/restaurants/koto-buffet/), and their prices ranged from $25 per person for a weekday lunch to $59 per person for a Friday/Saturday dinner. In checking the Oklahoma Casinos, the per person cost at Choctaw's casino (per web site (https://www.choctawcasinos.com/durant/eat-drink/butterfields-buffet/)) is from $20 per person for lunch to $45 per person for the Friday/Saturday Crab & Seafood Festival. Meanwhile, there is no pricing for the Winstar buffet listed on their web site (https://www.winstar.com/dine/dining-venues/gran-via-buffet/). At those prices, I would be tempted to go on a caloric engorgement to get my moneys worth, and suffer from a food coma afterwards. Most of the other casino restaurants are a bit cheaper, and these days, I tend to share a plate with my mother to avoid the doggie bags.
I should note that, if I go a little further north beyond Choctaw on US-75, there is a pretty good restaurant called "Reba's Place (https://www.rebasplace.com/)" in Atoka, OK where the food is very good, the prices are a bit cheaper, and the ambiance is better.