Pineapple Express: Someone Is Wrong on the Internet?

[Ryujin]

Apparently, Cracker Barrel’s chain-wide remodeling plans are getting some pushback.

Cracker Barrel's modern makeover leaves diners divided | LiveNOW from FOX

The restaurant chain is making upgrades which have some patrons embracing the new change and others clamoring for its classic decor.

www.livenowfox.com

A reno plan for Golden Corral would spark a grey revolution.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Apparently, Cracker Barrel’s chain-wide remodeling plans are getting some pushback.

Cracker Barrel's modern makeover leaves diners divided | LiveNOW from FOX

The restaurant chain is making upgrades which have some patrons embracing the new change and others clamoring for its classic decor.

www.livenowfox.com

Cracker Barrel has some food items people like, especially if you don't worry about your cholesterol or salt intake, but its primary draw is kitsch and nostalgia. I want to play those peg games at the table while I'm waiting for my meal to arrive.

Getting rid of the classic vibes is insane.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

A reno plan for Golden Corral would spark a grey revolution.

IDK. Golden Corrals- at least the ones near me- never struck me as having a particularly strong aesthetic. I mean, if I think HARD about them, I could say they’re a midpoint between Cracker Barrel and IHOP.

I’m just sad that they’re all at least a half hour away from me now.

There’s a local restaurant chain in San Antonio called Earl Abel’s. The location near my college was a quintessential 50s diner experience including waitresses in beehive dos, but without the period accurate racism. Great food. Chrome. Red leatherette upholstery. Fried chicken- some of SA’s best. Killer pie.

They closed that location a while back. I’ve seen pix of the strip mall location. It’s almost entirely lost almost that period vibe, and apparently, some of the dishes.

Another culinary landmark, the downtown Threadgill’s in Austin, closed in 2018. Another diner, but with the twist you’d expect from that city- great live music. The last time I went (shortly before they shuttered), Fastball was on the patio stage, opening with their hit, “The Way”. Strangely appropriate.


The other location closed in 2020 or so. All that’s left is the merch.

Threadgill's

Threadgill's is an Austin Institution. Home of Southern American Food and Live Music. Armadillo World Headquarters Legacy.

www.threadgills.com

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Cracker Barrel has some food items people like, especially if you don't worry about your cholesterol or salt intake, but its primary draw is kitsch and nostalgia. I want to play those peg games at the table while I'm waiting for my meal to arrive.

Getting rid of the classic vibes is insane.

The last time I was in one, they actually disappointed me. I ordered food that should have been in their wheelhouse: country fried steak with brown gravy, fries, and a cucumber/tomato/onion salad. The meal was meh at best, and the salad was virtually flavorless.

As for the peg games? I’ve been lamenting those and pecan logs since Stuckey’s & Howard Johnson’s disappeared from our highway roadsides.

(Yes, they’re still available other places…that aren’t restaurants/diners. Not the same.)

 

[gnarlygninja]

I know all the Golden Corrals I've ever been in have looked the same, but I'm having a very hard time actually remembering any details about it. The carpet is dark grey, I think the shelves with bread sort of look like a house, and there's a chocolate fountain you'd never want to use because of all the unattended children sticking their hands in it.

 

[payn]

Speaking of killing your namesake, Coors HQ moved to Chicago and the execs were thinking of ditching the Rocky Mountains.

 

[Ryujin]

I know all the Golden Corrals I've ever been in have looked the same, but I'm having a very hard time actually remembering any details about it. The carpet is dark grey, I think the shelves with bread sort of look like a house, and there's a chocolate fountain you'd never want to use because of all the unattended children sticking their hands in it.

From my limited experience I would refer to the decor as stylistically (not literally) beige.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I know all the Golden Corrals I've ever been in have looked the same, but I'm having a very hard time actually remembering any details about it. The carpet is dark grey, I think the shelves with bread sort of look like a house, and there's a chocolate fountain you'd never want to use because of all the unattended children sticking their hands in it.

Sounds familiar.

 

[Wolfram stout]

The last time I was in one, they actually disappointed me. I ordered food that should have been in their wheelhouse: country fried steak with brown gravy, fries, and a cucumber/tomato/onion salad. The meal was meh at best, and the salad was virtually flavorless.

As for the peg games? I’ve been lamenting those and pecan logs since Stuckey’s & Howard Johnson’s disappeared from our highway roadsides.

(Yes, they’re still available other places…that aren’t restaurants/diners. Not the same.)

Cracker Barrel use to be our go to place driving to or from vacation. We have them local but t it was always just for road trips. Over the last 2 years we have noticed a very real decline in the food. MEH to it was fine is about their norm now it seems. Sad.

 

[CleverNickName]

Apparently, Cracker Barrel’s chain-wide remodeling plans are getting some pushback.

Cracker Barrel's modern makeover leaves diners divided | LiveNOW from FOX

The restaurant chain is making upgrades which have some patrons embracing the new change and others clamoring for its classic decor.

www.livenowfox.com

Here's a picture from the Wall Street Journal, of the old design:

...and here's a picture from the same source, of the new remodel:

My reaction: