I came to this area on a business trip two days ago and wanted to try the famous Cracker Barrel while on a short break. I walked through the gift shop to the host's stand, where a sign said to wait for the host to seat me. So I waited. And waited. At least 3 full minutes passed. It was a bit busy inside, but I could see plenty of open tables, and several groups left as I waited. It was like I was invisible. I know southerners don't like pushy outsiders, so I remained quiet and relaxed. A wait person walked past me from the dining room/kitchen area and through the gift shop, walking away from the kitchen and, I can only assume, heading outside. I silently waited some more.
An elderly couple had now joined me. Another wait staff exited the kitchen, walked past the growing crowd of us and through the gift shop, away from customers, also not looking at us. Soon a woman entered, pushing a companion in a wheelchair, and joined us, waiting a few minutes more. She was the one to finally speak up and politely ask the gift shop's cashier if there was a host on duty. "Yes" came her short reply, not even turning her head. At that moment, another wait staff, the third separate one I laid eyes on after well over 5 minutes of silently waiting to be acknowledged, walked past the 5 of us, just the like previous 2, through the gift shop.
With that, I turned to the cashier and in a cheerful, loud voice and with a friendly smile, said my first word since entering: "Goodbye!" She didn't look or even register that she heard me. The folks behind me laughed and the woman pushing the wheelchair said "Right!?!" I walked out to my car and went to a nearby drive thru, miserable. Thanks, Cracker Barrel. Now I know what you really should be known for is miserable staff and no respect for the public. I'll never waste another minute in one of your restaurants ever again.