The Cracker Barrel Secret Menu Item You Never Knew Existed

Have you ever wondered if your favorite chain restaurant has off-the-menu items? You may not know, for instance, that In-N-Out has secret menu items, and you can find hush-hush McDonald's menu items, too. And, of course, there are also the infamous Starbucks secret menu items (just don't try to order them by the secret menu names). However, some customer requests can be absurd (and just plain disgusting). For instance, one barista was reportedly asked to blend egg bites into a beverage (per Business Insider). 

But let's talk about the cozy getaway known as Cracker Barrel. Does this Southern-inspired restaurant chain have a secret menu? Since its inception in 1969, Cracker Barrel has made a special place in the hearts of many Americans through its old-school Southern offerings, a reasonably-priced dining experience, numerous entertainment possibilities, and of course, convenient locations near highways across America. The menu at Cracker Barrel is varied, with intensely satisfying comfort foods and plenty of entrées, desserts, and popular breakfast dishes. 

With so much to discover at Cracker Barrel, there's really no need for hidden menu items. But where's the fun in that? It turns out, there's one sweet secret menu item you probably never knew existed. 

According to Yelp reviewers, Cracker Barrel's milkshakes are one of the restaurant's best-kept secrets. Cracker Barrel doesn't have an official secret menu, but you won't find milkshakes printed on the menu pages at any location. However, if you ask your server for the restaurant's secret signature milkshake, called the Cracker Barrel Milkshake, the kitchen will happily whip up a classic milkshake topped with vanilla ice cream and grated chocolate (per TheFoodXP).

Some customer reviews on sites such as Yelp and TripAdvisor include mentions of the chain's secret milkshakes, too. "Nice milkshakes," wrote one customer of a Nashville Cracker Barrel location on TripAdvisor in 2016. "With diluting it with lots of milk, it arrived to the right sweetness level." Another FourSquare reviewer noted of an Orlando Cracker Barrel location, "You can buy milkshakes even though they are not on the menu."

Cracker Barrel's official dessert menu includes the apple streusel pie, biscuit beignets, Coca-Cola cake, and fruit cobbler. But the restaurant already has vanilla ice cream on hand — the apple pie comes topped with a scoop of it. So it makes sense that whipping up a milkshake isn't too difficult an off-menu request.

There are some other secrets that Cracker Barrel may not want you to know. One Quora user shared that ordering the Country Boy Breakfast supposedly gets you unlimited hash brown casserole. Although the menu doesn't specify it, the servers reportedly won't charge you for extra casserole. Moreover, all traditional favorite meals supposedly come with unlimited grits, gravy, and biscuits. (And once again, the menu doesn't include this information.)

And if you're trying to save money when eating at Cracker Barrel, don't miss the menu's weekday specials. Each day, a different meal is offered for less than its listed menu price, explains The Krazy Coupon Lady. So that order of meatloaf could cost even less than you'd expected it would. Headed to Cracker Barrel on a weekend? There are Saturday and Sunday deals, too — Sunday's menu includes the Pot Roast Supper for $10.99, The Krazy Coupon Lady notes.

It's also worth mentioning that the comfort food chain encourages customers to modify meals according to their taste. So if there's something you're dying to try that's not on the official menu, there's no harm in seeing if it's a possibility.

Customers have been ordering the under-the-radar milkshakes at Cracker Barrel for years. But the chain has also made a name for itself with its seasonal offerings, such as the pumpkin pie latte or the peanut butter cup mocha. While fan-favorite dishes, such as the chicken 'n dumplings and the hashbrown casserole, will probably be on the menu for years to come, the seasonal offerings are a fun way to try something new at the chain.

Other recent limited-time menu items at Cracker Barrel include the Kick'n Ranch Fried Chicken, a shareable order of fried pickles, and a side order of broccoli cheese casserole.

But with all of Cracker Barrel's new menu additions, not every meal has stood the test of time. Some discontinued Cracker Barrel menu items fans miss the most include the Baked Apple Dumplin', applesauce, and the fried pork chops.