Pot Roast News

Cracker Barrel tests 20 new dishes at 3 Houston-area locations

Cracker Barrel pot roast casserole with biscuits.

Courtesy of Cracker Barrel

Southern-themed restaurant chain Cracker Barrel Old Country Store has unveiled a menu overhaul — its largest ever — and is testing the new menu for a limited time, only in Texas, at 14 locations across the state.

The new menu is part of of a strategic transformation initiated in May, to revive the chain's fortunes.

Cracker Barrel was founded in 1969 in Lebanon, Tennessee, as a restaurant-gift store combo, specializing in homestyle food, plus retail products — everything from rocking chairs to pancake mix to kids' games.

They do affordable homestyle food, a cuisine that is increasingly hard to find; but according to a release, they've been struggling with sales and traffic since the pandemic, with a 4 percent decline in traffic for the second quarter ending January 26.

Their plan: a brand overhaul including this new test menu, alongside other initiatives like store remodels and digital technology, with a goal stated by CEO Julie Felss-Masino to modernize and refresh the Cracker Barrel brand without losing its signature homestyle charm.

The 20-menu item test, which includes green chile cornbread and banana pudding, began in February at a singular store, and is currently being served at 14 Texas Cracker Barrel locations, available now through August 5.

Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole Shepherd's PieCourtesy of Cracker Barrel

Highlights of the new menu include:

Hashbrown Casserole Shepherd's Pie: a slow-simmered pot roast served with onions, celery, carrots, peas, and mashed potatoes topped with a griddled hashbrown casserole crust and sour cream. The item is served with a choice of buttermilk biscuits or cornbread muffins.
Green Chile Cornbread: cheesy green chile cornbread drizzled with honey and topped with whipped butter
Chicken n' Dumplin Soup: homestyle “dumplins” served with shredded chicken, celery, carrots, and onions in broth
Cinnamon Bread French Toast: griddled cinnamon streusel bread topped with cinnamon and cream cheese icing, served with two eggs and a choice of bacon or sausage
Banana Pudding: layered with vanilla wafers, whipped cream, and caramel sauce

They've also updated their selection of daily specials, rotating menu classics like Lemon Pepper Trout n’ Classic Turnip Greens with new Southern BBQ Ribs and savory Chicken n' Rice.

"For nearly 55 years, guests have known and loved us for our authentic, homestyle cooking, and that's not going away, we've only added more flavor and crave to the menu and made it easier to navigate," says Senior VP of Operations, Cammie Spillyards-Schaefer. "We're excited for the Texas community to be the first to experience some of our new culinary innovations like premium, savory Chicken n' Rice and Green Chile Cornbread and we look forward to gaining valuable feedback, from both our guests and employees on the test."

The only locations you can try them are as follows:

Allen, 1323 Central Expressway N.
Arlington, 4300 South Bowen Rd., I-20 & Bowen Rd.
Arlington, 1251 North Watson Rd., SR 360 & Brown Blvd/Ave K
Benbrook, 8010 SW Loop 820, I-20 & Winscott
Weatherford, 132 East I-20, I-20 & Hwy 51
Houston, 18151 Katy Freeway, I-10 & Barker-Cypress Rd.
Houston, 14765 N. Freeway, I-45 & Airtex
Kingwood, 24400 Eastex Fwy, US Hwy. 59 & North Park
Cypress, US 290 & Mueschke Rd., 27040 NW Fwy
Abilene, 1602 Hwy 351, I-20 & State Hwy. 351
Amarillo, T2323 I-40 East, I-40 & Quarterhorse Dr.
Lubbock, 5018 Milwaukee Ave, Hwy. 82 & Milwaukee Extension
Midland, 3108 N Loop 250 West, Loop 250 & Wadley Ave.
Wichita Falls, 2400 Sierra Dr, I-44 & Sierra Dr.

Given that they're previewing the menu at such a limited number of locations, and only in Texas, it seems like it's essential for every Texan to try them. They're putting this in our hands. We could be single-handedly saving this company's life.

The company and its affiliates operate approximately 660 company-owned Cracker Barrel Old Country Store locations in 44 states and also own the fast-casual Maple Street Biscuit Company, which they acquired at an unfortunately non-propitious time: October 2019, on the very eve of the pandemic.

cracker barrel news-you-can-eat

Bowling over Houston

Gluten-free Austin restaurant picks River Oaks for first Houston store

Rendering of Honest Mary's in River Oaks

Rendering by Mark Odom Studio

Honest Mary's, an Austin-based eatery, is expanding with a new location in Houston's River Oaks in fall 2025.

It will be a Houston homecoming for restauranteur Nelson Monteith with the fall 2025 debut of Honest Mary’s in River Oaks.

“It’s a joy and honor to bring a brand we’ve worked hard to create in Austin and finally be able to share that concept with friends and family in Houston,” Monteith said in a statement. “There’s a bit of built-in comfort in knowing there are folks here who are already fans of Honest Mary’s. They’ve been asking us for years to open a location in Houston, and now it’s happening.”

Located at 2047-A West Gray St., Honest Mary's will occupy the current La Madeleine space. It is not known at this time when La Madeleine will close, but construction on Honest Mary's is expected to begin in May 2025.

Monteith and his wife, Mary, launched Honest Mary’s in 2017 after embracing mindful eating to improve their health. Since then, the Austin-based eatery that describes itself as serving "life-giving fast food" has expanded to four locations, with the upcoming River Oaks spot marking its arrival in Houston.

“There’s healthy food, fresh food, and fast food,” he said. “We wanted to create something that fits into that sweet spot without sacrificing quality or convenience. The trend towards healthy eating and the reality of busy lifestyles aren’t slowing down. We offer a place that caters to both.”

At the center of Honest Mary’s menu are five signature bowls ranging from poke to vegetarian, including the smoky poblano ($10.25) that features a basmati rice base with fresh vegetables of wild arugula, sweet corn, and pickled onions in a creamy poblano sauce. Co-partner and chef Andrew Wiseheart, known for Austin’s Contigo and Ladybird Taco, leads the kitchen.

Honest Mary's menu features healthy, gluten-free bowls. Guests can choose from five signature bowls at Honest Mary's, or create their own.Courtesy of Honest Mary's

Diners can build their own bowls by selecting a base like quinoa, proteins including grilled chicken and tuna, and vegetables such as sweet potatoes. Pickled onions, cucumber salad, and avocado are among the topping selections, with sauces like lemon garlic and cashew-lime crema.

Scratch-made sipping broths round out the menu, with the chicken bone broth packed with celery, carrots, onions and parsley, or an umami-rich seaweed and mushroom broth.

A selection of house-made aguas frescas and teas, local craft beer, wine, kombucha, and organic cold-pressed juices will be available, as will Honest Mary’s popular almond butter cookies sweetened with maple syrup and topped with a sprinkle of Maldon salt.

Rendering by Mark Odom Studio

Honest Mary's, an Austin-based eatery, is expanding with a new location in Houston's River Oaks in fall 2025.

With its fully gluten-free menu, Honest Mary’s caters to a range of dietary preferences, including vegetarian, vegan, and dairy-free. To align with Monteith’s dedication to nutrition, Honest Mary’s uses seed oils sparingly and prioritizes local and organic ingredients when possible.

“River Oaks Shopping Center has a unique blend of history and vibrant new concepts, making it the ideal home for us,” Monteith said. “We aim to be a neighborhood spot where people can enjoy delicious, healthy food.”

Lunden McGill and John Frazier of Baker Katz brokered the deal for the 2,200-square-foot space and additional patio with seating for 38 inside and 44 outside. Mark Odom Studio is responsible for architecture and design.

Honest Mary’s signature elements of terra cotta and blue tilework will be incorporated to provide consistency between all five locations, while Art Deco-inspired decor of lush greenery, warm wood tones and natural light will align the space with the River Oaks Shopping Center’s structure.

Takeaway, delivery, and dine-in will be provided daily from 11 am to 9 pm.

news-you-can-eat openings honest mary's