Does Cracker Barrel have a St Patrick‘s Day special? An Expert‘s Guide to Celebrating in True Irish Style
As a home renovation expert who loves hearty comfort food and cozy ambiance, Cracker Barrel is one of my go-to spots to celebrate St. Patrick‘s Day. While they don‘t offer an official Irish holiday menu, Cracker Barrel‘s made-from-scratch homestyle classics truly capture the welcoming spirit and bold flavors of the Emerald Isle.
In this detailed guide, I‘ll share my tips as a Cracker Barrel fanatic to help you plan the ultimate Irish feast, from shamrock-swirled milkshakes to reimagined pub grub recipes. Sláinte!
History and Hearty Offerings From an Iconic Brand
Cracker Barrel first opened in 1969 in Lebanon, Tennessee and has since expanded to over 650 restaurant and gift store locations across 45 states. But despite this growth, they‘ve stayed true to their heritage of country cooking, vintage decor, and Southern hospitality [1].
While the menu has evolved over the decades, many of Cracker Barrel‘s most popular dishes date back to the early days – staples like chicken n‘ dumplings, meatloaf, and biscuits made from scratch daily. Beyond the comfy familiar foods, they also offer seasonal and regional fare which is how Irish-inspired options like Shepherd‘s Pie and Soda Bread came to be menu fixtures [2].
For St. Patrick‘s Day, Cracker Barrel doesn‘t promote special limited-time offers. However, looking at their core menu, you‘ll find at least 7 authentically Irish dishes that are served year-round [3]:
| Irish-Inspired Menu Items | Price | Portion |
|---|---|---|
| Shepherd‘s Pie | $8.99 | 1 cup |
| Reuben Sandwich | $8.99 | 1 sandwich |
| Irish Soda Bread | $2.99 | 1 loaf |
| Corned Beef Hash | $3.99 | 1 cup |
| Boxty | $3.29 | 2 cakes |
| Irish Coffee | $2.99 | 1 cup |
| Green Milkshakes | $4.99 | Regular |
Beyond these Irish-inspired items, Cracker Barrel‘s full menu offers over 50 breakfast dishes, 100 country dinner plates, 30 sandwiches, and 25 desserts for ample St. Patrick‘s Day options [4].
Now let‘s explore some of my favorite Irish menu picks in more depth. These hearty, rib-sticking dishes truly encapsulate the comforting, nostalgic charm of Cracker Barrel.
Cracker Barrel‘s Take on Traditional Irish Pub Grub
Shepherd‘s Pie – An Irish Comfort Classic
Shepherd‘s Pie originated in England as a thrifty way for shepherds to use leftover lamb. The Irish put their spin on it by switching out lamb for the more widely available beef. Cracker Barrel‘s hearty version features seasoned ground beef with vegetables topped with creamy whipped potatoes. It‘s the ultimate comfort food I‘d happily enjoy while sipping a Guinness at my local Irish pub.
Reuben Sandwich – Corned Beef Perfection
An Irish American NYC deli creation, the stacked Reuben sandwich stars tender corned beef, velvety sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and tangy thousand island dressing. Cracker Barrel nails the balanced flavors and textures in their version served up on thick, grilled marble rye bread.
Irish Soda Bread – Quick, Coarse, and Delicious
The coarse texture and mildly sweet flavor of Irish Soda Bread comes from its signature baking soda leavening. Cracker Barrel‘s version makes an ideal accompaniment for absorbing the juicy sauces and gravies from their hearty entrees. I especially love it slathered with creamy Irish butter.
Corned Beef Hash – Hold the Potatoes Please!
Though often served for breakfast, corned beef hash makes an easy and filling Irish meal any time of day in my book. I love that Cracker Barrel offers their hash as a stand-alone side. The tender shredded corned beef, onions, and bold seasonings are so satisfying without the starchy potato filler.
Luck o‘ the Irish Milkshakes
Cracker Barrel really lucks out in the festive dessert department for St. Patrick‘s Day. Their picture-perfect green milkshakes add a pop of color and whimsy to any meal [5].
The Mint Irish Creme shake delivers refreshing minty chocolate flavor topped with a cloud of whipped cream. For adults, adding a splash of Irish whiskey would make this treat extra "Irish".
The tropical Leprechaun‘s Lad shake combines lime and blue raspberry syrup for a bright green color reminiscent of the Irish countryside. Rainbow sprinkles on top feel like a lucky gold treasure.
Green Beer shake brings the pub home by blending rich vanilla ice cream with stout beer syrup. It looks distinctly beer-like but with all of the sweet creaminess kids and adults adore in a classic shake.
Pro tip: Use a straw to stir up the settle whipped cream into the shake for an extra festive marbled green treat.
Cracker Barrel St. Patrick‘s Day Food Ideas Beyond Irish
Cracker Barrel‘s breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus offer ample options for creating Irish flair-filled feasts beyond their dedicated Irish dishes:
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Fried Chicken Platter – I love to dip the crispy fried chicken in tangy tartar sauce or creamy coleslaw just like fish and chips.
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Pot Roast – This tender, slow-cooked beef pairs perfectly with a side of colcannon or cabbage.
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Pecan Pancakes – The sweet praline topping with green sprinkles makes for a lucky breakfast.
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Coffee Milkshake – Stir in Irish creme syrup and top with green-tinted whipped cream.
For kids, Cracker Barrel‘s Children‘s Menu has over 10 options including mac n‘ cheese and chicken tenders to please picky wee ones.
Transforming Your Home into an Irish Cracker Barrel Pub
If you love the warmth and hospitality of Cracker Barrel, bring the ambiance home with a few simple touches:
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Drape green, white and gold streamers across the ceiling for an instant festive transformation.
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Craft a pot of gold rainbow centerpiece with gold coins scattered around.
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Set the table with emerald green paper plates, napkins, and tablecover.
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Tie little Irish flag toothpicks into any side dishes.
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Sprinkle green sanding sugar over pancakes or whip cream.
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Float gold chocolate coins in mugs of warm Irish coffee.
I especially love incorporating Irish blessings, poems, and quotes throughout the decor to share a bit of inspiring history and culture.
"May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of his hand." – Traditional Irish Blessing
Cracker Barrel-Inspired Recipes to Make at Home
Bring the flavors of Cracker Barrel‘s Irish comfort classics home with these festive pub grub recipes. The step-by-step instructions make it easy to recreate the magic in your own kitchen.
Irish Whiskey Glazed Corned Beef
Ingredients:
- 3 lb corned beef brisket
- 1 cup Irish whiskey
- 1/2 cup whole grain mustard
- 1/4 cup honey
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions:
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Place corned beef in large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, then simmer covered for 2 1/2 – 3 hours until fully cooked through.
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Whisk together the whiskey, mustard, honey, and garlic in a small bowl. Set aside glaze.
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Remove cooked corned beef from pot and pat dry. Place in a broiler pan and brush generously with glaze.
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Broil 5 minutes until glaze bubbles and browns slightly.
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Let rest 10 minutes, then slice across the grain to serve.
This tender corned beef is perfect alongside Cracker Barrel favorites like cabbage, fried potatoes, or Irish Soda Bread. The sweet whiskey glaze adds just the right subtle kick.
Guinness Lamb Stew
Ingredients:
- 2 lb lamb stew meat
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 3 carrots, chopped
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 cup Guinness beer
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
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Heat oil in a dutch oven or stockpot over medium high heat. Add lamb and brown on all sides, about 5 minutes total.
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Add garlic, carrots, celery and onion. Cook stirring occasionally for 3 minutes.
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Whisk in beef broth, Guinness, tomato paste, thyme, bay leaves, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered for 1 1/2 hours until lamb is very tender.
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Remove herb sprigs and bay leaves before serving.
The bold Guinness and savory lamb make this stew truly taste like it came straight from an Irish pub. Serve it up with a side of Cracker Barrel‘s Boxty or colcannon.
Shamrock Mint Chocolate Chip Milkshakes
Ingredients:
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup mint chocolate chips
- 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
- Green food coloring
- Whipped cream
Instructions:
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Combine ice cream, heavy cream, chocolate chips, mint chips, and peppermint extract in a blender.
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Add 2-3 drops green food coloring and blend until smooth.
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Pour into chilled glasses and top with whipped cream.
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Garnish with chocolate shavings and a shamrock sprinkles or chocolate piece.
The creamy peppermint and chocolate blend together for a sweet, icy shake. Kids and adults alike will love sipping this treat with a spoon or straw.
Cracker Barrel‘s cozy ambiance and signature comfort foods make it easy to bring the Irish pub home. I hope these tips help you throw a festive and delicious St. Paddy‘s Day feast. Sláinte!
References
[1] https://crackerbarrel.com/about[2] https://order.crackerbarrel.com/menu
[3] https://order.crackerbarrel.com/menu/dinner/homestyle-favorites
[4] https://crackerbarrel.com/menus
[5] https://crackerbarrel.com/menu/desserts/milkshakes