News New Haunted Mansion Grounds Expansion, Retail Shop Coming to Disneyland Resort in 2024

[PiratesMansion]

Lol.

Our chain breakfast restaurants are pretty bad out here though. We’re talking IHOP and Dennys. I’d have to imagine Cracker Barrel is better than both of those?

I'm definitely not an expert, since it's been so long. It certainly could be and is definitely more interesting by virtue of the aesthetics. We may have a few more choices out here that are scarce or nonexistent in SoCal (Perkins, Bob Evans) and honestly, they're pretty similar to IHOP and Denny's.

But to be honest, the only chain breakfast place I've ever been impressed by is First Watch.

 

[mickEblu]

I'm definitely not an expert, since it's been so long. It certainly could be and is definitely more interesting by virtue of the aesthetics. We may have a few more choices out here that are scarce or nonexistent in SoCal (Perkins, Bob Evans) and honestly, they're pretty similar to IHOP and Denny's.

But to be honest, the only chain breakfast place I've ever been impressed by is First Watch.

I’ve never been to or heard of any of those. IHOP i think used to be better back in the day. Went a couple years ago and couldn’t believe what they re charging for that crappy food. You can go to any mom and pop breakfast spot or cafe in LA and get much better food at comparable prices. In some cases cheaper. Cracker Barrel has the southern/ mid western thing going for it though which we don’t have lot of out here. I’ll probably try it out one of these days.

 

[Charlie The Chatbox Ghost]

This is wild to my Midwestern brain, haha. They're everywhere here and in the South.

I personally wouldn't drive that far for a Cracker Barrel, but then again, I haven't been to one in ages. From what I remember, it's not that different from any of the other chain breakfast restaurants, other than the countrified aesthetic and shop that you enter and exit through.

We have some up here in New England, and yeah, they're not worth more than a 30 minute drive. The food is decent, but you can probably get better country comfort food at a local diner or pub. The entrance/exit shop is pretty kitschy nowadays, lots of seasonal decor and just useless garbage meant for kids to beg their parents to buy them.

That said, Cracker Barrels have more theming than a lot of recent Disney stuff, lmao

 

[MoonRakerSCM]

I still haven’t been to CrackerBarrel. The closest one to me is in Camarillo. A pleasant 45 minute drive north usually with no traffic. Worth the drive?

Eehhhhhhh.... if you're passing by or going to other things sure... but not as a lone trip.

I've always likened it to a Dennys with country crap on the walls, a knick knack store in the waiting area, and food that is a bit better with a southern flair. They have chicken and dumplings... I love it, but its a big ole plate of grey slop...

My sister swears by their cheesy hashbrowns and yes they are pretty friggin' great.

Back east I'm more prone to seek out a Waffle House as I think it still provides a great no frills, cheap American breakfast with surprisingly amazing pecan waffles for the price. Plus their bacon is cheap yet what the definition of what bacon should be.

 

[J4546]

I remember loving crack barrel as a kid, now as an adult it tastes like microwaved meh food, like a tgi fridays. Also calm down they are still adding theming to the exterior of the shop

 

[D.Silentu]

Once in Indianapolis I went to one as a part of the 'Midwestern Experience.' That was before they had expanded to California. I wouldn't rave about the experience but I might go again if I happened to be passing one. The most memorable part of it was the random screams I heard occasionally. I asked the waitress about this and she sheepishly explained that they had just gotten Halloween decor in their gift shop. This was in early August!

 

[chadwpalm]

I remember loving crack barrel as a kid

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I would disagree but respect their opinion, just as I do with you or anyone else here.

But McDonald’s is not fine dining. It is not a true statement.

Now I can respect that some people like McDonald’s when I avoid them at all costs, and I can respect that some may prefer McDonald’s over true fine dining establishments.

 

[Disney Irish]

But McDonald’s is not fine dining. It is not a true statement.

Now I can respect that some people like McDonald’s when I avoid them at all costs, and I can respect that some may prefer McDonald’s over true fine dining establishments.

You're basically saying what I said in the rest of post that you ignored. As I said I would disagree with them but respect their opinion, ie I don't just dismiss them just because they have a different opinion to mine which was my point in my response to the other poster.

 

[mickEblu]

Eehhhhhhh.... if you're passing by or going to other things sure... but not as a lone trip.

I've always likened it to a Dennys with country crap on the walls, a knick knack store in the waiting area, and food that is a bit better with a southern flair. They have chicken and dumplings... I love it, but its a big ole plate of grey slop...

My sister swears by their cheesy hashbrowns and yes they are pretty friggin' great.

Back east I'm more prone to seek out a Waffle House as I think it still provides a great no frills, cheap American breakfast with surprisingly amazing pecan waffles for the price. Plus their bacon is cheap yet what the definition of what bacon should be.

Yeah people seem to like/love Cracker Barrel in a way the just don’t with Dennys / IHOP. One of the weekends I’ll drive up to Camarillo and try some of the fan favorites. Then I’m sure my wife will make us hit the outlets. More worried about that than the drive.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Yeah people seem to like/love Cracker Barrel in a way the just don’t with Dennys / IHOP.

I would say the average Cracker Barrel is certainly better than the average Dennys / ihop.

A really good Cracker Barrel is much better than Dennys / ihop but they can all be pretty inconsistent.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

You're basically saying what I said in the rest of post that you ignored. As I said I would disagree with them but respect their opinion, ie I don't just dismiss them just because they have a different opinion to mine which was my point in my response to the other poster.

Well then in my opinion Disneyland tickets are only $10.

 

[Disney Irish]

Well then in my opinion Disneyland tickets are only $10.

Lol, well I disagree with you, but respect you as I don't know if maybe you have some hookup or something that allows you to get tickets for such a price.

 

[MoonRakerSCM]

I would say the average Cracker Barrel is certainly better than the average Dennys / ihop.

A really good Cracker Barrel is much better than Dennys / ihop but they can all be pretty inconsistent.

Agreed.

 

[mickEblu]

But McDonald’s is not fine dining. It is not a true statement.

Now I can respect that some people like McDonald’s when I avoid them at all costs, and I can respect that some may prefer McDonald’s over true fine dining establishments.

Agree on all counts except I don’t avoid McDonalds at all costs. I enjoy it every once in a while. I always say I don’t go to McDonalds because I want the best burger. I go to McDonalds because I want McDonalds.

 

[PiratesMansion]

I admire McDonald's for their consistency and efficiency. They know how to churn people through drive thru in ways nobody else can or will. They tend to be my breakfast go-to on the road because they have great deals on their app. Additionally, they frequently have clean restrooms, another plus on a road trip. I don't have much good to say about their lunch/dinner menu other than their fries, but it'll do in a pinch.

Under no circumstances is McDonald's fine dining. Let's not be silly in saying it is or could be because a few people might be silly enough to say so unironically. Some opinions are just wrong.

 

[Figments Friend]

Y’all need to hit up Mimi’s Cafe for a great breakfast.
GREAT breakfast.

French themed, but lots of choices for everyone…and delicious options.
Not your average menu….but all the ‘standards’ for those less inclined to explore.
Their muffins are terrific and good coffee too!
Nice kids menu.
Staff is always friendly and helpful.
Highly recommended.

Right across the street from Disneyland, a short walk up Harbor Blvd.
Visit anytime….they have good grub!

Disney peeps and Imagineers like to visit there too, so pay attention and keep your ears open for entertaining and insightful discussions around you.
You didn’t hear that from me…..







-

 

[Figments Friend]

Wait…
What’s the topic again…?

Oh yeah..that Haunted Mansion gift shop.

The building is too big.
Messes with the sightlines.
Seems unnecessary to me.

Carry on…


-

 

[PiratesMansion]

Y’all need to hit up Mimi’s Cafe for a great breakfast.
GREAT breakfast.

French themed, but lots of choices for everyone…and delicious options.
Not your average menu….but all the ‘standards’ for those less inclined to explore.
Their muffins are terrific and good coffee too!
Nice kids menu.
Staff is always friendly and helpful.
Highly recommended.

Right across the street from Disneyland, a short walk up Harbor Blvd.
Visit anytime….they have good grub!

Disney peeps and Imagineers like to visit there too, so pay attention and keep your ears open for entertaining and insightful discussions around you.
You didn’t hear that from me…..







-

Very true, Mimi's is good too. Delicious muffins that I still think about from time to time.

Unfortunately, they've gotten pretty rare around here.

 

[PiratesMansion]

@mickEblu you inspired me. For the first time in decades, I got Cracker Barrel for breakfast this morning (it helps that there's one maybe ten minutes down the road from where I am). Admittedly not anything super Southernified like fried chicken or biscuits and gravy, but nonetheless.

The Cinnamon Roll French toast was actually pretty good! The bacon was as expected, pretty much the same as any other chain restaurant bacon. The eggs I could have made better at home, and the sausage was the teeny tiny Waffle House-sized version-but it didn't even taste as good as ones from Waffle House would have. Portions were honestly kinda skimpy, very un-Southern of them, but chain restaurant strikes again, I suppose.

So yeah, it's really the decor that makes it special. Perhaps if I got something super Southern I'd feel differently, but eh. I'll leave it to an expert to tell me where I erred and tell us all what we should be ordering when we go there next.