Cracker Barrel brings back beloved '90s menu item

Cracker Barrel is bringing back its fan-favorite campfire meals for a limited time this summer, reviving a beloved menu item that first launched nearly three decades ago. 

For many Americans, camping is synonymous with summer. It’s a wholesome, nostalgic escape, an unplugged weekend spent outdoors with family and friends.

Last year, 82.4 million people reported going on at least one camping trip, making it the third most popular outdoor activity behind walking and swimming, according to The Dyrt’s 2026 Camping Report.

But not everyone enjoys the dirt, bugs, and heat that come with spending several days in the woods. For those who prefer their outdoor activities to come with a side of air conditioning and a well-positioned rocking chair, Cracker Barrel has you covered.

Cracker Barrel brings back fan-favorite campfire meals

First introduced in the late ‘90s, campfire meals were an instant hit for their hearty portion sizes, big flavors, and nostalgic take on outdoor cooking. Nearly 30 years later, the meals are coming back, bringing “campfire tradition to the table with no tent pitching, bug spray, or smoky fire required.”

“Campfire Meals have been part of our story for nearly three decades, and every time they return, our guests remind us how meaningful this tradition is,” Cracker Barrel Chief Marketing Officer Sarah Moore said in a statement accompanying the announcement. 

The limited-time menu will include five foil-wrapped items: two classics, an all-new entree, and two dessert options. 

“Our Campfire Chicken and Beef are some of the most anticipated dishes we serve all year, known for their bold flavors and the way they bring people together around the table,” Moore said. “This summer, we’re excited to introduce Campfire flavors at breakfast and allow our guests to experience that same tradition in a new way.”  

The Campfire lineup includes:

Campfire Chicken: Marinated half-chicken with corn on the cob, potatoes, carrots, grape tomatoes, and onions in a buttery brothCampfire Beef: Tender beef cooked in foil to create a hearty, savory, and flavorful dishCampfire Breakfast Skillet: Bacon, smoked sausage, and roasted red peppers and onions, topped with Colby cheese and served over three scrambled eggs and crispy Country Homestyle Potatoes.S’mores Brownie Skillet: Chocolate brownie topped with a roasted marshmallow and a melting Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar, served warm over crumbled graham crackers and paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream drizzled with chocolate sauce.Cinnamon Roll Skillet: Fresh-baked mini cinnamon rolls with a gooey cinnamon filling, finished with cream cheese icing and served warm.
Source: Cracker Barrel

Cracker Barrel’s summertime offerings will be rounded out by three new beverages: a s’mores latte, a watermelon lemonade, and a watermelon mimosa. The chain will also offer three limited-time Americana-inspired treats: a Cherry Coke float, an All-American kids sundae, and an All-American double chocolate fudge Coca-Cola cake.

Cracker Barrel is bringing back a ’90s classic, Campfire Meals, for a limited time this summer.

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Cracker Barrel leans into nostalgia after rebrand backlash

The Campfire Meals play a larger part in Cracker Barrel’s overall comeback strategy.

In the summer of 2025, Cracker Barrel launched an updated logo, sparking backlash among longtime diners, Forbes noted. The redesign did away with the iconic “Uncle Herschel” character and his yellow barrel, replacing it with a modernist, text-only logo that lacked any real charm.

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Fans hated it. Some critics even went so far as to label the redesign as “woke” and called for boycotts of the chain.

The logo was also meant to kick off a total restaurant overhaul that would do away with the kitschy, country-store vibes the locations were known for, in favor of a more classic, streamlined look.

Responding to diner feedback, Cracker Barrel quickly shelved the redesign plans and restored its original branding.

“The vintage Americana you love will always be here — the rocking chairs on the porch, our fireplaces and peg games, unique treasures in our gift shops and antiques pulled straight from our warehouses in Lebanon, Tennessee,” a statement from the company read.

“With our recent announcement that our ‘Old Timer’ logo will remain, along with our bigger focus in the kitchen and on your plate, we hope [these steps] reinforce that we hear you.”

In the months since the drama, Cracker Barrel has been focused on a new “heritage-focused” strategy, which includes menu revamps.

“Our multi-pronged strategy continues to include bringing back guest favorites, introducing new offerings, enhancing quality, and leaning into value, Cracker Barrel CEO Julie Masino told investors on a March call. 

“We are incorporating elements from these tactics with each of our seasonal menus, and all of this is being done with the overarching goal of improving guest satisfaction and driving traffic,” she continued.

By bringing back some of its most nostalgic menu items, Cracker Barrel is betting that familiarity, rather than reinvention, is what diners are most craving.

Related: Subway makes big menu change diners will love

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