I wish I’d ordered okra

Mrs O & I have now survived the Cracker Barrel experience. She gives it two thumbs up. I’m undecided. We joined some church friends for the southern-fried-everything meals at the new restaurant near the Bible Book Nook. At 2 p.m. Sunday, the place was still packed. We jammed into the restaurant store to wait some 15 minutes for a table to open. The items for sale had an Elvis Presley-on-velvet appeal to them (although I was impressed with the assortment of vintage pop and candy available for sale). The meals delivered on promise to fill you up — and then some. My three dining partners all opted for the fried chicken dinner specials. I went with chicken-fried steak, fried apples, fries, corn bread, and mixed vegetables. I started to go for the fried okra. But Mrs O made a face. And someone else said, “slimey.” I regret being talked out of the experience. It is becoming a bucket list thing. I ate everything. Nothing fancy. But solid. I waddle out of the building and sat on one of the rocking chairs in front for 15 minutes to recover. I’ll be back.

Question: Have you had the Cracker Barrel experience?