The Worst Chain Restaurant Biscuits And Gravy Come From A Classic Breakfast Chain

Biscuits and gravy is a down home, countrified dish featuring (you guessed it) biscuits and a pork sausage based white gravy. While the recipe is often associated with homecooked breakfasts, you'll also find a version of it on Cracker Barrel's equally countrified breakfast menu, alongside classic eats like Country Fried Steak and Hashbrown Casserole. Though the chain restaurant has a reputation for offering comfort food in an old-timey Southern atmosphere , its biscuits and gravy might not inspire confidence. In fact, based on customer feedback, the breakfast item landed in last place in Mashed's ranking of chain restaurant biscuits . 

Much of the negative commentary focuses on the gravy itself, which a Redditor called "the worst item on the menu." Another commenter complained, "[The gravy] Ain't even got sausage chunks." On  Yelp , a Cracker Barrel review began with "Meh...it's better than Bob Evans." It ultimately declared, "The country gravy was NOT GOOD." For what it's worth, Bojangles received top marks in our ranking for its Southern Gravy Biscuits, while McDonald's came in second place (though the dish is not sold at all locations).

Read more: McDonald's Breakfast Sandwiches Ranked Worst To Best

What goes into Cracker Barrel's disappointing sausage gravy?

Cracker Barrel serves up Sawmill Gravy with its biscuits, a pairing that has deep roots in Southern culture. It's not clear exactly when or where this sausage gravy originated, but its name comes from Appalachian lumber mill workers who relied on the filling food for sustenance. Recipes are usually simple, consisting of pork sausage, flour, milk, and seasonings. When cooked together, the flour, milk, and sausage fat create a roux, which thickens the gravy. Cracker Barrel doesn't usually disclose the ingredients and cooking techniques that make up its menu, but here's what we know. 

The Southern-style chain claims it makes certain foods in house , including mashed potatoes, biscuits, and brown gravy. It's less likely that the white gravy is house made, however, according to a self described Cracker Barrel employee on Reddit . "We make it from a roux that's sent to us," the person said. Another commenter added, "The roux is mixed with milk ... it's a chub of sausage flavoring (sausage fat or bacon fat) [all purpose] flour, milk obviously, salt and pepper." The same person claimed the roux came courtesy of Sysco, a major food service distributor. Whether that's the reason for its lackluster taste, we can't say. If you want to try out a homemade version of the dish, here are some expert tips for making restaurant quality biscuits and gravy .

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Read the original article on Mashed .