# Oh that Cracker Barrel! Up to its old tricks again!
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-that-cracker-barrel-up-to-its-old-tricks-again/344384
**Category:** The BBQ Pit
**Created:** [February 14, 2006, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-that-cracker-barrel-up-to-its-old-tricks-again/344384 "2006-02-14T01:45:50Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)
#### Post date: [February 14, 2006, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-that-cracker-barrel-up-to-its-old-tricks-again/344384/1 "2006-02-14T01:45:50Z")
Perhaps it’s some sort of bizarre 15th anniversary commemoration of the original policy memo…
[Cracker Barrel accused of anti-gay discrimination](http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/02/021306cracker.htm)
> [@](#):
>
> A Manchester, New Hampshire woman says she was harassed at the national chain’s restaurant in Londonderry and that when she complained management reprimanded her.
>
> Bonnie Usher, in a formal complaint to the New Hampshire human rights commission, says that she was groped by a fellow worker, propositioned and called a “dyke.”
>
> The complaint says that when she complained to her store managers, they did nothing at first, and then reprimanded her for complaining.
>
> The company says it did nothing wrong. But a state investigator found there is merit to Usher’s allegations.
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### Author:  [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)
#### Post date: [February 14, 2006, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-that-cracker-barrel-up-to-its-old-tricks-again/344384/2 "2006-02-14T02:27:44Z")
> [@](#):
>
> In 1991 the company issued a statement saying it would hire only employees who displayed “normal heterosexual values which have the foundation of families in our society.” […]
>
> Two years ago, Cracker Barrel settled a federal lawsuit over allegations that it would seat whites in its restaurants before African-Americans. The company also has been sued by the federal government and workers who claimed female employees had been sexually harassed, assaulted and subjected to pornography.
So racial discrimination, sexual harassment, assault and pornography are family-founded normal heterosexual values? :eek: Thanks for setting such a good example, Cracker Barrel!
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### Author:  [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)
#### Post date: [February 14, 2006, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-that-cracker-barrel-up-to-its-old-tricks-again/344384/3 "2006-02-14T02:37:18Z")
Dude, as if their bland and boring food wasn’t enough to keep people away.
Marc
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### Author:  [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)
#### Post date: [February 14, 2006, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-that-cracker-barrel-up-to-its-old-tricks-again/344384/4 "2006-02-14T02:45:42Z")
The one time I ever went to Cracker Barrel, the waitress was rude to me because when I ordered my baked potato, I commented that it was the only thing on the menu that didn’t include meat. (And trust me, I am the world’s least militant vegetarian, my tone was entirely lighthearted.)
So with this vast experience, I can say with some authority:
Cracker Barrel sucks.
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### Author:  [@Xan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xan)
#### Post date: [February 14, 2006, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-that-cracker-barrel-up-to-its-old-tricks-again/344384/5 "2006-02-14T03:04:18Z")
I was there once and I didn’t like the food. Now after hearing about all of this, they couldn’t pay me to eat there.
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### Author:  [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)
#### Post date: [February 14, 2006, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-that-cracker-barrel-up-to-its-old-tricks-again/344384/6 "2006-02-14T03:13:34Z")
Man, for a second there, I was thinking I was going to have to stop shopping there. Which would suck, as they sell some really good cookware.
Then I remembered I was thinking of Crate & Barrel.
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### Author:  [@Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Man_With_a_Cat)
#### Post date: [February 14, 2006, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-that-cracker-barrel-up-to-its-old-tricks-again/344384/7 "2006-02-14T03:15:37Z")
I ate there once (my mother took us), my arteries hardened right up and I died. I was restored to life with a blood infusion which replaced the chicken gravy that had filled my arteries.
When I awoke, I had the strangest urge to buy schlocky-Americanesque crap made of ruffly gingham, and stuffed bears riding in toy red wagons.
It was the weirdest day of my life.
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### Author:  [@Metacom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Metacom)
#### Post date: [February 14, 2006, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-that-cracker-barrel-up-to-its-old-tricks-again/344384/8 "2006-02-14T03:22:03Z")
> [@MGibson](#):
>
> Dude, as if their bland and boring food wasn’t enough to keep people away.
Amen.
How the fuck can anyone make food that is so fattening yet so tasteless? I ate their once because it was the only restaurant within walking distance of a shop doing work on my car. Never again. I can get the same experience for a tenth of the price by eating salted lard by the spoonful while sitting in my neighbor’s barn.
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### Author:  [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)
#### Post date: [February 14, 2006, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-that-cracker-barrel-up-to-its-old-tricks-again/344384/9 "2006-02-14T03:27:47Z")
> [@Kimstu](#):
>
> So racial discrimination, sexual harassment, assault and pornography are family-founded normal heterosexual values? :eek:
It looks like it’s coming to that. “Traditional family values” never did include empathy or sensitivity; that’s now been unmasked as a lot of namby-pamby tripe fed us by emasculated sixties intellectuals.
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### Author:  [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)
#### Post date: [February 14, 2006, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-that-cracker-barrel-up-to-its-old-tricks-again/344384/10 "2006-02-14T03:32:57Z")
Is there any connection to Kraft’s Cracker Barrel cheeses? Because that is damned yummy, and I’d hate to stop buying it.
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### Author:  [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)
#### Post date: [February 14, 2006, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-that-cracker-barrel-up-to-its-old-tricks-again/344384/11 "2006-02-14T04:38:07Z")
I fucking LOVE Cracker Barrel. Specifically their pancakes. No pancakes can compare to CB cakes. The rest of the food is OKAY. Nothing spectacular. I like their pot roast. And the pancakes. Burgers aren’t so good though.
I think if you compare CB to other restaurants where you can get similar food (of which there are VERY few restaurants, that I’ve been to at least, that have as sizeable of a choice of foods to order) it’s pretty good. It’s kind of expensive though and their little shop outside has some pretty expensive garbage.
I’m white and straight and love porno though so maybe I’m not the right guy to ask.
Did I mention I love their pancakes?
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### Author:  [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)
#### Post date: [February 14, 2006, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-that-cracker-barrel-up-to-its-old-tricks-again/344384/12 "2006-02-14T04:49:56Z")
There are companies that can deny employment or terminate employment if a person uses tobacco.
Get off the cross.
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### Author:  [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)
#### Post date: [February 14, 2006, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-that-cracker-barrel-up-to-its-old-tricks-again/344384/13 "2006-02-14T04:54:54Z")
> [@duffer](#):
>
> There are companies that can deny employment or terminate employment if a person uses tobacco.
Yeah, but there aren’t actually any laws against doing that. There are, in fact, laws against doing what’s happening in the OP.
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### Author:  [@Xan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xan)
#### Post date: [February 14, 2006, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-that-cracker-barrel-up-to-its-old-tricks-again/344384/14 "2006-02-14T05:09:16Z")
> [@duffer](#):
>
> There are companies that can deny employment or terminate employment if a person uses tobacco.
>
> Get off the cross.
You first.
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### Author:  [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)
#### Post date: [February 14, 2006, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-that-cracker-barrel-up-to-its-old-tricks-again/344384/15 "2006-02-14T05:35:26Z")
> [@Miller](#):
>
> Yeah, but there aren’t actually any laws against doing that. There are, in fact, laws against doing what’s happening in the OP.
Exactly. Some can do legal things, some can’t. Some are protected, some aren’t. Discrimination for doing something legal shouldn’t be based on the activity. Discrimination against gays and smokers is the same in my book. It’s wrong. Smokers just don’t have the advertising power of a lobby. We’re getting hammered with taxes and “health-impact fees.”
No, the tobacco companies don’t count. We’re the ones paying the fees. But we don’t count. We’re dirty.
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### Author:  [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)
#### Post date: [February 14, 2006, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-that-cracker-barrel-up-to-its-old-tricks-again/344384/16 "2006-02-14T05:39:08Z")
> [@Xan](#):
>
> You first.
As soon as you lobby your state to refuse tobacco taxes. You suck at the teat but refuse to acknowledge those pumping money into the coffers as worthy of your respect.
Do you spend more energy trying to raise taxes or banning tobacco?
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### Author:  [@Xan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xan)
#### Post date: [February 14, 2006, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-that-cracker-barrel-up-to-its-old-tricks-again/344384/17 "2006-02-14T06:26:30Z")
> [@duffer](#):
>
> As soon as you lobby your state to refuse tobacco taxes. You suck at the teat but refuse to acknowledge those pumping money into the coffers as worthy of your respect.
>
> Do you spend more energy trying to raise taxes or banning tobacco?
I don’t smoke (the smell of it makes me sick) and I couldn’t give a shit where people smoke. I think those laws banning smoking are stupid (except for in Government buildings) I’m not a fan of those taxes either.
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### Author:  [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)
#### Post date: [February 14, 2006, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-that-cracker-barrel-up-to-its-old-tricks-again/344384/18 "2006-02-14T07:01:50Z")
Well, fuck. Where am I gonna buy fringed placemats that double as checkerboards NOW?
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### Author:  [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)
#### Post date: [February 14, 2006, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-that-cracker-barrel-up-to-its-old-tricks-again/344384/19 "2006-02-14T07:45:22Z")
**Xan** , the war was called off. I misunderstood your post. Apologies. 🙂
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### Author:  [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)
#### Post date: [February 14, 2006, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-that-cracker-barrel-up-to-its-old-tricks-again/344384/20 "2006-02-14T08:08:10Z")
> [@](#):
>
> Two years ago, Cracker Barrel settled a federal lawsuit over allegations that it would seat whites in its restaurants before African-Americans.
> [@](#):
>
> The company also has been sued by the federal government and workers who claimed female employees had been sexually harassed, assaulted and subjected to pornography.
> [@](#):
>
> There are companies that can deny employment or terminate employment if a person uses tobacco.
One of these three things is not like the others. Can you guess which one it is?
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