Cracker Barrel
Last inspected: Jan 20, 2026
86
Score
Inspectors have visited Cracker Barrel six times, with records going back to 2024. Inspectors last stopped by on Jan 20, 2026. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
The picture has improved over the last few visits: recent inspections have averaged around four violations, down from roughly six violations earlier in the record.
The pattern that stands out is “food-contact surfaces”, which has been cited eight times.
The city-wide average for Calhoun sits at 82, putting Cracker Barrel on the better side of that line. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.
6
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 20, 2026
Followup
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: Observed serving plates under cook line with food debris on plates. CA: All food contact surfaces shall be clean to sight and touch. COS: CFSM had plates cleaned and sanitized and will implement covering for clean plates. CA: All food contact surfaces shall be clean to sight and touch.
511-6-1.05(7)(a)
17C - physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean
Inspector notes: Observed damaged floor tiles in dishwash area with water pooling in missing tiles around drainage area. CA: Physical facilities shall be kept in good repair. COS: CFSM will have flooring tiles repaired and pooling water cleared.
511-6-1.07(5)(a)
86
Jan 12, 2026
Routine
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation. 2 corrected on site.
View 4 violations
6-1A - proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: Observed potentially hazardous TCS foods cold held above 41F in reach in cooler in main kitchen (salad 43, shredded cheese 44, cheesecake filling 44, chicken noodle soup 45, sliced cucumber 44). CA: All cold held TCS foods shall be cold holding at 41F or less. COS: CFSM discarded TCS foods cold holding above 41F. All other food was relocatewd to new reach in cooler. CFSM has work order placed for reach in cooler. Health Department will recheck cooler.
511-6-1.04(6)(f)
4-1A - food separated and protected
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed raw chicken stored above raw beef in thawing cabinet in main kitchen. CA: All foods shall be stored by cook temperatures. COS: CFSM removed and corrected organization of raw animal foods in thawing cabinet.
511-6-1.04(4)(c)
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed dishes stored as clean with dried on food debris. CA: All food contact surfaces shall be clean to sight and touch. COS: CFSM had employee clean and sanitize dishes.
511-6-1.05(7)(a)
17C - physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean
Inspector notes: Observed door handle to walk in cooler damaged as well as damaged hinges on reach in cooler in main kitchen. CA: Physical facilities shall be in good repair. COS: CFSM has work order for damaged handles and hinges. Health Department will rechceck.
511-6-1.07(5)(a)
64
Aug 18, 2025
Routine
2 major violations. 4 minor violations. 5 corrected on site.
View 6 violations
2-2D - adequate handwashing facilities supplied & accessible
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed gloves stored in handwash sink. CA: Handwash sinks shall not be used for any other purpose than to wash hands. COSL CFSM removed gloves from sink.
511-6-1.06(2)(o)
8-2B - toxic substances properly identified, stored, used
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed clear spray bottle with degreaser in it without common name label. CA: Working containers used for toxic materials shall be clearly identified with the common name of the material. COS: Spray bottle was removed and labeled.
511-6-1.07(6)(b)
17C - physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean
Inspector notes: Observed leak from dish wash station area. CA: CFSM will have metal board with leak serviced.
511-6-1.07(5)(a)
17C - physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed main kitchen area with trash and debris on floors and under racking. CA: CFSM will have staff clean and discard trash.
511-6-1.07(5)(a)
15A - food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, and used
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed meat utensil handles with plastic breaking apart and fray wiring broken out. CA: CFSM discarded old damaged utensils.
511-6-1.05(6)(q)
12A - contamination prevented during food preparation, storage, display
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed boxes of food stored directly on floor after being moved by an employee. CA: CFSM removed boxes from floor and educated staff on keeping foods 6" from floor.
511-6-1.04(4)(q)
67
Feb 12, 2025
Routine
5 major violations. 5 minor violations. 4 corrected on site.
View 10 violations
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: Observed plastic baffle in ice machine near dish area soiled. Corrective Action: employee assigned to clean. Performed informal follow-up on 02/17/2025. Plastic baffle in ice machine was clean to sight and touch.
511-6-1.05(7)(a)
2-2D - adequate handwashing facilities supplied & accessible
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed serving spoon in handwashing sink at beginning of inspection. Corrective Action: Spoon was removed from handwashing sink.
511-6-1.06(2)(o)
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed dishes stored as clean soiled with dried-on foods. Corrective Action: employee assigned to clean.
511-6-1.05(7)(a)
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: Observed soiled ice machine lid interior and exterior on ice machine near dish area. Corrective Action: employee assigned to clean.
511-6-1.05(7)(a)
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed soiled ice scoop holder. Corrective Action: employee assigned to clean.
511-6-1.05(7)(a)
14B - utensils, equipment and linens: properly stored, dried, handled
Inspector notes: Observed no splash guard at handwashing sink in dish area and observed water from handwashing sink splashing directly onto clean dishes. Corrective action: work order placed to install splash guard. Will perform informal follow-up on 02/28/25. Performed informal follow-up on 02/17/2025. No splash guard was ordered, but clean dish rack was moved to another location away from handwashing sink.
511-6-1.05(10)(e)
14B - utensils, equipment and linens: properly stored, dried, handled
Inspector notes: Observed multiple cambros and metal dishes wet stacked after being washed, rinsed, and sanitized. Corrective Action: educated on proper stacking for air drying purposes. Performed informal follow-up on02/17/2025. A new dish drying rack is in the process of becoming available. Dry dish storage and drying dish storage to be on two separate shelves going forward.
511-6-1.05(10)(e)
15C - nonfood-contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: Observed air vents in kitchen at dry stock area heavily soiled with dust. Corrective Action: Employee assigned to clean. Will perform informal follow-up on 2/21.
511-6-1.05(7)(d)
17C - physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean
Inspector notes: Observed flooring material used to repair broken tiles in dish and back kitchen areas not smooth and easily cleanable. Corrective Action: floors to be sanded/smoothed and sealed. Will perform informal follow-up on 02/28/25.
511-6-1.07(2)(a)
13A - posted: permit/inspection/choking poster/handwashing
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed most current inspection report not displayed for public view. Corrective Action: Most current inspection report displayed for public view.
511-6-1.02(1)(d)
47
Jan 29, 2025
Routine
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations. 4 corrected on site.
View 7 violations
8-2B - toxic substances properly identified, stored, used
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed sanitizer buckets stored on preptop table next to ready-to-eat foods and clean plates. Corrective Action: Sanitizer buckets were placed on bottom shelf of prep table.
511-6-1.07(6)(c)
6-1A - proper cold holding temperatures
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed improper cold holding of TCS food items (meat loaf) above 41 degrees in reach-in cooler. Corrective Action: Per discussion with CFSM and temperature logs provided food items were within time parameters. Meat loaf was taken to walk-in freezer to rapidly cool, meat loaf cooled to 33F.
511-6-1.04(6)(f)
2-1B - hands clean and properly washed
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed food service employee in front area use improper handwashing procedures at handwashing sink. Employee got soap and rinsed soap off without scrubbing for at least 15 seconds. Corrective action: employee and PIC notified; demonstrated correct handwashing procedures for employee and discussed handwashing reminders for employees to PIC.
511-6-1.03(5)(b)
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed heavily soiled dishes and cooking utensils stored as clean on clean dish racks. Corrective action: PIC notified; employee assigned to clean dishes.
511-6-1.05(7)(a)
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: Observed heavy buildup on all clean dish racks. Corrective action: PIC notified; discussed cleaning all racks and possibly using hard plastic liners on racks for ease of cleaning.
511-6-1.05(7)(a)
17C - physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean
Inspector notes: Observed broken tiles with pooling water throughout kitchen and in dishwashing area. Corrective action: PIC was notified; discussed replacing broken tiles and regrouting in dishwashing area.
511-6-1.07(1)(a)
17D - adequate ventilation and lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: Observed vent in dishwashing area not in operation with heavy buildup around vent and on other areas of ceiling. Corrective action: PIC was notified; discussed placing work order for vent.
511-6-1.07(3)(g)
47
Feb 22, 2024
Routine
2 critical violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 2 violations
6-1A - proper cold holding temperatures
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed improper cold holding of TCS food items (meat loaf, french toast, sugar ham, sausage, liquid eggs) above 41 degrees inside of reach-in cooler near grill area and chef base coolers. Corrective Action: Notified CFSM. Per discussion with CFSM and temperature logs provided food items were within time parameters. CFSM chose to discard french toast batter, all other food items were placed on time control until units are able to maintain temperature of 41F or below.
511-6-1.04(6)(f)
2-1B - hands clean and properly washed
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed food service employees at the cook line handle raw foods (crack raw shell eggs and handle raw sausage patties) then handle clean utensils (spatula and clean plates) without washing hands in between. Corrective Action: CFSM was notified, employees were directed to wash hands and were educated on washing hands between changing from working with raw foods and clean utensils.
511-6-1.03(5)(c)
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Cracker Barrel last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Cracker Barrel on file is from Jan 20, 2026. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Cracker Barrel?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surfaces” has been cited eight times, more than any other issue at Cracker Barrel.
How does Cracker Barrel compare to other restaurants in Calhoun?
Cracker Barrel most recently scored 86 out of 100, which is higher than the Calhoun average of 82.
Has Cracker Barrel's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Cracker Barrel have averaged around four violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Cracker Barrel means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is Cracker Barrel inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Cracker Barrel is inspected around three times per year on average.
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