Cracker Barrel adds Impossible meatless sausage - some customers go apoplectic

[RedAngie]

Their (Impossible, Beyond, and similar) target consumer is meat eaters, not vegetarians/vegans. They want to get people to eat less meat.

Let's say you love fast food, hot dogs wrapped in pancakes, sausages galore. Imagine you wanted to eat healthier, possibly on insistence of your doctor, you're likely going for fake sausage/burgers/hot dogs vs salads or most dishes that resemble vegetables.

Those meat eaters are fooling themselves if they think the fake stuff is “healthy.” Yeah, it might be “healthier” than real meat by 5%, but they’re still going to eat loads of crap. The plant based substitutes won’t make a difference in their overall diet.

That said, I have no problems with fake meat manufacturers implying that their products are “better” and taking advantage of suckers.

I’ve cut down on meat, but I eat more vegetables and grains than before, not fraudulent foney fakes.

 

[bcla]

My guess is that they are in certain markets that have a demand for more Veg options and they are responding to customer feedback. I would guess they will roll it out in those markets first and see how it does. And there are certain markets it will sit in the freezer untouched, so why bother.

I could look up their online ordering system. I picked a few random locations in Tennessee since that's where they're based.

One location (Nashville) had it as an option for an additional $1.69 on top of the $8.99 base price for a homestyle breakfast, but another location (Lakeland) doesn't have it at all. And that just substitutes the Impossible patties for what would be bacon or pork sausage that's included with the base price.

Earlier I was curious and looked up the closest location to me (Sacramento, CA) and there was a lot that was different. First, the base price of a homestyle breakfast was $12.99 and substituting Impossible patties was an additional $2.19. So at those prices it's going to require that a customer really wants it and not that they're thinking "Why not try it if it doesn't cost extra?"

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

OH NOES. What a terrible week. First the heartland, Now Cracker Barrel. Both gone Woke!!! What's this world coming to? .

That's it. I'm moving to my own private Idaho.

 

[bcla]

Those meat eaters are fooling themselves if they think the fake stuff is “healthy.” Yeah, it might be “healthier” than real meat by 5%, but they’re still going to eat loads of crap. The plant based substitutes won’t make a difference in their overall diet.

That said, I have no problems with fake meat manufacturers implying that their products are “better” and taking advantage of suckers.

I’ve cut down on meat, but I eat more vegetables and grains than before, not fraudulent foney fakes.

Impossible tries to give off the vibe that they're saving the world from resource intensive meat. They're certainly not going for healthy or even organic, especially since their secret ingredient for mimicking beef blood is produced via genetically engineering. Impossible uses an inordinate amount of salt and coconut oil.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Question - at Cracker Barrel, I can't eat any of the meats/fish except the meatloaf and roast beef b/c they contaminate their grills (so they are not safe for allergies and they will not make them safe for allergies by segregating and deep cleaning). So, I'm assuming they are gonna grill the Impossible Stuff next to the real meat stuff, right, without any concern for contamination?

 

[QueenIsabella]

Question - at Cracker Barrel, I can't eat any of the meats/fish except the meatloaf and roast beef b/c they contaminate their grills (so they are not safe for allergies and they will not make them safe for allergies by segregating and deep cleaning). So, I'm assuming they are gonna grill the Impossible Stuff next to the real meat stuff, right, without any concern for contamination?

It's highly likely that they DO NOT have separate grilling facilities, causing cross-contamination. This was a big deal for Burger King, about a year ago--they can't call their "Impossible Whopper" vegetarian, because it's cooked on the same grill as their beef patties.

 

[bcla]

Question - at Cracker Barrel, I can't eat any of the meats/fish except the meatloaf and roast beef b/c they contaminate their grills (so they are not safe for allergies and they will not make them safe for allergies by segregating and deep cleaning). So, I'm assuming they are gonna grill the Impossible Stuff next to the real meat stuff, right, without any concern for contamination?

Again - they're not targeting this towards vegetarians or anyone who might have serious concerns about cross-contamination. Even vegetarians who I've talked to understand that the non-meat options at most restaurants won't be completely free of some sort of animal proteins or fats through cross-contamination.

 

[RangerPooh]

I think adding another vegetarian protein is great. DD is a vegetarian, so she has another option.

Why people are complaining is ridiculous as regular bacon and sausage is still on the menu.

 

[tvguy]

It's highly likely that they DO NOT have separate grilling facilities, causing cross-contamination. This was a big deal for Burger King, about a year ago--they can't call their "Impossible Whopper" vegetarian, because it's cooked on the same grill as their beef patties.

Which is why they no longer grill the Impossible Burger. My daughter went to order one a few months ago at BK and they said their microwave was broken so they couldn't fix one for her. They come pre-grilled and are just warmed up. Yuck.

 

[bcla]

Can't we all just get along?

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cg152v0uzoT/

 

[TwoMisfits]

Which is why they no longer grill the Impossible Burger. My daughter went to order one a few months ago at BK and they said their microwave was broken so they couldn't fix one for her. They come pre-grilled and are just warmed up. Yuck.

This was the controversy I remembered at BK (but I couldn't remember the resolution). I'm just surprised Cracker Barrel would also invite this controversy, unless they are starting from the microwave only stance.

 

[Sinder]

My vegetarian daughter uses the impossible products so that she and her wife can eat the same meal at home. She's vegetarian for many reasons, both health-wise and environmental-wise, and she seems to have a better digestive system without eating red meat. When they travel, this means she can find an option at Cracker Barrel that might be better than a salad and some sides without bacon.

My dd doesn’t eat pork so she usually has chicken sausage or the impossible sausage for breakfast. This is a nice option for those who don’t eat meat, I don’t understand what’s so upsetting about that for some people.

 

[tvguy]

This was the controversy I remembered at BK (but I couldn't remember the resolution). I'm just surprised Cracker Barrel would also invite this controversy, unless they are starting from the microwave only stance.

Panda Express got in hot water because of cross contamination concerns since their meatless entrees are cooked on the same grill as the entrees with meat.

 

[jalapeno_pretzel]

All this talk of plant sausage got me hungry for it so I had a morningstar veggie sausage patty for dinner. Definitely not healthy. I like the Beyond breakfast sausage better, and their hot Italian and Bratwurst are really delicious. But, the morningstar brand is okay, and it's really quick and easy.

 

[ronandannette]

My vegetarian daughter uses the impossible products so that she and her wife can eat the same meal at home. She's vegetarian for many reasons, both health-wise and environmental-wise, and she seems to have a better digestive system without eating red meat. When they travel, this means she can find an option at Cracker Barrel that might be better than a salad and some sides without bacon.

A vegan friend of mine (here on the DIS actually) explained it similarly. It's not that they're particularly looking for "meat simulations", so much as just more choices for variety in their diets, especially for restaurant/fast-food.

 

[emer95]

I don’t understand this fake meat or cheese substitute stuff. There are plenty of tasty natural vegetarian and vegan foods. Why eat fake stuff that is highly processed to mimic things you’re opposed to? Seems contrary to the whole V philosophy.

You’re absolutely right. I’ve been a vegetarian for over 20 years. I can almost always find something to eat no matter where I go, even if I have to remove some things. I tried the Impossible Burger once and I spit it out because it tasted so much like meat. Burger King had a Morning Star veggie burger for a few years which was wonderful on road trips (which is the only time we get fast food). Now I just get a kid’s hamburger and give the meat patty to my husband and I happily eat the roll with ketchup and a pickle. There are so many things to eat besides meat before going the “impossible” route.

 

[MillauFr]

If there is no meat in it, you shouldn't be able to call it sausage.

Well if people knew what was in the "sausage" from Cracker Barrel they would probably never eat meat again.

 

[tvguy]

Well if people knew what was in the "sausage" from Cracker Barrel they would probably never eat meat again.

My mom grew up on a farm during the depression. I had lunch at her cousin's farm when I was about 16. Once you've had head cheese, nothing will phase you. It's all the stuff they DON'T put in sausage. As my mom's cousin put it......"every part of the pig but the squeal"

 

[kyton]

Sorry but we visited Cracker Barrel in Ohio last month. In all my US visits I have never had a more overrated and under delivered meal in my life! Food was terrible - I had such high hopes after watching YouTube reviews giving glowing reports. Non-meat items cannot be any worse then what we got!

 

[RedAngie]

My mom grew up on a farm during the depression. I had lunch at her cousin's farm when I was about 16. Once you've had head cheese, nothing will phase you. It's all the stuff they DON'T put in sausage. As my mom's cousin put it......"every part of the pig but the squeal"

My father like salceson. Souse, head cheese, usually sprinkled with vinegar.

Even worse than the cold deli kind, there is even warm canned types in Polish stores.