Soda crackers were invented in Great Britain in the 1800s. stated on February 16, 2023 in an Instagram post. But several posts spreading on social media claim the companys name and logo refer to a slaveholders whips and the barrels they were stored in. Required fields are marked *. The salt in soda crackers can also help to settle the stomach. Soda cracker. Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soda%20cracker. This method reduces the air bubbles and ensures that the crackers are flat and crispy. A thin, dry, crispy-textured cracker that is made with flour, water and little or no salt. Whats the difference between soda crackers and saltines? like Trader Joes Gluten Free Norwegian Crispbread and Marys Gone Crackers. Since they are made with seeds, they have more protein, fiber and healthy fat than regular old crackers, and they will keep you full on the road. Plus, they have less https://www.nutritionix.com/grocery/category/cracker/saltine/799. Chef Wayne Hooker, founder of Chef Waynes Big Mamou has been a staple in the culinary community for years. Sommer & Co began mass-producing them. WebSoda cracker definition, a thin, crisp cracker or wafer prepared from a yeast dough that has been neutralized by baking soda. Whereas natural leavening agents like yeast take their sweet time to leaven breads and crackers, the chemical-based baking soda is designed for quick baking and doesnt start Sodium bicarbonate is just another name for baking soda. In the 1920s, Premium began distributing the recipe and crackers to other parts of the country, which helped the crackers to grow in popularity. [23] The idea has possibly been influenced by "whitebread", a similar term for white people. Whereas natural leavening agents like yeast take their sweet time to leaven breads and crackers, the chemical-based baking soda is designed for quick baking and doesnt start the leavening process until it starts to cook. Lightly salt from 12-inches above them, and then broil for 6 minutes or until golden browned! 10. 1. Excelsior water crackers go well with all things Jamaican, and are a favourite with cheese, Solomon Gundy , steamed fish, and as a breakfast cereal or by themselves as a healthy snack! Some of the more popular flavors include: Soda crackers are a type of unleavened bread that is made with flour, salt, water and baking soda. The compound corn-cracker was used of poor white farmers (by 1808), especially from Georgia, but also extended to residents of northern Florida, from the cracked kernels of corn which formed a staple food of this class of people. Are ritz crackers good after expiration date? A cracker barrel is a barrel that held the whips for sale at the country store. Delivered to your inbox! A 2018 article by Southern Living also covered how the company got its name. Because of their dryness and solid crunch, they are at their best when paired with a spread. A crackling sound occurred during baking, hence the name. - the Root", "Hung jury for Michael Dunn, white killer of unarmed black teenager Jordan Davis", "Accused "Loud Music" Shooter Dunn: "It was life or death", "Did Jordan Davis have weapon? Worst: Ritz Bits, Cheese. Saltines are sometimes called soda crackers because of the baking soda used in them. This method reduces the air bubbles and ensures that the crackers are flat and crispy.May 1, 2019. Also, these cute crackers got me thinking: What exactly IS an oyster cracker, and why does it have such a close connection with clam chowder? Nowadays, oyster crackers are most commonly served with clam chowder, but are also served with other seafood stews, chowders, tomato soup, and even chili in Cincinnati. The water cracker (or water biscuit, as the Brits call it) served a more functional purpose. Chocolate and Crackers: For a sweet twist on soda crackers, try topping them with chocolate. Merriam-Webster, cracker-barrel definition, Accessed Feb. 9, 2021, Dictionary.com, cracker-barrel definition, Accessed Feb. 9, 2021, Justice.gov, JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SETTLES RACE DISCRIMINATION LAWSUIT AGAINST CRACKER BARREL RESTAURANT CHAIN, May 3, 2004, Southern Living, Where Did Cracker Barrel Get Its Name?, Jan. 9, 2018, Eater.com, Someone Wants Cracker Barrel to Change Its Name Because He Finds It 'Offensive', July 10, 2015, Newspapers.com, Newton Daily News pg 31, Jan. 29, 1965, NPR, The Secret History Of The Word 'Cracker', July 1, 2013, Email interview, Cracker Barrel media relations, Feb. 9, 2021. In 1975, Keebler Co. was refused a trademark for the term because it was "merely descriptive". : a round thick unsalted cracker usually served split. The term is also used in "Louisiana 1927" from the same album, where the line "Ain't it a shame what the river has done to this poor cracker's land" is attributed to President Coolidge. Ginger or lemon tea, fresh or frozen lemon slices, and peppermint also work. The paper crowns are often brightly colored and ill-fittingbut you still have to wear yours, no matter what. Cracker Barrel He has extensive improv and sketch stage experience, performing both at The Upright Citizens Brigade Theater and with their Touring Company. RITZ Crackers & Premium Saltine Crackers Variety Pack For those savory snacking situations, the original RITZ crackers have a rich, buttery taste and flaky texture thats simply irresistible. Luke Field is a writer and actor originally from Philadelphia. The flavour of these classic crackers come 33701 rice cakes two pieces. Chickens arent laying eggs because RNA is being added to commercial chicken feed., Bill Gates tweeted that vaccines in our food supply solves the problem of vaccine hesitancy., Harvard Medical School students learn how to care for LGBTQIA+ infants.. The Nabisco-owned company shared a TikTok video revealing what the scalloped edges of the snack are actually for and viewers are shocked. soda cracker noun : a cracker leavened with bicarbonate of soda and cream of tartar Example Sentences Recent Examples on the Web McCrae asks parishioners to 727-821-9494. stated on February 7, 2021 in a Facebook post: Says Cracker Barrels name has racist origins and its logo depicts a whip. Frederick Law Olmsted, a prominent landscape architect from Connecticut, visited the South as a journalist in the 1850s and wrote that "some crackers owned a good many Negroes, and were by no means so poor as their appearance indicated. Social media posts claim that Cracker Barrels name and logo allude to a slaveholders whip and the barrels used to store them. Your email address will not be published. The soda cracker was created in Great Britain, in the 1800s as a bread substitute for long sea voyages. "Cracker was a slang term for whip," reads one Facebook post that features an image of the companys name and logo. Cream crackers are plain crackers that can be a substitute for saltine crackers, but they are less salty and denser, unlike saltine crackers. Surprise! [9][10], As a home remedy, saltines are consumed by many people in order to ease nausea, diarrhea (see bland diet), and to settle an upset stomach. Says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he wants Americas sons and daughters to go die in Ukraine., In Ohio, there are 75,000 acres of farmland, fertile farmland, that are all now being poured down with acid rain., Muslims by the millions are converting to Christianity.. Place it inside your fridge for 1 hour up to 18 hours (the longer you leave it, happier smiley face!). What are soda crackers? this simple snack is easy to make and can be tailored to fit any craving. Soda crackers have a long history, dating back to the early 19th century. Watch the crackers closely as they bake so you can turn them over once if needed. I like to use dark chocolate, but milk chocolate or white chocolate would also be delicious. 20006, Florida "[6] In Australia, Arnott's Biscuits Holdings still holds a trademark on the name "Saltine". The company was best known for their slogan, "Polly wants a cracker?" Your email address will not be published. This gives saltines a slightly softer texture and a milder flavor than soda crackers. Prevent acid being released in the stomach (heavier foods tend to cause more acid production).Apr 5, 2019, Saltine crackers by themselves do not cause weight gain or loss, but regularly eating high sodium and highly processed foods is associated with weight gain.Jun 17, 2022, The holes are called dockers and they allow steam to escape during the baking process. These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'soda cracker.' Soda crackers were originally called saltines because they were made with salt. Rovira Biscuit Corp. of Puerto Rico also started selling their soda crackers with the same name. The other finalists, in order of finish, were Statesmen, Rebels, Tarpons, Fighting Warriors, and Crackers.[29][30]. Carrs Table Water in their original form first appeared in the late 19th century as a refinement of the ships biscuit. Foods high in starch such as saltines, bread, and toast help absorb gastric acid and settle a queasy stomach. Your email address will not be published. In contrast, saltines are thin, crispy dry crackers that are sprinkled with salt and have holes on their surface. The names can be used interchangeably, though Americans usually say saltine, while soda cracker is more of a British term. Claim: "Cracker" was once a slang term for "whip," and the phrase "cracker barrel" \u2014 as in the name of the Cracker Barrel restaurant chain \u2014 The paper crown tradition can be traced back to the ancient Romans, who wore festive headgear to celebrate Saturnalia, a festival that took place around the winter solstice. Cracker, sometimes white cracker or cracka, is a racial epithet directed towards white people,[1][2][3] used especially with regard to poor rural whites in the Southern United States. The Josiah Bent Bakery invented crackers close to what we know as Soda Crackers today in 1801. Today, soda crackers are made all over the world. So you can say that the UK equivalent of saltine crackers are cream crackers that are available in local grocery stores across the UK. Both have perforations over their surface but soda crackers do not have sprinkled salt on top. Keep your eyes peeled for his brief but impactful appearance as Kevin, the screaming security guard, in the upcoming feature The Disruptors, directed by Adam Frucci. In fact, these hearty snacks were designed to do serious business, which was to keep soldiers and seafarers from starving to death on long voyages.Sep 3, 2021, They are commercially made from water, white wheat flour, salt, vegetable oil. The post was flagged as part of Facebooks efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. But other options in Steamboat were bland as stale, Post the Definition of soda cracker to Facebook, Share the Definition of soda cracker on Twitter, The businesss new computer system proved not to be a. Whole grains High fiber, whole-grains like brown rice, oatmeal, and whole grain breads help stop symptoms of acid reflux. Why do Ritz crackers have scalloped edges? Your email address will not be published. Keen, George Gillett and Williams, Sarah Pamela. Foods high in starch such as saltines, bread, and toast help absorb gastric acid and settle a queasy stomach. Theyre salty, crispy on the outside with an airy interior that you cant help but eat all of in one go! St. Petersburg, FL Soda crackers were described in The Young House-keeper by William Alcott in 1838. Just make sure you dont mistake a teaspoon for a tablespoonusing too much baking soda creates a bitter, metallic taste. WebAnswer (1 of 7): American biscuits aren't biscuits. The testimony and response brought about both media and public debate about the use of the word "cracker". Why are Jacobs cream crackers called Cream Crackers? [28] Descendants of crackers are often proud of their heritage. stated on February 19, 2023 an Instagram post: stated on February 20, 2023 an Instagram post: stated on February 13, 2023 a Facebook post: stated on February 12, 2023 a Super Bowl ad: stated on February 7, 2023 the State of the Union: stated on January 31, 2023 a Facebook post: stated on January 22, 2023 an Instagram post: stated on January 19, 2023 a TikTok post: stated on January 18, 2023 an Instagram post: stated on January 18, 2023 a Facebook post: stated on January 11, 2023 an Instagram post: stated on March 3, 2023 in a Conservative Political Action Conference speech: stated on February 19, 2023 in a Facebook post: stated on February 24, 2023 in an Instagram post: stated on March 2, 2023 in a speech at CPAC: stated on February 25, 2023 in a Facebook post: stated on February 22, 2023 in a Facebook post: stated on February 26, 2023 in an Instagram post: stated on February 27, 2023 in a Facebook post: All Rights Reserved Poynter Institute 2020, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The real reason, according to the brand, is to cut: The video shows a hand rolling the cracker across a slice of Swiss cheese, pizza-cutter-style, perforating it so it can neatly be torn in half and used to make a simple Ritz sandwich. Saltines are sometimes called soda crackers because of the baking soda used in them. The name was later changed to soda crackers because baking soda was There are also some recipe differences between the two crackers the most obvious ones are that Jatz contains full cream milk powder and malt while Savoy contains golden syrup instead of malt.May 28, 2020. They are sometimes sold as individual squares; sometimes sold in perforated sheets from which you break off the ones you want. It was decided to keep Savoy and Jatz because consumers in Victoria and NSW were equally passionate about their local brands.May 28, 2020. Saltines undergo very short fermentation process. A CNN report referred to the regional nature of the term, noting both that "some in Florida use the term in a non-derogatory, colloquial sense" and that it is sometimes regarded as a "sharp racial insult that resonates with white southerners even if white northerners don't get it". So, without further ado, lets get started. Saltines or Soda Crackers are square crackers, 2 inches by 2 inches (5 x 5 cm), that are salted. Thats right, they are the same thing! Benefits of consuming soda crackers: Easily digestible carbohydrates and protein. Worst: Ritz Roasted Vegetable. Jelani Cobb, a historian who has written on the etymology of some anti-white slurs, told NPR in 2013 that the word is suspected to be a shortened version of "whip-cracker," and was used in the mid-18th century as an insult against poor whites who handled livestock with a whip. Clear, non-caffeinated sodas such as 7-Up, Sprite or ginger ale. A saltine or soda cracker is a thin, usually square cracker usually made from white flour, sometimes yeast (although many are yeast free), and baking soda, with most varieties lightly sprinkled with coarse salt. 1 most cavity-causing food in the world is actually the saltine cracker. Diluted juices such as apple, grape, cherry or cranberry (avoid citrus juices). [32], A 1783 pejorative use of crackers specified men who "descended from convicts that were transported from Great Britain to Virginia at different times, and inherit so much profligacy from their ancestors, that they are the most abandoned set of men on earth". The fascinating story behind many people's favori Can you handle the (barometric) pressure? Cheese and Crackers: One of the most classic ways to enjoy soda crackers is with cheese. For a sweeter soda cracker, brush them with honey or a mixture of sugar and cinnamon before baking. Set aside. Soda crackers to this day remain the best over-the-counter solution to a stomach ache that money can buy. soda cracker noun : a cracker leavened with bicarbonate of soda and cream of tartar Example Sentences Recent Examples on the Web McCrae asks parishioners to The perforations connect the top surface to the bottom surface to prevent the cracker from pillowing as a result of these evolved gasses. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. WebIn the 1920s, saltine crackers reached the masses because of the success of the Premium brand. White Bean Dip blend a tin of cannelloni beans, garlic clove, chopped mint, chopped chives, chopped thyme with some olive oil. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. At which location is the altitude of polaris approximately 42? Salt For the dough and to finish with. Chef Wayne Hooker, founder of Chef Waynes Big Mamou has been a staple in the culinary community for years. F.L. Tiny holes (called docker holes) are punched in them before baking to allow the steam to escape. He was inspired to start this business after noticing there were no restaurants that specialized solely on Cajun food while he lived here and now people come from all over just because they know what his restaurant offers! Just shred or chop the cheese and sprinkle it over the dough before rolling it out. Crackers were also nicknamed called cosaques and were thought to be named after the Cossack soldiers who had a reputation for riding on their horses and firing guns into the air. No matter what you call them, these salty, crunchy, buttery crackers go great with soup, peanut butter, and cheese. Saltines are sometimes called soda crackers because of the baking soda used in them. Moms advice is still the best when it comes to home treatments for diarrhea: Eat chicken soup and saltines and follow the BRAT diet bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. The presents traditionally given to the poor and servants was called a Christmas box hence the name Boxing Day. They are made with flour, salt, water and baking soda. Soda crackers are made with flour, salt, water and baking soda. Eating too many crackers can cause you to gain weight. After experimenting with different types of crackers, the bakery finally came up with a cracker that had a light flavor but was still crisp. The holes in the crackers are called docking holes. Although the challenge may sound trivial, it is difficult because the crackers quickly exhaust the saliva in the mouth. Apple will pay customers $700 for a slowed-down iPhone. The gift contents are usually fairly inexpensive and range from plastic toys and noisemakers to magic tricks and edible treats. They are somewhat similar in resemblance to saltines, but are rectangular and have 18 holes in a 36 pattern instead of the 13 holes in a 3-2-3-2-3 pattern that are on a saltine. Explain why. Line a half sheet baking sheet (18" x 13") with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray. The precursor to the modern-day saltine cracker was something known as soda crackers or saltina crackers. The Best Crackers to Serve With Artichoke Dip. Enjoy them with cheese, Solomon Gundy, steamed fish, as a breakfast cereal or by themselves as a healthy snack!Feb 13, 2021. In this post, Ill share my favorite recipes for soda crackers. The I-Team enlisted Trelfa's lab to test the samples to get some answers. Jatz is a brand of malted Australian cracker introduced by Arnotts Biscuits in 1952. Knead the dough until it is soft and has an elastic consistency, about 5 minutes. protein bar 1/2 bar. Eating seven saltine crackers is equivalent to one serving of refined grains. InstructionsIn a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup flour, yeast, salt, baking soda and cream of tartar. Add remaining 1/2 cup flour to form a workable dough. Form the dough into ball and place in a large, clean, well-greased bowl, turning to coat all sides. Preheat the oven to 425F. Deflate the dough and transfer to a lightly floured work surface. More items 2. Add the butter to the dry ingredients and rub in with your fingertips until the mixture looks like coarse breadcrumbs. After the British Empire discovered the New World (thats the Americas) an influx of gobble-gobbles hit Britain. The historical derivative of the word craic and its meaning can be seen as far back as the Elizabethan era (1558-1603) where the term crack could be used to refer to "entertaining conversation" (one may be said to "crack" a joke or to be "cracking wise") The word cracker could be used to describe loud braggarts; An example of this can be seen in William Shakespeare's King John (c. 1595) "What cracker is this same that deafs our ears with this abundance of superfluous breath? [17][18][19] Whips were also cracked over pack animals,[20][21] so "cracker" may have referred to whip-cracking more generally. Try making soda cookies at home with the recipe above! The name was later changed to soda crackers because baking soda was used as the leavening agent. Oven-baked ; crispy. To fold them over once successfully formed into 3 layers for maximum flakiness potentials. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Worst: Nabisco Wheat Thins Original. [5], The exact history and etymology of the word is debated.[6]. The whips used by some of these people are called 'crackers', from their having a piece of buckskin at the end. The Premium brand used the traditional recipe and mass-produced small square crackers with salt dusted on the top. This possibility is given in the 1911 edition of Encyclopdia Britannica,[14] but the Oxford English Dictionary says a derivation of the 18th-century simplex cracker from the 19th-century compound corn-cracker is doubtful. Is it bad to eat a whole pack of saltine crackers? All prices were accurate at the time of publishing. Serving sizes for crackers are relatively small, and if you do not control your portions, youll consume more calories and fat. What are soda crackers? Soda crackers are a type of cracker that is made with baking soda. He raised his hands in triumph and flashed a victory sign as officials confirmed he had easily beaten Britains Ambrose Mendys 2002 mark of 49.15 seconds.Oct 9, 2004. His company later sold the original hardtack crackers used by troops during the American Civil War. Lets crack into it. The phrase, according to the article, was inspired by the barrels full of soda crackers that were for sale in general stores around the country. Saltines or Soda Crackers are square crackers, 2 inches by 2 inches (5 x Worst: Carrs Table Water Crackers. Sugar Just a touch for flavor. Soda crackers have also gotten into the dessert game. Why do people call saltines soda crackers? 8. Are ritz crackers good for an upset stomach? Lean protein Low-fat, lean sources of protein also reduce symptoms. Is it still authentic if there arent any oyster crackers? Put the following carbohydrates in order from smallest to largest: cellulose; fructose; sucrose; Name three carbohydrates that contain glucose as a Challenging Standardized Test Words, Vol. A 2004 investigation by the U.S. Justice Department found that the chain violated civil-rights law in its treatment of Black customers at restaurants in seven states. eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Christmas crackers traditionally contain a tissue crown (paper party hat), a motto (joke, riddle or trivia question) and a small gift item. According to An American Glossary (1912):[22]. "Cracker: The History of a Southeastern Ethnic, Economic, and Racial Epithet". Bland foods like saltine crackers pass easily through the stomach, and there is evidence to suggest that they: Soak up some of the irritation-causing acid that sits in an empty stomach. They gained popularity because they were a cheap and easy food that could be stored for long periods of time. KFC tweeted an image of a chicken drumstick for Black History Month. "Soda cracker" and even "white soda cracker" have become extended versions of "cracker" as an epithet.[24]. Topped with peanut butter and banana; use it as a scoop for a bowl of cucumber and spiced chickpeas; slather it with brie and jam.May 10, 2018, Gruyere from Switzerland wins the title. Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Biographical Sketch of F. L. Sommer, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, MO", "Michigan State University Libraries - Special Collections - Little Cookbooks: The Alan and Shirley Brocker Sliker Culinary Ephemera Collection", "Nabisco Premium Saltines The Snack That Takes You Back", "Trade Mark Details - Full - Trade Mark: 214303", "Trade Mark Details - Full - Trade Mark: 98208", "The Development of Special Rations for the Army", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Saltine_cracker&oldid=1122122692, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from February 2021, Articles needing additional references from November 2019, All articles needing additional references, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 15 November 2022, at 23:54. 2023. Such high calorie intakes would result in weight gain. You might just find your new favorite way to enjoy them. When you arent diligently practicing the Saltine Cracker Challenge, you can actually use soda crackers a lot of different ways. In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Soda crackers are used as a bread substitute. In a large bowl mix the flour, salt and baking soda. Chucks homemade soda crackers are the best choice for a fun and novel snack. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Unsalted tops as well as whole grain saltines can also be found. In the United Kingdom, soda crackers are known as digestive biscuits. These biscuits are made with whole wheat flour and are used in a variety of recipes, including casseroles, pies and cookies. 2004 investigation by the U.S. Justice Department, JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SETTLES RACE DISCRIMINATION LAWSUIT AGAINST CRACKER BARREL RESTAURANT CHAIN, Someone Wants Cracker Barrel to Change Its Name Because He Finds It 'Offensive'. "Cracker" has also been used as a proud or jocular self-description in the past. The owner of the bread watched the sales of pilot bread from their competitor and in 1801 decided to create a better-tasting cracker that could still be taken on ships and carried around in different ports. The first name-brand saltine cracker was released in 1876. Soda crackers are generally rectangular in shape and have a crispy texture. What are soda crackers and why are they called that? In addition to writing, he also works as a Story Producer, most recently on season 4 of Accident, Suicide, or Murder on Oxygen. [5], In the United States, Nabisco lost trademark protection after the term "saltine" began to be used generically to refer to similar crackers; it appeared in the 1907 Merriam Webster Dictionary defined as "a thin crisp cracker usually sprinkled with salt. Cracker meal, a type of coarse to semi-fine flour made of crushed saltine crackers, may be used as toppings for various dishes; breading for fried or baked poultry, fish or red meats; or as a thickener for meatloaf, soups, stews, sauces, and chilis. We need your help. Some familiar brand names of saltine crackers in the Americas are Christie's Premium Plus (Canada), Nabisco's Premium (U.S.), Sunshine Biscuits' Krispy (U.S.), Keebler's Zesta (U.S.) (both owned by Kellogg's), Molinos Modernos' Hatuey (Dominican Republic) and Noel's Saltn (Colombia). Even though six saltines can fit in ones mouth at the same time, and a minute is plenty of time to chew, the resulting mass of crumbs is still difficult to swallow with a dry mouth. The origin of the term oyster cracker is unclear, but it may be that they were originally served with oyster stew or clam chowder or merely that they look like an oyster in its shell. Around that time, saltine crackers were mass-produced and available from different shops and brands. Worst: Keebler Club Crackers, Multigrain. Instructions. Be sure to roll the dough out evenly, so the crackers will be of uniform thickness and will bake evenly. Typically they are sold in boxes containing two to four stacks of crackers, each wrapped in a sleeve of waxed paper or plastic. This makes it perfect for things like scones and pancakes. Credit for the saltine cracker goes to the Josiah Bent Bakery in Newburyport, Massachusetts. In restaurants, they are sometimes found in small wrapped plastic packets of two crackers, which generally accompany soup or salad. Can i register a car with export only title in arizona? In 1876, F. L. Sommer & Company of St. Joseph, Missouri started using baking soda to leaven its wafer thin cracker. Surprise! However, unlike hardtack, saltines include yeast as one of their ingredients. They are most often called saltines in the United States and soda crackers in the United Kingdom. Whenever I get a craving for something savory, but dont want to spend too much time in the kitchen, I turn to soda crackers. "[10], The word was later documented describing a group of "Celtic immigrants, Scotch-Irish people who came to America running from political circumstances in the old world". The Cracker Barrel restaurant chain has been serving Southern cuisine and selling rocking chairs in its old country stores since its first location opened in Lebanon, Tenn., in 1969. We independently select these productsif you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. Initially called the Premium Soda Cracker and later "Saltines" because of the baking salt component, the invention quickly became popular and Sommer's business quadrupled within four years.