'Meal On A Biscuit' — And A Whole Lot More

By PETE DeLEA, Daily News-Record, March 16, 2011, photos by Nikki Fox, Daily News-Record. Used with permission.

Penn Laird

Just about every morning, around 7:30, Nelson Rodgers meets a friend at The Chuck Wagon Restaurant - a newly opened breakfast and lunch spot that has quickly become known for its 4-inch biscuits. The 62-year-old Rodgers, who lives in Harrisonburg, typically orders one over-medium egg, a pancake, bacon and coffee at the Penn Laird eatery. While he savors the food, he also enjoys the friendly atmosphere.

"We fellowship there. We build relationships there," said Rodgers, who owns Carousel Stained Glass on East Market Street in Harrisonburg. "Sometimes we spend one or two hours in there, depending on how quickly we get the world's problems solved."

The Right Opportunity

After years of planning, Mike and Sarah Frum opened the restaurant last summer in a shopping center at the intersection of Spotswood Trail and Cross Keys Road.

The couple first looked at opening a franchise restaurant about five years ago in the Harrisonburg area, but the price tag was too hefty. But they kept the dream of owning their own place alive.

"We just kept it in the back of our heads and saved our money," said Mike Frum, a 42-year-old former construction worker. "We think we did better going on our own."

In May, the Frums signed a lease on the building, which became available when an ice cream shop closed, and The Chuck Wagon was born.

They say it's a prime location as there isn't another eatery around for miles, and it's one of the first breakfast locations for motorists headed from Massanutten Resort to Interstate 81.

"It's a quick, grab-and-go option for people in the area," said Mike Frum, adding that patrons can dine in or use the restaurant's drive-thru service.

While the Frums dish out plenty of pancakes, eggs made to order and biscuit and gravy platters, the most popular breakfast items are the biscuit sandwiches, usually referred to as "a meal on a biscuit."
The sandwiches include egg, cheese, a hash brown and choice of meat piled in a 4-inch biscuit.

"It's a hearty meal," said Mike Frum.

Since opening, The Chuck Wagon has attracted a variety of customers, from the older lifelong residents of the area to James Madison University students.

Almost every Friday morning, about a dozen JMU football players stop in for some breakfast sandwiches.

"It started out as just one, then he told his buddy," said Sarah Frum, a 40-year-old former waitress. "Now we have 10 or 12 of them at a time. They wipe us out. They can eat three or four of them each."

Lunch Time

The restaurant is open Monday through Saturday and serves breakfast from 6 to 11 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

For lunch they serve cheeseburgers as well as chicken, pork barbecue and fish fillet sandwiches.

In addition to Sarah Frum's homemade potato chowder, the couple offers a variety of sides and desserts, including peach cobbler.

Massanetta Springs resident Joe Hevener eats at The Chuck Wagon a few times a week.

The 56-year-old carpenter usually stops in on his way to visit his sister, who manages Valley View Antiques, located about 500 yards from the restaurant.

He said he'd rather eat at The Chuck Wagon instead of fast food.

"The quality is much better and the prices are comparable, if not better," he said.

For now the Frums are not serving dinner but might consider it in the future. They like to be at the restaurant when it's open, they say, and serving three meals a day might compromise that.

"Nobody looks after the restaurant like you do," Mike Frum said. "Nobody is going to put the quality in like you."

Copyright (c) 2011, Byrd Newspapers, All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.

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