It opens April 15, but Mason Dixie Biscuit Co. is already a destination restaurant by definition. A road trip there isn’t an impulse or afterthought. It’s where you’re going on purpose.
In the past few years of pop-ups and a Union Market stall, Mason Dixie has developed a strong following for its biscuit-centered Southern comfort food. Now it’s establishing its first independent location, converting a former Dolphin Fish & Chicken (and before that a Wendy’s) drive-through into a casually cool biscuit basecamp on Bladensburg Road in Northeast.
Off the Metro map, near Echostage in Langdon Park, Mason Dixie is accessible only by car, bus or bike. Upon arrival, you’ll encounter a retro design that takes guests for a ride back in time, whether you order from the drive-through or inside the pastel-colored diner.
The morning menu include biscuits topped with morning favorites—there are options with bacon, sausage, and ham—as well as a customer favorite, fried chicken sandwich with bacon, honey and hot sauce. If you prefer a simpler breakfast, garnish a biscuit with housemade seasonal jam. For now, it’s a blueberry, blackberry, raspberry and strawberry blend called bumble berry.
Lunch includes fried chicken entrees and buckets, biscuit sandwiches, and salads. Add a classic Southern side and/or save room for dessert. The sweets department evolves around Milk Cult, which supplies the ice cream for hand-spun milkshakes and ice cream sandwiches.
A vegetarian egg and cheese biscuit is on the morning menu and afternoon vegetarian entrees are being developed.
With all the sensory overload, the biscuit can get lost in the excitement, but that would be a shame. The humble biscuit itself is a luscious composition, striking all the palatable notes in harmonious balance. It’s impressive to break a piece off, especially when warm, and taste it alone.
Saturday’s grand opening brings a day of prizes, music, and other family-friendly attractions. The first 100 customers to make a purchase will receive a hearty thank you: a voucher for 90 days of free breakfast sandwiches. An Easter egg hunt is scheduled for April 16 beginning at 9 a.m.
Mason Dixie Biscuit Co. is located at 2301 Bladensburg Rd. NE. It is open 7 a.m.-4 p.m. from Tuesday to Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Closed Monday
This post has been updated to reflect that the location was previously a Dolphin Fish & Chicken.
This post has been updated to reflect new business hours.
