Get in line at Stomping Ground, it is worth it.

“What’s up with the line?” is the first FAQ on the Stomping Ground website, and with good reason. On most Saturday and Sunday mornings, you will find a long line of people out the door and down the street, waiting around for their chance to enter the small building in the heart of Del Ray. Even more people mill about in the adjacent alley and wait on pickup orders from the side window. Delicious smells emanate from the building and walking past it even a few times is enough to make you wonder what might be worth standing in that line.

Luckily, we were able to find out about the food without waiting; a Thursday morning proved to be a much easier time to walk right in and select a table. Ordering is done at the counter before you are assigned a number to carry with you to your selected table. As Stomping Ground is known for and prides itself on its homemade biscuits, breakfast is a huge draw here, but they also offer several lunch items along with specials throughout the year (April fish fry, anyone?).

The inside of Stomping Ground has a number of different sized tables and booths to seat parties of all sizes, and it is decorated in a dainty farmhouse style with a touch of brightly colored art, which are all available for purchase right off the walls. Our group of four settled into a roomy booth with our coffees. The iced coffee was an easily drinkable light and citrusy roast.

The vanilla bean latte was my table’s favorite. It was a delicate vanilla flavor without being overly sweet, and this drink looked as beautiful as it tasted.

One member of our party grabbed an enormous handmade blueberry scone from the many treats on display at the register, and we promptly started in on it while waiting for our meals. Unlike most dry, crumbly scones, this one was moist inside, with a generous distribution of tart blueberries and a sweet vanilla glaze on top.

Our food arrived shortly thereafter, served on simple metal trays. Everyone, of course, opted for a menu item that included a biscuit. The first thing that you notice about the biscuits is their huge size. Buttery, flaky, and crumbly, the biscuits really are worth the wait. At our table, we ordered the Egg & Cheese Biscuit, the Classic Style, and the Veggie Hash with a biscuit on the side.

The Egg & Cheese Biscuit is Stomping Ground’s take on the traditional egg sandwich, and it is served with a large helping of baked or poached egg as well as cheddar cheese. Several add-ons are available here, ranging from bacon to avocado, and we opted to add a sausage patty. Attention to detail is everything, and that is definitely apparent here. For instance, the baked egg is perfectly formed into a square that mimics the cheddar’s shape and appeals to the eye.

The Classic Style is a fried chicken sandwich on a biscuit topped with butter, pickles, and pimiento cheese. This really is a sandwich in name only because a knife and fork are certainly suggested to tackle it! The fried chicken is delectable, golden, and crispy on the outside while remaining moist on the inside, and pairs well with the pimiento for a slight kick before the sweet bread and butter pickles take over. It’s simple, but it’s a culinary delight.

Finally, the Veggie Hash with a biscuit on the side was our last entrée. This order provided the true experience of an untouched biscuit, which was served with spreadable butter and a pineapple-cinnamon jam. The Veggie Hash, which consisted of root vegetables and farro topped with a poached egg, was generously portioned and well-spiced. It was a filling and healthy option for breakfast.

Stomping Ground can be a little pricey, but the portions, flavors, and commitment to seasonal, local, and organic products make the price tag well worth it. To avoid the notorious line, try them out on a weekday morning or order ahead online for pickup. No matter how you do it, get the biscuits.