Scratch-Made Every Morning in Richmond's Fan District
In 2014, Tim Laxton had a late-night idea and a grandmother's recipe. Richmond hasn't stopped talking about it since.
Early Bird Biscuit | Our Story
The Late-Night Idea
In 2014, Tim Laxton set out to reclaim honest Southern food — built on his grandmother's buttermilk biscuit recipe and one simple rule: a gentle touch and lots of butter. He opened the first Early Bird Biscuit kitchen in Lakeside, and Richmond showed up immediately.
The Biscuit Itself
The classic buttermilk biscuit — golden, flaky, paired with housemade jams — is the foundation. A rotating Unique Biscuit of the Day keeps even regulars guessing, from biscuits and gravy to something entirely unexpected.
Good Coffee, Real Partners
Richmond's own Blanchard's Coffee helped develop a custom Early Bird blend and trained the baristas to pull a proper espresso — so your latte is as thoughtful as what's in the bag.
When the Press Came Knocking
Garden & Gun named Early Bird one of "Ten Biscuits Worth the Drive." Food Network and Cooking Channel's Cheap Eats followed — though locals had already given that verdict years earlier.
Home in the Fan
Today, Early Bird lives in the Fan District — a space full of vintage 1900s artwork, an old National cash register, and an apothecary-style bakery case made for a slow Saturday morning.
