The sign that hangs above the doorway of the Buttered Biscuit reads “Authentic Gramma Food.”
“Gramma” is not an obscure foreign country. It’s not a typo, either. The sign is Tamera Haskins’ way of telling Sumner that she serves home-cooked family recipes, including a popular Reuben as well as a meatloaf sandwich, just like grandma would.
“I really enjoy cooking,” said Haskins, who lives in Sumner. “I really enjoy making people happy.”
The Buttered Biscuit opened in Sumner last month. Haskins originally started the business in Buckley in 2005. Before that, she worked for 17 years as a waitress at Knapp’s Restaurant in Tacoma.
When she noticed tradition falling away from Knapp’s, she thought it would be nice to have her own place to serve home-style meals.
The Buckley location was a hole-in-the-wall space, Haskins said. There was no ambiance — people came for the food and the food alone.
Haskins moved the restaurant to Sumner because some friends of hers owned a building with extra space and made her an offer she couldn’t refuse. Plus, the Sumner location is almost three times bigger and feels more like home.
Wooden beams, exposed brick and light yellow paint create a warm atmosphere; Haskins added big chairs, books and games to one alcove away from the dining area. There’s even a children’s area, tucked away in a corner. Eventually she would like to install a coffee bar, too.
Server Traci White, from Sumner, said she enjoys working at the Buttered Biscuit because it’s like “walking into grandma’s house.”
“It’s very homey,” she said. “I love it.”
Haskins would like her establishment to blend with the community and become a comfortable gathering place. She’s not having trouble with that — during the end of the lunch rush last week, familiar Sumner faces could be seen inside.
As customers headed toward the register, Haskins asked them how they liked their meals. One told her she was glad the Buttered Biscuit moved to Sumner.
The menu is not just burgers and sandwiches — there are Mediterranean options too, including a Greek salad, Greek burger and a gyro.
“We just do a little bit of everything,” Haskins said. “We try really hard to make everybody happy.”
The Buttered Biscuit offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. The lunch menu includes classic sandwiches, panini sandwiches, salads, gyros and burgers.
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