The First Delaware Scrapple Tour, Episode (3): Wilson’s General Store, Georgetown, Delaware

Get ready for a special spot. Wilson’s General Store, is a gem for so much more than just scrapple. And it’s just a few miles off the main route from Washington and Baltimore to Rehoboth and points south. If you go to the beach and don’t stop here, you may not kick yourself, but you should, and your family may.

It’s the sort of place I cherish, with great food, a great setting, and great people. It sits out in the country east of Georgetown, just a small country store. It’s nice and trim, but nothing special on the outside,

Like myriad other tiny groceries across the United States, much of the grocery space has been given over to a grill and food preparation.

I woke up in the dark on Day 2 of the Tour and drove over from Rehoboth on a cold and cloudy morning. I went in and got a warm, friendly “Good morning! What can I get you?” greeted me. With all of my urban suavity, I responded, “I hear y’all have good scrapple.”  “How about a scrapple, egg, and cheese sandwich? People like them.” “Sounds perfect.”

I got a cup of coffee and sat at a communal table across from John, who buys and sells real estate, mainly farms, and who did a stint at American University, as did I. We talked about that and about area farmland. John told me of a sale years back when people were astounded that a buyer paid $300 per acre, just as folks talk about house prices in Washington. I asked about the going rate, and he said that farmland goes for about $10,000 per acre, which I know is very high, an Iowa price. The national average is around $4,400. Presently we were joined by Ron and Dave, both regulars, and the conversation became general with lots of banter and ribbing and trips to the Caribbean. A couple of other people joined in, but I missed their names because my scrapple, egg, and cheese sandwich was ready.

And here it is.

And look at the side view of one half.

Let’s not neglect the crust.

This is an amazing sandwich. Each element was somehow elevated, even the bread. And note the white cheese. American, but what kind? A hard fried egg and two thick slices of scrapple, so crisp on the outside and so creamy inside, graced with good seasoning, ir all added up to an outstanding sandwich. It had a variety of textures and a deep, rich, complex flavor. It was flat great.

I rush to say, for those who are still refuse to try scrapple, that I’m confident you can experience the same sense of wonder with a sausage, egg, and cheese or a bacon, egg, and cheese at Wilson’s. For all I know they have Taylor ham, egg, and cheese. (Or would they call it pork roll?) Choose any of them, and I just know it will be good. There’s an artist in that kitchen.

The conversation continued as I ate with my new friends. I was having so much fun that I got behind schedule and forgot to ask the brand. I looked back at my post on the Scrapple Trail site, and per the very helpful Wesley Womack, it was Hughes Delaware Maid. 

Everyone in the store volunteered that people come from all over for that sandwich, and I can believe it. And I can understand why, when I sent out request for scrapple recommendations, more people than any place else. Be good to yourself and try one. And it’s a warm, friendly, and truly fun place to eat. Treat your family to a meal there on your way to the beach. Just head on over to 24739 Springfield Road, and if you don’t try the scrapple, let me know what else is good there.

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