Brothers Jon and Jason Wade joined the Colonial Williamsburg Fife and Drum corps at a young age, learning the importance of hard work. Now, they are applying their education and appreciation for the corps to their passion for food in a new venture: Two Drummers Smokehouse.
For about five years, the Wade brothers have had a plan to open a restaurant of their own. Both have a long history of restaurant experience. Younger brother Jon started working as a dishwasher at Trellis while Jason worked as a chef there. For the past 11 years, Jason has worked as the head chef of Corner Pocket. In Jon’s career, he worked at Corner Pocket, Blue Talon and Five Forks Café.
“It’s kind of in our blood to be cooking,” said Jason, who will be joining his brother in their first attempt at restaurant ownership.
Two Drummers Smokehouse plans to open next week in a spot formerly occupied by Hog Wild Smokehouse at 8864 Richmond Road in Toano. When the brothers found out the former restaurant was closing, they went into action with their plan to open their own smokehouse, after originally planning to have a barbecue food truck.
“It’s become a huge craze … so we wanted to get in on something that was hip,” said Jon, explaining that between Virginia and North Carolina you may see three barbecue restaurants for every one of another kind of restaurant, like Italian.
Both have a passion for slow-cooked meats and a scientific approach to cooking. Wood-smoking meat will allow for a mix of wood to be used to achieve different flavors.
Along with planned smoked menu offerings, the restaurant also plans to feature some southern comfort items, such as meatloaf and mashed potatoes.
The restaurant has also received a full face-lift. New wood floors, wooden booths, a new HVAC system, a bar and fresh paint will provide the family-friendly atmosphere Jason and Jon hope to achieve, while the restaurant will still provide entertainment, drinks and food to attract a younger crowd.
“It’s going to be a very fun, clean environment that’s family-friendly like Hog Wild was but it’s also going to have a little more sparkle and shine,” Jon said.
Jon and Jason are Williamsburg natives and have strong ties to the community. They were born at Williamsburg Community Hospital, the children of a Rawls Byrd Elementary School teacher Bonnie Wade and Smith-Wade Band member Cabot Wade. Jon also plays in a band called Rich Whiskey.
“We’ve spent our whole life in this small town figuring out where we were going to stick ourselves,” Jon said.
The restaurant is planned to be closed Mondays, open from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Eventually, they hope to offer Sunday brunch and plan to be open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for it.
For more information about Two Drummers Smokehouse, visit the restaurant’s website, Facebook page or YouTube page. The restaurant is also offering text message alerts by texting “DRUMMERS” to 57711.
