Historic Rugby Village in Tennessee - Thomas Hughes Victorian England

Harrow Road Cafe

Several young Englishman started a cafe on Rugby's Harrow Road in 1882. According to the village newspaper, "a capital Welsh Rarebit" could be had. Visitors and lodgers today can still enjoy Welsh Rarebit, one of many choices on a daily lunch menu which features Cumberland Plateau home cooking and British Isles specialties. Shepherd's Pie, Fish & Chips and Bangers & Mash compete for your attention with daily specials such as meatloaf, grilled chicken and deep-fried catfish. Other fare includes homemade soups and desserts, sandwiches and salads, and our much loved Harrow Road Spoon Rolls. Delicious full breakfasts are available daily; dinner by lamplight is served on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Today's Harrow Road Cafe was built in 1985 to conform to Rugby's historic architecture. Each wood beamed dining room has fireplaces for winter's chill and plenty of working windows to let in the Plateau breezes in warmer seasons. The cafe seats 80 and is a favorite spot for special group meals. The four-course meals served during special holidays such as Valentine weekend, Christmas At Rugby and New Year's Eve have become regional traditions.

HARROW ROAD CAFE WINTER HOURS:
10:00 am to 3:00 pm Mon-Fri
9:00 am to 6:00 pm Saturday
9:00 am to 3:00 pm Sunday

Harrow Road Spoon Rolls
(Makes Approximately 2 dozen)

4 cups self-rising flour, sifted
2 tablespoons cornmeal
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg, beaten
2 1/4 cups lukewarm water 1 T. dried yeast
2/3 cup melted margarine or butter

Add yeast to lukewarm water and stir. Mix together beaten eggs, sugar, and melted margarine. Add yeast mixture. Then add self-rising flour and cornmeal and mix by hand with wire whisk until well-blended. DO NOT BEAT WITH ELECTRIC MIXER. Spoon into greased muffin tins. Bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Dough can be kept covered with foil in refrigerator - it gets better with age.

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Historic Rugby Vision

British-founded Rugby, Tennessee, is a rare example of a rural, living community that survives from its 1880s utopian beginnings with its town plan intact, many buildings and its natural setting preserved and with no encroaching incompatible development. This is the result of a long chain of human effort to preserve it, inspired by its founder's vision of equality and cooperation, community planning and natural resources stewardship. Rugby and its heritage must be preserved for all time and shared with this and future generations.

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