Pizza Chef

(about a mile off the highway)
Quechee, Vt (I-89: exit 1)

If you're starving and looking to gorge (get it? gorge… Quechee Gorge--HA!) yourself on some homestyle Italian food, this is the place to go. Walking distance from "Vermont's Little Grand Canyon" and nestled along route 4. Comfortable atmosphere and super-friendly folks. A bunch of local beers on tap. Arguably, the best peanut butter cookie... EVER! Get the lasagne or spaghetti ... Oh, they have pizza too.

Papa Frank's

(~1.5 miles off the highway)

13 West Center Street, Winooski, VT (I-89: exit 15)

When I was younger, Italian restaurants served great food, big portions... and we're really reasonably priced. Papa Frank's is an old school oasis. It's a great place to get away from all the hipsters on the Winooski circle, too. The pizza is good but the dinners are molto bene! On top of their wine selection, they have some local beers on tap... including a 22 oz pour! Great source for take out that you pass off as your own to your guests--they'll be impressed.

Mountain View Café

(~1.5 miles off the highway)
Berlin, Vt. (I-89: exit 7)
Open daily 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (closed 2–4 pm on weekends)

Got some time after your vasectomy? Want to recharge your system after that colonoscopy? My mother once told me, "If you're stuck somewhere and don't know where to get a good meal for not a lot of money--go to the local hospital." The Mountain View Café at CVMC takes that concept to a 21st century reality. Run by the New England Culinary Institute (NECI), this gem uses local foods including organic produce from Two Rivers Farm to Table program (when available). Check out their daily specials. Great prices! The coffee is great too--"Mountain Grown" from WRJ, Vt.
A little tough to find, but worth the exploratory.

Wendy's Wieners

(25 ft off the highway)
downtown Stowe, Vt. (Route 100)

If you've been to Mac's market in Stowe--you know Wendy. Well, she's opened a wiener stand right off the highway. Set up in front of I.C. Scoops, you'll find fine franks with a heaping serving of conversation--language is not a barrier. Bon appétit!

4 wieners up! :)

Tip Top Cafe

(~1.5 miles off the highway)
85 Main St., WRJ, Vt. (I-91: exit 11)

Housed in a refurbished bread factory. The Tip Top cafe is probably the hippest place in White River. Go and check out the art, order food while you're making pottery next door...  or check out a local band.

Red Hen Bakery

(~0.5 miles off the highway)
Middlesex, Vt. (I-89: exit 9)

This cafe is attached to one of the best bread bakeries in our state. The baked goods are awesome. If you are looking for a killer breakfast--this is the place ($$$). Bold coffee... Nn-nice!

P&H truck stop

(~500 feet off the highway)
Wells River, Vt. (I-91: exit 17)

On your way to Ticklenaked Pond? Stop off at P&H to fill yourself up. They put out a bountiful Sunday brunch. Open 24/7. Try the pie--it's better than birthday cake.
3.5 right ons