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

Top of the Hill Grill

(~1.5 miles off the highway)

Rt. 5, Brattleboro, Vt. (I-89: exit 3)

A local favorite. Play your cards right, and you might get there when the line is short. Good food, large portions--nothin fancy, friendly staff. Try the pulled pork on a salad. You can also make a heck of a meal by getting multiple sides and small plates.

Outdoor seating overlooking the West River.
4 Right ons

The Taco Joint

(~200 ft off the highway)
Benson, Vt. (Just off Rt. 22A)

This roadside taco truck recently popped-up--just off the highway. They sell burritos and tacos--your choice simply defines the transportation mode for the tasty fillings. Burrito works best for the grab-and-go enthusiast.

Ramunto's (Williston)

(~0.75 miles off the highway)
18 Tafts Corners Shopping Plaza, Williston, VT 05495 (I-89: exit 12)

Don't waste your time at those box store chain restaurants--just the other side of Taft's Corners is Ramuntos. They arguably have the best slices in the green mountain state. So good that it's a franchise of the NH original. Beginners can climb the flavor ladder through three levels of slice & soda specials. Super hungry pros can take the Cal-Mungo challenge--a three topping pizza made into a HUGE calzone. Beers include Switchback on tap.

I'll cover the other franchise locations in Rutland (right off Rt 4), Bennington, Brattleboro, Bridgewater and St. Johnsbury (not far off I-91, exit 20) in later posts.

Smokin' Bowls

(~900 feet off the highway)
Rockingham, Vt. (I-91: exit 6)

To get to this gem of a roadside gastronomical gem, you have to head west off the highway towards Rockingham--not towards Bellows Falls (hehe-FB--hehe...). This roadside food truck is only open during the cooler months--the owner leases it out to a burger shack in the summer (haven't had a chance to review that one yet).

The soups are amazing--fresh every day. The menu changes often. I hear good things about the chowder. The pulled pork sandwich is mind blowing.  This place is so good, I even bought a T-shirt! Added bonus: free Wi-Fi... open source and open to the world, man.
5 right-ons!

Fakelfield's (aka: Billing's Mobil)

(~2,000 feet off the highway)
758 Waterbury Stowe Rd, Waterbury, VT 05676 (I-89: exit 10)

If you get to Shaws's, you've gone too far. It looks like a Maplefield's, but it ain't. Steve makes the best gas station coffee you will ever have. The man is a master--he keeps the equipment in ship-shape and Bristol fashion. They also have the best breakfast sandwiches for your money. Hang out and chat with the locals to find out what's happening in town. Oh, and free coffee Mondays 6-9 a.m.

The Vermont Country Deli

(~800 feet off the highway)
436 Western Ave, Brattleboro, VT 05301 (I-91: exit 2)
(802) 257-9254

vermontcountrydeli.com

Full deli, including a great selection of salads, custom sandwiches and hot items. The pulled pork is awesome--same goes for the mac & cheese (from real Vermont cheddar).
Some of the best baked goods you'll find on the road--anywhere! Get the BIG cookie--I prefer the molasses (peanut butter is also a fav). 

Twiggs American Gastropub

(~1.75 miles off the highway)
28 N Main St, St Albans City, VT 05478 (I-89: exit 20)
(802) 524-1405
twiggsvt.com

Great lunchtime sit-down spot. Also good for dinner. Great selection of local Vermont beers. Try the Signature Patty (50/50 house angus beef blend with Applewood smoked bacon)... Ahhhhh-MAZING!!!

Wilaiwan's Kitchen

(~0.5 mile off the highway)
34 State St, Montpelier, VT 05602 (I-89: exit 8)
(802) 505-8111
Check out her Facebook page

Oh-my-goodness... Best soup around! Each day there are only a few choices on the menu, but what they offer is amazing and fresh. They use local ingredients and base the menu on what is available. You can never go wrong here. Even if you haven't heard of the soup flavor, try it... you'll definitely love it.

Marco's Pizza

(~2,000 feet off the highway)

1301 Williston Road
South Burlington, Vt. (I-89: Exit 14E)
(802) 658-5858
marcospizzavt.com

Great pizza for the money. They not only have a 2 slices & soda lunch special for $5.50, but you can upgrade to a draft beer for an extra $2. The key thing here is that you can get ANY slice they have for that price. None of this cheese only garbage. DEFINITELY get the Buffalo Chicken with Ranch dressing! They also make a heck of a salad. 

Shaggy's Snack Bar

(~1,000 feet off the highway)
109 1st St, Swanton, VT 05488 (I-89: exit 21)
(802) 868-2021
Shaggys Snackbar on facebook

Little orange building a few hundred yards off the highway--just past Dunkin Donuts on the left. Picnic tables outside. Sheet pan style pizza, take-out only. Best pizza in town--even though there are MANY other pizza places in town. Try the house special... and the Buffalo Chicken pizzas. Also, try the chicken parm sandwich.