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zombienutz1 t1_jbjc5gf wrote

Sneakers

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mr_chip_douglas t1_jbjdqr3 wrote

Putting you name down online is an absolute game changer for this place.

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zombienutz1 t1_jbl7gry wrote

Absolutely, that and they have a bigger space. No more 20 person lines on a Sunday.

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8valvegrowl t1_jbjbe28 wrote

The Guilty Plate in Colchester, JCAT in Jericho (weekends only, I think), the Parkway Diner in S. Burlington, and the Family Table in Jeffersonville (not Chittenden Co, but not too far either) are all solid choices.

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WantDastardlyBack t1_jbjhba5 wrote

JCAT are exceptional people. My Mom had Alzheimer's and still liked to go out to eat, but from time to time, she'd insist on having a BLT, which they didn't have on the menu, and the chef would make one for her anyway. I adored them for that. 158 Main in Jeffersonville was the other spot that were fantastic with her.

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Amyarchy t1_jbjuddd wrote

If you're going up to Jeffersonville, I'd say 158 Main is a step above the Family Table - but I haven't been to the Family Table in a while so I guess I need to check again for quality control. :) Brunch at 158 is one of my favorite things (OH and if you're up that way check out My Favorite Things for lunch & dinner - upstairs from 158).

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8valvegrowl t1_jbjvd90 wrote

I haven't been to either in a few years, well even longer for 158, but that was always a solid bet too. I know Family Table just had a pretty extensive remodel (I drive past on my way to Smuggs pretty regularly).

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MathGeekVT OP t1_jbkiruk wrote

Cambridge / Jefferson not too far just didn’t want people suggesting The Royal Diner in West Bratt, although that place is fantastic!

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lipsticktracer t1_jblt6uk wrote

Problem is that neither 158 nor Family Table even comes close to what Jana's was. I fucking moved to Jeffersonville at one point just because of Jana's - just two years or so before they closed.

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MathGeekVT OP t1_jbkijkx wrote

It doesn’t look like family table does breakfast, am I wrong?

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Idislikethis_ t1_jbksmsn wrote

Family Table was closed for a years long renovation and as far as I know are only doing dinner right now. Fingers crossed they get back in breakfast/lunch soon!

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8valvegrowl t1_jbkjm5u wrote

They always used to, but the last time I ate there was probably 2-3 years ago.

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Tidder802b t1_jbkcpbf wrote

Did the Guilty Plate reopen? Last I knew it hadn't reopened after the pandemic, plus the owner passed.

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lavransson t1_jbkvtje wrote

I checked the Family Table website just now and it says "We are open Thursday through Monday at 4:00 PM for dinner."

I went for dinner there a month ago. They were pretty full. The meal was amazing, way better than I was expecting. Definitely a step above "diner food."

Looks pretty good inside after the long closing during remodeling.

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bigtimesauce t1_jbjwy88 wrote

Idk about the guilty plate but JCAT and parkway diner have been terrible every time I’ve gone in in the last 2 years

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MathGeekVT OP t1_jbkizac wrote

I’ve been to both. jCAT has the best smoked meats but not what I’m looking for. Keep hearing mixed reviews about the Parkway

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bigtimesauce t1_jbky3e7 wrote

Parkway got bought and they tout a “scratch kitchen” now, which is great for them but like… their old bread was way better, they never fucked up my eggs, but with the new owners I’ve had my order comped 2/3 times because of how poorly it came out.

JCAT i don’t go to anymore because the last time I went I watched 5 servers standing around a more or less empty dining room for 15 minutes without taking my order, so I left.

Honestly one of my favorite breakfast spots is Quality Bake Shop. It’s nothing fancy and it’s all served on paper plates/plastic utensils, but it’s about as close to a real diner experience as you can get up here. Cheap as shit too, two eggs, hashbrowns, toast, coffee, and a dozen donuts to go was under $20 last I knew.

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kuz_929 t1_jbjctjd wrote

Milton Diner is actually pretty good. Firebird in Essex, Erica's Diner in Fairfax

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drew13m t1_jbo2l9j wrote

Firebird repeatedly served me undercooked home fries the 3 or 4 times I got dragged there to eat. Their coffee sucks dicks and their staff is extremely rude and unprofessional, especially after you mention how they’ve fucked up your food.

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fdm001 t1_jbjeowj wrote

Chefs Corner in Williston is awesome

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sicknutley t1_jbjfg9g wrote

Definitely at the caliber of Penny, in all honestly, probably higher quality, too.

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MathGeekVT OP t1_jbkj6y2 wrote

Agree for weekend brunch and good coffee but mid-week I prefer Williston Coffee House. Looking for someone to come around and pour my coffee refills ;-)

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starsmisaligned t1_jbj9fd2 wrote

Willing to drive into Addison?? 3Squares in Vergennes is amazing

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big_ol_sandwich t1_jbjc1p8 wrote

If you're in Vergennes you got to hit Vergennes Laundry as well.

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chesbyiii t1_jbjhsal wrote

Are they making bread again? I went in after the French family sold it a few years ago and they weren't making it yet. That was a huge part of the draw for that place.

And Paté de Fruit. Hopefully they're making that, too.

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Full_Whereas_2694 t1_jbjln6n wrote

There was a weird transition where an annoying guy tried to turn it into a fine dining place. Now there's a nice couple making really good bread and pastries again (no pate de fruit though) feels like the original again.

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ballofsnowyoperas t1_jbjn0tx wrote

So glad to hear this, I was devastated when Julianne and Didier left.

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Salty_Charlemagne t1_jbk19wl wrote

I am only familiar with the newest incarnation of Vergennes Laundry and it's wonderful. Great bread, great pastries, solid brunch, and some fun dry goods as well. I believe the new owner has roots in both France and Morocco and that shows in the menu. Highly recommended.

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marianleatherby t1_jbjqqc6 wrote

*pâte, silent "e"

(Pâté, said "patay", is like... the fancy liver spread. Or you can have a veg-based pâté but it's def savory)

I tried making a pâte de fruits one Christmas but the vagaries of pectin defeated me (it didn't gel up right).

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Full_Whereas_2694 t1_jbjlsvc wrote

this place rules, self serve Brio Coffee, good food-not pretentious a lot like penny cluse actually.

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parkbench22 t1_jbjynwf wrote

+1 on this. The breakfast burrito + chorizo is so so so good.

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greeneyedbandit82 t1_jbjcpog wrote

The Dutch Mill on Shelburne Rd! Amazing!

Had a really good breakfast at Our House Bistro in Winooski, but have since heard very unflattering things about the owner.

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grnmtgrl t1_jbjkbbo wrote

Dutch Mill eggs benedict 👌

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PBDubs99 t1_jbjkoqo wrote

I third Dutch Mill aaaand now I'm hungry!

ETA: TASTee Grill on Shelburne Rd in SoBu (yes in the gas station, yes it's SO GOOD!)

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whaletacochamp t1_jbk36ho wrote

Tell me more about TASTee. I'm obsessed with little hole in the wall gas station type places that make killer food. The simon's just up the road by the bagel bakery cranks out some surprisingly good stuff, same with a number of the champlain farms. But it's really hit or miss.

Closest thing we have to NYC bodegas.

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ciaohow t1_jbojdso wrote

It's great, although I prefer it for lunch over breakfast. They do a peerless reuben.

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PBDubs99 t1_jbpfm5i wrote

It's not really like a bodega. It was just a gas station and now it's a tiny diner where you can also get gas! The menu is online, and I've never gotten lunch (breakfast all day type of person), but the eggs benny is delicious, my hubby is fully obsessed with the breakfast burrito, pancakes are great, and the home fries are goo-oood! You can sit at one of four tables or take out!

0

jonahhillfanaccount t1_jbkszh3 wrote

The most interesting food in chittenden county is the café HOT. AND they have an amazing coffee program, if you were willing to travel to BTV for Penny cluse, you’ll be satisfied with HOT.

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OhNo789 t1_jblp9ct wrote

Cafe HOT is so good. Good food, coffee, aesthetics, staff. Friendly, helpful, welcoming. Interesting food that is also very familiar.

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Historical-Run-1511 t1_jblx44u wrote

Cafe HOT is amazing and OMG Grey Jay. I think maybe they're afraid of the crime if they'll go anywhere in the county but Burlington.

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mochiko_noriko t1_jbjrzfn wrote

Misery Loves Co. in Winooski is serving brunch again and it is delicious. It is a bit spendy but they use quality ingredients so IMO worth it, and the service is excellent.

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whaletacochamp t1_jbk2w3w wrote

Papa Nicks in Hinesburg is killer, the mill on Rt 7 in shelburne is an unspoken treasure, JCAT in Jericho, Parkway in SB just reopened. Plenty of great options.

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braqass t1_jbjj2tg wrote

Firebird in Essex

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bigtimesauce t1_jbjx3aq wrote

Great if you want to wait a half hour for your undersized order

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braqass t1_jbk2sxu wrote

Oh bummer, reallly?I honestly haven’t been in years but it was my go to when I lived in Essex jct

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ballofsnowyoperas t1_jbjmsfu wrote

Jules or Uncommon in Essex. People rag on Jules sometimes but I love their breakfast.

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assholelarry t1_jbjun2n wrote

It’s the humans that own Jules that make it a no-go for me. The food is “ok”, the pricing is high for what you get - solid meh and I don’t care to support their business with the way they handle themselves.

There’s JPs in Essex Junction as well. Nothing fancy - but it’s fast and predictable. Reasonably priced. Nice humans. Many regulars that I see there every week.

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ballofsnowyoperas t1_jbkja7e wrote

Can you elaborate on the Jules owners? I’ve only had good experiences but I’m honestly not surprised that there may be negativity surrounding them.

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assholelarry t1_jbm76es wrote

Back in the early days of the lockdown they went on social media blast trashing other restaurant owners and anyone who had any negative comments regarding their food. Like full on bat shit crazy. I get the defensiveness to some degree, but when you verbally assassinate another business because “your” wings are better than “their” wings…

I guess it sounds like friendly competition now that I’ve typed it out, but Ellen went so nasty. And then nastier when people called her out on her behavior rather than admitting she was inappropriate.

It’s not terrible, there are just so many better options that I’d rather support with limited dining out budget.

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mrwalrus88 t1_jbjomxe wrote

Painted Lady in Milton. Really good, gluten free and gluten options. Also serve booze if you're into that kinda thing.

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FyuckerFjord t1_jbjytqf wrote

Chef is the retired global head of new flavors for Ben & Jerry's. Also offers day spa type stuff.

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marianleatherby t1_jbjp6i6 wrote

Relatedly, does anybody have (or managed to replicate) Penny Cluse's recipe for the Bucket o' Spuds? It was my favorite breakfast potato and I miss it so.

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Human802 t1_jbkb8ua wrote

My assumption would be they used a deep fryer for the potatoes, which can be a pain at home.

One thing that makes good home fries, dice up potatoes at prefer size and boil them. When you think the potatoes have about 10 minutes left add a small spoonful of baking soda to the mix and preheat your oven for 450.

Once the potatoes are just slightly soft, drain them and toss them in oil. The baking soda with break down the pectin and crate a layer of mashed potatoes on surface which will brown nicely in the over. Add some salt and seasoning and roast till golden. This can easily be done before hand, I often make these for dinner and then use the leftovers for home fries a day or two later.

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drewpy36 t1_jbjyjgh wrote

Butter Bar and Kitchen in the New North End does Brunch on the weekends! Pretty good if I say so myself.

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cho_bits t1_jbk5dhd wrote

Big fan of Sweet Simone’s in Richmond, but they seem to sell out of their savory breakfast-y stuff early on weekends so would note that.

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dbolg22 t1_jbklsv0 wrote

Firebird Cafe is my go to for good food!

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joeconn4 t1_jbkvrma wrote

JP's in Essex is pretty comfortable for us.

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GrumpyGrawlix t1_jbr8vtj wrote

Not so comfy if you're Black. Lots of stares, open mouths, glares. They didn't even cook my damned eggs right, how does a breakfast place fuck up scrambled eggs?

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Any_Pie_3065 t1_jblc236 wrote

Erica’s diner in Fairfax. Rozzis on Saturday/Sunday in colchester. The spanked puppy on Saturday/Sunday in colchester. Quality bake shop in Essex. Green mountain bagels in Williston if you want something on the fly, pretty great sandwiches plus they have a bacon bagel.

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hagemeyp t1_jbk4fcl wrote

Sugar and Spice (is nice). Be sure to order the hot coco

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8valvegrowl t1_jbmhpaf wrote

A) That’s in Mendon B) It’s a tourist trap C) They don’t even serve butter, like WTF?

Go to Backcountry Cafe or Johnny Boys if you are in that area.

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jim_lahey802 t1_jbk8r82 wrote

Don't know if they still do it, but Our House in winooski did a killer Sunday brunch

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vtluvsbrady t1_jblllqv wrote

The grill formerly Ricks Grill in Milton actually has really good breakfast. The home fries are really good 👍🏻

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Butstuff69420 t1_jblm32f wrote

Go to Franklin county and go to Chester’s in Fairfield, worth the drive. Cash only and freshly made bread and baked goods for a great price

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mikrolaine t1_jbmfhgu wrote

In central Vermont, the Wayside (Montpelier/Berlin) is inexpensive and good.

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VainAppealToReason t1_jbmlnna wrote

JP's Restaurant & Deli in Essex. Love their eggs benedict. Coffee's only ok though.

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historycat95 t1_jbqtjwg wrote

I used to go to JPs all the time. The excessive grease became too much, never again.

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lantonas t1_jbjx450 wrote

Who would go to an airport for breakfast?

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whaletacochamp t1_jbk3dx1 wrote

I have had Skinny Pancake for breakfast at the airport many times, including at least 3 times when I wasn't flying.

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lilfeet18 t1_jbk38z6 wrote

Right? BVT is Burlington Vermont, BTV is the airport code for Burlington airport.

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teddytoosmooth t1_jbk6pfj wrote

No it’s always BTV. Anytime someone writes BVT it’s cringe

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lilfeet18 t1_jbkdqsq wrote

Alright, weird hill to die on, I was just defending the person getting down voted for pointing out btv is the airport and not Burlington.

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