On a weeklong trip to Burlington & Winooski Vermont, we went to two standout restaurants in/near Burlington, VT that really stood out to me.
Table of Contents
Our House Bistro
A small restaurant in Winooski made an impression. Nestled in the revitalized Winooski’s circle, this small restaurant fills up quickly. We were fortunate to be able to walk here from our rental unit, but for those driving, there is street parking around the circle and neighboring streets.
Our House Bistro offer sandwiches, tacos and burgers, what really sets them apart is their Mac & Cheese. What can I say, I love macaroni and cheese. Not only is it warm and comforting, but it reminds me of my childhood when we’d eat homemade Mac & Cheese on a monthly basis. Now, even in adulthood, I still gravitate towards it, but sometimes I like it loaded with veggies. It is refreshing that places are starting to elevate mac & cheese by adding other ingredients making it a satisfying meal. There we so many choices to chose from. There were three of us, so we each got something different so we can sample a few. Brisket Gouda Mac had beef brisket, gouda, bacon, scallions, spinach, tomatoes, horseradish and fried onion strings. The Southwest Mac with corn, black beans, red peppers, chipotle, cheddar and topped with tortilla chips was interesting. and the Mediterranean Mac with tomatoes, olives, spinach, artichoke, mozzarella and goat cheese. The sauce was rich and velvety, clinging perfectly to the slightly al dente pasta, ensuring every bite was loaded with flavor. The portions were just right if hungry and a bit large if ordering appetizers or less hungry. Could easily share one or bring leftovers home.
While I was the one who picked the Southwest Mac, The Mediterranean Mac won me over; the sharpness of the goat cheese combined with the salty brine of the olives and the sun-dried sweetness of the tomatoes created a surprisingly complex flavor profile, far beyond standard comfort food.
While we waited for our food to arrive, it was fun to look at all the old lunchboxes that lined the walls.
The Café HOT
Located in the downtown Burlington area, we drove to The Café HOT for breakfast and found parking less than a block away. This is a casual eatery where you order at the counter, get a number to bring back to a table you selected, then they bring out the food when it is ready. There weren’t many folks here for breakfast, maybe 2 or 3 other tables were taken.
This is probably the most ‘unusual’ menu I had in quite some time and I couldn’t wait to try something so different. Especially for breakfast when it is usually eggs with meat and potatoes or something sweet like waffles, pancakes. This stood out and I knew I needed to try it. I ordered the basterd bing, a flour tortilla with egg, hoisin, secret sauce, sesame/orc dust, red cabbage, pickled onion, fresh herbs and jianbing chip (bottom). I loved mine. The key was the balance: the hoisin sweetness was immediately cut by the tang of the pickled onion and the subtle heat from the ‘secret sauce,’ while the jianbing chip on the bottom provided a perfect, unexpected crunch that made it unlike any breakfast wrap I’d ever had. And it filled me up for a few hours.
Justin got the brakefast sandwich, an egg & griddled cheese on a seeded milkbun with harissa, miso mayo, and fresh herbs. Justin’s classic Brakefast Sandwich was an elevated take on comfort, with the harissa and miso mayo adding a beautiful savory funk and warmth that pushed a traditional egg sandwich far outside the norm. I think Justin and the other 2 people I was with didn’t enjoy it as much as I did, but they are more traditional breakfast folk, where I am not. After eating this, I craved it again all week but knew I couldn’t go back.
Final Thoughts
There are so many eateries to choose from, and these two spots perfectly highlight the diverse and inventive food culture of the Burlington/Winooski area. These aren’t just restaurants; they are a delicious testament to the inventive, farm-to-table food culture that thrives in Vermont. Finding a high-quality, complex Mac & Cheese next to a truly unique Asian-inspired breakfast wrap in two small towns shows just how seriously the Burlington area takes its food
Date of visit: July2024