Looking for a family friendly dinner location (any cuisine, just not a bar scene since we’ll have a toddler) on the route from Boston to Burlington? Was thinking Montpelier would be a good stopping point, but open to other suggestions!
Comments
wrenchindaddy802 t1_j6negdh wrote
That was my first recommendation. My 7 year old absolutely loves wayside. Cheap, good, simple food.
MizLucinda t1_j6l5boi wrote
Folks who suggest the upper valley are spot on. Hanover is out of the way, though, and sort of impossible, parking-wise. West Lebanon has chain places (chili’s, Applebees), but also 110 Grill, which is pretty good, and Ziggy’s pizza (lots of different things there other than pizza). White River Jct has wicked awesome bbq right off 89/91, and further into downtown Tuckerbox is very good, as is Big Fatty’s bbq. These places are all pretty kid-friendly and easy to access from the interstate. Going further north there isn’t a lot that’s easy to access from 89.
Excellent_Affect4658 t1_j6l75mg wrote
Hanover parking’s been much more manageable lately, FWIW. If someone’s reference point is Boston or Burlington, it’s a breeze. Don’t disagree with the rest, though.
MizLucinda t1_j6l8bj1 wrote
I was in Hanover today and I found parking after circling a bit. But a Saturday is going to be hard, and if they’re hungry and with a potentially cranky toddler, a place with a parking lot may be more palatable.
kickerconspiracy t1_j6lp60q wrote
Second Ziggys. It's big and loud enough (but not too loud) that an infant won't make a dent.
MizLucinda t1_j6mfhpw wrote
That’s what I was thinking. And the food is pretty good.
kickerconspiracy t1_j6oxdsf wrote
Yeah the Calzones are my favorite
Stronkowski t1_j6m1yhh wrote
110 Grill is absolutely another chain place (and technically Ziggy's is too).
Nicetoseeyaagain t1_j6leasm wrote
My toddler’s favorite restaurant is buddy’s burgers and fries in Montpelier. Definitely a classic burger joint, so grease is included, but very toddler friendly (and the milkshakes are sooo good)
stinking_badgers t1_j6l05nw wrote
A little more than halfway would be the upper valley, which has plenty of dining options in Hanover and White River Jct. in Hanover you could try Murphy’s, Molly’s, Tacos Y Tequila (it’s not a bar scene per se) , Tuk Tuk Thai, and many more.
Schnecken OP t1_j6l70ek wrote
Thanks, I think this will be perfect!!
mrkvt t1_j6ldqw4 wrote
We haven’t been since the pandemic, but my kids loved Ladder 1 Grill in Barre. Its in a historic firehouse. The food is typical pub fare-the building and atmosphere outranks the food but I remember the burgers being pretty good. If the little one would like some cool stuff to look at, its a great option.
One other thing to keep in mind is when restaurants are open on which days, and to factor in either long wait times/make reservations/have a backup. Nothing worse than hangry toddlers (and parents) with limited options. Restaurants are doing the best they can but toddlers don’t always understand…
mmartino03 t1_j6o0r1h wrote
Barre has tons of great restaurants. The Meltdown and Cornerstone are also fantastic places to eat in Barre.
Sorry-Ad-7884 t1_j6mzi6f wrote
Three tomatoes trattoria in Lebanon NH might be a great spot. Really nice park across the street to stretch your legs in the town square.
Schnecken OP t1_j6n08jr wrote
Looks yummy! Great suggestion with the park
GrilledSpamSteaks t1_j6l84ef wrote
Not sure how it works in Boston, but a lot of of restaurants around here (White River Junction) are closed Monday and Tuesday so plan accordingly.
As mentioned, Tuckerbox is good if you’re digging Turkish fare, but parking can suck. There’s also Big Fatty’s if you like BBQ. IMO, it’s better than Wicked Awesome BBQ, but further off the 89, 91 interchange and they are both New England BBQ, so… yeah. Taj-E is good Indian, but it’s takeout only.
West Lebanon has the chain stores, (Applebees, Chilis, 99, etc) which are meh. Lui Lui’s has good wood fired calazone and some other Italian adjacent foods. Men At Wok is decent asian food, but you’ll find better 10 minutes N in Hanover. Guzano’s is good Mexica fare. Koto is hit or miss hibachi.
In Quechee… Just keep driving, everything there (except subway) is overpriced and mediocre (including subway). The closer to the gorge, the worse it gets.
Woodstock has quite a few places, but is a tourist town, with tourist prices and times.
If you go up to Hanover (91 N after passing into VT from West Leb on 89), you’ll find several good places of virtually all flavors as one would expect from a college town. Haven’t been to an unfriendly one yet. Parking is a certified challenge.
Barre has mostly fast food. But it also has a Pizza Hutt. Being the wife is from Kansas, we have to hit that place. Pretty sure it’s in the Kansas Constitution, a mandate on the birth certificate or some weird genetic memory that gives her that desire.
Montpelier has some decent places on and off Main. We usually hit up the Mad Taco. If the Mrs is feeling curry, we’ll hit the Pho Capital. Not the best I’ve had, but good enough. Really though, at this point, you’re less than an hour from Burlington which is loaded down with restaurants.
Schnecken OP t1_j6l8ulm wrote
Thank you so much for this great review! My husband is from Kansas and says the only fond memory he has of Pizza Hut is the book-it reading incentive program (get a free personal pan pizza for reading books)
Excellent_Affect4658 t1_j6l37ay wrote
If you want to stop halfway-ish, you’re looking at the upper valley. Besides the Hanover options mentioned by sibling, Three Tomatoes pizza in Lebanon and Tuckerbox (Turkish place) in WRJ are good toddler-friendly places that don’t take you as far off of I-89.
Montpelier has some decent options too, but by the time you’re there you might as well just drive through to Burlington.
Edit: oh, or New Thailand in Leb, just off exit 18. Good food, super convenient from the highway.
kswagger t1_j6o7pf3 wrote
Big Fatty's BBQ in White River Junction - you can pop across the street and grab yourself a delicious growler of River Roost on your way out.
-sallysomeone- t1_j6oux3t wrote
Flying Goose Pub in New London, NH
From Boston, you'll take 93N in Concord to exit 17, and get to cruise some easy back roads for a bit without going out of your original way. Great views of Kearsarge, and there's an awesome seating area near the bar with said views. Restaurant is family friendly. You'll pickup 89N at exit 11.
If you do go this way, stop at the gas station (there's only one) in Salisbury NH and get you some of their cookies. If you have a sweet tooth you won't be disappointed!
Safe travels
Weary_Drawer_9360 t1_j6l26uj wrote
Worthy Kitchen in Quechee is a great option. Probably a bit less than halfway but food is great!
Excellent_Affect4658 t1_j6l2ppn wrote
Worthy is great, but be aware that it takes you 15-20 minutes out of your way each direction.
theburg2 t1_j6laa1e wrote
Worthy Burger is on the way though (South Royalton). Get off 89 at exit 2 and back on at exit 3, I do it all the time on the way to Burlington. Very family friendly. Also just friendly friendly.
MizLucinda t1_j6l4aw6 wrote
It’s in Woodstock.
Professional-Bit6741 t1_j6lco73 wrote
3 Tomatoes in Lebanon.
MizLucinda t1_j6l5c30 wrote
Folks who suggest the upper valley are spot on. Hanover is out of the way, though, and sort of impossible, parking-wise. West Lebanon has chain places (chili’s, Applebees), but also 110 Grill, which is pretty good, and Ziggy’s pizza (lots of different things there other than pizza). White River Jct has wicked awesome bbq right off 89/91, and further into downtown Tuckerbox is very good, as is Big Fatty’s bbq. These places are all pretty kid-friendly and easy to access from the interstate. Going further north there isn’t a lot that’s easy to access from 89.
Schnecken OP t1_j6n01ri wrote
I never would have thought to get good Bbq in Vermont, great recommendations!
hemlockboogaloo t1_j6nw5o9 wrote
The Copper Fox in Springfield, vt
soilgrownsativas t1_j6p1u3v wrote
Wayside
Tmatson t1_j6mk0ly wrote
99's in the one and only Brattleboro
Excellent_Affect4658 t1_j6mrlac wrote
Brattleboro is extremely not on the way between Boston and Burlington, though.
Schnecken OP t1_j6mzxvc wrote
I love Brattleboro but it just won’t fit in with this trip!
TheMobyDicks t1_j6neatq wrote
Burgers = Worthy Burger, South Royalton, VT https://www.worthyvermont.com/
Pizza = Woodbelly Pizza Montpelier, VT https://woodbellypizza.com/
Mexican = The Mad Taco, Montpelier, VT https://www.themadtaco.com/
BBQ = Prohibition Pig, Waterbury, VT https://www.prohibitionpig.com/
Fine Dining = Hen of the Wood, Waterbury, VT https://www.henofthewood.com/
random_vermonter t1_j6l5eq1 wrote
You have google at your fingertips.
stinking_badgers t1_j6nqwfp wrote
That’s true but sometimes recommendations from local folks helps weed out the material. I often come to Reddit for food recs before traveling to a new place. It can give a lot of extra insight.
random_vermonter t1_j6nr5ze wrote
I get it but there are often a lot of threads like this clogging up the page.
stinking_badgers t1_j6nsi22 wrote
Yeah that can be annoying; I guess we all have different ways of dealing with it. I take your point though.
Lundgren_pup t1_j6mr0jg wrote
What you want is Wayside Diner outside Montpelier. Kids dishes, traditional menu, homemade pies, basically the definition of family friendly, and it's been there for over 100 years.