My best of list for VT/NH/ME - yours?

Submitted by TheMobyDicks t3_xwfldg in vermont

Love to hear what others think of any of the places below or what you would substitute in or even add categories.

My best of list for NH/VT/ME:

Grinders = Gill's in Rutland, VT

Pizza = Tilton House of Pizza in Tilton, NH

Lobster Rolls = Lobster Shack at Two Lights, Cape Elizabeth, ME

Lobster = Brown's Lobster Pound in Seabrook, NH

BBQ = Ore Nell's on Badger Island Kittery, ME

Bagels = Bagel Central in Bangor, ME

Ambiance = Hen of the Wood in Waterbury, VT

Diner = Wooden Soldier in Fair Haven, VT

Brewery = The Alchemist in Stowe, VT

Coolest Brewery Vibe = Funky Bow in Lyman, ME

Mexican = Cortijo Taqueria in Burlington, VT

Asian = cheating here because eff MA but who doesn't love Kowloon???

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Winoos t1_ir662y4 wrote

Cortijo blows. Taco Gordo is way better as far as Mexican in the Burlington area.

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ApprehensiveDeer9530 t1_ir86oyv wrote

El Cortijo isn't very good, but I do like their drinks. I used to like Agave but it's gone downhill. El Gato is overrated. VT isn't the best for Mexican food, unfortunately.

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mojohand2 t1_ir6cyvv wrote

Recognizing that lists like these are entirely idiosyncratic, and my opinion should be held in no higher regard than yours (although it really should, of course) for the sake of accuracy I must note that Brewery category has an error. The correct spelling is Hill Farmstead Brewery, and the town is Greensboro.

Also, your favorite band sucks.

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Sdwingnut t1_ir77z2n wrote

I liked your favorite band before you ever heard of them

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sfromo19 t1_ir6zjjy wrote

RT on this. Recently tried their porter and man it is the best dark beer I’ve tasted

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MortaLPortaL t1_ir6xx8p wrote

I’ll be the person and say anything named house of pizza makes sub par pizza.

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TheMobyDicks OP t1_ir9vve7 wrote

THOP has been named best pizza in NH for, like, a decade. Every year. Couple of Greek Brothers from Manchester. They're incredibly personable, work tons even though they could delegate and remember almost every customer. The pizza is awesome but I think they get a lot of points for personality.

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MortaLPortaL t1_irgmqx1 wrote

Yeah I lived by that place and I wasn’t thrilled with it. Rather trek to romanos.

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deadowl t1_ir6d3pw wrote

This post might be better suited for r/NorthernNewEngland.

Meanwhile, I've never been, but have heard really good things about Stone Mountain Arts in Brownfield, ME for music venue--of places I've been it would be the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom. Historical art museum would probably be the one in Portland.

La Festa in Dover used to be better than THOP in Tilton. Their garlic knot pizza might still outweigh them.

Mexican used to be Dos Amigos, though have heard they've gone downhill--so don't really know any more. +1 on Taco Gordo but it's no peak Dos Amigos.

Asian food is too ubiquitous to really rank--you'd need to break it down by region or style.

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TheMobyDicks OP t1_ir6mmzp wrote

The food at the Kowloon isn't the best, but the atmosphere is unique and, frankly, unparalleled. Cultural icon.

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[deleted] t1_ir71zd1 wrote

for "asian" (assuming japanese/chinese/SE asia) I'd vote Pho Hong or Tiny Thai (back of the menu).

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BlaiddDrwg82 t1_ir6tj43 wrote

Chinese = Panda North in Brattleboro, VT

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mygraytaco t1_ir7m1ji wrote

General store = Singleton’s

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TheMobyDicks OP t1_ir9wtob wrote

Bomoseen General Store was amazing when I was growing up. I can still taste the stale gum that came with the baseball cards. New owners changed everything and renamed it Robo's Creemees and General Store. It is NOT a general store. It's a tourist trap that sells Bomoseen and Vermont tchotchkes. Bums me out every time I'm visiting.

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xxKingAmongKingsxx t1_ir6j1aw wrote

Best grinders are from Castleton Corners Deli. Hole in the wall gas station with the best sandwich you’ll ever have in your life

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TheMobyDicks OP t1_ir6no0d wrote

Grew up near there. Agree that they're good. Still siding with Gill's, though. The absolute best I ever had was at the long-scuttled Poultney Cash Market. But that's for the way-back machine.

Don't know how long you've been there but when I was a kid the Birdseye Diner was called Jim's. And John Rehlen didn't own the whole freakin' town.

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Ciderinsider86 t1_ir6w5js wrote

There is just something about a Gills grinder that makes it great. Maybe it's the cabbage. Maybe the oil. Maybe the terroir.

I also really like Paisanos in Rutland, but their grinder is a horse of a different color. Kind of like comparing NY and Chicago style pizzas

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Successful-Tomatillo t1_ir72y7u wrote

I grew up in Tilton and am surprised you think that is the best pizza across 3 states! I hated it lol. Also haven't been back in 20 years, so maybe it got better.

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TheMobyDicks OP t1_ir9w2f2 wrote

It was purchased by a couple of Greek brothers from Manchester and they continually get voted best pizza in NH. Place is awesome!

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pcans802 t1_ir6xbrp wrote

Isn’t Hen of the Wood in Waterbury moving? (I agree it’s the absolute best ambience even if only temporarily)

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vtdadbod007 t1_ir7f39u wrote

Handys lunch. For everything. Even the brewery. I will answer no further questions

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greasybuds t1_ir7o4q5 wrote

steak: tuckaway tavern, raymond nh

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Illustrious-Ease974 t1_ir8hjl4 wrote

Best baked haddock too

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TheMobyDicks OP t1_ir9x6cz wrote

Love that place - if you can get in. They do a buy one get one free lobster rolls on Mon and Tues. And they most definitely don't skimp on the lobster.

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Open_Concentrate962 t1_ir9q82a wrote

This is a wildly unfocused list but entertaining.

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TheMobyDicks OP t1_ir9xowp wrote

Wild and unfocused is what they put under my senior picture. Math checks out.

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DCLexiLou t1_ir64b0s wrote

grinders you say... how very Rhode Island

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TheMobyDicks OP t1_ir653ol wrote

Vermont, my friend. That's what we've always called subs/hoagies/etc. Creemies are soft serve in VT, too. Offhand I can't think of any more.

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zonitronic t1_ir6d06y wrote

Seconded on "grinders"... 5th gen Vermonter here; that's what we always called 'em in my neighborhood.

And Gills grinders are the best!

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ApprehensiveDeer9530 t1_ir87bqt wrote

I am also a Vermonter (but I currently live in Maine), and I miss maple creemees so much! Palmer Maple in Jericho used to be on my bike route and I'd go all the time.

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