The Everyday Joe

Classic Country Diner: Full Bellies, 241 Main St., Bennington VT

The last meal before heading home, the wife and I stopped in Bennington to check out the Bennington Battle Memorial (an ancestor of mine is the featured hero of that Revolutionary war battle), and decided to try a little place just outside of the main intersection of Routes 7 and 9.

Full Bellies is a very basic diner, with a menu that has some very Vermont offerings (Spicy Black Bean Burger, anyone?), but is otherwise seems inspired by my grandmother's specialties.  

Bar B Que and Picnic tables: Top of the Hill Grill, 632 Putney Rd., Brattleboro, VT

If you drive by at traditional lunch or dinner times, it's hard to miss the Top of the Hill Grill, a roadside shack and collection of picnic tables overlooking an algae covered pond.  When is the last time you saw 30 people waiting patiently in line to order off a menu that it drawn up on paper plates, stapled to the wall of a wooden shed?

Old favorites with a twist: Fireworks Restaurant, 73 Main St., Brattleboro, VT

If you ever want to know why people consider Vermont to be a far left, hippy filled, 'progressive' haven, then you should come to Brattleboro.  The wife and I spent Labor Day hiking in the area, and had the opportunity to try a wide variety of local restaurants.

The reviews were not all good, and of all the meals, only two really stood out enough for recommendation - with Fireworks as a great place to start.