What To Eat in Okemo, VT
Ok ok, there isn’t really an Okemo, VT - it’s Okemo Mountain, surrounded by a number of very small adorable mountain towns (such as Ludlow, Chester, Killington, etc.). But, if you’re up in the Green Mountains for a ski weekend you’ll be looking for places to eat near Okemo, so hopefully the title of this blog post will help :)
We recently went on such a ski weekend, spending one day enjoying the mountain and the other exploring the scenery and villages (and the places to eat and drink within them). While it was very cold and not really the type of weekend you want to spend outdoors unless you have 2 planks of wood attached to your feet, it was excellent for cozy taverns and hip breweries and eating far too many carbs.
Breakfast
Breakfast Poutine
On the main street in Ludlow, The Hatchery seems to always have a bit of a line out the door, but it’s well worth the wait. A perfect quaint breakfast place (and one of the only breakfast places in the area that serves booze) their menu is full of recognizable dishes updated with local flair. I’m frequently disappointed with places like this (whether they’re just overwhelmed with crowds, or the food just isn’t that good) but The Hatchery is the real deal of delicious breakfast fare. So much so we considered going back a second time, and would have if we’d not had the dog in tow.
What I’d order again:
The Bloody Mary and mimosa were both on point - can’t go wrong. Coffee was excellent too.
ALWAYS upgrade your side of homefries to Funky Spuds (the potatoes with added peppers and onions - sounds simple but they’re a real treat)
Their sausage gravy is EXCELLENT. I enjoyed it on their breakfast poutine (their Funky Spuds topped with Vermont cheese curds and over easy eggs - IMO the best dish our table ordered) but it also comes with biscuits and eggs or as just a side
Their homemade corned beef hash - which I’m usually not a fan of (gross, I know, but I love that diner canned stuff) was also super tasty - available not only as your typical “with eggs” and as a side but also in an omelette
Clockwise from top: Blueberry, Apple, Chocolate Chess, Maple Buttermilk
Before we headed out on our last day we (I) was desperate for breakfast, but needed someplace we could also bring the dog (and no one was sitting outside in the 9 degree weather). The Southern Pie Company in Chester doesn’t sound like it would be good for breakfast, but they said we could bring the dog so we hopped on over. We were so pleasantly surprised at what a great breakfast spot it was - not crowded and a simple menu (beyond pie, they offer breakfast and regular sandwiches, soup, and a few other baked goods). Plus they have great art on the wall, a variety of games and books, and overall just a wonderful country cafe feeling, and no skiiers in site
What I’d order again:
Sour Cream Apple Pie was served warm, and was excellent
They had a Maple Buttermilk Pie which everyone questioned, but it turned out to be the favorite of the day
To reduce the sugar shock, their breakfast sandwiches were some of the best I’ve had. Served on a local bun with local cheddar cheese, an egg and either ham, bacon or sausage (I got the sausage, which I also think was local) it was just simple, high quality ingredient perfection
Lunch
Sitting Bull at Okemo Mountain
No photos of this one, unfortunately, so I’ll try to describe with my words how impressed I was with the food at this seemingly typical ski lodge bar. I’ve been to many ski lodges in my day, with overfried chicken tenders and nachos which are really just chips with cheese sauce. At Sitting Bull…not the case! Instead we got real, good quality bar food - juicy chicken tenders, and a legit mountain of nachos with allll the fixings. We sat upstairs where it was quieter and less crowded, and while they say they have a limited menu we honestly didn’t notice a difference from what was going on downstairs. Warning - it gets hot up there from all of the sweaty skiier body heat - but definitely perfect for an early apres and a beer (or few).
Breweries
2 flights and a weird cranberry wine
On our non-ski day we decided to check out the towns and hit up a few breweries. Killington was first (as it was the farthest). Seriously tucked out of the way of…everything…you drive off a main road, through a condo complex, and enter the brewery through what feels like a very corporate spa. Strange! Once inside, the space is huge. It wasn’t crowded at all - and they had a fireplace, games, and a full arcade room. You can build your own flights, and the guys seemed to enjoy their beers (I, for one, don’t drink beer). Only word of warning is their wines are what you expect from a place that specializes in beer - 2 pretty sad options. I’d skip and enjoy the free popcorn instead.
Compared to Killington, this place is a hot spot. We drove around the parking lot a few times before we were gifted a parking spot, and once inside it was HOPPING - and, to be honest, crowded and hot. Unless you’re eating it’s standing room only (the food looked great, we just had plans later). As DD I just had a coffee (I was actually pretty happy they had coffee, a lot of bars don’t) but the crew seemed to like their beers, it was just a bit too overwhelming with the number of people who were there. So I’m assuming a pro tip is, get there before the ski crowds leave the mountain.
Dinner
Bangers and mash
We only ate dinner out one night (I always like to cook one night at the Air BnB, enjoy a hot tub and some non-DD-ness). There are a number of well rated restaurants across the nearby cluster of towns, but our hosts had recommended MacLaomainn’s so we figured a local recommendation is always the best. The pub is adorable - tiny and decorated with tons of memorabilia. It’s warm and cozy and just what you want on a freezing day. The owner works behind the bar (in a kilt, nonetheless) - he’s from Scotland and most of the Scottish recipes they serve were passed down from his grandparents. So, while they do have your typical burgers and such, I highly recommend going for the true Scottish grub, which is also as warm and cozy as the restaurant. The beer and scotch lists are both extensive, they also have games, and if you stay late enough you can play darts in the back. We had an amazingly good time and were highly impressed by the quality of food and friendliness of everyone there.
What I’d order again:
Scotch egg, for tradition and great to share for the table
Bangers and Mash (with real Irish bangers - don’t forget to add on the gravy)
Steak Pie, the owner’s mother’s recipe, super rich and stew-like
Fish Pie, one of my childhood favorites that’s very well made here. Sounds strange to Americans but if you like fish and you like mashed potatoes, go for it