 Hello, my name is Meryl Getty and today I am here on Church Street asking people their recommendations about restaurants in Burlington. What are some places that like on a strict budget, um, you would still go that tastes good? Henry's diner is pretty good. It's pretty cheap too. It has like diner food. Lunegs is pretty good too. It's on the corner. What else, anything? There's places near UVM that are good too. There's a sandwich place. I can't remember the name, but it's like a hoagie place. That's pretty cheap. Mr. Mike's is really good, the pizza place, and yeah, that's it. Can you name an experience at a restaurant that like, um, that like a restaurant in Burlington that had like outstanding service? I would say like all the skinny pancakes have like really good service. Yeah, they're really really good. They're just nice and they, they get you exactly what you want on time, so. Yeah, and do you know any restaurants that are good at catering to like different dietary restrictions, like gluten-free, vegetarian? I've been to like a few of these places with my mom and she's gluten-free and they're pretty good with her and stuff. I don't have any, I haven't brought my family here a lot yet, so I don't have anything, but what she said. Yeah, they're pretty good. And are there any restaurants in the area where you've had a negative experience? I've been here for like a couple months because they're freshmen, so we haven't been to too many places, but everywhere's been positive. I'd say the same thing. I haven't had a bad time anywhere. Yeah, El Gado's really good too. Yeah, it's a Mexican restaurant, really, really good. Yeah. So if you guys are on a strict budget, what's like a restaurant in Burlington that's like your go-to? McDonald's. Probably like Applebee's or something? We eat open Applebee's. Either Applebee's or McDonald's. Okay, in your opinion, what's the most underrated restaurant in Burlington? Can you name an experience that you've had at a restaurant in Burlington where you've found like outstanding service? Some, like, some are nice and then... Like, what favorite waiter are there? I don't know his name, but he's nice. This is Chris. This is Chris, yeah. Is that the waiters? The waiters aren't drunk at Applebee's? Oh, no! Okay, yeah. Yeah, so, Chris from Applebee's. I guess Applebee's, whatever. Okay, and do you know of any restaurants that are good at catering to different, like, dietary restrictions? The smoothie place right there. Oh, yeah. I mean, they're like, oh man. Yeah, so a smoothie place. I feel like Donut Rouge is pretty healthy, so yeah. Okay, yeah. Yeah. And are there any restaurants in the area where you've experienced a, oh my god, negative experience? Fast food restaurant, it's like 3AM. I'm like, grouchy! I mean, like, if you, like, you know, go to get a burger somewhere, and it's like, grouchy people, like, in the morning. And you ask for, like, I don't know, like, a big Mac. What? And like... Mac in the morning, okay? And then they're just like, me too. I guess, like, the fast food restaurants. Do you know, like, any specifically, maybe besides McDonald's? Burger King. That's all the restaurants I know. So if you guys are on a budget, where's your, like, go-to place in Burlington? My go-to place is Mr. Mike's Pizza. It's a really cheap, really good pizza. And on the weekends, I think they're open until, like, three in the morning. It goes well with Mike's. And what's a place that's, like, really underrated restaurant that you guys like? I really love the farmhouse, but it can be packed sometimes. I haven't been to enough restaurants here to know. What's a restaurant in Burlington that has really great service, and you've had, like, a great experience there? I'm gonna have to go again with the farmhouse. I've only been there twice, but every time it was just great service and great food. I'm gonna go with Felino's Pizza, great service, and great food. And what's a restaurant that's really great at catering to people with dietary restrictions? I don't have an answer for you. I haven't been to enough around here to answer that question. I would say Thorn and Roots, but yeah. Okay, and is there a restaurant or some restaurant in Burlington where you've had, like, a negative experience? So far, no. All the restaurants I've been to have been very good. No negative experiences. If I was on a budget, well, besides Mackie's, because a lot of people have answered McDonald's already, I would say, if I was on a budget, I'd probably go to, I don't know, Jamaica Supreme or Kiss Me House. I don't know, I really like going to, I don't know, that's a great question. I like going to La Liguras. I think they have some really good Indian food that isn't terribly expensive as well. Well, I think Taino Kitchen is very underrated. They make great food there. I'm not really sure. Poppy? No, Poppy's pretty popular. I think most of the restaurants we have here are pretty popular. Oh wait, I take that back. I know exactly what restaurant is underrated and deserves way more attention. M Saigon, the one on Shelburne Road, right next to Union Jacks, they make the best Bonnys. Oh my goodness. Not really, like, I wouldn't say like anything out of the normal. I don't know if I've ever had an experience where I've received, like, outstanding service. Yeah, just kind of normal. Nice people working for tips, you know. Yeah, well, I only know a few, like, vegan restaurants, I guess. Or, well, I only really know Pingala that does, like, everything vegan. And I'm sure that there's other ones, and probably even ones that I've named that only does vegan food. Just don't really think about it like that. Maybe because I don't have any dietary restrictions that I don't really think of things as being like, hey, they have good dietary restrictions. Like, I've worked at a lot of restaurants, and so I know which ones to avoid depending on which allergies, but couldn't really specifically pinpoint ones that are really good with a lot of different restrictions. Multiple times. Yeah, I mean, oftentimes when I'm with a lot of my friends, a lot of us are black, and we often get kicked out for either, I don't know. I don't know why we get kicked out, but it's happened more than once. So I think it's just interesting. And then I don't go to those places anymore. Yeah, so there's just been a lot of really, really negative, like, honestly, racial experiences that have happened in Burlington when going to restaurants. And it's kind of hard to figure out where you belong and where to go eat that's not completely scum of the earth, because I don't want to really contribute to that. Are there any restaurants in Burlington that on a budget are your go-to? Oh man, does it have to be Burlington? Mine's technically a Winooski. Yeah, Winooski either. On Main Street in Winooski, there's a wing place called Wicked Wings. In terms of the fastest food stuff, wings tend to be on the more expensive end for some reason, but still relatively on a budget. It's good wings, they're fresh. They make their sauces in-house. Their take-out is very good as well, so you have options you need in a restaurant and they have take-out. And it's more high-quality than name-brand wing chain that delivers to college students. And are there any underrated places in Burlington area that you really like? Oh, underrated. God, for pizza pizanos. Is it Main Street? Yeah, on Main Street. And is there a restaurant that you had great outstanding service at? Yeah, I think the service tends to be pretty good all around. I mean, it's a tough position to be in because you're living for tips, so there has to be that bar. But there's a lot of places very nice. I have nothing specific that comes to mind. I don't eat out a lot. Me neither. And are there any places that you think are really great at catering to dietary restrictions? I am not the person to ask. I'm not positive about that, but I'm sure there are. I see gluten-free and vegetarian options, and I think there's even some places that mark, like, this has dairy. So I know it's around, but I can't think of any specific examples. And is there a place in Burlington where you've just had a negative experience at? Not explicitly that I can think of. Sodexo at Champlain. That's the best I could probably give you, is Sodexo at Champlain. Alright, what is your go-to restaurant in Burlington area if you were on a budget? I would say... If I was just going to get something cheap or probably pizza, like Mr. Mike's or Paizano's is, like, pretty affordable. I like this place called Himalaya Kitchen on College Street, and they have, like, really good, like... I don't even know what cuisine is really. I guess, like, Himalayan food. But it's really good. Highly recommend, home-cooked, cozy in there, too. And what are some restaurants in the Burlington area that you think are underrated? I would say Zappy and Elf's is pretty underrated. They got good soup. Actually, maybe it's underrated, but it's underrated. I actually haven't been, but I've heard good things about that faux place next to it. One of my roommates is also gluten-free and she goes there, usually. So that's good for dietary stuff. And then, yeah. And what are some restaurants where you've had just, like, really good service at? Say, Hong's Dumplings is, like... Obviously, the service is amazing, but past that, the food is also amazing. And it's, like, good environment in there. And, like, I've had, like, only good experiences in my time there. So, yeah, highly recommend. It's on Pearl Street. Not many people go there. It's, like, people don't know about it. What? Like, what did they do that was, like... Okay, well, I'll give you a story. One time I was going there in, like, the cold in the snow, and they, like... They were technically closed, but they opened it for me, and she was, like... Grandma Hong was, like, the owner, and she's super nice. She made dumplings for me, made me a meal, gave me some tea on a cold winter day, and it made my day. So, yeah. And what are some restaurants in Burlington that you think are really great for dietary restrictions? Um... Honestly, I don't have any dietary restrictions. I don't know, for myself, but... Like, I was saying, the faux place next to Zabby and Els on College Street, they do gluten-free stuff. I know Zabby and Els also is gluten-free stuff. Yeah, I don't know. I don't know, they're... Oh, Cafe Hot has, like, really good, like, vegetarian stuff. If you're a vegetarian, it's, like, breakfast food. But it's, like, amazing. So, that's another place. And are there any restaurants in the Burlington area where you have had, like, a negative experience at? Like, not really, to be honest, except for, like, on-campus. But that doesn't really count. I feel like... Like, they're not, like, restaurants or they're on-campus. But the on-campus food is, like, not really that good for the price. Where would you recommend someone go to eat if they were on a budget? Um... Honestly, I would say Pokiworks. I know... or Pokiworks. I know it's not cheap, but also, if you're going out to get food, it's pretty good. For, like, a lot of food, so... And what would you say is a restaurant in Burlington area that's underrated? Um... Asia and a noodle house. Because a lot of people don't actually know where that is. But it's right on church. It's just, like, a small door you need to walk down to get up to it. Can you think of any, like, restaurants where you've had, like, really, like, great service at in Burlington area? Yeah. Um... ooh. A friendly toast. Definitely. It was so nice there. And what about restaurants that have great options for people with dietary restrictions? Um... so, number one, Blisbee. Because they don't put any, like, flour, like, wheat flour in their fryers. So, like, no cross-contamination. And then also all of the other restaurants I visited because I have celiac disease. Those are all places you can go if you have celiac. And finally, have you ever had a negative experience at a restaurant in the Burlington area? Um... I have. I don't remember where it was. But I would say in the sort of, like, pub slash bar areas for food, those aren't really great service environments. Also, highly recommend Zabian Elf's Stone Soup. I believe, is it called that? Um... amazing, great soup with a lot of gluten-free options. Also, very inexpensive. Um... as well as Blackcap Cafe. They take great care of any allergies you might have, and they also have vegan options for breakfast sandwiches. What are some restaurants in Burlington that you would recommend if someone was on a budget? Um, if we're talking about, like, a bar grill type situation, I think Reuben James is actually really affordable. They have really good prices for, like, beer and that kind of stuff. And their food is pretty good and pretty affordable, I would say, as well. And they have a pretty big menu. True. Um... I would also say, I mean, Burlington's pretty expensive. So I would say, like, any other chain, subway. You know, it's kind of hard to find really good food on a budget here. And what are some restaurants in Burlington that you would say are, like, underrated? Um, this isn't in Burlington, really, it's in Manuski, but there's a really good Indian place called Mountain Valley, I think, LLC. Probably some of the best Indian food I've had, and no one seems to know about it. Um, but it gets rave reviews. Um, in the Burlington area, I would say, honestly, I really like Spot on the Dock. They have good service, they have good food, they have good cocktails, they're good. And what is, is there a restaurant you can think of that has, like, really great service? I honestly think every time I've been to Spot on the Dock, they've been really good. They've been, like, right on it, right on the check, right on everything, right on the food. It comes out really fast. I've never really had to wait there. It's a good place. And what are some restaurants where you think that are really good for dietary restrictions? Um, I don't know too many. I know Blissby has a lot of gluten-free options. Um, I know Myers Bagels, honestly, has a lot of vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, all that kind of stuff. A lot of the bagel places have a lot of, um, good dietary restrictions places. And yeah, Friendly Toast has a lot of good vegetarian stuff, but also a lot of good, like, gluten-free stuff and vegan and good and non-vegetarian. And, um, finally, have you ever had, like, a negative experience at a restaurant in the Burlington area? I really can't say that I have. I mean, there's been times where, like, someone's food doesn't come out till way later than other people. And you know, like, maybe the kitchen forgot to make it or something. But they've always, like, apologized or, like, compensated it. I've never really had a bad service experience here.