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New Wednesday Editions! This allows me to keep the emails shorter while still giving you things that I feel are worth knowing about around this great little city. Monday and Friday are reserved for news and events. Reply to this email and give me your thoughts on this new format.
Start of Burger Week by Seven Days! (Nov 7-16)
With Burlington's Burger Week running November 7-16, the local dining scene is serving up everything from inventive fusion to pure indulgence. I decided to take all the restaurant info and focus on Burlington and its surroundings towns. At the creative forefront, Leunig's Bistro is pushing boundaries with a duck and venison blend ($28) topped with pickled fennel jam and fig butter, while The Lazy Goat takes an equally bold approach by mixing Chapin Orchard apples directly into their beef patty ($26). For those seeking international flavors, the Windjammer's Asian-inspired Wagyu burger ($22) with pickled vegetables and Kewpie mayo offers something truly different from the typical American steakhouse approach.
Budget-conscious diners will find excellent value at Four Quarters Brewing, where their kimchi smash burger with miso mayo (starts at $12) is a steal, while vegetarians aren't left behind: The Daily Planet's falafel burger ($18) with pumpkin seed hummus and Butter Bar's golden beet creation ($17) prove plant-based options can be just as exciting.
On the extravagant end, Bleu Northeast is topping their beef burger with a butter-poached lobster tail ($36), and Dumb Luck's chili burger ($18.99) comes loaded with jalapeño poppers both on and alongside the patty. Another notable one is The Farmhouse Tap & Grill, which pairs its LaPlatte River Angus beef and smoked Gouda burger ($24) with community spirit, donating a dollar from each one sold to the Missisquoi Abenaki Food Shelf. And for anyone who's written off turkey burgers entirely, Juniper's version with Whitney cheese and crispy sweet potatoes ($24) might just change your mind.
Don't forget to enter the contest! As part of the official Seven Days event, you can win prizes such as Solo Stove fire pit or an Igloo cooler. Just snap a photo of your burger special and post it to Instagram with the hashtag #7dburgerweek or upload it directly to the event website. Each photo earns you a chance to win.
Here’s all the burgers, sorted by price:
$12.00+ — Four Quarters Brewing — 70 Main St., Winooski
Kimchi Smash Burger ($12): Smash burger topped with shredded lettuce, kimchi, American cheese and miso mayo. (Gluten-free option.)
Spicy Smash Burger ($12): Smash burger topped with shredded lettuce, pickled jalapeños, Pepper Jack cheese and spicy aioli. (Gluten-free option.)
Note: Prices are for a single patty; Double patty $16, Triple patty $20.
Available: Mon: 4p–8p; Tue-Thu: 12p–8p; Fri-Sat: 12p–9p; Sun: 12p–8p
$14.00 — Church Street Tavern — 103 Church St., Burlington
Cowboy Burger ($14): Beef patty topped with lettuce, mozzarella sticks, maple-bourbon bacon, crispy onions and chipotle aioli.
(See below for their $16 Breakfast Burger)
Available: Wed-Mon: 11a–8p
$14.95 — Archie’s Grill — 4066 Shelburne Rd., Shelburne
Archie’s Italian Burger ($14.95): LaPlatte River Angus Farm beef topped with a mix of pepperoni, capicola, salami, soppressata, mortadella, tomato, garlic and basil with fresh mozzarella and a balsamic glaze. Comes with Archie’s hand-cut fries.
Archie’s Black Bean Burger ($14.95): Smoky and spicy black bean burger topped with pineapple pico, guacamole and Pepper Jack. Comes with Archie’s hand-cut fries. (Vegan/vegetarian option.)
Available: Daily: 11:30a–8p
$15.00 — The Mad Taco, Essex — 21 Essex Way #213, Essex
Big Mad Taco ($15): Two tacos with Fairmont Farm beef, American cheese, house pickles, shredded iceberg and special sauce.
Available: Daily: 12p–8p
$15.89 — The Skinny Pancake, Burlington — 60 Lake St., Burlington
The Tree Tapper ($15.89): Fresh ground beef smash patty from Boyden Farm in Cambridge topped with bacon, Cabot cheddar and griddled apple slices and finished with a drizzle of Silloway Maple syrup from Randolph. Served on a toasted brioche bun with your choice of fries or dressed greens. (Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.)
Available: Daily: 7:30a–8p
$16.00 — Butter Bar & Kitchen — 1127 North Ave., Suite 20, Burlington
Bacon Jam and Cheddar Burger ($16): Five-ounce beef smash burger topped with Vermont cheddar cheese, housemade apple-bacon jam and herb aioli on a toasted brioche bun. Served with house-cut French fries or dressed greens. (Gluten-free and vegetarian options.)
(See below for their $17 Golden Beet Chèvre Burger)
Available: Wed-Sat: 4:30p–Close (No burgers during Sat-Sun brunch)
$16.00 — Church Street Tavern — 103 Church St., Burlington
Breakfast Burger ($16): Beef patty with guacamole, tater tots, American cheese, maple-bourbon bacon and an egg.
Available: Wed-Mon: 11a–8p
$17.00 — Butter Bar & Kitchen — 1127 North Ave., Suite 20, Burlington
Golden Beet Chèvre Burger ($17): Impossible burger topped with fig jam, creamy goat chèvre, golden beets, pickled red onions and herb aioli on a toasted brioche bun. Served with house-cut French fries or dressed greens. (Gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options.)
Available: Wed-Sat: 4:30p–Close (No burgers during Sat-Sun brunch)
$17.00 — Halvorson’s Upstreet Café — 16 Church St., Burlington
Classic Cheeseburger ($17): Our famous burger for more than 40 years. Comes with hand-punched French fries or salad. (Gluten-free option.)
Available: Tue-Fri: 12p–9p; Sat: 11a–9p; Sun: 11a–4p
$17.00 — The Vermont Pub & Brewery — 144 College St., Burlington
Poutine Burger ($17): LaPlatte River Angus Farm beef burger topped with fried potato sticks, Maplebrook Farm cheddar cheese curds and beef gravy. Served with choice of side. (Vegetarian and gluten-free options.)
Mediterranean Burger ($17): LaPlatte River Angus Farm beef burger topped with herb-crusted fried feta, olive tapenade and tzatziki sauce. Served with Greek orzo salad or fries. (Vegetarian and gluten-free options.)
Available: Sun-Thu: 11:30a–10p; Fri-Sat: 11:30a–11p
$18.00 — Copper at Dorset — 100 Dorset St., Suite 2, South Burlington
Reuben Burger ($18): A grass-fed bison patty topped with corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and Russian dressing, grilled on fresh marbled rye. Served with mixed greens.
Available: Tue-Fri: 11a–2p
$18.00 — The Daily Planet — 15 Center St., Burlington
Vermont Bean Crafters’ Falafel Burger ($18): Local falafel topped with Turkish salsa, pumpkin seed hummus, pickled red onions and shredded lettuce. Served with hand-cut fries or dressed greens. (Vegetarian/Vegan option.)
See below for their $23 Venison Burger
Available: Sun-Mon: 11:30a–9p; Tue: 5p–10p; Wed-Thu: 5p–9p; Fri-Sat: 11:30a–10p
$18.00 — Grazers Williston — 192 Boxwood St., Williston
Blackberry-Hoisin Venison Burger ($18): Fresh-ground venison topped with housemade blackberry-hoisin sauce, Swiss cheese, arugula and caramelized onions. Served with hand-cut fries or mixed greens. (Sub Impossible Burger at no charge.)
Available: Mon-Thu: 11a–9p; Fri-Sat: 11a–10p; Sun: 11a–8p
$18.00 — Switchback Beer Garden & Smokehouse — 160 Flynn Ave., Burlington
That’s So Gouda Burger ($18): A six-ounce Angus patty topped with smoked Gouda, currywurst sauce, sauerkraut, red onions and red bell peppers. Served with choice of side. (Gluten-free option.)
Switchback Smash Burger ($18): A six-ounce Angus patty topped with choice of American or Cabot cheddar cheese, Wickles Pickles, grilled onions, roasted tomato aioli, and shaved romaine. Served with choice of side. (Gluten-free option.)
Available: Tue: 5p–8p; Wed-Sun: 12p–8p
$18.99 — Dumb Luck Pub & Grill — 211 Main St., Suite 1, Winooski
DLP Chili Burger ($18.99): A half-pound short rib beef patty cooked to temperature and covered in our homemade chili, topped with cream cheese jalapeño poppers, beer cheese and lettuce and served on a toasted bun with a side of jalapeño poppers.
Matty V BBQ Cheeseburger ($18.99): A half-pound short rib beef patty cooked to temperature with American cheese, applewood bacon and crisp onion rings, covered in barbecue sauce, topped with lettuce and tomato, and served on a toasted bun with your choice of kettle chips or natural-cut fries.
Available: Mon-Thu: 5p–10p; Fri-Sun: 12p–10p
$19.00 — EB Strong’s Prime Steakhouse — 10 Church St., Burlington
Wagyu Burger ($19): Local Full Moon Wagyu topped with Shelburne Farms cheddar, fried pickles and bacon aioli. Served with hand-cut herb fries.
Available: Tue-Sat: 5p–9p
$22.00 — Windjammer Restaurant and Upper Deck Pub — 1076 Williston Rd., South Burlington
Wagyu Jammer Burger ($22): Vermont Wagyu burger mixed with ginger, soy and garlic, topped with Vermont cheddar and sweet quick-pickled cucumbers, carrots and red onions, finished with a spicy Kewpie mayo drizzle.
Available: Tue-Sat: 11:30a–2:30p (both locations) & 5p–9p (Upper Deck Pub only)
$23.00 — The Daily Planet — 15 Center St., Burlington
LedgEnd Farm Venison Burger ($23): Housemade local rosemary venison sausage topped with bacon-blueberry jam, Jasper Hill Farm’s Bayley Hazen Blue cheese and pickled jalapeños. Served with hand-cut fries or dressed greens. (Gluten-free option.)
Available: Sun-Mon: 11:30a–9p; Tue: 5p–10p; Wed-Thu: 5p–9p; Fri-Sat: 11:30a–10p
$23.00 — Juniper Bar & Restaurant — 41 Cherry St., Burlington
The Picky Pork ($23): A tender pork patty underneath pickled-pepper jam, cabbage and carrot slaw, and toasted-fennel Dijonnaise. (Gluten-free option.)
(See below for their $24 Melting Turkey)
Available: Daily: 5p–9p
$24.00 — The Farmhouse Tap & Grill — 160 Bank St., Burlington
Missisquoi Abenaki Food Shelf Burger ($24): LaPlatte River Angus Farm beef patty with grilled red onions, caramelized mushrooms, smoked Gouda, rosemary and sage aioli, and arugula. Comes with a choice of hand-cut fries or local dressed greens. (Vegetarian and gluten-free options.)
Note: $1 from every special burger sold in November will be donated to the Missisquoi Abenaki Food Shelf.
Available: Sun-Thu: 11a–9p; Fri-Sat: 11a–10p
$24.00 — Juniper Bar & Restaurant — 41 Cherry St., Burlington
The Melting Turkey ($24): Stonewood Farm turkey patty topped with rosemary aioli, Jasper Hill Farm Whitney cheese, caramelized onions and crispy sweet potatoes. (Glut_en-free option.)
Available: Daily: 5p–9p
$26.00 — The Lazy Goat Tavern — 70 Essex Way, Essex
The Orchard Burger ($26): Morgan Brook Farm beef and Chapin Orchard apple patty topped with smoked Vermont Gouda, cider-braised onions, arugula, and spiced apple butter mustard on a pretzel bun.
Available: Mon-Fri: 11:30a–9p; Sat-Sun: 4p–9p
$28.00 — Leunig’s Bistro & Café — 115 Church St., Burlington
Vermont Wild Game Burger ($28): Ground duck and venison topped with Blue Ledge Farm Riley’s 2×4 cheese, house-pickled fennel jam, fig butter and baby arugula on a brioche bun. Served with truffle Parmesan fries and garlic aioli. Option to add foie gras ($6) or a fried egg ($2).
Available: Mon: 11a–8p; Tue-Thu: 11a–9p; Fri-Sat: 10a–10p; Sun: 10a–8p
$36.00 — Bleu Northeast Kitchen — 25 Cherry St., Burlington
The Surf & Turf Stack ($36): Templeton Farm beef burger with a butter-poached lobster tail, topped with Old Bay aioli and arugula on a housemade bun.
Available: Tue-Sat: 5p–9p
Volunteer Opportunities of the Week:
A Redditor on r/burlington mentioned these holiday-specific opportunities:
Salvation Army: Ring bells at red kettles at various locations throughout Burlington and the surrounding area.
Lund: Help sort donations at the Hoehl Family Building.
Dismas House: Cook and share a holiday meal with residents (dishes needed for Thanksgiving or Christmas).
Toys for Kids: Check red toy donation barrels at sites across Chittenden County.
United Way's Polar Express Train Ride: Volunteer as an elf to help passengers at the Fletcher Free Library.
Vermont CARES: Help wrap presents in exchange for donations at Burlington Town Center.
I beefed up the volunteer page recently so check out this volunteer page for links to find volunteer opportunities all around Burlington.
Eating Out On A Budget (Food & Drink Deals)
This Week’s Food & Drink Picks
Monday: One-dollar drafts at Three Needs (starting at 4 p.m.) and half-price burgers at Shelburne Tap House.
Tuesday: One-dollar wings at Finnegan's and 50% off cocktails at The Daily Planet (5-10 p.m.).
Wednesday: A free drip coffee with any burrito at Happy Place Café and $5 whiskey pours at Mule Bar.
Thursday: A burger and a pint for $17 at Zero Gravity Beer Hall and half-price nachos at El Gato (Essex).
Friday: Five-dollar fish & chips at Shalimar and $1 oysters at Bleu Northeast Kitchen (5-6 p.m.).
Saturday: Ten-dollar spritz specials all day at Gold and two-dollar cheese slices at McGillicuddy’s.
Sunday: Seventy-five-cent wings at Barnyard and $5 Bloody Marys at Halvorson’s.
View the full list of food & drink deals here.
“Best of” Burlington Eats:
Someone in a local FB group asked the question “In your opinion, where can I get the best bagels?” and it received 124 comments. Here’s what I tallied:
Community's Top Bagel Rankings (by Likes):
Myers (47 Likes)
Burlington Bagel (41 Likes)
Vermont Bagel (36 Likes)
Green Mountain Bagel (32 Likes)
The Bagel Place (19 Likes)
The Bagel Cafe (15 Likes)
Huddys (13 Likes)
Middlebury Bagel (8 Likes)
Do you agree? If not, send me your favorite recommendation by replying to this email!
202+ Things to Do in Burlington (Fall Activities)
Five fall favorites to help you lean into the season:
Start with a hike up Mount Philo for a view of the valley covered in reds and golds that stretch all the way to the lake. Visit the Shelburne Orchards to pick apples, sip fresh cider, and grab a cider donut while you walk the rows. Take an afternoon stroll through the UVM campus where the trees turn every shade of orange and the brick buildings look their best in the fall light. Stop by Switchback Brewing for a seasonal beer and sit outside with a sweater on as the sun dips earlier each evening. Finish with a walk through the Church Street Marketplace after dark when the lights and smell of warm food make downtown feel extra cozy.
Full list’s always waiting here when you need a plan: 202+ Things to Do
Top Recent Reddit Posts:
Podcast Picks of the Week:
Sometimes you don’t want to read, you want to listen. So if you enjoy local podcasts about Vermont, you might enjoy this recent episode:
On Vermont Public's Vermont Edition, host Michaela Lefrack dives into the government shutdown's direct impact on Vermonters. Rep. Becca Balant reveals the "unprecedented" withholding of federal SNAP benefits, detailing the political battle over funds that have never been interrupted in previous shutdowns. The conversation also zeroes in on the high-stakes fight over expiring ACA subsidies, which are threatening to double insurance premiums. Later, healthcare advocates Mike Fiser and Marjorie Stinchcom offer critical guidance for navigating the "sticker shock" of open enrollment, explaining what's at stake as thousands of Vermonters risk losing coverage.
Local Podcast Roundup
This week in local podcasting, Vermont Edition took on a wide range of topics, from the origins of "Jeezum crow" and the popularity of Phish to an interview with Rep. Becca Balint on the government shutdown. The Frequency delivered updates on new flood resiliency bond measures and a new accountability court in Chittenden County. The morning drive on WVMT featured a busy guest list, including Eric Axelrod of Wood 4 Good, State Rep. Tom Oliver, Burlington City Councilor Evan Litwin, representatives from the Democratic Socialists of America, and staff from the Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport. Meanwhile, 802 News with Mark Johnson featured a discussion with former Justice Amestoy on threats to democracy. Elsewhere, Abstract VT hosted generative artist James Merrill, and The Octagon got ready for winter with Mt. Mansfield weather guru Scott Braaten.
Find all the different podcasts by visiting this page I made of local Vermont podcasts
Radio Bean’s 25th Birthday is this weekend and they’re promising a blast. Friday 11/7 7:00-2:00 and Saturday 11/8 10am-2am! 100+ Acts (yes, you read that right), free coffee All-Day! Free pancakes 10am-noon on Saturday.
The 18th Annual Saint Francis Xavier Holiday Craft Fair takes place on Saturday, November 22, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Winooski. It’s an incredibly popular craft fair, and it features a wonderful variety of local crafters and vendors offering unique gifts and handmade treasures.
Join the Santa Parade on the Church Street Marketplace on Friday, November 28, at 12 p.m. for a day of holiday magic with beloved local characters. It's the perfect start to a festive day downtown, so stick around for the Tree Lighting Ceremony later that evening at the very top of Church St.
Share this newsletter with everyone you know that’s interested in all things Burlington! 5 referrals gets you your own shoutout on the newsletter.
