I’m proud to say I haven’t eaten in a “chain” restaurant in years. The local food movement in Vermont has spoiled me—and taught me better. The only real “chains” we have other than a few fast-food joints are independently owned restaurants with more than one location. And they just happen to be some of the very best restaurants in Vermont…

Think Chef Michel Mahe, who started Black Sheep Bistro, The Bearded Frog, The Bobcat Cafe, Park Squeeze and, recently, The Lobby. Or locally famous Eric Warnstedt, the chef before Hen of the Wood in Waterbury and Burlington, and soon a beer bar in Stowe. Joey Nagy, the man behind the best carnitas in the Northeast at the Mad Taco, has two locations in Waitsfield and Montpelier (and a kick-ass watering hole in Winooski—Mule Bar).

Meet Worthy Burger and Worthy Kitchen

One of the newer “chains” in the state is Worthy Burger and Worthy Kitchen, which both provide unique dining experiences with local dishes at affordable prices. Worthy Burger in South Royalton is easily one of my favorite destinations for a weekend road trip; their open-flame cooked burgers are some of the best in Vermont, and they have Hill Farmstead and Lawson’s tap takeovers on a regular basis. (Read about one of our first visits here.)

Worthy Kitchen, described as a craft beer and farm diner seating 120, opened a year after Worthy Burger and features the same type of appeal: ever-changing chalkboard menus with inventive dishes sourced from local providers, extensive Vermont brews on tap and an order-at-the-counter-and-pick-up-your-own-food system to keep food costs down. The menu is heavy on sandwiches, salads and small bites, with not a burger in site. Although the ambiance doesn’t match that of Worthy Burger (it’s bigger, brighter and less unique in my opinion), the food is definitely on par, be it at Woodstock—rather than South Royalton—prices.

What to Order at Worthy Kitchen

Be sure to order the truffle fries (hands-down the best fries I’ve ever had, they far surpass the beef tallow fries at Worthy Burger), a pickle plate (pickled cranberries and mushrooms? Yes please) and either a fried chicken sandwich or the nachos to share. Paired with a Sip of Sunshine or another eclectic craft beer, you really can’t go wrong for brunch, lunch or a casual dinner in Woodstock. If you’re just looking to wet your whistle in Woodstock, Worthy Kitchen has the best selection of hard-to-find Vermont beers in town.

Tips for Visiting Worthy Kitchen Like a Local:

• Not into beer? Try their local mead on tap or opt for Rookie’s Root Beer or Ginger Beer.
• Eat the truffle fries. Order the large. You won’t regret it, although your diet might hate me tomorrow.
• Into brunch? Worthy Kitchen serves brunch until 2pm on Sunday. There are lots of other options during brunch should eggs, burritos and sausage patties not be your thing.
• In the summer, you might want to forgo eating outside unless you like the sound of traffic. Unfortunately, Worthy Kitchen is just slightly back from Route 4, so it can be a tad noisy with tourist traffic during the warmer months.
• The bathrooms are outside of the restaurant in the hallway. Double check to make sure they actually lock! (Yes, I was walked in on peeing once… No shame. Anything goes. This is Vermont, right?)
• When you’re leaving Worthy Kitchen and headed west on Route 4 back into town, don’t speed! We’ve watched so many cars get pulled over in this section of road. (And, if you’re driving, have a DD = Rookie’s!)

Which do you prefer and why? Worthy Burger or Worthy Kitchen? Comment below!