Vermonters Love Their Breakfast Sandwiches - Hundreds Gave Their Thoughts on the Best Ones
In Vermont, nothing beats a solid breakfast sandwich to kick off the day—whether it's a quick stop at the local country store or something from a neighborhood cafe. Vermonters know a good one when they see it, and opinions run strong on what makes the best.
A recent Reddit thread in r/vermont lit up with hundreds of locals sharing their top picks, from every corner of the state. Runny eggs, sharp cheddar, homemade biscuits, and even bahn mi twists all got shoutouts, showing how these sandwiches are more than just a meal—they're a daily ritual, a comfort food, and a source of real pride.
As one poster said, it's the kind of chat that makes the subreddit worth it, mixing nostalgia, local flavors, and some good-natured debate.
The post started with a rave about a loaded sandwich from Morrisville and turned into a full-on statewide roundup. Folks reminisced about old favorites, argued premade vs. made-to-order, and talked road trips to try new spots. It highlighted Vermont's food scene: no-frills general stores, bakeries using local stuff, and more.
Key themes? Fresh local ingredients like Vermont cheddar, house-baked bread, or hash browns inside for crunch. Some spots even brought back homesickness for out-of-state eats, like Midwest biscuits or NY bagels. Classics like Burlington's "Rise N Shiner" got nods as fond memories, alongside fresh takes that keep things interesting.
All this shows how breakfast sandwiches bring us together—whether gearing up for a NEK hike or recovering in the Champlain Valley. With suggestions from the Upper Valley to the southern border, it's clear no one's list matches exactly, but the passion is the same.
Standout Favorites: A Roundup of Community Picks
Drawing from the hundreds of recommendations, certain spots rose to the top based on upvotes, repeated mentions, and vivid descriptions. These aren't ranked officially (Vermonters couldn't agree on just one winner), but they've earned serious acclaim for their quality, flavor combos, and reliability.
We've grouped them loosely by region for easier exploration, including key details like signature sandwiches and what makes them special. Many emphasize fresh eggs, local meats, and baked-from-scratch breads—hallmarks of Vermont's farm-to-table ethos.
Northern Vermont (NEK and Beyond)
Deb’s in Morrisville: The thread's star, with its "Big Boy" sandwich featuring sausage, bacon, hash browns, egg, and cheese on an English muffin. Described as a "sublime" overload that's perfect for splitting between breakfast and lunch, it's a hearty, soul-warming classic that embodies Vermont's generous portions.
Bentleys Bakery in Danville: Artisan bagels baked fresh daily, paired with local eggs and sharp cheddar. Contributors rave about the NYC-inspired affordability and quality, with croissants or sourdough as backups if bagels sell out.
Boule in St. Johnsbury: House-made English muffins with local ingredients, often topped with tempting pastries on the side. It's a pro move for muffin lovers seeking that nooks-and-crannies texture.
Front Seat in Hardwick: Personal favorites for their straightforward, satisfying builds that hit the spot without fuss.
The MooseLook Diner in Concord: Simple, cheap, and delicious—ideal for those obsessed with no-nonsense NEK diners.
Central Vermont
Henders in Waterbury: The "Jersey" on a perfect roll with runny eggs, American cheese, and foil-wrapped steaming action. Paired with their own bread and amazing crullers, it's a bakery-cafe gem worth the stop.
Toast & Eggs in Waitsfield: The "Hungry Carpenter" and "Breakfast Ruben" on homemade English muffins stand out as unreal, with some calling it their all-time favorite after sampling statewide.
Red Hen in Middlesex: A must-stop for travelers, with breakfast sandwiches that compel detours. Fresh and flavorful, it's science-worthy alongside Deb’s.
Shiretown in Middlebury: Black pepper and maple biscuits elevate their sausage, egg, and cheese to next-level status—soft, flavorful, and not dry. Arrive early on busy mornings.
Wit and Grit in Randolph: The "Breakwich" or world-class options on delicious bread with well-cooked meats and eggs. The rest of the menu matches the hype.
Barnard General Store: The "Barnardino" with prosciutto, provolone, avocado, and sriracha mayo on an English muffin—a messy but fantastic flavor bomb.
Elmore Store: Pulled pork breakfast sandwiches with a bonus back-deck view of the lake and mountains. A hidden gem for scenic eats.
Chittenden County and Burlington Area
Kountry Kart Deli in Burlington: Nostalgic icons like the "Rise N Shiner," "Barnyard Shiner," or "Triple Threat Shiner" (bacon, sausage, ham, multiple eggs, hash browns, and cheese). A late-night staple that's gone downhill for some but remains a core memory.
Cafe Hot in Burlington: The "Brakefast Sandwich" with scrambled egg wrapped in griddled cheese on a seeded milk bun, harissa, miso mayo, and herbs—all in-house and "unkillable." Also, the chicken-fried egg version is heavenly.
Burlington Bagel Bakery: The "Triple B" on sesame or "Catamount" sandwich—supreme bagel game that rules for bagel enthusiasts.
Sarom's Cafe in Winooski: Breakfast bahn mi or grilled beef bahn mi with eggs (runny, so napkins required). Don't sleep on this unique twist.
Misery Loves Company in Winooski: Strong contenders with creative builds that stand out in the farmers' market crowd.
The Red Barn in South Burlington: Rad, mouth-melting chorizo egg and cheese options that linger in memory.
Starch Bros at Winooski Farmers Market (Sundays): Fresh, market-fresh sandwiches that deserve more attention—great for weekend hunts.
Henry St Deli in Burlington: Great options, especially pre-fire era, but still solid for hangover cures.
August First: The "Vermonter" or "Daymaker" (add sausage for extra punch)—a top-ever pick for many, with brisket variations at nearby Myers as sleepers.
Southern and Western Vermont
Speakeasy Cafe in Rutland: Homemade bagels and heart-winning biscuits with sausage, over-medium egg, and sharp cheddar. Reminiscent of Midwest home cooking, with rosemary bagels as a bomb addition. Rutland shines here, alongside The Bakery's mean sandwiches (runny eggs on request).
Singleton’s in Proctorsville: Unbeatable bacon that warrants hour-plus drives—sandwiches are all good, but the bacon steals the show.
Cafe Mamajuana: A top vote for its flavorful, standout builds.
Liquid Art in Killington: Divine sweet potato hash brown integration—perfect for ski-town mornings.
Killington Deli or Killington Market and Deli: Great eggs, perfect cheese ratios, and killer rolls (omelette-style eggs add uniqueness).
Brownsville Butcher: Egg sandwich with cheddar, bacon, tomato, and sriracha—chef's kiss worthy, with everything else knocking socks off.
Huddys or Huddy’s in Milton: The "Huddy" with bacon, egg, cheese, sausage, hash brown, and special (Chipotle?) mayo on a bagel. Filling enough to skip lunch, with great bagels too.
Wells Country Store in Wells: Bacon, egg, and sharp cheddar that earns chef's kisses—solid grab-and-go.
Dan and Whits in Norwich: Reliable for steak or classic options, near King Arthur for bonus baked goods.
Workhorse Cafe in Stratton: The "Vermonter" as premier, top-shelf deliciousness.
Big Papa’s in Manchester: BEC on a Portuguese roll, with NJ pork roll options for East Coast nostalgia.
Dina's Bakery in Manchester: Bomb builds that tempt even non-breakfast seekers.
Willoughby’s in Manchester: Pretty great options in a strong southern VT scene.
Readsboro General Store: with maple aioli—don't sleep on this border gem.
Dot's in Wilmington: A shocking omission for some, but a must for hearty southern eats.
Other Notables Across the State
Chester’s in Fairfield: Carved-off-the-bone ham and fresh eggs on store-baked toast—true "bestness" you have to experience.
Four Aces (Upper Valley, near VT border): Amazing, despite being technically in NH—worth the yards for quality.
Teago in Pomfret: Great sandwiches with the nicest service—simple and welcoming.
Chloe’s Market on Rt 100 in Plymouth: Sausage egg and cheese that's a quiet standout.
Warren General Store or Paradise Provisions in Warren: Solid, local-focused options for Mad River Valley mornings.
H&N William in Dorset: Amazing builds that earn votes.
Fox Market in East Montpelier: Deserves a shoutout for central convenience.
Jericho Country Store: "Maple Barnyard" hands down the state's best for some—superior English muffins via Birch Hill.
Bromley Market: Customizable with bread, meat, and a maple syrup drizzle.
Simply Housemade in Barre: Stuffed with hash browns like KKD—bomb and accessible.
Maria’s Bagels in Barre: "Three Piggy" sandwich for multi-meat lovers.
Cafe Noa in Montpelier: Favorites alongside central VT heavy-hitters.
More Gems Waiting to Be Discovered
This Reddit thread proved that Vermonters' love for breakfast sandwiches runs deep, with hundreds of thoughts painting a picture of endless variety and regional treasures.
From the Big Boy's indulgent layers to bahn mi innovations and biscuit masterpieces, the options reflect our state's commitment to fresh, local, and flavorful eats. Yet, as comprehensive as this discussion was, there are undoubtedly many more favorites out there—hidden in tucked-away diners, seasonal markets, and family-run spots yet to be uncovered.
Whether you're a lifelong local or just passing through, grab your keys and hit the road. Your next perfect sandwich could be around the next bend in the Green Mountains. What's your go-to? The conversation continues.