The Happy Hour Restaurant

The Happy Hour Restaurant

I have been passing through Wells River for a couple decades ... and never stopped. Wells River, Vermont is that kinda place. A pass through, a way to get to somewhere else. This time, I decided to stop and see the town. I am not sad that I did. This is pretty much it: a nice, homey downtown area — quintessential rural New England. I walked through the front door to find a pleasant cabin-in-the-woods ambience, an interior dominated by pine boards. I felt right at home immediately. This is  "regular guy" place.

Main St., Wells River, VT

The waitress, Barbara, greeted me right away and picked out a nice booth. I surveyed both the menu and my surroundings. American family style, roast turkey with mashed potatoes and burgers — my kinda “regular guy” food. It all looked so good. Undeterred by the delicious alternatives, I picked out the Vermont Burger, with bacon and Vermont Cheddar, cooked medium please. It arrived in a timely manner, the plate packed with burger and fries. I dressed the beast with ketchup and yellow mustard, then slowly bit in. Mmmmmm, rich, textured, juicy burger with thick crispy bacon and that delicious sensation of real, melted Vermont chedda’. Have napkins at the ready for this burger. The fries were good too.  Not great, but good. 

The Vermont Burger

While savoring my delicious burger I listened in on the local chatter, ‘cuz that’s what this is — a local restaurant. As it turns out, the restaurant recently changed hands. The new owner purchased it just three weeks ago.

Barbara

 Barbara chatted amiably with other patrons whom she seemed to have known for years and years. Check this out. Barbara has been working at this restaurant for an astonishing 40 years — that's right, four zero. She told me that the previous owner had been a busboy when she started out.




With my burger and fries devoured, I decided to throw caution to the wind and asked for the dessert menu. There isn’t one. Barbara brought the dessert tray. It was relatively unimpressive. The standard stuff, including lava cake — yuck. But wait, what is this? A raspberry tart? I’ll have that! Barbara brought the tart with a scoop of vanilla ice cream tucked in alongside. What a team.  It looked so good I dove right in, then remembered to take a picture. The tart was warm, with thick crust and plenty of filling.  The perfect end to a great Northern New England meal.

Delicious Raspberry Tart

 This is definitely a place I will return to.  I can't wait to try out the roast turkey and mashed potatoes.

Oh, and the price? A reasonable $21.88, including tax.

The Happy Hour Restaurant

42 Main Street, Wells River, VT.

802-757-3466.

The Stein Collection

Piney Ambience

Full Bar

I do love Vermont!