Best Ice Cream: Ben and Jerry’s

Ben and Jerry’s is creamy, savory and everything in between. 

Voted UVM’s favorite ice cream by readers, Ben and Jerry’s is known to make “the best possible ice cream in the best possible way,” according to their website.

The ice cream stop opened their first scoop shop in a renovated gas station in 1978 right here in Burlington. 

Since then, the company has gone global while still holding the same humble values the company started with, according to their website. 

“I absolutely love it,” junior Nate Bulich said. “There’s at least one flavor out there for everyone and they just keep getting better and better.”

The genius flavors are the works of the highly qualified “flavor gurus” team, each member holding a degree in food science. 

“It’s rich, creamy and every time you try one of the new unique flavors you know it’s going to be a delicious experience because they know how to do ice cream right,” first-year Paul Lavallee. 

The franchise advocates for a number of growing political conflicts including fair trade for farmers, marriage equality, peace building and more, according to their website. 

With free cone day coming up April 8, Ben and Jerry’s might just be “one of the best reasons to come to Vermont,” Bulich said. 

? Best Bagel Shop: Burlington Bagel Bakery “Heaven is a place on earth, Burlington Bagel,” junior Ava Saari said. Burlington Bagel has been providing locals with their toasted, buttered, cream cheese smothered bagels for the past 35 years and Cynic readers seem to approve. Voted as having Burlington’s best bagel by readers, Burlington Bagel offers more than just the traditional bagel. Freshly baked bagel flavors include cheddar dill, cinnamon sugar, cranberry granola and energy bar, among others. Between those bagels the eatery also puts delicious ingredients in sandwich offerings served everyday, according to their website.  In addition to bagels, Burlington Bagel has panini and salad options, including a panini which pays homage to UVM entitled “the Catamount.” ? Best Mexican Food: El Gato Cantina ?arriba!?arriba! When Cynic readers are looking for some authentic Mexican food in Burlington, the place to go seems to be El Gato cantina.     El Gato, voted as Burlington’s best Mexican food is a restaurant located on Church St. The eatery follows the philosophy “delicious food with tradition Mexican recipes,” according to their website. “I got the best break-up nachos I’ve ever had there,” sophomore Caitlin Wieland said. El Gato has a large cocktail menu that features different tequilas flavors. “The Swinging Cowboy,” “Dirty Old Man” and “Hey You Old Stud” are few from the long list of drink titles. ? Best Chinese Food: A Single Pebble Established in 1997, A Single Pebble has won over the taste buds of Cynic readers. Readers voted the restaurant Burlington’s best for local Chinese cuisine. The original restaurant opened in Montpelier, Vt. with the Burlington location following in May of 2002, according to their website. The menu features some classic Chinese dishes, from Pad Thai to hot and sour soup. “They have the best family style Chinese food in Burlington,” first-year Teresa Dotson said. “I highly recommend their Mock Eel.” A Single Pebble was also named “The Best Restaurant in Burlington” by Vermont Magazine in 2004, according to the restaurants website. ? Best Sushi: Asiana House There’s nothing fishy about readers choosing Asiana House as Burlington’s best sushi. The restaurant draws inspiration from Japan, Thailand, China, Korea and other culture’s cuisines, according the their website. “It was really good,” first-year Cooper Anderson said. “I had the coconut shrimp appetizer.” Asiana House’s menu features everything from noodle soups and stir-fries, to “A-La-Carte” sushi and vegetarian options. The vegetarian maki and sushi bar are very popular, according to Seven Days. ? Best place to go if parents are paying: The Farmhouse Tap and Grill “Hey Mom and Dad, lets go get some food from the dining halls,” said no student ever. When parents come to town, it’s a great opportunity for students to do some off-campus dining without having to reach into their own pockets for money. Cynic readers have voted The Farmhouse Tap and Grill as Burlington’s best restaurant if their parents are paying. “I love it,” sophomore Kevin Kelly said. “It has an excellent combination of upscale taste and atmosphere, and classic comfort cuisine.” The Farmhouse is dedicated to showcasing the many local food producers and local farms, according to their website. The restaurant also serves a wide array of beers, many of which are local, and has a seasonal outdoor beer garden, according to the site.             Best Breakfast: Henry’s Diner With its glowing red sign and homey-vibe, Henry’s Diner has enticed Cynic readers. “It’s a very friendly atmosphere and is home cooking,” first-year David Harper said. Voted as Burlington’s best breakfast our readers, this hot-spot has been serving up classic breakfast foods since 1925, according to their website. Henry’s has many options to start your day. You can choose from a variety of plates including Belgian waffles, or a piping-hot stack of pancakes, or one of their skillet creations. Breakfast is served all day at this hotspot, but lunch and dinner options are available as well. The family-owned and operate dive’s later-day offerings include cheeseburgers, hot-roast pork sandwiches and Burlington’s “best Philly cheese steak,” to name a few.                       Best Sandwich: Red Onion Size does matter at the Red Onion. This Church St. staple was voted Burlington’s best for sandwiches by Cynic readers and we are talking about some big sandwiches. “My sandwich was huge! You definitely get your moneys worth,” first-year Keely Farrell said. Piled on top of freshly baked, thickly sliced bread these babies are stacked high. With offerings for meat-lovers and vegans alike, this is a sure pick for anyone craving a well-balanced and hearty meal.              You can stop by for one of their special sandwiches, including the appropriately named “Red Onion,” a creation packed with turkey, bacon, apples, onions, sun-dried tomato mayo and smoked maple cheddar, all toasted to perfection. ? Best Late Night: Wings Over Burlington A late night with Wings Over Burlington will have you reaching for your napkin. “We love eating like a caveman, pulling meat off a bone with our bare hands and teeth,” according to the Wings Over website. Wings Over Burlington was voted as Burlington’s best late night food, according to the Best of Burlington survey. “People, especially college kids, loved the idea of having wings delivered to them,” the website stated. The franchise was originated in 1999 at the University of Massachusetts, and since then has grown to hold 30 college town locations, according to the website.    “I think they have a lot of variety, some interesting flavors, and really good sides,” junior Finnegan O’Neill said.  “It’s convenient and there are options galore,” first-year Zee Faison said. “They also deliver, which is the biggest bonus of them all.” ? Best Cheap Eats: Al’s French Frys Tasty food, that doesn’t break the bank. What more could you ask for? Al’s French Frys has been voted Burlington’s best for cheap eating by Cynic readers. But cheap doesn’t mean that it’s not delicious! This “Burlington institution” was started in the late 1940’s by Al and Genevieve Rusterholz, according to the restaurants website. “I love Al’s, it’s so good!” first-year Jillian Rushton said. “You can use your cat-scratch there too.” Still holding onto its 1950’s, feel with bright red booths and black and white tiling, this South Burlington restaurant is open seven days a week.  Burgers, hot dogs and of course fries make up the majority of the menu. In 2010, Al’s won the James Beard Foundation Award, the highest honor for food and beverage professionals working in North America, according to the website. ? Best Date Spot: Sweet Waters What could be “sweeter” than a date at Sweet Waters? Cynic readers have voted andSweet Waters is Burlington’s best dining option for a date. Inside, the two-story restaurant is spacious and features a variety of menu items from burgers and steaks to pasta and fish. Sweet Waters also has a covered patio with seating that puts guests right into the action on Church St. “I like being able to sit outside,” first-year Abigail Howlett said. “Their burgers and fries are delicious.” Open for both lunch and dinner, Sweet Waters is housed in a building that originally served as the Burlington Trust Company, according to the website. A fun fact about this eatery is in the transformation from the trust company to the restaurant some of the original bank vaults are now used as walk-in coolers in the lower level of the restaurant, according to the website.     ? Best Burger and Best Bar Food: R?? R?? Vermont Cynic readers have voted R?? R?? as Burlington’s best for burgers and bar food.  The white-marbled Irish pub was designed as a way to celebrate some of the different aspects of the pub experience, according to their website. The pub was opened in 1999, with the most recent addition of “The Library” added in 2002, which is dedicated to the literary heritage of Ireland, according to the website. Burgers hold their place on R?? R?? menu with options including “The 802” burger and the “Green MT. Monster,” just to name a few. R?? R?? also has half-priced burger days every Wednesday. “I love the half-priced burgers,”  first-year Hannah Schaefer said. “As a college student, it’s nice to have such a great deal, it’s like they know we’re poor.” ? Best Pizza: Mr. Mike’s Would you like to hear a joke about pizza? Never mind, it’s too cheesy. But Cynic readers don’t seem to mind cheesy when it comes to Mr. Mikes Pizza since they voted it as the No. 1 spot in B-town to grab a slice. This Main St. restaurant and bar opens at 11 a.m. and offers both classic and creative pizzas daily. The restaurant also features a pool table and jukebox for costumer entertainment. “If you want late night pizza, this is the place to go,” senior Kelly Dobler said. The added bonus is that Mr. Mikes has free delivery and is open late most nights throughout the week. ? Best Bakery: Mirabelle’s Muffins, scones, cookies, croissants…do I have your attention? Mirabelles seems to have captured the attention of Cynic readers, who have voted Mirabelles as Burlington’s best bakery. “The menu has classics as well as new specials, both of which never disappoint,” says UVM graduate William Andreycak. The caf?? is owned by Alison Lane and Andrew Silvia, graduates of the New England Culinary Institute, according to Mirabelles’ Facebook. Mirabelles is opened 7 days a week and offers a selection of cakes, pastries and other baked goods. “What I like most about Mirabelles is their desserts!” says first-year Sophia White. “They’re very rich and very delicious. And the atmosphere of the place creates a relaxing experience,” says White. The caf?? also offers breakfast and lunch everyday! ? Best Food Cart: Hong’s Dumplings People are certainly not dumping these dumplings. Cynic readers have voted Hong’s Dumplings as Burlington’s best food cart. The food cart serves up Chinese dumplings on Church Street, weather permitting.  “This is my favorite food cart in B-town,” says Burlington native, Kai Girouard. “Great food, great lady, great service,” says Girouard. Hong’s has won 3 “Seven Daysies” for Best Street Eats, according to their website. And for those who love this Church Street staple, Hong’s is working to get their products into stores, according to their website. ? Best Vegan/Vegetarian: Revolution Kitchen  Cynic readers have named Revolution Kitchen as Burlington’s best spot for vegan and vegetarian options.   

“I love Revolution Kitchen because the food abounds with love and passion,” junior Ann Cromley said.   This new restaurant, founded in 2013, is the only restaurant in Burlington that has an entirely vegetarian menu, according to the restaurant’s website.  Revolution Kitchen’s menu also changes every night and reflects the seasons, according to the website.  The restaurant is open everyday but Sunday until 10 p.m. and is located on Center Street in Burlington.