Excellent | Worth a Detour
White Cottage
Review by: Michael Stern
The White Cottage opened in the summer of 1957 on Route 4 at the edge of the pretty Vermont town of Woodstock. Residents and visitors come to its breezy tables for such vacation food as made-to-order hamburgers, char-grilled hot dogs and foot-longs served Yankee-style in butter-grilled split-top rolls, and fried clams, available whole-bellied or as strips. Hand-cut French fries are good and the fresh, crisp cole slaw is terrific. Accommodations are right for carefree eating: outdoor picnic tables with a view of the Ottauquechee River .
To drink, there is soda, lemonade, a milk shake, or a frappe. Ever curious about the obscure taxonomy of New England soda fountain beverages, we asked the person behind the order window to explain the difference between a milk shake and a frappe. Here, a frappe is made with hard ice cream, a milk shake with soft ice cream.
You expect good ice cream in a place like this. It is Gifford’s brand, available in several dozen flavors, in cones and cups, in floats and freezes, and in amazing banana splits made with three ice cream flavors and three toppings, plus whipped cream, nuts, and a cherry. The menu promises ripe bananas that are imported from South America.
Directions & Hours
Information
| Price | $ |
| Seasons | Summer |
| Meals Served | Lunch, Dinner |
| Credit Cards Accepted | No |
| Alcohol Served | No |
| Outdoor Seating | Yes |
What To Eat
White Cottage Recipes
Discuss
What do you think of White Cottage?
One Response to “White Cottage”
Anne Clark
April 18th, 2007
The White Cottage is the best! I grew up in Woodstock and ate many a summer meal there. I brought my new husband for a burger this summer, when it had been a few years since I had been there, and I wasn’t sure whether my fond memories were the result of mere nostalgia or actual good food, and we both agreed that it was just great.
The burgers are juicy and flavorful, not too thick and not too thin, and they are served on a perfectly toasted and buttered roll. The fries are delicious, too–I am very particular about my fries–they must be crispy–and these did not disappoint. Top it all off with soft serve for dessert, and I think it’s a perfect summertime dinner!