A Little Wayside History…

Restaurants and Businesses Benefit with Two-Year Tax Deduction on Dining Expenses, 2021||
24-7 Wall St – The One Can’t Miss Restaurant in Vermont, 2020|| 
Restaurant Hospitality- Staying Power: Wayside Restaurant, 2019||
Food Network – 50 States of Pie, 2019 || 
American University- Kogod Alum at the Helm of His Restaurant’s Second Century in Business, 2019||
Vermont Business Magazine- Annual Hospitality Awards, 2019||
US News- Restaurant Still Serving New England Fare 100 Years Later, 2018||
Vermont Public Radio- Montpelier’s Wayside Restaurant Celebrates a Century of Comfort Food 2018 ||
Vermont Legacy Achievement Award 2014 ||
Burlington Free Press- Classic Diner, Classic Donut 2012 ||
Seven Days- Counter Intelligence 2010 ||
Sen. Patrick Leahy- Wayside Tribute 2008 ||
Times Argus- Wayside Turning 90, 2008 ||
Burlington Free Press- Worth the Trip through Time  2006  ||
New York Times, Travel- Where to Eat Like a Vermonter 1997||
New York Times, At the Nation’s Table- Salt Pork a Dish from New England’s Past on the Menu in Vermont 1989

                               WAYSIDE 1918                                                                    WAYSIDE 2018

1918-1945

Effie Ballou opened the Wayside. She used to prepare some of the food at her house on the hill and bring it down to her roadside eatery. The house is the only proof that the Wayside was ever so small.

1945-1966

The Fish family operated the restaurant during these years. First, it was Joseph and Amy Fish. In 1954 they turned the spatula over to their son George, aka Roy, and his wife Vivian. Many customers would come in after the dances or an evening at the “Paradise Skating Rink.”

1966-1998

Eugene and Harriet Galfetti purchased The Wayside after operating the local A&W for a few years. We can thank them for the current size and layout of the restaurant as they oversaw a total of 7 additions! They were recognized for their contributions to the hospitality industry by the V.L.R.A. (Vermont Lodging and Restaurant Association).

1998-Present

Karen (Galfetti) Zecchinelli and her husband Brian enjoy being a small part of this remarkable and long history. Their goal is to maintain the tradition of “Value & Variety” so that their loyal patrons can enjoy “Home Cooking Away From Home” for many years to come! They are proud to be recognized as Montpelier’s first “Green Restaurant”.