After a day on the slopes, a plate of chicken and waffles has a certain logic. At this Killington-area tavern, crisp, moist chicken arrives with maple-infused waffles, maple syrup and a thick maple butter—an unapologetically substantial way to move from ski boots and mountain air into dinner.
The place has the useful flexibility of a neighborhood tavern in a resort town. It can be a quick stop for a cold draft, a late lunch in a booth, or a full-scale post-mountain meal with friends. On quieter visits, conversation comes easily; during busier ski-town stretches, the room has a livelier, moderately louder current.
Comfort food with a few good twists
The menu runs broad and familiar in the best tavern sense: burgers, sandwiches, wraps, wings, steak, meatloaf, soups, mac and cheese, fries and sizable appetizers. It gives a mixed table plenty of ways to order, from somebody wanting a burger and a beer to somebody ready for short ribs and mashed potatoes.
The slow-braised short rib is a particularly cozy cold-weather order. It comes tender enough to fall apart, with garlic mashed potatoes and house-made sweet-chili Brussels sprouts. That combination manages to be both dinner and a sensible reason to linger awhile longer.
Brussels sprouts show up with some personality here. The crispy version comes with sweet-spicy or spicy Thai-style sauces, making them more than the obligatory green item on a tavern menu. They are an easy choice to pass around, though a person could make a persuasive case for keeping them close.
For burger fans, the maple burger brings chipotle maple aioli to the table, adding a little sweet heat without wandering too far from the classic burger-and-fries territory. A brisket sandwich paired with beer-battered onion rings takes a similarly generous approach to lunch.
Wings, pretzels and the long-appetizer table
The wings are notably large, and the jerk version offers a flavorful, moderately spicy sauce rather than a blunt blast of heat. They work well with a round of drafts, especially when the table is still deciding whether it is having a snack or accidentally ordering dinner.
Potstickers, brew-pub pretzel sticks and French onion soup add useful range to the opening round. The potstickers have been served in an unusually ample portion—roughly 13 pieces on one order—so they are built for sharing.
There is no need to treat the appetizer list as a mere prelude. A plate of wings, some pretzel sticks and a beer can be plenty after a long drive or a full afternoon outdoors. But the menu also has the depth to carry a more traditional sit-down dinner.
Local drafts and generously poured drinks
A broad selection of local draft beer gives the bar a strong regional footing. Cold drafts suit the setting naturally, and the bar is a comfortable place to settle in before dinner or make the whole visit about drinks and conversation.
Cocktails are poured with some generosity, including margaritas. The drink list and the food menu make it easy for one person to stay with a pint while another goes for something brighter and more festive.
Bartenders help set the social tone, chatting with guests and swapping stories instead of treating the bar as a simple ordering station. That easy interaction is especially welcome for couples grabbing a drink or travelers who have spent the day in the car, on the trail or on the mountain.
Wood, booths and a pool table
Inside, wood finishes give the tavern its lodge-adjacent warmth, while playful, eclectic décor keeps it from becoming too solemnly rustic. The room has the casual clutter and visual energy that suit a place where people arrive in groups, shake off the day and stay for another round.
Seating includes booths, bar stools, counter seating and a private dining room. A corner booth can provide a more tucked-away spot for a late lunch, while the bar puts you closer to the room's conversation and movement.
A pool table reinforces the hangout spirit. It is a small feature, but it changes the rhythm of a tavern: dinner does not have to end the moment the plates are cleared.
Deck time after the mountain
Outdoor space is one of the tavern's nicest assets. Patio seating and upper deck areas give people room to take their drinks outside, with the upper level offering views toward the ski slopes or surrounding mountains.
Cornhole boards are set up outdoors, adding a little friendly competition to the deck-and-drinks routine. The game is simple enough that nobody needs to make a production of it; a few tosses between appetizers is plenty.
The outdoor areas offer a different pace from the wood-paneled interior. They are well suited to a sunny stop after hiking, a relaxed beer after skiing, or a meal that stretches out while the group decides what comes next.
Built for a mixed crowd
The tavern comfortably handles different versions of a mountain-town outing. Couples can take a booth or bar seat, families can settle in for burgers and comfort food, and larger parties have found room for post-ski gatherings, including a group of 16.
Service has a welcoming, accommodating reputation, including thoughtful help with unusual family needs. The atmosphere is casual enough that a big table does not seem out of place, but it does not require arriving with a crowd to enjoy it.
A free parking lot with plentiful parking removes one common resort-area nuisance. The tavern is near Killington Ski Resort, making it a convenient stop when the day has already been spent on the mountain.
A note on timing
The room can get busy when ski-town traffic is up, and its energy changes accordingly. It has accommodated walk-in groups on relatively short waits at times, but seating speed naturally varies with the day and crowd.
Hours should be checked before heading over, particularly for later dinner plans; an early 9 p.m. closing has been noted. For an earlier meal, the choice is pleasantly simple: find a booth, order something substantial, and decide later if the deck, pool table or another round of drafts should be next.