Our History
“The Wayside is a special place in this part of Vermont,
as much a part of our consciousness as the gold-domed State House.”
—Willem Lange, Writer & Media Host
The Wayside has prevailed through the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic, the Great Depression, World War II, the Vietnam War, the Great Recession (2007-2009) and most recently the COVID-19 Pandemic. For any business, let alone a restaurant, to make it to 100 years is quite amazing. According to cookbook author Rick Brown in his 2013 book, A Century of Restaurants, he was only able to identify 240 century-old restaurants across America. The Wayside is proud to be among them!
A Little Wayside History
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 Vermont Lodging & Restaurant Association.
1998-Present
Karen (Galfetti) Zecchinelli and her husband Brian enjoy being a small part of this remarkable and long history. They are proud to be recognized as Montpelier’s first “Green Restaurant”. 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!
In the News
- This Nostalgic Restaurant in Vermont Has Been A Local Institution Since 1918, FamilyDestinationGuide.com, 2024
- At Berlin’s Wayside Restaurant, A Good Meal Goes Beyond Good Food, Seven Days, 2023
- Restaurants and Businesses Benefit with Two-Year Tax Deduction on Dining Expenses. Vermont Biz, 2021
- The One Can’t Miss Restaurant in Vermont, 24/7 Wall Street Special Report, 2020
- Staying Power: Wayside Restaurant, Restaurant Hospitality, 2019
- 50 States of Pie, Food Network, 2019, Slide 46/51
- Montpelier’s Wayside Restaurant Celebrates a Century of Comfort Food, Vermont Public, 2018
- The Wayside Turns 100 Years Old—and Aims for More, Montpelier Bridge, 2018
- No way! Wayside Restaurant & Bakery turns 100 years old, Burlington Free Press, 2018
- Wayside Restaurant Featured in Roadfood, 10th Edition, Jane & Micheal Stern
- Local Family Business Celebrated, Vermont Legacy Achievement Award, VermontBiz, 2015
- In Search of An Old-Fashioned Donut: Classic Diner, Classic Donut, Burlington Free Press, 2012
- Counter Intelligence: Since 1918 Berlin’s Wayside Restaurant has kept ‘em coming, Seven Days, 2010
- Senator Patrick Leahy Wayside Tribute – 2008
- Wayside Turning 90: Where owners of rusty old trucks and Mercedes meet to dine, Times Argus, 2008
- Worth the Trip through Time, Burlington Free Press- Weekend, 2006
- Vermont’s Autumn Patchwork: Where to Eat Like a Vermonter, New York Times, 1997
- At the Nation’s Table: Salt Pork, a dish from New England’s Past, New York Times, 198
