Roadfood in the Berkshires?

In mid-August, I'm taking my son on a tour of college campuses, including Williams and Amherst. What roadfood can you recommend for breakfast, lunch and dinner?

(Warning: we will have just finished our Connecticut search, so we'll have had our fill of fine pizza, steamed burgers and calzones!)

Thanks in advance!

In Williamstown we enjoyed pot roast and turkey dinners ar 1896 House or 1896 Restaurant--I'm not quite sure of the name.

If Bennington College is on your itinerary (or you happen to be in the vicinity of Bennington, VT), I would recommend a terrific little diner called "The Blue Benn". Very funky, eclectic, and delicious! I've been there once and couldn't tell you exactly where it is but anybody in town should be able to direct you. It's not too hard to find

quote:

Originally posted by Chumley

If Bennington College is on your itinerary (or you happen to be in the vicinity of Bennington, VT), I would recommend a terrific little diner called "The Blue Benn". Very funky, eclectic, and delicious! I've been there once and couldn't tell you exactly where it is but anybody in town should be able to direct you. It's not too hard to find

I second the nomination for the Blue Benn. The best blueberry pancakes I've ever eaten and the same goes for their corned beef hash too! It's not too far from the center of town. If you are heading west from NY take rt 7 which turns into rt 9 in VT, then take a left onto rt 7 heading north from the center of town and its about 1/2 mile on your left

While in Amherst, do stop at Bart's Ice Cream on N. Pleasant St. for a light lunch and ice cream (of course.) Very creamy, rich ice cream, wonderful place - never had a bad time there. It's very convienent to the college. I believe they also have a location in Northampton. I prefer going to Bart's than to the Northampton Herrell's.

On Rt. 20 in Hadley, between Amherst and Northampton (though closer to the latter) is one of my favorite Italian restaurants of all time: Carmelina's. I haven't been in nearly 15 years, so I can't say if the quality and prices have changed, but back then it was a moderate/slightly expensive (but not too bad) fairly casual place with some of the best Italian food I have every had, which is saying a lot. Ask around about it to see if the rep is still high; it's not roadfood, but it's worth it. I ate there at least once a week while I lived in South Hadley.

Northampton and Amherst (the former especially) have lots of good sandwich shops and small restaurants, so while you are in that area you shouldn't have any problem. I have a memory of a really good little Greek place on Main St. in Northampton, but can't remember clearly. And if you get a chance, just pick up some sandwiches and stuff and have a picnic lunch on top of Mt. Holyoke - there's a nice park and the view of the surrounding area is amazing (it's where Thomas Cole painted The Oxbow) - you can see to Hartford on a clear day. The Pioneer Valley is close to paradise.

My favorite Berkshires roadfood place is Berkshire Hillbillies on West Shore Road in East Otis. Great breakfast and very tasty donuts. But that's a bit out of your way, I believe.

JL

Sorry that this is late as you have probably already been to look at the colleges by now. If your son ends up going to school in the southern VT area please check out The Chelsea Royale Diner on Route 9 in W.Brattleboro. It is definitely a "comfort-food" type of place...very friendly service, great food and prices.

You should try Sally's in Pittsfield, Mass. This place is famous, deservedly so, for its eclectic Italian dishes. The chef/owner greets you at the door, tells you what his specials are and then cooks up a wonderful meal. I think this place counts as Roadfood for its extremely friendly service and unpretentious atmosphere, though not its prices.