Summertime in Vermont is for swimming holes, outdoor concerts and snack shacks. But unlike closely guarded swimming hole coordinates, everyone will happily share where they go to refuel on a steamy, sun-soaked day. Seven Days asked seven chefs and restaurant owners — most of whom grew up in Ve rmont — for their faves. The picks ranged from old-time classics, such as Joe’s Snack Bar in Jericho, to modern reinventions, such as Honeypie in Jamaica. A few operate year-round, and in several cases, classic hot-dog-and-burger menus have expanded to include global flavors. Bookmark this list and set out on summertime adventures powered by pro-vetted pit stops. ➆ Carmen Alexiou Co-owner of Lola Mediterranean Woodfire, Manchester Center Fried chicken sandwich at Road Runner Credit: Courtesy My absolute favorite is Road Runner. The fried chicken sandwich ($13) is next level: It has Brussels sprout slaw and a spicy aioli. I dream about that sandwich. They also have a phenomenal burger ($13). It’s where everyone goes around here for their snack-shack type of food, because it’s the best. Honeypie is also off-the-charts good. Their Slamber ($15.25) is amazing: two lamb patties, melted cheddar cheese, sautéed peppers and onions, tzatziki on a toasted bun. I always look for the Mediterranean spin on things. Road Runner, 4961 Main St., Suite 2, Manchester Center, 802-367-3495Honeypie, 8811 Route 30, Jamaica, 802-548-4999 Stephen Coggio Chef-owner of Cloud 9 Caterers, Colchester I love me a snack shack. My favorite in Vermont is Joe’s Snack Bar. Absolutely top-tier garbage, like if your grandma worked at Sysco [a mainstream restaurant distributor] … but respectfully. They have the best BLT ($8.50) in the state: griddled soft white bread, perfectly cold iceberg lettuce, underripe tomato and a varying amount of bacon depending on the day. Joe’s Snack Bar, 45 Route 15, Jericho, 802-899-3934 Stefano Coppola Chef-owner of Pearl Street Pizza and Morse Block Deli Taps, Barre My fave is Cajun’s Snack Bar. Their frog legs used to be my go-to, but I didn’t see them on the menu last time, so I opted for the gator bites ($16.99). Almost everything there is fried Cajun-style. The fried alligator was great. Their Drunken Fries ($9.99) — with jalapeño, bacon, cheddar sauce and chipotle ranch — and the oyster po’ boy ($24.99 with fries) are great, too. Cajun’s Snack Bar, 1594 Route 100, Lowell, 802-744-2002 Andrea Cousineau Former executive chef and current consultant at Park Squeeze and Black Sheep Bistro, Vergennes Goodies Snack Bar was my favorite growing up. I haven’t been in a very long time, but when I was a kid I would get a hot dog ($2.55) and a small chocolate-vanilla swirl creemee ($3.50). My favorite summer spot to stop at now isn’t a snack shack, but I love Arandas Mexican Cuisine. They are a chain of gas stations that have the best Mexican food I have found in Vermont. I love their quesabirria ($15.99). Goodies Snack Bar, 6035 Route 17, West Addison, 802-759-2276Arandas Mexican Cuisine, 1 River Rd., Waterbury, 802-244-8971; 745 S. Main St., Stowe, 802-253-7249; 108 State St., Montpelier, 802-225-6560; 377 N. Main St., Barre, 802-622-0453; 51 Lake Morey Rd., Fairlee, 802-333-3538 Maggie Fischer Executive chef and co-owner of the Buttery: Kitchen + Pantry, St. Johnsbury Maggie Fischer at White Cottage Snack Bar Credit: Courtesy I grew up in Mendon, so the Village Snack Bar was a staple, as well as the White Cottage Snack Bar on the Ottauquechee River. My order at both was always fried whole-belly clams (market price at the Village Snack Bar; $20.95 for half a pint at White Cottage Snack Bar) and a chocolate-vanilla twist in a cone with chocolate sprinkles ($5.70/$4.45). I am a creature of habit. Village Snack Bar, 389 West St., Rutland, 802-772-7655White Cottage Snack Bar, 823 W. Woodstock Rd., Woodstock, 802-457-3455 Quinn Gervia Sous chef of Majestic, Burlington Bánh mì at Canteen Creemee Credit: Courtesy I really like Canteen Creemee, where my pick is the bánh mì ($12.50) with fried chicken, pickled and fresh veggies, pâté, cilantro-Maggi sauce, and sriracha mayo on a baguette. I’ll always swing by Beansie’s Bus at least once a summer to get a good ol’ corn dog ($5.50) or two! Canteen Creemee, 5123 Main St., Waitsfield, 802-496-6003Beansie’s Bus, Battery Park, 1 Sherman St., Burlington, 802-343-7181 Jordan Ware Chef and co-owner of Frankie’s, Burlington There was a place in Bennington called the Dairy Bar. It’s now gone, but I have some great childhood memories of creemees and hot dogs after baseball games and races. I do love Al’s French Frys. A burger ($3.26) with onion rings ($3.92) and barbecue sauce is a staple. It’s nostalgic. And I get a guilty pleasure from the clam-strip roll ($5.25) at Joe’s Snack Bar in Jericho. That feels dirty to say for some reason. [Chuckling.] Al’s French Frys, 1251 Williston Rd., South Burlington, 802-862-9203 Snack Bar Map The original print version of this article was headlined “Snack Attack | Seven Vermont restaurant pros share their favorite summer snack shacks” The post Summer Snack Shack Recs From Vermont Restaurant Pros appeared first on Seven Days. ...read more read less