Backyard

Great tapas style huge platters with a unique twist to almost everything! The patio was cute with high seating even for toddlers! It was unique for my 3 YO and she loved it pretty much. I really enjoyed the roasted brussel sprouts and thier queso ! Amole of parking and greenary. It located away from the street on an unpaved road which makes the experience even more relaxing and fun! A really good place to have fun with kids too.

The service was pretty nice!

First, let me say some good things about Backyard: Nice, big long bar with TVs with ESPN (I do love that). Lots of beer for the beer drinkers. Full Bar (my two spicy margs were meh). Everyone I interacted with who was working there was very nice, friendly, attentive.

That being said: the guy behind the bar who was my "primary server" took a break at one point. Apparently it was a "smoke break." Because when he came back he REEKED of cigarettes, like from across the bar. Gross. Not okay. This isn't actually the 70s...

Ever go out and eat something that was so bad it makes you angry? Like you're still angry about it days later?? May I introduce you to the so-called "Nachos" served at Backyard.

I cannot remember a time I ever encountered something so bad in a restaurant that I not only didn't eat it, I told the staff how bad it was. That happened with the "Nachos" at Backyard. And we should be clear that they weren't executed incorrectly. What they served was precisely what they sell as "Nachos" at Backyard: a base of tortilla chips topped with lettuce, a small amount of basically flavorless pico de Gallo (it didn't occur to me that restaurants are out there serving premade/scooped out of a jar pico #eyeroll), jalapeños they claim to be pickling in house (honestly? I think all they have out back is a freezer, a deep fryer and a prep unit...but they could have taken a jar of jalapeños and added some beer, coulda happened) and what they claim is a "cheese sauce" and sour cream. The "cheese sauce/sour cream" is really what tasted like some sort of Ranch Dressing. With the same consistency and temperature you would expect from a squirt bottle of Ranch taken directly out of the fridge.

Get that? The entire thing was not even "room temp." It was FREEZING. Nothing hot. No melted cheese. They doused chips, lettuce, some crappy pico and jalapeños in freezing cold salad dressing. Horrendously awful.

Someone should be in prison for the affront to Nachos that is being perpetrated on the daily at Backyard.

So.
Bad.

Also though? NOT NACHOS. Salad on top of tortilla chips is NOT NACHOS.

So Bad I'm still angry about the damn things. And that's partly because I LOVE nachos. All sorts of nachos and I was excited for nachos.

I then ordered the "Tachos." And yes, I know, I'm the idiot here. Because this was the same, exact thing, only even less toppings. But the base this time was Tater Tots. So at least something was warm? Genius idea: Tater Tot Nachos. ABYSMAL execution. 2.5 out of 5.

I tried the Deep Fried Black Bean Ravioli app. Acceptable bar food/app: frozen ravioli that they threw in a fryer and topped with the premade tasteless pico. 3 out of 5.

I got a Caesar Salad. It was fine. Sadly, by this time my spirit was broken and I couldn't even bring myself to finish a salad. Which basically has never happened in my life. 3.5 out of 5.

But I was DEFINITELY going to review Backyard! So I ordered the beer battered fish tacos to give them a shot at a main course. And these were the best item I tried. You get 3, so portions are generous. But again, these were pre frozen fish filets fried to order. Which could definitely be good. These are solidly mediocre. Because no one here is really even trying with the food. Presumably the beer is good. And if you were good and drunk you probably just don't care how seriously mediocre all the food is.

The food at Backyard is Fast Food in a rest stop on the thruway, late at night on a holiday weekend quality.

Never.
Again.

We are visiting Stowe and during the rainy weather my husband went out to pickup some takeout. The staff was super friendly and fast. We ordered: the Caesar salad, Carne Asada tacos, the Local Burger, and the popcorn chicken.
Caesar Salad: pretty good, just a little too much dressing, but still very tasty.
The Local Burger: Good and the sweet potato fries that came with were even better.
The Popcorn Chicken: felt a bit undercooked, but had good flavor.
The Carne Asada Tacos: these definitely do not travel well. The sauce on the meat made them pretty soggy. The meat was pretty bland, more salt or seasoning of the mean would've helped a lot.

The five star review goes to how friendly and fast the staff were.

We had dinner on Monday night. I can't say enough good things about this place. They're famous for their tater tots, which, topped with pulled pork, are to die for! The Brussels sprouts are cooked to perfection. Also tasted the smash burger and their tacos and they were all perfection. The vibe was just electric. It was crowded - good for them - but we could also hear each other. Our server was terrific (I think his name was Adam W. ) and explained that service might be a bit slow due to the influx of "eclipse" customers (like us) and yet, they delivered. Everything was served at the same time and this place will be one of the reasons I'll gladly return to Stowe.

Surprisingly good sports bar with a decent food menu, good local beers on draft and friendly service. It's not directly on the main road, but behind Ranch Camp, so pay attention to GPS directions and you'll find it. The. Tater tots were awesome, and the nacho appetizer was a good choice. Food arrived piping hot and, and beer perfectly chilled - ideal respite from the cold weather outside. Menu is a bit limited, but well worth a stop.

Great place to eat. Nice place on the inside, not too big, not too small. Good was good and came out quick, my party had two burgers and Carne Asada tacos. Burger was 7.5/10, tacos were 8/10. Tater tots 11/10. Service was friendly and helpful, clean bathrooms and open parking lot. Would recommend if in the area.

Came here with a big group so we were able to try multiple appetizers!

Brussels sprouts: 5/5! My personal favorite of the entire meal! The Brussels sprouts were tender with a nice char on them. The sauce was a little tangy and it matches the Brussels sprouts perfectly

Duck wonton: 3/5 They were fine. Nothing really special about them and also couldn't really taste the duck.

Totcho: 4/5 crispy and savory! The pico de gallo added some nice freshness to them!

Fish taco: 4/5 that was my entree. The fish was nicely fried and the flavor of the filling was really good. My only complain was that the tortilla was a little dry especially the edge

Mushroom and Swiss burger: 5/5 my boyfriend's entree and I had a few bites of his burger. LOVE the mushroom in the burger! There were also some crispy onions in there and they really made the burger to the next level! They added so much texture and flavor to the burger!

Maple margarita: 3.5/5 my drink and it was alright. Was really hoping to get more maple flavor but it really just tastes like a regular margarita

Cute little bistro in Stowe. We sat on the patio with our pup, and they brought him a bowl of water. The server was really friendly, and he kept checking in. Hubby had the Plain Jane burger which was good. It was a smash burger and that isn't his favorite but that puts him in the minority. He also had the tots which he said were delish! I had the "Get your Cheese On" sandwich and it was really good. Brie, Bailey Hazen bleu cheese, arugula, cherry apple chutney, caramelized onion on sourdough. Very nice!I had the Sweet Potato fries which were crispy and salty. Yum. There were several beers on tap as well as local ciders. Overall we were very satified.

Fantastic service, great burgers and beer... but it was the tots that steal the show. Tucked in back of other spots, so you could miss it. Don't.

Ambiance was exactly what I was looking for- ski town bar, great service from our very kind server, Adam, and even better food. We got the pork tots which were amazing. Fried Brussels sprouts- also amazing. And the popcorn chicken which was probably the best popcorn chicken I've ever had. Great choices for drinks as well. I will absolutely make it a point to stop here again next time I visit. 10/10