We met up with Joe and his girlfriend* at Two Brothers Tavern after dropping off our massive haul from Hill Farmstead at our camp site. Joe had been talking up the cheesesteak at Two Brothers for almost a week now so you know I had to give it a shot. I’m a cheesesteak fanatic and I’m willing to go quite out of my way for a good one, so to find a decent cheesesteak in the middle of Vermont was A-OK with me.

The cheesesteak at Two Brothers starts with a hollowed out baguette (I like this move, no need for all of the bread get in the way) filled with shaved steak, onions, peppers, and american cheese. The cheese is melted and mixed in with the steak, and it’s served with hand cut fries on the side. It was good, albeit about half the size of what I’m used to at Tony Luke’s (but TL doesn’t include fries, either). It’s a totally different animal than a Philly cheesesteak, but this is not too far from the way I prepare it at home so no problems there.

I sipped on a Long Trail Brewmaster Series Double White and their IPA while Elise enjoyed her Santa Fe Tortellini with tomatoes, onions, spicy salsa cream sauce and blackened Vermont grilled chicken breast.

I do have a couple gripes I have about this place, both minor, but they bug me enough to share: A) don’t take fucking awesomely delicious cheddar scallion mashed potatoes and plate them with an ice cream scoop. These were outstanding mashed potatoes that deserve better than to be served like it’s a middle school cafeteria. 2) Don’t assume just because it’s a wheat beer that a dude wants an orange slice in it. Long Trail Double White isn’t the same thing as Blue Moon, and there shouldn’t be an expectation that the drinker is going to want the orange (I didn’t). At most, it should be served on the side.

Other than these two minor things, the dinner was great. Tons of local brews, great food, and they even hooked us up with a table outside where we could tie up Kuma right next to us. I didn’t get a chance to check out their lounge while we were there, but you know next time we stop, I will.

*These are two of the most hospitable people I have ever met in my life. Between all of the recommendations, introducing us to new people, and taking us around town I can’t thank them enough. Cheers!