[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Page 8850]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   RECOGNIZING THE WAYSIDE RESTAURANT

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, today, I would like to pay tribute to the 
Wayside Restaurant--a trusted and venerated Vermont fixture and a 
staple of the community surrounding Montpelier, our State capital. The 
Wayside is a local business that has remained true to the values of its 
humble beginnings. For nearly a century, the Wayside Restaurant has 
been a place where Vermonters can count on quality service, reasonable 
prices, and a quality meal that is sure to satisfy both the stomach and 
the heart. I am honored to join Vermonters in celebrating the Wayside 
Restaurant's 95th anniversary.
  In 1918, when Effie Ballou first opened the Wayside's doors, many of 
the restaurant's offerings were prepared in the kitchen of her home and 
carried down to her roadside eatery. Never did she imagine that her 
small eating house would become the bustling spot that it is today, 
drawing both locals and out-of-State travelers and serving nearly 1000 
customers daily. Every day, diners--from families to office workers 
pile into the Wayside Restaurant. Its warm environment, familiar staff 
and signature Vermont cooking make the restaurant a home away from home 
for locals and visitors alike.
  The owners and staff of the Wayside Restaurant are devoted to 
providing extraordinary service to the crowds of loyal customers who 
stop in to pile their plates high with Wayside's fine fare. Regular 
customers of the Wayside Restaurant can order their meals to-go or can 
dine in while enjoying friendly conversation and classic Wayside dishes 
like the salt pork and gravy, honeycomb beef tripe, or maple cream pie.
  Current owners Karen and Brian Zecchinelli have remained true to the 
restaurant's early virtues--preparation of quality, old-time favorites 
as well as modern cuisine, and a focus on family and community values. 
As a member of the Vermont Business Environmental Partnership, the 
Wayside Restaurant has implemented earth-friendly initiatives that are 
kind to our natural environment. In 2012, the Wayside Restaurant was 
recognized as the first and only ``green'' restaurant in Montpelier and 
was praised for its support of small business by buying locally 
produced products, a tradition they have kept throughout the years.
  Today the Wayside Restaurant continues as a symbol of both 
longstanding tradition and effective progress. From Effie Ballou's 
humble beginnings to the eatery's current, booming success, the Wayside 
Restaurant holds a special place in Vermonters' hearts. Marcelle and I 
are always delighted to join them for a meal and visit with other 
patrons. I want to join the many others congratulating the Wayside on 
95 successful years of enriching its community and supporting Vermont's 
local economy.
  Every time I go there to eat I remember going with my parents, 
brother, and sister when I was a child. It was great then and still is.

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