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    Handy's Lunch

    4.6 (292 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 1:30 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

    Handy's Lunch Photos

    Business Info

    HANDY'S LUNCH ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Ana H.

    We were greeted with a big smile as soon as we walked in. It's a small, cozy place with a luncheonette style. I ordered their Black Belt Sandwich, and it was delicious! It seemed huge at first, but it was so good that I ended up eating it all.

    SST Breakfast Sandwich
    Doug M.

    Loved this place for lunch in Burlington! This is a text book old school lunch counter in the heart of Burlington...and you have to go! We went with the SST...a filling sando on two pierces of french toast with egg and sausage and cheese...comes with a side of maple syrup. Man this thing was good. For the brave of heart they have a sandwich called the Chuck Norris which was consumed on Man v Food...I am to old to down that and still make the new year...but impressive! The staff was incredibly friendly...and the owner was working the grill that morning...just good people putting out affordable and quality food. In fact he mentioned to us that his son had just successfully completed the Chuck Norris (super sized) that weekend...awesome! We are glad we found the place!

    David L.

    Quick service and friendly staff you can tell that this is a local favorite based on the energy the servers have with the clientele

    Blacks belt at Handys.  Love love love this food. Been coming here 4 years in a row and they have remembered us from the get go.

    What a great friendly environment. He's remembered us coming in each time. 1 time a year Love it. Food is great

    Big Daddy Breakfast with Blueberry pancakes
    Casie R.

    My Ohana and I had an amazing experience at Handy's, and I highly recommend your visiting this establishment! The owner and chef is personable and will touch base to see how you're enjoying your food. Service is top tier! Food is to die for! I recommend the big daddy with blueberry pancakes!

    Cecilia P.

    You will not find a better place to eat in all of Vermont. Nestled in a quiet corner just a couple blocks from church street, Handy's is ran by the absolute best people and serves the best food. There is free street parking on the surrounding streets, just look at the signs for length of time. The cozy diner houses a horseshoe counter that can often be packed, but with the quick service, I've never had to wait more than 15 minutes for a seat, even on the weekends at 11 am. I've eaten here at least a dozen times over the course of 6 years, and Earl remembers me, my family, and my friends each time we come in. He remembers what I studied in college, he remembers our anniversary date, and he's so expresses a level of welcome that I've never experienced else where. When you go, just please get one of the breakfast sandwiches served on French toast that automatically come with maple syrup for dipping. They come in several different sizes, depending on your level of hungry/hangover. If you happen to of had something like this before, then I guarantee it's not as good as Handy's. Seriously, a trip to Burlington is not complete without Handy's!!

    Breakfast Sandwich-Home Fries
    Shane M.

    Easily the best breakfast sandwich in Burlington Vermont. Old school lunch counter straight outta the 60's Everything cooked to order and super hot & fresh, coffee always filled, and great service.

    Menus

    Amazing find while we were on vacation! The owner, Earl (aka Duke of Burlington) knew the locals by name and made us feel so welcome! The food is insanely good, and the home town feel was just as great. You must try his chili dog and the McHandy breakfast sandwich. Doesn't hurt that Earl is a dead ringer for Russell Crow! Run don't walk to Handy's Lunch.

    There are no customers here only family and when you find you'll know exactly what I mean. I stayed and talked with Earl for at least an hour and it was like connecting with a cousin. The food is very good and the coffee was perfect. I'll be back here every trip back to Burlington!! Black Belt.

    I've been coming to Handy's since the early 90s when I was in high school. never in all my years and travels of foodie eating, have I had a better burger than the Texas cheeseburger at Handy's. I've also never had an experience of feeling so welcomed and loved as I do with this family. I love striking up a conversation with someone at the counter, it is a true family run place. This is truly a staple and piece of Burlington history. If you're visiting it's a must do and now that my daughter lives there, I've made her pinky swear to try to go at least once a month!

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    1 year ago

    Breakfast. 10/10. 2 eggs, bacon and hash browns. Great service. Love an old school diner.

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Sliced store bought corned beef is not house made corned beef hash, it is sliced store bought corned beef. Weak French toast too.

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    earl h.

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    11 months ago

    Great old school diner vibe, the owner for sure takes pride in his food. Definitely gets you your moneys worth of food. Would go again.

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Trifecta. Great food, great service, and great ambience. go there. Not a chain. Support local business.

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

    What a great little breakfast and lunch joint. The owner is about as friendly as it gets!! Highly recommend Handy's!

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    2 years ago

    Great spot for breakfast or lunch. Love the u-shaped counter - it encourages conversation. Friendly staff, good food. What's not to like?

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    earl h.

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    2 years ago

    The literal best breakfast food. If you're in burlington and you miss out on this gem you'd be committing a crime

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    Page 1 of 8

    Ask the Community - Handy's Lunch

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    The Cafe Hot

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    Came into The Hot Cafe for breakfast and ordered the breakfast sandwich. It wasn't very busy--no…read moreline when I arrived, and most people seated already had their food--so I was surprised that my sandwich still took about 30 minutes to come out. I had great expectations because of reviews and I hate to leave a negative review on popular places. The cashier/server was friendly, and the place has a classic small American café vibe, which I appreciated. Unfortunately, the food really missed the mark for me. The "crispy cheese" just tasted burnt rather than crispy, and there were way too many greens--cilantro and parsley--which completely overpowered the sandwich. I also didn't care for the sauces at all. Overall, it wasn't a good sandwich. I didn't even finish it and ended up going somewhere else to eat. Between the long wait and the disappointing food, I don't think I'd come back.

    I'm so glad I found The Cafe Hot while looking up places for breakfast in town. When we visited in…read moreSept. 2025 the street in front was under construction, but I promise it is worth it. The menu is a little chaotic and hard to read, but I did my research beforehand and knew I probably wanted the brakefast sandwich. Luckily Nate ordered the special number 8 and my friend got the basterd bing, so we all kind of shared. Everything is vegetarian! The employee taking our order was super friendly and kind, very much appreciated! We also got some coffee drinks and a donut to share. The donuts are made with biscuit dough, which was interesting and tasty. The texture is quite dense but not dry. Our food was ready quickly and the portions were large - you could definitely share something if you're not super hungry. I need to take a moment to talk about the number 8 sandwich. It BLEW MY MIND in the greatest way ever. I LOVE when I eat foods I've never had, even more so when those foods are delicious and mind-boggling. This is a breakfast sandwich on a tasty sesame bun and it features chicken fried egg. So imagine a pile of scrambled eggs that they somehow deep fry(???) and it turns into something that so closely resembles fried chicken it's wild. Seriously I'm still thinking about this sandwich. I know it sounds so weird but really you just have to try it. The brakefast sandwich was good, but VERY MESSY. Plan for lots of napkins. I will be back for the number 8.

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    Photos
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    View of the bar from our table
    Start your meal with a cheese plate full of local cheeses! Restaurant Burlington Vermont, American restaurant Burlington.
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    Handy's Lunch - breakfast_brunch - Updated July 2026

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