This place looks like a run of the mill sandwich shop but it's not. As soon as we walked in, Jesse enthusiastically greeted us and gave detailed descriptions of the menu and based on our responses recommended what to order. Great fish and chicken sandwiches in a very friendly environment. Highly recommend! read more

The best fish sandwich ever. Period. I'm 79 and a new englander raised on wonderful seafood and the Pioneer sandwich is so delicious. Soft freah roll, thin not greasy deep fry on the freah haddock. Gotta get there early because they use only fresh fish every day and run out fairly quickly. Their fries are fantastic. And the chicken sandwich. Everything. We have fallen in love with the place. Not expensive. And the service and servers are warm, gracious, and attentive. It's our new go-to. A must. read more

Great food, and seeps and kind customer service. Good prices, [[HIGHLIGHT]]great seating[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]], and I'd recommend.

The employees were very kind and attentive. The food was delicious and came out very quick. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It's got a cozy small town vibe.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The chicken sandwich is dark meat which was a happy surprise. The potato salad was very good. Great texture and seasoning. My husband enjoyed the fries. Would definitely go back and try more of the menu read more

Pioneer Lakeshore Cafe - Fried chicken sandwich and potato salad - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Colchester, Vermont

Partner and I recently ordered the dirty fries, maple wings, chicken sandwich, and Cuban sandwich. Incredible food. We were actually blown away by the quality and flavor. Try this place if you haven't! read more

As someone who has been here since this business was in its humble COVID beginnings, it is fantastic that this restaurant has blossomed and become a Colchester and Vermont staple. The food is simple, yet eloquent in its grandiosity. It's a small little, intimate café but still bustling with warmth and always packed to the brim at most points of the day. Despite that, the service is easily top-tier and they make you feel like you're a neighbor visiting after being out of town for a while. Simply put, it's timeless, made with love, and always will brandish you with a bigger smile than you came in with. read more

This was the best place we ate during our recent week in Colchester and Burlington. The sandwiches and ice cream drinks were sublime.

Excellent and often interesting food. Hash browns to die for! Alpaca burger is tasty, I love the chicken Parmesan. Coffee! Loved everything I've had here. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Cute homey diner-like place with personable service, often by the owners.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Wish I was closer I'd eat here a couple times a week! read more

Awesome food!! I had the Cuban Sandwich and it was awesome! Food came out quick, fries are hand cut and seasoned perfectly!

Fabulous local spot. DELICIOUS food...signature chicken sandwich is everything you want and more! So many other amazing options too (lobster roll, BLT, pulled pork and more). Unique selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, plus homemade and yummy desserts. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Very cute clean and comfy and inside too.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Lindsay, one of the owners, was on site and interacting with customers delivering food and otherwise. You can tell she loves what she does and you can taste it in every bite of her fabulous food! read more

Getting to know the area since buying a cottage here and thought I'd give the local Colchester restaurant a try. What a great experience! The burger and fries were really delicious. And I'm sorry I didn't get the fellas name who waited on me but he was pretty awesome also! Great place - food AND service! read more

Pioneer Lakeshore Cafe - The Bay Burger, Fresh Cut Fries and a cold Green State beer. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Colchester, Vermont

OBSESSED! Has become my regular spot right at 11am on Saturdays. After visiting once during a dinner rush, I was amazed when the friendly staff recognized me from only the one visit. I love chatting with Lindsay, the owner, who is friendly and very passionate about her craft. read more

So to be clear, this is a walk up and order, booths and tables with no service, and bus your own dishes. And it is outstanding! The Cuban sandwich is perfect. Their fries are top of the line. A return visit is warranted based on the experience we had. Yup, that good. read more

This place is THE BEST. The food is amazing, prices are reasonable and the staff is wonderful. If you're in the Mallets Bay area this place is the clear choice :) read more

This restaurant should be arrested because: Home fries: are so delicious they should not allow people to just order one. Chicken sandwiches: vegetarians can't help but order them they are so good. Salades: best combination of crunchy, french and layered flavour of dressings Staff: regardless of gender you want to marry them since they are so helpful. read more

Very little seating, I'm glad we got there before the rush! Seems to be a very popular takeout location, however. My partner got a fried chicken sandwich, which was large and very yummy, and I got the deviled egg sandwich...good but would be much improved with some green olives. We also got the poutine, which was quite good as well. We will be back! read more

This place is AWESOME. I had the best ever breakfast burrito, a great hash-brown and a perfect cup of cappuccino. Their lunches are amazing too. The menu looks amazing and I am looking forward to trying everything. But the best part is the people who work here, sweet and kind and happy to welcome you and feed you. read more

Pioneer Lakeshore Cafe - Breakfast burrito, hash-brown, and cappuccino - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Colchester, Vermont

Had a crispy chicken sandwich and side Ceasar salad.... absolutely delicious!!!! Would definitely come back!

I'm back in Vermont and Pioneer Lakeshore Café is going strong! Ate here 3 times in 10 days. Continues to be excellent food, excellent service and casual ambience. This summer my favorite was garden salad with grilled salmon on top. My friend ordered the lobster roll every time, which is beautiful. So happy this place is here. read more

Pioneer Lakeshore Cafe - Lobster Roll - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Colchester, Vermont

Every items on the menu looked so yummy, was hard to decide. We both had a sandwich each, I had the banh mi and my husband had the pork belly and it was unbelievable! The owners are so nice and personable, chatted with us! read more

You're stupid if you don't eat here. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Great family run place, cool good food.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Don't be stupid!

Their poutine is the best, service is quick and very pleasant. I feel lucky to live only 5 minutes from this place!

Pioneer could easily be one of the best restaurants in the Burlington area right now. The atmosphere is casual, the food is nuanced to perfection and the service fabulous , I'm obsessed! read more

I don't think I've ever had a better meal in all of Vermont, and I've eaten half of the state. This place has all the charm of your diner with the food of Michelin star place. The folks that run this place are just so kind and care deeply about the food and it shows. The service was great and food came out quick. If you're not eating here, you've messed up. read more

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Have been meaning to try this little gem out for awhile now, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint! Thoroughly enjoyed the friendly staff and atmosphere. Very laid back, but super pleasant people. I had the house made lavender lemon spritzer, perfect refreshment on a hot summer day. Had to get their lobster roll as I had seen pics online. Hands down the best lobster roll I've had in a long time, and I try them everywhere. Fresh, vibrant tastes and color, perfectly buttered and toasted bun. A definite A+! Highly recommend for those looking for a laid back environment with food that is fresh and fun. We even got to enjoy the view of some deer playing in the field nearby. read more

Pioneer Lakeshore Cafe - The lobster roll is worth the visit! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Colchester, Vermont

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Ended up here after a bike ride in Burlington along with some nice thunderstorms left us looking for a late lunch. They were out of a few things, but the options they had were solid. The Bahn mi special they had came with chicken meatballs which made for an excellent sandwich. The fried chicken sandwich was a huge piece of chicken and made up for the fish sandwich being out. Service was great, very friendly and definitely a place to get a great sandwich! read more

This was our first time at PLC and will certainly not be the last! Our party of 3 was greeted by warm, friendly staff, orders were customized for one person's individual tastes. We all ordered The Bay Burgers and we're not disappointed. Fresh ingredients and flavorful Pioneer sauce made these more than your average burgers. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Charming decor and welcoming ambience with farewells from staff wishing us all good things.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] In the dining desert that is Colchester, this hidden gem (in plain sight) is worth the trip. read more

Stop by here while visiting Vermont and wanted to have a taste of what the locals offered. This place was nothing short of spectacular with regards to their food. The establishment is a typical local small café with limited seating. It was clean and welcoming. You ordered at the counter and picked up when it was ready. My husband and I both ordered the chicken sandwich. The chicken sandwich was gnormous! I ordered it exactly the way that it came and it was so flavorful. It had a sweet and tangy sauce with butter pickles and it was totally delicious. We got a chance to talk to the owner of the café and she was so delightful and gave us a lot of recommendations of where to visit and things to see in Burlington Vermont. The french fries were fresh cut, Chris, and light golden. Probably the best french fries we have had in a very long time. The food was so good that we decided to come back the next day. I ordered a grilled cheese with caramelized onions and it was to die for! You cannot go wrong with this little gem. The outside may be underwhelming, but what they have to offer on the inside is totally worth it! read more

Pioneer Lakeshore Cafe - Chicken sandwich with fries - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Colchester, Vermont

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This place is clean with a nice vibe. The menu has a lot of fried food- not very heart healthy. We tried the salad with baked salmon side and Bahn Mi chicken meatball sandwich. Fresh greens average portion with a small but tasty tender salmon steak for an additional $10. read more

Pioneer Lakeshore Cafe - Green salad with salmon and chicken bahn mi. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Colchester, Vermont

Local cafe breakfast lunch a d dinner. Has the brown butter waffle. Worst waffle ever. Premise and frozen. Warmed before serving. Mine was almost cold. English muffins was stale. read more

Pioneer Lakeshore Cafe - Dining room - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Colchester, Vermont

Pioneer Lakeshore Cafe is fantastic in every way! I've been here 2-3x a week since they opened early June and leave very full and happy every single time. It's the perfect spot for a delicious, fresh breakfast or lunch. You can tell that a lot of love and care goes into every dish. Their breakfast always hits the spot, my favorites include the build-your-own breakfast sandwich and breakfast burrito. Always get a side of their homemade hash brown! Lunch menu is also a win, offering a variety of reimagined classics. My go-tos are the Crispy Chicken Sandwich, BBQ Brisket Melt, Fishwich and Smashburger. Besides the food, the owners, Jean-Luc and Lindsay, are so kind! They greet every customer with a smile and take time to get to know you. This place is a gem! Come try it out and see for yourself! read more

Pioneer Lakeshore Cafe - Build your own breakfast sandwich - today it's sausage, fried egg, cheddar, herb aioli, arugula, pickled red onions on a Kaiser roll - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Colchester, Vermont

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Had a breakfast sandwich and the hashbrown. Was all delicious. The hashbrown is big. It felt like it was at least half a pound. Lots of good looking food ill have to try in the future. read more

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4.5/5 Best food addition to the Bay in years. They remember your name too. Give them a shot. read more

Delicious food and staff! Small but delightful restaurant with plenty of food choices.

We loved the kid friendly laid back atmosphere and great food. Everyone cleaned their plates and left with full bellies.

So great to have a convenient, fresh, made to order breakfast option while visiting our favorite lake! Lunch is so good too. Well done guys! read more

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Great breakfast sandwiches. Friendly service. I got an egg sandwich with mushrooms on brioche.

So many things to love! All menu items I've tried so far have been fantastic. If you're a first timer undecided, check that chicken sandwich off the box. You can't go wrong! The coffee is solid. I appreciate the friendly and chatty owners, as if we've known each other for ages. I like the spacious and bright seating, though there's not a lot of it. I'm good with that though, keep it cozy! We can't wait to return to try more menu items. read more

We absolutely love love love Pioneers! From amazing chicken and waffles, to their famous chicken sandwich the food is always made with attention to detail. Jean Luke, Lindsey and crew are so passionate about serving their community with tasty foods! This is my family's new favorite place to eat. read more

Terrible customer service. Rude staff mocked my need to have aioli on the side. Unfortunate that customer service is not a priority.