Red Onion
140 Church St, Burlington, VT, 05401
Red Onion Menu
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Address :
140 Church St
Burlington, VT, 05401 - Phone (802) 865-2563
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :8:00 am - 8:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes
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Bryan O.
The Red Onion sandwich is the best sandwich I have ever had in my life hands down. My friend had the chilled gazpacho with a piece of fresh bread and it was also to die for. For real though I'm still thinking about that sandwich. If you pass this place up you are a fool. Red Onion is the bomb.
(5)Jack K.
I came here at recommendation of my previous supervisor. Thank you for that suggestion, Lucas, because the Red Onion sandwich was beyond delicious! So, the bread of a sandwich is a deal breaker. I ordered the Red Onion sandwich and the ingredients looked delicious together. I personally love apples in sandwiches and feel more people should know to do this so I was excited to see this as an an ingredient. They pair so well with red onions! Anyway, I was asked if I wanted to Honey Oat bread, and I said yes not knowing at first if there was another good choice? Anyway, my sandwich was dropped off to me at my table in the small and cute little place. Omg. Yes. The sandwich was delicious and the bread was thick, yet very soft! Yes. I can't even say more, just go get a Red Onion sandwich! Because there was a long wait for my sandwich, I devoured an apple cream brownie (I don't remember the full name) before my meal came. It was also really surprisingly satisfying. Perfectly sweet and amazing! Definitely recommend this place!
(4)Lisa O.
Good golly, delish!!! A little place with YUMMY sandwiches right on Church St. Had the Red Onion sandwich on a baguette, soooo good! Cute "garden" sitting area in the back. Friendly staff.
(4)Heidi C.
This is a solid place for lunch. They make many varieties of their own breads and always have side dishes, to boot. I'm an especially big fan of their cookies. They make about 8 different kinds, they are very large and fresh. Hard to go in there for a sandwich and not walk out with a cookie that's nearly as big as your head. It's especially nice that they do chocolate chip AND chocolate chip with walnuts. Some people prefer their CC cookies with nuts (me). Although their bread is very good, I find they slice it way too thick for my taste, so I always order my sandwich with the bread sliced thin. Inside and outside eating. Old fashion feel.
(4)Jen T.
These sandwiches were huge! I had a spinach sandwich with spinach, mushroom, red onion and melted cheddar cheese and the honey wheat bread was incredible. It was a bit pricey for a sandwich ($9.25) but the quality of the bread and the size of the sandwich was worth it!
(4)Trevor C.
Food was good. Dudes were di€ks. It was our first time here (coming from San Francisco) and my gf and I were consistently met with rudeness and attitude. We're laid-back, friendly people, and although sometimes customers can act in ways that merit rudeness, we were not those customers. I've never written a review before so this is saying a lot. Doesn't matter how good the food was, the service left a bad taste in our mouths. Lots of options, go somewhere else.
(1)A L.
Delicious spinach sandwich on seven grain, with gazpacho complement. Wife and I loved it. Guys behind the counter are courteous, attentive and entertaining. Low cost, great Burlington foodie experience.
(5)Ben M.
Wow, I had such high hopes. The place was well reviewed and the food smelled great. However, when we figured out what we wanted none of it was available. I had to ask three times about one item as was being ignored and then got snapped at for asking. I then got a hot sandwich and they toasted it so long that the bread was rock hard (and I am not exaggerating I literally knocked on it and it sounded like wood). Maybe they just didn't like something about me but the experience was so bad that I actually left angry and I'm a pretty easy going guy.
(1)Randall L.
I could maybe have given a better review had I gotten to eat here, but I didn't. We got to the restaurant about 45 minutes before closing and only one couple was still eating. We asked if they were done for the night and they said no, that we could go ahead and order. I So, I ordered the special - a vegetarian burger with a little heat. I was told they were out of that. Ok, I say, I'll have the vegetarian sandwich with guacamole. The cook says, well shit, ok you can have mine - the one he had made for himself to take home. Movers cordial, but I would have preferred to have my own, freshly prepared sandwich. We said no thanks and left and found American Flatbread which had a relatively unhappy waitress, but phenomenal food.
(2)Jacqueline B.
Not disappointed with this place at all! This was recommended to me from a friend so we had to try it out on our first visit to Burlington. I got the Spinach Mushroom Melt on honey oat and a bowl of mushroom and barley soup. The portions are great - I was full and satisfied. Service was very friendly. No frills, just great food.
(5)Jasmine D.
Great Sandwiches and apple cider! Tip: If you want your sandwich warmed in the oven just ask!
(4)Jennifer R.
Delicious and unique! This is a place you should not pass up. Wonderful!
(5)Trish B.
Not sure why this place is rated so highly. Can't sit inside- it's like a sweat lodge. Asked for a salad with a scoop of chicken salad on it and was overcharged- charged me for a veggie sandwich (I didn't have any bread) and then almost $4 for a scoop of chewy (yuck) chicken salad. Daughter's bagel was old. Husbands sandwich looked ok but for a salad, a sandwich, a soda, and a bagel with cream cheese and our lunch was over $35! The slowest service ever! I was made to carry each plate to our outside table as it was painstakingly made, while others were waited on? Would not recommend! Plenty of yummy restaurants in the area!
(1)Bailey Z.
Every time I walked by on Church street, the warm smell of freshly baked breads emanating from The Red Onion would tempt me. If you are serious about sandwiches, this is the place to be. The ingredients are excellent, which accounts for the premium cost for a sandwich. Their specialty sandwich is "The Red Onion." The combination of turkey, bacon, sliced apples, sun-dried tomato mayo, and smoked maple cheddar is heavenly. The Reuben sandwich is also good, but the Russian dressing was a little too sweet for my liking. While $9 is a bit steep for a small sandwich, what it lacks in portion size, it makes up for in flavor and quality.
(4)Ian Y.
Not gonna lie: This place is impressive. Whether it be the friendly staff members or the fantastic tasting food, the Red Onion is a great eatery. I was on a day trip to Burlington and was looking for a unique Vermont restaurant to eat it. The Red Onion was one of two places in the city that was highly recommended to me. At first I was a bit daunted by the prices -- they are high -- but given the amount of food you get for the price you pay, it comes out to a more-than-fair deal. I ordered the signature red onion sandwich on honey oat bread, and boy, was it delicious. I could tell how fresh their bread was -- made in-house, nonetheless! -- and they certainly didn't skimp out on filling the sandwich with a sizable amount of quality ingredients. Here's another way of putting it: If the Red Onion advertised the sandwich with a picture of the sandwich itself, what you see on the ad would be exactly what you got. I finished my meal feeling satisfied, which is more than I can say about other expensive sandwich shops I've visited. I wouldn't recommend eating here if you are in a rush: They put lots of time into making you the best sandwich they can (patrons who made orders ahead of me came in frequently to ask about the status of their food). You may have to sit back and salivate in hunger as the time between your order and your food delivery ticks on, but in the end, the wait will be well worth it. The staff members are, for the most part, friendly and are great about suggesting different food options based on your personal preference. They'll also offer to bring your food to you, regardless of where you choose to sit (in the restaurant, on the front patio, or in their enclosed back patio...which has a hanging garden!). All in all, I was happy to eat here and support a local business.
(4)Aimee B.
The bread they use for their sandwiches is SO good. You can tell it's homemade bread and they cut the slices super thick. Yes the sandwich I got, the Vermont cured and smoked turkey, was great but I could just keep raving about the bread alone. Great deli spot right in the middle of downtown.
(5)Fu D.
The "Red Onion Sandwich" on their fresh baked honey oat bread is probably my Favorite sandwich in town and is at the top of my list as best sandwichs ever! Its a little pricey but I never feel bad about the total because its just so damn tasty and fresh! Hats off!
(5)Hannah S.
I've been here twice, and wasn't wowed either time. Maybe my expectations were too high because everyone raves about the Red Onion Sandwich. I tried it last time, but found most of the flavor was overwhelmed by the mayo. I also had a cupcake that was just okay.
(3)Jasna N.
Wow! Always my favorite when I go up to see my sister in Burlington. I cannot help but get the famous red onion sandwich and fresh peanut butter cookies. The best I have ever tasted. In fact, it's orgasmic! Meeeow!
(5)George B.
I had read the other reviews, but felt that the bad review had to have been a fluke. It wasn't! We waited in line to order our food for nearly 35 minutes. There were only 5 people ahead of us. While this was going on there were two people working the counter and six people standing in the back talking. When we finally got to the front of the line we were told that they had all of their breads available. My wife wanted her sandwich on Sourdough. Oh wait they didn't have any of that ready. She asked for their 7-grain wheat next. No they didn't have that either. She finally got her sandwich on wheat. I asked for my sandwich on rye. Once again, they didn't have that either. Finally, I asked what they actually had available. She started telling me what they were out of, so I asked again what they had and settled on Honey Wheat. We also got two ice teas and a cookie. It was interesting watching them build the sandwiches by slicing the bread by hand and without using any type of gate so the bread slices had some type of uniformity, whatever they decide to set the thickness at. Finally we asked about refilling the tea and yes, they would, but for more money. I would have given a 0, but that wasn't an option. One last thing, the people ahead of us asked for their sandwich to be heated and had to come back looking for it One last thing, they are in the walking mall and parking is a real pain.
(1)Gary C.
Heartless scumbags. A weekday with no customers in there. I was denied service because I had a five month old puppy and no one to hold him outside. I said all I wanted was a sandwich and I could wait outside. They said unless I had service papers for my puppy they couldn't help me. F them I was hungry. I don't even want to give them one star. Most people complain that their bread cuts the roof of there mouth anyway.
(1)Joseph P.
amazing. One of the best sandwiches I've ever had honestly. Little pricy but well worth it!
(5)Your F.
Great food, took way too long to get a sandwich though.. They had a line out the door that didn't move. It surprised me they weren't prepared for heavy traffic considering the place is so popular and very busy on the weekends. The food was amazing.
(4)KR P.
Though I'm usually a bigger fan of toasted sandwiches, I got an excellent cold sandwich here the other day. Read any other review and you'll know that they're bread is to die for, and it's true. That sourdough made the whole sandwich worthwhile, and with garlic mayo to boot. Drink options are slim, but there's nice outdoor seating for a sunny day. It's a little hot inside, given that it's a bakery... But that sourdough.
(4)William F.
The namesake sandwich is your main reason to come here. Turkey, bacon, apples, red onion (duh) and garlic mayo. You can pick the bread. Personally I'd choose honey oat. Unlike most of the sandwiches, you can't just order half and it is $10, but this feeds two people. They also have a tin ceiling, which is cool.
(4)Abby Y.
The food is 5 stars all day. While the staff seems very nice, the service however is a 2-3, as they don't use the standard operating procedure for a fast-casual restaurants. My advice to them: have one employee take orders and ring-up those orders. Have another employee make the orders and stay on the line. When the first employee at the register is finished taking orders, then have them jump on the line. This is much more efficient; your customers will be spending less time standing in line and get to spend that wait time sitting at a table. It is much easier to make 6 of the same sandwiches at once ("all-day"), than to make 6 sandwiches independently. It's annoying to watch and have to wait for. The Turkey Special is one of my favorite eats in Vermont (beautiful ingredients), but I don't think I'll spend 45 minutes in line (summer time) for one ever again. 10 minutes in winter, absolutely, TAKE MY MONEY!!!!
(4)Donald B.
Hello folks! I'm sorry to report that this was a very mixed experience for me. I guess the large, wide bread (tasty) that is barely filled with meat (pastrami) left me guessing what all the rage was about?!? I expect raves when the filling is equal to or exceeds the width of the bread. I have had many sandwiches all over the USA that significantly exceeded my experience here. I would recommend looking elsewhere.
(2)Susan R.
When you go, do yourself a favor and order the "Red Onion", even if you think you won't like it, you will. As overheard from an employee, "seventy-five percent of customers order the Red Onion, so just be a person". At a different place this might come off a little bit wrong, but somehow the personality fits it perfectly. This many years of happy customers can't be, and aren't, wrong. It's not a great place for special orders or nitpicking or rushing in and out. So, be a person; order the Red Onion then grab a cookie, sit back and take some long, slow deep breaths and patiently enjoy the wait. Fast food is killing America!
(4)Chris S.
When at the Red Onion, how could anyone go wrong ordering the "Red Onion?" I tried it and wasn't sad I did. The sandwich was made to order and while I was shocked at how expensive it was (you come here for flavor, not value) I was impressed with the quality of the meats, cheese, bread and condiments. Plain and simply, if you don't want to compromise taste - order a sandwich here. It's not going to be the cheapest you've had, but I'll be packed with flavor.
(4)M N.
Good veggie sandwich but it was overpriced and the interior is filthy and falling apart.
(3)Kelsey K.
NOT JUST ANOTHER SANDWICH PLACE! House made bread, delicious combinations. I had the Red Onion sandwich and husband had the Reuben. Both were delicious-you can taste the freshness of the ingredients from the first bite. The staff was helpful and welcoming. We'll be back! (And well both order the red union sandwich-something about the combination of red onions and Granny Smith apples.....had me at the fist bite!)
(5)Eddy K.
I was able to try and take-out all 3 of their specials, thus this review of them. As a disclaimer: I am a sandwich snob. The Red Onion: A type of sandwich where I can tell all the ingredients were great, but personally, I am not a big fan of apple in my sandwich. I would've have been pleased to replace the apple with lettuce, tomato, and other vegetables but that would only make it a normal turkey. So as a reminder to myself: get a normal turkey sandwich with the tomato-mayo. The Red Onion Spinach Melt: This thing is a beast. The first half was absolutely delicious and tasted quite fresh. The second half though the sandwich began to taste a little bland as you are eating the same taste bite after bite. It was also constantly falling apart as it seems the ingredients are just raw vegetables slapped together between bread. It was good but it seems like something you can easily put together in your kitchen. Warmed Reuben: This sandwich alone brought my review from a 3 to a 4. When you make a reuben with quality ingredients, it really stands out. The sandwich was melty and meaty with quality rye bread and sauerkraut. Overall: I think any custom sandwich here would be pretty tasty. I would recommend their unique mayos and toasting your sandwich.
(4)M C.
Not that impressed. For starters, overpriced. 5$ for a half a sandwich? And he almost charged me full sandwich price! 8$! And the bread was very thick, the sandwich was too tall to eat! And ordering was very confusing, I like to build my own sandwich and the prices were not clear. Even the cashier admitted it was confusing! The worst part is the hummus is garlic hummus! Now, I like garlic hummus, but I did not know it was garlic when I ordered it and it overwhelmed the entire sandwich!! It was on my breath for hours after! Now, again, this wouldn't be so bad, If I knew it was garlic when I ordered!!
(3)Alan S.
Pretty basic options. Choose meat, cheese, veggies, and spread. What makes this place fantastic is the bread. Phenomenal bread. Best I've had in a while. Highly recommend the honey oat. Beautiful day on church street in downtown and got to eat outside. A little overpriced however
(4)Jasper W.
Red Onion is probably the best sandwich I had so far! They toast the bread and turkey, so juicy and delicious! Except I don't eat cooked fruits, it's a cozy place to grab some food or sit down and eat!
(4)Oddmonster M.
No. Absolutely not. No ma'am. For 8+ dollars, I got a sandwich that was mostly dry, thick, flavorless bread, with what was supposed to be hummus but was basically smashed garbanzo beans mashed onto the bread, a see-through slice of cheese and some veggies. Didn't spring the extra cash for mayo or another condiment because 8 dollars. Also totally skeeved out by the bus tubs on the floor.
(1)Dennis K.
3 for lunch ... 1 of us had the spinach special sandwich and 1 of us had a 1/2 genoa salami, brie & pommeroy mustard on a baguette and 1 of us had a drink. Food seemed fresh and it was good, but not outstanding. Would go back, but wouldn't go out of my way to go here.
(3)Anna E.
Big fan of the sandwich. Not a fan of the restaurant in general. I'd been looking forward to the day I would finally try the Red Onion's signature: a heated sandwich comprised of turkey, bacon, apples, onions, sun-dried tomato mayo, and Vermont smoked maple cheddar. I had heard many excellent things about it from friends and food bloggers. So, I was really excited when we finally made it there recently. We went for lunch on a Sunday and it was completely mobbed. The line was out the door and it took forever to place our order. It's understandable when a place is busy because it gains popularity from having a loyal following, but the staff who consisted of what looked like teenagers were moving at a snails pace. When we finally got up to the counter to place our orders we waited forever to get them. I went back up to the counter to make sure they didn't forget us - we were waiting that long (not something I'd normally do either, unless something is taking an absurdly long time). Also noteworthy is that when we got up to the counter we saw one of the employees drop a utensil he was using on the floor. He didn't appear to have any intention of washing it before using it again until, thankfully, one of his female co-workers quickly stepped in and said (as discreetly as possible) "You have to wash that, ya know." Ewww. In addition, the bathroom was dirty and the floors were sticky. The sandwich itself, though, is incredibly tasty. A really inventive and delicious marriage of flavors and textures. I'm happy I finally got to experience it despite the other aspects of our experience here.
(3)L N.
The fresh bread was REALLY FRESH! Excellent sandwiches. Liked their homemade Turkey a lot.
(5)Andrea A.
My main issue was with the service style. They have a rather awkward system here where they take your order at the cashier, turn around and slice your bread and half-make it, turn back around and take your payment, then bring the sandwich out to you when it's ready. Having worked at both wrap places and smoothie places, I guess I've always just thought it much more efficient to have a dedicated person taking orders, a couple of dedicated people on the production line, and a number/name-calling system for when the food is done. But I'm sure they have their reasons for the way they do business, even if it is just because it's the way it's always been. Service awkwardness aside, the Red Onion Sandwich was superb. You must try it - green apples, turkey, bacon, cheese, sundried tomato mayo. A+!
(4)Hwal L.
All I can say, is that they make really good sandwiches here. I wish there were photos to add, but the ham sandwich and tuna salad sandwich we had were perfect, especially compared to the disaster that was Stacks Sandwich. At Red Onion, we really liked the homemade bread roll that was nice and fresh and thick, and all the ingredients that were so fresh and crisp. The incredibly low door knob is still a mystery to me though.. is it a Burlington thing perhaps??
(5)Jessica W.
I go here for soups all the time during my lunch hour. The soups are delicious and hearty, and the bread is just killer. It's a little pricey, but not too bad, and for the quality, they're worth it. Since I get soup typically, I pay $3.50 for a soup in a small (12 oz) container with their awesome, awesome, bread. However. Service. That's another story. I read kalyn b.'s review, and there is some truth to that. The attitude and efficiency leaves much to be desired. They're nice typically - but in that 'we're going to ignore you for a few minutes so we can not do actual work for a while' kind of way. And I don't know what they're doing either - it doesn't look like much - but around these parts, I wouldn't put it past them to be smokin' a wee bit. Not to slander, just saying. Also, it probably depends on who's working, because while that's not *always* my experience, it's true at least 1 out of 3 visits. But - food's good, and they'll keep getting my bucks for those soups. One more note: Went here just recently, and asked the register dude what the soups were about. They had the description of 'Brown Rice Veggie' and 'Moroccan Veggie' - totally vague on contents. When I asked if I could look at them, or what they were about, it was still kind of hard to get a description from anyone. Many, many other places this is when they'd let you taste it to decide. Not here. Just beware. The brown rice is what I got, and now I'm fantasizing about that other one...
(3)Brian C.
Not veggie friendly- there is one sandwich and the only good thing about it is the bread (lots of raw spinach and mushrooms, meh, and aioli or something. It's expensive. Church street, though, so what do you expect?
(2)Chris D.
Great sandwich for the area. Definatly go with the classic "red onion" They also serve the best ruben for miles.. And after miles u can only find farmland. Come here if u are suffering from NRNS.
(5)Tom P.
This quaint little deli is home to one of the best sandwiches I've ever had. The red onion sandwich is superb and the aloha cookie is divine. The pricing is much more reasonable than other burlington fare.
(5)Heidi M.
LOVE this place. Always made fresh to order. The sandwiches are delicious and their homemade bread is amazing! They have a great selection of cookies and desserts (try as many as you can!). My favorite lunch would have to be the mesclun salad with roasted red peppers, goat cheese, walnuts, and their homemade balsamic vinaigrette. Yum!
(5)Chris H.
Amazing sandwiches. I've been a huge fan of the onion for a looong time. They back all their breads in house and slice them thick and then load them up with all kinds of locally sourced veggies and meats for a delicious sandwich. This place is really good, fresh, heart food.
(5)Theodore W.
It's been a long time since I have Yelped, but this is certainly worth it. This place reminds me of the deli version of the Penny Cluse Cafe - hugely popular for some unknown reason, overrated, and plain not worth going to. My first trip to the Red Onion was back in 2011 with a friend from UVM. I don't remember what I ordered to be honest, but I remember being generally displeased. Not worth writing a review about, however. Fast forward to 2013. I find myself, once again, in Burlington. It's 10:30am on a Sunday and I need a sandwich before I get on the bus back to Boston. After drinking heavily the two nights before, I need something robust to set me straight. I go with a pastrami on pumpernickel with cheese - a solid go-to. They don't have pumpernickel bread. Fine, not a big deal. We are the only two customers in there, they have three workers in the back, and it takes fifteen minutes to put together this sandwich. What is the hold-up here?? It's also on the expensive side for a deli, did I mention that? Anyway, whatever, just give me the sandwich so I can get on my bus and get the hell out of dodge (I love Burlington, for what it's worth). I get on the bus and the sandwich is cold (not a little bit either, but like it had never been heated to begin with - even the cheese had barely melted), the bread was old, and there was next to no meat on it. I've never been so disappointed with a sandwich in my life (exaggerating...but not by much). Want my recommendation? Go to the Kountry Kart Deli across the street. Sure the people are rude as hell in there, but they have a bacon, egg, & cheese to die for. Just don't expect your drinks to be cold or your service to be with a smile.
(1)Meghan E.
Excellent soup and sandwiches, however the bread was cut too thick, making our whole group's sandwiches messy and hard to eat. Take out order was correct and packaged well, great little lunch spot!
(4)BD D.
20 years ago, If Yelp existed, I would have given The RO a 5 star rating. Unfortunately 20 years ago is the last time this place has been cleaned or updated. The one exception to the update is their prices... $11 for a Red Onion Special... Are you kidding me? Plus, I swear it isn't as good as it used to be. Kinda like the Salvatore C review said... too much mayo I am happy to pay $11 for a sandwich but with the grimy atmosphere as a backdrop, I sort of balk at the price and find myself hitting a street vendor or Top of the Block for a quick sammy.
(2)Ashley W.
You haven't lived until you tried the Red Onion Sandwich. It is the best sandwich you will ever eat. Yes the place is crowded and it takes awhile to get your food but it's all worth it.
(5)Scott V.
I planned a snowboarding trip to Burlington, but really just to eat the Red Onion's signature sandwich. It has been exactly one year since this sandwich was last in my hands, and despite dreaming of it every night since, it was not a letdown in any way. The one thing that I hate about this deli is that it is 270 miles away from my home - too far away for me to eat here on a routine basis. Spectacular macadamia - pecan - chocolate chip cookies as well.
(5)Hilary H.
As a UVM alum and lover of all things involving bacon, the first spot I hit up when in town is The Red Onion for their classic Red Onion Sandwich. This thing is the bomb-snip-snap-sally, and if you try to tell me any differently, I will walk away in disgust. I always go for the sourdough bread - it's tangy, rich flavor enhances the brilliant combination of smoked turkey, bacon, apples, gruyere, sundried tomato mayo and of course the red onions on this masterpiece. I'm a salivating mess just thinking about it. Sure, I could do without the snotty staff and the grungy floors, but this is Burlington, after all. The price has risen 100% since my day (am I dating myself?) but I still will gladly fork over the moolah for this gem of a sammy. I've even been known to ask for a few un-heated to bring back to PVD with me so that I might toast 'em up partake once at home. Now that's something!
(4)Liz D.
Blah, blah. Lines? Mobbed? No, really?! That's because it's the best freaking sandwich place in downtown Burlington - a town that is already completely over-run by college students + their friends + families most weekends. Duh, they ain't gonna take their bestie to the Mad Hatter where they might get sexually harassed by the staff, instead the Red Onion is a solid and convenient choice. Aside from the lines... if you get here during an off-hour, like say 3:30 on a weekday, or just before 11:00 on a weekend... they are a solid sandwich place. The Red Onion sandwich is everything it is cracked up to be. The bread, at least for me, really makes the sandwich - honey oat is my #1. It's cut super thick. You can share your sangwich with a friend if you so desire. Bread is fluffy and moist on the inside, crunchy and chewey on the outside... (they make the bread by hand every single morning)... It is some quality bread. Ingredients are all fresh. If you get there early enough (and before they sell out).. the Montreal Bagels they sell are the best *ever*... plus, fresh Nova Lox, this shit goes fast. Early, early, early! I'm telling you. The atmosphere is way different in the AM, as opposed to later in the afternoon, when the workers are disgruntled from literally slaving away for 3-4 hours during the rush. The place gets hot as hell in the back.. I promise you, don't f**k with these people, they will abuse you mentally if you are an a-hole to them during the rush or immediately post-rush. Their house salad is bomb. Goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, baby arugula, balsamic vin.. dig it.
(4)K. Brooke Z.
Since moving out of Vermont, I've found myself getting cravings for their "Red Onion" sandwich on Garlic Rosemary bread. It is slightly toasted with warm apples, great thick slices of turkey and a special mayo to goo all over the bacon and red onion. I love it!
(5)D B.
I made my first trip to the Red Onion more than 15 years ago, and many more in the years that followed. It was always amazing then. My trips to Burlington have been less frequent over the last 5-6 years, so when I was in town for a few days recently this was my first stop. I am pleased to the report the Red Onion sandwich is still amazing. That's really all you need to know. I've never considered ordering anything else. Why screw with a good thing?
(5)CJ G.
The Red Onion is a perfect sandwich place! Both with it's Vermont themed menu and unique look! I went here for lunch this past Saturday and I was blown away! I love a good sub! And until Saturday I did NOT know of any perfect sub places in Vermont. Now I have found it and I love it! The location like everything on Church street is just good! Easy access for everyone. The street is busy with college students and shoppers a like! As you walk in you will first notice the wear on the building. This is a GREAT thing! Its apart of its uniqueness! Very very Vermont looking! You know the typical hole in the wall restaurant? I love it. The menu is also very Vermont. The Red Onion sandwich is just awesome! Turkey, apples, onion and melted cheese with bacon and tomatoes with lettuce? Yes please! Its a great blend of flavors! Sending your mouth in so many ways at one time! Apples add a great crunch and sweet flavor. Its just awesome! The Cajun Chicken sandwich is another amazing sandwich that you can order. They let the white chicken breast sit in Cajun the night before with onion, lettuce and garlic mayo. Ounce again a perfect blend of flavors! Spicy and flavorful! For anyone who likes the spice or not. In fact thats my favorite sandwich to date. They make all of their own breads! Honey oat, wheat, white and so on. Their bread had a nice crunch on the outside and a perfect soft inside! Whats not to love? I enjoy the wheat the most. Big and chewy! Just the way I like it. The serving sizes are huge. So come hungry! We didn't need any chips and or anything afterwards until dinner time. And we even eat early that day. (11:30) So if you want more order to share! Service here is also amazing. They take your order and they just make it up for you. If you get it to eat in they will bring it out to your table when its done. We did eat in and we had out food quickly. Less than 10 minutes. Prices here are also fair. For 2 HUGE sandwiches and 2 Vermont made drinks it ran us around $24.00 total. And well worth the money! So with its Vermont themed look and menu its just amazing! You would be crazy not to try this place. If the look turns you off hen I don't know what to tell you! I hope they keep it as it is until it either burns down or the City of Burlington deems it a structure issue! Perfect 5/5! With good serving sizes (One that you can leave full and finish there!) and fair prices this place is great. Order it up!
(5)Kari D.
I frequented this sandwich shop during my time in Burlington. Best sandwiches I've had in my life. The bread is always fresh and delicious. The Red Onion sandwich is my favorite (who doesn't love sharp cheddar and apples). I highly recommend checking this place in for a cozy, reasonably priced lunch.
(5)Sheesh S.
We ordered the chicken salad which was very good. They add grapes to the chicken salad which made it sweet. It was a great treat outside on a spring day. The honey oat was great. The sandwiches were a little slow being made and the line didn't move very quickly.
(4)Brian P.
My experience with the Red Onion was mostly positive. We skipped breakfast, and our sandwiches were going to act like our lunch. Both my dining companion and I opted for the signature sandwich on honey oat. We were amazed at how many people were coming in at 11:00 on a Sunday. Mind you, they opened at 11:00. It took probably close to 10 minutes to get our food. We were very happy with the sandwiches. One qualm I did have was that the bacon wasn't crisp enough, and I thought there may have been too much mayo. But those are small details. This was a great one-time stop, but the prices were slightly steep. For two signature sandwiches and two Nantucket Nectar's, I paid about $22. It was worth it, but couldn't be a recurring thing.
(4)Bobbi B.
Went there at peak lunch rush. The line was long; folks were smushed into the entrance. I was hungry and thought I would have to wait forever. But suddenly it was my turn to order. They have a pretty basic sandwich menu, but the ingredients are good. I ordered a turkey sandwich on honey oat bread. Holy mega sandwich! I could only finish half. The bread slices are a 1/2 inch thick. Friendly, efficient staff. Simple, comfortable dining area. Go there hungry.
(4)Matthew G.
I can't remember when the first time I was exposed to Red Onion sandwiches. It had to be while I was interning for the Church Street Marketplace. This pedestrian street grew on me during this internship mainly because although it was just three miles from my birthplace, it was an area unexplored by this mini Magellan until I reached the college years. I can't call The Red Onion a deli, a sandwich shop or a sub store because of my fear that someone is going to associate to a Subway. It may better be described as a coffee shop meets your grandmother's kitchen but looks like your buddy's college apartment. If that doesn't conjure a picture in your head, it's not supposed to because chances are you have never had a Red Onion experience before. It is noticeably different the second you open the door, a seemingly refurbished door that would be more likely lead to a living room of large Victorian, not an eating establishment. Once through this rustic gate-keeper your first impression won't be visual but of smell. Freshly baked bread with notes of fresh grains and oats quickly overcome any frustration of finding a parking place anywhere nearby. Now, listen up. Listen to the difficult decisions that await you. You'll need to know these or they will hit you all at once sending you into a furry no unlike the snowy formations that gather outside of the Red Onion windows in winter. Breads: Rosemary Garlic, Honey Oat, 9 Grain, Wheat, Sourdough, French Bread; Meats: The usuals and all meats are slow roasted on the premise. Toppings, Red Onions (of course), Sprouts, Green Apples. Cheeses: Way too many to list but by far my favorite is the smoked maple cheddar. First of all, any person that combines green apples and cheddar with premium meat should be called an artist not a sandwich maker. In my opinion, combining the red onions, the maple smoked cheddar, and granny smith apples and fresh bread that is always cooked that morning are what make these sandwiches a delight, no, an indulgence. Red Onion is a diamond in the ruff and an eatery that this guy really misses.
(5)D F.
The staff are awesome. Sandwiches just as good. Four of us ate lunch there today and everyone left happy with lots of compliments.
(4)Rebecca C.
I tried this place because it was recommended to me by many locals as "A great sandwich place." Upon entering, I was greeted by a dingy interior that was rather dark and not very clean. It was noon on a Wednesday, and not very busy yet. The table I sat at was covered in crumbs and the floor underneath was littered with bits an pieces of food from whomever ate there last. At a busy time I always let this sort of thing go, but there were only 2 tables of dinners and they already had their food. I ordered a turkey/provolone on honey oat with lettuce and honey mustard. This resulted in an $8.75 bill. I know that all food at local establishments on Church Street costs more, but I contribute that not only to the location, but to the quality of the food - usually with as many local ingredients as possible. There were not many options for toppings that you wouldn't find at a chain sub shop. The bread, while clearly made there, was dry and lacked flavor. The turkey and cheese were pretty run-of-the-mill cold-cuts that I would purchase from any supermarket deli. The thickly cut bread does not make up for the small portion of meat and cheese, and while there was nothing particularly wrong with the sandwich, it was relatively plain and boring for nearly $9. For that price, there are a lot of other sandwich shops in the area that I would much rather frequent.
(2)Stacy T.
Yum! I was so won over by this place I had to write a review. My experience did not start out so great. I walked into the dingy, cramped space and was not even acknowledged by the 2 bored workers behind the counter. I was a little disappointed in the somewhat limited menu, but settled on the veggie sandwich with guacamole on the 7 grain bread. I grabbed a bottle of water and was a bit surprised when the total for that and my sandwich came to over $10. Seems a bit steep for a pretty basic sandwich. I grabbed a table outside on Church street and unwrapped what I assumed would be a sandwich as lackluster as the place from which it came. Boy was I wrong! With one bite, I forgot everything I disliked about this place. The bread is by far the best I've ever tasted - freshly baked and soft and chewy. Everything was so incredibly fresh and delicious and they were very generous with the guacamole, which I love. If I was just rating the food, this place would easily be 5 stars, but I guess the Red Onion has figured out that when your food is this good, it doesn't matter how bad your service, appearance, and prices are. Will I be back in spite of all this? Absolutely! I can't wait to see if all their sandwiches are this good.
(4)Pete B.
"The Red Onion" sandwich that they serve is unlike any other. The combination of turkey, bacon, apple slices, and cheese make my mouth water just thinking about it. It takes about ten minutes to prepare because they heat it up, but it is well worth the wait. I'm pretty sure that's the only sandwich I've had from here and I'm going to keep it that way. They also have a great variety of desserts. No sandwich would be complete without a peanut butter or chocolate chocolate chunk cookie.
(5)kalyn b.
First off, there were 4 people behind the counter and their way of operating was extremely inefficient: take an order, walk away to make order for five minutes, then get to the next person in line. What were all those other people doing? Also, 13$ for a sandwich and an apple juice? I ordered the signature, Red Onion Sandwich, with garlic mayo (instead of the usual sun dried tomato) and on sourdough bread. Out of all my group, I was the last to order so we all headed outside to await delivery of our sandwiches. As expected, mine was the last to come out, but sadly it was on honey oat and not sourdough. The guy placing it in front of me (who was not the one who took my order) asked if I was "sure" I had ordered sourdough and not honey oat. I explained that yes, I was sure, and would much prefer the sourdough. He seemed confused and a little out of it and asked if I ordered it from him (keep in mind, this was 5 minutes beforehand) or the "short guy". Once he left to return the sandwich to the kitchen to correct the error, it took at least another 5 minutes before the guy I had ordered from in the first place comes out with a sandwich made with HONEY OAT. I explained that I had ordered sourdough, which is why I sent it back in the first place. Immediately this guy gets defensive and told me he was sure I told him honey oat, then grabbed the plate and stormed back inside. After another 5 or so minute wait, sourdough bread finally came out! We were wondering if it was too good to be true, and in my opinion, the sandwich was sloppily made and literally dripping with way too much garlic mayo. It was an OK sandwich, not worth the money, and I was peeved to not have received any sort of apology let alone any form of compensation for my ridiculous wait (I would have taken a cookie, they looked delicious!). All in all, one of my worst experiences ever with a waiter/mixed up order, and they weren't even that busy!
(2)Rory M.
I really, really love the Red Onion sandwich. I also really like their snickerdoole cookies. I don't think there is a better sandwich in downtown Burlington. My only issue with the Red Onion is their service. It takes a LONG time to get a sandwich. Now, I understand that good food takes time. However, I cannot go there during the work week because an hour lunch is not enough time to order, get your sandwich, and eat it. If they could figure out how to speed the process up without compromising their perfect signature sandwich, this place would be the best.
(3)Dominique D.
Oh yummy! I met my man at the waterfront yesterday and what did he bring to the picnic but a tasty sandwich from here. He brought the goods for sure. The warm spinach piled high with big fresh mushrooms, red onions, garlic mayo on hearty honey wheat bread. The sauce was oozing out, oh it was tasty. The perfect addition to a beautiful view of the lake and time with one of my favorite people. I haven't been in the store, but will update when I do!
(5)Carl S.
I have gone to the red onion several times as i live very close in Burlington, on this particular day they had a turkey lemon barley soup, i asked for a sample thinking i would get a tablespoon of soup so that i could taste the broth to see how pronounced the lemon was. The kid behind the counter said "we don't give out samples", confused i asked why i couldn't sample the soup and he said "because of the homeless people, they come in and ask for a free sample and we don't know if they will buy anything",as he said this I thought it was pretty ridiculous and the fact that they had free samples of scones out on the counter added to the ridiculousness of the situation. I ended up trusting their word that it was good and getting the soup and a sandwich anyways, the food was as it has always been good, nothing fantastic. However, I have a bad taste left in my mouth, not from the food but from their costumer service and their values, I do not want to support an establishment who has such an established paranoia surrounding the less fortunate and are so greedy and cheap that they are not willing to spare a tablespoon of broth due to the chance that the person might not buy something. Several other sandwich shops on church street, Stone soup and New Moon, openly provide costumers with samples of soup and I would recommend going there.
(1)Dani B.
It was pretty good I just wish there was a bit more of it. This deli serves up great sandwiches, all of which are mostly organic and local. The city is pretty veggies friendly but I was suprised that my vegetarian sandwich was mostly spinach. Next time I'll opt for something with a bit more substance but it was not bad at all.
(3)Kathleen M.
Wicked good! Had the red onion sandwich, it was heaven on a plate! Was kind of busy, but absolutely worth it!
(4)Bring T.
Best sandwich bread in town. I am turkey snob and I like their turkey. It's a small shop but I've never had a speed or seating issue. They've got a couple spots by the window for people watching.
(4)Stacey M.
One of our must stops on our annual trip to Burlington. Have been a fan since my college days in the mid 90's and happy to report that more then 15 years later it has not changed at all!!!! The variety of choices here is just one of the many things that make this store so unique. The prices may be a bit high for the average college student - but totally worth it!!! And since they offer free water - you don't really need to buy a drink so that helps keep the cost down! There really isn't a bad sandwich here - and you can customize any of them or make one all on your own... The only downside is the lack of organizaton...nothing is written down - and then they ask you a few times what again you wanted - which I guess is better then doing it wrong... and then they tell you to sit and they will bring the food to you - but forget what you look like and ask everyone if this is what they ordered....but none of that matters when you take that first bite of your sandwich!!!
(5)Merry D.
This place is quite pricey for the experience - the food isn't bad, but it's nothing great. So, 3 stars for food (but minus for price). What really kicked it for me (and I know that servicepeople come and go and all that) - was the really really rude group of kids behind the counter. They were all around my age (early/mid 20s) and weren't just tuned out - they were actively rude. I took my Dad there for a college visit dealie, and it was just embarrassing. He's much more forgiving than I am, but even his general good nature was stumped by their attitude. To top it off, a group of businessmen (cute and suits!) came in just after us, and the girl at the register couldn't have been bouncier and nicer - kinda crawly after the ugly sister act we'd witnessed - taking their orders all chatty-like, bringing their stuff out (whereas of course we had to get ours ourselves - which I'm happy to do, but hello, equal treatment?!). AAnnnd another topper - the counter girl (the aspiring housewife?) took our money and then started slicing bread - all while wearing foodservice gloves - so I asked her to change them - and boy, if I thought she was unfriendly before, it was shooting daggers after that. Burlington has so many excellent choices - I'm never going back here as it most certainly does not qualify.
(2)Jon V.
Simply put their classic 'red onion sandwich' is my favorite food to get in Burlington. Great sandwiches, bread, soup and treats. I love this place.
(5)Tina M.
On a recent trip to VT I had to return to Red Onion for a sandwich before leaving (literally it was my last stop before getting to the highway). I have not been back in a few years and still found my favorite on the menu (red onion spinach melt). I was a bit disappointed to see the prices had risen two sandwiches and a drink totalled 19 and change. I agree with some of the other posts the atmosphere is a bit lacking and the bathroom is midly frightening when coming out as there is only a small gap between the bathroom door and the steep stairway to the cellar. (Not ideal for special needs or small children). Overall I recommend the place just for the food!
(4)rose n.
Very cute place. Again, manned by a group of hipsters but these kids were good about getting lunch out pretty quickly. They were super friendly too. Mostly just sandwich options (half the people I saw order got the Red Onion) with a few salad and soup options (oh and an entire display case of the most delicious looking cookies). I went for the bowl of veggie and rice soup which was delicious and came with a thick slice of fresh wheat bread ($5). There were some nice places to eat outside but I wasn't feeling $7+ for a sandwich there. I would definitely go back for one of those cookies though and they had some yummy looking scones/muffins that were reasonably priced.
(3)Claudia W.
Service is slow and inept (cashier couldn't figure out my change--had to do the arithmetic for him), and the only good sandwich maker degrades the rest of the staff in front of customers. Tried to make a phone order and after 4 calls that were unanswered I went in person. It took the guy 5 minutes to figure out how to give me change (including arithmetic) and another 15 minutes to make 3 sandwiches. I watched as he pondered each ingredient before he put it on my sandwich. He almost gave me the wrong kind of bread on one of them. It's really expensive and you don't get much for it. For my money I'll go elsewhere.
(1)Alexandra S.
Um, if I could give infinite stars, I would. This is the most amazing sandwich place in the world. Ever since I left VT, I have dreamt about the Red Onion Sandwich, their signature masterpiece. I have gotten other ones, and they are delicious as well, but this sandwich is (for real!) the best EVER. Get it on Honey Oat bread. Oh yeah, did I mention that they bake their own bread and slice it to order really thick?! (Warning: eat the sandwich with the more toasty side DOWN, or else the roof of your mouth will be totally destroyed. It's worth it though) Forget about the service. It's not the best. But who cares? They take your order and your money and, later on, bring you your sandwich. Not much interaction there. So suck it up and enjoy the most amazing sandwich you will ever eat anywhere. Trust me, Los Angeles doesn't even have a sandwich place this good. And they have just about everything.
(5)Dee K.
WOW!!!! I miss this place so much. One of the things I recommend to ANYONE who will be in the area is to make time to stop here and order their specialty Red Onion sandwich. FedEx overnight me one while your there. This place makes fresh bread, uses all the best ingredients, bakes yummy desert and features special soups and salad items that will make your mouth water. YUM!
(5)Josh N.
The Red Onion sandwich is the best ive had in the world. Nothing can compare to this delicious behemoth of a sandwich. They also have great cookies, bread and soup. Unfortunately they can be slow because of the demand, so don't plan on getting in and out quickly. Anyone in Burlington should try this sandwich, as well as the Sizzler at The Shopping Bag and a bowl of Pho at Pho Hong
(5)Leighann F.
All-Star Sandwich Bar is my benchmark measurement for great sandwiches. That being said, I am a tough critic when it comes to a good, solid sandwich joint. Fancy digs need not apply. Just gimme something delicious and well-made. Hearing about the Red Onion from my UVM friends for quite some time, stopping there on the way to Canada was only a few minutes off of our route. I had to see what all the fuss was about. Was it going to be like my experience with Anna's Taqueria? People raved and raved about that burrito place for so long, I was down-right excited to try it, only to find out it was some sub-par mexican wannabe spot who's claim to fame was basically rooted in cheap college nostalgia. Would Red Onion fit that bill as well? Simply, yes and no. The sandwich is effing delicious. So big I could barely fit my mouth around it (which is great, because your getting a lot for your $$, not so great because it's hard to get good, well-constructed bites with all the yummy ingredients.) The mayo was tasty and not overwhelming, and apples on a sandwich with smoked bacon? The perfect savory-set-crunchy combination. Add a small cup of hot apple cider and you won't even realize you're in the freezing Vermont weather. This is the signature sandwich and from what I could see on the menu, it was the only specialty sandwich. Sure, you can order whatever you want. Construct your own. But the lack of selections and menu was a bit disappointing. And the sandwich came alone. No salad, no fries, no coleslaw. Just a sandwich on a paper plate. For that price, you at least get slaw and a pickle at All-Star. Sometimes, you can even get chili! While I am glad I finally got to try the nostalgia of other's formidable years (which warmed and filled my belly and provided a nice mid-drive energy boost), it just didn't live up to the hype.
(3)Michael M.
Red Onion is a high class sandwich shop. For years they have been baking their own bread and crafting the best sandwiches on church street. Back in my college days I would always puchase a veggie muffin. It was a great meal for like a dollar. I am not sure if they still make these. But they are muffins full of cheese and veggies. So good. Healthy. And cheap. But back to the sandwiches. You must try the "Red Onion" which the store is named after. It is a smoked turkey bacon with apples and sundried tomato mayo. It is a heated sandwich. You will love it if you love the turkey bacon. Be on the look out for the daily specials as well. My personal favorite is the Jamaican Jerk Chicken. If this is the special then get it. It is so GOOD!!!!! I dream about this sandwich. Lastly if you are vegetarian or if you are looking to cut some calories from your lunch. GO FOR THE SPINACH sandwich. Heated and melted cheese on hot spinach. It has a mystery sauce that is very good too. I dont even like spinach that much but I do love this sandwich. It turns me into popeye. Gives me strength and power. Also the owner is a great man. Hard working and brilliant businessman. 5 stars. Go every day. Summertime eat out on the street and people watch. Use the wifi from RED SQUARE. Great spot to people watch. Cheers The sandwiches look better than these pictures.
(5)Salvatore C.
Ok I am a vet at this place. Grew up in VT and went to UVM, still try to get a red onion every time I visit. The red onion sandwich has always been consistently awesome until my last visit which is why I am reviewing. The last one I got was horrible, it had barely anything on it and was DRENCHED in mayo, it looked like a soupy chicken salad sandwich. When I opened it up and took a look I was so disappointed it almost brought tears to my eyes considering I drove all the way to burlington just for it. Im not the type to bring food back or even complain in general, but I had to do something. I eventually walked back to the kitchen and showed them my soupy sandwich and asked them to make me a new one. The other reason I'm writing is because of their horrible service. I don't think I've ever seen a smile from one of the workers. After the girl told me she would make me a new sandwich, the guy came up and told and said with his snotty hipster mouth "ugh, this is the second person to bring back a sandwich today because of too much mayo" then he said "sir, the mayo is the best part of the sandwich". (he was tall with curly hair and glasses if i remember). I basically told him they shouldn't have a cup of mayo on each sandwich. So they made me a new one that looked normal and I was pretty happy but they barely put ANY mayo on at all haha oh well at least it had decent portions on it like normal. Next time better be the way I remember or im gonna come back and change it to one star!
(5)C M.
They have these hardy slices of homemade bread that they make your sandwich with, oh so good. They also have nice big homemade cookies. Airy-cozy decor, good place to connect with a friend, not great for groups because it is kind of small. They don't take credit cards.
(5)Radish E.
The signature Red Onion sandwich is what you want to eat here. The combination of ingredients works really nicely and they are usually in abundance, atop thickly sliced (and really tasty) bread. The sandwich is pretty large and actually veers toward unwieldy. I think the prices are a little steep. Make sure you save some money and drink the free water they have in a pitcher below all the drinks in the cooler.
(3)Kelly G.
The first time I ever had apples on a sandwich was from the Red Onion and it CHANGED MY LIFE. Ask my friends, it opened me up to cooking with fruit in more savory settings and has led me culinary achievements that would have been impossible without them. Anyway-- the Red Onion is a fave lunch spot of mine down on the bricks. And the eponymous sandwich is a killer-- turkey, bacon, melted gruyere, red onions, apples, and sun-dried tomato mayo-- COME ON. That's just effing genius. And it works on the sweeter (and darker) honey-oat bread just as well as it works on the sourdough. If you remember, ask them to toast it open-faced-- if not, the resulting roof-of-your-mouth bleeding (while worth it, don't get me wrong) will leave you dining in discomfort for at least the next 12 hours.
(5)Brian M.
A friend of ours who used to live in the area highly recommended this place and we owe that guy a thank you. We spent a little more than you'd like to spend on a lunch and for a sandwich it sure did take a while, but a fantastic sandwich will make up for quite a lot. And the Red Onion sandwich was one fantastic sandwich. The only mistake we made was that we each ordered one. The smart move would've been to split the sandwich and a bowl of their soup which, judging by the raves of the couple on the side of us, tasted as good as it looked.
(5)Hilary V.
I have only been to red onion for sandwiches which are AMAZING. A lot of the ingredients they use are made on-site. Their bread is amazing and they have great toppings--cheese, meat and a ton of veggie options including cucumbers, carrots, onions, spinach, mushrooms, sprouts, etc. Someone might think the sandwich is a bit overpriced on their first visit, but they're huge and definitely worth it.
(5)Josh P.
I've been wrestling with how to review the Red Onion. As far as food goes, they are tops in my book. The Chicken Salad is awesome, and I really love their breads. That being said, I have to echo what many others have said; The staff seem like they could care less. I realize that you're hipsters living in a hip city, but please get over yourselves and smile.
(2)Jamel O.
The red onion is a place with a great sandwich. The place is very laid back. I have eaten here may times. The staff is often just in their own world. It took me a while to figure out when I was going to pay, etc. It was a favorite of a client and we would go eat there after court. Apples on a sandwich. I am surprised we don't have more of this in New York.
(4)Allie C.
I am a sucker for the red onion spinach melt. The sandwich shop serves up awesome vegetarian friendly meals and delicious baked good!
(5)Amanda Z.
I don't understand why people are raving here. We stopped off in Burlington on our way to Canada because we wanted some lunch, and stumbled upon Red Onion. It seemed to have healthy choices (for those on a diet) and vegan choices (for the vegans, duh), but it lacked...quality. The prices were incredibly high for what you got, at least in my opinion. The food was just alright, the bathroom was, well, lets say I used cleaner in college bars, and the kicker, the servers were totally rude to us. The true 2 star deal for me, tiny cup of coffee for $2, and then, for a refill, another $2. WHAT? Even the rapidly bankrupting Starbucks gives you a break on the refills. I don't live in Burlington, but should I return, I will not be stopping in at Red Onion.
(2)Shannon S.
Fresh bread, warm turkey, apples and guyere cheeses, delicious Honey Oat Bread and crisp bacon ---The Red Onion Special! My boyfriend and I were on a New England Road Trip and we hit up the red onion on a recommedation from his cousin who used to live in Burlington. What a fantastic recommendation indeed. I don't know if this place would be awesome for dinner but word of the wise to the lunch crowd--eat at the Red Onion. I also tried one of their peanut butter bars--freaking fantastic and you can't beat it's location on Church Street either. If it's nice out be sure to sit outside, the interior was a bit warm and small and there tends to be cluster of people at waiting in line, right before the door when it's busy. Huge sandwich! Wish it was in Boston!
(5)Susie Q.
I loved the sandwich that I got to go. It had bacon, turkey, onion, with some special tasty sauce on toasted bread. Sandwich costs about $9, so kind of pricey. However, I would come again because the food is so tasty! I wish the bread the sandwich was on wasn't just plain load bread because even though it was toasted, the sandwich fell apart since the bread was flimsy. I think this place is run by a bunch of college-aged students so it has a hippie-feel to it. This is the perfect place if you're a local area college student wanting to kick it with your friends. Definitely very casual atmosphere.
(4)Lorelle C.
The line on this bright and sunny Vermont Marathon Sunday afternoon was out the door, but I didn't care. I had read the reviews and knew that I wanted a Red Onion Special sandwich. It took about 30 minutes for me to order and receive my sandwich, but it was well worth it. The mayo, turkey, bacon, cheese.... sooo delicious. I couldn't even tell you what else was on the sandwich, but the honey oat (as everyone recommended) was soft sweet and hearty. Yum. I will go back the next time I am in town and try the spinach/mushroom alternative.
(4)Joseph P.
The soup and large cookies are the only reasons to ever eat. The staff may sometimes be helpful, but more time then not, they are just mad you are standing there looking at you wondering "what the hell". The bread is fresh, but very heavy, and the place seems very dingy. Oh, and the price. Sorry but I would rather go to the Madhatter.
(2)Colette N.
While walking around in Burlington, my boyfriend and I decided to stop in the red onion to grab a coffee and a sandwich. We ordered the red onion sandwich but decided to split it, as we were going out to dinner when we got back into Waterbury. So we ordered, paid and found a table. Let me preface this soon to be annoying situation with this: the place was dead at this point. Maybe 5 other customers, 4 of which were already eating. So, one of the guys brought us two sandwiches and walked away. We were confused, but thought maybe it was a double decker. We both only ate half of the sandwich. I heard one of the guys say to the other guy, he made a mistake. At this point I felt bad, realizing he did in fact give us two sandwiches and was going to go and pay for the second sandwich we didn't order. I used to work in a place similar to the red onion, and have been in similar situations. Just as I was about to get up, one of the guys came over to our table and said did you pay for two sandwiches? Because those are supposed to be for that table over there. Then, the kicker, he said "however you want to deal with that." And walked away. Not only did he embarrass us, he made us feel guilty for a mistake we didn't make. I got up to go online to pay for the second sandwich, but I also wanted to know what he meant by "however you want to deal with that." As soon as I got online, he brought over tin foil and said to my boyfriend, "you are all set." We left. Not taking any leftovers. They could keep their overpriced, mediocre turkey sandwich. Sorry for the ramble. I would NOT recommend this place.
(1)Wendy K.
Really awesome chicken salad sandwich.. I haven't triend anything else.. small.. quaint.. so burlington.
(4)joey h.
We stopped in one day for something sweet while walking around. The place was busy, and the sandwiches looked awesome. We grabbed a cookie and took it to go... Delicious.
(5)J B.
Shannon was right- this place is GREAT. We went here twice this weekend and got the same thing both times (my friend got the red onion sandwich and I got the same- minus the meat and plus some cucumber). both were clearly phenomenal. We did not find much else in Burlington that appealed to us but this place sure did. I am back home and would have one of these sandwiches in front of me right now if i could. the one thing i found strange was that i got it w/o the bacon and turkey and they charged me the same price as if i had it w/ these main ingredients. but- it was worth it.
(4)Meghan Q.
I have never been let down here! The delectable sammy amalgums they create are innovative and delicious. I entirely agree with Kelly G's comment on the apples...who knew? And the breads....oh the bread. No weak slices here folks, always a nice hearty cut that will hold up to all the goodness that gets slathered between them! I've never had poor service there, at least nothing beyond the new kid learning the ropes which you just need to let slide most of the time. Limited seating inside but in the summer they do have outdoor seating which is great, always good people watching on Church St! Overall its probably my number one for lunch in Burlington!
(5)o o.
Every sandwich I've had here was the best! The signature red onion sandwich is out of this world!! --hot turkey, apple slices, tomato mayo, smoked Gruyre & red onion on homemade bread-- OUTSTANDING!
(5)Blevins L.
What a great find. We were cold and hungry, wandering down Church street on a blustery 15 degree day and just wanted a place to eat and get out of the cold. It wasn't busy when we went in so we had time to talk to the guy at the counter and found out that they make all of their bread in house, and that the hot sandwiches are heated in the oven. We ended up getting a couple of the Red Onion sandwiches on different kinds of bread and a couple of different kinds of soup and we were blown away by how fantastic everything was. We also got a cookie to share and that was also really good. Some people have complained about the service but the guy who was working the day we went was super friendly. They don't sell their bread there but the guy told us that they sell it in the Coop around the corner so we stopped in there to get some to take home with us. We went to the Red Onion just hoping to not be hungry anymore when we left and ended up having the best lunch we've had in a long time. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Kerrie T.
The Red Onion sandwich from the Red Onion is THE best sandwich in Burlington. The ingredients are listed in other reviews, just adding here that it's a sundried tomato mayo. The staff is at times bored and slow to react to your presence, but more often than not they are pretty slammed so expect to wait to order and then wait a while longer to get your food. I only ever order that sandwich, it's that good. I don't care for the cookies there at all, the drink selection is meh. There is always free water in the bottom of the drink cooler. Red Onion sandwich = Amazing.
(5)Amy B.
Simply Mmm, Mmm, GOOD!! When in Burlington, this is the only place I care to stop for lunch. I love their signature Red Onion Sandwich, but since I am not much of a meat eater I actually prefer their Veggie Sandwich. They load it right up with all of the most delicious vegetables; the meat is not missed at all. The last time I was there they piled my sandwich so high that I could barely open my mouth wide enough to take a bite. And the bread is damn good as well; so FRESH. It is tough to get a seat around lunch time and sometimes the line is crazy long. If you get there and the line is long, leave and call your order in over the phone. You basically cut the line, yes I know kind of sleazy.
(5)Bryan S.
Having grown up in Vermont and spending a lot of time in Burlington you would think I would have found this place sooner. Unfortunately it wasn't until my last 2 or 3 years there that my wife and I found what has got to be the best sandwich place in all of Vermont. Homemade fresh bread generously cut, crisp and fresh veggies, plenty of meat. It can be an issue for some people (my wife included) to eat because it's so thick when they load everything up. The atmosphere is pretty nice too with seating inside or out on Church Street. A little crowded inside, but whether you take your food to go or eat there, the taste quickly makes you forget any shortcomings of the establishment (if there are any, I can't remember). Don't forget to get a cookie even if you don't have room. Those are fresh baked too and rival the sandwiches for tastiness. Next time we're back in Burlington you better believe we'll try to get away to lunch at the Onion.
(5)Anurag M.
Amazing sandwich, great atmosphere - highly recommend it.
(5)Brye L.
I'm with Allix....the staff was aloof/rude. I know that they are busy and probably have to deal with alot of inane questions, however you are in the service industry. And from what I have seen they are dealing with Vermonters...I found them wonderful and warm. Anyhow, the sandwich was good, a bit on the pricey side. The only thing I thought was a little odd is that I had asked for sprouts, they put them on BEFORE putting the sandwich in the oven, so they were scorched on the outside and then soggy in the sandwich. Oh well.
(3)Justin A.
One of the best sandwiches I've ever eaten, and I think the main reason is because of the fresh ingredients and artisan bread. Sure, you can get a roast beer sandwich anywhere, but try this place and you'll realize that quality food and creativity (apples on a sandwich!) matters. I especially liked the sundried tomato mayo spread. There's also soup (try the chicken noodle), cookies, muffins, and I believe bread for sale. If you're going to be in Burlington during lunch time, this place is a must.
(4)Jess M.
GIGANTIC *and* decilicious sandwiches!! This place was recommended to me when I was passing through Burlington, and I am ever so happy that she did. I ordered the Red Onion (with no bacon...) and was very very happy with my selection. It was HUGE and hot (hotness makes sanwiches so much better) and so tasty. I also ordered a ginger cookie. It was big and soft and chewy with slightly crisp edges. I would have liked a little more of a ginger zing, but it was still good.
(4)Bradley K.
another solid red onion sandwich. a bit lean on meat this time (only reason not for 5 stars), but still a burlington institution unto itself.
(4)Hayley W.
It is the only sandwich place that has ever made me question my loyalty to the San Benito House sandwich in Half Moon Bay, CA. It is a worthy rival.
(5)Jenn R.
Okay. Let's just say I live in MA and would drive 5 hours to VT just for the Red Onion Sandwich. It's huge and you can split it with a friend. People are grossed out hearing it has green apples on it, but they are sliced so paper thin and compliment the rest of the ingredients. I get mine on sourdough bread. Very small place though, but I always get a seat regardless.
(5)andy g.
Ohhh how I miss you Red Onion cafe. I live in southern california now and I have to recreate the that beautiful sandwich that you are known for. If you are in B-town and are looking for a great sandwich on church st head on over. Yes, it is a little pricey but the ingredients are fresh and that dam sandwich is one of a kind. Whenever I am in town I make a mission to stop by this place.
(4)Debbie T.
I went for a sandwich here based on Yelp reviews because I am in town from California.....and ordered the turkey sandwich with smoked apples. It was a big zero, not memorable in any way and I only ate half. I am re-rereading the reviews and I see there are three times as many for this place as for any other in the area. Makes you wonder who's writing them. Eat someplace else.
(1)Emily T.
A personal favorite..When in Burlington, do as the locals do, and go to Red Onion. I highly recommend the honey oat bread. Everything is super fresh and super huge! A half sandwich is plenty to eat, but you definitely want more because of how good it all is. The Red Onion sandwich is very popular.
(4)Biggie M.
The spinach melt is really good. I have yet to try "The Red Onion" since becoming carnivorous again, but I really, really want to. I think the key to their sandwiches is that they use high quality ingredients. Their cookies are good too. This was the first place I ever ate at in Burlington. Not a bad start at all.
(4)Whitney W.
This is THE best sandwich shop in the Burlington and surrounding Burlington areas around! Do not be fooled by the posers around...The Vermont Sandwich Company has nothing on this place as it uses presliced bread and not homemade bread and still can't get the Red Onion Sandwich right! Try the Honey Oat bread with the namesake sandwich...sundried tomato mayo, house roasted turkey, bacon, apples, onions, smoked cheese...HEATED! and it doesn't stop there...all the breads are home made and if you can roast a meat it is done right on the premise. All salads, soups, bake goods, COOKIES!!!(TRY THEMl!) are made and baked there! Critics be warned, often times bakerie's say items are baked there, but are they actually MADE there? You need to go here not only is the signature sandwich always perfect, but the "normal" sanwiches are too (and the red onions "normal" sandwiches are still sooo phenomenal and large!!!).
(5)