Firebird Cafe
163 Pearl St, Essex Junction, VT, 05452
Firebird Cafe Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Essex Junction for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Essex Junction for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Essex Junction for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
163 Pearl St
Essex Junction, VT, 05452 - Phone (802) 316-4265
- Website https://www.thefirebirdcafe.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :8:00 am - 3:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Breakfast, Brunch
Parking : Private Lot
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 : Free
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : Yes
Waiter Service : No
Caters : No
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
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Sevann H.
Major winner here, top marks on the food, charm, and service. We showed up 15 min after it opened on a Sunday and there was only one other couple there. But by the time we left, the place was packed. Secret is out that this place is amazing. We ordered the pork carnitas omelette and the French toast. The pork carnitas were juicy, flavorful and not too salty. It was complemented nicely by the fresh tomato salsa and the sour cream. The home fries were also excellent. I chose the croissant bread for the French toast and added grilled banana and blueberries. It was light, airy and crispy around the edges. In addition to coffee they have a large selection of drinks including Boylan sodas and Diet Dr. Pepper so for me that pretty much earns them another star, but not like they needed it because it's a 5 star place. Service was great. Style is order at the counter then pick your seat and they bring it to you. They were friendly, pleasant and made just enough small talk to win me over. The inside is very quaint and charming. Spoiler alert...if you love kitschy chicken decor, you're going to love this place.
(5)Rob M.
Close your eyes and point to something on the menu; you just can't go wrong here. ...Unless of course your planning anything other than a nap later, then you may want to stick to the sandwiches.
(4)Elad K.
Been here twice during our last visit in Vermont. Friendly team, really good and fresh breakfast. We made special Omelets just the kind we like. Recommended.
(5)Abby P.
I've lived in Essex Junction for 3 years.... how did I ever miss this place?! Ahhhmazing breakfast, it's now my go-to spot. The owner is super helpful, and makes delicious sauces, comparable to those I've tasted in Baja Mexico. Pancakes and French toast come with REAL maple syrup. Vermont Coffee Company freshly-brewed is the icing on the cake.
(5)Kimberlee M.
Delicious food and so happy not too many people know about this place! Great sandwiches and wraps...never had a bad experience.
(4)Matt L.
Super good food at a reasonable price. Most items run around the $9 mark. This is my favorite place to eat in Chittenden County besides maybe Penny Cluse downtown. I've honestly never had anything bad here. Good coffee too. It can get really busy around lunch time and seating is limited but you can always order to go. Just understand you may wait up to 30 mins for your items. But honestly the best place to go for breakfast and lunch in the area.
(5)Esq. H.
I should have known better....breakfast, brunch, and Mexican. And what did I do....I went for the Mexican. I had a chicken burrito at lunch. I would have been better off at Wendy's or the frozen food aisle. The chicken tasted real and it came with a side of tomatoes, which I think was suppose to be pico de gallo. Um. Ok. The burrito wasn't terrible but nothing about it was good. Inside the burrito with Chicken beans and I believe sour cream and that's it. It was a decent portion size, but that's coming from a city slicker use to tiny portions and cute décor. A burrito and a drink was about $12. The staff was nice, the restaurant is an old house, and the restroom was clean. Stick with the breakfast and brunch items. Good luck.
(2)Charles P.
The firebird is, hands down, one of my favorite lunch spots in the area. The burrito supremo is my go-to, anytime, any day food of choice! Jam packed with perfectly cooked eggs and avacado, and an awesome spicy sauce. Give it a go, you'll be hooked
(5)Caitlin S.
Sitting in the warm sun room, sipping delicious local brew coffee and having one of my favorite breakfasts- Chorizo Benedict! Today they have homemade Thai Chicken soup too that was AMAZING!! :D Love this place.
(5)Augie B.
I had a burrito that was excellent. Staff was very friendly and accommodating. I would have made it four stars but they have no A/C, made it a little difficult to enjoy the food
(3)Denise M.
The Firebird was a very happy find! A wonderful find for lunch! The staff are happy and pass it on! It's not what it appears outside or in! It's much more than that!
(5)Maureen F.
Great food, friendly atmosphere, terrific service. I had the Orchard sandwich- very yummy and fresh. Definitely give this place a try!
(5)Cesar E.
This is not ordinary food, the plating, the portions, the flavors, its balanced and perfect combinations make this food an absolute treat for your senses and your palate. I had the huevos rancheros and the pancakes and i tried the pork carnitas omelette and it was enough to realize that i was in front of a hidden treasure when it comes to food, everything was delicious!! You most visit this place even if you're far away because it'll be more than worth it! You most think I'm a friend or family member of the owner, but we are Jersey friends that happened to come to the Essex Junction once a year cuz we love it and now more since we found this place!
(5)Dennis B.
The staff was very friendly and accommodating to ok party of seven. Very children friendly. Food was prepared well. We enjoyed our visit and would highly recommend this place to others.
(5)James C.
It's good, one of the best cafes in the area. Zero complaints every time I've been.
(5)Kelly B.
Firebird is a great little breakfast spot. The food is excellent and the people working are very friendly. I have get to be disappointed with anything! You cannot go wrong here so check it out!!!
(5)brad l.
Review not based on food. Need to update online menu prices. Waste of time going there this morning to see all prices are $1-$2 more than what is on their website. Thought I finally found a breakfast spot with reasonable prices. The search continues
(2)Skylar B.
I've been coming here for years! I always used to drive by this restaurant and one day stopped in. So glad I did because it became a weekly tradition for my friends and I. All the food is amazing but the things that stand out are the Supremo Burrito on the savory side and any of the Benedict's. On the sweeter side you can't go wrong with the pancakes-make sure you ask for blueberries! I've never had pancakes so moist and delicious. You will not be upset if you order them! Go ahead you know you want too! Also the croissant French toast is just an amazing concoction, so much so that it's usually difficult for me to choose between the two :) lets not forget the coffee-brewed by Vermont Coffee Company in Middlebury, Jake the owner of firebird brews it nice and strong. It's some of the best coffee in Vermont if you ask me. Lunch is good here as well but 90% of the time I come for breakfast. The staff is awesome with a good energy and they always make an effort to get to know you. Bonus-there is a picnic table outside that's dog friendly and they will make your pooch a little snack :)
(5)Elissa L.
I don't think I've ever had a disappointing meal at Firebird Cafe! I've tried a good amount of things on their menu but my all time favorites are their orchard and harvest paninis. The combo of deli meat, creamy cheese, and apple flavor is fantastic. I definitely love meeting my parents there for lunch and they always seem to love their meals too!
(5)Dave M.
This was our first time here and would consider coming back. Service was young, but very friendly and helpful. We ordered a grilled chicken wrapped that was called Jack's and shredded turkey with cheese on sourdough that was called the harvest. The grilled chicken tasted okay. The chicken was very over cooked. The harvest tasted delicious. They don't offer any side options except bagged chips. The presentation of the food was boring. It was served in a plastic basket. The tables and building were very clean. In regards to price - we thought it was a little over priced. Portion size was small.
(3)Pam C.
Quaint little place with great food. I ordered the Huevos Rancheros , good but they were missing the avocado :( Hubby got the Smoked Salmon Benedict, Very good. Short Stack of pancakes were a perfect ending.
(4)Benny R.
A bit of a wait on Sunday Brunch-time, but worth every bite. Staff was super cool. Delicious.
(5)Adam R.
This review cannot express the joy of walking to Firebird for brunch. Ingredients are always fresh and ambiance is relaxed. Great place to bring people visiting the area or for a quick grab before work.
(4)Shauna S.
I LOVED this restaurant! We visited from New Jersey and after our first breakfast at the Firebird we decided to go back for lunch the next day. I had the most delicious version of eggs Benedict with a southwestern/Mexican twist. Everything was cooked perfectly and the sauces were bright and fresh. My daughter had the buttermilk pancakes which were the best I have tasted. The next day we tried the taco's; fish and pork. Apparently they are famous for the fish tacos and after tasting them I know why. The staff was friendly and helpful. Great coffee drinks and cozy but small seating area. It seemed like there were a lot of regulars and people taking out orders for breakfast and lunch. I can't wait to go back!!!!!
(5)Kim M.
Great flavor! We ordered the beef burrito, chocolate pancakes and a pork carnitas omelette. Would recommend all the dishes but especially the carnitas. Very small quaint place with very friendly staff.
(4)Rita V.
Totally new-edgy (age-y), totally OH YES! FRESH, CLEAN, friendly! That chai latte? SAY YES! Coffees, teas and bfast all day! I had the rancheros their way. SOOO delicious! The eggs beni with smoked salmon? Fantastic - no hollandaise though - they make their special cream. Love this place! You have to stop here and get your breakfast on! NAMASTE!
(5)Kelly C.
The food is amazing and people are even better! I arrived about 20 minutes before they were even open with my kids and they were totally accommodating and whipped up some chocolate chip pancakes in no time. The breakfast burrito is DELICIOUS! We love Firebird!
(5)Max C.
Am from out of town. Went here for brunch with my parents. It was a order at the front serve yourself coffee place which was a little bit confusing but the lady up front was friendly. I had the pulled pork omelette which was delicious while my mom had croissant French toast which was evidentially the Vermont version of the Cronut. Would highly recommend.
(5)Patrick C.
Excellent food though there is not enough seating. I would caution you if you are busy and think it will be quick in and out service. But the food more than makes up for the wait!
(4)Chelsea C.
Yummy yummy food and friendly smiles every time I've been here! Thank you! Can't wait to come back again!
(5)Jessica W.
Amazing breakfast spot, and the only place I know that does a really classic, California-Mexican cuisine. Deserves a cult following, this place. Also, totally empty before say, 9:15 on the weekends, so great for families.
(5)Darin P.
My favorite place to get breakfast in Essex. With a couple excellent versions of Eggs Benedict you can't go wrong. Small place though so you might have to wait for a table if it gets busy.
(5)Chi L.
Came here for breakfast on a Friday while on vacation. We thoroughly enjoyed it. I ordered chicken tacos and an iced chai tea and my boyfriend got a mozzarella omelet. You order at the counter and they bring it to your table. We probably waited about 10-15 min for the food. It was pretty busy for a weekday. There's a unisex bathroom next to the counter and it was a lot bigger than I expected for the size of the place.
(5)Deb W.
Great little breakfast place. I came here expecting a wait because I heard this was a small place. When I got here, there were 8 tables and all were taken but luckily no one was waiting and I got a table immediately after I ordered. I was a little surprised that this place wasn't busier since I came at prime brunch time on a Sunday afternoon but I guess I went in March which is in between snowboarding and summer season so maybe there aren't many travelers during this time of year. I ordered the croissant french toast and my bf ordered the buevos rancheros. Both dished were delicious. I am a french toast fanatic and order french toast anytime I go out for brunch so I have very high standard for French toast. They met my expectations! First of all, the portion was huge! Usually when I order French toast, I get one piece of bread that barely fills me up but this time I got 4 slices ( four croissant halves) and was stuffed! Our food took a while to come out but it was worth the wait.
(4)Patale M.
We went there 15 minutes before closing and there was a bit of tension with the staff at the ordering station. We could tell we had to be swift and not complicated....After we ordered, swiftly and simply, all went well. We had chicken tacos, soup, home fries and coffee. Everything was delicious. We will be back for more of something different!
(4)Morgan S.
Love it here- I can't believe I haven't reviewed them yet! I go fairly often and normally get the Athena wrap, Rice & black bean with tofu, or a stack of pancakes. SO GOOD. I'd also recommend getting some home fries. Perfect for vegetarians, it's a cute little shop, and they have the nicest servers! I normally get take-out and it's always fairly quick, especially for how busy they can be.
(5)Jill L.
I think I wanted to try everything that was on the menu. Just looking over everyone's dishes I desired for my stomach to expand to pack everything in. Oh...what a wishful thinking. I had the croissant french toast, only because I just had to and of course it was delicious. Who would've thought to put them together? It was nice and fluffy - I should've added a sausage on the side! They have their own spicy sauce that's actually spicy. Ask them to bottle it up, and they will for $4. Bit pricey but hey, it has a delicious kick and worth it. My only wish is that it could be bigger! The place is small and packed seamlessly.
(4)William F.
The best burrito I've ever had. You don't get to pick the fillings, this isn't Chipotle. Also, excellent breakfast, VT Coffee Roasters, and the paninis are real good (not as much food as a burrito, but similar price). The owner is in the kitchen most weekdays and he's pretty cool. The hot sauce is ridiculously flavorful (and not super hot).
(5)David M.
My wife and I traveled into Essex to look for a breakfast restaurant when we came across this little diner. I ordered a simple sausage, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich on a croissant. My wife ordered a traditional breakfast plate of bacon, scrambled eggs, and hash browns. My sandwich was average, I could get a similar sandwich at a corner store. My wife's dish was far worse, the bacon's taste was similar to eating coffee grounds with how overcooked it was, the eggs were as if the chef used double the amount of water necessary, and the hash browns had been over spiced (which I enjoyed as a fan of spice, but my wife did not). I would not recommend this "breakfast and lunch all day" restaurant until the chef can do more than fry an egg and burn bacon.
(2)Doug B.
Spectacular breakfast. Great variety of omletts and othe breakfast items. Price are good and serving size is large. Highly recommend.
(5)Bruce D.
A funky little place with great food. The food is great. Do not overlook the bacon. It was perfectly cooked and had a slight maple flavor, excellent. I enjoyed the carnitas omelet with tomatillo sauce. It too was excellent. The location is a funky little house coverted to a restaurant. Orders are placed at the counter, you're given a number to place on the tabke, then they bring you your food. There's a well stocked self serve drink cooler. The checkout process is slick. They use an iPad app with buttons to instantly calculate and add a tip. As as a good Yelper generous tipping is second nature and this makes that even easier. The staff is helpful, friendly and sincere. The service was quick. If you have a shorter lunch break or need to get back on the road you won't be slowed down. Having paid at the counter you can hit it and quit it when you're finished eating. The only minor con is that portions are on the small side. Ours were and we heard another person say the same. Thus is not the land of the heaping helping. I'm looking forward to a return visit the next time I'm in town.
(4)Garry M.
Breakfast food was very good with a mix of Mex and American choices. Tiny space- two 4 tops and six 6 two tops. If it's busy (which it often is) your screwed. Very affordable. Food was filling and funky. Could be a little cleaner. Probably a great lunch spot.
(4)Theresa Z.
I have spent my last dollar at the firebird. While the food is fine, I did not appreciate the counter staff Pointing out the gratuity line, for what amounts to take out food, and standing over me and almost having his nose on the screen. I normally do not tip when there is NO service but in this case felt pressured to. This was at lunch February 11. I was made to feel that I am tipping to ensure someone cooks my order well!! Really! The last time we were there one of the staff asked us to give up our table as soon as we finished. While the food is fine, I can find more comfortable places to go. Tipping is for fine service. Tipping someone to take your order and money is ridiculous.
(2)Allyson S.
Small restaurant, seats about 20. The ambiance is very casual. However, the food was excellent and the coffee good. Any wait is well worth it. The chorizo is house made. The staff is super nice and very helpful. Everyone was happy to answer your questions. I got the chorizo benedict. AMAZING! (Very possibly the best benedict I have ever had - had to resist licking the plate)
(5)Jesse M.
Family of four visiting up at UVM stopped here for breakfast. Wonderful touch of tex-mex in the northeast. We tried the carnitas omelette and it was delicious. Flavors you don't normally see perfect stop.
(5)Nick I.
Awesome cafe!! Brings a little life to five corners area. The supremo burrito has a nice amount of spice (swear to God it's a hangover cure) the owner is an avid mountain biker and is involved with the community, wish this place was in Burlington, it could easily replace a lot of the overrated joints downtown
(5)Jillian J.
We discovered this place at the start of a 5 hr drive home. Let me ask you two things: Do you love Mexican food? and do you love breakfast? Then you will really enjoy this place. We have been twice and I had the huveos rancheros and the benedict. Both amazing. My husband is more of a traditional breakfast type and has enjoyed the traditional breakfast both times. Good quality and fresh ingredients. The coffee is good too! Very small, so we tried to hurry and eat so other guests could sit. Staff is super friendly. Would love to try for lunch someday, if we can figure that out.
(4)Bree D.
Firebird is a great little place to stop in for breakfast or lunch! I absolutely love that they serve breakfast all day. I just wish they were open until 4:00 instead of 3:00! Whenever I'm in Essex around lunchtime, this is the place I look forward to going! The space is fairly small, but there is seating. I usually get take-out, which is always pretty quick. Every time I visit, I am happy with what I order. The Huevos Rancheros are by far my favorite, but I just recently ventured into the Turkey Reuben territory. Let me tell you, those huevos have some competition! I think the portion sizes are fair for the prices, which are comparable to other restaurants in the area. They also have great coffee and espresso drinks. I highly recommend giving this place a try!
(5)Alix G.
Love this place. Have ordered takeout and been there a few times since it's close to where I live. I have never been disappointed.
(5)Shawn S.
Stopped in for breakfast one morning after seeing how highly rated it was on here. Was a little thrown off when we walked in, there's a counter to order at, DIY coffee station, and self-seating. Our food was great, I tried something new and really enjoyed it. It's a nice place, could be a quiet breakfast but a loud group ended up coming in right after us and sitting next to us, but that's not really the fault of Firebird. I'm sure we'll be back to try some more of their offerings.
(4)Sara C.
Breakfast has been great the two times I've been there. They were out of the house-made sausage one time, which was disappointing, and they were weird about honoring the Check-In deal (they said it was only with the breakfast sandwich, but I ordered a more expensive menu item so it seemed like they could have just given me the free coffee, but idk). Overall, the food is great, the service is so-so. I've never had to wait to eat there, which is awesome.
(4)Sara F.
My boyfriend and I were vacationing in VT and were eager to find a yummy breakfast spot as the breakfast at our hotel was not so hot. Found this place and am SO glad! The place is small so I can see how on busy days, it can be hard to get a seat, but luckily we were able to grab a window two-seater and had a great breakfast! I got huevos rancheros and they were DELICIOUS! I was so impressed with the flavor. The boyfriend got a breakfast burrito and it was bigger than his head! He accepted the challenge and loved it as well. We definitely plan to return when we go back to Vt for another vacation!
(5)Dennis M.
This was one of our best experiences visiting Burlington. Wonderful and creative food, friendly and helpful staff, and a very wise and generous owner. This will be a definite stop on all future visits.
(5)Zoila T.
Amazing! I had the carnitas burrito- I'm not usually a fan of spicy food, (weird I know, I'm Hispanic, how do I NOT like spicy food!?!) but in any case, it was phenomenal!
(5)Beverly B.
We were in Burlington for the weekend and had lunch Saturday and breakfast Sunday here because we liked it so much. I had the turkey Reuben with gluten free bread panini pressed. Delicious! My sister had the orchard and loved it too. For breakfast I had gluten free French toast ( that's right!!!!!). It was fabulous with real maple syrup. Sister had the croissant French toast which she said was to die for. Can't wait to go back!
(5)McKinley D.
This is one of the best meals I've had during my 3 weeks in Vermont. I ordered the huevoes rancheros based on employee recommendation. It was amazing. The eggs were perfectly cooked. The tomatillo sauce was flavorful. The ingredients were fresh and vibrant. A very well balanced meal. Not only was the food great, but the atmosphere was great. It was very welcoming and homey. I highly recommend giving it a shot! You will not be disappointed.
(5)Anonymous A.
So the food here is really damn good. The only reason I took off a star was because after ordering breakfast for my partner and I to go, once I brought it back to the hotel and we opened it up his "the traditional" was missing home fries. Its just a detail that it would be nice if they had caught. Otherwise I had the croissant french toast and it was absolutely delicious and my partner's break fast looked really good (and he definitely devoured it fast enough that I'm pretty damn sure it was also delicious).
(4)Jonathan K.
The food here is amazing! Very unique mexican style brunch. I had the home-made chorizo benedict - fantastic! Plus the green sauce on top was great too. My girlfriend had an omelete and it was also very good. The staff are super friendly!
(5)Nicole G.
This is probably one of the best cafes in Essex. It is a small but very cute place, service is really good, quality is great! They have a fairly small but really interesting/creative menu. I have came here for breakfast and to pick up orders for coworkers, everything the place is packed and there is hardly any place to sit.
(5)erin s.
Excellent breakfast, poblano pepper omlete was so good I almost licked the plate clean. Husband's had the pork carnitas, while I'm not a huge fan of pork it wad good and he loved it!
(5)Jae L.
I kept meaning to come here, and now my only regret is that we waited so long... It's a tiny little place--only 7 or 8 small tables of 2 or 4, and the menu is proprotionally small. But what they do they do real well. And it has a nice, homey feeling to it, like they know everyone who comes will eventually become a regular and a true friend. They provide a nice variety of magazines and a god collection of children's books for their smallest customers - very thoughtful, I thought. But let's talk about the amazingly delicious, fresh, well-priced food. The pork carnitas omelet (8.25) was just an amazing blend of flavors that you do not usually enjoy for breakfast, but here, it all made sense. The generous amount of pork was neither too sweet nor too salty, letting the porkinesss shine through. The tomatillo sauce was a solid, fresh compliment without being obtrusive, and there was just enough avocado and cheese to round things out with creaminess and salty-cheese goodness. It came with just a few home fries, but it was just the right amount, and cooked the way I like them (but can rarely get them!): crisp and lightly browned on the outside, lightly spiced, but nice and potato-ey, not dry at all. I love having desert after breakfast, and here we ordered the real maple syrup accompanied by croissant French toast ($6.95). O. M. G. The maple syrup was stronger and more complex than your average grocery-store variety -- this is the good stuff, what Vermont is known for. And the French toast itself...man! The perfect texture -- a little custardy, a little eggy (but not too much), barely crisp on the edges -- and with a hint of its own sweetness. Just about the best French toast I've ever had, My daughter loved her huevos rancheros ($8.25) but could not finish the huge portion. Her friend polished off the traditional -- 2 eggs, bacon, homefries, and toast for a rockin' $4.95. I think this may replace Chef's Corner as our go-to Sunday brunch... The selection may be more limited, but the food is just as outstanding, and there is no waiting in line or hunting for a table. Rock on, Firebird, rock on.
(5)Elizabeth L.
I make it a point to come here when I'm in the area! Great coffee drinks, homemade food with great quality and awesome service and atmosphere. This place is a hidden gem!
(5)Matthew O.
The homemade chorizo is amazing! There homemade hot sauce is fantastic too.. I'm taking some back to CA. The staff is really nice too. I'll be back for sure.
(5)Jordan S.
I took my parents in search of a new great Vermont breakfast/brunch location. The place was hot inside, granted it was a warm July morning, but it was stifling and uncomfortable. I ordered huevos rancheros which were quite good for the price. I also got water to drink. This is kept in a container out in the dining room without ice. Needless to say the water was quite warm. Additionally, all of our silverware was dirty. All in all the food was good, but nothing special. The ambience leaves a great deal to be desired. A cooler dining area with some ice in the water with clean utensils and I would give it another shot.
(2)Rhonda B.
Love Firebird! I go there all the time! Friendly staff and amazing food! I never get sick of the plentiful dishes to order and try because they're all so yummy! Their coffee and latte's are excellent as well. I'd recommend something but you can't go wrong with each dish as i've had nearly all of them. I especially like their pancakes as well as their steak burrito.
(5)John A.
While driving through Vermont, waiting for a flight, we decided to stop and grab some lunch. I checked yelp, and found this place had a series of 5 star reviews, so we gave it a shot. I don't understand all the hype, as far as 5 stars are concerned. I mean, it's good, but not worthy of 5 stars, imho...A-OK or 3 star level. I had the carnitas omelete. The pork was so savory and succulent, but not exactly "mexican" in nature. It was more of a pulled pork inside an omelete without spices. My wife ate a chicken, bacon and avocado wrap (identified on the menu as C.B.A.), which she enjoyed. With drinks it was about $22. They have several gluten free options. I would go back to this place, when in VT.
(3)Dan V.
I figured since everyone has high reviews that I would try this place again and try something that wasn't a bad new england version of mexican food. The Supreme Breakfast Burrito was watery and not worth the $10.75 they charged me for an $8 burrito. I'm giving two stars for the polite staff
(2)Andrea E.
I've been to Firebird for breakfast and lunch and have always enjoyed the food. For breakfast, try the huevos rancheros, which has their house made tomatillo salsa on it. Know that it's a small place and you may have to wait for a table or be sitting very close to another party. Getting take-out might be the best strategy.
(4)Morgan L.
Firebird Cafe is definitely one of my favorite breakfast shops. Everything is fresh, delicious, and affordable! Managed to get a table with little wait yesterday morning even when they were pretty busy. It's small but cozy and has a nice atmosphere. Highly recommend!
(5)Alexey A.
We enjoyed this quick counter service breakfast spot while vacationing around Burlington. The huevos rancheros were good, as promised by previous reviews. The chorizo was also really great-- as was the French toast!
(4)Edna E.
I visited this fine establishment twice while visiting family in vermont it was delicious. I had the poblano omelette and the carnitas omelette and both were amazing. Reasonably priced for the area.
(5)Al C.
Excellent food and fast service. A little cramped during lunch, but that's only because they are so popular! I'm a regular and they always know what I want now (shredded chicken burrito). 4 stars because the silverware isn't always clean.
(4)Courtney B.
Ah-mazing!!! The Frisco omelet was to die for! My friend spared a bite of her breakfast burrito for me to try, de-lish!!! One of the best breakfasts of my life!
(5)Morton B.
Went with family and everything we got was amazing. Omelets, sourdough French toast, eggs Benedict; all recommended. They do seem to have a tendency to forget parts of your order but overall it's a great place.
(5)Colleen M.
Lunch at Firebird always makes my day. The owner is always there, cooking and taking orders. Everything is fresh, made to order, and the sauces seem to all mostly be made in house. There are usually only a couple of others working in the open kitchen, all very friendly. Even though it's an order at the counter and take your number kind of place, someone always carries your food to your table and comes around to make sure everything is good. I've tried a lot of things on the menu and have never been disappointed. The burritos are great, but I often get the wraps because they're just easy to take back to the office. My absolute favorite so far is the Apollo (grilled chicken with roasted red pepper, cilantro, avocado, and chipotle mayo), but I have loved every one I've tried.
(5)CJ G.
FIrebird Cafe is awesome! Its always packed and I can tell you why... The location of this place is great! Right in the middle of Essex Jct. Located right next to Subway. The only issue is with this location is its small. So the seating is rather limited. So if you want to eat in you may have a little bit of a wait. Now I could walk here but parking seems to be ok. The staff here is great. They took our orders right away! The menu has both breakfast and lunch type of items. I ended up getting some french toast on crescent bread! And all I can say is WOW! It taste great and its a pretty good serving size. Very filling. Plus everything I saw around me (other tables orders) look pretty good as well. I ended up spending around $11.50 for breakfast. This was for the french toast and a local made soda. So the prices are pretty reasonable. Over all the breakfast was awesome. I look forward to my next visit! Great 4/5! Check em out. They won't disappoint!
(4)Andrew B.
I've actually been meaning to write a review of this place for quite some time. I went here a while ago for breakfast. I believe I got the Huevos Rancheros which were incredible. The atmosphere is really nice and the owner was very friendly. I recommend this place to anyone who passes by.
(5)Erik B.
this was bar none one of the best breakfasts I've ever had. They were also very gluten-free-friendly (gluten free bread, etc.). Try the poblano eggs salmon eggs bennedict! The coffee was good, too. I really want to give this place 5 stars, but I took one off because the service was unnecessarily slow and they don't have (don't use?) air conditioning, so it was rather steamy in there. For clarification: we were one of two parties who were eating, and it took 10 minutes to get an English muffin. If I could give 4.5 stars, I would.
(4)Michael C.
Fresh, delicious food, made with local ingredients. Very friendly staff.
(5)Chris C.
Very cool, but tiny spot for breakfast. So I stopped in here after reading all the amazing reviews and was very impressed. The menu is not extensive, but all of the options are very good. The staff are very friendly and were happy to explain all the items in great detail. The only thing I didn't like was that the person taking orders was also the same person making the drinks. So people either have to wait to put in their order while the drinks are getting made or people have to wait for their drinks to be made until all orders have been taken. So one of the cool little touches at this place is the homemade hot sauce that they have. Its not the spiciest stuff you'll ever have, but its got a good flavor with a slight kick. They also have cards, magazines & games to kill time with while you wait for your food. The best item on the menu has to be the pork carnets omelet. The pork is cooked perfectly and tastes very good in an omelet. It also lends itself well to the homemade hot sauce. The home fries were good, but nothing spectacular.
(4)Anna M.
Supreme burrito was pretty good! Yummy potatoes and the best unsweetened ice-tea I've had in all of New England.
(4)Ann T.
Awesome breakfast, kind and solicitous proprietors. My friends and I stopped in here thanks to Yelp, and two of us had the breakfast sandwich on croissants. The cheese, croissant and bacon were all really good and fresh but I really liked the kick of the red sauce. Little unexpected on a breakfast sandwich, but very welcome as we added a lot more! My other friend had the croissant french toast, which I imagine is hard to screw up, but I also imagine you can absolutely can screw it up. Fortunately, it was not screwed up at all! It was great. Firebird Cafe was just a really lovely place to end off our relaxing weekend in VT.
(5)FD B.
What a wonderful find! Thanks, Yelp. We had a great lunch with both breakfast burritos as well as the chicken burrito. The homemade hot sauce was fantastic. The staff was welcoming, helpful, and amiable. Next time we're in the area, we will be back, without a doubt. Casual, reasonably priced, delicious,..what could be better!
(5)Leigh S.
On a sunday morning in the spring of last year, my ex brought me here for brunch. I remember loving the place so much but couldn't remember the name once I left for the life of me. Until now! We went here before I had gone vegan, so I could happily enjoy most things on the menu (it's not very vegan friendly). I opted for the spinach omelet, which was served with a Pablano-cream sauce over it and some homefries on the side. Even if I tried to convey the heaven that IS the poblano-cream sauce, I couldn't. It was the type of creamy, mild, fresh sauce you would want to dip everything in. Biscuits. Sausage. Your sneaker. It was absolutely to-die-for and I'm pretty sure I only stopped short of licking my plate clean so that my then-boyfriend wouldn't judge me too harshly. Speaking of him, I have no real memory of what he had gotten, but I do know that he had a hard time finishing it all--the portions here are great. Down-home & friendly, with a small kitchen behind the big counter so you can see everything going on back there (I love that--it keeps people honest), the vibe at Firebird is fantastic. My reasoning for giving it only 4 stars would be because it was a little pricier than I had anticipated when we got there AND because at the time, it was spring, and there were flies buzzing about the dining room. I'm not one to nit-pick, but that was a turn-off for sure. I have--literally--dreamed of that poblano-cream sauce numerous times since my visit. Next time you're in Burlington, take the short drive out to this place and enjoy--it could haunt your dreams, too!
(4)Rob F.
For breakfast, the Firebird Café can't be beat. They make a chipotle sauce that they put in quite a few dishes that is amazing; and their Supremo Burrito is definitely the best breakfast of its kind in Chittenden county. This is our family's "go to" place for breakfast. While the pancakes are just OK, everything else is great: challah French toast, the egg plate, the breakfast sandwiches, the rotating cast of specials... I once had a beef brisket omelette that still ranks in my top 5 breakfasts of all time. The dining area is a little small, but it's quaint and the staff is great (and quite welcoming to our 2 1/2 year old son).
(5)Michael R.
Looked for a cjhange of place for Brunch, and wound up at the Firebird Cafe. Warm, cozy dinning room, delicious food, speedy service. A wonderful choice
(5)Mark C.
The best place for breakfast in Essex.. Really good lunch too! The staff is great and the food is even better. We love the breakfast burrito and pancakes along with their pork carnitas burrito for lunch. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area.
(5)Jeremy B.
To clarify... it is my partner who says the carnitas are so phenom... being the vege I am, I always do the huevos rancheros or the breakfast burrito and rarely stray-- the sauces (a green and red mole) they make are amazing and extremely flavorful. Jake (the owner) is always hard at work in the kitchen, but always takes the opportunity to check in to see how the meal was!
(5)Old Bear ..
Mrs. Bear and I decided to enjoy a Vermont getaway weekend at the Essex Inn. Although the restaurant at the Inn is reasonably good, for a change of scenery we wanted to find someplace interesting and not too fancy nearby for a laid-back Sunday brunch. Thanks to the miracle of in-room WiFi and my trusty netbook computer, we did a quick search of Yelp! and came up with the Firebird Cafe, located only a few miles from the Inn. We were delighted. It's a little place reminiscent of the creative neighborhood cafes which we enjoyed so much while living in San Francisco years ago. The folks who run the Firebird are very friendly and obviously enjoy and take pride in the place. The menu is what I would call California Mex with interesting combinations of flavorful ingredients -- and the added bonus of some traditional New England items. I had an omlet made with shredded chicken, kalamata olives, fresh spinach leaves, feta and pico de gallo -- topped with a chipotle salsa and served with home fries. Sort of Socrates moves to Sausalito. Mrs. Bear had the pancakes with blueberries which consisted to two dinner-plate size home-made pancakes cooked with lots of berries and served sprinkled lightly with powered sugar and with a small pitcher of Vermont maple syrup. We had a nice relaxed meal and never felt rushed as we sat there watching the snow begin to fall. (And fall it did -- we would have gone back again on Monday morning but we were buried by about 28 inches of snow overnight and couldn't even get out of the Inn.)
(5)rosalind p.
Holy moly! What a find. Wow, I am still in withdrawal from my meal.had the carnitas omelette - incredible- to die for- decadent ... Should I go on? Because I could .. It's that good. Hubby had eggs bene and the chicken burrito( we slipt the 3rd entree) equally as delish. Being foodies from Los Angeles , where there is an abundance of independent places such as this, have to say- this place, the firebird cafe was better than some of the 5 star places we have dined at in food snobbery LA. This place , not to re- emphasize (but i will) is Just simply superb!
(5)Harri W.
We go to Firebird at least once a week. Jake, the owner is awesome and finds time to greet every customer by name if he can. The building is a cozy, eclectic little place with great ambiance. They feature live local entertainment which is also pretty cool. But we go there for the food! I plan to try everything on the menu at some point, but so far my fave is the pork carnita omelet. My daughter loves their pancakes. It's priced right and it's a great places to relax with family & friends.
(5)JD L.
Went to Firebird today for the second time to be sure I really like it as much as I thought I did the first time, and I definitely did. The menu isn't huge, but then neither is the cafe. It's a small, quaint restaurant with an excellent breakfast selection. There are certainly some quirks, which one would expect from a small restaurant, but the food and service are both wonderful, with the kind of small town friendliness you'd expect. I've been a frequent customer of Penny Cluse, Sneakers, and Magnolia's for breakfast (since it's my favorite meal) but I have a new favorite breakfast spot in the Firebird Cafe now.
(5)William S.
We woke up at the Essex in down the road, and I google'd, "good breakfast in essex VT" Google strikes again, I found the Yelp reviews and we check it out... this was awesome breakfast. Walk in, order at the counter, serve yourself coffer/water which was nice, and they bring you your food. Bunch of super nice guys at the counter and serving/cooking your food. I got a smoked salmon benedict, my girlfriend god the standard eggs/ham/homefries. all of it was really good and appropriately priced. They gave me my a side order of homefries i had ordered mid meal on the house because our food came out after some folks who sat down after us, they explained the ticket was placed out of order, and seemed real apologetic. I explained id been in there shoes for 4 yrs throughout college and not too worry we were on vacation and in no rush... they were so kind, chatted us up for a bit, and sent us on our way full and happy. great start to a great saturday in VT.
(5)Ladee Bugz R.
Firebird cafe rocks! The croissant French toast is to die for. Everything was made fresh to order and you can Clearly taste it... DeliciousThe service is extremely warm and helpful. I would drive 3 hours to go there again..!
(5)T R.
Breakfast is my favorite meal. If time allows, I love to linger over it reading the paper or chatting with friends. I recently went to the Firebird on a Saturday morning with my wife. I had the huevos rancheros and she had the carnitas omelette. Of course we shared. Both dishes were tasty and filling. Both were perfectly cooked. The salsas that accompanied each were nicely spiced and very fresh tasting. The coffee was a bit weak for me but that would be my only complaint. What I loved most about the place was the easy, friendly vibe. I will definitely be back.
(4)El V.
OMG where has this place been hiding? Crazy good carnitas and other breakfast fare. The homefries were great and I don't even like homefries. I'll be back, thanks!!!
(5)Lauren C.
Great breakfast spot. The omelets have a ton of flavor and piles of fresh ingredients. I didn't even miss the cheese when I opted for the dairy-free version.
(4)Anya W.
Tasty food, nicely creative, good breakfast.
(4)Richard B.
Delicious food, interesting dishes (as in "interesting=good") and a very friendly owner and staff. They'll go out of their way to serve you what you want/need, such as gluten-free or vegetarian. The restaurant is a little small. I'm there at off-hours, though, so this hasn't been an issue, for the most part. Well worth the stop.
(4)Beth R.
The food is always great here. I love the menu as it is interesting. I find myself being continually impressed by the interesting fare. Additionally, the owner, Jake, is super friendly and sweet--we've always had excellent customer service from all that work there. I recommend trying something that you normally wouldn't here as you can't really go wrong.
(5)Bailey Z.
Firebird Cafe touts an affordable breakfast and lunch menu that has a Cali-Mex influence. The dining space is quite small, but it was surprisingly empty for Sunday brunch time. I got the shredded chicken burrito with chipotle red sauce. I guess I've been spoiled by authentic burritos from San Francisco and San Diego, two of the biggest burrito cities in America so this can't possibly compare. The portion is decent, but I don't like my burritos wet. Isn't the whole point of a tortilla wrap is so you can pick it up and eat it with your hands? I also didn't appreciate the fact that the burrito was quite cold on the inside by the time it got to me. The black bean poblano omelet was average. I guess I was never a fan of Mexican brunches in the first place because the only difference is that you put in some beans, top it off with some salsa and slap a spoonful of sour cream on the side and call it huevos rancheros. Anyways, I might be a bit too harsh on this place because the food came out pretty quickly. It should really get 3.5 stars, but I will bump it up to 4 because the prices are cheap enough to try again.
(4)Inna B.
The food was so good, I wanted to lick the plate. It was simple" huevos rancheros, but the combination of flavors was unbelievable. The decor was spartan.
(5)Thomas M.
Decided to skip the fancy B'fast at our hotel and give this little house turned into a fast dine in establishment a try. Best decision ever! Service is very good, I think the chef is the owner. The tea is very artisan. Coffee has lots of flavor, wife had a dark roast that tasted like a Cuban Colada, magic. Recommend the huevos rancheros, comes with an authentic sauce full of Latin notes. The eggs Benedict are truely to die for, they come with their patented jalapenio sauce, not too spicy just the right amount of spice, texture and taste to complement the remainder of the dish. There's more how well we came back for seconds the next day LOL if you don't try the crossaint French toast you are punishing your taste buds. They were so good I didn't have time to take a picture. Enjoy.
(5)nick k.
Very good home fries. Very good sandwich options for lunch (recommend the fresh mozz, pico de gallo, basil pesto wrap), plus a good breakfast menu with traditional breakfast options and others with tex-mex influence. Would go back.
(4)Grant S.
This place is a small, local, counter-service establishment. Seven or eight tables -- a couple of them a little wobbly. Nothing much to look at. But the food. I mean, man. The food is great. High marks.
(5)Kate C.
Absolutely fantastic. The food is amazing, the prices are reasonable, the staff is super friendly. There are so many things I love here which makes it difficult to sette on a choice. However, whatever I get is always wonderful. They really excel at sauces - pico de gallo, tomatillo sauce, the delicious poblano cream sauce to name a few.
(5)D D.
Great food, friendly service, cozy atmosphere. We loved the sandwich and burrito we had there. Even our son's PB&J was excellent!
(5)Bucky S.
Amazing Huevos Rancheros. Pleasant personal service. Can't say enough good things
(5)Charles P.
The firebird is, hands down, one of my favorite lunch spots in the area. The burrito supremo is my go-to, anytime, any day food of choice! Jam packed with perfectly cooked eggs and avacado, and an awesome spicy sauce. Give it a go, you'll be hooked
(5)Caitlin S.
Sitting in the warm sun room, sipping delicious local brew coffee and having one of my favorite breakfasts- Chorizo Benedict! Today they have homemade Thai Chicken soup too that was AMAZING!! :D Love this place.
(5)Sevann H.
Major winner here, top marks on the food, charm, and service. We showed up 15 min after it opened on a Sunday and there was only one other couple there. But by the time we left, the place was packed. Secret is out that this place is amazing. We ordered the pork carnitas omelette and the French toast. The pork carnitas were juicy, flavorful and not too salty. It was complemented nicely by the fresh tomato salsa and the sour cream. The home fries were also excellent. I chose the croissant bread for the French toast and added grilled banana and blueberries. It was light, airy and crispy around the edges. In addition to coffee they have a large selection of drinks including Boylan sodas and Diet Dr. Pepper so for me that pretty much earns them another star, but not like they needed it because it's a 5 star place. Service was great. Style is order at the counter then pick your seat and they bring it to you. They were friendly, pleasant and made just enough small talk to win me over. The inside is very quaint and charming. Spoiler alert...if you love kitschy chicken decor, you're going to love this place.
(5)Rob M.
Close your eyes and point to something on the menu; you just can't go wrong here. ...Unless of course your planning anything other than a nap later, then you may want to stick to the sandwiches.
(4)Elad K.
Been here twice during our last visit in Vermont. Friendly team, really good and fresh breakfast. We made special Omelets just the kind we like. Recommended.
(5)Rachel C.
slow service. dirty table. overpriced and tasteless food. coffee wasn't even refilled and there were 5 people on staff! definitely won't be back
(1)Keeley S.
Stopped in for an iced coffee; they were friendly and the place is nicer on the inside than the outside. Haven't had the food or espresso yet so I can't make serious comments on the quality. Every time I drive by I get Stravinsky stuck in my head though!
(4)Abby P.
I've lived in Essex Junction for 3 years.... how did I ever miss this place?! Ahhhmazing breakfast, it's now my go-to spot. The owner is super helpful, and makes delicious sauces, comparable to those I've tasted in Baja Mexico. Pancakes and French toast come with REAL maple syrup. Vermont Coffee Company freshly-brewed is the icing on the cake.
(5)Kimberlee M.
Delicious food and so happy not too many people know about this place! Great sandwiches and wraps...never had a bad experience.
(4)Matt L.
Super good food at a reasonable price. Most items run around the $9 mark. This is my favorite place to eat in Chittenden County besides maybe Penny Cluse downtown. I've honestly never had anything bad here. Good coffee too. It can get really busy around lunch time and seating is limited but you can always order to go. Just understand you may wait up to 30 mins for your items. But honestly the best place to go for breakfast and lunch in the area.
(5)Esq. H.
I should have known better....breakfast, brunch, and Mexican. And what did I do....I went for the Mexican. I had a chicken burrito at lunch. I would have been better off at Wendy's or the frozen food aisle. The chicken tasted real and it came with a side of tomatoes, which I think was suppose to be pico de gallo. Um. Ok. The burrito wasn't terrible but nothing about it was good. Inside the burrito with Chicken beans and I believe sour cream and that's it. It was a decent portion size, but that's coming from a city slicker use to tiny portions and cute décor. A burrito and a drink was about $12. The staff was nice, the restaurant is an old house, and the restroom was clean. Stick with the breakfast and brunch items. Good luck.
(2)Augie B.
I had a burrito that was excellent. Staff was very friendly and accommodating. I would have made it four stars but they have no A/C, made it a little difficult to enjoy the food
(3)Denise M.
The Firebird was a very happy find! A wonderful find for lunch! The staff are happy and pass it on! It's not what it appears outside or in! It's much more than that!
(5)Maureen F.
Great food, friendly atmosphere, terrific service. I had the Orchard sandwich- very yummy and fresh. Definitely give this place a try!
(5)Cesar E.
This is not ordinary food, the plating, the portions, the flavors, its balanced and perfect combinations make this food an absolute treat for your senses and your palate. I had the huevos rancheros and the pancakes and i tried the pork carnitas omelette and it was enough to realize that i was in front of a hidden treasure when it comes to food, everything was delicious!! You most visit this place even if you're far away because it'll be more than worth it! You most think I'm a friend or family member of the owner, but we are Jersey friends that happened to come to the Essex Junction once a year cuz we love it and now more since we found this place!
(5)Dennis B.
The staff was very friendly and accommodating to ok party of seven. Very children friendly. Food was prepared well. We enjoyed our visit and would highly recommend this place to others.
(5)James C.
It's good, one of the best cafes in the area. Zero complaints every time I've been.
(5)Skylar B.
I've been coming here for years! I always used to drive by this restaurant and one day stopped in. So glad I did because it became a weekly tradition for my friends and I. All the food is amazing but the things that stand out are the Supremo Burrito on the savory side and any of the Benedict's. On the sweeter side you can't go wrong with the pancakes-make sure you ask for blueberries! I've never had pancakes so moist and delicious. You will not be upset if you order them! Go ahead you know you want too! Also the croissant French toast is just an amazing concoction, so much so that it's usually difficult for me to choose between the two :) lets not forget the coffee-brewed by Vermont Coffee Company in Middlebury, Jake the owner of firebird brews it nice and strong. It's some of the best coffee in Vermont if you ask me. Lunch is good here as well but 90% of the time I come for breakfast. The staff is awesome with a good energy and they always make an effort to get to know you. Bonus-there is a picnic table outside that's dog friendly and they will make your pooch a little snack :)
(5)Elissa L.
I don't think I've ever had a disappointing meal at Firebird Cafe! I've tried a good amount of things on their menu but my all time favorites are their orchard and harvest paninis. The combo of deli meat, creamy cheese, and apple flavor is fantastic. I definitely love meeting my parents there for lunch and they always seem to love their meals too!
(5)Dave M.
This was our first time here and would consider coming back. Service was young, but very friendly and helpful. We ordered a grilled chicken wrapped that was called Jack's and shredded turkey with cheese on sourdough that was called the harvest. The grilled chicken tasted okay. The chicken was very over cooked. The harvest tasted delicious. They don't offer any side options except bagged chips. The presentation of the food was boring. It was served in a plastic basket. The tables and building were very clean. In regards to price - we thought it was a little over priced. Portion size was small.
(3)Pam C.
Quaint little place with great food. I ordered the Huevos Rancheros , good but they were missing the avocado :( Hubby got the Smoked Salmon Benedict, Very good. Short Stack of pancakes were a perfect ending.
(4)Benny R.
A bit of a wait on Sunday Brunch-time, but worth every bite. Staff was super cool. Delicious.
(5)Adam R.
This review cannot express the joy of walking to Firebird for brunch. Ingredients are always fresh and ambiance is relaxed. Great place to bring people visiting the area or for a quick grab before work.
(4)Shauna S.
I LOVED this restaurant! We visited from New Jersey and after our first breakfast at the Firebird we decided to go back for lunch the next day. I had the most delicious version of eggs Benedict with a southwestern/Mexican twist. Everything was cooked perfectly and the sauces were bright and fresh. My daughter had the buttermilk pancakes which were the best I have tasted. The next day we tried the taco's; fish and pork. Apparently they are famous for the fish tacos and after tasting them I know why. The staff was friendly and helpful. Great coffee drinks and cozy but small seating area. It seemed like there were a lot of regulars and people taking out orders for breakfast and lunch. I can't wait to go back!!!!!
(5)Kim M.
Great flavor! We ordered the beef burrito, chocolate pancakes and a pork carnitas omelette. Would recommend all the dishes but especially the carnitas. Very small quaint place with very friendly staff.
(4)Rita V.
Totally new-edgy (age-y), totally OH YES! FRESH, CLEAN, friendly! That chai latte? SAY YES! Coffees, teas and bfast all day! I had the rancheros their way. SOOO delicious! The eggs beni with smoked salmon? Fantastic - no hollandaise though - they make their special cream. Love this place! You have to stop here and get your breakfast on! NAMASTE!
(5)Kelly C.
The food is amazing and people are even better! I arrived about 20 minutes before they were even open with my kids and they were totally accommodating and whipped up some chocolate chip pancakes in no time. The breakfast burrito is DELICIOUS! We love Firebird!
(5)Max C.
Am from out of town. Went here for brunch with my parents. It was a order at the front serve yourself coffee place which was a little bit confusing but the lady up front was friendly. I had the pulled pork omelette which was delicious while my mom had croissant French toast which was evidentially the Vermont version of the Cronut. Would highly recommend.
(5)Patrick C.
Excellent food though there is not enough seating. I would caution you if you are busy and think it will be quick in and out service. But the food more than makes up for the wait!
(4)Chelsea C.
Yummy yummy food and friendly smiles every time I've been here! Thank you! Can't wait to come back again!
(5)Jessica W.
Amazing breakfast spot, and the only place I know that does a really classic, California-Mexican cuisine. Deserves a cult following, this place. Also, totally empty before say, 9:15 on the weekends, so great for families.
(5)Darin P.
My favorite place to get breakfast in Essex. With a couple excellent versions of Eggs Benedict you can't go wrong. Small place though so you might have to wait for a table if it gets busy.
(5)Kelly B.
Firebird is a great little breakfast spot. The food is excellent and the people working are very friendly. I have get to be disappointed with anything! You cannot go wrong here so check it out!!!
(5)brad l.
Review not based on food. Need to update online menu prices. Waste of time going there this morning to see all prices are $1-$2 more than what is on their website. Thought I finally found a breakfast spot with reasonable prices. The search continues
(2)Chi L.
Came here for breakfast on a Friday while on vacation. We thoroughly enjoyed it. I ordered chicken tacos and an iced chai tea and my boyfriend got a mozzarella omelet. You order at the counter and they bring it to your table. We probably waited about 10-15 min for the food. It was pretty busy for a weekday. There's a unisex bathroom next to the counter and it was a lot bigger than I expected for the size of the place.
(5)Allyson S.
Small restaurant, seats about 20. The ambiance is very casual. However, the food was excellent and the coffee good. Any wait is well worth it. The chorizo is house made. The staff is super nice and very helpful. Everyone was happy to answer your questions. I got the chorizo benedict. AMAZING! (Very possibly the best benedict I have ever had - had to resist licking the plate)
(5)Jesse M.
Family of four visiting up at UVM stopped here for breakfast. Wonderful touch of tex-mex in the northeast. We tried the carnitas omelette and it was delicious. Flavors you don't normally see perfect stop.
(5)Deb W.
Great little breakfast place. I came here expecting a wait because I heard this was a small place. When I got here, there were 8 tables and all were taken but luckily no one was waiting and I got a table immediately after I ordered. I was a little surprised that this place wasn't busier since I came at prime brunch time on a Sunday afternoon but I guess I went in March which is in between snowboarding and summer season so maybe there aren't many travelers during this time of year. I ordered the croissant french toast and my bf ordered the buevos rancheros. Both dished were delicious. I am a french toast fanatic and order french toast anytime I go out for brunch so I have very high standard for French toast. They met my expectations! First of all, the portion was huge! Usually when I order French toast, I get one piece of bread that barely fills me up but this time I got 4 slices ( four croissant halves) and was stuffed! Our food took a while to come out but it was worth the wait.
(4)Patale M.
We went there 15 minutes before closing and there was a bit of tension with the staff at the ordering station. We could tell we had to be swift and not complicated....After we ordered, swiftly and simply, all went well. We had chicken tacos, soup, home fries and coffee. Everything was delicious. We will be back for more of something different!
(4)Morgan S.
Love it here- I can't believe I haven't reviewed them yet! I go fairly often and normally get the Athena wrap, Rice & black bean with tofu, or a stack of pancakes. SO GOOD. I'd also recommend getting some home fries. Perfect for vegetarians, it's a cute little shop, and they have the nicest servers! I normally get take-out and it's always fairly quick, especially for how busy they can be.
(5)Jill L.
I think I wanted to try everything that was on the menu. Just looking over everyone's dishes I desired for my stomach to expand to pack everything in. Oh...what a wishful thinking. I had the croissant french toast, only because I just had to and of course it was delicious. Who would've thought to put them together? It was nice and fluffy - I should've added a sausage on the side! They have their own spicy sauce that's actually spicy. Ask them to bottle it up, and they will for $4. Bit pricey but hey, it has a delicious kick and worth it. My only wish is that it could be bigger! The place is small and packed seamlessly.
(4)William F.
The best burrito I've ever had. You don't get to pick the fillings, this isn't Chipotle. Also, excellent breakfast, VT Coffee Roasters, and the paninis are real good (not as much food as a burrito, but similar price). The owner is in the kitchen most weekdays and he's pretty cool. The hot sauce is ridiculously flavorful (and not super hot).
(5)David M.
My wife and I traveled into Essex to look for a breakfast restaurant when we came across this little diner. I ordered a simple sausage, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich on a croissant. My wife ordered a traditional breakfast plate of bacon, scrambled eggs, and hash browns. My sandwich was average, I could get a similar sandwich at a corner store. My wife's dish was far worse, the bacon's taste was similar to eating coffee grounds with how overcooked it was, the eggs were as if the chef used double the amount of water necessary, and the hash browns had been over spiced (which I enjoyed as a fan of spice, but my wife did not). I would not recommend this "breakfast and lunch all day" restaurant until the chef can do more than fry an egg and burn bacon.
(2)Doug B.
Spectacular breakfast. Great variety of omletts and othe breakfast items. Price are good and serving size is large. Highly recommend.
(5)Bruce D.
A funky little place with great food. The food is great. Do not overlook the bacon. It was perfectly cooked and had a slight maple flavor, excellent. I enjoyed the carnitas omelet with tomatillo sauce. It too was excellent. The location is a funky little house coverted to a restaurant. Orders are placed at the counter, you're given a number to place on the tabke, then they bring you your food. There's a well stocked self serve drink cooler. The checkout process is slick. They use an iPad app with buttons to instantly calculate and add a tip. As as a good Yelper generous tipping is second nature and this makes that even easier. The staff is helpful, friendly and sincere. The service was quick. If you have a shorter lunch break or need to get back on the road you won't be slowed down. Having paid at the counter you can hit it and quit it when you're finished eating. The only minor con is that portions are on the small side. Ours were and we heard another person say the same. Thus is not the land of the heaping helping. I'm looking forward to a return visit the next time I'm in town.
(4)Garry M.
Breakfast food was very good with a mix of Mex and American choices. Tiny space- two 4 tops and six 6 two tops. If it's busy (which it often is) your screwed. Very affordable. Food was filling and funky. Could be a little cleaner. Probably a great lunch spot.
(4)Theresa Z.
I have spent my last dollar at the firebird. While the food is fine, I did not appreciate the counter staff Pointing out the gratuity line, for what amounts to take out food, and standing over me and almost having his nose on the screen. I normally do not tip when there is NO service but in this case felt pressured to. This was at lunch February 11. I was made to feel that I am tipping to ensure someone cooks my order well!! Really! The last time we were there one of the staff asked us to give up our table as soon as we finished. While the food is fine, I can find more comfortable places to go. Tipping is for fine service. Tipping someone to take your order and money is ridiculous.
(2)Nick I.
Awesome cafe!! Brings a little life to five corners area. The supremo burrito has a nice amount of spice (swear to God it's a hangover cure) the owner is an avid mountain biker and is involved with the community, wish this place was in Burlington, it could easily replace a lot of the overrated joints downtown
(5)Jillian J.
We discovered this place at the start of a 5 hr drive home. Let me ask you two things: Do you love Mexican food? and do you love breakfast? Then you will really enjoy this place. We have been twice and I had the huveos rancheros and the benedict. Both amazing. My husband is more of a traditional breakfast type and has enjoyed the traditional breakfast both times. Good quality and fresh ingredients. The coffee is good too! Very small, so we tried to hurry and eat so other guests could sit. Staff is super friendly. Would love to try for lunch someday, if we can figure that out.
(4)Bree D.
Firebird is a great little place to stop in for breakfast or lunch! I absolutely love that they serve breakfast all day. I just wish they were open until 4:00 instead of 3:00! Whenever I'm in Essex around lunchtime, this is the place I look forward to going! The space is fairly small, but there is seating. I usually get take-out, which is always pretty quick. Every time I visit, I am happy with what I order. The Huevos Rancheros are by far my favorite, but I just recently ventured into the Turkey Reuben territory. Let me tell you, those huevos have some competition! I think the portion sizes are fair for the prices, which are comparable to other restaurants in the area. They also have great coffee and espresso drinks. I highly recommend giving this place a try!
(5)Alix G.
Love this place. Have ordered takeout and been there a few times since it's close to where I live. I have never been disappointed.
(5)Shawn S.
Stopped in for breakfast one morning after seeing how highly rated it was on here. Was a little thrown off when we walked in, there's a counter to order at, DIY coffee station, and self-seating. Our food was great, I tried something new and really enjoyed it. It's a nice place, could be a quiet breakfast but a loud group ended up coming in right after us and sitting next to us, but that's not really the fault of Firebird. I'm sure we'll be back to try some more of their offerings.
(4)Sara C.
Breakfast has been great the two times I've been there. They were out of the house-made sausage one time, which was disappointing, and they were weird about honoring the Check-In deal (they said it was only with the breakfast sandwich, but I ordered a more expensive menu item so it seemed like they could have just given me the free coffee, but idk). Overall, the food is great, the service is so-so. I've never had to wait to eat there, which is awesome.
(4)Sara F.
My boyfriend and I were vacationing in VT and were eager to find a yummy breakfast spot as the breakfast at our hotel was not so hot. Found this place and am SO glad! The place is small so I can see how on busy days, it can be hard to get a seat, but luckily we were able to grab a window two-seater and had a great breakfast! I got huevos rancheros and they were DELICIOUS! I was so impressed with the flavor. The boyfriend got a breakfast burrito and it was bigger than his head! He accepted the challenge and loved it as well. We definitely plan to return when we go back to Vt for another vacation!
(5)Dennis M.
This was one of our best experiences visiting Burlington. Wonderful and creative food, friendly and helpful staff, and a very wise and generous owner. This will be a definite stop on all future visits.
(5)Zoila T.
Amazing! I had the carnitas burrito- I'm not usually a fan of spicy food, (weird I know, I'm Hispanic, how do I NOT like spicy food!?!) but in any case, it was phenomenal!
(5)Beverly B.
We were in Burlington for the weekend and had lunch Saturday and breakfast Sunday here because we liked it so much. I had the turkey Reuben with gluten free bread panini pressed. Delicious! My sister had the orchard and loved it too. For breakfast I had gluten free French toast ( that's right!!!!!). It was fabulous with real maple syrup. Sister had the croissant French toast which she said was to die for. Can't wait to go back!
(5)McKinley D.
This is one of the best meals I've had during my 3 weeks in Vermont. I ordered the huevoes rancheros based on employee recommendation. It was amazing. The eggs were perfectly cooked. The tomatillo sauce was flavorful. The ingredients were fresh and vibrant. A very well balanced meal. Not only was the food great, but the atmosphere was great. It was very welcoming and homey. I highly recommend giving it a shot! You will not be disappointed.
(5)Anonymous A.
So the food here is really damn good. The only reason I took off a star was because after ordering breakfast for my partner and I to go, once I brought it back to the hotel and we opened it up his "the traditional" was missing home fries. Its just a detail that it would be nice if they had caught. Otherwise I had the croissant french toast and it was absolutely delicious and my partner's break fast looked really good (and he definitely devoured it fast enough that I'm pretty damn sure it was also delicious).
(4)Jonathan K.
The food here is amazing! Very unique mexican style brunch. I had the home-made chorizo benedict - fantastic! Plus the green sauce on top was great too. My girlfriend had an omelete and it was also very good. The staff are super friendly!
(5)Nicole G.
This is probably one of the best cafes in Essex. It is a small but very cute place, service is really good, quality is great! They have a fairly small but really interesting/creative menu. I have came here for breakfast and to pick up orders for coworkers, everything the place is packed and there is hardly any place to sit.
(5)erin s.
Excellent breakfast, poblano pepper omlete was so good I almost licked the plate clean. Husband's had the pork carnitas, while I'm not a huge fan of pork it wad good and he loved it!
(5)Jae L.
I kept meaning to come here, and now my only regret is that we waited so long... It's a tiny little place--only 7 or 8 small tables of 2 or 4, and the menu is proprotionally small. But what they do they do real well. And it has a nice, homey feeling to it, like they know everyone who comes will eventually become a regular and a true friend. They provide a nice variety of magazines and a god collection of children's books for their smallest customers - very thoughtful, I thought. But let's talk about the amazingly delicious, fresh, well-priced food. The pork carnitas omelet (8.25) was just an amazing blend of flavors that you do not usually enjoy for breakfast, but here, it all made sense. The generous amount of pork was neither too sweet nor too salty, letting the porkinesss shine through. The tomatillo sauce was a solid, fresh compliment without being obtrusive, and there was just enough avocado and cheese to round things out with creaminess and salty-cheese goodness. It came with just a few home fries, but it was just the right amount, and cooked the way I like them (but can rarely get them!): crisp and lightly browned on the outside, lightly spiced, but nice and potato-ey, not dry at all. I love having desert after breakfast, and here we ordered the real maple syrup accompanied by croissant French toast ($6.95). O. M. G. The maple syrup was stronger and more complex than your average grocery-store variety -- this is the good stuff, what Vermont is known for. And the French toast itself...man! The perfect texture -- a little custardy, a little eggy (but not too much), barely crisp on the edges -- and with a hint of its own sweetness. Just about the best French toast I've ever had, My daughter loved her huevos rancheros ($8.25) but could not finish the huge portion. Her friend polished off the traditional -- 2 eggs, bacon, homefries, and toast for a rockin' $4.95. I think this may replace Chef's Corner as our go-to Sunday brunch... The selection may be more limited, but the food is just as outstanding, and there is no waiting in line or hunting for a table. Rock on, Firebird, rock on.
(5)Elizabeth L.
I make it a point to come here when I'm in the area! Great coffee drinks, homemade food with great quality and awesome service and atmosphere. This place is a hidden gem!
(5)Matthew O.
The homemade chorizo is amazing! There homemade hot sauce is fantastic too.. I'm taking some back to CA. The staff is really nice too. I'll be back for sure.
(5)Jordan S.
I took my parents in search of a new great Vermont breakfast/brunch location. The place was hot inside, granted it was a warm July morning, but it was stifling and uncomfortable. I ordered huevos rancheros which were quite good for the price. I also got water to drink. This is kept in a container out in the dining room without ice. Needless to say the water was quite warm. Additionally, all of our silverware was dirty. All in all the food was good, but nothing special. The ambience leaves a great deal to be desired. A cooler dining area with some ice in the water with clean utensils and I would give it another shot.
(2)Rhonda B.
Love Firebird! I go there all the time! Friendly staff and amazing food! I never get sick of the plentiful dishes to order and try because they're all so yummy! Their coffee and latte's are excellent as well. I'd recommend something but you can't go wrong with each dish as i've had nearly all of them. I especially like their pancakes as well as their steak burrito.
(5)John A.
While driving through Vermont, waiting for a flight, we decided to stop and grab some lunch. I checked yelp, and found this place had a series of 5 star reviews, so we gave it a shot. I don't understand all the hype, as far as 5 stars are concerned. I mean, it's good, but not worthy of 5 stars, imho...A-OK or 3 star level. I had the carnitas omelete. The pork was so savory and succulent, but not exactly "mexican" in nature. It was more of a pulled pork inside an omelete without spices. My wife ate a chicken, bacon and avocado wrap (identified on the menu as C.B.A.), which she enjoyed. With drinks it was about $22. They have several gluten free options. I would go back to this place, when in VT.
(3)Dan V.
I figured since everyone has high reviews that I would try this place again and try something that wasn't a bad new england version of mexican food. The Supreme Breakfast Burrito was watery and not worth the $10.75 they charged me for an $8 burrito. I'm giving two stars for the polite staff
(2)Andrea E.
I've been to Firebird for breakfast and lunch and have always enjoyed the food. For breakfast, try the huevos rancheros, which has their house made tomatillo salsa on it. Know that it's a small place and you may have to wait for a table or be sitting very close to another party. Getting take-out might be the best strategy.
(4)Morgan L.
Firebird Cafe is definitely one of my favorite breakfast shops. Everything is fresh, delicious, and affordable! Managed to get a table with little wait yesterday morning even when they were pretty busy. It's small but cozy and has a nice atmosphere. Highly recommend!
(5)Alexey A.
We enjoyed this quick counter service breakfast spot while vacationing around Burlington. The huevos rancheros were good, as promised by previous reviews. The chorizo was also really great-- as was the French toast!
(4)Edna E.
I visited this fine establishment twice while visiting family in vermont it was delicious. I had the poblano omelette and the carnitas omelette and both were amazing. Reasonably priced for the area.
(5)Al C.
Excellent food and fast service. A little cramped during lunch, but that's only because they are so popular! I'm a regular and they always know what I want now (shredded chicken burrito). 4 stars because the silverware isn't always clean.
(4)Courtney B.
Ah-mazing!!! The Frisco omelet was to die for! My friend spared a bite of her breakfast burrito for me to try, de-lish!!! One of the best breakfasts of my life!
(5)Morton B.
Went with family and everything we got was amazing. Omelets, sourdough French toast, eggs Benedict; all recommended. They do seem to have a tendency to forget parts of your order but overall it's a great place.
(5)Colleen M.
Lunch at Firebird always makes my day. The owner is always there, cooking and taking orders. Everything is fresh, made to order, and the sauces seem to all mostly be made in house. There are usually only a couple of others working in the open kitchen, all very friendly. Even though it's an order at the counter and take your number kind of place, someone always carries your food to your table and comes around to make sure everything is good. I've tried a lot of things on the menu and have never been disappointed. The burritos are great, but I often get the wraps because they're just easy to take back to the office. My absolute favorite so far is the Apollo (grilled chicken with roasted red pepper, cilantro, avocado, and chipotle mayo), but I have loved every one I've tried.
(5)CJ G.
FIrebird Cafe is awesome! Its always packed and I can tell you why... The location of this place is great! Right in the middle of Essex Jct. Located right next to Subway. The only issue is with this location is its small. So the seating is rather limited. So if you want to eat in you may have a little bit of a wait. Now I could walk here but parking seems to be ok. The staff here is great. They took our orders right away! The menu has both breakfast and lunch type of items. I ended up getting some french toast on crescent bread! And all I can say is WOW! It taste great and its a pretty good serving size. Very filling. Plus everything I saw around me (other tables orders) look pretty good as well. I ended up spending around $11.50 for breakfast. This was for the french toast and a local made soda. So the prices are pretty reasonable. Over all the breakfast was awesome. I look forward to my next visit! Great 4/5! Check em out. They won't disappoint!
(4)Andrew B.
I've actually been meaning to write a review of this place for quite some time. I went here a while ago for breakfast. I believe I got the Huevos Rancheros which were incredible. The atmosphere is really nice and the owner was very friendly. I recommend this place to anyone who passes by.
(5)Erik B.
this was bar none one of the best breakfasts I've ever had. They were also very gluten-free-friendly (gluten free bread, etc.). Try the poblano eggs salmon eggs bennedict! The coffee was good, too. I really want to give this place 5 stars, but I took one off because the service was unnecessarily slow and they don't have (don't use?) air conditioning, so it was rather steamy in there. For clarification: we were one of two parties who were eating, and it took 10 minutes to get an English muffin. If I could give 4.5 stars, I would.
(4)Michael C.
Fresh, delicious food, made with local ingredients. Very friendly staff.
(5)Chris C.
Very cool, but tiny spot for breakfast. So I stopped in here after reading all the amazing reviews and was very impressed. The menu is not extensive, but all of the options are very good. The staff are very friendly and were happy to explain all the items in great detail. The only thing I didn't like was that the person taking orders was also the same person making the drinks. So people either have to wait to put in their order while the drinks are getting made or people have to wait for their drinks to be made until all orders have been taken. So one of the cool little touches at this place is the homemade hot sauce that they have. Its not the spiciest stuff you'll ever have, but its got a good flavor with a slight kick. They also have cards, magazines & games to kill time with while you wait for your food. The best item on the menu has to be the pork carnets omelet. The pork is cooked perfectly and tastes very good in an omelet. It also lends itself well to the homemade hot sauce. The home fries were good, but nothing spectacular.
(4)Anna M.
Supreme burrito was pretty good! Yummy potatoes and the best unsweetened ice-tea I've had in all of New England.
(4)Ann T.
Awesome breakfast, kind and solicitous proprietors. My friends and I stopped in here thanks to Yelp, and two of us had the breakfast sandwich on croissants. The cheese, croissant and bacon were all really good and fresh but I really liked the kick of the red sauce. Little unexpected on a breakfast sandwich, but very welcome as we added a lot more! My other friend had the croissant french toast, which I imagine is hard to screw up, but I also imagine you can absolutely can screw it up. Fortunately, it was not screwed up at all! It was great. Firebird Cafe was just a really lovely place to end off our relaxing weekend in VT.
(5)Leigh S.
On a sunday morning in the spring of last year, my ex brought me here for brunch. I remember loving the place so much but couldn't remember the name once I left for the life of me. Until now! We went here before I had gone vegan, so I could happily enjoy most things on the menu (it's not very vegan friendly). I opted for the spinach omelet, which was served with a Pablano-cream sauce over it and some homefries on the side. Even if I tried to convey the heaven that IS the poblano-cream sauce, I couldn't. It was the type of creamy, mild, fresh sauce you would want to dip everything in. Biscuits. Sausage. Your sneaker. It was absolutely to-die-for and I'm pretty sure I only stopped short of licking my plate clean so that my then-boyfriend wouldn't judge me too harshly. Speaking of him, I have no real memory of what he had gotten, but I do know that he had a hard time finishing it all--the portions here are great. Down-home & friendly, with a small kitchen behind the big counter so you can see everything going on back there (I love that--it keeps people honest), the vibe at Firebird is fantastic. My reasoning for giving it only 4 stars would be because it was a little pricier than I had anticipated when we got there AND because at the time, it was spring, and there were flies buzzing about the dining room. I'm not one to nit-pick, but that was a turn-off for sure. I have--literally--dreamed of that poblano-cream sauce numerous times since my visit. Next time you're in Burlington, take the short drive out to this place and enjoy--it could haunt your dreams, too!
(4)Rob F.
For breakfast, the Firebird Café can't be beat. They make a chipotle sauce that they put in quite a few dishes that is amazing; and their Supremo Burrito is definitely the best breakfast of its kind in Chittenden county. This is our family's "go to" place for breakfast. While the pancakes are just OK, everything else is great: challah French toast, the egg plate, the breakfast sandwiches, the rotating cast of specials... I once had a beef brisket omelette that still ranks in my top 5 breakfasts of all time. The dining area is a little small, but it's quaint and the staff is great (and quite welcoming to our 2 1/2 year old son).
(5)Michael R.
Looked for a cjhange of place for Brunch, and wound up at the Firebird Cafe. Warm, cozy dinning room, delicious food, speedy service. A wonderful choice
(5)Mark C.
The best place for breakfast in Essex.. Really good lunch too! The staff is great and the food is even better. We love the breakfast burrito and pancakes along with their pork carnitas burrito for lunch. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area.
(5)Old Bear ..
Mrs. Bear and I decided to enjoy a Vermont getaway weekend at the Essex Inn. Although the restaurant at the Inn is reasonably good, for a change of scenery we wanted to find someplace interesting and not too fancy nearby for a laid-back Sunday brunch. Thanks to the miracle of in-room WiFi and my trusty netbook computer, we did a quick search of Yelp! and came up with the Firebird Cafe, located only a few miles from the Inn. We were delighted. It's a little place reminiscent of the creative neighborhood cafes which we enjoyed so much while living in San Francisco years ago. The folks who run the Firebird are very friendly and obviously enjoy and take pride in the place. The menu is what I would call California Mex with interesting combinations of flavorful ingredients -- and the added bonus of some traditional New England items. I had an omlet made with shredded chicken, kalamata olives, fresh spinach leaves, feta and pico de gallo -- topped with a chipotle salsa and served with home fries. Sort of Socrates moves to Sausalito. Mrs. Bear had the pancakes with blueberries which consisted to two dinner-plate size home-made pancakes cooked with lots of berries and served sprinkled lightly with powered sugar and with a small pitcher of Vermont maple syrup. We had a nice relaxed meal and never felt rushed as we sat there watching the snow begin to fall. (And fall it did -- we would have gone back again on Monday morning but we were buried by about 28 inches of snow overnight and couldn't even get out of the Inn.)
(5)rosalind p.
Holy moly! What a find. Wow, I am still in withdrawal from my meal.had the carnitas omelette - incredible- to die for- decadent ... Should I go on? Because I could .. It's that good. Hubby had eggs bene and the chicken burrito( we slipt the 3rd entree) equally as delish. Being foodies from Los Angeles , where there is an abundance of independent places such as this, have to say- this place, the firebird cafe was better than some of the 5 star places we have dined at in food snobbery LA. This place , not to re- emphasize (but i will) is Just simply superb!
(5)Harri W.
We go to Firebird at least once a week. Jake, the owner is awesome and finds time to greet every customer by name if he can. The building is a cozy, eclectic little place with great ambiance. They feature live local entertainment which is also pretty cool. But we go there for the food! I plan to try everything on the menu at some point, but so far my fave is the pork carnita omelet. My daughter loves their pancakes. It's priced right and it's a great places to relax with family & friends.
(5)JD L.
Went to Firebird today for the second time to be sure I really like it as much as I thought I did the first time, and I definitely did. The menu isn't huge, but then neither is the cafe. It's a small, quaint restaurant with an excellent breakfast selection. There are certainly some quirks, which one would expect from a small restaurant, but the food and service are both wonderful, with the kind of small town friendliness you'd expect. I've been a frequent customer of Penny Cluse, Sneakers, and Magnolia's for breakfast (since it's my favorite meal) but I have a new favorite breakfast spot in the Firebird Cafe now.
(5)Jeremy B.
To clarify... it is my partner who says the carnitas are so phenom... being the vege I am, I always do the huevos rancheros or the breakfast burrito and rarely stray-- the sauces (a green and red mole) they make are amazing and extremely flavorful. Jake (the owner) is always hard at work in the kitchen, but always takes the opportunity to check in to see how the meal was!
(5)FD B.
What a wonderful find! Thanks, Yelp. We had a great lunch with both breakfast burritos as well as the chicken burrito. The homemade hot sauce was fantastic. The staff was welcoming, helpful, and amiable. Next time we're in the area, we will be back, without a doubt. Casual, reasonably priced, delicious,..what could be better!
(5)William S.
We woke up at the Essex in down the road, and I google'd, "good breakfast in essex VT" Google strikes again, I found the Yelp reviews and we check it out... this was awesome breakfast. Walk in, order at the counter, serve yourself coffer/water which was nice, and they bring you your food. Bunch of super nice guys at the counter and serving/cooking your food. I got a smoked salmon benedict, my girlfriend god the standard eggs/ham/homefries. all of it was really good and appropriately priced. They gave me my a side order of homefries i had ordered mid meal on the house because our food came out after some folks who sat down after us, they explained the ticket was placed out of order, and seemed real apologetic. I explained id been in there shoes for 4 yrs throughout college and not too worry we were on vacation and in no rush... they were so kind, chatted us up for a bit, and sent us on our way full and happy. great start to a great saturday in VT.
(5)Ladee Bugz R.
Firebird cafe rocks! The croissant French toast is to die for. Everything was made fresh to order and you can Clearly taste it... DeliciousThe service is extremely warm and helpful. I would drive 3 hours to go there again..!
(5)T R.
Breakfast is my favorite meal. If time allows, I love to linger over it reading the paper or chatting with friends. I recently went to the Firebird on a Saturday morning with my wife. I had the huevos rancheros and she had the carnitas omelette. Of course we shared. Both dishes were tasty and filling. Both were perfectly cooked. The salsas that accompanied each were nicely spiced and very fresh tasting. The coffee was a bit weak for me but that would be my only complaint. What I loved most about the place was the easy, friendly vibe. I will definitely be back.
(4)El V.
OMG where has this place been hiding? Crazy good carnitas and other breakfast fare. The homefries were great and I don't even like homefries. I'll be back, thanks!!!
(5)Lauren C.
Great breakfast spot. The omelets have a ton of flavor and piles of fresh ingredients. I didn't even miss the cheese when I opted for the dairy-free version.
(4)Anya W.
Tasty food, nicely creative, good breakfast.
(4)Richard B.
Delicious food, interesting dishes (as in "interesting=good") and a very friendly owner and staff. They'll go out of their way to serve you what you want/need, such as gluten-free or vegetarian. The restaurant is a little small. I'm there at off-hours, though, so this hasn't been an issue, for the most part. Well worth the stop.
(4)Beth R.
The food is always great here. I love the menu as it is interesting. I find myself being continually impressed by the interesting fare. Additionally, the owner, Jake, is super friendly and sweet--we've always had excellent customer service from all that work there. I recommend trying something that you normally wouldn't here as you can't really go wrong.
(5)Bailey Z.
Firebird Cafe touts an affordable breakfast and lunch menu that has a Cali-Mex influence. The dining space is quite small, but it was surprisingly empty for Sunday brunch time. I got the shredded chicken burrito with chipotle red sauce. I guess I've been spoiled by authentic burritos from San Francisco and San Diego, two of the biggest burrito cities in America so this can't possibly compare. The portion is decent, but I don't like my burritos wet. Isn't the whole point of a tortilla wrap is so you can pick it up and eat it with your hands? I also didn't appreciate the fact that the burrito was quite cold on the inside by the time it got to me. The black bean poblano omelet was average. I guess I was never a fan of Mexican brunches in the first place because the only difference is that you put in some beans, top it off with some salsa and slap a spoonful of sour cream on the side and call it huevos rancheros. Anyways, I might be a bit too harsh on this place because the food came out pretty quickly. It should really get 3.5 stars, but I will bump it up to 4 because the prices are cheap enough to try again.
(4)Inna B.
The food was so good, I wanted to lick the plate. It was simple" huevos rancheros, but the combination of flavors was unbelievable. The decor was spartan.
(5)Thomas M.
Decided to skip the fancy B'fast at our hotel and give this little house turned into a fast dine in establishment a try. Best decision ever! Service is very good, I think the chef is the owner. The tea is very artisan. Coffee has lots of flavor, wife had a dark roast that tasted like a Cuban Colada, magic. Recommend the huevos rancheros, comes with an authentic sauce full of Latin notes. The eggs Benedict are truely to die for, they come with their patented jalapenio sauce, not too spicy just the right amount of spice, texture and taste to complement the remainder of the dish. There's more how well we came back for seconds the next day LOL if you don't try the crossaint French toast you are punishing your taste buds. They were so good I didn't have time to take a picture. Enjoy.
(5)nick k.
Very good home fries. Very good sandwich options for lunch (recommend the fresh mozz, pico de gallo, basil pesto wrap), plus a good breakfast menu with traditional breakfast options and others with tex-mex influence. Would go back.
(4)Grant S.
This place is a small, local, counter-service establishment. Seven or eight tables -- a couple of them a little wobbly. Nothing much to look at. But the food. I mean, man. The food is great. High marks.
(5)Kate C.
Absolutely fantastic. The food is amazing, the prices are reasonable, the staff is super friendly. There are so many things I love here which makes it difficult to sette on a choice. However, whatever I get is always wonderful. They really excel at sauces - pico de gallo, tomatillo sauce, the delicious poblano cream sauce to name a few.
(5)D D.
Great food, friendly service, cozy atmosphere. We loved the sandwich and burrito we had there. Even our son's PB&J was excellent!
(5)Bucky S.
Amazing Huevos Rancheros. Pleasant personal service. Can't say enough good things
(5)Rachel C.
slow service. dirty table. overpriced and tasteless food. coffee wasn't even refilled and there were 5 people on staff! definitely won't be back
(1)Keeley S.
Stopped in for an iced coffee; they were friendly and the place is nicer on the inside than the outside. Haven't had the food or espresso yet so I can't make serious comments on the quality. Every time I drive by I get Stravinsky stuck in my head though!
(4)