Littleton Diner

Einar Rathgeber

Last fall, we stopped into the Littleton Diner, but were disappointed to find a CLOSED sign in the door due to staffing shortages. Since moving to the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, I'd been eager to explore Littleton and give the renowned eatery a try and see what the hype was about. Last Friday, we were lucky to find the diner open, but not busy, for a late breakfast. Sitting down to a booth in front, I noticed a mix of tourists and locals -- typically a good sign. What I was really searching for as I scanned the menu, was that diner aroma, and though I strained my nostrils, I couldn't detect a hint of grease, spice, or goodness in the air. That was my first indication of something amiss at the Littleton Diner. On my side of the table, I went with a Yankee breakfast -- scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, hash-browned potatoes, and...(wait for it)...baked beans! I added the cheddar cheese topped apple pie to my breakfast for a few extra dollars, figuring it would be worth every penny based on the rave reviews. Across the table, a similar order, but with a single buttermilk pancake and an extra dollar for real maple syrup. The breakfasts arrived quickly and accurately. The highlight of both plates was the (locally made?) toast -- a hearty, crusty, and delicious raisin bread on one plate, and a fluffy toasted white that made me think of a grand-mother's kitchen. Seriously, I would have been happy and satisfied with plates of toast alone. Both eggs were prepared nicely and the bacon was cooked well. The let downs were by far, the hash-browned potatoes and the baked beans. I had been looking forward to the baked beans, but was disappointed by the lack of flavor, mealy texture, and cold crock pot. The potatoes were so overcooked, that they could have passed for mashed, and were as bland as a boiled spud sans seasoning. The pancake was rote buttermilk, oversized, and served with a thin light maple syrup. But what really spoiled the meal was the apple pie. It didn't even look appetizing when it arrived, with unmelted shreds of cheese blanketing a flat slice of grocery-store pie. This is NOT New England at it's best. This is exactly why so many people think cheddar cheese on apple pie is revolting -- because it's served poorly, out of a microwave with a sickeningly sweet, canned apple filling, and a flat crust. It only works with fresh, homemade pie, with tart apples, plenty of nutmeg, and none of that gooey sugar syrup filler. I'd expect at least a better pie from the likes of the Littleton Diner...and I'm still trying to figure out what the hype is about. (Aside: If you are visiting Littleton, and have a disability, beware this "friendly" little town, where handicap parking is a premium, and the spot across from the diner has a 20 minute time limit. Twenty minutes is sometimes enough time to get the wheelchair out, setup, settled, and moving before having to turn around and get it all back in the car. I'm still trying to figure out how 20 minutes on a handicap spot isn't discriminatory -- since NONE of the metered spots I saw had 20 minute limits.)

Tony G

Beautiful little gem in downtown Littleton. In Franconia Notch camping for the week and we loved the place last time we were here, so we figured to give ourselves a free night and go out. At first, I had to be a pain and ask to get the table leveled because I can be a little neurotic….. apparently it’s a not so unusual request as they had a bunch of wedges on hand. Our server was great and cheerful, and was determined to find one for our table. I got the clam chowder (delicious) and my husband got the French Onion Crock (also delicious). Not sure if the chowder was scratch, because if it was you get two 👍 👍. For the main, I got the Fried Shrimp and Scallops with fries and coleslaw. The seafood was delicious and the fries were your average diner fries. The coleslaw was a little bland, but still better than some. He got the Reuben. Also a 10. The only real drawback was that they don’t take electronic payment and have an ATM on site, but thankfully my bank pays back any fees. Overall, a perfect little diner experience.

Nico Samneil Salado

Food is fair but the customer service is excellent! One could see that staffs have could camaraderie with one another. Parking and table spacing are ample. Not a pwd entrance but they are helpful when they see one. They DONT ACCEPT credit or debit cards but they do have ATM in store. Serving per plate is generous. You would leave with a full stomach and a happy face.

Charis Edwards

The coziest, friendliest diner you could ask for in the cutest small town in northern New Hampshire. Stopped in for dinner on Indigenous People's Day weekend along with the other seemingly 10000 leaf peepers up here for the fall holiday. …