Student-friendly restaurant opens in downtown Northfield

Don't have a car? Want to go out to eat without breaking the bank? Looking for some quality homestyle cooked food? Northfield might have something that you may want to try out, according to students on campus.

"My rook buddies and I went to the Square Biscuit for Sunday brunch and it was amazing. From the food we are used to eating here at Norwich, it was a 100 times better. It was normal food (and) it was great," said Korey Whitaker, an 18-year-old freshman mechanical engineering major from Chester, Mass.

Last May, The Square Biscuit opened up in Depot Square offering southern home-style cooking with the hopes of providing the community with a different option of food at an affordable price, other than subs or pizza.

"I think it's a good location, it's not too far away from campus," said Matthew Anderson, a 20-year-old junior psychology major from Rogerville, Tenn. "It's a small building (and) very family oriented."

"The reason we are in this location is interesting because it just kind of happened," said Janessa Stallings, a 22-year-old senior English major from Northfield, Vt., who is a co-owner of the restaurant. "Our landlord had a sign in the window saying space for lease, this place used to be a florist."

Stallings is a co-owner with her family as well as a fifth-year senior at Norwich who hopes to graduate in December.

Usually, students will drive to Barre, Montpelier or Burlington to go out to eat, so this is something new for Northfield and another convenient option for students.

"People are not thinking of Northfield as the place to go out and eat," Stallings said. "We are here, and we want people to know we are not just here to make money; we are here for the local community."

The Square Biscuit serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast is from 8 to noon, lunch runs from 11-5 and dinner is 5 to 8. During breakfast the restaurant will serve food items off the menu as well as the buffet.

"The breakfast buffet is $8.95 for all you can eat. We got eggs, shredded hash browns, bacon, sausage, pancakes, grits, gravy, french toast, biscuits, and the sausage gravy is a big hit up here," Stallings said.

"Prices are good and the selection is good. I really like it," Anderson said.

Many students make the short walk down to Depot Square on the weekends to avoid having to eat in the chow hall.

"I really enjoyed the food. You (could tell) it was home cooked and they gave you plenty of it for a reasonable price," Whitaker said.

The Square Biscuit runs many specials to attract new customers.

"We do weekly specials for lunch and dinner like my special spaghetti recipe, or maple-glazed pork chops, or for lunch we will have taco salad, or different types of soups. We have to have our roast turkey dinner at least once a week because people expect that. We had a seafood platter that had shrimp, scallops, clams and salmon," Stallings said.

The owners have tried working in deals for Norwich students, but have had low turnout due to the restaurant being new to the area.

"We take the Cadet Cash Card, and last month we did a Norwich student night," Stallings said.

At student night, The Square Biscuit was serving up burgers with unlimited toppings for $6.

"Not many people knew about it but we are trying to evolve stuff for the students," Stallings said. "I think people are still getting used to the fact that we are still here."

For Stallings, it is a balancing act trying to work at The Square Biscuit and finishing up her time at NU.

"It's weird being an owner and a student at the same time," Stallings said. "It's difficult balancing it because you want to give 100 percent here but I also want to give 100 percent for my academics."

The Square Biscuit is open seven days a week and located at 40 Depot Square. The weekly specials and more information can be viewed at www.squarebiscuitrestaurant.com.