Bove’s
68 Pearl St, Burlington, VT, 05401
Bove’s Menu
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Address :
68 Pearl St
Burlington, VT, 05401 - Phone (802) 864-6651
- Website https://www.boves.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : No
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
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Frances G.
Amazing service Hannah is just a doll! The pasta is simply to die for! Great prices and amazing dishes! A place far from home that makes you feel at home. A must!
(5)Francis A.
I like the idea of a cheap Italian/American dinner within walking distance of Church Street, but I'm not in agreement with the consensus of Bove's quality and value. However, as a psuedo-Burlingtonite, I realize this place is important to many people. I'm sad to see it go.
(2)John T.
I always enjoy the lasagna as a take out item and will miss it when Bove's closes in December 2015. I also enjoy dinner there when family visits to join me skiing at the Bush. The sauces are excellent but the salads and antipasto need some updating. When my family visits I make my own antipasto for us to enjoy while everyone showers to prepare for a great meal at Bove's. Unfortunately I will not be able to enjoy an excellent Italian there before they close because I am stuck in NYC for health problems until 2016.
(5)Blanka N.
I've put off writing this review for a few weeks now but it really needs to get done... I've lived in VT for 16 years now and have never made it to Bove's before this spring. Sure, I had heard about them. Sure, I ate their sauce from the grocery store and yes, I knew that most people raved about them. So I have to go and boy was I underwhelmed. The place is a small hole in the wall. It's comparable to a little diner that missed out on all the changes for the last 50 years. I found it slightly charming but mostly depressing. The place is also seat yourself and not at all customer oriented. The waiter that was working with us was a clear cut stoner. The ummmms and ahhhsss and "let me check" really clued is in on that. Anyways we managed to order food and were very disappointed. Though the portions were large, the taste was very much lacking. Everything was soooo bland that it's indescribable. The Alfredo sauce dish that my partner ordered was watery and flavorless-I really think you could get a better sauce from one of the dry packets at the grocery store. The red sauce I had was very much garlic infused but also tasted sour which I was not impressed by. Marinara sauce shouldn't make you pucker... I really did not enjoy the experience or the food here. I do not understand or see what the fuss is about. It really is not at all delicious or anything special. Sure the prices are cheap and the dishes large but come on- offer up some flavor! As my partner said "next time, don't smoke the whole bowl, bro"!
(2)Ken L.
I'm not Italian but grew up in a neighborhood with many Italians. Can recall Vinnie's mom with a huge pot of sauce always simmering. We often ate at family owned and operated Italian restaurants and Bove's is a far cry from the home cooking we enjoyed. Bove's is Italian cooking as prepared by a college student - right out of the can sauce with no real flavor and carbo-loaded pasta.
(1)JoHannah A.
Bove's: you either love it or you hate it. Which camp are you in? Stop in and find out.
(5)Jasmine R.
My husband warned me that this place wasn't good, but I wanted to try something new and we were in the area so we thought we'd give it a shot. The pros: The setting was pleasant--cozy and dim, and the service was pretty good (our waiter seemed apologetic that we chose to eat at Boves). Price and portions are decent. The cons: I ordered the spaghetti & meatballs with traditional marinara sauce. When the dish came out there were only two meatballs (which were dry and probably not fresh) and a heaping platter of spaghetti. My husband ordered lasagne and the cheese seemed a bit off. They bring out bread for you...but it's literally just white bread with butter on the side. It's not warm. It's not toasted. It's not some baguette. When I asked if they could toast it they said they don't have a toaster (WHY) and that they could just put the bread on the grill and it would basically be butter bread. I was not pleased, so the waiter offered to bring me olive oil and garlic...and that's literally what it was...minced garlic in a bowl of olive oil. I really wanted to like this place and with some very minor adjustments (like buying a toaster, I'm not even asking for fresh bread) they could be a lot better. Will not be going back again.
(2)Matthew K.
Really good home cooking at a very reasonable price. Lasagna is better than what I had in Rome!!!
(4)Nina C.
A little hole in the wall Italian restaurant. Three were 4 of us and we were sitting in our booth practically on top of eachother. Despite that we had a great time. Yummy drinks the food was so good and huge portions. I couldn't even finish my spaghetti with butter sauce. I was pretty excited that they offered the butter sauce. I don't like my pasta with sauce only butter and salt on it so it was nice to see that was offered. Service was a little weird at first. The waitress came to our table and brought us menus, then she came and brought us waters and the she came by to bring us silverware. It was at this 3rd time she came by that she finally spoke to us. after that service was great and quick.
(4)Nasio F.
This place still operates like it's 1960 and in the best way possible. My wife and I went there for a quick dinner, service was fast and the food delicious. Best lasagna I ever had and a very generous portion as well.
(4)Emma H.
It was awesome. We are snobby foodies who ate fancy expensive locally sourced food last night just down the street. And while that was great too, our entire meal at Boves cost the same as one of last night's entrees. It's got charming atmosphere & the food is just as good Nana's. We tried the Tuesday's chicken cacciatore (beautifully cooked meat falling off the bone), stuffed rigatoni with their signature garlic red sauce, and an order of meatballs (which were packed with flavor!). And you just can't beat a $3.75 Martini.
(4)Cori C.
This place reminded me a lot of having dinner at a friend's house when I was little. The food is simple, familiar, and good. This is basically a family style meal, but with all the food in the back. Your food is there as soon as you order. Portions are huge. It's hardly gourmet, but this is a place that sells sauce in a jar. The bread they serve is sliced white bread that obviously came out of a bag. The one thing that's tiny are their cocktails. They've got a good selection of classics. I'm fairly certain that they don't actually contain alcohol. This place is in a time warp. The prices don't seem to have been changed since the last time they renovated. The bathroom dates to the early days of indoor plumbing, but is magically, spotlessly clean. Someone else complained about their lack of a kids menu. Their whole menu is a kids menu! The kid in me totally approves of this place.
(5)Jon G.
I feel truly upset with fellow Yelpers. I was staying in Burlington for a ski weekend with my wife and was looking for a solid pasta place to load my belly with tasty carbs. It looked like a reasonably reviewed establishment with some years under it's belt and we headed over for dinner. I think it's important that you know that I travel a lot and VERY frequently seek out simple and borderline decrepit locations at times to eat. I often find great food since they clearly are not selling ambiance. Well I can tell you that this place is not selling food or ambiance. They must have some very dedicated locals that think Chef Boyardee was a culinary genius, because I would have been happier to eat a bowl of SpaghettiOs than the "meal" we were served here. I learned while begrudgingly eating my bowl of regret that Bobby Flay had taped a "Throwdown" against somebody here since they have a small TV playing the episode on perpetual loop as an attempt to convince you that what you are about to experience is something to behold. I guess Bobby has to occasionally throw a fight to keep people watching his show but this should have been a kill. So to those that have ever had the pleasure of tomato sauce that was not poured from a jar or have ever dared to take 30 minutes to make their own I highly recommend that you not disappoint yourself here. On the other hand, if you like heavy acidic sauce reminiscent of generic supermarket brand sauce over mediocre pasta then go for it. On the plus side, drinks are very reasonable here so maybe just take it out on your liver so that your stomach suffers amnesia.
(1)M C.
Not worth it. Sliced bread with cold butter to start, with overcooked pasta, way too much sauce. I could see why some people say it's how their Nana cooked, because it tastes like someone who is not a chef prepared it. Plus they seem to think having massive portions makes up for little taste, yup, just like Nana. My french fries were clearly frozen fries and greasy. The coleslaw I had tasted like it came from a supermarket. My boyfriend was similarly unimpressed with his lasagna, the item they are supposedly known for. Yes it's cheap, but you get what you pay for.
(2)Sal A.
Sauce - Sauce and more Sauce..... Finally made it to Bove's and I will say it is an interesting place. We all have one of these places in our old neighborhood and I always enjoy visiting them. Tried the "World Famous" Lasagna and it just did not do it for me. The way my mother, grandmother and great grandmother made this Italian treat is to go heavy on the Ricotta cheese filling. At Bove's after I sorted through the gallons of red tomato sauce the filling was most meatballs. It's very tasty and you will not go out of the place hungry. The real disappointment for me was the Sliced White Bread. This is something I can't get past...Italian Restaurants must have crunchy bread as part the meal.. just can figure out how to dunk with a flimsy slice of bread. Overall, I would say it was good and would try some of the other items on the menu for my next visit.
(3)Doreen L.
Boo ya Bobby Flay! Yes, this is the Bove's that Bobby Flay won his throw down to in the battle of lasagna. Despite the loss, (or maybe due to publicity) Bove's thrives. Nothing has changed in the last 10 years except the advertising on the menu and a tiny antenna tv advertising their appearance on food network. Bove has been in Burlington as long as I could remember. They started in 1941 as a cafe and grew into the restaurant you see today. Bove's continues to be a family restaurant, currently managed by the third generation. I remember coming to Bove's with my best friend. We would order large plates of spaghetti with meatballs. I would slurp it down. Al dente noodles, home made sweet sweet sauce; this was my first experience of American noodles. Bove's makes a great garlic sauce. Unfortunately, we were unable to sample the lasagna since it was sold out. We will be back again someday.
(4)A H.
I didn't realize this was so close to my hotel but it's a good option when I tire of Vermont bistro/cafe places and want something different. The salad was a mountain like someone's picture and I didn't get the extra plate the first time to figure out how to serve it. Oh well some onions were lost in the process. And I wish there was Italian bread...I would think the local bakeries could be a partner...but bread is not needed, you will be full. I did my research and had to hit the Food Network featured items...lasagna w/ garlic sauce. My coworkers followed suit. Boy did we reek of garlic, but it was worth it. Also the price is great for this area. Delicious for going out to eat for Italian, but I'm spoiled by a grandmother who has a darn good marinara recipe that remains my favorite. Also bring cash.
(4)Beau S.
Best Italian You can get for the money. There clean, fast, friendly and reasonably priced. Been going to Boves for 20+ years and never plan on stopping. Me and my family try to eat here at least once a week. Tuesdays chicken special has always been my favorite, But the lasagna is pretty amazing too.
(5)Molly C.
Ate here last night, our first time in Burlington and the prices were perfect, decent portions, only 15 bucks for a bottle of wine. Definitely worth it. Staff was incredible. Would go back 100%
(4)Ashley H.
Paid a visit after all the Food Network hype. The legendary garlic sauce sure was delicious. I don't know if it had all the garlic I was expecting it to, but it was still really good. I bought a few jars before we headed back to Michigan. The place looks like it hasn't changed a thing since it opened back in the day. When we asked if they had cannoli or tiramisu for dessert we were met with a laugh from the server and then an apology. Instead they have some random, un-Italian desserts. When I suggested that they add those to the menu he said, "Oh sure, I'll let them know, suggestions are taken real well around here." Not sure if you can pick up the sarcasm in my review but it was pretty obvious in person. He said he had tried to suggest different breads (besides the bland white Italian) and learned that lesson quickly. Oh well, they do garlic sauce, meatballs, and lasagna pretty darn well.
(4)Gene A.
Veal parm was a processed pattie, not a cutlet as stated on the menu. Staff didn't understand the difference. Lasagne however was decent but not spectacular. Service was good. Overall, not worth the trip.
(2)Jeremy K.
Like many people who have reviewed this place before me, I've first heard of this place on Bobby Flay's TV show and had wanted to check it out ever since, especially since I love good lasagna. This was over two years ago and I've been patiently waiting for an opportunity to go to Burlington and when this opportunity came, I seized it and was not disappointed. As my parents and I planned our drive back from Montreal to Boston, Burlington seemed like a nice place to breakdown the drive and get lunch and I suggested (actually insisted!) that we go to Bove's. I had been purchasing their pasta sauce at supermarkets out here in Massachusetts since I saw the show and had always loved their jars of sauce - it all just made sense. We walked in and this place was a lot more modest looking than the TV show made it seem to be. Whatever, I didn't care. Our rental car was in their large parking lot in the back of the restaurant, far away from me and that's all that mattered, now onto food business. I promptly ordered their lasagna which came just minutes later. It was delicious to the very last bite. I was not disappointed at all and it was one of the best lasagnas I've had. The service was friendly and quick and the prices were just right. The only hiccup was the fact that they were cash only which almost became a problem for us and would have meant that one of us would have had to go to the ATM machine next door. That aside, I'd definitely go back there in my future trips in the area, especially with Lake Champlain just a two minute drive from there.
(4)BD D.
Classic old school BTV eats. I love going there on a cold wintry night when that part of town is semi-deserted... walking through the door your hit with a wave of steamy heat, a crowded room, and the best smelling old-school Italian. Food comes up super-quick and always hits the spot. My wife and I used to go there when we were at UVM and had no money. Now we go there with our kids and they love it as much as we always did. Can't go wrong with Boves.
(5)Stan A.
Went with the family while on vacation to try the famous lasagna and roasted garlic sauce. The restaurant definitely takes you back to the dining atmosphere of yesteryear. As soon as you enter you feel like you have been transported back in time 40-50 years, which in this case was charming. The lasagna and special sauce did not disappoint....both magnificent. We also all loved the rum cake for dessert. A few things that could be improved to kick this place up an extra star would be ice cubes for the water they serve and credit card payments rather than cash only. To be fair though their prices are incredibly low for the quality food that they serve.
(4)Shona N.
Consistently delicious and always special treat! I grew up coming here and now travel 4 hours from Boston to get a taste! My young children even request it! Only thing...hate the "wonder bread". Wish they made there own bread or brought in some fresh crusty Italian bread. Oh well....still worth the trip! AND grateful for sauces at our local stores in Boston area. :)
(4)CJ G.
Bove's is a great stop for a bite to eat! It's cheap, easy to get to get too and offers a great amount of parking. Yes this is a hole in the wall restaurant! Very fast foodish looking but underneath its not! They oferf good food for a cheap price. Something that is hard to beat in today's day and age! All of their food is pretty good. The sauces taste great and their famous perfectly cooked lasagna! If you are looking for an app just get one of their salads or cheese sticks. Everything in Bove's will hit your taste buds just right! Did I mention its easy on the wallet? Well it is. Most dishes well go for just over $7.00. Drinks on the other hand are a little pricey at $2.50. Just keep in mind that their drinks do not offer free refills, including the sodas! Service here is also pretty good for the most part. A few times its been slow due to staff. Just greeting us late mainly. Its still pretty far and in between! Over all though its been great. They seem responsive for most of your needs! If you don't wanna deal with eating in then just do a take out order! Its just as good but you can enjoy at home or even down by the waterfront on nice spring/summer day! Bove's truly is some of the best comfort food you can find in Vermont! PS. They only take cash! There is an ATM inside!
(4)Luke G.
This is one of the worst restaurants I have ever been to. Apparently this place has gained fame for its tomato sauce which it has marketed and is sold in grocery stores. Unfortunately the tomato sauce that is served in the restaurant tastes exactly like cheap grocery store sauce. I can only assume they use the same jars of stuff in the restaurant that you could buy in the store. This place is almost comically bad. The bread that is brought out before the meal? Wonder Bread. I can't believe this place is so bad. The worst place in Burlington... only good for an occasional joke.
(1)Gerard M.
What a great place! It's no secret that Bove's has been a Burlington institution for years. Back in the good old days it was common to see legions of hungry college students and locals lined up to get in. Visiting politicos and their wives even stopped here for the photo opps. Today it's just as good though the lines aren't as long as they used to. The new food courts at the area colleges keep the kids on campus insteading of providing the opportunity to patronize the local eateries. Anyhow, Mark Bove beat Bobby Flay in the lasagna throw-down. But where Bove's also shines is with their white clam sauce. Being Catholic makes Lent a real treat here. Enjoying their marriage of butter, white wine, garlic and clams over spaghetti is one "sacrifice" that is easy to make on meatless Fridays. On the visits made here over the last several weeks the meal starts with their chopped lettuce salad. Nothing fancy, just chopped iceburg lettuce, black olives and Bove's vinigarette. Soft whitebread with a slatherig of butter helps soak up the extra dressing before the main coarse. Then a steaming bowl of perfectly cooked pasta with their clam sauce. Topping the pasta with liberal shakes of crushed red pepper to add a little zing is the only addition you would ever want. All this is washed down with several hand made cherry Cokes. If your waitress likes you, like mine likes me, she'll give you two maraschino cherries instead of one! You can't beat this place. Plus, with tip you can be out of there for under $15.00 for a very memorable meal.
(4)J B.
We came for the lasagna and were not disappointed. Mine was a la vodka and hubby's was with the original sauce. Extreme flavour, we didn't agree and loved our own choices best. Portions were huge and so was my smile. Bread served was simply toast bread, aka wonder, but the super friendly unpretentious atmosphere and genuine servers make up for any small issues like that.
(5)J F.
The Bove family have been making and serving unpretentious and delicious food at their Pearl Street location since the day Pearl Harbor was attacked. And it's still good. It is the site of many a memorable meal, from our friends' first date in 1960 to all the times we came to Burlington to visit friends during our time away. It's always good. Television took notice, and Sauceboy went national. This isn't a review of the frozen lasagna or meatballs (though they're good, in their own way), it's the Mothership that we're considering. And they keep getting it right. It's a classic American Italian restaurant, with sublime red sauce. The antipasto is a pile of iceburg with meat and cheese and onions. While you're waiting they bring a loaf of soft white bread and a bowl of cold butter pats. It's a ritual blessing. You'll find something you like on the menu. Bring cash, or you'll need to visit one of the ATMs nearby. (Now I'm hungry.)
(4)Jae L.
My husband and his family had been raving about this place for awhile, and now that we have moved to nearby Jericho, it seemed like I should be initiated to this family favorite. When I texted my step-daughter that we we're going, she laughed and said she feared I would not like it...but oh, I did! Now, it's not fine dining, and it is nowhere near fancy. But for the price, and considering how well they are doing what they set out to do, I'd say Bove's deserves 4 and a half stars. Maybe even 4 and three-quarters. Since I'm not really supposed to eat pasta or other carb-heavy foods, I don't think I'll be back often, I decided to go crazy and eat all of the Forbiddens. Soft, white bread -- as white and as soft as it gets. Like the Wonderbread of your childhood memories, but better, especially when buried under a slab of butter. The four of us split a salad, which had lots-n-lotsa olives and had just the right amount of dressing. Sure, it was just iceberg and some veggies, but everything was fresh and crisp..and the four of us could barely finish it. Probably because we ate too much bread. Good thing we only ordered 3 dishes. My husband and I wanted to split the spaghetti and meatballs with garlic sauce, which Yelpers had raved about. But then the server said, "white or red sauce?" and I panicked. Which one did the Yelpers have? Would I be sad if I got the red and it wasn't garlicky enough? What if the white was disappointing? But then the server assured me I could have both! Our step-son and his girlfriend got what they always get: the veal on spaghetti, which I did not try, but am assured it is fabulous. So the red garlic sauce was good -- I imagine it is basically their standard marinara with a bit more garlic. Really quite tasty, but the garlic did not blow me away. Perhaps that is because I had the "white" sauce first -- and this is for those of us who like a little pasta and butter with our garlic. She brought the sauces in a bowls, and the white sauce was pretty much a bowl of raw, minced garlic swimming in butter. Heaven. Had I been alone, I might have just eaten the sauce with a spoon and skipped the pasta, but basic shame and concern for my reputation prevented me. The meatballs were waaaaay salty for me, but my husband loved 'em. And we had leftovers! And the whole thing cost us about ten bucks a piece. What a deal! Service was spotty, but they were packed when we got there. But they were very friendly and cheerful, if hard to catch. And when we left our keys and leftovers at the table, they chased us into the parking lot to give them to us! Now, that's what I call service.
(4)Leslie H.
I had completely forgotten that Bobby Flay did a lasagna throw down with Bove's until I literally stumbled upon the restaurant while walking along Pearl St. to the Lake Champlain waterfront. Despite not being the slightest bit hungry, I couldn't resist stopping in to try their famous lasagna. I was a little confused when I first walked in, as I wasn't sure if I needed to seat myself, wait for an escort, or order and then sit, so I walked to the back where there was a cash register and asked what the protocol was. Turns out you sit wherever you like and a waiter/waitress comes by with a menu. My meal decision time was nonexistent because I chose the obvious choice - lasagna! For $8, you get a bread basket with delicious, and might I add perfect, white bread with local Cabot butter, and a heap, or rather a mountain, of lasagna. The sauce isn't my favorite, as it tastes a little too sweet to me, but it's good enough. What I really enjoyed about the lasagna is its flavor and softness. I was able to easily cut through the lasagna with just my fork so I could keep the knife clean for the bread/butter. This may sound silly but I don't personally like pasta sauce on my bread and certainly not mixed with butter. Each layer had a good amount of cheese, meat, spices, etc. As I mentioned before, I wasn't very hungry, so I only had a few bites and requested a to-go container and took the rest home. Let me tell you that leftover Bove's lasagna is not that tasty so I would go here with an appetite and eat it all at the restaurant. As others have said, this place is cash only, and you have to leave the restaurant to use an ATM. Definitely worth stopping at for the lasagna (my cousin who lives in the area says everything but the lasagna is pretty bland).
(4)Jim W.
So I dined at Bove's for the first time yesterday on a business trip to Burlington. I'll definitely be going back to try other sauces. Just the basic marinara left a great taste that lingered. Prices are reasonable and the ravioli and manicotti were very good. Unique atmosphere, definitely old charm. I understand the place has been around for about 50 years. Staff cool with Dad and kids getting a bit silly. My wife now buys Bove's sauce at the grocery.
(4)Joseph D.
Ignore the college kids and VT natives and avoid this place. Cheap canned sauce and a half cup of powdered garlic does not make great sauce. This is food, but not Italian food. I moved up to Burlington in the 90s from NJ and when I told some classmates that I missed authentic Italian, they referred me to this place. What a mistake and terrible meal! Heartburn city. Just goes to show that when you've never had good Italian, ketchup and noodles can pass for sauce and spaghetti. Ever since I've used the 'Bove's' lesson I learned in curbing my enthusiasm for any restaurant recommended by a New England native. Do yourself a favor and go to Trattoria Delia.
(1)John B.
Bove's is about 36 times better than most places that Bobby Flay likes. Bobby Flay is better only than Guy Fieri. But I saw that cocktails cost $3.50, and that an experiment with lasagna wouldn't bankrupt me. The cocktail was fine. At $3.50, who can complain? It would be fair, however, to note, that the drink was curiously child-sized. The antipasto was amusing. The fried clams were sort of amusing. The spaghetti with garlic sauce was a little better than amusing. The lasagna was actually very good. The total bill with tip for two drinks, two beers, two appetizers, two entrees, was $55. And it reminded me of going to a weird dark place in CT with my grandparents, who thought that a heaping platter of spaghetti was the pinnacle of restaurant achievement. Now you understand my generosity with stars.
(3)Alanna F.
First, let's say we all agree this is not fine dining. But really, where can you get some of the best lasagna on the planet for $8.60 for a serving as large as a platter???? We tried this place for the first time last night. It's a bit run down looking from the outside and it's a bit run down looking on the inside, but that lends to the experience. This is old fashioned Italian cooking like going to your Italian grandma's on Sunday afternoon. Our server was extremely efficient and friendly. The food came out very quickly. I also tried their minestrone soup and it was good. I will definitely be back and I would recommend it to anyone looking for cheap, good tasting carbs.
(4)Mod Betty L.
In business in Burlington VT since 1941 and still retaining it's authentic Art Deco vitrolite facade, neon sign and old-school charm, the servings are huge and the prices are extremely reasonable My personal faves are the daily specials: Lasagna on Wednesdays and Stuffed Peppers on Thursday are AWESOME! retroroadmap.com/2010/10…
(4)Aimee S.
I've wanted to go here since I saw them on "Throwdown with Bobby Flay". I am not a fan of Bobby Flay, and I thought Bove's lasagna looked way better and should have won. We came here for dinner our first night in Burlington, and I was not disappointed. I had the lasagna, kids had spaghetti, and my husband had spaghetti with sausage. Portions were huge and cheap, and the meal came with a delicious loaf of bread. My lasagna was covered in sauce (a little too much, I think), but was still yummy. The best part was the meatballs in it. I think if I ever get a chance to come back I'll just order a plate of meatballs and that will make me happy.
(5)Bailey Z.
For such a small place, Bove's provided generous portions and their staff was very accommodating to our large group. I had my eyes set on this place the day I learned that Bobby Flay had a Throwdown challenge here. I really hate that guy, especially when he wins those challenges, but I do love places featured on Food Network. The restaurant was nothing I expected, which was a good thing. The decor and atmosphere was very cozy and comforting. They say they have over 70 years of tradition and it actually feels that way in the dining room. We were lucky to grab two big tables of six to seat our party of twelve and I also appreciated that they had free parking in the lot behind Bove's after 6pm. I already knew that I wanted to try the famous lasagna, but when I looked at the menu, it was nowhere to be found. I saw that they had it as a special on Wednesdays, but we had the misfortune of visiting on a Thursday night. After ten minutes of scanning the menu, I saw on the back that they now serve lasagna every night due to popular demand. Whew! I also had the chicken parmesan as a backup dish so I ended up ordering that and splitting both with a buddy. The prices are a little higher than what the online menu suggests (by about 50 cents), but I think they are still amazingly affordable (even after they were featured on Food Network!). The lasagna was as good as advertised. It was soft and smooth and they really do make amazingly good pasta sauce. I am salivating and getting hungry as I type this already! The meatballs are juicy and it is enough to feed two people. The chicken parmesan was also great. There was a ton of pasta and sauce, but I wish we got more than just one piece of chicken breast (although it was cooked perfectly). I also appreciated that it was grilled and not breaded. The basket of sliced white bread reminded me of those remember the Wonder advertising for Wonder Bread. It's great bread to dip in the pasta sauce, but it absolutely sucks and doesn't hold up well at all against the ice cold butter. All in all, it was a great meal all for $10. The waitress even brought out a birthday cake for our birthday girl upon my request. Cheap and hearty food paired with great service will draw me back to Bove's in the future.
(4)Morgan L.
Quick, easy, delicious, cheap! Be sure to try the meatballs - they are awesome! This is a great place to go if you want a quick meal and don't mind the diner-esque feel. Every restaurant has it's place and Bove's is no exception.
(5)Mark C.
On my third day of trying I finally got there early enough so they hadn't run out of the lasagna. Go early and have the lasagna, it's huge and fantastic and by far the best thing on the menu. The traditional Italian house wine with the wicker cover helps wash it down. Nothing is fancy here but it's a must stop every time I'm in Burlington.
(5)Erin F.
Our family has been coming here for years! Great food, HUGE portions, quick service, reasonably priced, (ATM out front when you forget your cash ;)) I have always gotten an antipasto salad, and spaghetti and meatballs, and they are always the exact same and WONDERFUL!!! Thanks!
(4)Carrie L.
I really liked this place. The atmosphere was cool, the service was good, and whatever pasta you choose is served with a mountain of sauce and it was pretty delicious. I had roasted garlic with penne, partner had spaghetti and meatballs. Apparently, they are famous for their lasagna throwdown with Bobby Flay. We had rum cake after and it was the best rum cake I've ever had, cold and moist and perfect, perfect, perfect, with real whipped cream on the side.
(5)Mike B.
Bring an appetite, Cash and a bag to carry your leftovers back to the hotel! and you will still go home with money in your pocket! After seeing the Bobby Flay throw down on TV - I knew I had to visit the diner the next time I visited our office in Essex Junction. The restaurantt was like visiting a restaurant from the 50's from back to the future. The service was quick and friendly. The sauce was the best part of the lasagna. For me - i would have preferred smaller size portions so I could have tried more items. You can get the sause at Bloom's in Northern Virginia. My kid's tried the sauce and liked it! Worth the visit if you are visiting Burlington! Additional parking down the street at the mall - if the back lot is full. PS - they have a ATM machine in the building!
(3)Crissy W.
i guess it serves me right to follow the advice of a food network newbie, such as melissa d'arabian. visiting from about 350 miles away, of course, i had to get the now famous lasagna with garlic sauce. the lasagna was definitely yummy, but i think bove's over did it on the sauce. there was so much of it that i could have 1) had a snack of bread dredged in sauce, or 2) made another serving of pasta and used the extra bove's sauce on my pasta. 1 of the 5 year olds that was dining with us had pasta with butter. when i asked her why she wasn't eating her pasta she said, "there's too much butter on it." i guess the chef's idea of "excess sauce" is not just limited to the garlic sauce. the bread at the beginning of the meal was white toast, which i thought was classic, cute, and a sure way to have soft bread that'll go easy on your teeth. the ambiance is casual and limited in lighting, which depending on your perspective could make bove's look a bit dingy. all in all, it was an inexpensive, no fuss kinda meal.
(3)shan S.
Came here because people in town recommended this place. The lasagna was huge and delicious, but the mountain of their homemade sauce (not sure which sauce) was too salty for my taste. The rum cake is pretty good. The meal is overall good and the food is very reasonably priced. There is no reserved parking for the restaurant, but luckily we were there after 5PM...no need to put money in the meters in the rear parking lot.
(3)Ted j.
The "Italian Wonder bread" they served is an insult to the Italian restaurant business. 20 ounces of overbearing burnt pasta sauce on a 3 ounce chicken parm with 2 ounces of pasta. I know its Vermont, so it might work for Larry, Darrel & Darrel but not me.
(1)Matthew A.
Five stars for the local hangout, local flavor and a family business that has survived the decades. When I go here, I find the food not so fantastic. It's basically pasta in red tomato gravy. I can do that at home. Only better. Its cheap here and it fills the belly. I am glad this place is here as it saved me and my wallet when cash was tight.
(2)John S.
Great 1950's atmosphere, but chewy under cooked noodles. Lasagna is better than the spaghetti. Drinks warm, food about the same temperature. Decent service.
(2)Anne B.
Let me first say this is a bias opinion. I have been going to Bove's since i can remember. My family is originally from Vermont, and no trip back is complete without a heaping plate of fat spaghetti and garlic-y red sauce. That being said, it is a charming little itallian restaurant that has very modest pricing, which is important in a college town. It's a Burlington staple, and should not be missed.
(5)Kenji G.
tried a jar of vodka sauce. Really liked it. I did struggle to figure out what to put it on its not really for meatballs and chicken. I cooked up some sausage, carmelized onions and mushrooms and mixed it with the sauce over rigatoni. Really good taste with a hint on spice..
(4)Laura J.
Lasagna is so worth the trip, however, it is very rich. Roasted Red Pepper sauce on pasta has some kick and is oh so divine.
(4)Cody S.
Bove's is a true classic italian red sauce dive yes that what made them famous. For under ten dollars you can enjoy your choice of homemade sauce and pasta while having a little left for something extra. Nothing fancy or over the top but just one of the place you have to try.
(5)Jeff G.
Basic yummy home cooked food. I think the place is way too small but the food makes up for it. Very good tasting large portions. It's a nice change from stuff on the Church street strip.
(4)Amanda J.
I saw this place on Throwdown and figured I had to try it while in VT. It was really quirky, very 50s style and cute. We sat ourselves and it was a bit cramped but our waiter came over right away. My friend and I both tried the minestrone (only 80 cents a cup!) and we each had the meat ravioli, he had it with meat balls and I got their garlic red sauce. The soup was probably my favorite part. A real good, authentic minestrone. Good portions too. The ravioli was well made and again the portions were huge. The garlic sauce was very garlic-y, I was impressed. I certainly would not recommend it for a date as you will not be very kissable afterward. The waiter was very quick to refill our water glasses which I appreciated. Very cheap eats that were much better quality than you usually get for this price. I found it odd that they played a loop of their Throwdown episode... otherwise very enjoyable atmosphere.
(4)Jake M.
Just like mama made! Its like eating at the table in your Italian mom' s house. Great home cooking. Nothing fancy. Great prices. Cash only!
(4)John M.
Tried this place after moving to VT and seeing them on Food Network. Needless to say this place was a huge disappointment. The food and menu were terrible, not even close to real italian food. I got some form of chicken parm and it came with white bread.... really? I believe the purpose of this place is to remain stuck in the 40s and offer low quality food at a cheap price; but you get what you pay for. At the end of the day, their ''famous'' sauce was gross. It was all over the place in terms of flavor. I couldn't even finish my meal it was so bad. Every time I see someone buying it at the store Im confused as to what the appeal is.
(1)Miriam S.
While I really wanted to like Bove's because of it's local reputation, I was sorely disappointed. To start they serve you some bread and butter, but the bread is just a notch above Wonder bread: dry, bland, sliced bread like you buy at the supermarket. I ordered the famous lasagne and found it to be much too salty and the components unbalanced: a few noodles, very little cheese, a decent amount of meat, and swimming in sauce. I'm not sure what possessed me to then try a dessert; maybe because they were advertised as made by "Mom"? I ordered the chocolate cake and was delivered a dry cake that tasted like it was made from a mix and iced with canned vanilla frosting. The entire meal was a disappointment.
(1)Chompawomp B.
It's an old place, so that gives it credibility? One thing about Vermonters...their taste buds tend to be on the bland side, and they tend to hype local institutions, even without warrant. This place would be on a death knell in southern New England. Basically Sbarros in an established 50's decor... They sell the sauce around the northeast at major supermarkets, but that too is thoroughly unremarkable. Because its from "pure and organic" Vermont?...no thanks.
(3)Kathy M.
Really wanted to like the place as I love really good home style Italian food. I had reasonable expectations after looking at the prices. The other reviews were positive overall, so we gave it a try. Could not ask for a better waitstaff! Our antipasto chopped salad, while good, was piled in a bowl rather than a platter which made it challenging and messy to share. Okay, not a big deal. The minestrone soup was awful. A saucy glop of a few veggies with some shells thrown in. None of us got past a few spoonfuls. The meals were a disappointment as well. The chicken and veal patties in the Parmesan dishes were processed ala Swanson TV dinners and DROWNING in sauce, almost inedible. Yes, the bread they serve is like wonder bread go figure. Yes, the meal for 4 was only $50, but we could have eaten at many other places in town for $50 and had better quality food.
(2)Jeff M.
Checking out the hype created by Throw Down is not enough reason to go out of your way to get here. The lasagna is good, not great. The red pepper sauce is very good. Bove's is best at providing very reasonably priced dishes.
(2)Matt W.
Here is a quandary. Is it possible to give a restaurant 5 stars even if the food is not the best you've had? The answer, when you are talking about Bove's, is yes! I have been eating at Bove's for years. I love their meatballs, sauce and... of course lasagna. In fact, I usually try to visit on Wednesdays just to get a piece. I've lived other places and Bove's was one of the only Burlington establishments I felt I needed to frequent when I came back to visit. The food is not the best (it's darn good, though) but I love the atmosphere (how can you not love wallpaper murals of venice) and the service is always good. Take out is always a great option as well. It's fast cheap and as always, plentiful. There are some things in life that can't be explained; how birds can know exactly where to fly to when they migrate, even if they've never been there, the popularity of Britney Spears and the mystique of Bove's. Just sit back and enjoy the chilled Chianti.
(5)Steve M.
Very good unpretentious food, good portions and excellent prices, but very dated decor and poor ambiance. If you're craving traditional, old fashion, home style Italian cooking, you won't be disappointed and you'll never leave hungry. It's always worth a trip.
(4)Kierston A.
INCREDIBLE!! I had the meat and cheese ravioli with vodka sauce, and a taste of a lasagna .... Not to diminish the ravioli because it was great but I will be back soon for my own lasagna! Great sauce, great vibe, delicious!
(5)C M.
If you LOVE garlic, If you don't mind cramped-busy-unpretenious 50's atmosphere, If you enjoy iceberg salads with vinegarette and puffy white bread, If you want easy parking. Eat here
(3)Matthew M.
Local institution serves fairly decent homestyle Italian pastas in giant portions. It's kind of a diner of spaghetti. And if you needed any indication that Bove's has been and will always be around, on January 1, 2000, they had a giant sign in the window that said "Closed due to Y2K related problems." If they can bounce back from THAT, no sluggish economy or infestation of Olive Gardens is going to take this place down.
(3)Kurt H.
This place is AMAZING!!!!!! If your looking for gourmet dinning you'll have better luck at American Flatbread. However this place is cheap and their pasta is some of the best I've ever tasted. If you're a garlic lover like me you have to try their garlic tomato sauce it IS OUT OF THIS WORLD!!! So, if you're looking to have an AMAZING bite to eat and save a few bucks while you're at it go to Bove's!
(5)Arnold R.
We went here to eat the garlic sauce featured on "Best Thing I Ever Ate - Garlic". In truth this sauce is hugely garlicky, which is OK in its own right, but this sauce is also nearly tasteless otherwise. No tomato taste, no lively spices. Also, its consistency is thick and almost pastey. I ate 2/3s of mine; my partner who loves anything with garlic could only finish 1/3. To make it all worse, the pasta was over cooked and clearly not homemade. All in all, this is a low quality Italian restaurant. You need only look at the bread they serve; it's white bread out of a loaf of Wonderbread (or its equivalent). Only Italian restaurant I have ever eaten at that did that!
(2)Vay V.
two words... overrated and racist... I was visitng UVM and i wanted to try Bove's, I was really excited but my experience there was horrible. My friend who is a student at UVM and I are asian, walking in everyone turned to not look but stare at us. I expected it, being where I was, but it was extreme. We waited to be seated but instead we were yelled at to take a seat where we wanted after standing at the entrance for over 8 minutes. We sat and looked at the menu and continued to get stared at, not only from the patrons but from the people who worked there. the only person not to give us weird looks was our server, I didnt get her name but she was sweet. We order our food and i have to say it wasnt that good. it was nothing like the reviews nor what everyone rant about. we got the raviolis with the vodka sauce. It was like a tomato gravy with a slight kick... but the kick was SALTY, at first its not that bad but it adds up after a couple of bites. The water glasses were small and i mean small, its smaller then a 8oz kid size glass. I got a large soda and it wasnt any larger then the glass of water. With the salty pasta, we could us all the water we could get and the refils didnt come too fast. We also got bread with out meal, but it wasnt anything special, it was slice white sandwich bread. The place is pretentious too i think, they play the episode of throwdown with Bobby flay on loop, over and over again on a little TV next to their bottle sauces. Dear i say it, but i rather go to olive garden over this place. Oh, remember to seat yourself and bring cash, cause they dont take card.
(2)Kelly G.
Bove's is ok. It's cheap, good italian food. They sell their sauces and they're great. They cater - and I've definitely called upon them on multiple occasions to do so. The atmosphere of the restaurant feels very old-school NYC. It's crowded and a little falling-downy on the inside. It could use a good once over...but perhaps the cracked plaster is part of the charm. One of my bigger issues with this places is the sparseness and the low quality of the vegetables. It's a big meat and starch place.
(3)Andrew M.
great lasagna, cheap prices.
(4)D W.
Best lasagna! I was working in the area and convinced my boss to take us to Bove's. Everyone was glad we went. I did my own Man Vs Food challenge and had 2 servings of Lasagna. I finished both and it was worth it. Wishing I could go back.
(5)H L.
We were in Burlington for the day and asked a local on the street where they would go, and they recommended Bove's. We were not disappointed. The lasagne is outstanding - great flavor and texture. Tomato sauce is fresh and delicious. My wife got the Vodka Mostaccioli (penne pasta) which had a strong vodka flavor. Kids split a spaghetti with meatballs, which needed just a touch more sauce. Large portions. Ignore the bread that they serve - basically slices of white bread that you get at the grocery store. Don't go for the ambiance unless you like diners with poor lighting. Cash only, so drop by the ATM first.
(3)J B.
All I have to say is Slice Bread was served with dinner.. That was the first sign this place needs some serious help. The lasagna was terrible and the garlic sauce was ok but not nearly as good as I thought. There are a lot better places to eat in Burlington. The food network missed the mark on this one.
(2)Alissa M.
Overrated. They sell their sauce in jars, which makes sense because their sauce tastes like it's from a jar. They serve white bread, the unpopular sandwich bread no one has used since the 90's. It is cheap and the food is consistently adequate. Vermont just has different standards for Italian food I think.
(3)Jeffrey E.
Yea the spaghetti is good, also fun to look at the decorations, staff helpful, but I have been there 2x times now and I always overeat so then I feel sick afterwards. Suggestion eat only 1/2 take balance home.
(3)Christopher K.
Standard, relatively uninspired Italian fare. That said, it's pretty good for what you get. I had the stuffed rigatoni with Vodka sauce and my companion had the linguine with red clam sauce. It wasn't the best past I've had, but then again, I live in NYC so I'm spoiled. Served with a loaf of white bread that was a touch above the Wonder-variety. The atmosphere was nice- the place hasn't left the 40s/ early 50s. Service was prompt.
(3)T B.
Bove's is cheap and the food isn't bad. Definitely get the cake if they have it. For some reason, it always feels/seems dirty to me. Maybe it's the duct tape on the seat or the sticky tables.
(3)Wendy K.
Cheap yes, good deals yes.. for broke people totally.. sauce and taste.. not so much.. but then again.. im from new york.. close to the city.. so.. ive had my share of italian
(2)Mike L.
I cannot believe some of the negative reviews on this site. Boves is great. They dont have a ton of food on the menu but what they have the do well. Another thing- you cannot go to an Italian restaurant and get anymore bang for the buck than this place. I have been to restaurants where I have wasted $100 for two people and for the same meal ..this place KILLS IT. I will drive 3 hrs from Massachusetts and make a day of it going here, Cabot and Ben and Jerrys.
(5)yva s.
It's almost legendarily inexpensive, but I don't quite get the love for this place. Everything seems over processed and bland, particularly the lasagna. It's quaint and quirky inside, but the food reminds me of my neighbor who made her spaghetti with ketchup as the base for her tomato sauce, only not as seasoned.
(1)Adam P.
Old school classic (not traditional) italian restaurant. Super busy place. I have not had a good eat in meal there. They serve spaghetti with a good inch of water in the bowl. Takeout there is exceptional there though as it always comes sans water. If you like garlic, try the red garlic sauce spaghetti. Best I've had and I love spaghetti. Antipasta is old ice berg, sliced salami, cheese and tart oil and vin dressing. Served up with soft whitebread and salted butter.
(5)Joseph P.
Boves. I have a tear in my eye. I miss looking at the 67 layers of paint on your walls. The small glass of water. The chance to watch Senator Bernie Sanders eat a giant steak and pile of spaghetti. The "anti pasto" which will give you a good giggle after it is brought out. The portions will make you share, so don't go ordering your own plate, order a few with friends or loved ones, and go crazy.
(4)justin p.
Another institution. Again, I haven't been here for ages, but am glad to see it seems to still be alive and kicking. I think that Bove's was here when the pilgrims first arrived, and I'm glad to hear that they haven't made any changes recently. This is a place you have to check out if you are in town. Also, I recently saw some Bove's brand tomato sauce for sale at a Weis Markets in Pennsylvania, so apparently they are expanding their horizons a little bit. Good luck to them!
(5)Chris B.
I can't believe nobody has reviewed Bove's yet! A Burlington institution for decades, Bove's is simply wonderful. Okay, it isn't much to look at - the exterior and interior decor haven't been updated since... since... well let's say a LONG time. But the food is fantastic, fast and ridiculously affordable. The salad is excellent, overflowing with provolone and salami, but the red garlic pasta sauce is what kept me coming back time after time while I was lucky enough to be living in Burlington. Not the fanciest place and it can get packed with hungry locals in the evenings, but always worth the visit.
(5)