The Parker Pie Company — Restaurant in Glover

Just when you think you're lost in the middle of Vermont farmland, it's always fun to come across a place like Parker Pie Company. I'd say it was a stroke of luck to hit Parker Pie on a night when @NEKaraoke was hosting the best of the best in the Northeast Kingdom (I could only hope to be considered among the best with my Justin Bieber impersonation), but I learned that Parker Pie has a variety of open mic night events and is a regular hipster paradise at times! I'd heard rumors about Parker Pie, and the pizza joint behind a cow barn, but never really thought it existed...much like a catamount or Champ. I was proven wrong. I was happily surprised by the best pizza I've found since leaving New Haven, CT and names like Pepe's, Sally's, and Modern Apizza. While it was not a New Haven pizza, the Parker Pie had a well-charred crust with a snap and tasty chewy edge. The sauce and dough were both on the sweeter side, but the cheese combination helped offset that with a strong tang and saltiness. If they could work the sugar out of the dough and give it a dose of oil, it would be a definite go-to pizza. I ordered wings on the side, a heat called "Scott's Revenge," but two weeks later, I'm still waiting for the heat or the revenge. The atmosphere is gruff, gritty, and casual -- exactly what you'd expect in any hipster joint closer to a college town. It's almost serve yourself, order at the bar, and get your own water and utensils, but the best part of all that is the quaint general store adjacent to the restaurant where you can grab a pint of Ben & Jerry's for dessert and they'll throw it on your bar tab. Maybe it was the karaoke that brought out the fishnet stockings and mini-dresses, too, but the crowd was friendly and fun. With a great selection of taps, Parker Pie was even able to please this stout lover. Definitely worth the drive for pies and pints...

They’re undergoing renovations so it was a complete madhouse and overwhelming. We were informed pizza would be 45 min but that we could get chili or nachos faster. We ordered three plates of nachos and one chili. All but one plate of nachos came within 15 min so, everyone but one child (who didn’t want jalapeños) began eating. Out of respect for the crowd we didn’t ask about the other plate of nacho for about 20 min. I watched as table after table of people who arrived after us got nachos and pizza, etc. When I finally inquired they said that they’re working as fast as they can. I asked multiple ways about what stage of the making/cooking process the nachos were in, and how long it might be considering it had been 35 min at that point. The woman dodged answering anything or taking responsibility for anything, and only stated on repeat “we are working as fast as we can.” She was like a robot, repeating that same line upwards of 6 times. 15 min later the child’s plate came out, which means they had forgotten the order. It would have been nicer if they would have taken responsibility and apologized vs blowing us off. Furthermore, the nachos and chili weren’t very good. Their pizza is okay though, so, once they’re done with renovations, I would consider returning...

Delicious Food, Great Service — But Be Prepared for a Chaotic Atmosphere

The food here is absolutely top-notch — everything from the pizza and wings to the salads and sides was outstanding. The bartender was especially helpful and friendly, taking the time to help my out-of-town guest sample and select a local beer he’d enjoy. That kind of thoughtful service really stood out.

The location itself is lovely, and the ambiance could be ideal. Unfortunately, our experience was impacted by a group of 4 to 6 unattended children running through the dining area, up and down the stairs, and generally creating a loud and disruptive environment. It was surprising that neither the parents nor the staff stepped in to address the situation. While I fully support family-friendly spaces, there’s a balance to be struck, and in this case, it was missing.

That said, I wouldn’t discourage anyone from visiting — just know what to expect. If you're sensitive to noise or looking for a more relaxed dining experience, consider ordering takeout. The food and beer selection truly make this place worth trying, especially if you’re meeting people from different locations and need a central spot (coming from northern and central Vermont) with reliably...