By Pamela Fisher
A local favorite eatery has opened a second
location, this one in Vermont.
After serving lunch, dinner, and latenight
fare to the Saratoga Springs community
for more than 18 years, Esperanto,
located at 4 Caroline St., opened its second
site in September at 113 Main St. in Burlington.
“We have been actively looking for a new
location for the last couple of years, and
Burlington seemed like a natural fit for
us,” said restaurant manager, Chris Biddle.
“It reminds us a lot of Saratoga–a college
town, a lot going on in the summer, always
something going on to keep us active in
business year-round.”
Biddle reported that the new location is similar to the original Esperanto’s in that both sites use seasonal, fresh ingredients, create a variety of grab-and-go items, and mix classic comfort food with lighter fare, including vegetarian and vegan items.
“The menus are pretty similar with the exception of a few items,” said Biddle.
“Otherwise, the locations are exactly the same including everything on the counter, the burritos, and salads.”
Esperanto’s menu is inspired by the staff’s culinary finds during their travels, including visits to restaurants and food stalls throughout the world.
According to Biddle, the Burlington community is slowly growing acquainted with the most beloved item from the Saratoga Springs site: the famous doughboy.
“It took a little while for people to fully get it but once they try it, everyone loves it. People say they have never tried anything like it before,” said Biddle.
He went on to describe the popular item as similar to “a calzone but a lot thicker, with cream cheese and sautéed chicken and spices.”
Regarding opening additional Esperanto locations, Biddle said he is investigating potential scenarios but is waiting to see how business continues at the new Burlington location.
“This is our first toe in the ocean, versus the pond, so we will see how it goes and then we can decide how quickly we can move further. We definitely have hopes to make Esperanto a regional business, but we also don’t want to overstretch ourselves.” To contact Esperanto in Saratoga Springs, call 587-4236 or visit www.esperantosaratoga.com.
To contact Esperanto in Burlington, call 802- 863-2244 or visit www.esperantoburlington.com.