Townline Grill and Bakery smashes it in Rutland

By James Kent

A new dining spot has taken root off Route 4 in Rutland. Townline Grill and Bakery, known to locals as a popular food truck, now occupies the space in the former Restoration BBQ location. Owner and primary cook Tracy Rose launched her food truck in 2021, gradually building a loyal following. In November of last year, she transitioned to a brick-and-mortar location at 131 Woodstock Avenue (east Route 4), creating the opportunity to expand the menu and serve more customers.

“I started as a home bakery, then moved into the food truck business,” Rose explained. “I was in Brandon for two years before moving the truck to Cold River Road in Rutland. Now, I have a permanent location where I can do even more.”

One of the most exciting changes since opening the restaurant is the addition of beer. Beginning this week, Townline Grill offers tap beer, bottles, and cans. By summer, Rose plans to have a full bar available.

Smash burgers and tots take center stage

While Townline Grill serves a variety of items, including chicken wraps and quesadillas, the focus remains on smash burgers and tots. These aren’t just any burgers—Rose has carefully crafted a lineup of specialty options that have quickly become fan favorites. The Mountain Times put two of our toughest critics on the case (teenage boys), and they were instant fans of Townline Grill’s double-patty smash burgers and crispy tots with a side of Townline Grill’s homemade house sauce.

“The Mozzarella Smash Burger and the Maple Bacon Smash Burger are super popular,” Rose said. “People also love the Cowboy, which comes with pepper jack cheese, bacon, and onion rings.”

One unique menu item is the Smash Tots—a combination of crispy tots topped with a smashed burger patty, house sauce, onion rings, and more. “People love that they can customize their order. If someone wants Taco Tots, we’ll make it. We do chopped cheese, deep-fried tortillas—there’s a lot of creativity in the kitchen,” Rose said.

Other hot-selling items are Townline Grill’s bakery items, like the cake pops, which sell out quickly.

Fast, fresh, and friendly

Townline Grill and Bakery offers both takeout and dine-in service, with 25 seats, including bar seating. Though it’s a casual spot, Rose and her team prioritize efficiency. “We want to keep things moving,” she said. “People know us from the food truck, so they expect fast service. We work to get orders out quickly.”

Rose still cooks out of her food truck, which is parked adjacent to the restaurant. An internal kitchen is planned for the future, and as the business continues to grow, so does Rose’s vision for the restaurant.

“You’ve got to keep building,” she said. “We’ve added beer, and eventually, we’ll have ice cream. There’s always something new coming.”

Townline Grill and Bakery is open Monday and Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The food truck will return for catering and events starting in April.

For more information, visit: townlinegrill.com.