Willy’s reaches back to New York City circa in 1902 when
my great grandfather Willy I started Willy’s in Manhattan’s
financial district. As a youth, my grandfather was cared for
at the restaurant while my great grandparents went about
running their business. Eventually my grandfather took over
the restaurant and continued to serve the cuisine for which
they had become famous.

Food was served family style for a fraction of what it costs
today. Back then, splurging for a full course meal meant
spending half a dollar. When my father came along, he too
became involved with food at a young age. He spent many
of his early years standing on a fish-box cleaning shrimp. 
Eventually he took his turn in running the family business. 
Turned off by the New York City rat race, my father decided
to pack up and move the restaurant to East Burke, Vermont.
He proudly carried on the tradition of serving customers until
he closed the doors in 1992.

As a baby, my mother would place me in a copper bathtub to
nap while she prepared the restaurant for that evening. As I
grew older, I worked in neighboring restaurants working my
way up from dishwasher to chef. In 2000 I graduated from
the Culinary Institute of America. In 2005, Willy’s was reborn
as a full catering service. Renovations to what is now Willy’s
Restaurant & Catering would begin the following year. Now
it is my turn! Willy’s restaurant is now reopen for business
with its fourth generation of chefs.
 
We continue to serve the evolving, local, wholesome cuisine
produced by the Willys since 1905. We invite you to come
and enjoy a new dining experience. We look forward to
seeing you. 

                                   -Chris and Karri Willy