Long gone are the days of Central Massachusetts merely acting as a thoroughfare between Boston and the Berkshires. With cities on the rise such as Worcester and hot spots popping up all over the region, Central Mass is a destination in itself. On our tour of the best of food and drink in Central Mass, we’re hitting three of the area’s premier venues: Tree House Brewing Company, Armsby Abbey, and B.T.’s Smokehouse. Come hungry and thirsty, because by the end of this trip you’ll be completely satisfied.
A few logistical notes on this trip. Due to the current pandemic, each place is only available for take-out, restaurant and brewery alike. Secondly, B.T.’s Smokehouse is BYOB which makes it a popular spot after visiting Tree House. By making this a day trip, starting at B.T.’s for lunch in Sturbridge makes the most sense, this is before our stop at Tree House. Lastly, make sure to pack a cooler for your Tree House purchases since they’ll have to stay cold while at dinner in Worcester.
B.T.’s Smokehouse
I enjoy myself some good BBQ. Unfortunately, living in New England, this region is scant when it comes to authentic BBQ. B.T.’s Smokehouse, located on busy Route 20 in Sturbridge, is the antithesis of bland BBQ. This is a no frills establishment, order your food at the counter, try to grab a table (if you can) and wait to be called. With the BYOB policy, this is a good time to crack open a cold one, a Tree House, if you have one.
Currently, B.T.’s is still cooking away. They have a takeout window for call-ahead ordering online. My visit was on a hot Friday in June, and even though I called ahead, it was still about a half hour wait. It’s worth it though; the food is the real deal. I’ve been here twice and opted for the platter each time. With BBQ, I like to try a variety of meats and sides. This time it was the brisket and pulled pork with mac and cheese and potato salad.
At $19, this is a steal; there is just so much food! Both times I’ve been, my platter has become leftovers for dinner. If you are following my gastronomic route and are planning on dinner later on, you may want to opt for a smaller choice such as a sandwich, still full of that amazing smoked meat. Currently, there are a few picnic tables to eat at, or you can take the food to go.
Tree House Brewing Company
What can I say about this brewery that hasn’t already been said? It’s simply amazing. In February, I was lucky enough to visit and actually stay for a beer or two. This is the first time I had visited since the massive addition they constructed to the brewery. Although I am not a Tree House OG, since my first visit was only in 2016, I had been to visit the Monson location during my first trip.
On later trips though, to their state of the art facility in Charlton (also on Route 20), it was so busy that cans could be purchased but that was it. Currently, they are offering “Tree House On the Fly” which is order-ahead curbside beer. (The photos are from February when humans could actually interact without the chance for dire repercussions)
What beer to choose?
What I love about Tree House is their selection. At any given time they may have over 20 beers available to purchase and on draft. Instead of having to order by the four-pack, it is a la carte. Equipped with a golf pencil and a menu that looks as if you’re about to order sushi, you select what you want and how many of each. This way you can truly sample their array of styles. At the same time, if you know you just want Julius, one of their most popular beers, you can leave with just that.
During my visit, I bought the beer and then strolled across the room to the draft section. In all, my wife and I ordered two beers each (you purchase an allotted amount along with the cans). I chose the King Jjjuliusss Double IPA which is an even juicier take on their classic King Julius. It was simply delicious. My wife chose the Super Treat with Peach, another IPA. For my wife and I to be able to enjoy each other’s company sipping on absolutely fabulous Tree House beers was simply a beautiful thing.
Armsby Abbey
Similar to B.T.’s, this is an oft-revered restaurant in such publications as Yankee Magazine. Unlike B.T.’s though, this has a gastropub feel. You don’t come to Armsby Abbey in Worcester for a quick meal. It’s a place to savor the menu and the beer selection. I started with a flight of beer. Armsby is known for its phenomenal beer selection which often includes such breweries as Trillium, Fox Farm, and Hill Farmstead, all of which are hard to find outside their breweries.
My flight consisted of two from Hill Farmstead, one Fox Farm, and beer from Brick and Feather, a brewery in western Massachusetts. I wish all flights were this superb! My wife opted for a craft root beer as she was driving. We ordered a cheese board featuring a selection of local cheeses that did not disappoint. She then had the mac and cheese. The goopy cheese covered the bread crumbs on top, so good! I had a soup and sandwich combo. A classic, half a grilled cheese and a cup of tomato soup.
All of the food tasted so fresh. Each bite hit on different flavor notes depending on the item. Matching a flight of beers with the food choice was excellent. The restaurant itself has a cool city vibe, located on Main Street in Worcester. It has helped put Worcester on the culinary map. It is a gastropub with mainly regional ingredients. The atmosphere is laid back–this is Worcester, not Boston.
Food and Drink in Central Mass!
With so much in Central Mass these days, it’s easy to make a weekend or a day trip of it. The best of food and drink in Central Mass showcases three amazing, yet very different, excursions for your palette. From the quick and easy, no-frills but awesome BBQ at B.T.’s Smokehouse, to a brewery making some of the best beers in the world at Tree House and finishing off with dinner at Armsby Abbey, this has been a successful day trip!
