Restaurant review of The Lone Wolf and Judie’s
By Meredith Brady

Strolling the streets of downtown Amherst, one may notice many eateries tucked in amidst the eclectic retail shops. If you are curious enough to eat at one, The Lone Wolf Café and Judie’s Restaurant come highly recommended by many in the Amherst community for their family environment and diverse menu.

The Lone Wolf, 63 Main Street, Amherst, MA has desert themed décor but the food is certainly anything but dry. The small yet cozy restaurant offers delicious options such as the challah french toast described on the menu as “thick slices of Black Sheep challah dipped in a rich cinnamon, vanilla butter and pan fried.” For egg lovers, there is more than enough selection, with egg choices ranging from a veggies scramble to the benedicts.

For the vegans out there, taste is not sacrificed for sensibility. When asked for alternative options for vegans, an employee was happy to point out the vegan section of the menu stating, “some people prefer the vegan options, even though they aren’t even vegan!” Vegan veggie scramble, vegan pancakes and vegan breakfast burritos are a few of the options offered.

Although close proximity is a problem for some, the coziness of this restaurant makes it feel like home and the hearty meals outweigh the intimate eating environment.

Another Amherst staple restaurant is Judie’s, located at 51 North Pleasant Street. Judie’s is famously known for their gorgeous golden brown popovers accompanied by apple butter. The menu is as dynamic and colorful as the tabletops and local artwork lining the walls. Judie’s offers a spectrum of delectable foods from small to hearty servings such as “munchies” like the Hummus & Black Bean Dip Platter or the Sweet Potato Sun Spot Fries. If you are looking for something small, there is a “Small Meal” section featuring scaled down options such as the “Steak Little” which is a 5 oz. sirloin steak served with provolone on a mini roll.

A heartier fall time option is the Turkey “POP” Pie, which consists of “thinly sliced breast of turkey simmered in a Madeira Mushroom Sauce with peas, fire-roasted corn and carrots, stuffed in a Popover with garlic mascarpone mashed potatoes, topped with cranberry sauce.”

Last but not least, the two most frequently recommended desserts are the derby pie, “a warm caramel pie with chocolate chips, coconut and pecans…” and the molten chocolate bunt, a warm mini bundt cake that oozes thick molten chocolate that will make you fight for the last bite.

These and many other restaurants contribute to the booming restaurant business in downtown Amherst and can simply not be missed.