I've driven Rte. 7 from Troy to Bennington hundreds of times, easily. I remember passing a deli with a smoking metal pig out front, but we never stopped to check it out. It was just one of those things we noticed, but didn't take interest in. We were more interested in getting through the traffic to get camping in Bennington.
Last week, Chris and I decided to stop and check it out. We took notice of it in recent months not because of the smoking pig (which he and I didn't see) but because of the "bling" all over the store. We're not sure exactly what's different about the place: did they extend the awning over the porch? Are there more moose adorning the outside? More signs? More...more...something? Whatever it was, we noticed and on a sunny fall day we stopped in to check it all out.
The Big Moose Deli and Country Store is small. I have no other way of stating it. If you are clausterphobic, you may want to remember this. I do have a touch of clausterphobia, but since we were the only ones inside the store at the time we were there, I did ok. It is a mini-maze of souveniers, kitsch, and food. If you need a gift of moose, this is the place to go. Magnets, stuffed animals, cutesy statuettes, salt and pepper shakers, back scratchers...you get the idea. The store pays homage to Vermont and it's not even near the border. In addition to moose, there are dozens of brands and flavors of jellies, jams, pepper jellies and of course maple syrup. For a small store, they had an impressive selection. There was syrup from Vermont and New York, as well as a few from Pennsylvania. Jugs and bottles of various sizes as well as decorative bottles in fun and beautiful shapes. I thought the gingerbread man and penguin syrup decanters were particularly cute. We saw jelly made of dandelion and corn cob. Chris bought the corn cob jelly, I will have him report back when he tries it. They also carry an array of candy including some not seen very often, like Nut Goodies, Turkish Taffy, and Candy Buttons.
Ribbon Candy was the big find for me. It took me right back to Christmastime with my grandparents and, honestly, I think that's the last time I saw it. Gram always had ribbon candy out on a fancy dish as part of the holiday decor and snack offerings. I never ate much of it. Pure sugar candy like that was never my favorite and we were always warned to be careful and not rip our mouths to shreds because it could be sharp when broken (who doesn't love a candy that results in blood and stitches?). Regardless, it always looked so pretty just sitting there. Swirly, sparkly ribbons in Christmas colors of green, red, and pink. I was tempted to buy some for just that reason, to recapture some of my childhood Christmas experiences. I did not, but Big Moose is so close that stopping in again between now and Christmas would be an easy thing to do. Perhaps I can restart the tradition with the nieces.
Before we left, we enjoyed a pulled pork sandwich on a hard roll. This, of course, is the reason for the smoking pig in the warm weather. The pork was tender and offered either on a 12" sub roll, 6" sub roll, or the hard roll. You can get cole slaw on the sandwich or on the side. Chris didn't care of the sauce, he felt it was a little too sweet. I disagreed, I thought it wasn't sweet enough. It was deliciously messy, though. They also offered some nice-looking homemade pies, both whole and by the slice, and there was a footed plate of sugary, yummy cider donuts. In the summer, they have an ice cream stand around the back of the store, and a moose cut out so you can stick your face in the hole and take a picture. Good, wholesome, family fun.
Next time you're cruising Rte. 7 in Hoosick, we suggest you stop in and check it out. You might find just what you weren't looking for.
Big Moose Country Store and Deli
4956 Rte. 7
Hoosick, NY 12089
518.686.5801
(no website but they are on Facebook)
Mon-Sun 11am-6pm
Last week, Chris and I decided to stop and check it out. We took notice of it in recent months not because of the smoking pig (which he and I didn't see) but because of the "bling" all over the store. We're not sure exactly what's different about the place: did they extend the awning over the porch? Are there more moose adorning the outside? More signs? More...more...something? Whatever it was, we noticed and on a sunny fall day we stopped in to check it all out.
The Big Moose Deli and Country Store is small. I have no other way of stating it. If you are clausterphobic, you may want to remember this. I do have a touch of clausterphobia, but since we were the only ones inside the store at the time we were there, I did ok. It is a mini-maze of souveniers, kitsch, and food. If you need a gift of moose, this is the place to go. Magnets, stuffed animals, cutesy statuettes, salt and pepper shakers, back scratchers...you get the idea. The store pays homage to Vermont and it's not even near the border. In addition to moose, there are dozens of brands and flavors of jellies, jams, pepper jellies and of course maple syrup. For a small store, they had an impressive selection. There was syrup from Vermont and New York, as well as a few from Pennsylvania. Jugs and bottles of various sizes as well as decorative bottles in fun and beautiful shapes. I thought the gingerbread man and penguin syrup decanters were particularly cute. We saw jelly made of dandelion and corn cob. Chris bought the corn cob jelly, I will have him report back when he tries it. They also carry an array of candy including some not seen very often, like Nut Goodies, Turkish Taffy, and Candy Buttons.
Ribbon Candy was the big find for me. It took me right back to Christmastime with my grandparents and, honestly, I think that's the last time I saw it. Gram always had ribbon candy out on a fancy dish as part of the holiday decor and snack offerings. I never ate much of it. Pure sugar candy like that was never my favorite and we were always warned to be careful and not rip our mouths to shreds because it could be sharp when broken (who doesn't love a candy that results in blood and stitches?). Regardless, it always looked so pretty just sitting there. Swirly, sparkly ribbons in Christmas colors of green, red, and pink. I was tempted to buy some for just that reason, to recapture some of my childhood Christmas experiences. I did not, but Big Moose is so close that stopping in again between now and Christmas would be an easy thing to do. Perhaps I can restart the tradition with the nieces.
Before we left, we enjoyed a pulled pork sandwich on a hard roll. This, of course, is the reason for the smoking pig in the warm weather. The pork was tender and offered either on a 12" sub roll, 6" sub roll, or the hard roll. You can get cole slaw on the sandwich or on the side. Chris didn't care of the sauce, he felt it was a little too sweet. I disagreed, I thought it wasn't sweet enough. It was deliciously messy, though. They also offered some nice-looking homemade pies, both whole and by the slice, and there was a footed plate of sugary, yummy cider donuts. In the summer, they have an ice cream stand around the back of the store, and a moose cut out so you can stick your face in the hole and take a picture. Good, wholesome, family fun.
Next time you're cruising Rte. 7 in Hoosick, we suggest you stop in and check it out. You might find just what you weren't looking for.
Big Moose Country Store and Deli
4956 Rte. 7
Hoosick, NY 12089
518.686.5801
(no website but they are on Facebook)
Mon-Sun 11am-6pm
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