Dixon Roadside Hits the Right Notes With Comfort Food in the Catskills

All photos by C. Malsatzki

Come for the delicious southern food and stay for the cozy, rustic, and highly Instagrammable Route 66 vibes at Dixon Roadside in Woodstock.

When I first walked inside Dixon Roadside, I half-expected to see Guy Fieri and his crew from Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Consider this article my formal proposal to Food Network. Picture “Route 66-style restaurant meets Catskills comfort food”— and that’s exactly what you’ll find here on Tinker Street, a mile-or-so away from Woodstock’s main drag.

Dixon Roadside fits perfectly into the mold of the Catskills aesthetic. (As the sister restaurant of the famous Phoenicia Diner, are we surprised?) It’s homey, unassuming, and welcoming—a comfortable spot for both locals and visitors. I, like the latter, was an out-of-towner, but after dining here, I may just consider moving to Woodstock to cut down commute time from my house to Dixon.

The eatery’s pavilion ushers in ample natural light and immerses you in the forest basin that surrounds the town. During colder months, the roadside eatery warms you up with cozy corners and dive bar accents. As spring rolls in, window-paneled garage doors are raised for fresh air and superb ambiance.

I’ve come to learn that there are two types of Dixon regulars: those who want to try everything on the menu and others who will order the same meal every single time, because man, it’ll never get old. I—with no regrets—carbo-loaded my Roadside Regular. I chose a main of mac ‘n’ cheese, topped with local cheese, fried chicken, and toasted biscuit crumbs. I just had to pair it with their spicy steak fries (they’re tossed in cumin, sumac, and lime sea salt) and a warm, fluffy biscuit. The star of the dish was a generous cup of hot honey, which elevated the already-cosmic flavors when drizzled over the chicken and used as a dipping sauce for the fries.

The Dixon Daily specials, which rotate throughout the week, include Meatless Monday, Fish Fry Friday, Southern Comfort Saturday, and Sunday Supper options. There are also some impressive sandwiches, like the Dixon burger with Highland Hollow beef and green tomato-jalapeño relish, and a hearty vegetarian portobello cheesesteak. But I highly recommend following my lead and ordering a Roadside Regular (which has other mains like brisket meatloaf, ancho smoked squash, grilled market fish, and crispy fried boneless chicken) with a choice of two killer sides.

I’m going to be honest: I often find myself daydreaming over this meal. So, the next time you find yourself in Woodstock, make sure to carve out some time to experience this comfort-food gem.