Land Mark Cafe & Front Porch

Monday night we dined at the Land Mark Cafe and Front Porch Bar in downtown Minisink Hills, Pa.  Monday night is half price night and we went for the fabulous crab cakes.  We've dined there before and always enjoyed the food and great service.  When we entered we were greeted with hugs from Sandy our favorite bartender.  Visited with her for a few minutes and off to the dining room.  Greeted by Elsie our server and who seated us quickly.  Old friends were seated next to us and we got visit with them.  We always see people we know when we go to here.  A cozy, small dining room and sometimes there is a short wait.
    Elsie took our order of ice tea, crab cakes, red garlic potatos, and salad with their homemade blue cheese dressing.  Drinks arrived quickly and crackers with a tasty garlic spread.  Soon our salad came and it was wonderful. Nice mixture of greens, tomatoes and red onion.  The blue cheese dressing isn't thick like you  usually get.  It is a vinegar base with blue blue cheese.  Very tasty and differant.  Crab cakes next.  Two nice size crab cakes with very little filler. We enjoyed them!  They came with red garlic potatos and a mixed veggie of string beans, brocoli, yellow carrots and chopped red peppers. Dinner rolls were served with it.  A selection of homemade rice pudding, bread pudding or chocolate pudding came with the meal.  We picked the delicious rice pudding.  Frequent refills on the ice tea too! 
     I've had steak, chicken parmg and few other meals at the Land Mark.  All great.  Entertainment on the weekends.  The crabcake meal was under $10.00 on Mondays.  Other dishes are available on Monday from the half price menue.  Our waitress Elsie is one of the best!
     The Land Mark Cafe is located on Rt. 209 in Minisink Hills, Pa.  (7 Bridges Road) just off Rt. 80.  The phone number is 570-426-1370.  Give them a try, you won't be dissapointed.  

Salt Potatoes

     Have you ever had salt potatoes?  The first time I had them was at my grandaughters high school graduation party 5 years ago.  It was catered by someone from the Montrose, Pa. area.  All the food was well prepared.  On the table was a big bowl of salt potatoes.  Small potatoes with the skins on, cooked in a salt brine.  You can dip them in butter and what a taste!

      The story goes that in the late 1800's Irish immigrants setteled near Syrarcuse New York.  They would get water from salt bogs in that area to boil their potatoes.  The tradition still continues in that area.  The Original Hinerwadel's Salt Potatoes are the best.  We purchase them at Price Chopper in Montrose.  Hopefully the new Price Chopper in Marshalls Creek will carry them.  They're small potatoes and the bag comes with a salt packet.  They do ship... 315-458-1050 and are located at 5300 West taft Road in Syracuse, Ny.  13212.  they have a nice web site and do catering.  And a beautiful picnic area at their location.  There are various receipes on the net.  Just google... salt potatoes and they come up.  This one sounds good.  Use small potatoes  and place in boiling pot.  1/4 cup of salt per lb. of potatoes.  Boil until fully cooked and drain. Don't rinse!  Dip in butter.  These are great for picnics.  We had a few left over and I made homefries with them and they were delectable!  

Charlie Weaver's Restaurant & Bar

    The last 30 years we've been dining with another couple for birthday dinners.  The birthday person gets to pick the restaurant.  Over the years we've dined at great restaurants in the Poconos, Lehigh Valley and Northern New Jersey.  We've kept a list of the places,  many are now out of business.  One of the worst meals was the Hiedleberg on rt. 611.  It closed a few weeks after we ate there.  One of the best was The Wind and Heather in Mountainhome owned by Sally Ferebee.  She greeted you at the door with a smile, dress in her riding jodhpurs and helmet. The food was so good we wanted to lick the plates!  Now gone, but not forgotten.  Some other favorites are The Walpack Inn, Youell's Oyster House, Saen and many more. Some favorites that have closed Widow Browns, Cappucinos, The Raintree and The Stone Bar (the old one).  About 20 years ago the late Bunn Reimer told me about Charlie Weaver's Restaurant and Bar  in White Haven had the best Prime Rib. I selected it for my birthday pick way back then.  We drove to White Haven and when we saw the place it had about 20 motorcycles in front and looked like a local dive bar.  I'm not against cycles and bikers. I use to have one, but this crowd looked rough.  We turned around and went down the road to the Powerhouse Eatery in White Haven.  We were there before and new it had good food and nice place to dine.  A month ago my boss at Sears told me again about Charlie Weaver's Restaurant and how good it was.  I told him of our experience and he said it was really more of a family atmosphere and he takes his wife and kids there.  So it was my pick for my for my birthday dinner again this year.
     Sunday we drove to White Haven and located the restaurant.  It's a little off the beaten path.  It looked smaller than we remembered and had 4 cars parked in front.  We went in and were told to sit wherever we wanted.  We selected a table in the back near the kitchen.  A small, quaint room with a cozy atmosphere.  Chabby Chic with local art on the walls.   Only two other tables had customers. A bar is in another room and there were some customers in that section.  The food came out of the kitchen and we checked it  out as it came by.  Seafood, chicken, ribs all looked real nice.  The waitress took our drink order and came back quickly with it.  We all ordered prime rib cooked to certain preferances.  The waitress checked the kitchen and told us there were only two portions left.  A end cut and a medium rare slice.  I got the medium rare and one of our party picked the End, well done slice.  The other two order filet mignon on special for $18.00.  The prime rib was $23.00.  Fresh cut fries and sugar peas were my other choices.  Others ordered fresh cut sweet potato slices.  The waitress was very sorry they ran out of prime rib.  A table of four seated behind us ordered prime rib and were told "Sorry sold out".  Charlie would have taken $138.00 if they had the prime rib.  Everyone ordered other items so the loss wasn't that much.
     Dinner rolls and butter arrived quickly.  Soon our meals came.  The prime rib was a man size cut and cooked as requested and tasted delicious.  One steak was done perfectly and one filet was a little over cooked. Fries were tasty and the sugar peas tasted good.  We ended with coffee and desert.  I had cheesecake with strawberries.  The others ordered triple chocolate cake, peanut butter pie and lemon cake.  We were all happy with our selections.
     Charlie Weaver's is a nice place for a meal with a home style touch.  A extensive menu with specials like Belly Buster sandwiches, ribs, pulled pork, home made soup, seafood and Italian dishes.  They are located at 42 Tunnel Road in White Haven, Pa.  About 45 miniute drive from Stroudsburg. The phone number is 570-443-8513.  No reservations and the place was filled by the time we finished our meals.  Hours are Wed.- Sun. 4:30-8 pm.  Closed Mon. and Tues.  They have a facebook page and you can google them to check out the menu.

     We all agreed we would go back.  Give it a try and don't be put off by the outside appearance! 
           

Johnson's Popcorn

     We arrived in Ocean City N.J. 2 hours before check in time at the Beach Club Motel (very nice)  on the boardwalk.  The desk clerk checked on our room, but it wasn't ready.  She gave us a parking pass and beach tags.  We decided to hike north on the boardwalk and hit our favorite shop.  Johnson's Popcorn!  About a 10 block stroll at 1pm on the boards.  No line when we arrived and we bought a medium container of their wold famous caramel corn.  We sat on a pier over the waves and watched the ocean and beachgoers while munching the jumbo, delectable morsels of glazed, quality caramel corn.  We walked back to the motel and our room was ready.  We settled in and made our way to the beach.  That night we decided to walk south on the boardwalk and there was a Johnson's Pocpcorn  shop 4 doors down from our motel.  Oh well, the excersise walking north got rid of some calories from the caramel corn.

     Johnson's Popcorn was established in 1940.  They now have 3 locations on the Ocean Boardwalk.  Each store makes their own popcorn from the 68 year recipe.  Caramel is the most popular (our favorite) while peanut crunch, and chocolate drizzle are very good.  Each batch is individually cooked using 100% pure ingredients.  They do mail orders, party favors and fundraising.  1-800-842-Corn. web site-  www.johnsonspopcorn.com  You can't go wrong with large, delectable, fresh, mouth watering Johnson's carmel popcorn! 

Chinese Take Out in the Poconos

     Sunday we had Chinese food from Golden Star located on Crystal in East Stroudsburg.  Always good, but I'm ready to try a new Chinese take out restaurant.  This post is for you to suggest your favorite.  We like Happy Garden on Milford Rd. in East Stroudsburg and sometimes order their food.  The food we've been ordering has become generic and mostly taste the same. We've tried the new place (don't remember the name) on North Courtland and East Broad St. in East Stroudsburg and wasn't thrilled with it.  they do have a drive up window.
     Sunday we ordered shrimp rolls, beef and Chinese veggies, wor shu duck, and chicken and brocoli.  All tasted good, but I guess I'm tired of it.  I've enjoyed Golden Stars egg foo young, shrimp with garlic sauce, chicken with cashew nuts and General Tso's chicken. Their wonton soup is very good.  They deliver if you bill is over $12.00.  Phone number is 570-420-1966.  When I picked up our food on Sunday it was busy.  About 10 orders on the counter and the delivery guy had a huge order he was carrying out the door. They threw in some free soda. 
     Now the question is... where do you get your Chinese take out??? 

Snydersville Family Diner

     After a few days at the shore and eating seafood at Hulu Hulu on the Boardwalk in Ocean City NJ, The Lobster House in Cape May and The Crab Trap in Somers Point.  I was ready for diner food.  My 65 year old birthday choice was The Snydersville Diner on Rt. 209 just south of Stroudsburg. 
     The diner has been a favorite of locals and visitors to the Poconos for years.  Sometimes the lines to get in reach out the door and down the ramp.  Serving a great breakfast and traditional dinners they are famous for their homemade pies.  I have some of their out of print cookbooks.
     I've been a customer for years and enjoy going there.  We went there for breakfast after my senior prom back in 1966.  Always a friendly greeting and I see someone I know every visit.  They hang local artwork on the walls.  I've shown my paintings there and have sold some off the diner walls. 
     Saturday night we arrived about 5:30 and got seated fast.  A nice waitress came quickly and took our drink order.  Ice tea was the choice.  I ordered one of my favorite items a hamburger steak with fried onions and gravy.  My choice of sides were mash potatoes and their homemade spiced cabbage. 
     The waitress brought rolls and soon our platters arrived.  The food was delicious and hot.  The chopped steak was done medium, just the way I ordered.  I had to have dessert and ordered blueberry crumb pie with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream.  You can't beat it!
      I also enjoy the hot roast beef sandwich, burgers, homefries, pickeled red beets, and pork and sauerkraut (Tues. special), fresh baked haddock on Fridays.  They have a extensive pie and dessert list.  I sometimes get their graham cracker cream pie.  Opened 7 days at 6am.  Call 570-992-4003 for info or a takeout. A trip to the Snydersville Family Diner is always a treat!
         

Tony's Restaurant and Pizzeria

    One of our favorite destinations for pizza and great Italian food is Tony's Restaurant and Pizzeria in E. Stroudsburg Pa.  Tony's and I go way back to the 1960's when Tony and his brother opened a pizzeria in the old Edwards Sporting Goods store (my first baseball mitt was purchased here)  in the Fenner building on Crystal St.  It was located across the alley opposite East Stroudsburg Hardware.  The back of my dad's tv store was directly behind the hardware store.  Many trips for lunch and dinner were made to Tony's.  A slice and soda was .50 cents back then.  When PNC bank purchased the corner property to build a drive up and parking lot Tony's moved up to 57 Crystal St. with the Town Clock moving  to the Boro building.

      My first slice of pizza was at Teddy's Tavern when it was located almost under the Inter-Boro bridge.  It was wiped out in the 1955 flood and relocated on 2nd street at its present location.  I was treated by my Aunt Arlene and cousin Linda.  The pizza was hot and a little burnt on the bottom, but tasted good.  Over the years pizzerias came and went.  Some of my favorites were Leggeries (the best sausage pizza ever), Albinos, The Square Bar, and Gargone's Bakery (I use to pass the bakery on my walk home from school and would get a slice or a brownie).  My good friend Jules Kniolek and I would even drive to Old Forge (before rt. 80) to a  restaurant name Reba's for a square homemade pizza in the famous Old Forge style. We would buy a few of them and have them for breakfast the next day.  Tony's has remained one of the best!
      We dine at Tony's regularly and I like the manicotti, stuffed shells and the antipasto is tasty.  You can get half portions of the meals.   Sometimes I will get a half portion and order a meatball with it.  The mussels are also very good.  Great cheesesteaks and subs.  You can't go wrong with anything on the menu.
       Tony's is clean and Armando always has a good sense of humor.  No more waitress service, but the food comes out fast and hot.  We always see friends and locals there.  Sometimes we take a bottle of wine for special celebrations.  For take out you can call 570-424-0911.  If you haven't been there give them a try!     
    

Pott's Doggie Shop

    I was in Nazareth Pa. Tuesday and had the opportunity to stop by Pott's Doggie Shop for lunch.  Located on Rt. 191 (307 Broad St),  One of my favorite hotdog stands.  It was busy with workers and some older customers picking up lunch.  I ordered 2 dogs with the works (chili, onions and mustard), They do have other condiments.  I also ordered Good's potato chips and a med. Pepsi.  All for under $5.00.  The order came quickly and I went across the street to the park with picnic benchs.  Some elderly fellows were there and one said to me "sure is hot weather" and for 20 minutes we talked about the weather as I ate the chili dogs.  It was serendipity!   I realized this is what the retired old guys do. 

    Back to Pott's Doggie Shop.  The chili dogs are fantastic.  They remind me of Patella's Texas Weiner (know by locals as the greasy spoon).  It was were I had my first Texas weiner and I still remember it! I use to go there after football games.   Patellas's was located on N. Courtland St. in E. Stroudsburg near Brewskies. Long gone, but the memory lives on.
    Pott's has 2 other locations. Northhampton and Bethlehem.  They attend fairs and community events with their great hotdogs.  Writing this I'm thinking I could eat one now!

"Fried Farts and Garlic"

    When I was a kid my Mom would be preparing dinner and I would ask "Whats for dinner Mom"?  I would get the answer from her "fried farts and garlic"!  We would all chuckle and patiently wait for her to serve us dinner.  It was never the meal she told us she was cooking.
    Years later I would take my 3 kids to the babysitter.  She was a older lady and was always cooking something at her kitchen stove.  I said to her "Nanny what are you cooking"?  Her answer was always "fried farts and garlic".  We would all chuckle and I would head to work. 
    The question I present is... Is this a localism or do they say this in other parts of the country?  I think it could be like our local term "cunnerman".  Only the locals know that one!  It could be one of those long ago sayings like "Adam and Eve on a Raft" or the famous military meal "Shit on the Shingle". 
     I can safely say that I never saw it on a menu and I've never had it served to me.  I'm almost sure I never ate it!  Please help me out on this one. 
     In the mean time I'm going fishing in the Brodhead Crick!

Jane's Ice Cream and Eatery

     Tonight we recieved a phone call and invite to Jane's Ice Cream and Eatery in Snydersville.  Since nothing was started in the kitchen we accepted the invite.  We've been there for ice cream, but never a meal.  A nice evening for a meal on the deck at Janes.
     I ordered a pizza cheese steak, fries and a Pepsi and Bev ordered a cheeseburger basket.  Our friends had a cheesesteak and spicey chicken sandwich.  It all came out quickly.  The cheesesteaks were really good.  About 8" and loaded.  The fries hit the spot.  Bev's burger was tasty and the spicey chicken sandwich was hot.  Ended the meal with CMP'S and Bev had a soft cappaccino ice cream.  In case you don't know what a CMP is (and alot of people don't)  It is a sundae with marshmallow, chocolate syrup and crushed peanuts.  I remember getting them at the Sweet Shop on Crystal St. for 25 cents. Long, long gone!
     Saw some people we know there and visited with them.  Had a nice dinner, outside with great company!

     Jane's Ice Cream and Eatery is located on Bus. 209 and Neyhart Rd. in Snydersville, Pa. (just pass the Stone Bar).  Stop by for a nice lunch or light dinner fare.

The Cook's Corner

    I've been encouraged to start a blog on Pocono Mountain restaurants.  My wife and I dine out frequently and I've been posting our experiences on facebook and twitter.  Maybe it is time to get serious about it!

    My first blog will be our Friday night destination.  The Cook's Corner in Henryville, Pa.  Dave and Cindy Cook had The Cook's Touch in Mountainhome and closed a few years ago.  It was a favorite restaurant of mine.   I was happy to hear they opened The Cook's Corner at a new location on route 715 and Cherry Lane Church Drive in Henryville. 
    Smaller then the original location you may have a short wait.  We were seated quickly and greeted by our server.  Ice tea ordered and it comes  in a Mason jar.  Bev ordered shrimp and crab cakes in a pesto tomato sauce, colored carrots and sauteed zucchini.  I had a cup of ham, bean, and cabbage soup.  Chopped sirloin burger with fried onions, sauteed zucchini and french fries.  Tasty rolls were served and soon came my soup.  I was very please with it.  Homemade and tasty.  My burger was done just right and everything else was delicious.  The shrimp and crabcake dish was excellent.  The sauteed zucchini was fantastic.  Bev is going to try to recreate it at home.  Her carrots were done just right.  Small carrots in various colors. No room for desert.
    Our server was attentive and quick.  Refills on the ice tea.  The owner came by and checked on us.
    The restaurant is quaint and warm.  Prices are resonable for this quality of food. Local artwork on the walls adds to the atmosphere.  We always see local friends there.
    This is our second visit.  We had lunch last month and it was so good we came back for a evening dinner.  Planning on returning.  You won't be dissapointed.