Bakery - South Courtland Street Bakery, 78 South Courtland Street, East Stroudsburg

Bagel - Bagel Heaven and Bakery, Rt 611 Depue Plaza Tannersville

Restaurant Gourmet or Special Occasion - The Meadowbrook Inn, Cherry Lane Road Tannersville, PA. Peruse the menu at the Meadowbrook Inn & Restaurant on Cherry Lane Road in the Poconos and it quickly becomes apparent that a talented chef is busy at work. Chef Matthew Gocek, with over 25 years experience, is the culinary mastermind behind the fare at Meadowbrook. "I come from a large family, so I found out early on it is easier to do the cooking than it is to do the cleaning up," says Gocek. Cleveland-born and Pocono-raised Gocek is a self-taught chef, who learned much of his craft from being an avid reader. Known to some as the bible of French cooking, Larousse Gastronomique helped solidify his love of all things food.

Some of Chef Matt's (CIA Trained) tempting dishes include rib eye accented with honey roasted shallots and Bucks County mushrooms; fire roasted vegetable paella with an array of autumn vegetables, fresh lentils and saffron rice; and rosemary chicken ravioli finished with a gorgonzola and fresh basil cream sauce. Setting Gocek apart from many other chefs in the area is his creative use of seasonal produce. "The weather, the change of the seasons...it inspires me to create new recipes. Now people are losing a few minutes each day, they are eating earlier and eating more comfort foods," say Gocek. His favorite holiday to cook for? Thanksgiving.

Restaurant - Family - Alaska Pete's In the mood for some wonderful food? At Alaska Pete's they pride themselves on the great staff and service that is second-to-none! From the large salad bar, to the delicious steaks, they do work hard for you. In the mood for a quick burger? They have them along with many other "quick bites". Did we for-get to mention the fresh fish with emphasis on King Crab Legs? Alaska Pete's prides itself with all fish cooked up fresh, seasoned and served to fulfill your apetites. The Steaks are among the area's best also. All at resonable prices.

Brunch, Sundays - Stroudsmoor Country Inn, Off 191 South of Stroudsburg . A mainstay of Sunday brunches in the Poconos, always a great selection and perfectly prepared. We've been going for the seafood salad for years. Look around, they try to hide it. The Stroudsmoor team of chefs and bakers prepare a variety of gastronomic delights, which include classic American favorites, cucina Italiano and innovative signature dishes.

Pizza - Tony's in East Stroudsburg on Crystal Street. Above all the Pizzerias in the Poconos, this one was the tasters' choice at our PoconosBest.com Tasting party where over 100 people tasted an voted on the Best Pizza.

Cheesecake - The Pocono Cheesecake Factory, Rt 611, Swiftwater, Creamy.

Cheese Shop - The best we could find was The Cheese Island at Shoprite. Help!

Chocolate Fix - Callie's. Rt 191 Mountainhome. . You can find any chocolate you want. Buy lots. The Callie Family extends an invitation to Callie's Candy Kitchen and Callie's Pretzel Factory in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. You can see candy and pretzels made, ask questions, sample free treats, and have fun at both locations. We're looking forward to renewing old friendships and making new ones!  Candies like: Pocono Crunch - Delicious Combinations of Butterscotch & Rice Krispies with Cashews The Biggest Seller.

Winery - Big Creek, located in Kresgeville, Pennsylvania on the southern face of the Pocono escarpment in the valley of Big Creek. The soils are a chimera of decomposing glacial drift and local slate and shale. Like the natural history of the area, their wines are unique and full of character. They strongly believe that wine is food, and is at it's best on the dinner table. Putting down the fork to pick up the glass allows pause for reflection, conversation and rejuvenation of the palate.

Visit the vineyard and winery in Kresgeville or the shop in historic Jim Thorpe. Wine is one of those few pleasures of life that is endowed with a distinct sense of place and presence. Enjoying a fine wine at a beautiful table with family, without a sense of where it is from or who made it is an incomplete experience.

Chocolate Milk - Everybody knew that it was at Mosier's Dairy, Rt 209 North of Exit 52 of I-80 Marshalls Creek. You know you're a local when they let you take yours out in a glass bottle. (Remember, youe had to bring it back) Made locally, was a favorite for what? Generations? Now ... we can only choose from WaWa or Hersheys.

Spaghetti Sauce - Kasa's, Whether you're an ESU college student or a local, you're probally already aware of Kasa's spaghetti sauce.

Cooking Classes - The Cooks Tour, Rts 191 and 390, Mountainhome, The CIA could take some lessons here. Plan in advance as the courses fill up early. We tip our toques to them for saving us from having to drive to NYC to learn "The Cooking of Bologna". The city not the meat.

French Fries - (not fast food) - The Fifth Street Diner, Fifth Street, Stroudsburg. Classic diner fries.

Family Restaurant -

Quesadillas - Now here's a suprise - The Depot - recently new to the menu but R E A L L Y well done ! One bite and you're fantasizing that you're on the little back street in Acapulco next to Carlos and Charley's eating while standing on the sidewalk with salas dribbling down your chin. (Marita's how could you let this happen?)

Restaurant, Seafood - Smuggler's Cove Have lunch at Smuggler's and eat Quiche. The judges remind you that weekends during the tourist seasons tend to delute the quality of food and service anywhere. Go here on the "off nights" for the best of food and service.

Restaurant, Steaks - Alaska Petes- 223-8575 Consistently the best steak house in the mountains. Voted "Best Steakhouse" 2004-6. A variety of cuts, a menu that does include seafood (they sell a ton of King Crab Legs each week) and great pasta ( perfectly cooked to al dente we might add). A nice pleasant place to eat at, too.Casual dining in the bar area and more formal nonsmoking dining in the formal dining room. A lively bar scene with nightly bar meal specials like a bar steak for about $13.00. Large screen TVs. A homey but somehow also elegant atmopshere.

Salad Bar - JR's Grill & Salad Bar at the Budget Inn & Suites in East Stroudsburg .A throughly enjoyable lunch with more than salads - sliced meats and cheeses, a soup special and more. Conveniently just of I - 80 at the East Stroudsburg exit and near the hospital and university.

Supermarket - Handsdown - Shoprite. There's just no other choice.

Sushi - Tokyo Tea House, Rt 940 West of I-380 in Pocono Summit. Say "Hello" to Vince and Check out the Chocolate Mousse cake for dessert.

Supermarket - Desserts - Mr. Z's, in Tannersville, Fresh, too many to choose from and lovingly created.