Good food on the way to your Pocono Home.

A stop worth making.

Most people shopping for a home that is a reasonable commute to NY, NJ and Philly burbs spend weeks comparing houses and almost no time studying the exit. They measure the kitchen, the lot, and the distance to the lake, but forget the vibe of the I-84 exit they will take to their house.

Great food between the exit off I-84 and your driveway can turn your drive into something you look forward to every time you make the commute and bee line for your "peace" of the Poconos.

         The best commute upgrade is a good meal on the way to your house.

I am Anne McCausland, a full-time REALTOR® with Keller Williams Real Estate in Hawley and a full-time Lake Wallenpaupack resident. Before real estate I was a classroom teacher, and I have the gift of explaining things in a way buyers and sellers understand. My clients trust me for strategic marketing, skilled negotiation, and knowledgeable local guidance, but food is often a huge topic of discussion around Lake Wallenpaupack and throughout Poconos. My New York and New Jersey clients have expectations about food.

Honestly, I am not going to lie, we do not have the best of the best that New York has to offer, but several of my local favorites will resonate with you and they will likely become part of your life here. In the Poconos - We eat, we toast, we chill. We slow it all down.

This is my list of ten locally owned restaurants and breweries along the I-84 corridor, mapped by exit. Every one of them is a stop worth making, and each tells you something about the place you are thinking of calling home. (If you are interested in the I-80 Corridor that is another blog.)

When You Know You Will Drive Back and Forth

When buyers from Philadelphia, northern New Jersey, and New York come to Pike County and Wayne County by way of or near I-84, they usually say they want a second home, a place to buy now and retire later, or a full relocation. Underneath that, they want something more specific. They want to arrive somewhere that feels different from where they left.

The question that remains is this: how long will it take to get back to my primary home, my sister, my mom, my favorite Italian deli, my doctor's office of 25 years, from the house I want to buy?

I understand this more than you know. My daughter lives in Philly. My docs, my hairdresser are all in the Philly burbs and I will not give them up until they retire. And did I mention no Costco here? So, I import my essential must have food items and you will learn to do the same from places you love and have your whole life and adopt some new essentials here in your new chapter.

Here are the Top 10 Restaurants I Recommend on the I-84 Corridor

The table runs from Exit 46 at Milford down to Exit 17 at Hamlin, the order you meet the stops when you drive in from New York. The write-ups below follow the same order.

Exit numbers follow my corridor map. Hours and menus change, so confirm before you drive.

The Ten Restaurant Stops from Exit 46 to Exit 17 (eastbound)

Historic Dimmick Inn and Steakhouse

Exit 46  |  101 East Harford Street, Milford

A family-owned restaurant, tavern, and inn that has welcomed travelers in Milford since 1828. Dine indoors or on the front porch in the warmer months and ask about the house-made sourdough on weekends.

Website: thehistoricdimmickinn.com

Back Road Brewing Company

Exit 46  |  248 Old Milford Road, Milford

A farm brewery on 13 acres with craft beer, cider, seltzer, brick oven pizza, and fire pits. Two lifelong Matamoras locals started it. Live music, line dancing, and karaoke fill the calendar.

Website: backroadbrewingco.com

Gresham's Chop House

Exit 34  |  2495 US Route 6, Hawley

Steak, seafood, and Italian dishes right on Lake Wallenpaupack, with a deck, live entertainment, and a family-friendly room. It is the lake lifestyle on a plate. This is a lake staple. No reservations unless you have a large party. The wait is worth it. They are consistently solid!!

Website: greshamschophouse.com

Paupack Watering Hole

Exit 34  |  Hawley

A small, relaxed local bar a short drive from the lake, with fresh, made-to-order food. The pulled pork sandwich, burgers, wings, and Watering Hole eggrolls lead the menu, and trivia and live music come and go. Outdoor seating and take-out are available.

Facebook: Paupack Watering Hole on Facebook

The Dock on Wallenpaupack

Exit 26  |  205 Route 507, Hawley

A relaxed lakeside restaurant at the historic Silver Birches resort on Lake Wallenpaupack. Expect burgers, sandwiches, pizza, crab cakes, and mahi, with lake views and sunsets included.

Website: silverbirchesresortpa.com

Mountainhouse Tavern

Exit 26  |  1179 Route 390, Greentown

A friendly local bar on the edge of Promised Land State Park. Eagles games, music trivia, and live bands keep the calendar full, and the Everything Cheesesteak and the Lebanon bologna Mountainhouse Burger keep people coming back. Summer adds deck seating and cornhole.

Facebook: Mountainhouse Tavern on Facebook

The Newfoundland Hotel

Exit 20  |  939 Main Street, Newfoundland

It started as a car repair garage in the early 1920s and became a hotel and restaurant in 1933. Today it is a family-run restaurant and bar with sandwiches, chili, soups, salads, and draft beer. The menu is divided into floors with more than enough choices. Wednesday Wing Night. Michael and his family are amazing. The décor throughout the year (especially Halloween) is spectacular.

Website: thenewfoundlandhotel.com

Jam Room Brewing Company and Sound Bites

Exit 20  |  101 Creamery Road, Greentown

Five friends started brewing in their practice space and built a taproom that sits just off I-84. Sound Bites turns out creative pub food such as deep-fried burrata and duck confit nachos, and live music is part of the identity. Pet and kit friendly. Chillax Vibe.

Website: jamroombrewing.co

The Local Bar and Grill

Exit 20  |  Greentown

The Local Bar and Grill brings hearty comfort food, generous portions, and plenty of local flavor to Greentown. From ribeye and brisket cheesesteaks to half-pound burgers, wings, and homestyle sides, the menu is all about satisfying appetites. The community has been quick to show its support, with popular menu items selling out and customers sharing enthusiastic reviews. It's the kind of neighborhood spot where supporting local businesses and enjoying a great meal go hand in hand. Owned Local. Supports other local businesses.

Facebook: The Local Bar and Grill on Facebook

John's Italian Restaurant (Hamlin)

Exit 17  |  580 Hamlin Highway, Hamlin

This is Johns in Hamlin. A family-owned Italian restaurant serving Hamlin since 1978, run by the Squatrito family. Baked ziti and chicken parmigiana are the longtime favorites, the hot wing pizza has its own following, and there is a welcoming bar. Anthony’s meatballs are as good as Trastevere, Italy! Consistently affordable and good. (There is a John’s in Greentown, but it is unrelated to this location and ownership. Make sure you know the location of all takeout orders. Confirm when you call.)

Website: johnsitalianrestaurant.com

More Than Just a Place to Visit

One of the things I enjoy most about living around Lake Wallenpaupack and across the Pocono region is discovering and supporting the locally owned businesses. Whether you've lived here for years, spend your weekends here, or are just beginning to explore the Poconos, there's always another place worth discovering.

As a local REALTOR, I know that choosing where to buy a home involves more than finding the right property. It's also about finding a community and lifestyle that feels right for you. Sometimes getting to know an area starts with something as simple as a great meal.

If buying or selling a home around Lake Wallenpaupack or throughout the Poconos is on your mind, I'm always happy to share what I know about the local real estate market and the communities I serve. You can find me on my website and at annemcccausland.carrd.co  

Frequently Asked Questions - 

What are the best locally owned restaurants along I-84 in the Poconos?

My top ten run from Historic Dimmick Inn and Back Road Brewing in Milford at Exit 46 to John's Italian in Hamlin at Exit 17, with Gresham's Chop House, The Dock on Wallenpaupack, Mountainhouse Tavern, and Jam Room Brewing in between. There are plenty of other great options, but these are my go-to choices!

Which I-84 exits have good local restaurants near Lake Wallenpaupack?

Exit 34 reaches Gresham's Chop House and Paupack Watering Hole in Hawley, and Exit 26 has The Dock on Wallenpaupack and Mountainhouse Tavern. Exit 20 has Jam Room Brewing, The Newfoundland Hotel, and The Local Bar and Grill.

Where can I eat on Lake Wallenpaupack with a view?

The Dock on Wallenpaupack at the Silver Birches resort and Gresham's Chop House in Hawley both look out over Lake Wallenpaupack. I live at the lake and send buyers to both for sunset.

Is a Pocono home a good second home if I plan to commute a lot?

It works well when the drive is easy for you and the area has a rhythm you enjoy. I help buyers test both before they commit, using a realistic weekend drive and a few local stops. Test it out.

How do I know if a Pocono restaurant listing online is accurate?

Check the hours, address, and ownership against the business's own website or Facebook page, then call if you are planning a special evening. Directories often disagree, and a local can settle the question quickly.

 

Anne McCausland Blogs and Resources

• Anne McCausland Homepage: yourmovemymissionpa.com

• Anne McCausland Blog Library

 

Your Move. My Mission.