Are you making the trek to the Pocono International Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania, for a NASCAR race this year? Well you are in luck because I have been to the raceway many times and happen to know of where you can find the best grub either before or after the race. Here’s a rundown on the best five:
1. The Village Squire Restaurant and Charles Dickens Pub
The Village Squire Restaurant and Charles Dickens Pub is located on Route 115 in Blakeslee. It is roughly a 15 minute drive depending on the traffic. The Delmonico steak dressed with wild mushrooms ($20) is worth crowing over. I’m also a fan of the baked, French onion soup ($5) and the clams casino ($8). The restaurant opens Tuesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner.
2. The Ugly Mug
Looking for a burger so juicy that you’ll need a case of wet naps to clean up when you’re through? Then you have to head to The Ugly Mug on Main Street in nearby White Haven. They serve a sensational mix of beef on a bun. A few you might want to consider are the horseradish garlic burger ($10) or the chili burger with fries ($11). Every bite makes the 30 minute drive from the raceway to reach the place worth the trouble. It typically opens daily for dinner.
3. Van Gilder’s Jubilee Restaurant
A tender and flavorful flat iron steak served with garlic, red skin mash and onion straws ($16) is just 10 minutes away from the raceway at Van Gilder’s Jubilee Restaurant. Not in the mood for a steak? Check out the ½ rack of hickory smoked, fall-off-the-bone ribs ($14) or honey dipped chicken, fried instead ($13). It sits on Route 940 in Pocono Pines and opens daily at 7 a.m.
4. Barley Creek Brewing
The Barley Creek Brewing Company is located on Sullivan Trail and Camelback Roads in Tannersville. If you are feeling ambitious, try wrapping your appetite around the Double the Ante ($17). It comes with two Angus beef burgers dripping in cheese, onions and Aioli sauce with all the fixings. The restaurant is a 20 minute drive from the raceway and it opens daily for lunch and dinner.
5. Tokyo Tea House
Are you in the mood for Japanese food? Check out the Tokyo Tea House on Route 940 in Pocono Summit. The food is good and so is the service. You might want to try the chicken teriyaki or the lobster tempura with rice. Both are flavorful and come with veggies. The lobster tempura also comes with miso soup. It’s open Wednesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner.
Killeen Gonzalez enjoys watching motor sports and has traveled extensively.
More from this contributor:
Best 5 Campfire Desserts for Spring
Insider’s Guide to Snowmobiling in the Poconos
Top 5 Campgrounds Near the Phoenix International Raceway in Arizona
5 Rip Off Reduction Steps to Take When Buying a Used Snowmobile
