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A Saturday morning drive north toward the scenic Delaware Water Gap along the PA & NJ border 
brought us to the Mt. Bethel Diner. Although we’d long heard good reports about this small town diner, it was our first visit. The diner hugs the winding Highway 611 and overlooks a wooded valley and mountains. Certainly a pretty setting.
We arrived late mid-morning so the breakfast crowd seemed to be clearing and the lunch crowd not yet arrived. We were shown to a front window booth.
A slender, dark-haired waitress cordially brought us 
tall glasses of water then stepped away to start a fresh pot of coffee. We skimmed through the menu. Although breakfast fare filled only one page of the large menu, there were ample offerings. The chocolate chip and blueberry pancakes briefly caught our attention but on further thought we both decided to go with eggs. Fragrant, fresh-brewed coffee arrived and we gave our orders. Bacon and eggs for me, steak and eggs for M.
With only occasional chatter M skimmed through his morning paper while I read an engrossing mystery on my Kindle e-reader. 
I’d been reluctant to buy one. But in the past years we’ve been trying to downsize and books seem to have taken over our house. When a close friend published her book in e-book format I decided to give it a try. It’s true that I still love the feel of a paperback in my hands, but the Kindle is very easy to read and I can adjust the font size as needed. I especially like the portability when we travel.
Our food arrived almost too soon. My bacon was incredible and cooked crisp as I’d asked. The scrambled eggs were tasty, and the potatoes too many to finish. M’s steak was juicy and cooked a perfect medium, as he likes. Larger than expected. Other than a slightly dull steak knife, our meal was ideal. Throughout, our waitress discreetly kept an eye on our needs, and those of the folks around us.
Our bill came to just over $17 (tax included but before tip) for my platter 
(4 slices of bacon, 2 eggs, homefries, and whole wheat toast) and M’s (2 eggs, a large breakfast steak, homefries, and toast), and our two cups of coffee. Coffee price is reasonable at $1.10 per cup.
Excellent service, a pleasant atmosphere, and good wholesome food. It was our first visit, yes, but definitely not our last.
The Mt. Bethel Diner is located at 2600 N. Delaware Drive (Hwy. 611) south of Portland in Mt. Bethel, PA 18343. 570-897-6409. They are open daily from 6 AM to 10 PM.
Sara
Christmas calls. Late this morning we headed north up Highway 33 to the Poconos on our annual trek for Christmas greenery. 
As we drove across the mountain at Wind Gap, we were awed by Saturday’s gift. Trees and bushes everywhere were covered in a luminous Christmas card white. Along Route 209 in Brodheadsville, about five miles west of Highway 33, we happened upon the Meadowbrook Diner. We decided to stop for breakfast.
M. was intrigued by a sign on the restaurant’s west side and started to park there. I soon convinced him that it probably wasn’t intended for us. “Maybe when we retire dear,” I told him. 
With a deadpan expression, he replied “We’ll trade in your Jeep.” He winked then swung the vehicle into a more appropriate spot.
The Meadowbrook is not a large diner, but it has a cozy country feel. Inside, we were told we could sit where we wished. The small restaurant was packed but there were two booths available; we chose the one next to a window. As we waited for our waitress and M. settled himself with the morning news, I noted the smooth efficiency of the staff. Waitresses took orders and the bussers cleaned tables.
When the waitress set our menus on the table, we asked for our usual coffees and water. We skimmed through the simple menu offerings
– standard egg dishes, a variety of omelets, pancakes, and Belgian waffles. Our waitress set down our coffee mugs and water glasses, then took our order. I’d decided on a Belgian waffle. With an apologetic smile, she told me they’d run out of the Belgian waffles. Both M. and I settled on eggs and bacon.
The coffee was well-prepared, not too strong, but with a fine, robust flavor. As we waited for our food, a co-worker of our waitress stopped by with a refill. We browsed the newspaper, and enjoyed the comfortable atmosphere.
Soon our waitress arrived with two large plates of food. M. had ordered sunny-side up eggs and I’d ordered scrambled. The homefries were a bit buttery, 
but otherwise were thinly sliced, fresh tasting, and hot. Nicely browned, too. Our bacon was crisp, and the eggs were tasty and cooked to order. All in all, a comfortably good diner breakfast.
Our total bill came to just under $17 (plus tip) for two orders that each included 2 large eggs, 4 slices of bacon, toast, a large serving of homefries, and 2 coffees with ample refills. Overall service was friendly and efficient, and the atmosphere was homey.
The Meadowbrook Diner III is located along the south side of Route 209 in Brodheadsville, roughly 5 miles west of Highway 33. Phone – 570-992-5205.
Sara
The first day of 2009 took us on a drive north to the Pocono Mountains. The air was a 
crisp 14 degrees and the sky that vibrant shade of blue that often partners with such a biting cold. We decided to stop for breakfast at the Snydersville Family Diner. It was our first visit but will not be our last. Despite the frigid weather, we couldn’t have chosen a warmer, more friendly spot to eat.
As we entered the attractive brick building, a line extended into the outer vestibule. Still, our wait there was a short one. After only a few minutes we were seated at a window booth on the south side of the restaurant. Bright yellow sunlight streamed across the table providing a warm feeling in the brown paneled dining room.
The diner’s menu offered traditional breakfast options including assorted omelets, French Toast, pancakes, and many other good foods. Our waitress, a motherly sort garbed in a pretty print uniform top, brought us glasses of water followed by two cups of deliciously strong coffee. Hungry after our drive, we quickly placed our orders.
Voices buzzed around us. It was apparent from the easy conversation with the staff that many guests were regulars in the restaurant. The familiarity made us feel comfortable and gave a homey feel as we skimmed through pages of the day’s newspapers. We discussed recent movie reviews and a few of the news stories from 2008.
Soon our kindly waitress was delivering our orders. My husband had requested corned beef hash with poached eggs, wheat toast, and a side order of bacon. I’d asked for a favorite. Neither of us was disappointed. He described his corned beef hash and eggs as “delicious.” The same word described my French Toast. Nicely battered and browned, the flavor was just as hoped for. And although our cups looked small, our efficient waitress kept them well-filled with steaming black coffee.
Our bill for an order of corned beef hash with two eggs and toast, a side order of bacon, French Toast with bacon, and two cups of coffee came to just under $17 (plus tip). Delicious food, superb service and friendly atmosphere. I heartily recommend a visit! For us, it provided a most pleasant start to the New Year.
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The Snydersville Family Diner is located on Business 209 in Snydersville, PA. Its actual street address for Mapquest is 3200 Hamilton East, Stroudsburg, PA. They are open daily from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Sara
Breakfast in the Valley 