MONROE UNFILTERED: THE DAILY BUZZ | August 7
Bone Appétit and a Nearly Half-Million-Dollar Traffic Light
Friday, August 7, 2026
WEEKEND WEATHER
Welcome to the Dog Days of Summer (we have a theme today). Friday climbs out of a muggy, thundery start overnight into a warm, mostly agreeable day: high near 89°F, low around 69°F, a 24 percent chance of rain, with the best shot at a shower or storm sitting in the 7 to 8 p.m. window (roughly 37 percent). If you're at an outdoor event tonight, keep an eye on the sky after dinner.
Saturday holds steady, high near 88°F, low 68°F, and another round of evening thunderstorm risk climbing to about 50 percent around 7 p.m. Plan the cookout for the afternoon and have an indoor backup for after dark.
Sunday is the pick of the weekend: mostly sunny, high near 89°F, low 66°F, and just a 21 percent rain chance. Front-load your outdoor plans there if you can.
Looking ahead, Monday holds around 89°F and partly cloudy, with scattered thunderstorms returning by Tuesday.
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THE LEAD: FIVE BEST OF MONROE — PET-FRIENDLY RESTAURANTS
It's the dog days of summer, so we went looking for where the actual dogs are welcome. We checked BringFido.com for local dinner spots and then ranked them based on their Google reviews. A few of my favorites didn’t make the cut so, hey, I’m the editor so I added them.
A quick heads-up before you grab the leash: “pet-friendly” almost always means the patio, not the dining room, and policies can change by the day depending on staffing and weather. Call ahead to confirm before you make the trip, especially on a warm weekend when patio seating fills up fast.
1. Thai Thani Authentic Thai Cuisine — Stroudsburg — 4.7 Stars. A local favorite Thai spot in the county, with a patio that's become a regular pet-owner hangout alongside the drunken noodles and curries.
2. ShawneeCraft Brewing Company — Shawnee on Delaware — 4.6 Stars. The historic Shawnee Inn grounds make for a relaxed, wooded setting, and it's a regular stop for craft beer drinkers who'd rather not leave the dog at home.
3. Joe Bosco Authentic Smokehouse BBQ — Delaware Water Gap — 4.6 Stars. Seasonal, BYOB, and consistently praised for its pit-smoked brisket and ribs. Open Friday through Sunday this time of year, with an ice cream window to boot.
4. Sorrenti Family Estate Winery, Distillery & Pizzeria — Saylorsburg — 4.6 Stars. Wood-fired pizza from the on-site Mamma Lucia's, paired with the estate's own wines and spirits, with room to roam the grounds afterward.
5. Grange Valley Lakeside Inn & Winery — Mount Pocono — 4.6 Stars. Longtime Monroe County residents will remember this as Memorytown; the property has been rebranded, but the lakeside dinner spot itself hasn't missed a step. Open Wednesday through Sunday, now starting at 4 p.m.
Pub 447 — East Stroudsburg. Since Cara took over, the place has undergone a complete transformation. The outdoor Tiki Bar is an oasis that's been a staple of our Get Out coverage all summer. The food is great and everyone there makes you feel like family (or better, depending on your family). Cara’s own dogs, Axel and Tank, make frequent guest appearances as well.
Alaska Pete's — East Stroudsburg. The oversized flagstone fireplace is the indoor draw, but the newly renovated covered patio is where the dogs are welcome. The food is great and you MUST get dessert. Ask for anything made by Sylva. Take our word for it.
Happy Hour Bar & Grill — Stroudsburg. Family-owned, with a cozy patio and covered heated deck that blends nostalgic bar food with a few modern twists. The owner has reinvented the menu and really upgraded the service over the last year. As we reported back in May, he’s expanding into the old Red Cross building next door. We can’t wait to see what’s coming!
THE DAILY RUNDOWN
Summer Meals, With a Visit From Harrisburg. WNEP reports that Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe stopped by the East Stroudsburg Area School District's Summer Meal Program at Dansbury Park this week to help serve lunch. “These experiences mean a lot,” Rowe said, noting the visit puts a face on state budget line items. ESASD food services director Melissa Collevechio said the district is on track to serve more than 54,000 meals this summer, including grab-and-go, drive-through distribution in the district's rural areas. The program runs through August 13.
Broad Street & Route 611: The Light Is Coming, Eventually. Pocono Record reports that Stroudsburg's long-discussed traffic light at Broad Street and Route 611 is moving forward, but don't expect it before early 2027. Borough Manager Larry Kopp said the borough opted to pursue a PennDOT grant rather than wait up to a decade on the state's own list, and secured $483,565 in Automated Red-Light Enforcement (ARLE) program funding.
Editor’s note: Why in God’s name should a traffic light cost almost half a million dollars? I looked it up and these lights do typically cost $300K-$500K including engineering and construction. If a traffic light costs that much, it ought to come with a Gucci label.
PennDOT will handle design of what officials call “a very difficult intersection.” Data from PennDOT District 5 shows 25 reported crashes at that intersection between 2021 and 2025, with no fatalities. The plan is to go out to bid this fall.
GET OUT: THE WEEKEND ITINERARY
Friday. The Elements Music & Arts Festival continues at Pocono Raceway through Sunday if you're in the mood for a full weekend out. Closer to town, ShawneeCraft Brewing Company keeps its Rhythm & Brews live music series going, and Taproom Pocono (Barley Creek’s satellite at Pocono Premium Outlets) wraps up its karaoke series tonight. Keep half an eye on the sky after dinner — storm chances tick up around 7 p.m.
Saturday. Start at the Monroe Farmers Market at Courthouse Square in Stroudsburg. Illusionist Jason Bishop brings his Straight Up Magic show to Camelback Resort in Tannersville, a solid indoor option given the evening storm risk climbs to about 50 percent. Barley Creek's Pint Size Park also has live music if you'd rather stay outside earlier in the day.
Sunday. Clearer skies make this the easiest day to plan around. Catch the Gazebo Concert series in Delaware Water Gap, or head to the Eastern Monroe Public Library for its “Words & Film” screening of “Michael.” Smuggler's Cove in Tannersville is also running its Smoker Sundays on the patio (the weather looks good but I’d still call ahead to be sure).
Got an event we're missing? Email me at busby.ed@gmail.com with what you'd like to see included and we'll get it on the list.