Original Pocono Pub celebrating 100th anniversary with fundraiser for homeless veterans
The Original Pocono Pub, previously known as the Tanglewood Grove Resort, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this weekend.
At 2 p.m. Sunday the Pub will host an annual fundraiser, "Operation Chill Out," to help local homeless veterans. The event will sell $30 wristbands that include food and commemorative 100th anniversary T-shirts. Live music and multiple beer sign auctions are also planned. All proceeds from this event will go directly to Operation Chill Out and local homeless veterans.
Veteran Al Compoly of Operation Chill Out said this is the tenth year that the pub owner has supported the veteran outreach program. "We are so thankful for this. This money goes directly to purchasing backpacks, sleeping bags, and hotel room stays to get as many veterans off the streets as possible or at least help keep them warm, dressed and fed."
Rick DeFino purchased the Original Pocono Pub on Aug. 28, 1988, from a partnership with the old Tanglewood Grove Resort name on it. According to DeFino, he researched the history of the pub to its original owner, David Brace, who opened the business in 1923. "I tried to recapture the history of the pub that was here and renamed it the Original Pocono Pub."
The building burned to the ground in a fire in 1991 and he built a brand-new building. "When I rebuilt was around the time when there was a lot of commercial real estate surrounding me and so I had to do a lot of site work," said DeFino.
The Original Pocono Pub sits on Route 611 in Bartonsville, across from the St. Luke's Monroe Campus, which broke ground in 2015. It has been surrounded by new development over the last 25 years, such as the Giant Food Store, Dick's Sporting Goods, Lowe's and much more.
"About eight years ago, I added an outdoor vestibule to make the place look nicer," said DeFino. "I got all handmade wooden booths and beautiful pavers and created this beautiful patio that ended up being a silver lining when the pandemic hit and we became much more of a restaurant."
DeFino said the restaurant portion of the business grew to over 65% of his current business as a result of the pandemic. "We never closed down. Not one day. We were open for takeout and many people who hadn't tried us before started to do so. And they kept coming back. That really helped us get to where we are now. We employ 37 employees."
"Not only are we open every day, we are also open Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings for breakfast and/or mimosas," said DeFino. "I challenge anyone to find a better bloody Mary anywhere in the Poconos."
DeFino described the menu as "ridiculously big and delicious."
"It's a robust menu for sure, but as much as I tried to be known for everything else, its's the wings that people keeping coming in for," he added. "They are my number one seller. But we also have everything from amazing sandwiches and all the typical bar food to great seafood cioppino or chicken francaise."
The Pub has live entertainment six nights a week. Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays there is karaoke led by a KJ (karaoke jockey) and all singing bartenders. On Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, there may be a variety of entertainment or duos playing guitar.
General Manager Steven Bongiovanni said, "It's a great vibe, different and fun. We get people from all different walks of life. We have doctors and nurses from the hospital across the street, people from Sanofi down the road, and always different people coming in from the multiple hotels surrounding us. We get a lot of transit with three major highways here. And the people always come back."
"This is a great place to work, that's why I've been here 22 years…the workflow and family atmosphere, the boss, the pay, and the job security is why I'm here. It was all here before, during and after the pandemic."
More information about Pocono Original Pub can be found at originalpoconopub.com. More information about Operation Chill Out can be found at operationchillout.org/homeless-veterans.
This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: Original Pocono Pub celebrating milestone with fundraiser for veterans
