True to its name, Monroe Social at 494 Main Street in Monroe has worked to meet the needs of the community ever since opening its doors in November of 2016. The restaurant aims to be a casual, chill joint that serves top-notch American food and everyone can hang around and have a fun time together with family or friends. To Monroe Social’s General Manager, Constantin Crama, the ultimate goal is to give people a place to enjoy great food in good company.

At the time of the restaurant’s opening, Crama said he and his partner at the time had a lot of experience working for popular restaurants in the area, and felt that it was the right time to move in this direction. Crama had always been a fan of Monroe and the surrounding towns in the area, and thus had always wanted to come up this way.

So when the spot that would eventually become Monroe Social opened up, Crama said it was “the right place at the right time.”

Monroe Social originally started as a burger joint. They kicked things off with their signature House Burger, a burger topped with a cheddar ale sauce and a bacon BBQ onion jam, and got feedback on it, according to Crama. However, he said that people wanted more than just a burger place, and so they had to keep on adjusting every year.

Crama said they have since shifted from a burger place to “something a little bit more,” coming up to serve an eclectic style of American cuisine that offers a little bit of everything. From small plates such as Smoked Pork Belly and handhelds such as their signature House Burger to entrees like Peach Bourbon Chicken and their wildly popular Fried Chicken, Monroe Social has many options for people to dig in and enjoy.

The restaurant continues to keep things fresh by changing the menu to try to stay in tune to the season, and that goes for both food and drinks. In the last three years, Monroe Social has also been slowly shifting towards local ingredients, gearing toward sourcing local ingredients for their meat and vegetables.

Monroe Social also makes it a point to have “a little bit of everything for everybody,” and the same holds true with their drink selection. The restaurant has the special distinction of being the only bourbon bar in the area, according to Crama, boasting an unmatched variety of 250 whiskey options.

They are so in love with whiskey, Crama adds, that they buy their own barrels. As people enter the restaurant they can see empty barrels that were purchased from different distilleries. Monroe Social even has its own private labels that people can come and taste for free.

“If you like whiskey, this is the place to be,” Crama said. “We have almost everything that is out there, so there is a little something for everyone.”

Crama said that he came for the long run and wanted to be a part of the community. That rings true to this day, as Monroe Social tries to be a central place for the needs of local residents and works to support organizations around the area.

The main event Monroe Social holds is their Annual Golf Tournament, which supports Sterling House Community Center in Stratford. Crama thanks his customers for their support and kindness over the years, as well as his staff for their hard work and dedication in all that they do for the restaurant and the community.

“It really starts with the staff, with how we run the place. It really feels like we all share the same mindset of being very open and friendly with the people around us, to show them that we care,” Crama said. “I couldn’t run this place without them.”

Monroe Social makes it a point to have some kind of special happening every day. Mondays have half-priced bottles of wine, Tuesdays have Happy Hour available all night until close, on Wednesdays kids eat for free, Thursdays offer the fun and competitive trivia night, and Fridays have Karaoke Night from 9 pm until close and feature almost everything people want to sing, according to Crama.

The events continue into the weekends; on Saturday nights, Monroe Social has live music performances. Crama said that most of the time they have an acoustic act, but once a month or so they have a band that goes until late at night. Sundays feature the Sunday Night Special: a delicious 12 oz New York strip steak for $17 with half-priced wine bottles. Crama said they’ve been doing the specials “forever” and that people know them for it.

“I’m trying to get people to come in and have an experience,” Crama said. “And that’s great for people to come and try a good steak or try our wine collection and not break the bank, because at the end of the day that’s what it comes down to ... We just want people to have fun and treat them to a good time.”

Monroe Social will sometimes hold other special events around the holidays, but are advertised as they’re organized. Catering, family meals, reservations, and private room event scheduling are also available.

A Sample Of The Menu

Brunch: Available every Friday through Sunday from 12-3 pm. Includes The Boss, a dish featuring a bacon and cheese waffle alongside two hashbrowns, bacon, sausage, two sunny side eggs, chili aioli, and local maple syrup for the ultimate breakfast meal.

Small Plates: The Smoked Pork Belly is smoked, marinated, and seasoned in-house, and gets complemented with sautéed onions, tomatoes, cherry peppers, beans, and spinach. The Brussels Sprouts have been a menu staple for years and are served with pumpkin seeds, bacon, and local honey for a crispy and delectable taste.

Salads: The Grilled Romaine Wedge is loaded with garden fresh tomatoes, red onion, crunchy bacon bits, and blue cheese dressing. Half of the romaine head gets grilled to change the flavor of the lettuce to help create a salad people cannot get enough of.

Hand Helds: Monroe Social’s signature House Burger is a fan favorite for a reason, being a locally-sourced, grass fed burger topped with a cheddar ale sauce and a bacon BBQ onion jam, paired with a side of fries.

Entrees: Among the wide selection of entrees is their Famous Fried Chicken, consisting of boneless chicken breast and chili aioli with a side of fries. The dish is especially noteworthy for its seasoning and beer batter that creates a delicious taste and keeps people coming back for more.

Sides: Monroe Social has a large selection of sides, from different fries and tater tots to sautéed cauliflower and truffle mashed potatoes. There’s also the homemade onion rings, which use the same beer batter as their Famous Fried Chicken. Whatever the choice, people are bound to find the perfect side for their meal.

Dessert: There are also several sweet treats for anyone to satisfy their sweet tooth, including brownies, gelato, Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake, and Oreo Peanut Butter Pie.

Drinks: Monroe Social has a stacked drink selection; from beer and wine to bourbon and mocktails, the restaurant has it all. Aptly named after the restaurant, The Social is a fan favorite that features Monroe Social Private Barrel bourbon, partnered with vermouth, orange bitters, muddled orange and amarena cherry. There are a total of 15 beers on draft, alongside domestic and imported beer options as well. As for wine, the restaurant sells by the bottle, and their selection features classic varieties across white, red, and sparkling wine.

Monroe Social, located at 494 Main Street in Monroe, is open Monday through Thursday, from 4 to 9 pm; Friday through Saturday, from noon to 10 pm; and Sunday, from noon to 8 pm.

Online ordering, as well as reservations, gift card ordering, and private room event scheduling, are available online.

For more information, visit themonroesocial.com, call 203-590-3450, e-mail info@themonroesocial.com, or follow the restaurant’s Facebook @MonroeSocial or Instagram @monroesocial203. For private room event scheduling, call 203-601-0510 or e-mail events@themonroesocial.com.