Park Tavern and Grille to be showcased by America's Best Restaurants

Republican & Herald, Pottsville, Pa.
·2 min read

Aug. 9—Pottsville restaurant The Park Tavern and Grille will be hosting a visit Aug. 23 from America's Best Restaurants.

A national media and marketing company focusing on bringing attention to local, independently owned restaurants, America's Best Restaurants will bring its "ABR Roadshow" from 9 a.m. to noon to the restaurant at 315 N. Centre St.

Popular dishes will be highlighted, along with an extensive on-camera interview with owner Bill Shugars about the restaurant's special place in the community. The episode will be aired on social media channels at a later date.

Formerly an executive chef at a local county club and co-owner of the Crocodile Deli in Friedensburg, Pottsville native Shugars semi-retired in 2017 and opened his barbecue food truck Here Piggy Piggy "just for something to do for fun."

Now working five to six days a week, Shugars began looking for kitchen space to help with the prep for the truck and came across the closed Greystone restaurant in downtown Pottsville's historic Park Hotel.

He opened Park Tavern and Grille, named after the hotel, in 2021.

Shugars notes the Lantern room, named for the antique lanterns in the windows, a small upstairs dining area overlooking the bar and the live entertainment the restaurant offers, is a popular request for seating at the restaurant.

Popular food items that may be featured on the episode include top sellers scallop carbonara, filet and shrimp and grits. Shugars said he likes to change the menu several times a year.

"It's tough to change the menu when people ask for certain things," he said. "I've brought (menu items) back because of customer requests."

The restaurant's finished episode premiere date will be announced on its Facebook page and will be featured on America's Best Restaurants' website at https://americasbestrestaurants.com/rests/pennsylvania/park-tavern-and-grille.

Open Tuesday through Saturday for dinner only, The Park Tavern and Grille can be reached at 570-516-9122. For more information, visit www.parktavernandgrille.com.

Restaurants featured on the "ABR Roadshow" are found through customer nominations or by a restaurant applying to be featured.

Visit AmericasBestRestaurants.com to learn more and to view the episodes and profiles of hundreds of America's Best Restaurants.