Tavern tradition: Smash burgers and cold beer on tap at Deacons in Clarks Summit
Sep. 20—Deacons Tavern at the Best Western Plus Hotel takes its name from the founding father of Clarks Summit and Clarks Green, Deacon William Clark. Clark was one of the pioneers of the Lackawanna Valley more than 200 years ago.
According to a Scrantonian article from 1967, Clark's son, Jeremiah, opened a tavern in 1813 that once stood at 204-206 South Abington Road in Clarks Green. At the time, the tavern was an important stagecoach stop along the Drinker Turnpike that stretched from Philadelphia to Great Bend.
Today, Deacons Tavern in Clarks Summit serves smash burgers, tacos, flatbreads, appetizers and libations to customers.
Chef's Table chatted with hotel general manager Dan Harris about this new addition along Northern Boulevard.
Q: What is the history of Deacons Tavern?
A: Deacons Tavern opened in May of 2023 inside the Best Western Plus Hotel. It is named as a tribute to Deacon William Clark, one of the first settlers in this area during revolutionary times. Clarks Green and Clarks Summit are named after this pioneer.
Q: On your menu what do you consider to be your signature dish?
A: Our Deacon Smash Burger with Sidewinder fries. The burger is a half-pound Angus steak burger topped with your choice of cheese, Boom Boom sauce, lettuce, tomato and onion served on a brioche bun.
Q. Could you tell us more about your daily food specials?
A: We are currently running half-price nachos on Tuesdays, Burger and Brew Wednesdays (get a Miller Lite draft for $1 when you purchase a burger or sandwich on the menu for patrons 21 and older); half-price tacos on Thursdays; and every day we offer one pound of jumbo peel-and-eat shrimp for $9.99.
Q: What type of seating do you have?
A: Casual indoor and outdoor seating with high and low tops. Large parties are accepted, but please call ahead.
Q: Do you offer catering?
A: We are currently working on this and will be releasing menus soon. We will also be reopening our 4,000-square-foot ballroom.
Q: Growing up, what was your favorite place to go out to eat at?
A: Former Windows on the World located at the World Trade Center in New York City.
Q: Where do you see the tavern headed?
A: We are working on themed-happy hours with entertainment, igloos for outdoor seating in the winter and coming up with more great smash burgers for our menu.
Brian Fulton, library manager, oversees The Times-Tribune's expansive digital and paper archives and is an authority on local history. Contact Brian at bfulton@timesshamrock.com or 570-348-9140.
Brian Fulton, library manager, oversees The Times-Tribune's expansive digital and paper archives and is an authority on local history. Contact Brian at bfulton@timesshamrock.com or 570-348-9140.
