Pacers restaurant trots out some dining bargains
By Cynthia Schuster-Eakin
Insights
Published Dec. 10, 2008

In these tough economic times, it is always good to know that you can go out and find a dining bargain.

Pacers restaurant in Lakewood offers daily specials that make it affordable for you to dine out any night of the week.

Renowned for its barbecued spareribs, Pacers has competed in rib cook-offs across the country, winning over $60,000 in prize money. The restaurant was awarded the title “Best Ribs” and “Best Sauce” two years in a row at the National Rib Cook-Off here in Cleveland. You can pick up a bottle of the award-winning sauce at Pacer’s to take home, in a 12-ounce ($3.50) or 32-ounce bottle ($6.50).

Pacers’ hearty beef chili is filled with chunks of beef and beans in broth flavored with a hint of their famous barbecue. Noontime diners can enjoy a cup or bowl of their chicken chili topped with cheddar cheese ($2.39 a cup, $2.99 a bowl).

If you are craving ribs, but not hungry enough for a full dinner, order the rib teasers, a four-bone serving ($6.99). Ribs are a buck a bone on Tuesday, four-bone minimum, and you can make it a meal with sides for an additional $2.29. Chicken wings are also a specialty, with sauces like honey mustard, sweet chili and teriyaki. Monday, Thursday and Sunday nights are wing nights, with chicken wings priced at 35 cents, dine in only, with a 10-wing minimum order. Another interesting appetizer is cocktail steak, or bite-size pieces of charbroiled strip loin served with a side of barbecue dipping sauce ($7.99).

Half-pound Black Angus burgers, cooked to your liking, are served on a toasted Kaiser bun with lettuce, tomato and a side dish. The Pacer burger is topped with American cheese and house barbecue sauce ($7.19). The extra-cheesy Bleu Moon burger is topped with Swiss cheese and a mound of bleu cheese ($7.49). The menu also offers a variety of grilled chicken sandwiches and toppings, wraps, barbecue beef with melted Cheddar ($7.49), and a broiled steak sandwich on grilled garlic bread with raw onion, lettuce and tomato ($7.79).

The Greek salad topped with calamari, feta cheese and Greek vinaigrette dressing ($10.99) is a meal in itself. Breaded perch is available on a bun with a side of slaw ($6.39), or as a fish fry dinner ($8.49). Fish fry dinners are $6.99 on Friday after 3 p.m.

Barbecued rib dinners are served with garlic bread and two sides. A third-slab sparerib dinner is only $7.49. You can also order a half-slab dinner ($9.99) or full slab ($15.99). Baby back ribs are slightly pricier, at $10.99 for a half slab and $17.99 for a full-slab meal. Ribs can be ordered to go, at $13 a slab for spareribs and $15 a slab for baby backs.

Pacers, 14600 Detroit Avenue in Lakewood, is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. Hours are 11 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. on Monday through Saturday, and noon to 2:30 a.m. on Sunday. Major credit cards are accepted. Gift certificates are available. The restaurant has wheelchair access. Phone (216) 226-2000.

On the Web:

• Pacers Restaurant