DISH: W-B ready to barbecue

by Nikki M. Mascali
Weekender Editor

W-B READY TO BARBECUE

For more than 15 years, Tony Thomas Deli occupied 50 S. Main St. in Wilkes-Barre, and Maer’s BBQ hopes to carry Thomas’ torch.

Owned by Eric Wagner, Mike Burns and Robert Burns, Maer’s BBQ will serve breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night meals. The interior of the restaurant is currently being remodeled to install barbecue smokers, change the decor and the layout.

“We had been thinking about (opening a restaurant) for a while, we all really enjoy cooking a lot,” Rob Burns told Dish Tuesday. “We hope to open in mid December.”

Though the three have worked in different facets of the restaurant industry in the past, this is their first role as restaurant owners.

Maer’s BBQ will offer barbecue-themed meals including smoked pork, brisket and ribs, as well as homemade flatbreads, “overstuffed” burgers and sandwiches, plus a full breakfast menu and special late-night fare. The restaurant will be open 7 a.m.-10 p.m. and until 3 a.m. on weekends.

Keeping later weekend hours were a no-brainer for Maer’s BBQ’s owners.

“There’s not really anything open at that time,” Burns began, “and we thought we could bank on that and give the college kids something to eat that’s not pizza.”

Maer’s is currently accepting applications for kitchen and wait staff and a delivery person. Call Eric Wagner at 570.371.8927 or e-mail maersbbq@gmail.com.

GOING LOCAL

Locals is now open at 88 Poplar St. in Wilkes-Barre.

Formerly The Poplar Inn, Locals is under new ownership and has been completely remodeled. The bar also features a new food menu that is served until 2 a.m. daily, a fully stocked bar and daily specials. Smoking is permitted.

Locals is open Monday-Friday from 6 p.m.-2 a.m. and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 2 a.m. For reservations, take-out orders or more info, call Rob Nicoletti at 570.905.2629.