While Pacino’s is known for its incredible Italian food, such as lobster ravioli and chicken parmesan, once a year, the restaurant serves up Irish favorites, including corn beef and cabbage, and shepherd’s pie, in honor of St. Patrick’s Day and the family’s late uncle George O’Keefe.
“In our family, we had uncle George O’Keefe,” said Pacino’s owner Frank Spaccarelli. “He married into the family and that was our Irish blood in the family. George married one of our cousins,” he continued. “So, every year, in honor of George, who passed away years ago, we do corn beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie, key lime pie and green beer.”
For the occasion, restaurant-goers will enjoy live music, and those who wear green will even receive a $5 gift card to be used on their next visit.
“It’s a celebration of our uncle George, and we knock it out of the park every year,” Frank stated with pride.
Future Events
Pacino’s will continue special celebrations with its traditional Easter Brunch and an egg hunt. The menu will include carved prime rib, orange roughy Italiano, shrimp cocktail, eggs benedict, caprese skewers and more.
“What we’re focusing on this year is what we do best, and that’s the food we’ve been blessed to do, to share the love of Italian food with our guests,” Frank said.
The following month, Pacino’s will celebrate its five-year anniversary during the first weekend of May, with a party thanking its guests and the neighborhood.
“I’ve never seen this in 36 years in the business,” Frank said. “The fact people really appreciate that we’re here and we care. It’s not about the almighty dollar. It’s about building relationships.”
Frank’s team has recently opened a country-themed sister restaurant, Beast of Bourbon Bar and Grill, also in Mesa. The restaurant’s menu features bacon bourbon meatballs, wings, burgers and steak, to name a few.
Pacino’s Italian Grill and Bar is located at 2831 N. Power Road, in The Village at Las Sendas. For more information, call (480) 985-0114, or visit PacinosAZ.com.