Pittsburgh visit?

I ma heading to Pittsburgh soon and looking for some good regional fare. We will be staying downtown, but will have a car. Any suggestions?

Conrad

cwjudyjr-
The first thing that almost everyone thinks of Pittsburgh foodwise is Primanti's. In case you don't know, they make large sandwiches with the fries and cole slaw also between the bread. While I think Primanti's is just okay and don't go very often, I know plenty of people who love the place. And everyone really should try it at least once. Here is the Roadfood review:

http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=398

One more thing about Primanti's....even though there are locations all around the city, you must go to the original place in The Strip District to get the full Primanti's experience.

You ask for regional fare and there are two things I think us Pittsburghers do very well. The first thing is the fish sandwich. Just about every restaurant, bar and church during Lent makes a good one. In my opinion, I think Wholey's in The Strip makes the best, with Benkovitz (also in The Strip) not too far behind. You can find reviews for both places here on Roadfood.

Another place that makes a good fish sandwich (and chowder), but is a must for the atmosphere is the Original Oyster House in Market Square downtown. It is the oldest restaurant in Pittsburgh (1870, I believe) and I would go just to see the great Rocky Marciano poster behind the bar.

The second thing we excel at is pierogies. Unfortunately, most of these are made in homes and churches, but if you want to try some, go to Pierogi Plus. It is located in the tough, but safe McKees Rocks area of the city and is made by little old ladies with thick Eastern European accents. One warning....there are no inside seats there, although they do have a picnic table outside.

http://www.pierogiesplus.com/home.htm

When I have people visiting from out of town and I want to impress, I often take them to Church Brew Works in Lawrenceville. The food is fine, though nothing special (I like the pizza and pierogi specials), but the atmosphere, in a 1902 restored church is stunning!

http://www.churchbrew.com/index.html

Another Pittsburgh institution is the Original Hot Dog Shop in Oakland, next to the University of Pittsburgh. Not for the faint of heart (many locals refer to it as the dirty O), they have really good hot dogs and terrific fries in huge portions.

If you are a foodie, you really have to take a stroll through The Strip District. There is almost nothing food wise you can't find there.

Other recommendations:

Breakfast - Jo-Jo's or De Luca's, both in The Strip. Also, Pamela's, with five locations around the city.
Burgers - Tessaro's in Bloomfield makes the best burger in the city.
Italian - No great ones, but a number of good ones in Bloomfield, Pittsburgh's Little Italy.
Mexican & BBQ - Forget it...you are in the wrong city.

If you have a specific cuisine you want to try, let me know and I will make some more recommendations. I hope you enjoy our city!

Wow, what a great response! Thank you!! I am sure we will try several of these while in town. I have had a Primanti's sandwich in PNC. The two times I was in Pittsburgh, it ws for a day and a game.

Thanks again!

Conrad

quote:

Originally posted by buffetbuster

cwjudyjr-
The first thing that almost everyone thinks of Pittsburgh foodwise is Primanti's. In case you don't know, they make large sandwiches with the fries and cole slaw also between the bread. While I think Primanti's is just okay and don't go very often, I know plenty of people who love the place. And everyone really should try it at least once. Here is the Roadfood review:

http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=398

One more thing about Primanti's....even though there are locations all around the city, you must go to the original place in The Strip District to get the full Primanti's experience.

You ask for regional fare and there are two things I think us Pittsburghers do very well. The first thing is the fish sandwich. Just about every restaurant, bar and church during Lent makes a good one. In my opinion, I think Wholey's in The Strip makes the best, with Benkovitz (also in The Strip) not too far behind. You can find reviews for both places here on Roadfood.

Another place that makes a good fish sandwich (and chowder), but is a must for the atmosphere is the Original Oyster House in Market Square downtown. It is the oldest restaurant in Pittsburgh (1870, I believe) and I would go just to see the great Rocky Marciano poster behind the bar.

The second thing we excel at is pierogies. Unfortunately, most of these are made in homes and churches, but if you want to try some, go to Pierogi Plus. It is located in the tough, but safe McKees Rocks area of the city and is made by little old ladies with thick Eastern European accents. One warning....there are no inside seats there, although they do have a picnic table outside.

http://www.pierogiesplus.com/home.htm

When I have people visiting from out of town and I want to impress, I often take them to Church Brew Works in Lawrenceville. The food is fine, though nothing special (I like the pizza and pierogi specials), but the atmosphere, in a 1902 restored church is stunning!

http://www.churchbrew.com/index.html

Another Pittsburgh institution is the Original Hot Dog Shop in Oakland, next to the University of Pittsburgh. Not for the faint of heart (many locals refer to it as the dirty O), they have really good hot dogs and terrific fries in huge portions.

If you are a foodie, you really have to take a stroll through The Strip District. There is almost nothing food wise you can't find there.

Other recommendations:

Breakfast - Jo-Jo's or De Luca's, both in The Strip. Also, Pamela's, with five locations around the city.
Burgers - Tessaro's in Bloomfield makes the best burger in the city.
Italian - No great ones, but a number of good ones in Bloomfield, Pittsburgh's Little Italy.
Mexican & BBQ - Forget it...you are in the wrong city.

If you have a specific cuisine you want to try, let me know and I will make some more recommendations. I hope you enjoy our city!

Don't forget about Isaly's :-)

Also, for good hearty Polish Fare, the Bloomfield Bridge Tavern holds its own. Get the Polish Platter
Kolbassi, Pirogie, Golumki, Halushki and Kluski all on one plate

If you want the best Pizza in the Burgh, try Mineo's in Squirrel Hill or Fiori's about a mile south of the Liberty Tubes.

This all sounds really good - I'm going to be in Pittsburgh at the Hilton Pittsburgh in August for a conference, but won't have a car. How far is the "Strip" from the Hilton? I'm really wanting Polish food, since they don't have any in Kansas. like we had around Buffalo growing up.

when we went to Pittsburgh last year, we had a pepperoni roll at a place in the strip that was just out of this world. I can't remember the name of it, and none of the places listed on the directory ring a bell for me. it is on the same side of Penn as Wholey's. It was a bakery of some form.

P.S. Where is the strip? We will be staying at the Westin Convention Center.

Thanks!

Conrad

quote:

Originally posted by buffetbuster

cwjudyjr-
The first thing that almost everyone thinks of Pittsburgh foodwise is Primanti's. In case you don't know, they make large sandwiches with the fries and cole slaw also between the bread. While I think Primanti's is just okay and don't go very often, I know plenty of people who love the place. And everyone really should try it at least once. Here is the Roadfood review:

http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=398

One more thing about Primanti's....even though there are locations all around the city, you must go to the original place in The Strip District to get the full Primanti's experience.

You ask for regional fare and there are two things I think us Pittsburghers do very well. The first thing is the fish sandwich. Just about every restaurant, bar and church during Lent makes a good one. In my opinion, I think Wholey's in The Strip makes the best, with Benkovitz (also in The Strip) not too far behind. You can find reviews for both places here on Roadfood.

Another place that makes a good fish sandwich (and chowder), but is a must for the atmosphere is the Original Oyster House in Market Square downtown. It is the oldest restaurant in Pittsburgh (1870, I believe) and I would go just to see the great Rocky Marciano poster behind the bar.

The second thing we excel at is pierogies. Unfortunately, most of these are made in homes and churches, but if you want to try some, go to Pierogi Plus. It is located in the tough, but safe McKees Rocks area of the city and is made by little old ladies with thick Eastern European accents. One warning....there are no inside seats there, although they do have a picnic table outside.

http://www.pierogiesplus.com/home.htm

When I have people visiting from out of town and I want to impress, I often take them to Church Brew Works in Lawrenceville. The food is fine, though nothing special (I like the pizza and pierogi specials), but the atmosphere, in a 1902 restored church is stunning!

http://www.churchbrew.com/index.html

Another Pittsburgh institution is the Original Hot Dog Shop in Oakland, next to the University of Pittsburgh. Not for the faint of heart (many locals refer to it as the dirty O), they have really good hot dogs and terrific fries in huge portions.

If you are a foodie, you really have to take a stroll through The Strip District. There is almost nothing food wise you can't find there.

Other recommendations:

Breakfast - Jo-Jo's or De Luca's, both in The Strip. Also, Pamela's, with five locations around the city.
Burgers - Tessaro's in Bloomfield makes the best burger in the city.
Italian - No great ones, but a number of good ones in Bloomfield, Pittsburgh's Little Italy.
Mexican & BBQ - Forget it...you are in the wrong city.

If you have a specific cuisine you want to try, let me know and I will make some more recommendations. I hope you enjoy our city!

You should find this website helpful:

http://www.pittsburghneighborhoodtours.com/pr13/neighborhoods/default.asp?nHood=7

Niagara-
Walking distance is relative to each person, but it would be a little too far for me from the Hilton. I would recommend taking a cab. I promise you it will be well worth it!

Conrad-
Since you are staying at the Westin, you are definitely closer to The Strip.

Since you are both going to The Strip, you may want to check out Klavon's, a wonderful old soda fountain. It is at the other end of The Strip and you would definitely want to drive to this place.

http://www.klavonsicecream.com/

I have some family in Pittsburgh, though it has been ages since I have been there. They live in a small town called Coraopolis.

I recall a family friend that had a restaurant called "Signari's" (likely wrong spelling). We used to love the homemade sausage sandwiches.

Does that ring any bells with the locals>?

Thanks, Buffetbuster. We always try to find a local-type place to all go out to eat while we're at the conference. Looks like a short cab ride, since we're on the same side of the River.

Ulver-
I know Coraopolis very well. I graduated from Robert Morris College (now University) just up the hill. Segneri's is still there and although is nothing spectacular, has consistently good Italian food. I have been there twice within the last year.

If you would like to read about my favorite restaurant in Coraopolis, I started this thread a while back.

http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14827

Fatheads in the South Side, right on East Carson, has some of the most unique food around.

They were national recognized in Maxim magazine as having the #5 sandwich in the country!
Be sure to try a 'headwich'.
And one of the best beer selections around (tons of micro and craft beers).

Check out there website - be very hungry if you plan on eating there:

https://www.fatheads.com/

The four "must try road food type places" in my opinion

Best burger in Pittsburgh and a lot of other places, too! Without question...Tassarro's. This is a great bar type restaurant.

The "Dirty O" (The Original) has great fries..the hot dog is nothing to write home about. Just feast your eyes on the fries!

Jo Jo's is very good for breakfast. Hand pattied breakfast sausage with your eggs.

Pamala's for wonderful paper thin pancakes...Terrific

Vincent's...Out in the suburbs. Really good pizza....Heavy, but wonderful. Very tasty with an almost smokey taste to it despite the fact that they only use the traditional deck pizza ovens.

Tambellini's is worth mentioning. As is Carmassi's. There are a few places up on Mt. Washington not worth a darn even though the view of Pittsburgh is pretty impressive. Definately the Strip! Can't go wrong with Primanti's, Benkovitz, Wholley's and Pennsylvania Macaroni Company.

There were 2 Tambellinis. One up on Mt Washington that was fabulous. Is it still there?

quote:

Originally posted by buffetbuster

Ulver-
I know Coraopolis very well. I graduated from Robert Morris College (now University) just up the hill. Segneri's is still there and although is nothing spectacular, has consistently good Italian food. I have been there twice within the last year.

If you would like to read about my favorite restaurant in Coraopolis, I started this thread a while back.

http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14827

I showed this to my mom who is in her 70;s. She was overjoyed to read about Rose. It seems they went to highschool together, and they visit often when she returns to Pittsburgh. My mom was curious as to your age, and if you were Italian? LOL

I take it that mom's old favorite Isaly's is no longer in Coraopolis. When did it shut>? All I remember as a kid is going there for chipped ham, and I think a store bamed "Joe Workman's" MaybeThanks for any help... I need to visit

ULVER-
I think that is pretty cool that your mother is a friend of Rose's. I get the feeling Rose has always been a real character. Sorry to disappoint your mom, but I am 44 and am a blue eyed German.

I can't say for 100% sure, but I really believe the Isaly's in Coraopolis is long gone. I don't remember it being there when I was in college in the mid 80's, so it probably shut down before then. Just guessing, though.....

quote:

Originally posted by planojim
when we went to Pittsburgh last year, we had a pepperoni roll at a place in the strip that was just out of this world. I can't remember the name of it, and none of the places listed on the directory ring a bell for me. it is on the same side of Penn as Wholey's. It was a bakery of some form.

Sounds like Mancini's which has a little bakery store almost right next to Wholey's. Mancini's is famous in the Burgh for their bread. Those pepperoni rolls are indeed ehhhhhhhxcellent!

Thanks,

Kevin

Ding, ding, ding....

I knew the bakery had the name "rock" in it...that's why I couldn't find it. It's called Mckee's Rocks Bread by Mancinis.

http://mckeesrocksbread.com/

best pepperoni roll I've ever had. Thanks.

Wholey's fish sandwich was my favorite roadfood stop in Pittsburgh when I visited. The market is located in the Strip. There are a few tables upstairs. My daughter really liked Primanti's, but I had a lukewarm reaction to the fries in the sandwich arrangement.

Buffetbuster - Have you been to the Triangle Bar (the one in Swissvale, near the Rankin Bridge, not by PNC Park)? If so, is the original still around?

It's been years, but they had a humongo hoagie called a Destroyer that was darn near 3 feet long. The Battleship was more of a one (Pittsburgh ) person sandwich.

It looked like a total dump from outside, but the food was good and they had cold beer. It was/is a bar so It probably wouldn't be that good for families.

Another classic (to me) is Da Salas Pizza near the waterfront.

Thanks,

Kevin

KOK-
I know the Triangle Bar well. I went there recently about a year ago after reading about it in one of the local papers. Once I got there, I realized that my college buddy from Swissvale took me there many years earlier.

I have been back about a half dozen times, so obviously I like it. I think their cold cuts subs are among the best I have ever had. Unfortunately, I don't their their hot subs very much, though. I typically like meatball subs a lot, but didn't like theirs at all.

I have never seen one of the Destroyers in person, but the Battleship is plently big enough for me. Oh, and the place really is a dive. I don't think I would take someone there on a date!

Everyone be sure to brush up on your 'Picksburg-ese' before the next visit

Kevin

http://www.gotoquiz.com/how_pittsburgh_are_you

I highly recommend Lobello's in Coraopolis for great homemade Italian food, Fathead's on the southside for HUGE delicious sandwiches and a large variety of beers on tap (fatheads.com) and Red Bull Inn in Robinson for incomparable prime rib and lobter...

By the way, the Isaly's in Coraopolis is (unfortunately) no longer there...

Primanti's and DeLuca's are pretty good, but Wholey's is definitely my top pick in the Strip. There's also a diner (I think it's called the Pittsburgh Diner) downtown that serves fairly decent food.

St. Louis Browns fan-
I'm afraid you got me on the diner that you mention. I don't recognize the name Pittsburgh Diner. Can you remember anything else about it?

Beer- go to The Sharp Edge in Friendship. Best selection in the City
Benkovitz is no longer. It is still there but is under new ownership, Wholley's is a dump of rotten fish. Go to the Penn Ave Fish Market for the good stuff.
Hit the strip - Penn Mac is my home away from home. Go to Enricco's for a Macaroon, the best ever.
I would also recommend the Bloom Field Bridge Tavern and Tessaro's as well.

Diner for me = DeLuca's in the strip or Ritters

Best Sub in the city is Peppi's. Several locations, Downtown, Northside and the Strip.

There's a Pierogi Challenge this weekend at the Ambridge Nationality Days Festival:


http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07137/786512-34.stm

Ambridge is located along PA Route 65, about 17 miles north of Pittsburgh.

Primanti's just opened its 16th location!!!

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_508015.html

GeoNit-
Check this out from the PG this morning. There is a root beer tasting right in your backyard of Sewickley. If I didn't already have plans over the weekend, I would go.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07137/786520-34.stm

Have you been in this store? It sounds rather interesting.

I am going to jump on the bandwagon here. Does anyone remember a deli that was near the Pittsburgh Playhouse (late 70's early 80's)They had the best corned beef sandwiches. I think it has like 2 initials....like L & M or something like that. I lived in the Saybrook Apartments at the time while going to Point Park College and working at the Pittsburgh Playhouse. Buffetbuster I am hoping you can remember.

blue heaven-
Sorry, but I can't help you here. I am child of the suburbs who didn't really start going in and exploring the city until the early 90s. I will ask around though. If I find the name, I will report back. Hopefully, someone else here will remember.

I thought the Brew Works, just a few blocks north of downtown, was a pretty cool place. It's in a desanctified church, which freaked out a couple of my conservative Christian friends. YOu look up where the altar was and there are stainless steel beer vats. Each to his own worship, I guess. Interesting bar food, including pierogies of various kinds. We all bought mini-kegs of beer and took them home.

bbires-
I agree with you about Church Brew Works. It is a great place to take a date or to impress people from out of town. It really does have a gorgeous interior.

What I really like to eat is their pizza (they have their own brick oven) and the daily pierogi specials. For a non beer drinker like myself, I also enjoy their own birch beer and ginger ale.

http://www.churchbrew.com/

If only I could convince them I really do want the ham "chipped" at these grocery stores down here in Tennessee!

I was inspired by this old thread to try the Triangle Bar on Saturday evening.

The menu picture is not as legible as I'd hoped:



This is the cheesesteak in the foot-long "Destroyer" size.



This is the same sandwich end-on, partially eaten. The sandwich is about as thick as my forearm--I don't think I'd get a two-foot Battleship unless I was sharing it with at least two other people.

Hey Ralph-
How was the cheesesteak?  I have never had it.  Was this your first visit to Triangle Bar & Grill?  It used to be a real dive, but about a year ago, they made it look a lot nicer.  Persoanlly, I liked the old atmosphere, but the subs were just as good.  At least the cold cuts ones were.

This was my first visit to  Triangle Bar & Grill. I can certainly believe that it's a reclaimed dive--the inside was neat and clean, but the rusty iron door coming in definitely had the dive nature.

The cheesesteak was good. I don't feel qualified to judge how authentic it was, but it was flavorful and juicy (the pictures of the wrapper show how juicy it was), in a hard-crusted loaf that was just barely able to contain the contents.

I think I still prefer Uncle Sam's for Pittsburgh-area cheesesteaks, but the biggest reason for that preference is an irrational bias for a particular size and shape in my cheesesteaks. The destroyer is long and thick enough that it was really too much for me--but the smaller "torpedo" would be nearly square, and I feel that cheesesteaks should be long. But this is really about me more than about the sandwich. I would happily split a battleship with two hungry friends.

We also got an Italian destroyer, and it was good, with sturdy, chewy meats. Lori ate half, and I ate the other half for lunch the next day. (It held up well in the fridge).
However, it also fell afoul of my prejudices a bit: I really like my Italian subs to be baked, since I really like the way mozzarella melts against salami. So I was holding the Italian destroyer up against something that it was not trying to be, instead of judging it for itself.

Ralph -  Do you happen to recall what the difference is between the $13.25 Super Battleship and the $12.25 Battleship?
 
Buffetbuster -  You are right that it certainly looks a lot nicer than it used to.  Never dangerous, but always a little bit sketchy.
 
It's been several years since I've crossed the Rankin Bridge to go to the Triangle, and when I did, it was always for carryout.  I'll have to try and get back to see what the area looks like.  I wonder if they re-did the place after they opened up another Triangle near the stadiums?

eruby
 
I wonder if they re-did the place after they opened up another Triangle near the stadiums?

Huh?  I had no idea they opened up a second location.  Have you been there?

I noticed the existence of the Super Battleship and the Battleship, but I didn't ask what the difference was. The menu board indicates that it's only available for the Italian, so without further data I'll guess that it's more meat.

buffetbuster

eruby
 
I wonder if they re-did the place after they opened up another Triangle near the stadiums?

Huh?  I had no idea they opened up a second location.  Have you been there?

buffetbuster - Like Bogey in Casablanca, it seems I was misinformed.  I'd heard they opened up another Triangle by the stadiums but a quick search shows nothing but the original.
 
Ralph -  Extra meat makes sense, thanks!
 
Eric

I recall hearing about a restaurant in an old house that was run by 2 or 3 people...an older man and a crackerjack waitress were 2 of the people.  Is this ringing a bell for anyone? TIA

Best burger in Pittsburgh and a lot of other places, too! Without question...Tassarro's. This is a great bar type restaurant.........
DigBands

Curiosity got the best of me so I called the Triangle.  The girl who answered said the $1.00  diffeence between the Battleship and the Super Battleship is that the Super Battleship "has extra ham".
 
She also said there was another location by the stadiums but it has been closed for some time.
 
 

Battleship


Super Battleship

y2flu


By the way, the Isaly's in Coraopolis is (unfortunately) no longer there...

No it's not, but just a couple of miles away in West View one is still there and it's still just like they use to be!!!
 
http://burghfeeding.blogspot.com/

saivenkat


Best burger in Pittsburgh and a lot of other places, too! Without question...Tassarro's. This is a great bar type restaurant.........

i liked it dude ....


really nice one ......

thanks for sharing here .....