Pittsburgh, PA suggestions.

I'm going with a group of people to the UL-Pitt football game in November. Does anyone have any dining ideas for us? I am look for places that imbue one with the local feel of Pittsburgh. One place we'll definitely hit is the original Primanti's in the Strip district.

Thanks in advance

I have yet to go therre, but I have told Primanti's makes the best pastrami sandwich in the world.

When we went to Pittsburgh 2 years ago we ate at the original Primanti's and had an absolute blast. I believe I had the pastrami with double meat. Oh, and a few Iron City beers along with that. The only other local place we went to was the Church Brew Works and that is a neat experience as well. We just want to try more places this time.

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Ahh, a challenge!! I was raised in a suburb of Pittsburgh and still try to find/make the foods of my youth. A lot of the places of my childhood are gone or changed, the Eat N Park no longer has the Big Boy, but here are a few have filled the void:


Isaly’s were all over when I was growing up, but there is only 1 left in the Burgh to get skyscraper ice cream cones and chipped, chopped ham BBQ Sandwiches, something I have never seen outside Pgh.
Isaly's West View
448 Perrysville Ave.
West View, PA 15229
412-931-9994


For a an upscale meal with the best view of Pittsburgh and the 3 rivers, from the top of Mt Washington, the Le Mont has won many “best of” awards. The original owner invented the Devonshire Sandwich, the Pgh version of the Hot Brown. It does not appear on the current menu, though.

Le Mont Restaurant
http://www.lemontpittsburgh.com
1114 Grandview Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15211
(412) 431-3100


If you want the Devonshire, this has a great rendering in Oakland near Carnegie Mellon;

Union Grill
413 S Craig St
Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3708
412-681-8620



When in Pittsburgh you MUST have a Hoagie, with ham, salamie, cappacola, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and the “special dressing”, wrapped in paperlined foil and baked. They are all over, but the best is in my hometown pizza place:

Danny's Parkview Pizza
5159 Library Rd
Bethel Park, PA 15102-2772
Phone: (412) 833-7788


When I was growing up the all-city food was pierogi, boiled then cooked in butter with onions and topped with sour cream. All of the places I remember seemed to be gone when I last was home. This one seems to have hit the mark wit the locals:


Clara's Pittsburgh Pierogies
3325 Saw Mill Run Blvd
Pittsburgh, PA 15227
(412) 884-6226

I am going back next year for a class reunion, let me know what adventures you have there!!!

I would highly recommend Seviche located in the cultural district (http://www.seviche.com/).

I remember you told me you went looi. It has bothered me ever since. I hate that there is another restaurant named Seviche with the S spelling. When I opened Seviche there was no other restaurant named this. I played with lots of names but kept seeing the same name, so I chose Seviche, because there was no one using this name. Then 2 years later it poped up in PA.. I actually talked to a lawyer, after you told me looi, but I only have rights to the name here in KY. Oh well!

Anthony, do not feel so bad. There was someone in Bethesda, MD who used "Asiatique" after I had the name federal trademarked. As with all karma that 'what goes around, comes around', that restaurant is out of business. Buddy, were you suppose to call me back?

My friend, I was supposed to. Count me in for the dinner. I would love to participate, especially cooking with you. It's been a long time since we've cooked together.

Buddy, can you call James at 770.356.1805 so that he can fill you in. Well, first chefs' meeting on August 6 @ 10.30am. Please call me tomorrow.

[Robin Garr]

Count me in for the dinner. I would love to participate, especially cooking with you. It's been a long time since we've cooked together.

Whoa! Is a cat about to be let out of the bag? This sounds like a dinner that a lot of forumites would love!

Well, so far I have suggestions from only Suzi and Looi. I thank you both.

Has no one else ventured to Pittsburgh who can offer some new dining experiences for myself and my posse? I don't mind that the thread got hijacked cuz that happens all the time here. I am just asking for some solid info for dining choices in the Burgh.

I have no idea sorry!

My husband's grandmother lives about 25 miles south of there but we have never gone out to eat in the city. However, we HAVE ventured to "The Strand" in Pittsburgh to go shopping at some fabulous Italian delis/specialty shops. My husband's car STANK (in a good way) the last time he drove home because of all of the cheese/cured meats.

If you like hotdogs, you shouldn't miss The Original Hot Dog Shop on Forbes near Pitt. They're open all night and get a steady stream of locals and college students.

I have a lot of family in that area so am pretty familiar with the city. People have already named some of the places I was going to suggest though.

Oh gosh, i forgot about the Original Hot Dog!! Of course, it is Pure Pittsburgh. I remember going there after Pirates games, we walked from the streetcar downtown to save the nickle for the bus transfer so we could have more money for their food. I did some seminars in high school at CM and research at the Carnegie Library in Oakland and it was a "must" stop.

Suzi, I never realized that "chipped, chopped ham BBQ Sandwiches" where a Pittsburg thing. But it figures, I got the recipe from my best friend who lived down the street from me when I lived in Danville. She spent the first thirty plus years of year life in Pittsburg so it figures. My boys were raised on those sandwiches, and they are now a standard in my household. The other standard sandwich in my repertoire is a “ground beef with chicken gumbo BBQ sandwiches which was the standard growing up in North Dakota.