There is something about a barbecue shack on the side of the road that just gets me excited.
You don't need a fancy restaurant, a unique ambiance, or even real seating to be a good barbecue joint in Pittsburgh. So when you find one that is literally just a small building with a window to order from, two picnic tables, and a portapotty outside, you know something good is going on.
At Rowdy BBQ, you get just that.
What do you get when you take a historic house in Harmony, PA that is said to be haunted, add in a German-inspired restaurant, and put on a draft beer list from one of the region's most acclaimed breweries? The Harmony Inn, that's what.
Although its location about 30 miles north of Pittsburgh is a bit of a drive for most, those who make the journey will be rewarded with an amazing dining experience that we go back time and time again to enjoy.
Brunch at the Grand Concourse in South Side is perhaps one of the most classic and loved Pittsburgh experiences.
Although we'd visited several years ago, we recently made a return trip to refresh our memory on why this spot is so beloved by Pittsburghers.
It didn't take long to remember- the stunning and grandiose architecture of an old train station is a fitting backdrop to the decadence and grandeur of the buffet.
This review was based on Joe & Pie's now closed downtown Pittsburgh location. They still have a location on S Braddock Avenue in Edgewood.
On our never-ending quest to find the best pizza in Pittsburgh, we were tipped off to a local pizza joint and cafe in Pittsburgh's Cultural District downtown known as Joe & Pie.
This restaurant takes on a bit of an odd structure in that it is open for almost the entire day, serving breakfast and coffee in the morning, and pizza, gyros, and sandwiches in the evening. That concept doesn't sound like it would be a combo with a delicious product, but we were pleasantly surprised with the pizza all the same.
Revel + Roost in downtown Pittsburgh near Market Square is more than just a hotel restaurant.
In fact, we never even knew it was in a hotel until we dined there; we had only heard that it was a great place to hang out. Revel is located on the ground floor and has a more relaxed bar vibe while Roost on the second floor provides a more formal dining experience. We recently stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn Pittsburgh Downtown that houses the restaurants and checked out Revel during our stay.
The highlights for us were the extensive craft cocktail menu and a solid burger. We also visited Roost for breakfast as it was included for free with our Hilton Honors gold status.
Pittsburghers seem to like re-purposing old buildings and giving them new concepts and new lives. Maybe that's why The Abbey on Butler Street, a funeral home turned restaurant, seems to fit right in.
Not only is this a restaurant, it's also got an impressive bar as well as a cafe, all under the same roof. We recently ate at the restaurant and had a decent experience, but if we returned, we would consider going back for small plates and drinks instead of a full on meal.
Pizza Parma is a local Pittsburgh pizza shop that has been earning rave reviews from local media and has expanded to multiple locations around the city.
But is it worth your money? We just had to find out.
Sienna Mercato in downtown Pittsburgh is a brilliant three-story restaurant and bar concept with something for everyone.
The first floor contains Emporio, a casual build-your-own meatball restaurant; the second story houses Mezzo, an Italian restaurant focusing on wine, charcuterie, and wood-fired pizzas; and the third story is home to a rooftop bar called Il Tetto.
Although it is impossible to sample all three in one visit, we have returned to this one many times to try them all and were pleasantly surprised by what we found.
Braddock's Brasserie inside the Renaissance Hotel brings intensity to the hotel dining scene. With hearty, meaty entrees and a bar that could make any whiskey fanatic weep, it's safe to say that Braddock's is not for the faint of heart.
But if you're looking to indulge without going all out at the main restaurant, the Street Side bar is a perfect spot for craft cocktails and sandwiches bigger than your face.
Big Jim's is a quintessential Pittsburgh bar and restaurant in “the run,” aka lower Greenfield. A dimly lit space with wood paneled walls, the emphasis here is on huge portions of classic Italian and Pittsburgh food.
Calzones so big they take 45 minutes to bake and don't even fit on a single plate? Check.
Reubens piled a mile high with corned beef? Yep.
Burgers, hoagies, and salads topped with fries? That's so Pittsburgh.
First things first, you definitely shouldn't come here if you're on a diet or a vegan. And you should definitely expect a wait on the weekends. If neither of those things bother you, then wear your fat pants and prepare to step back in time for a true Pittsburgh experience.