Can the conception of Pittsburgh as a smoky, steel-producing factory town. Sure, the Steelers logo on the black helmets of the city’s football team remains iconic. But the reality of what makes Pittsburgh relevant has moved on. This livable, likeable city is populated by people whose livelihood these days lies in technology, health care, and education.
The beauty of the place, however, is that it retains a blue-collar work hard/play hard attitude even today. That ethic is reflected in its food.
Here, with the help of the folks at the Greater Pittsburgh Convention & Visitors Bureau, are some places to eat and drink that personify Pittsburgh today:
Fat Heads is located on the city’s South Side. It, like all the other restaurants and bars we’re focusing on, is a place locals like. Start off with Arrogant Onion Rings™ for $7.95. They’re battered in spicy beer and deep-fried. Make the main course The Southside Slopes™, an assembly of kielbasa topped with pierogies, American cheese, grilled onions, and horseradish sauce. It’s $10.95. Maxim Magazine has billed it the #5 Best Sandwich in America. You’ll find Fat Heads at 1805 E. Carson St.
Local Bar + Kitchen is a new addition to the South Side dining scene. Offering what it terms “a vintage vibe,” it sports a really extensive array of craft-brewed beers. Order up Geno’s Meatball Linguini for $12. Veggies? Try the Amazing Yoga Asparagus Salad for $8. Watch the amazing Steelers, and the competitive Pirates on large-screen TVs. Local bar + Kitchen is at 1515 E. Carson St.
Meat & Potatoes says its Pittsburgh’s first “gastropub,” which means it specializes in craft food and drinks. Located in the heart of the Cultural District, Meat & Potatoes is another new restaurant. That in itself speaks to just how robust this city is. Speaking of robust – if you really love prime rib, order the Meat & potatoes For Two, a 2.5-pound dry-aged prime rib with wild mushrooms, ramp, and garlic potatoes for $59. You’ll find Meat & Potatoes neighboring the Benedum Center, Heinz Hall, Cabaret, and the O’Reilly Theater.
Jerome Bettis’ Grille 36. Behold, The Bus (a.k.a. Super Bowl champ Jerome Bettis) has his own restaurant, a trendy hangout for all things Steelers located at 393 N. Shore Drive. This is the definitive place in Pittsburgh to watch the NFL. The place boats 50 (count ‘em) high-def TV screens and an audio system that actually lets you hear the game. Don’t like the Steelers? Perhaps you’ll want to dine somewhere else. Grille 36 sports great views of Point State Park, Mt. Washington and the Pittsburgh Skyline. The lunch specials are especially good. In Zen-like preparation for Monday Night Football, stop in for lunch and order a Curry Chicken Pita Pocket – curry chicken on grilled pita, house-made tzatziki, shredded lettuce, and diced tomatoes. It comes with Cheese Burger (really) soup.
Grille 36 is emblematic of this city’s renaissance, both economic and gastronomic: unpretentious, imaginative and impressive.
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Story by Jerry Chandler
(Image: Jon Dawson)
