Where do Pittsburgh, (PA) area Duers like to go out to eat?

[Metta]

I've been wondering that in response to a conversation I had with Purr about eateries. We frequent the East End and South Hills although we will cross water. We much prefer mom and pops to chains. We like Mineo's in Squirrel Hill for Pizza and their home made squash and mushroom soups. Also, Linguini's in Pleasant Hills for down home Italian. I have enjoyed Prima Donna's in McKees Rocks although I think they're expensive. Boomerang Barbecue on Penn and 27th in the Strip has create-your-own pizza that we like and more often than not, I like their barbecue. Speaking of the Strip, we'll stop at Benkovitz once in awhile for a sandwhich or soup. The best barbecue I've had is Clem's on Rt 56 22 near Johnstown. Star of India in Oakland and the place on Bryant Street in Highland Park, formerly Sitar of India, for Indian. For Middle Eastern, we go to Aladdin's in Squirrel Hill and in Bethel Park. For a tuna sandwich, I'll go to Panera's. In the South Hills, there are two Seasame Inns Chinese restaurants that we frequent. We don't go to the one in Station Square; we had really bad food and service there one night. I like Cafe Sam in Oakland and Cafe Allegro on Carson Street for an upscale lunch or dinner, respectively once in awhile. Also once in awhile, we'll go down Washington Rd to Dormont for Mexican at Mexi-Casa; we haven't found any great place for that. When I want a burger, I'll go into Bloomfield to Tessaro's. On an ocassional Thursday, I'll have a half a rack of their ribs. They're also cater corner across the street from Paul's Cd's, the best place in the tri-state area for alternative music, jazz, folk and blues cds. How about you?

[purr]

1. omg homemade squash soup... I gotta try it!!!!

We usually just go to the local places - I like Lucianos in White Oak for good italian food. Tillies is pretty damn good as well. I think I'm on the other side of Pittsburgh than you are - I'm what used to be exit 7 on the turnpike (dont know the new #s). I must try what you have.. saving this thread now!

[Metta]

3. We regularly get out to those places so my thoughts are current.

Chances are you arent' going to Dormont for Mexican. The're only slightly better than that Mexican place on Rt. 22 in Monroeville. I'll look for Luciano's. We'd travel for that. Where's Tillies?

[purr]

5. White Oak (I think its still white oak).

Whats the place in Dormont called? I'll travel for good food :)

[Metta]

7. Mexi-Casa. Straight thru the Liberty Tubes to Dormont.

They're at 3001 W. Liberty Ave. in Dormont, 412-571-9001. I don't know what the cross street is. They're on the left at a light across the street from a run down looking beauty salon or school. I'd only recommend their guacamole, pork sandwiches and their one pound burritos. I thought their ribs were awful. If you want good pork, you're nearer to Clems on Rt. 22 going towards Johnstown, I think.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=mexi-casa+dormont

[TimeChaser]

2. Try Silk Road

on Bower Hill Rd (if you know where that is) for some great Chinese.

[Metta]

4. Sounds like it'd be worth the trip.

Have you tried Chang's? We've been at the one at the Waterworks and thought it was good.

[Lori Price CLG]

19. Yes, PF Chang's (West Homestead) is good! n/t

[spinbaby]

6. I'm way in the south

In McMurray, a Chinese restaurant with the unlikely name of "Bean Curd" is quite good. Way, WAY south off the Lone Pine exit, a couple of miles south on Rt. 19 in a red barn is a place called Adams Pine Creek. They're closed for the holidays now (will reopen in a couple of weeks), they're closed Mondays and Tuesdays, and there's almost always a long wait. But it's the best $10 buffet you'll ever have.

[Metta]

8. We've been at Panera's near Bean Curd but have never been there.

How far down 19 is Lone Pine? We'd travel for a good buffet. What sort of food do they serve? :hi:

[spinbaby]

9. Lone Pine

Head down I79 . Lone Pine is the second exit after I79 splits off of I70 a few miles south of Washington. Turn right at the exit and head down Rt19 a couple of miles and look for a big red barn on the left. Their phone number is [phone]--I'd call ahead to make sure they're open and to check what's on the menu. The food is pretty standard American fare--no surprises. They have roast beef night, turkey night, Sunday brunch with ham, etc. Sometimes there will be something fairly exotic like tequila chicken on the buffet but that doesn't happen very often. Always a good salad bar, lots of good sides, desserts to die for, and everything is included in one price.

The Bean Curd is unfortunately named, isn't it? But very good. I favor it over the Sesame Inn.

Another good spot in the south is Big Jim's Roadhouse in Hendersonville--you get there off the Southpointe exit. Great Italian food in a what looks like a dive of a bar.

[Metta]

20. I'll check them out. Looks like they'd be a fun drive.

I seem to remember going to Big Jim's. We're always up for good Italian. Have you ever been to Noochies in Canonsburg? Their red sauce is actually really good if you mix a little of their house vinaigrette dressing in with it. Every bit as good, then, as Pasta Bella or whatever they're called across the road from the Giant Eagle. Also, there's a place on Pike St. going into C'burg from, say, Sarris's, on the right before Noochies in a little micro-mall, a Greek mom and the kids' place that has some very good food. I really liked their stew and their combination plates look really good. I forget the name of it. If I get out in the next couple of days, I'll cruise over there. :)

[spinbaby]

29. I haven't been to Noochies in years

I wasn't that thrilled with them. Is the Greek place you're remembering Mr Gyros II ? That's a great spot for a Greek fix in between Greek food festivals. Also Rosie's Gleeka for baklava.

[Metta]

31. Mr. Gyros II.

Yeah, that's the place. Mama Tsiani or something like that runs the place with her son and daughters.

[miss_american_pie]

10. Silvioni's or Amrstrong's

If you get our north of the city or out near Robinson.

[TimeChaser]

12. Yum! Armstrong's!

That's where we got the food for my graduation party.

[Metta]

23. A second recommendation puts it ahead of the line.

Should be worth the drive then. :)

[Metta]

21. Sounds promising.

We're near there. We'll go for a little drive. :)

[PittPoliSci]

11. Fatheads on the Southside for Sandwiches

Great Wall for Chinese, it's off of 286 in Holiday Park/Plum area.

I still frequent the O for fries and late night 40s and drunken debauchery.

[tigereye]

16. I heard the O is going to be history soon

that will be sad, although I haven't been in there in years. Too scary... ;)

Classic line of a pal of mine from crazy drug days, "Bill! You don't do acid in the O!"


:hi:

You have to go to Piper's Pub on Carson if you haven't. They have great beers and ales, a little pricey, but the food is very Brit and they give you a lot for not a lot of money. I always have the Irish breakfast when we go... including bangers and mash, which I never typically eat. Drool.

[Metta]

32. Bangers and mash do sound good about now.

They're someplace I haven't been lately. :)

[tigereye]

36. I don't typically eat sausage or ham

but their sausage is really, really good. Almost creamy with nice spices.

[JVS]

54. They have a few locations in the burbs too, are they closing?

I'm wouldn't be surprised to hear the Oakland one would close, between Pitt gobbling up all land there and the fact that it is almost a nuisance bar.

[Metta]

24. Thanks for the tips.

The O especially. I have to get down there for one more round since they want to sell the place.

[NoPasaran]

13. I went to school in Pittsburgh back in the 70s

One year I lived few blocks from Mineo's. Glad to hear it's still there and still worth going to!

[Metta]

25. Their still among the best.

We recently found out that they make their own soups. We really like most of what we've tried.

[NoPasaran]

33. I think I was there before soup was invented LOL

[tigereye]

14. we like Ali Baba on Craig St.

Lemon Grass is a great Thai restaurant on Forbes in Sq; Hill. My husband really likes Thai Me Up on Carson St. and Taco Loco on the South Side, 27th adn Jane Streets. They have a parking lot, too! We also like Brushchetta on Carson.

I used to love Tessaro's, we haven't been there in years, unfortunately.

I still think you should try Taj Mahal on McKnight Road, it's right near Mad Mex, another favorite.

Paul's is great, I was just in there over the weekend.

[Metta]

26. We heard about Taco Loco.

That's someplace we'll go to for sure. My wife likes Mexican and there's precious little here so everything's a drive. We tried Taj Mahal a couple of times. The first time I really liked them, the next couple of time not so much. We've defaulted to Star of India or that place in Highland Park. We will have to give the Mad Mex there a try. I haven't gone to Brushchetta's although I know many folk like it. I've been to Papparazzi's a few times and have enjoyed myself. I liked Abruzzi's on 10th Street though I haven't been there since they moved into the new hotel complex at the bridge. :))

[chookie]

43. I love Ali Baba's too

We should do a DU meetup there. :-)

[tigereye]

45. great idea!

it's one of my favorite restaurants. It's so cozy. :hi:

[Metta]

48. I could be up for that.

Depending on the day of the week. :)

[tigereye]

49. well

i guess we could float the question in the pa forum

that is what we did before to set something up

[Metta]

51. Sounds good. I presume you'll do that.

Yes? No? If so, let me know and I'll be on it.

[tigereye]

15. we like Ali Baba on Craig St. a lot

we;ve been going there for years.

Lemon Grass is a great Thai restaurant on Forbes in Sq. Hill.

My husband really likes Thai Me Up on Carson St. and Taco Loco on the South Side, 27th adn Jane Streets. They have a parking lot, too! We also like Brushchetta on Carson.

I used to love Tessaro's, we haven't been there in years, unfortunately.

I still think you should try Taj Mahal on McKnight Road, it's right near Mad Mex, another favorite.

Paul's CD's is great, I was just in there over the weekend.

oops dupe, silly browser....

[sleipnir]

17. Babies.

They eat babies, raw of course!!!!

[Metta]

27. Well.

Have you ever juggled babies? Set them on fire and juggled them?

[Lori Price CLG]

18. Lu Lu's Noodles, 400 S Craig St. n/t

[Metta]

28. A lot of folks like them.

I've gotten sick each of the four or five times I've been there.

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

22. I'm a former Oakmonter

We loved What's Cooking at Casey's in Oakmont. Great pizza! We had delightful pasta at the Village Inn in Verona (not part of the chain). For Indian food, we liked Prince of India at 5th and Atwood in Oakland (Udipi in Penn Hills for vegetarian).

[Metta]

30. Sounds good.

Sounds like the makings of short drive. We're up for an alternative to Mineo's pizza. I'm finding that I'm not comfortable with the amount of cheese and salt and we're always open to traveling for pasta. I've been to Udipi's a couple of times. I remember liking them though I also remember that they use styrofoam containers which break down under heat and create carcinogenic compounds. I've been meaning to give them a call and see if they're still using them. :)

[miss_american_pie]

34. Oh Casey's is great

I haven't been there in a while.

If you're in Oakmont after March, stop at Brr-Kee's for ice cream when they open for the season.

[JVS]

53. Hoffstott's is good, Mohan's Universal Fried Chicken is also good

[China_cat]

35. Willy's in Mars for the fish.

[Beware the Beast Man]

37. Here were some of my old faves:

The "O" (after a night of drinking, of course)
Mad Mex in Oakland (or the North Hills)
Fuel & Fuddle in Oakland
Monte Cello's- the one on Liberty ave downtown. My friends and I would stop there for lunch on our way to Eide's.
Primanti Brothers, of course

[timber84]

38. Pirogies

My dad would get them from a russian church in carnegie when we were little, ohh how i miss pittsburgh!



:cry:

[Metta]

47. Pirogies

This place gets all the press whenever anyone on tv talks about pirogies. I haven't tried them though I am tempted by their menu.

http://www.pierogiesplus.com/

[timber84]

50. I have them fedex them to me here in North Carolina

[Metta]

44. Good suggestions.

We usually don't think about going downtown since we're unfamiliar with eateries there. So thanks for the tip about MC. I like the O and plan to get over there while they're still in business.

[timber84]

39. Is that great fish place still there in the Strip Distict where you can

get the fried smelts? How about the Grand Concourse, is ot stilll there. I remeber the Sunday brunches they used to have

[Beware the Beast Man]

40. Wholey?

Yeah, I think it's still there.

[timber84]

41. yeah that's the one

[chookie]

42. A place for you to try

Check out Spice Island on Atwood in Oakland. You simply have to try the tea leaf salad, a taste treat from Burma.

[Metta]

46. We've been there in the past.

But not recently. Someone else on this thread says their stuff is greasy now. Have you been there recently? I used to like them, mostly and am willing to return if your info is current. Thanks.

[chookie]

52. I heard good things

I was not there, but my sis and BIL were -- and they were ecstatic about their meal, making me VERY jealous.

Remember -- tea leaf salad -- it's mind blowing....

[Metta]

56. I appreciate the encouragement. I'll put it on the list.

Thanks. ... don't know when we'll next be in town. We live about 45 minutes from Spice Island. I hope they still have their pork dishes. Mmmm.

[Dr Batsen D Belfry]

55. Some suggestions...

1) Sticky Tablecloth - Big Jim's in the run in Greenfield. Enormous portions (hence the name) of good food.
2) Excellent authentic Mexican - there is place on Noblestown Rd. about a mile past Foster Plaza on the right. It is easy to miss and has only a few tables, but it is owned and run by people who know how to make the stuff.
3) Pamela's for breakfast. They have locations in Squirrel Hill and Shadyside. Be prepared to wait a LONG time in line if you get there at the wrong time.
4) La Feria in Shadyside. It is above Pamela's. They serve authentic Peruvian food, and it was awesome the last time I was there.
5) For a different kind of pizza, Larry's and Carol's. I assume they are still around.

DBDB

[Metta]

57. Thanks for the tips.

I used to frequent Big Jims. Their $4 large pizza on Thursdays was a real treat. I haven't been there in awhile since we're 45 from there but I think another trip is in order. The Mexican place sounds good. We're always up for good Mexican. I'm familiar with Pamela's. You're right about the lines. I haven't been to La Feria but it sounds great. I think Larry and Carol's has folded. I'll have to drive by and check. I did like their pizza. :toast: