Even in the midst of a global pandemic, the entrepreneurial spirit is strong in Pittsburgh… and there’s been a handful of really fantastic restaurant openings in the last couple of months.
From a pop-up beer garden to the opening of a brick-and-mortar from a beloved food truck, here are all of the brand new places to put on your must-visit (or must order takeout from!) list.
Pita My Shawarma
Lawrenceville
Pita My Shawarma just opened in Lawrenceville, serving all the modern Mediterranean dishes that hoards of fans of their food truck have come to love. That includes dishes like chicken shawarma, steak shawarma, homemade hummus wraps, falafel, and their loaded fries. Pita My Shawarma (3716 Butler Street)
Rolling Pepperoni
Lawrenceville
Lawrenceville is also home to the newly-opened Rolling Pepperoni, a savory bakery known for their fresh-baked pepperoni rolls. Owner Katt Schuler told us that in addition to traditional rolls, she’s now excited to have the opportunity to offer a rotating list of different rolls on the menu, with more vegetarian-friendly options, like Caprese (with tomato, fresh mozzarella and basil). Rolling Pepperoni (6140 Butler Street)
The Coop Chicken & Waffles
North Side
Popular food truck The Coop Chicken & Waffles opened up a permanent location in August, serving their fried chicken and waffles, which come in a variety of flavors, like savory Cheddar Cornbread, or sweet Cinnamon Roll, Red Velvet and Bananas Foster. They also have a ‘Chick-n-Waffle’ dish, a waffle with shredded chicken baked right inside. The Coop (401 East Ohio Street)
Lagerlands Socially Distant Pop-Up Beer Garden
South Side
A socially-distanced pop-up beer garden is now open on the High Line through November 1, with bites from Burgh’ers Brewing, and lots of beer, coffee and drinks (it is a collaboration between Hop Culture Magazine, Cinderlands Beer and De Fer Coffee and Tea, after all). Lagerlands (339 McKean Street)
Coop De Ville
Strip District
The highly-anticipated Coop De Ville has officially opened in the Strip District. Richard DeShantz’s latest restaurant offers a walk-up coffee bar (open at 8:00 a.m.), plus a menu of fried chicken dinners, fried chicken sandwiches, and Southern-style side dishes. The restaurant is currently only open for takeout and delivery, but will eventually house an entertainment center, with duck pin bowling, Ping Pong tables, and more. Coop De Ville (2305 Smallman Street)
Oak Hill Post
Brookline
The COVID-19 crisis meant a lot of changes for businesses across Pennsylvania – and for the owners of Oak Hill Post, the newly-opened restaurant in Brookline, it meant that their opening plans weren’t only put on hold, but they were also changed. Originally set to open as Menuette (which had been a popular dinner pop-up around Pittsburgh), owners Christian Schulz and Rebecca Nicholson decided instead to switch gears and open Oak Hill Post, serving a small selection of sandwiches (like the Umami Bomb Smash Burger, the Man Bear Pig, with fried mortadella, shaved roast beef, and fontina cheese, and the No. 26, with fried chicken, kimchi and Gogchujang BBQ). The duo spoke with Abby Mackey at the Tribune-Review about the opening. Oak Hill Post is open for takeout, and also has limited outdoor and indoor dining. Oak Hill Post (600 Brookline Blvd.)
Fig & Ash
Deutschtown
A little more than two years after announcing plans for the restaurant, Fig & Ash, with a focus wood-fired cuisine, house-milled grains and locally-raised meats, will officially open for business on Tuesday, September 22. The restaurant, led by chef/owner Cory Hughes, will open in phases, with the first phase offering lunch only, featuring a menu with selections like the Deutschtown Cheesesteak (with wood-fired steak, roasted onions & peppers, pepperoncini relish, and smoked whiz), house-milled Bucatini pasta (with braised short rib and pork belly meatballs), and Barbacoa tacos, with chili-smoked lamb shoulder. Dinner service will start later this fall. Fig & Ash (514 East Ohio Street)
Home
Charleroi
Smallman Galley alum Phill Milton, along with Matt Stepp, opened their first brick-and-mortar, Home, in Charleroi in August. The restaurant serves comfort food favorites for breakfast and lunch, with options like Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, Nashville Hot Chicken & Biscuits, Turkey Devonshire, Fried Green BLTs, Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese, and a rotating list of specials, including various Eggs Benedicts and Mac & Cheeses. Home is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Home (427 McKean Avenue, Charleroi)
St. Clair Social
Friendship
The team behind Mindful Hospitality Group opened St. Clair Social last month in Friendship, taking over the space that once occupied Sharp Edge. The restaurant and bar is currently open for takeout, with dishes like the “PB” & J (Pork Belly and Jam), Parmesan Truffle Fries, and Smoke Gouda Mac & Cheese. They also have a selection of cocktails, and local beers to go. St. Clair Social (302 South Saint Clair Street)
2 Sisters 2 Sons
Sharpsburg
2 Sisters 2 Sons is a newly-opened spot, but already garnering lots of attention – and lots of fans. The Caribbean restaurant from owners Denise Josephs and Marlene Siddo, along with their sons Michael Brown and Kwasi Prince, serves dishes like oxtail, jerk chicken and goat curry, plus salads and vegan options, too. 2 Sisters 2 Sons (1882 Main Street)
El Sabor Latin Kitchen
Bloomfield
Serving Mexican cuisine and a variety of Latin food, El Sabor Latin Kitchen is now open downtown. On the menu you’ll find tacos, quesadillas, burritos, flauta, tostados, fajitas and plated dishes, plus a full bar featuring cocktails and margaritas. They also have fresh guacamole, made to your tastes. El Sabor Latin Kitchen (4100 Penn Avenue)
Tootie’s Famous Italian Beef
Market Square
After eight years on the South Side, beloved sandwich shop Tootie’s Famous Italian Beef has moved to Market Square. The restaurant is known for their Italian Beef Sandwiches (made with chopped, marinated beef and topped with giardiniera and provolone), along with an assortment of other sandwiches, including Pulled Turkey, Corned Beef, and Sausage. Tootie’s Famous Italian Beef (100 Fifth Avenue)
Pho Saigon Cafe
Bethel Park
Pho Saigon Cafe opened earlier this month in Bethel Park, offering takeout, dine-in and outdoor seating. On the menu, you’ll find a variety of noodle dishes, plus curries, Banh Mi sandwiches, and (of course), Pho. They also offer Boba Teas, milk teas, and a variety of desserts. Pho Saigon Cafe (2822 South Park Road)
Know of any other new restaurants that have recently opened in Pittsburgh? Let us know in the comments!
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