With so many good bites in Pittsburgh right now, consider this only a partial list. But it’s a start… Now, get eating!
1. Buckeye Doughnuts at Just Good Donuts
Just Good Donuts, located in the Pub Chip Shop has some pretty good doughnuts – just like the name promises. Our favorite? The Buckeye doughnut, topped with chocolate icing and filled to the brim (and then some) with peanut butter buttercream.
2. Chiang Mai Curry at Noodlehead
Noodlehead’s Chiang Mai Curry, with pickled mustard greens, chicken and yellow curry coconut milk sauce is a fan favorite, thanks to its deliciously spicy kick.
3. Québécoise Poutine at Franktuary
It’s so hard to choose just one of the poutines at Franktuary, but man, do we love the original Québécoise, topped with just cheese curds and brown gravy. It’s classic, it’s comforting, and it’s worth getting a full order just for yourself.
4. Alitas de Pollo at Gaucho Parilla Argentina
Let’s get this out of the way first: You can never make a wrong choice at Gaucho Parilla Argentina. Except maybe not ordering these Alitas de Pollo, Gaucho’s whole chicken wings tossed in quiquiramichi hot sauce and grilled lemons.
5. Wood-Fired Buttermilk Pancakes at The Commoner
Wood fired buttermilk pancakes. Do we really need to say more? Okay, how about sage and port-wine cranberries, and whiskey barrel-infused maple syrup? We knew that would get you.
6. Peanut Butter & Ritz Ice Cream at Antney’s Ice Cream
Because the flavors at Westwood’s Antney’s Ice Cream shop change so frequently, we can’t promise that you’ll find the awesomely sweet and salty Peanut Butter & Ritz flavor on the menu – but we can promise that we’ve been going to the scoop shop for years, and we’ve never had a dish of their creamy, homemade ice cream that we haven’t liked.
7. Ricotta Toast at Carota Cafe in Smallman Galley
Carota Cafe’s fresh ricotta, piled high on toasted sourdough bread and topped with honey, black pepper, herbs and sea salt is one of the best bites we’ve had in a long time. If you see it on the menu, get it – trust us.
8. The Balboa at Carson Street Deli & Craft Beer Bar
It’s been named one of the best Italian sandwiches in Pittsburgh, and…. we agree. It has fresh-cut sopressata, genoa salami, prosciutto, spicy capicola and hard salami, plus provolone and roasted red peppers thrown in for good measure.
9. Pierogies at Apteka
Are Apteka’s pierogies as good as your Babcia’s? Umm…. better not let her hear your answer. Sauerkraut + mushroom, Smoked potato + parsnip + turnip greens and Yogurt + mustard. And they’re all pretty fantastic.
10. Chocolate Flower Tortes at Colangelo’s Bakery
Colangelo’s is known for their fresh-made meles and cannolis. But we’re all about the chocolate tortes. These mini, flower-shaped flourless tortes are the perfect sweet treat to enjoy after some Strip District shopping, and (we know from experience) one is never enough.
11. The Pittsburgh Salad at Whitfield
Who doesn’t love a Pittsburgh salad? Load up those greens with cheese, fried chicken and French fries, and we’re happy. And when you add two kinds of dressing (including homemade Buttermilk ranch)? It’s a very good thing.
12. Fried Chicken at Union Pig & Chicken
Good fried chicken is hard to find. But great fried chicken? Look no further than at East Liberty’s Union Pig & Chicken, with their take on this fried Southern classic. Extra points if waffles are on the menu when you visit, too.
13. Bone Marrow at Meat & Potatoes
Going to Meat & Potatoes? Get the bone marrow. Seriously.
14. The Thin Man at Thin Man Sandwich Shop
Of course Thin Man Sandwich Shop chose this one as their signature sandwich… who wouldn’t want their name attached to this perfection? The Thin Man is made with their house chicken liver mousse (we always pick up a half-pint container to go), local bacon, endive, red wine vinaigrette and served on a toasty baguette, and if you’ve never been, it’s a great introduction to the menu.
15. Al Pastor Taco at tako
There are way too many amazing tako tacos to choose from, and we were seriously torn between the Al Pastor and the Korean. And the Carnitas. And the Chorizo. Anyway, the moral of the story is to get as many different kinds as you think you can eat, but definitely save room for the classic Al Pastor, with roasted pineapple and avocado salsa.
16. Popcorn Panna Cotta at Station
The Popcorn Panna Cotta has been on Station’s dessert menu since the Bloomfield restaurant opened last year, and we hope that it never goes away. With carmamelized popcorn and salted caramel on top of cool, creamy house-made panna cotta, we couldn’t imagine ending a meal at Station any other way.
17. Mac & Cheese at The Vandal
The menu at The Vandal in Lawrenceville changes regularly, but one thing is almost always certain: their super-creamy, super-comforting Mac & Cheese, topped with buttery, toasted breadcrumbs. It’s filling enough for a meal, but perfectly acceptable as a side.
18. Ricotta Ravioli at e2
Or really, anything at e2. We’ve never had a single bite of food at Kate Romane’s Highland Park restaurant that has ever been anything short of amazing, but we’ve got to make special note of Romane’s Ricotta Ravioli, made with sage, hazelnut brown butter and Sambuca-soaked currants. You’ll have the option to get it with sausage, and yeah… that’s pretty a good idea.
19. The Fancy Burger at Butterjoint
The ‘Fancy’ burger at Butterjoint changes almost every day, so you never know what you’re going to get… though (we promise), it’s always going to be good. Butterjoint’s burgers are made with grass-fed beef that they ground in-house daily, and the fancy burger toppings change depending on what’s available that day, and depending on what chef/owner Trevett Hooper happens to be playing around with in the kitchen at any given time.
20. Red Velvet Cupcakes at Oakmont Bakery
Walk into Oakmont Bakery and you’ll see dozens of cookies, cupcakes, doughnuts, and other freshly-baked treats that have made the Oakmont bake spot so famous. We’ve had plenty of tasty bites there over the years, but their Red Velvet cupcakes – red velvet cake, filled and iced with cream cheese frosting – is at the top of our list.
21. Texas French Toast at DeLuca’s Diner
DeLuca’s Diner was a Pittsburgh staple long before Man vs. Food came to town… now, it’s just a little harder to get a table. But when you do, order the Texas Cinnamon French Toast, thick-cut slices of fried bread, powdered sugar and cinnamon syrup. It’s kind of the best way to start your day.
22. Watermelon Kiwi Popsicles at Stickler’s
Not only are they adorable, Stickler’s Watermelon Kiwi popsicles (one of their best-sellers) are also one of the most refreshing bites in town. They’re made with fresh watermelon juice, with just a bit of kiwi juice on the bottom, giving it a its true-to-watermelon look.
23. Pho at Tan Lac Vien
Looking for the best pho in Pittsburgh? Head to Squirrel Hill’s Tan Lac Vien, for their traditional Vietnamese dish. And if you want to eat pho like a pro, sip the broth before you add any of the garnishes – let it tell you if you need a little spice, a little lime, or any of the bitter herbs.
24. Tropical Guacamole at Kaya
For more than two decades, Kaya has been one of Pittsburgh’s best restaurants – at times, it seemed like one of Pittsburgh’s only restaurants. And while you can’t go wrong with Kaya’s Crispy Fish Tacos, Jamaican Jerked Wings, or their Thursday-night Fried Chicken, we always start our meal with their Tropical Guacamole, a delicious mix of sweetness and spice.
25. The Pitts-burger at Primati Bros.
Yes, the Pittsburgh food scene is about so much more than Primanti’s… but you’ve got to give it to a classic. Our order changes every time we visit the world-famous sandwich shop, but the Pitts-burger, made with a grilled beef patty and stuffed with their fries and crunchy cole slaw (of course), is always a favorite.
There are dozens and dozens of other mouth-watering things to eat in Pittsburgh right now… So what did we miss? Share in our comments.
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