In Pittsburgh, there are some dishes that we can (and do) eat again, and again, and again. And then there are special, seasonal treats that you need to try before they’re gone. In this edition of The Five Spot, we’re highlighting the five dishes that we’re eating (and cocktails we’re drinking) right this very second. While some of them may be around for good (thank goodness for that), we’re going to enjoy them now.
The Front Porch Swing cocktail at Tender Bar & Kitchen: Damn. That’s a good drink. With Fighting Cock bourbon, lemon, Peychaud and peach bitters, it’s a swig of summer in a glass. A little sweet, with just the right amount of tartness, I’ll be drinking this cocktail well into the fall.
Fried chicken at Union Pig & Chicken: Kevin Sousa’s East Liberty BBQ joint is known for its brisket and BBQ (and their Harvard & Highland cocktails), but what you really need to try is the fried chicken. It’s not only the best in our city, it might be the best in any city. The crunchy, never oily coating is the perfect cover for juicy chicken that needs no sauce – and trust us, that’s high praise indeed.
Tinga Tostadas at Casa Reyna: Casa Reyna, the restaurant underneath Reyna Foods, is a hidden gem on The Strip. And the Tinga Tostada – made with shredded chicken and sautéed onions in smokey chipotle sauce, piled on top of two crispy tostadas, and finished with a generous helping of pickled onions – is worth the trip downstairs alone.
Milk Chocolate Pretzels at Sarris Candies: Sarris is an institution in western Pennsylvania, and for good reason – their chocolate tastes like home. Sarris Milk Chocolate Pretzels never go out of season, and for some reason, we’re munching on them a lot this summer. Eat them plain, or crush them over ice cream for a sweet and salty snack you can enjoy in your own home.
Salted Caramel Milkshake at BRGR at PNC Park: Thank you, thank you, and thank you to whoever created the Milkshake Express line at BRGR’s PNC Park outpost. While throngs of Pirates fans clamor for BRGR’s burgers and Parmesan fries in the main line, you can breeze in and out of the crowd for a Salted Caramel Milkshake, decadent, delicious, and the perfect companion to the seventh inning stretch.
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