Pittsburgh was named #1 Food City in the US in 2015 by Zagot. One section of the ‘Burgh stands out as the heart of its foodie movement, The Strip. Sounds like a naughty adult club but it's PG rated, mostly. It a mile and a half long section of Pittsburg filled with every type of ethnic restaurant and some drinking that will take you back in history.
For those of you who want to do it yourself, you will find several farmer's markets scattered through The Strip. The produce looks fresh and is local.
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Bakeries |
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Mancini's Bakery is the go-to place for bread, especially fresh Italian bread. Seventy years ago they began with a goal of 90 loaves per night and now between their Strip location and two others they make over 10,000 loaves each night.
Colangelo's is your kind of bakery if you have a sweet tooth. It's a bakery with all kinds of sweet treats. They also make a square pizza that smells tempting.
Enrico Biscotti Company makes biscotti in any flavor you can
imagine. I chose their pineapple flavored one and it was great. They
too make pizzas and they offer bread-making classes.
Primanti is famous for its signature sandwich, The Primanti, stacked with cold slaw, French fries and meat on slices of thick Italian bread. The tradition began in 1933 when wait-staff noticed the truckers from the loading warehouses next door rushing back to work and leaving behind the slaw and fries. To make sure everybody got their money's worth they began piling all the extras on top in one giant sandwich.
Grocery/Deli
Jimmy and Nino Sunseri's combins the concept of deli, grocery, and
bakery with an Italian flavor. I tried the pepperoni
roll there and it is a sure winner.
Pennsylvania Macaroni Company is filled every kind of Italian food
from olive oil to pepperoni.
They stock every size and shape pasta you can imagine. It's a third
generation deli/Italian grocery. I grew up in New Orleans with an
Italian best friend so this kind of place brings back happy memories
of Miss Josie's ethnic Italian food.
Just the smell will make you hungry.
S and D Polish Deli is owned by a Polish immigrant who uses her traditional family recipes so no wonder she makes authentic Polish meals. We tried the pierogi, a tasty dough dumpling filled with potatoes and cheese. It was something I had never tried but plan to again. You'll find Kielbasa sausage, cabbage, sauerkraut and even tripe dishes here. Trying new things is the spice of life.
Restaurants
Pamela's P & G Diner is a must stop spot for breakfast. They are feathered here (Bountiful Breakfasts Bonanzas)
Luke Wholey's Wild Alaskan Grill caught my eye by displaying one of the most interesting bloody Marys I ever saw. It's a complete meal with crab, shrimp, veggies topping the drink. The grill also does some more conventional seafood meals too.
Beverages
It's hidden down a small alley but make sure you find Carlo's Garage
Winery. It's Pittsburgh's first urban winery.
They crush the grapes and make the wine in the basement. They serve
their wine at their First Friday Dinners.
A visit to Wigle Whiskey is a lesson in post-revolutionary American history as well as sampling of some premium crafted liquors. It rates more of an article here (Wigle Whiskey)
| Incubator |
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With Pittsburgh's food revolution in the past few years, two young navy veterans, Ben Mantica and Tyler Benson, saw a unique opportunity and opened Pittsburgh's first culinary incubator in December of 2015. Since it's located just off Smallman St. and these are navy guys, it became Smallman Galley. There's more about Smallman Galley here.
A good way to see the highlights of The Strip is with the Burgh Bits and Bites Food Tour.
For more info:
http://burghfoodtour.com/strip-district/
http://www.visitpittsburgh.com/about-pittsburgh/neighborhoods/strip-district/