Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Downtown & the Strip
For a taste of the city's ethnic texture, head to the Strip district just east of downtown,
stretching from 14th St to 30th St between the Allegheny River and Liberty Ave. A stroll
along Penn Ave from 17th to 23rd is the bustling heart where local chefs go to shop at
one-of-a-kind food markets like
Stamoolis Brothers
,
Pennsylvania Macaroni
and
Wholey
. The best time to visit is between 10am and 3pm; during the holiday season
(parking close to impossible), it's especially celebratory and intoxicating, literally, as
homemade wine is typically passed out for free.
Original Oyster House
SEAFOOD$
(20 Market Sq; sandwich $6; 10am-10pm Mon-Sat)
Operating in one form or another since
1870 and still drawing crowds of devotees for its deep-fried fish sandwiches. Locals of
all stripes form a line out the door at lunchtime but it's a strictly lowdown pretension-free
place with paper plates and plastic silverware.
Primanti Bros
FAST FOOD$
( 412-263-2142;
www.primantibros.com
;
18th St, near Smallman St; sandwiches $6; 24hr)
A
Pittsburgh institution on the Strip, this always-packed place specializes in greasy and de-
licious hot sandwiches, from knockwurst and cheese to the 'Pitts-burger cheesesteak.'
Other outlets are in Oakland, Market Sq downtown and South Side.
Pamela's
DINER$
(
www.pamelasdiner.com
;
60 21st St; mains $7; 7am-3pm Mon-Sat, 8am-3pm Sun)
Even Pres-
ident Obama liked this breakfast and sandwich joint in the Strip district. Several other
Pamela's throughout the city, all with a classic chrome diner look, are renowned for their
crepe-like crispy-around-the-edges pancakes.
Enrico Biscotti Company
ITALIAN$$$
(
www.enricobiscotti.com
; 2022 Penn Ave; mains $10; 11am-3pm Mon-Fri, from 8am Sat)
The
owner Enrico, a charming raconteur, is as adept at regaling customers with colorful
neighborhood tales as he is at churning out delicious homemade bread and wood-
burning-oven pizzas. Housed in a former auto mechanic's garage in the Strip with high
ceilings, brick walls and reclaimed furniture. Check out the romantic comedy
The Bread,
My Sweet
for a version of Enrico's life. Bread, wine and cheese-making classes ($65) are
offered Sunday mornings.
