Sammy's Famous Corned Beef - Pittsburgh, PA

CLOSED March 25, 2022  

https://triblive.com/lifestyles/food-drink/sammys-famous-corned-beef-to-close-downtown-pittsburgh-bar-after-35-years/

420 Smithfield St

 

Visited August 18, 2008

Sammy's seems to be a hangout for the locals but also attracted visitors like me with their tantalizing sign. I walked in amid little clouds of cigarette smoke and was momentarily stunned because I thought a smoking ban rules by law in restaurants.

Zorba's - Pittsburgh, PA

CLOSED September 10, 2020

https://www.facebook.com/people/Zorbas/100049409384238/ 

400 Smithfield St

Established 1991

Visited October 6, 2010 

 I love a good gyro and the Cultural District offer a few opportunities to chow down on gyros. The question is where the best gyro.  This would be my third gyro stop.

NOLA On The Square - Pittsburgh, PA

CLOSED July 7, 2020

https://www.wtae.com/article/two-popular-pittsburgh-restaurants-announce-they-will-not-be-reopening/33225222 

24 Market Square

Established 2011

Visited March 7, 2012

The Central Grocery in New Orleans is on my must eat list and the must eat food is the muffaletta. Neither business or pleasure has taken me to New Orleans so I can only guess what the real deal tastes like.    I've made muffaletta before but was it even close to the genuine article? With muffaletta on the mind, I stopped in at NOLA.  How would it be?

Sree’s Foods – Pittsburgh, PA

CLOSED (2020?) this 701 Smithfield St location and RELOCATED to 808 Penn St.

The outside architecture is inviting but the inside has a worn out diviness. The place was packed with eating customers and a queue about 10 deep. Those were good signs. The locals know where to go for good and/or cheap food. At 5 bucks it was cheap. The question remained if it is good.

Tables set up like counters line the perimeter of the eatery. It’s definitely fast food ideally set up for the solo.

Ephesus Mediterranean Restaurant - Pittsburgh, PA

CLOSED.  Relocated to 219 4th Ave?

322 4th Avenue

I'm glad I had the address because I walked by many times and never saw the sign in the dark. The building was desolate as the street. I took the elevator up into a shabby space reminiscent of 1970's rundown rec room.  It looked dusty and old, and I wondered when the health inspector last visited.

Istanbul Grille - Pittsburgh, PA

CLOSED (kicked out 2013?) this 673 Liberty Ave location and RELOCATED to 1103 South Braddock

The restaurants in the Cultural District lean mainstream for the blue collars so when I saw Istanbul, I noted it as a Must Eat for tomorrow. Tomorrow is today.

Six Penn - Pittsburgh, PA

CLOSED 02/17/2018

146 6th Street

Six Penn offers eclectic New American food. It's a way of saying open up your wallet.

Au Bon Pain and Fat Tuesday's - Pittsburgh International Airport PIT

I'm oblivious to airport specifics on arrival as my goal is to claim luggage and make a fast exit. On departures I have time to explore. My perception of Pittsburgh International is that is smaller than expected.

Lemon Grass Cafe – Pittsburgh, PA

CLOSED 2012(?)

124 6th St, Pittsburgh, PA

It was 3/4 full of mostly young local professionals when I arrived shortly before noon. Nobody was around to seat me. At about 3 minutes, a family members came out. It was about 5 minutes before the lone waitress dropped by and apologized for the wait.

Sushi Kim – Pittsburgh, PA

CLOSED November 30(?), 2019

1241 Penn Ave

https://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/the-latest-pittsburgh-restaurant-openings-and-closings/

Visited August 20, 2008

Upon walking in, you have to make a decision. Are you going Korean or Japanese? Will it be the buffet or sushi? May I take a look at the menu before deciding? I'll take the sushi.

Golden Palace Buffet – Pittsburgh, PA

CLOSED

647 Smithfield Ave

Golden Palace serves typical Americanized Chinese food. The food is prepared not so much as to gain customer loyalty but to make a quick buck from the nonreturning tourists and convention goers looking for a lot of food for a little money.

Steel City Diner - Pittsburgh, PA

CLOSED 2010(?)

961 Liberty Ave

Steel City Diner reflects the blue collar culture of Pittsburgh.  Hard, stern, no nonsense, no froufrou decor.  It exemplifies the old school typical eat a big hearty greasy big breakfast before you go to work diner.  It's a piece of Americana and a dying breed but given the nature of the city, I predict this diner will continue to thrive (I was sadly wrong, 2010)

Mamma Pina Pizzeria - Pittsburgh, PA

Closed 2012(?)

901 Penn Ave

Mamma spent little money making this place feel welcoming. It's Spartan with its prison fixed bench seats and tables and almost complete lack of wall decoration. Maybe a portrait of Mussolini would help liven the atmosphere.