Restaurant Gems of Pittsburgh and the Tri-State

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Restaurant Gems of Pittsburgh and the Tri-State

The guide to how Pittsburgh really eats. Western PA’s real food insider. Hidden gems • Affordable eats • Local legends

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📍 Pittsburgh, Western PA, and More!

10/28/2026

🇮🇹 PITTSBURGH’S LITTLE PIECE OF ITALY 🇮🇹 — AND IT’S BEEN HERE SINCE 1902!!!

Some places sell groceries. Others preserve generations of tradition. ❤️🍝

If you’ve ever walked through Pittsburgh’s Strip District, chances are you know Pennsylvania Macaroni Company — better known as Penn Mac!

But this place is so much more than a stop for pasta.

The story began in 1902, when three brothers from Trabia, Sicily, brought their dream to Pittsburgh. What started as a pasta-making business grew into one of the region’s most iconic destinations for Italian specialty foods.

And today? You can walk through the doors and find yourself surrounded by an incredible world of imported cheeses, Italian meats, olives, pasta, olive oils, spices, sauces and ingredients you might not find at your everyday grocery store. 🧀🫒🍅

🧀 The legendary cheese counter.

🍝 The ingredients for that Sunday sauce your family talks about all week.

🫒 The olives, oils and antipasti that turn an ordinary meal into a feast.

❤️ And a connection to the Italian-American traditions that helped shape Pittsburgh.

That’s what makes the Strip District special. It’s not just about shopping. It’s about the people, the history, the smells, the flavors and the traditions that have made this neighborhood a Pittsburgh institution.

In a world where everything seems to be changing, places like Penn Mac remind us why the old-school spots still matter.

And whether you’re Italian, a serious home cook, or simply someone who appreciates great food, this is a place worth experiencing.

📍 Pennsylvania Macaroni Company (Penn Mac)
2010–2012 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA — Strip District

🔥 NOW LET’S SETTLE THIS, PITTSBURGH!

What’s the ONE thing you ALWAYS pick up at Penn Mac? Is it the cheese, the pasta, the Italian meats, the olives, or something else entirely?

And who remembers shopping here with their parents or grandparents? 👇

Let’s show some love to the legendary food destinations that make Pittsburgh and Western PA so special!

10/28/2026

I have a feeling Rick Sebak would appreciate this one! 🎥🏙️

The Strip District in all its glory — raw, loud, unfiltered, full of character, and packed with the kind of Pittsburgh history and personality you just can’t manufacture.

No Hollywood production needed. Just the real Pittsburgh. ❤️💛

10/27/2026

🍔 WESTERN PA HIDDEN GEM ALERT! 💥 ELLY’S AT THE MEADOWLANDS!!

Some places are about more than just grabbing a bite to eat. They’re about good food, catching the game, meeting up with friends, and having a place where you can just kick back. 🍻

That’s the kind of neighborhood hangout you’ll find at Elly’s at the Meadowlands!

Located just outside Washington, PA, Elly’s brings together the kind of comfort food that Western Pennsylvania knows and loves. We’re talking:

🔥 Wings with a variety of sauces and dry rubs
🥪 French dip sandwiches with au jus for dipping
🇮🇹 Italian hoagies loaded with classic flavors
🐟 Jumbo fish sandwiches for those with a serious appetite
🥟 Pierogies, provolone wedges, and zucchini fries to get the meal started
🍔 Burgers, salads, and plenty of other options to round out the menu

And it’s not just about the food! With a sports-bar atmosphere, big-screen TVs, drinks, and a place to gather with friends, Elly’s offers another local option for anyone looking to enjoy a casual meal in the Meadowlands area.

One of the things I love about exploring Western PA is discovering places that serve their own communities and give people another reason to get together. From Pittsburgh to Washington County and all the small towns in between, there are still plenty of local spots worth talking about!

📍 Elly’s at the Meadowlands
400 W. Pike Street, Meadow Lands, PA

👇 LET’S HEAR IT, WESTERN PA!

What’s your go-to order at Elly’s? Are you grabbing the wings, going for that French dip, or ordering a big fish sandwich? And what other local restaurants around Washington County deserve some love?

Drop your recommendations below! Let’s keep discovering, sharing, and supporting the local businesses that make our region special. ❤️

10/27/2026

🐟 PITTSBURGH HAS A SEAFOOD WORLD HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT! 🦀 WHOLEY’S IS MORE THAN JUST A FISH MARKET!!!

If you think Wholey’s is just a place to buy fish, you might be missing one of the most uniquely Pittsburgh experiences in the Strip District! 👀

📍 Robert Wholey & Co. — 1711 Penn Avenue

Since 1912, this family business has been part of Pittsburgh’s food story. But what makes Wholey’s special is how it turns an ordinary grocery trip into an experience.

🐠 Walk past counters packed with fresh seafood and live tanks filled with sea creatures. 🦞 Browse the incredible selection of fish, shellfish, meats and other specialties. Then head upstairs, where you can sit down and enjoy a meal, including their famous fish sandwich!

And here’s a piece of Pittsburgh history: Wholey’s didn’t even start as a fish market! The original business began in McKees Rocks selling poultry and meat before growing into the seafood institution we know today.

That’s what I love about the Strip District. Some places aren’t just businesses — they’re part of the city’s identity. While Pittsburgh continues to change, places like Wholey’s keep a connection to the old-school Strip alive.

You can find trendy new spots all over town, but there’s something special about walking into a place that has been feeding Pittsburgh for generations. ❤️💛

📣 PITTSBURGH, SETTLE THIS ONE: What’s your MUST-BUY at Wholey’s? The fish sandwich? Fresh shrimp? Seafood for the family? Or do you just love walking around and seeing everything they have?

Drop your answer below! 👇 And tag someone who needs a Strip District food adventure.

📍 Restaurant Gems of Pittsburgh & the Tri-State — finding the places, people and traditions that make our region special.

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10/27/2026

🔥 PITTSBURGH’S STRIP DISTRICT — WHERE THE MAGIC STARTS! 🏙️🥪

Raw, loud, a little chaotic, and packed with character. 🚚 From legendary food spots and family-owned businesses to the sights, sounds, and smells you can’t find anywhere else, the Strip District is the heartbeat of Pittsburgh’s food culture.

This is more than a place to grab a bite. It’s history, hard work, tradition, and pure Pittsburgh grit — all on one street.

I’m out here shining a light on the places that make Western PA special, one hidden gem at a time. And believe me, the Strip still has plenty of stories to tell! 💪

👇 Pittsburgh, what’s YOUR must-stop spot in the Strip District? Let’s hear it!

10/26/2026

🔥 OVER 115 YEARS OF HISTORY… AND THIS STRIP DISTRICT GEM IS STILL GOING STRONG!!! 🇬🇷❤️

Some places sell you food. Other places give you a taste of history.

Meet Stamoolis Brothers Co., a legendary family-owned market in Pittsburgh’s Strip District that has been bringing Greek and Mediterranean flavors to Western Pennsylvania since 1909!

The story started with five brothers who came to America from the Greek island of Chios with a dream of sharing the foods and traditions they grew up with. More than a century later, that family legacy is still alive right here in Pittsburgh. 🇬🇷

And when you walk through those doors? Get ready to explore!

🫒 An incredible selection of olives and Mediterranean specialties.

🧀 A variety of cheeses and imported delicacies.

🫙 Greek and Mediterranean ingredients you won’t find in every grocery store.

🥙 House-made hummus, flavorful feta spreads, and other delicious options.

🍯 Baklava, traditional Greek sweets, olive oils, spices, and so much more!

But here’s what really makes Stamoolis special…

IT’S NOT JUST A GROCERY STORE. IT’S A PIECE OF PITTSBURGH’S HISTORY.

Think about how much this city has changed since 1909. Generations have come and gone, neighborhoods have transformed, and the Strip District has evolved — but family businesses like Stamoolis help keep the traditions, flavors, and character of the old Strip alive.

And that’s something worth celebrating. 👏

As I continue exploring Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania in search of the local food gems that make our region special, these are the kinds of places that deserve our attention.

Because the best food stories aren’t always found in the newest restaurants. Sometimes they’re hiding in plain sight, on a historic street, inside a family business that’s been serving generations of Pittsburghers.

📍 STAMOOLIS BROTHERS CO.
2020 Penn Avenue, Strip District, Pittsburgh

🗓️ Monday–Saturday, 8 AM–4 PM. Closed Sundays. Check with the store before making a special trip.

👇 PITTSBURGH, LET’S TALK!

Have you been shopping at Stamoolis for years, or would this be your first visit? And what’s your MUST-BUY item when you visit a Greek or Mediterranean market?

Drop your recommendations below! Let’s give these legendary local businesses the love they deserve. ❤️

📲 FOLLOW Restaurant Gems of Pittsburgh and the Tri-State for more local legends, hidden gems, family-owned businesses, and the food stories that make our region special!

10/26/2026

PITTSBURGH DIDN’T INVENT FANCY FOOD. IT INVENTED A SANDWICH THAT COULD FEED A WORKING MAN!🖤💛🥪

Before Primanti’s became a Pittsburgh icon, before tourists came looking for that famous sandwich, before the name spread beyond Western Pennsylvania… there was the Strip District. Trucks rolling in. Warehouses moving goods. Workers putting in long hours. And hungry people who needed a real meal.

That’s where the legend began.

Back in 1933, during the Great Depression, Joe Primanti started with a humble sandwich cart in the Strip District. He eventually opened a storefront, serving the truck drivers and shift workers who kept Pittsburgh moving.

And somewhere along the way, a beautiful piece of Pittsburgh food history took shape: meat, cheese, tomato, french fries and coleslaw piled between slices of Italian bread.

Why put the fries and slaw inside the sandwich?

Because this wasn’t about making food look pretty for a picture. It was about putting an entire meal between two slices of bread for people who were busy working and needed to keep moving.

That’s a different kind of food story.

📍 Today, you can still visit the original Primanti Bros. at 46 18th Street in the Strip District.

And here’s what I think makes this place special: the sandwich is only half the story. The other half is the neighborhood that gave it life.

The Strip has changed over the decades, but it still carries that unmistakable Pittsburgh character — the markets, the food merchants, the hustle, the history and the mix of people coming together over something to eat.

Primanti’s became famous, but its roots are about something much more familiar to Pittsburghers: making do, working hard and getting a good meal without a lot of fuss.

You can find sandwiches all over America. But some places serve you more than food. They give you a taste of where you are.

And the original Primanti’s? That’s a bite of Pittsburgh history.

This is exactly why I love getting out into the city and across Western PA to showcase the places that helped shape who we are. The legendary spots deserve their flowers just as much as the little mom-and-pop hidden gems.

Now I want to hear from Pittsburgh! 👇

🔥 BE HONEST: When you order Primanti’s, are you going with the classic sandwich as it comes, or are you changing it up?

And for those who remember the Strip from years ago — what’s one thing you miss most about the old neighborhood?

Drop your memories below. Let’s hear some Pittsburgh stories!

10/26/2026

🍣🔥 PITTSBURGH SUSHI LEGEND! 🍣 ANDY’S SUSHI INSIDE WHOLEY’S HAS BEEN A STRIP DISTRICT STAPLE SINCE 1997!!

You can find sushi all over Pittsburgh, but how many places come with a story, a personality, and nearly three decades of history? 👀

Tucked inside the legendary Wholey’s Market in the Strip District is Andy’s Sushi — a one-of-a-kind stop where the sushi is only part of the experience!

Andy has been behind that sushi counter since 1997, serving customers in one of Pittsburgh’s most iconic food destinations. And if you know the Strip, you know it’s about more than just grabbing something to eat. It’s about the characters, the conversations, the atmosphere, and the places that give this city its personality. 🍣🙌

Wholey’s has been a Pittsburgh institution since 1912, and Andy’s Sushi is another piece of the food history that makes this neighborhood so special.

💥 THIS is what Restaurant Gems of Pittsburgh is all about!

Celebrating the local legends, the longtime neighborhood staples, and the unique food experiences that make Pittsburgh and Western PA worth exploring.

Forget cookie-cutter food spots. Give me the places with a story, a personality, and a reason to keep coming back!

👇 PITTSBURGH, WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Have you tried Andy’s Sushi? What do you order? And who remembers Andy from years ago? Drop your stories in the comments! 👇

📍 Andy’s Sushi — inside Wholey’s Market, 1711 Penn Avenue, Strip District, Pittsburgh.

❤️ Support local. Celebrate the legends. Keep Pittsburgh’s food culture alive!

’s

10/26/2026

🎬 BEFORE THE CAMERAS ROLL… THIS IS THE REAL STUFF. 🔥

Back alley in the Strip District. No edits. No filters. Just me, the energy, and the work that goes into creating something real in Pittsburgh.

Everybody sees the finished reel. Here’s a look at what happens BEFORE the magic. 💪🏙️

Restaurant Gems of Pittsburgh — raw, real, and just getting started. 👊

10/25/2026

🔥🥗 PITTSBURGH SALAD, HOMESTYLE COMFORT FOOD & MORE THAN 50 YEARS OF HISTORY! HAVE YOU BEEN TO MARTY’S IN CRANBERRY? 🍟🍳

If you love a good Pittsburgh Salad, hearty portions, and old-school local restaurants with a story to tell, put Marty’s Original Bar & Grill in Cranberry Township on your radar! 🔥

📍 Located along Route 19, Marty’s has been part of the community since 1969 — that’s more than five decades of serving up comfort food and welcoming generations of customers!

🥗 LET’S TALK PITTSBURGH SALAD!

You can’t talk about Western PA food without talking about the Pittsburgh Salad! We’re talking fresh greens, tomatoes, carrots, radishes, red cabbage, and hard-boiled egg, topped with crispy fries, cheddar cheese, and your choice of grilled chicken or steak.

Add your favorite dressing, and you’ve got that classic Pittsburgh combination of salad, savory toppings, and fries that makes this regional favorite so special. Who needs a boring salad when you can have a Pittsburgh Salad? 😂🍟

🍳 BUT THERE’S A LOT MORE ON THE MENU!

Marty’s isn’t just a salad stop. This longtime local bar and grill serves up a wide variety of food, including:

🍳 Breakfast favorites for those who love a hearty start to the day.

🍗 Jumbo whole wings with flavors ranging from hot and honey garlic to BBQ and Marty’s Magic.

🥪 Classic sandwiches and meatball hoagies for those craving good old-fashioned comfort food.

🐟 Fish favorites that have earned plenty of love from local diners.

🥣 Homestyle soups, including French onion and the soup of the day, plus other hearty options.

🍔 Burgers, wraps, entrées, and more — there’s plenty to explore beyond the Pittsburgh Salad!

❤️ A PIECE OF CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP HISTORY

Marty and Ann DeLuca started this journey back in 1969. Today, the restaurant continues to honor that legacy under the Marty’s name, bringing together the kind of broad menu and neighborhood atmosphere that have kept local gathering places part of the community for generations.

In a region full of new restaurant openings, there’s something special about businesses that have been around for decades. These are the places that become part of people’s routines, memories, and hometown stories.

And that’s exactly why we love shining a spotlight on local restaurants here at Restaurant Gems of Pittsburgh and the Tri-State! 🙌

We’re on a mission to showcase the hidden gems, hometown favorites, and longtime establishments that make Western Pennsylvania such a great place to eat.

👇 NOW IT’S YOUR TURN, PITTSBURGH!

🥗 Are you ordering your Pittsburgh Salad with CHICKEN or STEAK?

🍟 And what’s your go-to order at Marty’s — the wings, fish, breakfast, a sandwich, or something else?

💬 If you’ve been coming here for years, tell us your Marty’s memories in the comments! Let’s give this longtime Cranberry establishment some love.

📍 Marty’s Original Bar & Grill
20700 Route 19, Cranberry Township, PA

❤️ Follow Restaurant Gems of Pittsburgh and the Tri-State for more local restaurants, hometown favorites, and hidden gems worth discovering!

Address

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Mars, PA
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http://www.restaurantgemsofpittsburgh.com/

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