Restaurants in Pittsburgh

 In article , Rick Spring
 Someone wrote:

 > I will be in Pittsburgh for business and would like suggestions for good
 > food.  I'll be staying near the Convention Center.  I've never been there
 > before and would like to know where the "must try" resaurants are.  I
 > like all types of food.

 I've been away toooo long to know much about Pgh anymore. But I MUST tell
 you to get yourself out to Chioda's in Homestead, just under the bridge [come
 over the bridge and take the hardest right you can take.] It is the most
 Pittsburgh-est place in the city, a city that prides itself [and justifiably
 so] on its neighborhoods and their neighborhood places.
 Chioda's is a bar, and it has bar food.
 Yeah, just like K.C.'s Arthur Bryant's is a bbq joint and serves bbq.

 Chioda's, like Bryant's, is good enough to make the _N.Y. Times_ from time-
 to-time.
 Get the mystery sandwich.

 On to one more:

 The best hot dog and the best french fries in the U.S. are available from The
 Original Hot Dog shop, on Forbes in Oakland neighborhood, hard by the
 University. I really mean it, about how good they are. I had a two-hour
 layover once in the airport, which is to the Moon and gone, and managed to
 get to
 the Big O and back, safely. [all right, so maybe it was a 2.5 hr layover...]

 Let the others folks tell you about gourmet stuff. But this should suffice
 for Real Food in Pgh.
 Enjoy! it's a super town.

 George
 [email removed]

 Hi, Rachel,

 Have you tried the Rodi Grille House in Penn Hills?  Their specialty is
 fish, but they have steaks, chicken, wonderful salads, sourdough bread,
 and some pastas.  The tortellini in creamy tomato sauce are excellent.
 Very good desserts.

 s

 [email removed]

 Pittsburgh was home for 17 yrs., until we moved 2 yrs. ago.  It's not the
 greatest restaurant town, as it sounds  you are finding out, but
 some places we really liked (all very different):

 1)Cafe Allegro, on the South Side (12th St.), is as good a restaurant as
 you'll find anywhere - to me, the best Pgh. has to offer.  An expensive
 place but well worth the splurge when that's what you're looking for.
 A cosmopolitan menu, great service, and nice ambiance. (I hope it hasn't
 changed since we left!)

 2)Tessaro's- Liberty Ave., not far from West Penn Hosp.  A fun, casual
 place for a great burger, grilled chicken breast sandwich, etc.  It is
 *very* small and we always had to wait - it is popular with a wide cross-
 section of people, and has been a long-standing family operation.  No
 desserts, just a small menu of things they do very well over an open grill at
 the rear of the room.

 3)Pasta Piatto, in Shadyside - another favorite that is open for lunch as
 well. Very, very good; their gorgonzola salad is outstanding!

 4)Pasta Express (I hope I'm right on the name), also on Liberty Ave. near
 West Penn Hosp., across from one of the McKean car dealerships.  Also a
 fun place to eat on the inexpensive side, and the food was always good.

 Of course, if you are from the South Hills or Monroeville area, I really
 can't speak to that and you may not want to make the trip for the last 3
 places.  But do try Cafe Allegro, whatever part of the city you're from.