Author Archives: JQS.

Thanksgiving nachos. For realz.

Posted on November 20, 2012

So, this happened: http://pgplate.com/how-to/99-bucking-tradition-with-thanksgiving-nachos It’s that time of year, y’all. Anything is possible. Even Thanksgiving nachos with smoked turkey, gravy, Monterey Jack and a cranberry-roasted tomatillo salsa. A recipe for the salsa: This is what I did. There are obviously … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, holiday, Ingredients, Nontraditional, Recipes, Seasonal | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Whole cow flavor?

Posted on July 18, 2012

Probably the best and worst place to set a cow aflame.

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On Fifth.

Posted on February 22, 2012

There is this little hole in the wall joint on Fifth near the corporately sponsored building where the Pens play. Great jukebox. Real neighborhood vibe. People getting frisked at the door. Y’know. The usual.

Posted in Ambience, Hill District, Neighborhoods | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Seen in Squirrel Hill.

Posted on February 21, 2012

For my gluten-free friends.

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Amateur status.

Posted on February 20, 2012

I am not a professional. Don’t pretend to be one, no real aspirations to be one. Those who cook for a living impress me. The hours, the conditions, the repetition — and the hazards. About a year ago I came … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Ingredients, Lawrenceville, Meta, Neighborhoods, North Side, Techniques and tools | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Words to live by.

Posted on February 20, 2012

My mother once asked me what I considered my life’s motto. She put my answer on a T-shirt. Fun family, no?

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Oven ribs with chocolate rosemary sauce.

Posted on February 19, 2012

Unexpected inspiration is often a good thing. A chocolate party is a perfect example. My friends Gwen and Derrick have a chocolate party every year at their place on the South Side. Chocolate beer, chocolate chili, chocolate cookies, chocolate ice … Continue reading →

Posted in Ambience, Beer, Ingredients, Neighborhoods, Nontraditional, Presentation, Recipes, South Side, Strip District, Techniques and tools | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Franktuary truck.

Posted on October 12, 2011

Sure, it’s a hotdog. That’s its heart, its essence. Even hyphenated it remains simple. Call it all-beef or all-beef and grass-fed and remains a humble thing. A Pittsburgh thing, even. As much as wings and fries-and-slaw are stereotypes around this … Continue reading →

Posted in Ambience, Cheap eats, Downtown, Ingredients, Neighborhoods, Nontraditional, Oakland, Presentation, Seasonal, South Side, Traditional | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Smoke Barbecue Taqueria.

Posted on October 11, 2011

Looks like I have tacos on my mind lately. Couldn’t resist another trip to Homestead this week. Why — now that’s easy. Ridiculous, right? Even in a photo taken in a hurry on my semi-crappy phone camera, that pork is … Continue reading →

Posted in Ambience, Cheap eats, Family, Homestead, Ingredients, Neighborhoods, Nontraditional, Presentation, Service | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Salt of the Earth, Part II.

Posted on October 10, 2011

Pork baguette. Doesn’t sound like much, maybe just menu filler or something to get along a fancy takeout pizza someplace, a pimped-out hoagie. But no. This take on Vietnamese bahn mi the best thing I’ve put in my mouth at … Continue reading →

Posted in Ambience, Garfield, Ingredients, Neighborhoods, Nontraditional, Presentation, Seasonal, Service | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Oh!

Posted on October 8, 2011

And while I’m painfully self-promoting, Tim Russell got the third issue of Craft Pittsburgh magazine up online a while back. My story about the annual TRASH homebrew competition begins on page 12 if you’re so inclined. See? So purty.

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Pittsburgh Magazine.

Posted on October 8, 2011

I should mention that this month and next, at the least, I’m writing a few short things for Pittsburgh Magazine. May not last — would be cool if it did — but for the time being, it’s been sort of … Continue reading →

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Dude.

Posted on October 6, 2011

Roasting poblanos. Among my favoritest things ever. Forgot to mention: Those roasted poblanos went into a lamb chili I made for my in-laws. It was good. You’re just going to have to trust me.

Posted in Meta, Neighborhoods, Ingredients, North Side, Family | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Round Corner Cantina.

Posted on September 19, 2011

Hipster prices on street food. Runny tacos. Consistently inattentive, even combative, service. Guacamole and tamales ain’t half bad. And some of the drinks – when you can actually order and successfully receive one. Clearly I’m not a huge fan of … Continue reading →

Posted in Ambience, Beer, Ingredients, Lawrenceville, Neighborhoods, Presentation, Service | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Caruso Beer Distributor.

Posted on September 18, 2011

Sam Caruso started out as a teacher. Grew up on the North Side in Mexican War Streets, where his Sicilian father opened a beer store in 1933, right after the end of Prohibition. Maybe the first one in Pittsburgh after … Continue reading →

Posted in Ambience, Beer, Family, Neighborhoods, North Side, Service, Traditional | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment