Tag Archives: cheap eats

The Franktuary truck.

Posted on October 12, 2011 by

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 by

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

Berries in white-wine syrup with mint and jalapeño.

Posted on June 6, 2011 by

One of the most versatile things I tend to make in the summer goes as well with cheesecake or ice cream as it does with grilled or roasted meat like lamb or chicken or turkey. The warm syrup macerates the … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheap eats, Ingredients, Lawrenceville, Nontraditional, Recipes, Seasonal, Techniques and tools | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wilson’s.

Posted on June 2, 2011 by

Publishing can be a strange beast. I wrote a piece on the North Side barbecue joint Wilson’s in January for a magazine in Arkansas. It finally hit print — yesterday. (Flip to page 17 and zoom in if you’re so … Continue reading →

Posted in Ambience, Cheap eats, Family, Ingredients, Neighborhoods, North Side, Recipes, Techniques and tools, Traditional | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The deed.

Posted on April 3, 2011 by

Not too long after I moved to Pittsburgh, I started going to D’s Six Pax & Dogz in Regent Square. Good beer, something new on tap with tremendous consistency, solid, flavorful hotdogs and exceptional fries. I’m probably there more often … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheap eats, Ingredients, Meta, Neighborhoods, Nontraditional, Presentation, Regent Square | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Milk Shake Factory.

Posted on February 25, 2011 by

This is probably one of the many ways in which I’m broken. I don’t want a milk shake in the summer. When it’s hot, the idea of all that thick dairyness sliding down my throat and sitting heavy in my … Continue reading →

Posted in Ambience, Ingredients, Neighborhoods, Seasonal, Service, South Side | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Make your own stock.

Posted on January 21, 2011 by

I beg you. Chicken, pork, beef, shrimp, clam, mushroom — whatever. It makes everything better. Funny thing: I couldn’t tell you why I did it the first time. I think I was just curious. Now it’s one of those things … Continue reading →

Posted in Ambience, Cheap eats, Ingredients, Neighborhoods, North Side, Recipes, Techniques and tools | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Reyna’s.

Posted on November 1, 2010 by

I was born amid Mexican food. Maybe that sounds weird. Irish and Italian on one side of the family, Russian and Ukranian on the other. Maybe that makes the Mexican food thing sound weirder. I get that. But it was … Continue reading →

Posted in Ambience, Cheap eats, Ingredients, Neighborhoods, Strip District | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Imperfections.

Posted on November 1, 2010 by

Perfection is overrated. Sometimes the reminder is right there in front of you. This is from the Market Outlet shop in the Strip District. Everything in the place, apparently, is returnable except for Steelers gear. More of a commitment needed … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheap eats, Meta, Neighborhoods, Presentation, Strip District | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Leena’s.

Posted on October 27, 2010 by

This is about the genius of the accidental. In Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood, right near Pitt, is one of the unlikeliest places to get an incredible falafel sandwich. The sign above the little door on Oakland Street says “Leena’s Food.” The … Continue reading →

Posted in Ambience, Cheap eats, Ingredients, Neighborhoods, Oakland | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Mancini’s.

Posted on October 22, 2010 by

This is probably sacrilege for my second post: Not a huge fan of pepperoni rolls. Except. Yeah. That. I’d heard of Mancini’s but had never been until a trip to Pittsburgh in April. One of my usual stops is the … Continue reading →

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