5 out of 5 stars  

Fat Sandwiches, Beers in Abundance

FatHeads is probably a must-see on anyone's Pittsburgh visit. While the wait can take a while, my group didn't mind because it gave us a chance to sample some of the 100 or so reasonably-priced beers on tap and sidle in at the crowded bar. My friends mentioned that this is one of those bars that gets crowded earlier in the evening (dinnertime) and not so much late-night.

Table management is brisk so we were seated after about 30-45 minutes (who keeps track after a few brews?). We ordered the fried mushrooms, coated in a slightly herbed batter, served with a mild horseradish sauce on the side. We also tried the hot parmesan wings, and some perogies. The perogies were my favorite, with a side of sour cream. Fried crispy on the outside and soft and mooshy on the inside. Total comfort. The boys loved the wings and we all devoured the mushrooms.

We were full by the time the sandwiches arrived but that wouldn't stop us from digging in. But I could only finish half of my sandwich! It was a ham and swiss topped with chicken spinach artichoke dip, tomato, and then fried on the grill. Even the ham inside was fried on the grill! The sandwiches came with a side of chips, and the burgers with fries (as if you'd have room for them). Children had portions bigger than their heads. This place truly lives up to the name! With a sandwich called the artery clogger (although all of them should be called that) you know what you're getting into. Even the salads have cheese, bacon, and potatoes in them.

While we meant this place to be a starting point for our night, after our indulgences, we needed to rest and digest. A place not to miss!  See the website for brews and menu.

4 out of 5 stars

My visit to Pittsburgh was not complete without a visit to Pamela's. When I lived here I frequented the one in Oakland, but we visited the Shadyside location on this trip.

The major bummer was the wait. We arrived late on Sunday so we caught the church crowd, arriving around 1PM. (Yes, quite a late breakfast I know.) We were told a wait of 25 minutes, but the wait turned out to be twice that. I don't appreciate that practice. The manager knew it would take longer than that but lied so we wouldn't walk away.

Even after the excruciating wait, and the waitress neglecting our cream when the coffee was delivered, the hotcakes were pure bliss. Not the really fluffy kind, but a little more crepe-like in their thinness. Buttery and slightly crisp and indescribably good. Partly this may be attributed to not eating a thing until 2PM. I am unsure. But I am craving more of those delightful cakes at this moment so that says something. My husband's homemade corned beef hash was also very good.

Crepe like cakes from Pamela’s

Sausage was standard but at least fresh, not dried out like you often see. Bacon consisted of thick slices. Home fries, which I had remembered as particularly good, didn't hold up to my memory of them, but were still better than the average home fry- slightly creamy somehow, with softened onions and not browned or crispy but with a hint of flavor.

This place is worth the trip, but aim to get there earlier. And take the wait estimate with a grain of salt.  They have other locations on the Strip and in Oakland.

Our escorts, Shaft and Aaron.

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4 out of 5 stars

Dive with cheap drinks, pool, ping pong, darts

Yes, when I first stepped in here, I was a little concerned. I mean it looks pretty run down. Not to mention I am the worst at pool. But drinks are freekin' cheap (especially by South Florida standards) and relatively stiff and the crowd was cool.

Upstairs, Dee's has pool tables, a ping pong table, and a dart board. Sundays the first hour of pool is free, and the first 1/2 hour of ping pong is free. I rocked the ping pong table (still lost, but barely) and my buddies played pool all night. We also played some great music from the diverse jukebox selection.

The bartenders here are fast and nice, they even shared some pizza with us that they had left after they ordered one. How often does that happen? Patrons were very friendly too.

Dee's Cafe

1314 E Carson St

Pittsburgh, PA 15203

(412) 431-1314

5 out of 5 stars  

Cheese House has awesome pepperoni rolls!

When I was in college at IUP, we would drive the half hour to get here just to get the hot pepperoni rolls. We would call ahead and order a dozen and they would be fresh baked when we came to pick them up. They are so cheeeeeesy! And not like a garlic roll like you are thinking, but as cheesy as a cheez it with a stick of pepperoni on the inside. This place also sells wine and of course cheese and other goodies. Oh how I miss the pepperoni rolls…

Cheese House

RR 4

Blairsville, PA 15717

(724) 459-9521

3 out of 5 stars  

Awesome 25 cent split wings on Tuesdays

When I went to school at IUP we'd truck on over to this place for a crap-ton of the delicious wings. They still have the great wing specials on Tuesdays, which is sweet. I can't give much info on the bar section, as I was underage at this point and so it was over 5 years ago. This place is worth checking out considering how devoid of activity Indiana, PA can be.

Rayne Drop Inn

Rd 2

Marion Center, PA 15759

(724) 397-8730