Check out what Pittsburgh's North Side (and North Shore) has to offer
“Play Ball.”
Those two words will mark a much-anticipated rite of spring on Tuesday for Major League Baseball fans. It’s the Pittsburgh Pirates home opener.
They host the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park on April 12. First pitch is, to mimic the date, at 4:12 p.m.— in the 4-1-2.
The 38,000 fans who pack the ballpark and those who will gather for all the festivities on the North Shore — the official neighborhood name for the sports-entertainment-culture zone along Allegheny River — will celebrate the annual return of baseball.
It's time to go get 'em. pic.twitter.com/In3pYQpJFs
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 7, 2022
Inside PNC Park, there are plenty of places to eat and drink and things to do. But when they aren’t at a game or tailgating, fans have plenty of options from museums to food and drink establishments to shopping and sightseeing.
“There are so many great places to stay and things to see,” said Arthur Perkins, vice president of the East Allegheny Community Council and a member of the North Side Leadership Council. “This area also offers a cool view of Downtown Pittsburgh.”
The North Side is accessible and easy to get to from many modes of transportation, from the subway to cars and buses to bicycles and scooters, said Gina Grone, executive director, North Side/Shore Chamber of Commerce.
“And there are a variety of things to do here,” Grone said. “It’s not just a sports destination. The houses are so unique and if you look at many of the buildings on the North Side, you will see such great detail. There is so much history here.”
The Tribune-Review took a stroll through the North Side and North Shore and compiled some of its interesting landmarks, eateries, shops and amenities.
Landmarks
Fred Rogers statue: The bronze replica of the late Fred Rogers, from WQED’s “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” sits along the riverfront not far from the Allegheny River. The sculpture, called “Tribute to Children,” was completed in 2009 by artist Robert Berks. It weighs 7,000 pounds.
Mexican War Streets: This part of the North Side is recognized for its well-maintained historic row houses from the late 1800s, many protected by the city’s historic preservation laws. Founded in 1969, the Mexican War Streets Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to showcasing the neighborhood. Its long-standing annual house tour was one of the first in region, showcasing homes that have been preserved and also refurbished in intriguing ways. An annual collective yard sale brings people from near and far.
Allegheny Commons Park: An 80-acre park located in the heart of the North Side, it became the oldest in Pittsburgh when the City of Allegheny was annexed in 1907. The George Washington Monument in the park is one of several monuments in the park. Last year, the Patricia Rooney Memorial Fountain was created to honor the legacy of Rooney, who called North Side home.
Allegheny General Hospital: (320 E. North Ave.)A part of the Allegheny Health Network, it’s a full-service hospital with 576 beds and employs more than 4,500 people. It opened in 1885. Known for the LifeFlight emergency helicopter aiding the critically ill and injured, it was one of the first medical helicopters in the U.S.
Priory Hotel: (614 Pressley St.) A former Benedictine monastery, the Priory is a 42-room boutique hotel in Deutschtown that was built in 1888. The hotel was restored by the Graf family in 1986, preserving much of the original architecture. It has a pub – the Monks Bar — and an elegant ballroom.
Heinz Field: (100 Art Rooney Ave.) Home of the Pittsburgh Steelers and University of Pittsburgh football teams, Heinz Field opened in 2001 and seats 68,400.
PNC Park: (115 Federal St.) PNC Park opened on April 9, 2001, and has a capacity of 38,362. Statues of Pirates Hall of Famers Roberto Clemente, Bill Mazeroski, Willie Stargell and Honus Wagner adorn the park. An out-of-town scoreboard is part of the 21-foot high right-field fence, in honor of Clemente, who wore number 21.
Veterans Memorials: Comprised of the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Pittsburgh Allegheny County Vietnam Veterans Monument and the Southwestern Pennsylvania World War II Memorial, as well as the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.
Interesting places
New Hazlett Theater: (6 Allegheny Square East) Built in 1889, it was the first Carnegie Music Hall. At one time it housed one of the first Carnegie Free Libraries in the country and was home to the Pittsburgh Public Theater.
Randyland: (1501 Arch St.) An outdoor courtyard museum, Randyland is a yard filled with recycled and repurposed items painted in bright colors by artist Randy Gilson.
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Allegheny: (1230 Federal St.) When it was initially built, the Carnegie Free Library was the first of 2,509 libraries in the U.S.
Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh: (10 Children’s Way) Since 1983, the children’s museum has offered hands-on experiences for play and learning. In 2006, it became a certified green building. Museum Lab is located next door to the Children’s Museum and gives children access to cutting-edge experiences in art, technology, metalworking and learning.
Rivers Casino Pittsburgh: (777 Casino Drive) Opened in 2009, the Rivers Casino Pittsburgh offers 2,400 slots, table games such as blackjack, craps, and roulette and sports betting, as well as a poker room. Celebrity chef Steve Martorano opened and Italian-American steakhouse, Martorano’s Prime there.
Mattress Factory: (500 Sampsonia Way) Recognized for alternative art forms and pushing the boundaries, exhibits include work from regional, national and international artists.
Carnegie Science Center: (1 Allegheny Ave.) The science center has hands-on exhibits, camps, classes and off-site education programs. It houses the Buhl Planetarium, roboworld and the human body in BodyWorks. There is a Miniature Railroad & Village and the Highmark SportsWorks.
National Aviary: (700 Arch St.) One-of-a-kind in the U.S., the National Aviary is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year and is known for its conservation efforts. It is home to more than 500 birds representing about 150 species from around the world, including African penguins.
Bicycle Heaven Museum: (1800 Preble Ave.) The world’s largest bicycle museum and shop opened in 2011. Bikes can be fixed, tuned up, or traded in and even rented. The free museum has close to 3,000 bikes, including 17 Bowden Spacelander models.
Stage AE: (400 North Shore Drive) Located next to Heinz Field, Stage AE is the second indoor/outdoor concert venue in the U.S. and features a reversible stage.
Andy Warhol Museum: (117 Sandusky St.) The museum houses the largest collection of Pittsburgh icon Andy Warhol artworks and archival materials.
East Allegheny, (known as Deutschtown): Located between Allegheny Commons Park and Interstate 279, this area includes everything from restaurants and bars to a grocery and hardware store, clothing boutiques, a gift shop, banks, salons and a bakery along East Ohio Street. One of its well-attended events is the annual Deutschtown Music Festival in the summer.
Light of Life Rescue Mission: (234 Voeghtly St.) Since 1952, Light of Life has been helping men, women, and families experiencing homelessness, poverty, or addiction.
The Parador Inn: (939 Western Ave.) The word parador comes from Spanish meaning “to stop” or “an Inn.” The bed and breakfast is housed in a building built in the 1870s. “I love the diversity of the North Side,” said owner Ed Menzer. “I have met guests from all walks of life. I think people like staying on the North Side because there is so much to experience.”
Elks Lodge: (400 Cedar Ave.) With more than 100 years of service in Pittsburgh, the Allegheny Elks Lodge No. 339 was named for the fact that it is situated in what was known at the time as Allegheny City. It began with 103 charter members.
Shortys Pints x Pins (353 N. Shore Drive) Shorty’s Pins x Pints is a game room and bar establishment that offers duckpin bowling and cornhole. There are fire pits in the outdoor space and bocce ball courts and pinball machines and video games. it has craft beer, a substantial wine selection and cocktails as well as house-fried corn tostadas.
Burn by Rocky Patel: (346 N. Shore Drive) The establishment sells premium cigars, high-end spirits and appetizers. To celebrate its fourth anniversary on Friday, Burn is offering opening day specials and a discount for fans that show a PNC Park ticket stub. Most cigars come from Honduras or Nicaragua. “We aren’t just a cigar bar or a cocktail bar,” said general manager Michael Milinkovic. “We are an experience.”
St. Peter Catholic Church: (720 Arch St.) A Roman Catholic Church where the Rooney family, owners of the Steelers, belonged.
Allegheny Center Alliance Church: (250 E. Ohio St.) The network known as the Alliance eventually became a denomination with local churches instead of branches. Due to its location, it eventually became known as the North Side Alliance Church.
Calvary United Methodist Church: (971 Beech Ave.) This was one of the largest churches in Pittsburgh during the late 1800s. A fire in 1891 burned the entire block. The church is called a Parlor Cathedral, patterned after the cathedrals of Europe. Each pew is hand carved.
Stores
The Government Center: (715 East St.) Old-school vintage vinyl records can be found in the shop that is a hub for people to discuss, discover, write about, listen to, create and perform music.
City Books: (908 Galveston Ave.) Opened in 1984, the store has used and collectible books.
The Farmer’s Daughter: (502 E. Ohio St.) The owner learned floral design at Zuzu’s Petals, a neighborhood flower shop in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Wagsburg: (632 E. Ohio St.) The store offers nutritious products to help keep furry friends healthy.
Bernie’s Photo Center: (525 E. Ohio St.) In business for more than five decades, the store sells digital cameras, lenses and photo and video accessories. It also carries film, processing chemicals and equipment, and printing paper. There is a photo lab, digital image, and frame department to restore pictures.
Rally House: (684 W. General Robinson St.) Rally House carries every Pittsburgh sports team and others, including local colleges. It has clothing and fun game-day accessories.
Food & Drink
Siempre Algo: (414 E. Ohio St.) Owner and executive chef Brian Hammond creates dishes such as fillet with orange-fennel purée and brown butter-roasted veal sweetbreads with roasted local mushrooms.
Lola Bistro: (1100 Galveston Ave.) The owners call it “gourmet comfort food” when talking about the smoked salmon mousse, baked ziti, Scandinavian chicken pot pie and beef stroganoff. There is a $5 corkage fee.
Mike’s Beer Bar: (110 Federal St.) Mike’s Beer Bar (formerly Beerhead Bar) has 80 rotating taps and more than 500 beers, a lot of them local brews.
Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse: (247 North Shore Drive) Hyde Park has private and semi-private dining areas. The fine-dining establishment is known for aged steaks and chops, fresh seafood and specialties such as steak ala oscar, steak au poivre and tournedos au bleu.
Penn Brewery: (800 Vinial St.) Penn Brewery began brewing craft beer in 1986 and it is the oldest in Pittsburgh and one of the earliest pioneers in the American craft movement. The inaugural brews were classic lagers and German styles. The restaurant serves wurst, schnitzel, pierogi, and goulash. A cobblestone biergarten is open seasonally.
Southern Tier Brewing Co.: (316 North Shore Drive) Southern Tier opened with IPA, pilsner, mild and porter and began to distribute small-batch ales locally. The brewery expanded to be able to process 10,000 bottles per hour.
Commonplace Coffee: (1501 Buena Vista St.) Located in the Mexican War Streets, the shop sells fresh-roasted coffee and espresso.
Prantl’s Bakery: (528 E. Ohio St.) Recently opened inside the former Priory bakery and known for its burnt almond torte.
Max’s Allegheny Tavern: (537 Suismon St.) Max’s serves authentic German cuisine such as grilled knackwurst, bratwurst and kielbasa and Bavarian stuffed pretzels and corned beef and cabbage sandwiches.
The Modern Café: (862 Western Ave.) A staple in this area for decades, it has five high-definition televisions, a dart machine, jukebox and more than 90 beers.
Legends: (500 E. North Ave.) A full-service restaurant offering contemporary Italian/American cuisine. It is BYOB and has an outdoor patio.
Fig & Ash: (514 E. Ohio St.) Food is prepared in a wood-fired oven. Described as modern America with classic European influences, meals are made from scratch.
Badamos Pizza: (1106 Federal St.) Badamos has several pie options, including red and white Sicilian as well as hoagies and salads.
Peppi’s: (927 Western Ave.) Since 1983, Peppi’s has been serving fresh subs on Mancini’s bread. The #7, aka the Roethlis”burger,” a sausage and burger combination with egg and American cheese, was named in honor of former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
Giorgio’s Place: (908 Western Ave. ) Serving homemade Italian cuisine since 1993, the menu includes homemade family recipes of gnocchi and lasagna, pizzas, stromboli and calzones.
Federal Galley: (200 Children’s Way) Established in 2017, it’s a food hall and restaurant accelerator located inside Nova Place, a commercial office and event space. Chefs operate restaurants rent-free.
Allegheny Sandwich Shoppe: (822 Western Ave.) Serving breakfast and lunch, the shop serves salads and burgers and sandwiches.
Breadworks: (2110 Brighton Road) More than 60 varieties of freshly-baked bread and rolls.
Happy Day Dessert Factory: (906A Western Ave.) Serving homemade hard ice cream, the shop also sells water ice, frozen soft custard, milkshakes, sundaes, fresh baked cookies, ice cream sandwiches, ice cream cakes and pies.
Gus & Yia Yia’s: (638 West Ohio St.) Gus Kalaris has been manning the bright orange ice ball cart under the rainbow-colored umbrella for seven decades. His first day is around the Pirates’ home opener.
Allegheny City Brewing: (507 Foreland St.) Located in Deutschtown, it is recognizable by the mural on the side of the building. The owners began as home brewers and typically have a dozen choices available.
Monterey Pub: (1227 Monterey St.) Nestled in the Mexican War Streets, the Irish pub features a cocktail menu highlighting the area — such as the Palo Alto, which is tequila, Italian brandy, lime and orange and the Buena Vista, made with black rum, Chambord, amaretto, lemon and Guinness. Food items include Shepherd’s pie, beer-battered fish and the Monterey burger.
North Shore Tavern: (120 Federal St.) North Shore Tavern features steaks cooked on a stone and specialty cocktails and a diverse wine and beer selection. The décor includes portraits of former Pirates players painted by Pittsburgh-based artist Tom Mosser.
Bier’s Pub/War Streets Brewery: (900 Western Ave.) Beer is brewed in small batches. Choices include the Palo Alto Pale Ale with tropical and citrus notes and a piney aroma and a Western Ave Wheat brewed with red and white wheat and malted barley.
412 Brewery: (847 Western Ave.) Located in a former laundromat, the brewery handcrafts micro-brews. There are seven brews on tap as well as a local cider and mead. The taproom is pet friendly and has outdoor seating.
40 North: (40 W. North Ave.) 40 North is also the latitude of Pittsburgh. The restaurant, which serves cuisine from all over the world, is inside the Alphabet City venue of City of Asylum, an organization that provides sanctuary to endangered literary writers and offers free literary, arts and humanities programs. The venue also includes a bookstore.
Live Fresh Cold Pressed Juice + Smoothie Bar: (845 Western Ave.) Cold-pressed juice is extracted from fresh produce to retain nutrients.
Nicky’s Thai Kitchen: (856 Western Ave.) Guests are free to bring their own alcohol to complement traditional Thai cuisine. They serve spring rolls and egg rolls, as well as soups with a choice of vegetables, chicken, tofu, pork, fish, shrimp or seafood. The pad Thai is a must-try, as are the crab rangoons.
McFadden’s Restaurant and Saloon: (211 North Shore Drive) McFadden’s has more than 30 high-definition televisions to catch a game and a back patio. Wings, burgers and several sandwiches are on the menu.
SoHo: (203 Federal St.) A full-service bar with liquor, wine and a selection of beers also serves quesadillas, a Hawaiian pizza, roasted cod with a sundried vinaigrette, sandwiches and burgers.
The Garden Café: (1022 Chestnut St.) Coffee shop with beans sourced through Pittsburgh’s La Prima Espresso. Drinks include flavored syrups. Pastries are locally sourced or baked in-house.
Related:
• Allentown guide
• Strip District guide
• Squirrel Hill guide
• Shadyside guide
• Lawrenceville guide
• Oakland guide
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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