So this month's post is review is one I've been wanting to share for a very long time! There's something special about Uncle Sam's Gourmet Subs. We had one on campus at Pitt and it was a once weekly -- if not far more frequently -- affair all four years of my college career without fail. It was one of those places that when friends, parents, future students or really anyone came to visit, you just had to take them to try the best sub they surely will have ever eaten.
It wasn't until a few years ago that I even knew there were THREE other Uncle Sam's out there! I've officially eaten at three of the four locations (on numerous occasions...) and it's finally time to share my thoughts.
This week, PID and I finished an eight week diet plan. (Update on that: I lost about 9 pounds and PID lost 14. Way to go, us!) To celebrate, we made the trip to Robinson to review (and revel in) the deliciousness that is Uncle Sam's Classic Sandwich Bar.
The Robinson location is by far my favorite of the three and I'll tell you why: they serve beer. While I'll say everything I've ever eaten at Uncle Sam's easily stands on it's own as a delicious meal, it often goes down so smooth with an ice cold brew. There's just something about a good sub and a good swig that's worth writing home about. So good, it's not for the weak of heart. Like the sign says: Ice Cold Beer, No Cry Babies.
The other thing I like about this location is the old school-diner feel. Everything from the bar-stools to the nostalgic photograph collections on the wall, to the handwritten chalkboard specials make the experience about more than just eating.
But the eating here is nothing to scoff at, either! We ordered our usuals: for PID the Ultra Philly Cheesesteak
and for me, the Chicken Cheesesteak
For starters, everything is made fresh, right in front of your face. The meat was cooked beyond perfectly. And, lucky us, the rolls were the freshest we've ever tasted at Uncle Sam's -- like they'd just come from the oven. Though I personally request my sandwich to consist of nothing but chicken, cheese and hot sauce, I still have big expectations of the taste of this sub, and it was delivered!
The final thing I can't get enough of at Uncle Sam's is the fries. There's something about a skinny fry, crisped to perfection, that make my mouth water. Sometimes I'll mix up some ketchup and hot sauce to dip them in, but they are perfectly fine all by themselves.
Restaurant Info:
Uncle Sam's
Oakland
210 Oakland Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213-4064
(412) 621-1885
10:30am - 8:30pm Mon - Fri
11:00am - 8:00pm Sat
11:00am -6:00pm Sun
Waterworks Mall
936 Freeport Road
Blawnox, PA 15238-6172
(412) 781-3460
10:30am - 9:00pm Sun - Thurs
10:30am - 10:00pm Fri- Sat
Squirrel Hill
5808 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15217-1602
(412) 521-7827
11:00am - 8:30pm Mon - Sat
11:00am - 6:00pm Sun
Robinson
225 Summit Park Dr
Pittsburgh, PA 15275
(412) 788-4782
10:30am - 9:00pm Mon - Thurs
10:30am - 9:30pm Fri - Sat
10:30am - 8:00pm Sun
Reservations: Don't take 'em and typically don't need 'em, but expect to wait a bit for a table if you go during a weekend lunch rush!
Price: $
Note: Waterworks, Squirrel Hill and Oakland locations are CASH ONLY. Squirrel Hill and Oakland do not serve beer.
Cliffs Notes:
Ultra Philly Cheesesteak @ $7.35
Chicken Cheesesteak @ $6.95 (you can chicken-ize any sub option for $0.65 extra)
2 diet cokes @ $1.35
Tax (7 % in Allegheny County) @ $1.19
Tip @ $2.00
Total for two: $20.19
Overall Opinion:
I've been thinking it for years and now I've put it in print: best. subs. in. Pittsburgh. With a staff that you can't help but want to make friends with and a product that you can't help but want to order seconds of, this place certainly has it all. If you haven't tried Uncle Sam's yet, please, PLEASE do. If you have, go relive the magic as soon as possible.
