Months ago, PID and I celebrated Light Up Night by dining at Braddock's American Brasserie.
Showing posts with label pierogies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pierogies. Show all posts
Monday, April 16, 2012
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
The Skinny on Fatheads
On Saturday, PID and I were -- plainly and simply said -- in the mood for a burger. And though we live down the street from a BK Lounge, we knew we were in the mood for a good burger. So after dropping off the TOP-dawg at his beloved groomers, we meandered down 18th street until we were staring a very round head square in the face.
It wasn't a split decision or a planned out affair. It was more of a calling. And we answered.
Fat Heads Saloon and Brewery on Carson Street in the South Side is famous for its specially crafted brews and bar grub. Their tap list is epic, it's one of the few remaining places in the 'burgh (aside from Smokin' Joes, The Sharp Edge and Roland's so far as I know) that you can find the deliciously sweet Lindeman's lambic beer and their home brewed beer will quench even the pickiest guzzler's thirst.
But we weren't here for the brews. We were here for the burgers.
After staring for what felt like hours, mouths agape, at a burger and sandwich menu that seemed to never end, we made a decision. And as the waitress approached to take our orders, we changed our minds for the 12th time.
PID chose the Beasty Burger adorned with an especially spicy beast of a jalapeno barbecue sauce and a thick pile of onions. Though one bite from me resulted in a quick grab for an ice cold pop...
...PID seemed rather pleased. Both the patty and special sauce were extra juicy. Could have used a few less onions and PID left a few on the plate, but other than that it was just right!
I suppose I have a wonderful girl named Kelsey to thank for my lunch as (after a lot of back and forthing between the Wanzco Chicken Sandwich, the plain old Mushroom & Swiss burger) I finally decided that if I'm presented with a burger with a pierogi on top of it, I must indulge.
Lord help me this burger was magnificent. Accompanied by a special horsey sour cream sauce, this thing looked clunky, but certainly went down smooth.
I have only eaten at Fatheads once before and was lucky enough to get the homemade chips with my order. I'll admit I was sad when I found out you can't substitute for fries with the burgers. But the horseradish sour cream proved not only a great patty spread, but also a perfect dipping sauce for the fries.
Restaurant info:
Fat Heads' Saloon
Address: 1805 E. Carson Street (South Side)
Phone: 412-431-7433
Hours: 11 a.m. - 1:30 a.m. (except Monday -- only open until midnight, so hurry in)
Reservations: Please. Just stop by. If you can't get a table just crowd around the bar.
Price: $$
Cliffs Notes:
Drinks: 2 diet pepsis @ $1.50
Meals: Kelsey Burger @ $8.95
Beasty Burger @ $7.55
Tax: @ 7% (Allegheny County only) $1.40
Tip: $4.00
Total: $25.30
Overall Opinion:
Our lunch date certainly hit the spot. It was just what we were hoping for and more. With so many other delicious looking options on the menu, we're confident this place screams of Pittsburgh culinary pride and have no hesitations recommending it with four very enthusiastic thumbs up. As we walked away filled to the brim, PID let out a belly busting belch that affirmed the satisfaction we'd just experienced. (OK, ok...so it was me. I confess). Any place that offers me pretty much any beer I can possibly ever want, "headwiches" the size of...well...use your imagination, wings with enough punch to power a small boat and burgers as good as we had here today gets my vote.
It wasn't a split decision or a planned out affair. It was more of a calling. And we answered.
Fat Heads Saloon and Brewery on Carson Street in the South Side is famous for its specially crafted brews and bar grub. Their tap list is epic, it's one of the few remaining places in the 'burgh (aside from Smokin' Joes, The Sharp Edge and Roland's so far as I know) that you can find the deliciously sweet Lindeman's lambic beer and their home brewed beer will quench even the pickiest guzzler's thirst.
But we weren't here for the brews. We were here for the burgers.
After staring for what felt like hours, mouths agape, at a burger and sandwich menu that seemed to never end, we made a decision. And as the waitress approached to take our orders, we changed our minds for the 12th time.
PID chose the Beasty Burger adorned with an especially spicy beast of a jalapeno barbecue sauce and a thick pile of onions. Though one bite from me resulted in a quick grab for an ice cold pop...
...PID seemed rather pleased. Both the patty and special sauce were extra juicy. Could have used a few less onions and PID left a few on the plate, but other than that it was just right!
I suppose I have a wonderful girl named Kelsey to thank for my lunch as (after a lot of back and forthing between the Wanzco Chicken Sandwich, the plain old Mushroom & Swiss burger) I finally decided that if I'm presented with a burger with a pierogi on top of it, I must indulge.
Lord help me this burger was magnificent. Accompanied by a special horsey sour cream sauce, this thing looked clunky, but certainly went down smooth.
I have only eaten at Fatheads once before and was lucky enough to get the homemade chips with my order. I'll admit I was sad when I found out you can't substitute for fries with the burgers. But the horseradish sour cream proved not only a great patty spread, but also a perfect dipping sauce for the fries.
Restaurant info:
Fat Heads' Saloon
Address: 1805 E. Carson Street (South Side)
Phone: 412-431-7433
Hours: 11 a.m. - 1:30 a.m. (except Monday -- only open until midnight, so hurry in)
Reservations: Please. Just stop by. If you can't get a table just crowd around the bar.
Price: $$
Cliffs Notes:
Drinks: 2 diet pepsis @ $1.50
Meals: Kelsey Burger @ $8.95
Beasty Burger @ $7.55
Tax: @ 7% (Allegheny County only) $1.40
Tip: $4.00
Total: $25.30
Overall Opinion:
Our lunch date certainly hit the spot. It was just what we were hoping for and more. With so many other delicious looking options on the menu, we're confident this place screams of Pittsburgh culinary pride and have no hesitations recommending it with four very enthusiastic thumbs up. As we walked away filled to the brim, PID let out a belly busting belch that affirmed the satisfaction we'd just experienced. (OK, ok...so it was me. I confess). Any place that offers me pretty much any beer I can possibly ever want, "headwiches" the size of...well...use your imagination, wings with enough punch to power a small boat and burgers as good as we had here today gets my vote.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Hot Dog! That's a good hot dog!
This afternoon, I was miraculously granted a break from the madness and decided to take full advantage by heading out for lunch. My only problem? I hadn't put much thought in to where I was going. I found myself meandering about the sweltering streets of downtown Pittsburgh when I stumbled upon a most... heavenly discovery.
No, I didn't stop in for a confession (though I cannot confirm or deny that one is long overdue). I stopped in for the bread (and meat) of the earth.
Tucked away on the ground floor of the First Presbyterian Church is a little blessing called Franktuary. I'd been lucky enough to notice a dear friend's Facebook post about his experience and I suddenly had beef...or at least wanted it.
I made the eerie turn from Wood Street to Oliver Avenue and immediately thought "ok, I'm lost." There's not much on Oliver Avenue. At all. In fact for a good part of my Pittsburgh life I didn't even know that Oliver Avenue even existed. But ladies and gentlemen I tell you now...make your way there immediately. As I tip toed past the delivery trucks and mass schedules, I saw the sign. And it opened up my eyes.
Gourmet hot dogs were something of an enigma to me. I'd never been much of a hot dog fanatic except for the occasional ball park frank. But something told me this experience was going to be an enlightening one.
A charming little basement joint, this place screamed "hipster" in an absolutely outstanding way.
Another charming aspect of this place was their veggie dog and "Locavore" (organic locally farmed grass-fed beef) options. They really make it so no one has any excuse to turn this place down!
With tantalizing menu options from classic ketchup and mustard to the complex and captivating Italy Dog with fresh mozzarella, fresh tomato, garlic, olive oil and basil, I had some serious trouble choosing. But I felt compelled to stay true to who I am (and what this blog is all about) by letting ya'll know my thoughts on a true Pittsburgh tradition: pierogies and coleslaw. 'Round here, we put these two things on everything. No seriously....everything. Being a Hershey native, though I was a bit nervous and not necessarily ecstatic about trying The Pittsburgh Dog featuring both. So I made sure to also toss in an order for the Mexican Dog (shredded cheese, guacamole and home-made mango salsa) to boot.
I ordered a Diet Coke and was told I had different options here and I could choose from the cooler behind me. My eyes lit up when I saw my choices. Cream Soda? Orange Soda? Root Beer? Grape Soda? I really was in heaven! When was the last time you had a hot dog and a grape soda for lunch? Can you say spandex and snap bracelets? So grape soda it was.
I tried the Pittsburgh Dog first. And I have only three words to describe it:
Oh. My. Dog.
It was a truly sacred experience.
I proved myself wrong. The Pittsburgh was one of the best things I've tasted in quite some time. Home-made colelsaw and deliciously smashed pierogies crunched and squished together with the meat absolutely perfectly. I wanted more and immediately wished I would have ordered two.
The move to Mexico was not a difficult adjustment to make in any way, either. Mangos + Avacados + perfectly cooked beef? A truly divine calculation.
While it seems its remote location is anything but a hindrance on its popularity (Frantuary was voted best lunch spot in the 'burgh for the past 3 years straight), I feel I must preach to the few and far between who have not done the dog and make known their fare superiority.
In the mood for something sweet? Try one of their freshly blended smoothies or Dave & Andy's ice cream flavors.
Restaurant Information:
Franktuary
Address: 325 Oliver Avenue, downtown
Phone: 412.288.0322
Reservations: Not taken or needed
Hours: Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Delivery: Yes, within the downtown area (but don't request a delivery after 2 p.m.)
Overall Opinion?
I often find it difficult to find a unique but quick spot for lunch downtown but by God I've finally stumbled upon greatness. GO TRY A FRANKTUARY FRANK. If it's the only thing you do while you're in town for a ballgame or a special trip the non down-town workers need to make, it's something I insist you do. Simple, yet delicious. Simply delicious. That's all I can say. You must try this place for yourself.
FRANKS BE TO GOD!
No, I didn't stop in for a confession (though I cannot confirm or deny that one is long overdue). I stopped in for the bread (and meat) of the earth.
Tucked away on the ground floor of the First Presbyterian Church is a little blessing called Franktuary. I'd been lucky enough to notice a dear friend's Facebook post about his experience and I suddenly had beef...or at least wanted it.
I made the eerie turn from Wood Street to Oliver Avenue and immediately thought "ok, I'm lost." There's not much on Oliver Avenue. At all. In fact for a good part of my Pittsburgh life I didn't even know that Oliver Avenue even existed. But ladies and gentlemen I tell you now...make your way there immediately. As I tip toed past the delivery trucks and mass schedules, I saw the sign. And it opened up my eyes.
Gourmet hot dogs were something of an enigma to me. I'd never been much of a hot dog fanatic except for the occasional ball park frank. But something told me this experience was going to be an enlightening one.
A charming little basement joint, this place screamed "hipster" in an absolutely outstanding way.
Another charming aspect of this place was their veggie dog and "Locavore" (organic locally farmed grass-fed beef) options. They really make it so no one has any excuse to turn this place down!
With tantalizing menu options from classic ketchup and mustard to the complex and captivating Italy Dog with fresh mozzarella, fresh tomato, garlic, olive oil and basil, I had some serious trouble choosing. But I felt compelled to stay true to who I am (and what this blog is all about) by letting ya'll know my thoughts on a true Pittsburgh tradition: pierogies and coleslaw. 'Round here, we put these two things on everything. No seriously....everything. Being a Hershey native, though I was a bit nervous and not necessarily ecstatic about trying The Pittsburgh Dog featuring both. So I made sure to also toss in an order for the Mexican Dog (shredded cheese, guacamole and home-made mango salsa) to boot.
I ordered a Diet Coke and was told I had different options here and I could choose from the cooler behind me. My eyes lit up when I saw my choices. Cream Soda? Orange Soda? Root Beer? Grape Soda? I really was in heaven! When was the last time you had a hot dog and a grape soda for lunch? Can you say spandex and snap bracelets? So grape soda it was.
I tried the Pittsburgh Dog first. And I have only three words to describe it:
Oh. My. Dog.
It was a truly sacred experience.
I proved myself wrong. The Pittsburgh was one of the best things I've tasted in quite some time. Home-made colelsaw and deliciously smashed pierogies crunched and squished together with the meat absolutely perfectly. I wanted more and immediately wished I would have ordered two.
The move to Mexico was not a difficult adjustment to make in any way, either. Mangos + Avacados + perfectly cooked beef? A truly divine calculation.
While it seems its remote location is anything but a hindrance on its popularity (Frantuary was voted best lunch spot in the 'burgh for the past 3 years straight), I feel I must preach to the few and far between who have not done the dog and make known their fare superiority.
In the mood for something sweet? Try one of their freshly blended smoothies or Dave & Andy's ice cream flavors.
Restaurant Information:
Franktuary
Address: 325 Oliver Avenue, downtown
Phone: 412.288.0322
Reservations: Not taken or needed
Hours: Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Delivery: Yes, within the downtown area (but don't request a delivery after 2 p.m.)
Cliffs notes:
Drinks: Boylan's Grape Soda @ $2
Tip: $1.35 (all the quarters, dimes and nickles I could find in my wallet)
TOTAL FOR ONE: $11.53
Overall Opinion?
I often find it difficult to find a unique but quick spot for lunch downtown but by God I've finally stumbled upon greatness. GO TRY A FRANKTUARY FRANK. If it's the only thing you do while you're in town for a ballgame or a special trip the non down-town workers need to make, it's something I insist you do. Simple, yet delicious. Simply delicious. That's all I can say. You must try this place for yourself.
FRANKS BE TO GOD!
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