Fries on everything. Pittsburgh food is known for its starchy staples. (Comedian Steve Hofstetter once joked about ordering a baked potato there and being asked “fries on top or on the side?”) But a local student organization has set out to prove there’s much more to the city's dining scene by highlighting as many local, immigrant-owned restaurants as it can.
Founded in 2018, the Eat@Pitt club makes monthly trips in search of the city’s best hidden gems. Club President Jackie Honkus said the group orders various meals at each eatery to get a full sense of what the menu has to offer. Blog posts are published highlighting the experience and profiling the owners too.
“There is a lot more than what meets the eye on the surface,” Honkus said of Pittsburgh food. “It is worth searching for these hidden gems. I always encourage people at career fairs — all we ask is to go visit these restaurants. These are people who deserve the visits.”
Her tip for getting the best experience your first time trying a new restaurant or international cuisine?
“Ask your waiter or the chef what their favorite dish is. A lot of times you will get a meal with passion,” she explained.
When owners are asked why they chose Pittsburgh to start a business — City Paper recently profiled a growing Bhutanese population’s influence on the food scene along Route 51, aka the Himalayan Highway — Honkus said the answers have been consistent.
“It was the right place at the right time,” she recalled. “They also say Pittsburgh is an affordable city when it comes to standards of living or being able to find niche communities within different parts of neighborhoods.”
Eat@Pitt Vice President Haley Wilkerson said for her the club has been an excellent way of finding new and exciting dining options: “Not only have I been able to try all different types of foods, but I’ve been able to connect with the owners of these local businesses… It’s made me have a deeper appreciation for the food, the culture, and local businesses.”
Wilkerson said each neighborhood in Pittsburgh has its own niche: “If you’re in the mood for Asian food, check out the Squirrel Hill area. If you’re looking for Polish food, go to the Strip District or North Side. If you’re craving Italian, look at Oakland, the Strip District, or Shadyside.”
She added: “Pittsburgh’s international food scene has an amazing combination of unexpected and diverse cultural experiences. If I could describe it in 5 words, I would say it’s flavorful, endless, surprising, vibrant, and comforting. My word of advice is to come, pick an area of the city to visit, and just explore.”
Here are their suggested starting points:
—Tanisha Thomas, newsletter writer / reporter | 
