TastyBurgher

Alexander’s Pasta Express
5104 Liberty Ave
Bloomfield, 15224
412-682-9824
M-Th: 11-10:30; F-Sat: 11-11; Sun: 11-10

Restaurants with a gimmick rarely appease, and Alexander’s is no exception.  Their gimmick is a choose-your-own-pasta with a choose-your-own-sauce with a choose-your-own-toppings menu, but the result is only ever the sum of your choices.  They also have an entrée menu with various pre-set dishes, but these mostly fail to delight.  However, there are a couple of menu items that rise above these generalizations.  If you simply must go to Alexander’s for some reason, here is what to get. (more…)

The Grand Concourse
100 W Station Square Dr
Station Square, 15219
412-261-1717
M-F 11:30-2:30 & 4:30-10; Sat 4:30-11; Sun: 10:30-2:30

The Grand Concourse is a truly unique establishment.  For me, the Sunday Brunch is the real draw to the Grand Concourse, and if you’ve gone to the Grand Concourse you most likely went for that.  It is actually owned by a national chain, but aside from serving mostly seafood at dinner it is nothing like the other crab shacks that are its sister businesses.  Just as a quick factoid, they are all owned by a guy who was lost at sea in 1993 and never returned – not even the boat was found.  Spooky.  Now his kids take care of his myriad restaurants across the nation.  All the restaurants are hot with celebs too.  Seriously!  Even in our humble establishment I once saw Michael Stipe from REM.  He was right there in front of me – getting trifle!  I swear I heard him go, “mmmm.”  So if you don’t believe me that the brunch is phenomenal, don’t take my word for it; take his! (more…)

Sushi Kim
1241 Penn Ave
Strip, 15222
412-281-9956
Tu-Th: 11:30-10; F-Sat: 11:30-11; Sun: 12-9

Sushi Kim is two things: Sushi and Kim (where ‘Kim’ = ‘Korean food’). The sushi had a time and a place in my life, but frankly it isn’t all that great. I hear tell from native Koreans that the Korean dishes aren’t so great either, compared to what they could be. However, Sushi Kim remains a presence in my restaurant sphere. Why? Because if you go up the mystery stairs you find yourself in the middle of a festival of Korean BBQ! (more…)

Thai Me Up
1925 E Carson St
South Side, 15203
412-488-8893
M-Th: 11-10; F-Sat: 11-10:30

Here’s the scenario.  You are hungry.  You feel like Thai food.  You don’t have very much money.  You like authenticity.  You are in the South Side.  You go west.  You look around you.  You are across the street from a small restaurant.  You read the sign.  The sign says ‘Thai Me Up’.  You groan at the sight of such a horrific pun.  You walk over to the building.  You are carrying a chocolate biscuit, a small golden ball, and a crumpled piece of paper.  You see a handle.  You grab the handle.  The door opens, and you are shocked to see a glittering treasure chest.  Do you open it?  (Y/N/LEAVE) (more…)