Food news came in at a brisk pace last month. Let’s see who’s opening, closing or switching it up as we move into the heart of winter.
👋 Welcome!
🍺 Aslin Beer Co., the Virginia-based brewer, is now open in the Terminal. This is the brewery’s fourth location nationally. The 10-barrel brewhouse sits alongside a coffee shop and 12,000 square foot dining area with a full food menu. (Strip District)
🍗 Great news for Pens fans — Back to the Foodture has parked their Delorean in Uptown across from PPG Paints arena, bringing a full bar and wide variety of gonzo pub grub to Fifth Avenue (Editor’s note: this was the Black-owned business we alluded to above!). The eatery brings life to the street and reasons to visit outside of hockey season, boasting video-game murals and a colorful collection of vintage toy displays as well as bar games. (Uptown)
🍺 Strange Roots is serving pizza and beer in downtown New Ken. The brewery’s experimental ales are served alongside Common Oven pizza and paninis across the street from Voodoo Brewing’s taproom on 5th Avenue. (New Kensington)
🌮 Tacosburgh is here with a self-explanatory name. Add them to the ever-growing list of south-of-the-border options! Now open in the former Cain’s Saloon spot, the cantina features not only tacos but burgers, tortas and wings. Tacosburgh, operated by the proprietors of Patrón Mexican Grill, also just got their liquor license, meaning margaritas are a go with whatever you order. (Dormont)
😃 See you soonish
🍔 Bridge City Brinery, the pickles ’n’ burgers food truck, is doubling their fleet, with a second restaurant on wheels, Bridge City Smashery, due to park at Eleventh Hour Brewing on Mar. 2. The truck focuses on smash burgers and other dishes featuring the savory-sweet snap of pickled veggies. (Central Lawrenceville)
🐟 Fet-Fisk is making waves as they prepare to take over the Lombardozzi’s space. The Nordic-inspired restaurant has been popping up locally for the past few years and plans to keep much of the old-school Italian spot intact as they move in. The restaurant is crowdfunding for their move-in, and chef Nik Forsberg recently snagged recognition as a James Beard semifinalist. Also, Local to Know Greg Austin is now on Fet-Fisk’s team as they gear up for their brick-and-mortar! (Bloomfield)
🍸 The Finch could be serving craft-distilled spirits with a skyline view by the end of 2023. Run by the owners of Big Spring Spirits in Bellefonte, the distillery is building out a space not far from the Highline, Station Square and Three Rivers Heritage Trail. (South Shore)
🥖 Mediterra is opening soon in the former B52 space. Though an opening date has yet to be announced, the bakery-slash-eatery is hiring and is already renovating its Butler Street storefront. The Larryville spot will join two existing locations in Mt. Lebanon and Sewickley. Other expansions could be in the works in the future. (Upper Lawrenceville)
😲 Ch-ch-changes
🍕 DiAnoia’s and its affiliated eateries are offering Valentine’s Day and Super Bowl specials. Pizzeria Davide will have heart-shaped pizzas (see above) and also celebrate National Pizza Day on Feb. 9 with $10 pies. Check out the websites of DiAnoia’s, Pizzeria Davide and Pane è Pronto for more. (Strip District)
🍺 Inner Groove Brewing is celebrating Valentine’s Day with a cupcake-and-beer pairing. Lovebirds hoping for Oakmont Bakery sweets and Inner Groove suds can pre-order for Feb. 11 and 12. (Verona)
🦪 The 153-year-old Original Oyster House is temporarily closed to give employees a break after nearly three years of COVID-induced changes. It will reopen on Feb. 15 in time for Lent. The restaurant has also moved its employees to a four-day workweek. (Downtown)
😭 Goodbye
🍺 Insurrection Ale Works has closed their Strip location. The small taproom kept limited hours and followed East End Brewing’s closure in the neighborhood several years prior. (Strip District)
🌵 Mad Mex Oakland has closed, citing “ongoing staffing and operational challenges.” The original location of the Mexican fusion restaurant is survived by numerous franchises in Pittsburgh and beyond. (Oakland)
🧅 Onion Maiden is packing it in (maybe) — the beloved vegan spot says they were “here for a good time, not a long time,” and apparently will shutter at the end of March. The owners say they’re fried after years of brisk business but plan to continue hosting pop-ups and events after the closure. (Allentown)
🇵🇷 Secretos de mis Abuelos was forced to close after their Uptown building’s façade began to collapse and was slated by its new owners for demolition. The restaurant is packing it in for now but has already teased a new location. (Uptown)
—
See something we missed? Respond to this email and we can update this post. We’ll have more food news coming your way in March!