Foraging for Food In Pittsburgh, Part 1

We all wondered how the Picky Eater would fare in the land of pierogi, Steelers, and pastrami; and the answer is, just fine, thank you very much! She spends most Saturdays taking public transit around Pittsburgh to her favorite exotic foodie haunts. On a recent so-called "Parents Weekend" visit, her dear old mom played chauffeur and ferried her east side, west side, and generally all around the town.

First stop was the Strip District, the city's food center, teeming with ethnic markets- Pennsylvania Macaroni Co., Lotus Grocery, Reyna Foods, and more. And, a newly minted "Public Market," fairly quiet on a Friday afternoon but demonstrating plenty of potential- heritage legumes, local dairy cheeses, and fresh olive oils at Olio Fresca (natch!) But, the Picky Eater's favorite stall is The Berry Patch, where she can't decide between the myriad of yummy flavors and has to try them all.

The Picky Eater is partial to weird Asian condiments at the Lotus. For some reason the sales clerk decided that we shouldn't take pictures of the vegetables, but here's the P.E. posing with the tofu.

Next it was ancho chiles at Reyna-

Doesn't she look happy? Who would have thought ....

After a few more stops to browse- the cheese counter at Penn Mac Co.,

the biscotti at Enrico's, and sniff the chocolates at Mon Aimee Chocolat, we were off to .... you'll never guess where!

An afterword: Somewhere on the strip there is a mythical (to me) restaurant named Primanti Brothers, where all sandwiches are topped with french fries, cole slaw & tomatoes, and onions by request. (See photo)                                         And, the Fresh Cut Fried Potato menu lists Primanti Fries, Cheese fries,  Chili Fries, Chili Cheese Fries, and Smallman Street Fries (chili, cheese, bacon & sour cream) 

Somehow I don't think that I will be dining there any time ever with the Picky Eater. Although I must confess that I did sneak away for a yummy corned beef sandwich at the Smallman Street Deli, and it was worth every inch of the 10 block trek!                       

Enrico Biscotti Company

2022 Penn Ave.

Pittsburgh, PA

Mon - Sat: 6 am - 4 pm; Sun 9 am - 2 pm

412-281-2602  http://www.enricobiscotti.com/biscotti2/

Lotus Foods                                                                                                                                              1649 Penn Ave.

Pittsburgh, PA

412-281-3050

Mon Aimee Chocolat

2101 Penn Avenue 

Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Mon-Fri 8:30 am–5 pm; Sat 7:30 am–5 pm; Sun 10 am–3:30 pm   

412-395-0022  www.monaimeechocolat.com/       

                                                                                              

Pennsylvania Macaroni Company

2010-2012 Penn Ave.

Pittsburgh, PA

Sundays 9:00 am- 2:30 pm

Monday thru Saturday 6:30 am - 4:30 pm   

412-471-8330  http://www.pennmac.com/   

                       

Pittsburgh Public Market

Produce Terminal Building

Smallman Street Entrance opposite 17th Street                                                                                   Fridays 10 am - 4 pm; Saturdays 9 am - 5 pm; Sundays 10 am - 4 pm  http://pittsburghpublicmarket.org/

Primanti Brothers

46 18th Street

Pittsburgh, PA 15222

(412) 263-2142   http://primantibros.com/home.html  24 Hours, 7 Days A Week!                                  

Reyna Foods

2023 Penn Ave.

Pittsburgh, PA

412-261-2606

Smallman Street Deli

2840 Smallman Street

Pittsburgh, PA 15222

412-434-5800  http://smallmanstreetdeli.com/

Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 a.m.  Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.