Even though downtown Pittsburgh is a bustling city in the day, by late evening it has really calmed down. Most of the nightlife happening in “Pittsburgh” occurs just outside of the downtown area, or what’s locally called the “Golden Triangle.” Areas like the Strip District – just to the east of downtown, or the Southside – across the river and to the south of downtown are hotbeds of nightly action. So, when the party stops and you’re hungry…where should you go for good food in the wee hours of the night?
That might depend more on where you need to get to than what type of food you’d like. There are only a few all-night restaurants in the greater-Pittsburgh vicinity and most offer the same types of meals. And since some are located more than a couple of miles away from downtown, then you might want to pick one because it’s “on the way.”
Here’s the rundown on 24-hour eateries to choose from:
Charlie’s Diner
7619 1/2 Penn Ave (Wilkinsburg)
Pittsburgh, PA
(412) 241-9506
(under $10)
One of the few actual diners in the Pittsburgh area, Charlie’s is a classic with its abundance of stainless steel both inside and out. As with all good diners, the grill is right out front and you can sit at the counter and watch the cooks as they meticulously handle many orders at one time. If you’d like a little less action, there are several booths lining the front wall. Charlie’s is best known for their breakfast. Eggs are cooked to order and large plates of the area’s best fresh home fries are included. If you’re not in the mood for breakfast, Charlie’s has a good selection of hot sandwiches or burgers to choose from. Fries and gravy are available to go along with your meal.
Denny’s
(under $10)
Founded in 1953, Denny’s began operations on the west coast of the United States and eventually migrated its way to states in the east. Since its arrival in Pittsburgh, Denny’s has become a favorite late-night stop for those in need of a quick bite at odd hours. Their food is consistent and prices are considered to be good for what you get. The menu is typical for a chain-based restaurant (sandwiches, burgers, breakfast dishes, etc.) but they do run specials that are well publicized and offer a lot more variety to the standard fare of other chain restaurants of the same type. There are several Denny’s located around the greater Pittsburgh area and all are open 24-hours.
Eat ‘n Park
(under $10)
This chain has successfully been doing business since 1949. Restaurants are cozy, with counter seats, booths, and some tables offering seating for larger groups. Standard fare such as big breakfasts, burgers, salads and much more can be found at all Eat ‘n Park restaurants. They are noted for their exceptional baked goods. Smiley Cookies, fresh-baked breads, honeybuns, grilled stickies, and very large pies are just some of the bakery items that can be found. Eat ‘n Park also features a rather large variety of tasty coffee-based drinks as part of their espresso bar. All Eat ‘n Park restaurants within a 10-mile radius of downtown Pittsburgh, except the one located at Chartiers Ave and Route 837 in McKees Rocks, are open 24-hours.
Kings Family Restaurant
*Note: These are the only two locations that have 24-hour service and these hours apply only on Fridays and Saturdays.
4900 Steubenville Pike (Robinson)
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
(412) 937-0300
-or-
907 Freeport Road (Fox Chapel)
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
(412) 781-1189
(under $10)
For more than 40 years, Kings has been serving a great selection of comfort food at a good value. Topping this list are their meatloaf, chopped sirloin, country fried steak, and oven roasted turkey platters. They also serve burgers, pasta dishes, fish entrees, homemade soups, salads, and much more. Breakfast dishes are available around the clock and many of the combos will fill you up for an entire day. Their desserts are quite good and there are plenty to choose from including sundaes, pies, and the Frownie™ brownie, which gets incorporated into lots of their desserts.
Primanti Brothers
46 18th St (Strip District)
Pittsburgh, PA
(412) 263-2142
(under $10)
Originally a sandwich shop for truckers and other loading dock workers of the Strip District, Primanti’s has transformed into a near-legend, mostly because of the unique style of sandwich that was created there and continues to be served today. In an effort to make it easier for truckers to have their lunch on a limited time schedule, Primanti’s began putting the sides – coleslaw and fries – right onto the sandwich. It was a hit and now all sandwiches they make come that way unless you specify otherwise (and you’ll get some glares if you do!). Primanti’s does serve other food, like chicken fingers, chili, soups, and salads.
Ritters
5221 Baum Blvd (East Liberty)
Pittsburgh, PA 15224
(412) 682-4852
(under $10)
Ritters is another diner that has stood the test of time in Pittsburgh, having been in operation for more than 30 years. Ritters serves traditional American dishes; burgers, fries, meatloaf, steak, etc. They are best known for serving great breakfast dishes that are a favorite of the college crowd after late-night partying ends.
Steak ‘n Shake
650 E Waterfront Dr (The Waterfront)
Munhall Borough, PA
(412) 461-6545
-or-
1951 Park Manor Blvd (Robinson Town Centre)
Pittsburgh, PA
(412) 788-8644
-or-
410 Clairton Boulevard (Route 51 near South Hills Village Mall)
Pittsburgh, PA
(412) 655-8414
(under $10)
Featuring their famous SteakBurger™ and hand-dipped, real-milk Milk Shakes, Steak ‘n Shake is worth the drive when you’re hungry in the wee hours. Restaurants are bright and clean and will make you think you’ve gone back in time to a burger joint from the ’50s. Besides great burgers, there are other sandwiches available, like the Turkey or Chicken Melts, great soups and chili, salads for the weight conscious, and plenty of choices for side dishes. Their fries are super-skinny, fresh cut daily, and can be served with melted cheese which makes them incredibly good. Steak ‘n Shake also serves Kids Meals and breakfast selections such as Eggs with the Works, The Number 2 (their SteakBurger™ patty with eggs and cheese on a bun), biscuits and gravy, strawberry french toast, and a whole lot more.
Tom’s Diner
2937 W Liberty Ave (Dormont)
Pittsburgh, PA
(412) 531-2350
-or-
1715 East Carson St (Southside)
Pittsburgh, PA
(412) 488-0900
(under $10)Some people say that the best diner’s are those operated by people of Greek decent, and if there is any truth to that statement, then Tom’s Diner proves it. No matter what time of day you come in, you’ll get fast and friendly service and the food will be better than you’d expect, all at a fair price. The menu has lots of traditional American-themed dishes – like reuben and fish sandwiches, subs, burgers, and pizza. There are also dinner platters of pork chops, spaghetti, liver and onions, and chicken parmesan to choose from. But the best dishes at Tom’s are those with a Greek theme. Of note are the Greek Breakfast Burritos, made with eggs, gyro meat, tomatoes, and feta plus a side of homemade tsatsiki sauce, and the gyro or souvlakia platters that offer enough food to provide leftovers. Tom’s also offers all of its food for take-out orders. Tom’s on West Liberty is the original location and his daughter later opened up the location in the Southside so the menus of each are not totally identical.
