This Saturday Lunch excursion can be summed up with one sentence: ‘It was a wonderful day in the neighborhood’ (Pittsburgh, that is). Saturday was a partly-sunny September day with moderate temperatures—the kind of day where it just feels great to be out-and-about, walking through Pittsburgh neighborhoods.
We’re on a barbecue kick since our summer travels down South and to Kansas. In the not so distance past, good barbecue in Pittsburgh was about as common as Pirate World Series championships. In the 80s, Hotlicks in Shadyside was about our only place for BBQ, and we were there very often for Monday night all-you-can-eat ribs. (We still miss it!) Fortunately, great barbecue is now easily available in the Burgh.
On that fine Saturday afternoon, we made our way to Spork Pit for lunch. The smell of wood smoke wafting down the sidewalk guided us to the restaurant almost like one of those cartoons where a smell guides the characters into the restaurant. We shared a platter of brisket and smoked turkey, both of which were . Both the brisket and the turkey were flavorful and moist. A hallmark of great BBQ is sauces that don’t overwhelm the meat, and Spork Pit hit a home run with the sauces. Our favorite? We’re split between the Texas Sweet and the Caroline Vinegar. We also had rice & beans and coleslaw for sides. The coconut milk used to soak the beans gave the rice and beans a creamy consistency, and the coleslaw had the right amount of tanginess.. We enjoyed sitting in the restaurant, savoring our lunch, and watching the Pitt-Penn State game with the other customers. The staff were friendly and a pleasure to talk with.
Great BBQ calls for a great dessert. Stops at Gluten Fee Goat Bakery and at Prantl’s (a slice of Burnt Almond Torte, of course) satisfied both of us.
We were having such a enjoyable time that we decided to continue our day out-and-about and went to Caliente Pizza for dinner. We enjoyed a Brooklyn Pizza – half cheese and half pepperoni – and an Italian hoagie. The pizza was close to a traditional NY pizza with a thin crust and great sauce. The hoagie hit the spot, with a toasted Cellone’s roll and the right amount of cured meats, cheese, and Italian dressing.
What a day! Pittsburgh in the 80s didn’t offer the variety or quality of dining we now enjoy. Great food, great neighborhoods, and friendly Pittsburghers make Saturdays out so much fun.