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Off-Campus Dining:

A-

(explain this grade)

Comparable Schools'
Off-Campus Dining Grades:

Quick Stats

Best Pizza

  • Sorrento's Pizza Roma
  • Vocelli Pizza

Best Breakfast

  • Pamela's

Best Chinese

  • Lulu's Noodle Shop

Best Healthy

  • Panera Bread

Best Place to Take Your Parents

  • Joe Mama's Italian Deluxe
  • Union Grill

College Prowler Take

Whatever you’re craving, you're bound to find a restaurant for it in Pittsburgh, often right near Pitt's campus. There is an impressive selection of restaurants located in Oakland that cater to college students with late-night, half-price menus and drink specials. Beyond the usual fast food fare, there are quite a few independent and unique places nestled around Forbes Avenue, in South Oakland, and on Craig Street—just a few blocks away from the Cathedral of Learning. Shadyside has a number of ethnic restaurants and coffee shops but is generally pricier than Oakland. Add to these the number of restaurants in Squirrel Hill, Downtown, the South Side, and other neighborhoods (all of which can be reached in a short bus ride), the number of choices for eating skyrockets. Many of the places close to Pitt realize their clientele is mostly college students and have menus and hours to suit. Long after the University dining halls close, a number of Oakland restaurants are open until about 2 a.m. And when in doubt, The Original Hot Dog Shop is almost always open, ready to dish out some late-night fries and pizza after the bars close.

It's a good idea to take weekends with friends to explore the neighborhoods around the area. Make sure to ask upperclassmen for the best places to check out. There are many hidden treasures with very good prices and excellent food. The Spice Island Tea House is a great example, hidden among townhouses and apartments just a few blocks off campus. It has some of the best Southeast Asian cuisine in the city. If there's one thing Pitt students can't complain about, it's the tremendous dining scene right at their doorstep.

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Students Speak Out

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Somewhere in between? Show the world what YOU think of YOUR school:

Anonymous says:

There are good restaurants. My...

There are good restaurants. My absolute favorite, Mad Mex, has half-off food everyday after 11 p.m., half-off margaritas everyday between 10–11 p.m., and happy hour and specials for lunch. Fuel & Fuddle is a nice restaurant/bar—they also have half-off food after 11 p.m., as does Joe Mama’s. These places are all in Oakland, just blocks from the dorms, and are crowded every night, because all college kids are poor. Half-off food is sweet!

Off-Campus Dining
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dar76 says:

University of Pittsburgh 2016

Social Sciences

Oakland has tons of good places to...

Oakland has tons of good places to eat, and most are pretty cheap. Everything caters to college students, so you can get chili dogs at 4 a.m., which is good.

Off-Campus Dining: February 13, 2009
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Anonymous says:

There is Joe Mama’s for Italian,...

There is Joe Mama’s for Italian, India Garden for Indian, and Mad Mex for Mexican. Not to mention the famous Primanti Brothers or Fuel & Fuddle for the American appetite. The best thing is that most of these have reduced menus after 11 p.m.

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Anonymous says:

If you hop a bus, you can go to...

If you hop a bus, you can go to one of the best Thai restaurants in the country on Walnut Street in Shadyside. If you head to Squirrel Hill, you can hit Aladdin’s for great Middle Eastern Cuisine on Forbes Avenue, or Napoli for some of the best pizza in the city on Murray Avenue. And that’s without venturing far off campus!

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Anonymous says:

There are a zillion great places...

There are a zillion great places to eat off campus in a ten-minute bus ride. Try Fuel & Fuddle or Uncle Sam’s right near campus. Joe Mama’s has good Italian, and Qdoba has great Mexican.Try Lulu's Noodles for pan-Asian food.

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Facts

Student Favorites

  • Fuel & Fuddle
  • Hemingway's Café
  • India Garden
  • Joe Mama's Italian Deluxe
  • Union Grill

Other Places to Check Out

  • Chipotle
  • Jimmy John's
  • Mi Ranchito
  • Nakama
  • Veracruz
  • Aladdin's Eatery
  • Five Guys Famous Burgers & Fries
  • Gullifty's
  • McDonald's
  • Peter's Pub
  • Qdoba Mexican Grill
  • Spice Island Tea House
  • Subway
  • Sushi Boat
  • Wendy's

24-Hour Dining

  • Eat 'n Park
  • Ritter's Diner

Grocery Stores

Giant Eagle Market District
5550 Centre Ave.
(412) 681–1500
www.gianteagle.com

Trader Joe's
6343 Penn Ave.
(412) 363–5748
www.traderjoes.com

Whole Foods Market
5880 Centre Ave.
(412) 441–7960
www.wholefoodsmarket.com

Restaurant Listing

Buffalo Blues
American
216 S. Highland Ave., Shadyside
(412) 362-5837
www.b2restaurants.com/buffaloblues
Price: $8-$15
TVs everywhere, great for watching sports.
Hours: MondayThursday 11 a.m.–12 a.m., Friday–Saturday–Sunday 11 a.m.–1 a.m.

Casbah
Mediterranean and North African
229 S. Highland Ave., Shadyside
(412) 661-5656
www.bigburrito.com/casbah
Price: $20-$25
Unique, ever-evolving menu.
Hours: Monday–Thursday 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., 5 p.m.–10 p.m., Friday 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., 5 p.m.–11 p.m., Saturday 5 p.m.–11 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.–2 p.m., 5 p.m.–9 p.m.

China Palace
Chinese
5440 Walnut St., Shadyside
(412) 687-RICE
chinapalacepittsburgh.com
Price: $8-$15
Discounted lunch specials.
Hours: Monday–Thursday 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m., Friday–Saturday 11:30 a.m.–11 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m.–9 p.m.

Dave & Andy's Homemade Ice Cream
Ice cream
207 Atwood St., Oakland
(412) 681-9906
Price: $4-$6
Incredible variety of ice cream, including birthday cake with real cake, and bubble gum. Waffle cones are also home-made and made by waffle iron.
Hours: Monday–Friday 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m., Saturday–Sunday 12 p.m.–10 p.m.

Eat'n Park
Diner fare
1816 Murray Ave., Squirrel Hill
(412) 422-7203
www.eatnpark.com
Price: $5-$15
Smiley face cookies, open late, and serves a good breakfast buffet.
Hours: Daily 24 hours

Fuel & Fuddle
American
212 Oakland Ave., Oakland
(412) 682-3473
www.fuelandfuddle.com
Price: $8-$15
Features a half-price menu after 11 p.m., as well as one of the largest import beer selections in Oakland.
Hours: Daily 11 a.m.–2 a.m.

Hard Rock Café
American
230 W. Station Square Dr., Station Square
(412) 481-7625
www.hardrock.com
Price: $8-$15
Bands come often, some tickets sold in advance through Ticketmaster.
Hours: Sunday–Thursday 11 a.m.–11 p.m., Friday–Saturday 11 a.m.–12 a.m.

Hemingway's Café
American
3911 Forbes Ave., Oakland
(412) 621-4100
Price: $8-$15
Features a half-price menu every day after 9 p.m., as well as daily all-day $1 beer specials for the over-21 crowd.
Hours: Monday–Saturday 11 a.m.–2 a.m., Sunday 6 p.m.–2 a.m.

India Garden
Indian
328 Atwood St., Oakland
(412) 682-3000
www.indiagarden.net
Price: $8-$15
Half-price menu from 4 p.m.–6 p.m., and 10 p.m.–1 a.m.
Hours: Daily 11 a.m.–12 a.m.

Joe Mama's Italian Deluxe
Italian
3716 Forbes Ave., Oakland
(412) 621-7282
Price: $8-$15
Half-price pasta menu after 11 p.m.
Hours: Daily 11 a.m.–2 a.m.

Lucca
Northern Italian, fine dining
317 S. Craig St., Oakland
(412) 682-3310
Price: $10-$25
Outdoor dining.
Hours: Monday–Friday 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m., 5 p.m.–close, Saturday 5 p.m.–close

LuLu's Noodle Shop
Asian
400 S. Craig St., Oakland
(412) 681-3333
Price: $10-$15
Bubble drinks, as well as large and small menu items.
Hours: Daily 11 a.m.–9:20 p.m.

Mad Mex
Mexican
370 Atwood St., Oakland
(412) 681-5656
www.madmex.com
Price: $10-$15
Happy Hour special 20 oz. margaritas for $6 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Half-priced menu after 11 p.m., and student half-priced menu Monday through Thursday 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Hours: Daily 11 a.m.–1 a.m.

Max & Erma's
American
5533 Walnut St., Shadyside
(412) 681-5775
www.maxandermas.com
Price: $8-$15
Sundae bar.
Hours: Sunday–Thursday 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m., Saturday–Sunday 11:30 a.m.–11 p.m.

Pamela's
American, breakfast
5813 Forbes Ave., Squirrel Hill
(412) 422-9457
Price: $5-$10
Award-winning greasy breakfasts.
Hours: Monday–Saturday 8 a.m.–4 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m.–3 p.m.

Pamela's
American, breakfast
3703 Forbes Ave., Oakland
(412) 683-4066
Price: $5-$10
Award-winning greasy breakfasts.
Hours: Daily 7:30 a.m.–4 a.m.

The Melting Pot
Fondue, wine
350 W. Station Square Dr.
(412) 261–3477
www.meltingpot.com
Price: $5-$15
Fondue restaurant with food cooked table side
Hours: Monday–Thursday 4 p.m.–10 p.m., Friday 4 p.m.–11 p.m., Saturday 12 p.m.–11 p.m., Friday12 p.m.–10 p.m.

Panera Bread
Sandwiches, salads, soups
3800 Forbes Ave., Oakland
(412) 683-3727
www.panerabread.com
Price: $5-$10
Constant supply of bread and pastry samples perfect for starving college kids low on cash.
Hours: Monday–Friday 6 a.m.–9 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m.–9 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m.–8 p.m.

Ritter's Diner
Diner fare
5221 Baum Blvd., Shadyside
(412) 682-4852
Price: $5-$10
Very clean for a local diner.
Hours: Daily 24 hours

Primanti Brothers
American, fast food
3803 Forbes Ave., Oakland
(412) 621-4444
www.primantibros.com
Price: $5-$10
Half–price cheesesteak sandwiches Sunday through Wednesday with a drink purchase
Hours: Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–2 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m.–12 a.m.

Pamela's
American, breakfast
5527 Walnut St., Shadyside
(412) 683-1003
Price: $5-$10
Award-winning greasy breakfasts.
Hours: Monday–Saturday 8 a.m.–4 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m.–3 p.m.

Quaker Steak & Lube
Wings
3600 Forbes Ave., Oakland
(412) 246-4465
www.quakersteakandlube.com
Price: $8-$15
Hours: Sunday–Thursday 11 a.m.–10 p.m., Friday–Saturday 11 a.m.–11 p.m.

Red Oak Cafe
Breakfast, hot plates, sandwiches, salads
3610 Forbes Ave., Oakland
(412) 621-2221
www.redoakusa.com
Price: $5–$8
Hours: Monday–Friday 7 a.m.–9 p.m.

Sorrento's Pizza Roma
Hoagies, pizza, salads
233 Atwood St., Oakland
(412) 621-9129
Price: $4–$8

Qdoba
Mexican
3712 Forbes Ave.
(412) 802-7866
www.qdoba.com
Price: $5-$10
Hours: Sunday–Wednesday10:30 a.m.–11 p.m., Thursday–Saturday 10:30 a.m.–12 a.m.
Full bar upstairs with happy hour drink specials

Thai Place Café
Thai
5528 Walnut St., Shadyside
(412) 687–8586
www.thaiplacepgh.com
Price: $8-$15
Lunch specials. Award-winning Thai restaurant in Pittsburgh.
Hours: Monday–Friday 11 a.m.–10 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.–10 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.–9:30 p.m.

Village Pizza
Pizza, Italian
810 Ivy St., Shadyside
(412) 682-6878
Price: $5-$10
Six packs sold until 2 a.m.
Hours: Sunday–Tuesday 11 a.m.–12 a.m., Wednesday–Saturday 11 a.m.–2 a.m.

The Original Hot Dog Shop (The O)
American, fast food
3901 Forbes Ave., Oakland
(412) 621-7388
Price: $2-$8
Pitt staple offering nationally recognized hot dogs, known for its massive cheese fries, greasy pizza, and dirt-cheap prices.
Hours: Sunday–Thursday 10 a.m.–4 a.m., Friday–Saturday 10 a.m.–5 a.m.

Sushi Too
Japanese
5432 Walnut St., Shadyside
(412) 687-8744
www.sushitoo.net
Price: $8-$15
Hours: Monday–Saturday 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m., 5 p.m.–10 p.m., Sunday 4 p.m.–9 p.m.

Union Grill
American
413 S. Craig St., Oakland
(412) 681-8620
Price: $8-$15
Outdoor dining, good happy hour specials.
Hours: Monday–Saturday 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m., Sunday 11:30 a.m.–9 p.m.

Pittsburgh Deli Company
Sandwiches, soups, salads
728 Copeland St., Shadyside
(412) 682-3354
www.pghdeli.com
Price: $5-$10
Hosts live music from local bands.
Hours: Monday–Wednesday 11 a.m.–8 p.m., Thursday–Saturday 11 a.m.–2 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m.–6 p.m.

Vocelli Pizza
Pizza
3608 Fifth Ave., Oakland
(412) 687-4666
www.vocellipizza.com
Price: $8-$15
Hours: Sunday–Thursday 11 a.m.–2 a.m., Friday–Saturday 11 a.m.–3 a.m.

Uncle Sam's Gourmet Subs
Sandwiches
210 Oakland Ave.
(412) 621-1885
Price: $5-$10
Award-winning subs.
Hours: Monday–Saturday 11 a.m.–8:30 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.–6 p.m.

Did You Know?

Local favorite Primanti Brothers’ restaurant puts a twist on the average sandwich by placing both the french fries and coleslaw between the bun, a touch that has become known as unique to Pittsburgh-style sandwiches.

Hemingway’s and Fuel & Fuddle, which are both heavily Pitt-centered, tend to host music, poetry readings, or group gatherings.

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