Check out what Pittsburgh's South Side has to offer
From old-fashioned saloons and greasy spoons to tattoo parlors, sports stadiums and a shop that sells only instruments you can pick, the South Side has edgy entertainment and enough history to call itself iconic.
The neighborhood was once populated by steelworkers coming off their shifts and looking for a place to have a cold one — and they had no trouble finding them.
These days, though, you’re more likely to bump into a college kid looking to party like a rock star.
Speaking of kids, Hollywood actor John Hodiak, who starred in movies like Alfred Hitchcock’s “Lifeboat” and “A Bell for Adano,” was born on the South Side and spent his early childhood years there. He is said to have once pointed to a theater marquee and proudly proclaimed, “My name’s going to be up there one day.”
Here is a sampling of places to check out on the South Side:
Five places to eat
The Pub Chip Shop: (1830 E. Carson St.) The place has been open for 10 years and has an old English-style feel, selling authentic fish and chips. The beer-battered haddock is a Scottish-style fried fish.
“I grew up eating this. My mom is Scottish,” said cook Erik Maksymowicz, 29, of Brentwood. “My grandmother made fried fish and it’s similar to this so that’s why I got the job.”
After The Pub Chip Shop closes at 8 p.m., a baker comes in and works until 7 a.m. baking house-made doughnuts. They’re delicious.
Fat Head’s Saloon: (1805 E. Carson St.) Though Fat Head’s has other locations in Ohio, this is the only one in Pittsburgh. Fat Head’s signature sandwiches are called “Headwiches” and include the “Fat Italian,” “Chicken Little” as well as a chipotle chicken sub. They also serve smoked chicken wings. The place also has a nice vibe. “This is like home,” said Fat Head’s kitchen manager Averill “Apple” Grimes.
O’Leary’s Restaurant: (1412 E. Carson St.) There may be no better breakfast place in the area than O’Leary’s on Carson. It features classic home-style cooking with amazing omelets — the western omelet with ham, cheese, onions, mushrooms and peppers is a must-try.
Nakama: (1611 E. Carson St.) If you’re up for sushi, there is Nakama, the South Side’s raw fish restaurant in residence. Nakama has been in business for 17 years and though it also has a restaurant in Wexford, a kiosk in PPG Paints Arena, and a food truck, it got its start on Carson Street. General manager Jessica Babish, 40, of Crafton said Nakama took advantage of the downtime during the pandemic to do renovations. “It’s like walking into a brand new restaurant,” she said.
Kassab’s: (1207 E. Carson St.) Kassab’s features many fine Middle Eastern dishes, including raw kibbee — raw sirloin beef prepared with cracked wheat and spices. It’s absolutely delicious, but is only served on Saturdays. They also make tasty gyros and baklava, among other dishes. “Everything is authentic and freshly made,” said server Licha Fayad. “That’s what separates us from Americanized Middle Eastern establishments.”
Five recommended retail places
Pittsburgh Guitars: (1305 E. Carson St.) Pittsburgh Guitars has been in business since 1979. The place has several hundred guitars, and the patrons have ranged from Ray Davies, Kurt Cobain and Peter Tork to newly retired guys who’ve just decided to take up the guitar. Pittsburgh Guitars is a dealer for Rickenbacker, Gretsch and Yamaha. Owner John Bechtold, 57, of Scott Township, said business has boomed since the start of the pandemic. “It started during the first week,” he said. “People said ‘Hey, I’m working from home. I’ve always wanted to play guitar, I guess I’ll get one.’ ”
Jester’s Court Tattoos (1410 E. Carson St.) The South Side wouldn’t be the South Side without tattoo parlors and it has several of them. We stopped into Jester’s Court tattoos. “For some reason, the South Side is a tattoo place, but I don’t know anything about the competition,” said Josh McQuade, 48, of Pittsburgh. Jester’s is open seven days a week. Patrons can call or text for an appointment at 412-488-8287.
Metropolitan Cleaners: (1208 E. Carson St.) Metropolitan Cleaners has been in business for 50 years and has a reputation for doing impeccable work and charging reasonable prices. “We don’t want to take advantage of people,” said owner Tom Hurney. “We want to be loyal to our customers.”
Your Ambition Manifests Success (Y.A.M.S.): (43 S. 14th St.) If you’re looking for a place to work out, there’s soon to be a new one opening this spring on 14th Street behind Starbucks. It’s called Y.A.M.S., which stands for “Your Ambition Manifests Success.” It provides personal and group training and bodybuilding, according to owner Raymont Edmonds, 36, of Hazelwood, a 2019 Mr. Olympia Tournament winner. “The success that’s going to come from it is the work that you put in, the dedication,” Edmonds said. “I look at it as more of a lifestyle.”
City Theatre: (1300 Bingham St.) City Theatre is one of the finest regional theaters in the country. One more show is scheduled for the 2021-22 season on the main stage, “The Garbologists,” opening on April 30. A co-world premiere with the Philadelphia Theatre Company, it’s directed by the exceptional Monteze Freeland. It’s described as “an unconventional buddy drama (that) follows first-time sanitation worker Marlowe and lifer Danny in the cab of a 19-ton garbage truck in New York City.” It runs through May 22.
Five landmarks
St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Church: (109 S. Seventh St.) The first Ukrainian Catholic church in the area, it was founded on the South Side in 1891. It became the center of life for many Ukrainian immigrants and it has also become a place where the best made-from-scratch pierogies can be found.
George K. Cupples Stadium: A beautiful multi-sport facility that’s likely made many a Pittsburgh Public School graduate say, “I wish we got to play in a place like this when we were in school.” Cupples Stadium has been home to City League championship football games, soccer matches and track and field meets.
Club Café: (56 S. 12th St.) The intimate venue has welcomed iconic performers like Marshall Crenshaw, Robyn Hitchcock and Justin Currie, who upon seeing that only eight people had signed up for his most recent show, famously made an online plea that ended up nearly filling the venue.
Jack’s: (1117 E. Carson St.) Looking for a beer at 7 a.m.? Jack’s has it. Who else shows up? “Lots of nurses and people just getting off work, lots of people who definitely did not go home the night before,” said a bartender named Marissa who did not wish to give out her last name. “It’s a very eclectic mix, not just one type of person.”
Related:
• North Side guide
• Strip District guide
• Lawrenceville guide
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