Rossilynne Culgan
Updated 10:40 a.m. Sept. 6
Two Texas-style barbecue restaurants are now open, one in Bloomfield and one in Lawrenceville. Also new this month: Two contemporary American spots, a new lunch place, a brewery, and, at long last, Insomnia Cookies.
Here’s the full report on what’s new in the city’s food and beverage scene right now (and what you might have missed in August). For all the latest Pittsburgh restaurant news delivered directly to your inbox, add your email address here, and click follow this.
Hello
Spork Pit, Garfield
For almost a year, Christian Frangiadis served up central Texas-style barbecue from a custom-built smoker next to his restaurant Spork. Now, he’s opened a brick-and-mortar barbecue spot called Spork Pit just around the corner. It’s open Tuesday through Sunday until the meat runs out.
A beauteous brisket.
COURTESY OF SPORK PITTWalter’s BBQ, Lawrenceville
Replacing what used to be an autobody shop, Walter’s BBQ soft-opened on Aug. 31 and specializes in dry-rub-style Texas barbecue, cornbread, and buttermilk biscuits, per NEXTpittsburgh. Vegetarian and vegan options will be offered, too. An official opening is expected in early September.
Fish Nor Fowl, Garfield
Fish Nor Fowl, a new restaurant from Richard DeShantz (the guy behind Butcher & The Rye, Meat & Potatoes, and Tako) has opened in the former Salt of the Earth spot. It’s already serving up what appear to be tasty and Instagrammable dishes.
Siempre Algo, North Side
Siempre Algo, which means “always something” is now open on East Ohio Street in the North Side with a seasonal contemporary American menu. Currently on the dinner menu: Halibut, Eichner’s farm chicken, hanger steak, and summer vegetables.
An example of what you can find at Chop Chop.
COURTESY OF OXFORD MARKETChop Shop Salad Shop, Downtown
Insomnia Cookies, South Side
It’s finally here. After a year of waiting, Insomnia Cookies opened its South Side location, and it’s serving up all the cookies you can eat into the wee hours of the morning.
Acacia, South Side
After a brief closure this summer that left the internet freaking out, the South Side speakeasy is open again with the most casual announcement.
Level 7, Strip District
Located atop the new AC Hotel, bar and restaurant Level 7 features skyline views and a $7 happy hour drink special, per Good Food Pittsburgh.
Stateside Vodka Showroom, Lawrenceville
Stateside is open for sampling on Friday and Saturday nights, and soon the showroom will grow into a bar and event space, NEXTpittsburgh reports. Find it on Butler Street in what used to be the Teddy Bear Hospital.
Enix Brewing, Homestead
After opening two breweries in Madrid, the folks behind Enix Brewing Co. shifted their attention to Homestead. Expect “savory food, a convivial atmosphere, and groovy music” — plus a bowling alley and plenty of beer, of course.
Pittsburgh Juice Company, Downtown
The Lawrenceville juice spot opened a second location whipping up traditional juices like the Witch’s Brew and the Mother of Dragons. Look for Pittsburgh Juice Company’s Downtown location in One Oxford Centre on the second level near the elevators to the Rivers Club, Fitt Pittsburgh reports.
My Goodness, Regent Square
Specializing in locally and sustainably produced food, My Goodness is a grab-and-go shop from Square Cafe’s owner and a local physical therapist. It’s part market, part prepared food shop, where you can find a grab-n-go breakfast sandwich, a warm grain bowl or a smoothie, the Post-Gazette reports.
See you soon
Duncan Street Sandwich Shop, Millvale
This new sandwich shop from the folks the monthly dinner series Duncan St. Dinners will open Sept. 4. On the menu, look for a smoked chicken sandwich, a rosemary/brown sugar/black pepper turkey option, a vegan creation with mushrooms and onions, and much more.
See you soon-ish
Bonfire Food & Drink, a new concept from Chef Chris Bonfili (of Avenue B and B Gourmet) featuring a wood-fired oven to open on the South Side this fall.
North Shore Seven, a restaurant near Heinz Field from Ben Roethlisberger, which will open in April, boasting made-from-scratch entrees and “Hollywood-style booth seating,” which is maybe just a little excessive.
A third Milk Shake Factory location is opening, this one in East Liberty.
A second iteration of the sandwich shop Porked will open in the former Union Pig & Chicken location in East Liberty.
Sugar and Smoke Southern Kitchen/Bar is opening in what used to be Jabo’s Smoque House and, before that, Del’s Bar & Ristorante DelPizzo.
Choppin’ Block, a casual lunchtime BBQ concept in the Strip District.
A second location for Condado Tacos in the former Tender space in Lawrenceville.
A macaron bar — aptly called Macaron Bar — in East Liberty.
Rogan Brewing Co., a taproom with pints and growlers, coming to West Homestead.
A Rascal Flatts restaurant in Station Square. If you like that kind of thing.
Fig & Ash, a “farm-to-flame restaurant,” coming to Deutschtown in the fall.
Leo. a public house, for beer, wine and sandwiches, opening in the North Side in the next few months, from the team behind Lola Bistro.
Two Sisters Vietnamese Kitchen in East Liberty, a low-key BYOB spot with pho, rice bowls and Vietnamese-style vermicelli dishes. Look for it in late summer.
Sugar Spell Scoops, i.e. vegan ice cream, in Sharpsburg.
A Penn Brewery taproom is coming to Downtown — at some point.
East End Brewing pub conversion in Larimer, with charcuterie and other delicacies from Morcilla’s Justin Severino.
A Cinderlands brewpub in the former Spaghetti Warehouse building in the Strip District, where construction is underway.
A new TBA concept from the Big Burrito group in the Waterworks plaza.
A Mexican-Italian fusion in the Strip District in partnership with Edgar Alvarez of Edgar’s Best Tacos.
Bridges and Bourbon, a concept with small plates from chef David Racicot, in the former Seviche space Downtown.
Farewell
Cruze, Strip District
Cruze Bar, a “gay-owned, gay-operated, gay-proud” establishment, is closing this month after seven years, citing development in the neighborhood. Cruze will go out with fanfare on Sept. 15 at the Last Dance Closing Party.
Commoner Corner, Downtown
The grab-and-go coffee and lunch spot next to The Commoner has closed, per a spokesperson for the restaurant. Business at The Commoner continues as usual.
Correction: Spork Pit’s neighborhood has been corrected.
Photo of Spork Pit's Turkey Dish. Photo Courtesy of Sport Pitt,