The Strip

For anyone who lives in the Pittsburgh area, a trip to The Strip District is a must. There is nothing better then an early Saturday morning trip to The Strip where you can start off with breakfast at the landmark DeLuca’s or Pamela’s Café or any one of the other area restaurants. Any place will do, any breakfast from simple pancakes to fancy ones from basic eggs to crepes or omelet’s. If not a full breakfast then just coffees or pastries at one of the coffee houses, like La Prima Espresso Coffee Company or Fortune’s Coffee Roastery.

Armed with a full stomach, a visitor can walk up and down Penn Avenue and shop at Wholey’s for a great price on fresh seafood of any variety. Or the Pennsylvania Macaroni Company for an array of chesses, pastas of all different kinds, imported olive oil and more at reasonable prices. Keep walking if you are looking for different products from the many ethnic groceries like Stamooli’s, Greek; Reyna’s, Mexican; Sunseri, Italian; Labad’s, Mideastern; Lotus Food, Asian, and MyNgoc, Vietnamese.

Stop in at The Enrico Biscotti House for freshly baked breads and an assortment of biscotti, and other pastries. If you’re searching for different types of spices, Penzey’s can’t be topped. If you are looking for specialty foods there is Parma Sausage, and Benkovitz seafood, where you can also stand in line for a famous fish sandwich.

Along The Strip are other specialty shops featuring artisans and crafts such as Art of Steel, The Textile Studio, Penn Avenue Pottery, Gene Sane’s Mahlia or Company Antiques. In The Kitchen has anything you would want or need for your Kitchen. Mon Aimee Chocolat has scrumptious, around the workldtreats. My favorite place is Roxanne’s Dried Flowers. It is a bit pricey but well worth a look.

No one leaves The Strip hungry, not with the sidewalk grills working overtime. There are tons of outdoor vendors, selling sunglasses, T-shirts, jewelry, pastries and fresh cut flowers. But, if you want indoor dining for lunch or dinner, there are numerous places to try…Primanti Brothers for their famous sandwiches stacked high with meat and fries and coleslaw; Roland’s Fresh Sea Food Grill; Sushi Kim, Mullaney’s Harp and Fiddle, or Klavon’s old fashioned ice cream parlor. For upscale dining try Eleven, Lidia’s Italian Restaurant, or Kaya’s for Caribbean fare. In the evening, The Strip has its bars and dance clubs.

There are just a sampling of places to visit at The Strip

The Strip is a great place to go – alone, with friends, family or for tourists. With warmer weather arriving – arrive early to get your parking spot and beat the crowds for breakfast. There is no doubt that The Strip is the place to be on a Saturday morning.