Hi, my wife and I will be spending Sunday night December 22nd at the William Penn in downtown Pittsburgh. We will have been driving all day, and would like to stay near the hotel to eat--and, would actually prefer to not have to dress up or spend too much $$$. In fact, a tavern/pub with a good burger would be ideal. Any thoughts?
Thanks.

try Dingbats' ...it`s reasonable and good and has a bar...it is a block away on Grant ST...where you will be..it`s at 1 Oxford Center...I`m pretty sure they are still open on Sunday nights...you coud walk it and it`s sonds like what you are looking for...have been there quite a few times....look it up on Pittsburgh.com------

says it`s closed on Sunday..you could try Philthy McNasty`s at Station Square...or Sports Rock Cafe on Smallman in the Strip District not to far away...might be too far in the cold to walk but not drive or cab it...up to $15 for food ...there is some more expensive places..$15-25---

meant not TOO far...about 5 city blocks.....

I owned a restaurant in Pittsburgh in the Strip District for 4 years. If you want a terrific burger, steak or ribs, take a cab from your hotel to bloomfield Avenue (very close to downtown) and eat at Tessarro's. You will not be sorry.

Terrarro's is an institution in Pittsburgh. A dimly lit bar frequented by well educated people who know a good value and comfortable place. It is truly one of the best places to eat in Pittsburgh and that's coming from a guy who indirectly competed against them for several years.

Hey, if you go, tell Kelly, the owner, a rather portly gentleman, that "Fat Frank" sent you. He may remember me. You'll love the place.

Another place that is very good is Pasta Piatta in Shadyside. Again, reasonable, good crowd, etc. But, from what you described, your desire for a great burger in a nice bar like setting, go to Tessarros.

Dress warm. This is a very cold city!

Tessaro's is a good place, and their hamburger was recently voted as one of the five best in the United States. Or, if that's too far away (it's about five miles from downtown Pittsburgh), just head up Penn Avenue and go to Primanti Bros. in the Strip District (no, it's not a red-light district, just a strip of flat land near the river). Primanti Bros. is a Pittsburgh icon; they have some very unique sandwiches there that you ought to try out. They're layered like this, from top to bottom:

SLICE OF BREAD
tomato
cole slaw
french fries
cheese
your choice of meat
SLICE OF BREAD

It's like a meal in sandwich form. And I know the combination there sounds bizarre, but don't knock it 'til you try it!

Here's the Primanti Bros. website, if you'd like to see:

http://www.primantibros.com

There's a pic of the sandwich on there too.

Just a different perspective - based on Pittsburgh's Best Of website, as well as bing impressed with Primantis own website,I made my family go to Primanti Brothers in The Strip. I have to say it was probably the most disgusting food experience any of us had ever had! I cannot believe how this place exists - honestly.

I ordered their tuna sandwich. Between 2 samll pieces of soggy white bread there was cole slaw, tomato and soggy cold fries, and...what smelled and tasted like cat food. The tuna was pink in color and very fishy smelling. Disgusting. I ate the cole slaw and a few fries. My husband asked the guy behind the counter about their speciality and he was told to get the steak and cheese. OMG - the meat looked like spam but darker. My husband called it mystery meat. It was a patty with like little perforated holes in it. Beyond disgusting. My son ordered an egg and cheese sandwich. The egg was like rubber and the cheese they used in all of them was a cold thin slice of something white that was flavorless and rubbery. We all felt sick that night. Honestly, do not go! Again, I find it hard to believe that locals really like that food. It makes me really think! I wanted to pass this on so fodorites don't have to subject themselves to this type of eating experience. I hope you believe me.

All of those who would go to Primanti's and get a tuna fish sandwich, please have someone raise your hand for because you.

I'm not sure whether you are staying at the Omni William Penn or the Westin William Penn in Pittsburgh. I think the hotels are fairly close enough (you can see one from the other although they are blocks apart) that my post will apply either way.

My husband and I stay at the Omni quite often when attending Pittsburgh football games (the University, not the Steelers). Be sure to ask for an upgraded room (if you have Omni Select Guest coupons, be sure to use them). The suites are really nice and large.

As for restaurants within walking distance, Morton's Steakhouse is my favorite (generally, I hate chain restaurants, but for Morton's I make an exception), and while pricey, the food and service are quite good. Asiago (in Oxford Center) and Tambellini's (near the Benedum Center) are good Italian restaurants. Seventh Street Grille (also near Benedum) is decent. Other places worth checking out (and within walking distance): 1902 Landmark Tavern (but you can't get a burger at night), Fish Market, Steelhead Grille, Ruth's Chris. Yes, you could go to Station Square (there's a T stop closeby) or the Strip District as mentioned previously, but it's so much easier to walk. The hotel also has a fairly decent English pub-type restaurant/cigar bar (good chili and burgers) called the Tap Room. There's also a Starbucks and Brueger's Bagels for breakfast in the am, as well as the beautiful (but expensive) hotel dining room.

If your wife is a shopper, Sak's, Kauffman's, Lord & Taylor, and Lazarus are all within sight of the hotel, and should be open extra hours due to the holiday.

There's a public parking garage directly next to the hotel (underground), that offers $3 per day parking on the weekends--but I'm not sure if that would apply to Sunday night into Monday morning. It's the same garage used by the hotel valets, but they charge $22 per day to park for you. I'm always amazed when I see people still using the valet--even after they are honest enough to tell them how to save $$.

I second the vote for Seventh Street Grille. It meets all of your criteria -- close by, reasonably priced, decent food, and an informal but pleasant atmosphere. They have a bar and a fairly extensive menu. (Some of the suggestions by others are several miles away in Shadyside or Bloomfield or are fancier or more expensive like Mortons and Ruth Chris.) Call before you go anywhere on Sunday night as some downtown restaurants are not open on Sunday nights. Also, you might want to make a reservation for dinner. Sometimes if there are shows at the Benedum, Heinz Hall, or Pittsburgh Public Theatre, or a game downtown, you'll need a reservation for the Seventh Street Grille.

Max and Erma`s--downtown,Stanwix St. or Hard Rock Cafe at Station Square...or you may want to stop on your way into PGH...which way are you entering it?.....lot of places not open Sunday or Sunday nights..some places like Mortons and Ruth`s Chris Steakhouse is $$$$..there are reasonable places but not walkable...they roll the sidewalks up early

the Omni WM. Penn has a bar and restaurant in house..it`s called the Tap Room....they serve micro-brew and sandwiches..are supposed to be known for their CHILI...don`t know the prices..but are open Sunday till 1 am.....also Starbucks and Bruegger Bagels onsite..they do have another rest. but I`m sure it`s expensive..the Strip District is only a few blocks..but would not walk to there at night//there is Rolands Iron Landing($15-25)--etc there...parking is #11(all day) for Mon -Friday~$3 for Sat and Sun--valet is $22....

"The tuna was pink in color and very fishy smelling. Disgusting."

Gee. Whoever would think that tuna would smell like fish, you know? *lol*

Wow! Thanks for all the great replies.
I have been to Pittsburgh twice before, and have eaten at Primanti Brothers no less than 4 times during those visits! But, this time we'll try something new--almost certainly from among these thoughtful replies. As a Chicagoan, I always feel at home, and really, really like, Pittsburgh.

Judy: I'm guessing you're a NY'er. I'm laughing and crying at the same time while I read your post.

I competed against Primanti's in the late 80's and early 90's and lost. My customer base consisted of former NY'ers but I could never gain the local business that was so loyal to Primanti's.

Primaiti's is extremely successful and that, I guess, is the bottom line. So, no matter what I say about their food, it will sound like sour grapes. My congratulations to them.

But, I will simply say this because the post is asking where to eat...I was in the restaurant business for 20 years before I moved to Pittsburgh to open my restaurant. I'd designed hundreds of kitchens for other restauranteurs and had lots of knowledgable friends in the business.

I flew several of them into Pittsburgh to check out my competitor - Primanti's before investing my money. To a person, every one of them said "Go for it! You're going to kill them" That's all I'll say about their food. Besides, you said it all anyway!

Pittsburgh is a very provincial town - they do not like change nor outsiders. They are very loyal to their long standing places, which is not necessarily a bad thing. But, I'd rather get a recommendation from a NY'er whose been to Pittsburgh and enjoyed a meal at a particular place.

I have heard the Strip District, where my place was, is no longer a safe place a night. Again, I strongly suggest Tessarro's for quality, atmosphere, and value.

Max and Ermas has a nice selection of burgers. Try the Garbage Burger. Much better than it sounds. Actually, it is rather tasty. It is about about five blocks from the Omni William Penn on Stanwix Street. The front desk will give directions. There is a giant hamburger outside above the entry. You can't miss it if you get close.
As for Primantis, Overrated, in my opinion. Sure, it taste Ok at three AM after a few too many. But it is a bit insulting to Pittsburgh to assume that this is our idea of a good sandwich. Unique? Yes. However, there are much better choices in Pittsburgh. If you do go, drench the sandwich with hot sauce. And make sure you have had a few beers. Oh yeah, If you go to Max and Ermas, order the half dozen chocolate chip cookies to take back to your room for a late night snack. Trust me, you will not be disappointed.

Chuck: Primanti Bros. was listed in Esquire magazine's "162 Greatest Things About America," so maybe it's not just Pittsburghers who like their sandwiches. As for your remarks about Pittsburgh being a "provincial town that doesn't welcome change or outsiders," I think maybe you spent too much time in Troy Hill or in the southeastern neighborhoods, because labeling the whole city as you did is inaccurate. "Provincial people who don't welcome change or outsiders" don't actively seek out Trader Joe's to build a store in their neighborhood, as over 300 people did in Friendship. (Over 300 people in that neighborhood signed a petition which they then sent to Trader Joe's, asking them to build a store in their neighborhood.) Nor do provincial people open art galleries as they have been in Lawrenceville, or make new, upscale neighborhood developments like Washington's Landing or Summerset at Frick Park (homes in either project are worth between $180K and $700K) sell out before their first units are even built. True; some neighborhoods are still stuck in isolation, but to suggest that the problem is citywide is not true.

Dbr - I really don't want to argue anymore with people from Pittsburgh - I did that for many years. And, believe it or not, I still retain many friendships in the town.

Could I ask you to clarify one thing about your post? Are you endorsing the food at Primanti's or simply defending the town?

I'll gladly apologize for straying from the topic of the original post (a good tavern to get a burger) but, can you give us your opinion on the food at Primanti's? That, frankly, is what we're all interested in. Thanks

Good luck finding a cheap restaurant open in downtown Pittsburgh on a Sunday. Most restaurants of that caliber cater to the weekday work crowd. Not sure if this one is open on Sunday or not, but Mahoney's (Irish pub) on Liberty Avenue would be a good choice and serves the fare you asked about. It is only about 3 blocks away from the William Penn Hotel. Your next best bet would probably be Station Square which would be easily accesible via the T (subway) and has a number of good restaurants. The Strip is also a good choice. Crime reports in the Strip have been blown out of proportion. Many people still go there day or night in complete safety. BTW, across from the street from the William Penn Hoteln is a beautiful Christmas Creche (replica of the original life-size one at the Vatican) if you are intersted in that sort of stuff.