We are coming to Pittsburgh this weekend for the Steelers-Browns Game. We are staying at the Ramada Plaza Suites in downtown Pittsburgh so we will be walking to the game. We want to get to the game early to do some tailgating - problem is we won't have a vehicle. . Are there any areas set up in the parking lot where you can buy something to eat and a get a beer or is it basically just private tailgate parties? I know that you can go into the stadium early and eat and drink there - but we thought it would be fun to hang out in the tailgating area before the game.

Any info would be appreciated!

GO STEELERS!

Across the parking lot from Heinz Field, towards PNC Park, there are some great resturants and bars you could hang out at. Also you'll find vendors selling grilled food and cold sandwiches through-out the parking lot..but they do not sell beer. I suggest you bring a disposable styrofoam cooler with you, after the beer is gone you can just pitch it and not worry about lugging it around.
The tailgate parties for the Steelers are legendary and lots of fun, especially when the Brownies are in town!! I'm jealous, you're going to have a great time!
LUV YA BLACK AND GOLD!!

Thanks for the quick response - I like the disposable cooler idea! We are very excited for the game - my girlfriend and I are attending - leaving the husbands at home - they aren't as "diehard" as we are. My friend has never been to a Steelers and game and while I have been to several I have never been to a Steelers- Browns game! Can't wait.

Julie,
You guys are going to have a blast, wished I was going too! The atmosphere for a Browns game is like none other, everyone will be SO pumped up. Where did you get tix by the way?

=D>
HERE WE GO, STEELERS.....HERE WE GO!

I typed that REALLLLLL slow so even Browns fans can read it.

LOL@KAL!

Julie:

Just remember that not all Pittsburgers are like Steelers fans and I hope they have some manners (I've heard too many horror stories and was embarrassed by this). Dining wise, if you are talking about Ramada around the USS Steel Building you can easily walk and dine (its on your way to the Stadium) at Max and Ermas on Stanwix Street near Gateway Center (off to the side a little - go past the Hilton Hotel and then make a left). They have good greasy bar food like nachos and guacamole and its really tasty and reasonably priced.

Steph,
That statement is not exclusive to Steeler fans. Ask Oaklanders! Or just about any sports town.

I bet even well-mannered Browns fans would be invited to share some BBQ'd keilbassa with chili over noodles at a tailgate party...if you could find one sober enuff to BE well-mannered!

I do happen to think Western Pa people are probably the friendliest people in the world, tho. GREAT QB's too!

Best QB in the league happens to come from California(Somebody say Tom Brady).And, he plays for the best team in the league. Eat your heart out Steeler and Browns fans;-)

Kal:

I avoid Pittsburgh like the plague because I spend all my time commuting to it Mon-Fri and also I don't follow football but I'm forced to way too much because of its popularity.

Doc-Tom may be the 2nd best QB to wear the #12!
Growing up on the SF penninsula he was subject to the influence of "Joe Cool" and it shows.

If he keeps on winning he just may someday be mentioned in the same breath as Unitas, Marino, Kelly, Montana, Namath, et al. =D>=D>=D>

Now watch the Browns and Jets win.

Steph-The 'Burgh is a drinking town with a football problem. Still one of the prettiest cities in the US since they cleaned it up.

Kal:

I'm in Pittsburgh every friggin day to work I know what its like, don't need a report.

to IrishDame:

In reference to "Where did we get the tickets?" A couple of years ago an engineer where I work, and HUGE Steelers fan, told me that if you sent a letter to the Steelers ticket office stating that you wanted to be on their season ticket waiting list - you would be eligible to get tickets to a couple of games a year until "your number came up" - I did this about six years ago (and my number STILL hasn't come up) and I get tickets to two games a year - NOT always my first choices (you have to list the games in order of preference) but I have always receive tickets! This year; however, was the first time I got the Steelers-Browns game. Rumor has it that it may be YEARS before I get offered season tickets (by then maybe I will be able to afford them ) but in the interim I get to see a couple of games a year! GO STEELERS!

just my opinion : I'd see if I could hop a cab over to the PNC area(early) and go to Hi Tops or Castelanos'...and eat and drink there...they usually have a beer special at Castellanos...and food is good..don't know about carrying a cooler around..they taligating is really spread out this year..it is your choice...there is also Atria there too...but I think they are $$.....again my opinion...there is also Finnegans Wake in the parking garage building behind Castellanos...have a good time...and GO STEELERS!!!....

Stephanie : Do you recall the name of the cheesesteak place in Pittsburgh I saw profiled in National Geographic magazine this year? Also, there's a great hot-pretzel place not far. It's been a looooonnnnggg time. Too long.

doc_ : I've been a Steelers fan since learning the ways of Lambert and Ham in my Pop Warner days; and have a best friend who is in contention to be NE's number one fan. However, how could you overlook Manning vs. Brady? The real problem is that Rooney won't write the big checks to maintain the roster season to season. On the plus side, we have stable coaching history compared to the rest of the league.

Kal : Oakland fans deserve their reputation. I've never seen so many D-cell batteries thrown from the stands at any other game! It's Halloween every Sunday in Oakland. A blue collar environment breeds reprobate hirsute simians.

Overall, I support both SF and OAK because I recognize the multi-layered impacts to the local economy here.

Primanti Brothers - cheese steak with like 50 grams of fat.

Thank you. Only 50, eh? That leaves room for the fries, then.

Cheers!

And "Joe Cool" happened to grow up in a suburb outside of Pittsburgh, if I'm not mistaken, in Monongahela. Namath is a local grown boy, too

doc-
Check that. I meant Miami. C

stephanie-
Check that. I meant MOST Western Pa people are the friendliest in the world.

3sec-
Once again. Not exclusive to Oakland fans. Ask Dave Parker when he played RF for the Bucs. But I've heard some Raider fans have tried to throw CAR batteries. :-"

Kal:

It is frustrating when I type threads and then people comment on them without reading them. If you did you'd notice that I lived in the area already but of course reading comprehensive is difficult for some people.