If there’s one thing about me, it’s that I look forward to my morning routine as I get ready for bed the night before. There’s truly nothing like an iced coffee to get me out of bed. However, when I know my morning will also contain a Pittsburgh breakfast moment of some sort, you know I’ll be up extra early. Whether you prefer a sandwich with a sunny-side-up or fried egg, American or cheddar cheese, sausage or bacon, this list is for every palette and preference.

Breakfast Restaurants to Try Around Pittsburgh

Curbside on the Run

1101 Powers Run Road, Blawnox

Starting the list off strong with one of the most talked about spots, and probably the most photographed. After all, the cross section of every sandwich, breakfast burrito, or pastry here is a work of art. Not to mention their daily selection of freshly prepared salads, spreads, meals, and more. Clearly, I could talk about them all day, especially considering their staff is some of the kindest and hard-working people I’ve met. If I had to suggest just one sandwich to order, it would be the Comeback Kid: eggs, cheese, hashbrowns, comeback sauce, and your choice of sausage or bacon. For this one, I suggest opting for the bacon.

350 Bakery

2427 S 18th Street, South Side

Nestled at the top of 18th Street in the South Side, 350 Bakery remains one of my favorite breakfast sandwich spots of all time. Although my expertise is in bagel breakfast sandwiches, their f luffy yet sturdy biscuit creations steal the show. I truly need to keep myself in check some weeks, so I don’t go every day they’re open. My go-to is the classic biscuit with egg, cheese, sausage, and pepper jelly. For bacon lovers, there’s also an option with bacon and onion jam. And while you’re there, you might as well snag one of their rotating flavors of handpies.

O’Leary’s Restaurant

1412 E Carson Street, South Side

This classic spot in the heart of East Carson Street serves up genuinely good eats with zero frills: cash only, friendly service, and a menu that never changes. All of this makes it a perfect contender for this article. My go-to order: Sausage, egg, and cheese on an English muffin with a side of well-done hash browns. That’s it, that’s the order. A headsup: they close at 1pm and are closed on Mondays, so be sure to plan accordingly.

DiAnoia’s Eatery

2549 Penn Avenue, Strip District

DiAnoia’s is widely regarded as a desirable dinner spot, but I argue that their breakfast and lunch counter service is highly underrated. Catch one of my favorite breakfast sandwiches Tuesday through Saturday: their own Pane é Pronto Kaiser Roll with Egg, American Cheese. Add some prosciutto. You can also choose your egg style, but I highly recommend a fried egg. And if you’re feeling extra in “treat yourself” mode, order a side of the roasted potatoes with Calabrian mayo or the zeppole… or text your group chat and order both to share.

Wise County Biscuits & Cafe

911 Galveston Avenue, North Side

This is another spot I’ve loved to watch evolve over the years. I’ll never forget visiting Wise County Biscuits at the Bloomfield Farmer’s Market in 2018, right after I moved here. Talk about a core memory. Now they have an incredible space on the North Side where people flock for their unforgettable biscuits and biscuit sandwiches. I always opt for the Sallie’s Snack, which is their house-made pimento cheese, chow chow (a vinegar-based, crunchy, chopped slaw of sorts), and egg, and I add a house-made pork sausage patty, because why not?

Thyme Machine

4613 Liberty Avenue, Bloomfield

I’ve spent so many summer weekend mornings waiting in line for these beauties, and even a few rainy weekday mornings when there’s no line. Thyme Machine is temporarily closed due to a fire, but they more than deserve to be on this list, especially in anticipation of their reopening. They bake bread and doughnuts and do prep work inside, and they grill and assemble every sandwich on their cart outside. You either need to get there early, wait in line, or both, because when they sell out, they sell out. There’s a sandwich here for everyone, but I’ll note they’re probably best-known for The Morty: Fried pistachio mortadella, cherry pepper mayo, marinated peppers, fried egg, provolone, and a poppy seed bun.

Lola’s Eatery

3337 Penn Ave, Lawrenceville

One of my favorite parts of living in Pittsburgh for as long as I have is being able to see businesses evolve. I remember the first time I had a Lola’s Eatery bagel at one of their early pop-ups in East Liberty, and look at them now! They have a cute, cozy, and bright space in Lawrenceville serving up Filipino classics alongside more mainstream combinations.

I haven’t had a chance to try one of their McSteamy creations (their take on a fast-food staple), but the Taylor Gang is what does it for me. As a proud New Jerseyan, Taylor Ham is a way of life; a quick explanation for those not familiar with it would be that it occupies the middle ground between Canadian bacon and regular ham. It’s salty, crispy when cooked right, and ideal between two fried eggs, two slices of American cheese, and Lola’s tangy sauce, which is exactly what you can expect when ordering the Taylor Gang.

Apple Harvest

1122 3rd Street, North Versailles

This spot is a recent discovery, recommended by a friend, for both the breakfast sandwich and the doughnuts. It’s a bit off the main road, but very worth a visit no matter how far you are. All of their bread is baked inhouse, and their English muffin may be one of the best ever. That was my vessel of choice for my sausage, egg, and cheese, but you can also get a sandwich on one of their glazed doughnuts, which sounds like a combination that may be on someone’s food bucket list.

Kevin’s Deli

4415 Fifth Avenue, Oakland

I only wish I had discovered Kevin’s while I was a student at Pitt. Not only is the food delicious and always crafted with love, but Kevin himself is behind the counter every day, coming up with new creations. Whether you’re craving a giant chicken salad (topped with fries, of course), a cheesesteak, or a classic breakfast sandwich, you can find it all at Kevin’s. My go-to is a bacon, egg, and cheese on a roll with salt, pepper, and ketchup. Because sometimes, simple is best. And it’s and all you need to power through a workday or cure a hangover.

Story by Jess Iacullo (@hungryjessbigcity)
Photography by Dave Bryce

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