WQED’s Rick Sebak shares a list of just a few of his favorite places to eat around Western Pennsylvania (Okay, well, maybe a little outside Western PA too, but there’s nothing wrong with trying something new!) He loves new surprises as well as tried-and-true stalwarts, and values the immigrant influences that enrich American foodways so beautifully and deliciously. Warning: Prepare to be hungry after reading this list!
Where Rick Sebak Eats in Western Pennsylvania (and Beyond)
Independent Brewing Company
1704 Shady Avenue, Squirrel Hill
I eat dinner at this neighborhood bar and restaurant almost every Wednesday night (after spinning vinyl records there in the bar for a couple of hours) and it’s consistently superb. Chef Dante Rau creates great bar foods like wings (get the Huli Huli sauce) and smash burgers, but unusual choices like Cucumber Salad and Street Noodles make meals here exciting and often spicy. All the classic and crazy cocktails from head bartender Madison Delia are worth a separate story. Get the Pittsburgh Handshake as a nightcap.
Pocha by Kye-Won
270 West Water Street, Saxonburg
I met Kye-Won last year when she won Pittsburgh City Paper awards for her Korean foods and her glorious chicken wings. I’ve since found out that both honors were well deserved! Her restaurant, Pocha, shares a comfy space with Grist House Beer in one corner of the Sprankles Neighborhood Market in Saxonburg, and I’ll gladly drive there for her BiBimBop, her Bulgogi, or her family-made Mandu. However, her “Left-Handed Crab Cakes” may be among the best I’ve ever had. And there’s lots more on the menu (Dakdoritang!?) for me to try!
Assorted Chocolate Shops
Various locations
Across the Easter season last year, I learned that Western Pennsylvania is blessed with an outstanding number of local chocolate shops, making candies that have a smooth, rich taste that puts them in a different league from ordinary candy bars and national brands. I wholeheartedly recommend the chocolate-covered potato chips at Dorothy’s Candies in White Oak, the Himalayan Salt Caramel Truffles at Clark Candies in Tarentum, the Pecan Treats (aka Turtles) at Anderson’s in Baden, and the scrumptious Dubai Chocolate Bar at Pink House Chocolates in Finleyville. This list could go on for miles.
Serbian Chicken Blast
80 Serbian Way, Weirton
This is a summertime treat of astounding deliciousness created with whole chickens roasted over open fires every Wednesday by a battalion of mostly men who clean, season (with just salt and pepper), skewer, and cook some of the best poultry I’ve ever encountered. The scene on Wednesday evenings when folks come to feast at the Serbian Picnic Grounds in Weirton, WV is world class and reassuring. The hardest thing is getting on the list! Look for my WQED video on YouTube.
HK Dim Sum
42500 Centre Avenue, Oakland
The HK stands for Hong Kong, and they say the dishes are carefully cooked with “authentic Cantonese soul.” I don’t have a lot of dim sum experience but this relatively new, beautiful Chinese restaurant in North Oakland has delighted me with delicious dumplings, lovely lunches, and even a tasty bowl of congee with sliced fish one afternoon. Great spices. Superb flavors and presentation. Fine friendly service. I’m quickly becoming a regular.
Badamo’s Pizza
North Side and Dormont
Anthony Badamo and his staff have been making great pizza since 2010 when they opened in Mount Lebanon, where I learned to love his bright little red peppers on top of his excellent slices. They’ve since moved that shop to Potomac Avenue in Dormont and opened another location on Federal Street on the North Side. You can get superb whole pies, either traditional round or rectangular Sicilian, but they also offer a beautiful array of slices with lots of toppings to choose from at both locations. And I can’t stop at either shop without getting a half dozen garlic knots for snacking in the car and on lots of other occasions. And if they have any of Anthony’s unpredictable focaccia sandwiches (mortadella? porchetta? Calabrian chiles? chimichurri?), grab a couple for lunch the next day.
Tillie’s
308 36th Street, McKeesport
The last time I visited this fabled Italian restaurant in McKeesport, I had their exclusive Parmioli entree: chicken parm baked with a cheese ravioli on top. Sublime. This is just one of those lovely places that can be instantly comfortable and totally delicious, almost like being at the home of a friendly family. Owner Angelo Teti — his mother Matilda was Tillie —has been helping to keep the kitchen and the service in top form since it opened in 1962. Homemade pastas. Great sauce. And next time I want to try the special Pork Palena because the bacon-and-artichoke-butter sauce sounds so good.
Weatherbury Farm
1061 Sugar Run Road, Avella
This family-owned-and-run farm near Avella in Washington County produces a variety of organic grains, grass-fed beef, beans, and eggs, but several years ago I first learned to love putting their rolled oats in my oatmeal-raisin cookies. Then one of the Tudor family — mom Marcy, dad Dale, or son Nigel — told me to consider einkorn flakes, and I’ve never looked back. Their ancient grains (spelt, emmer, and einkorn) add texture and flavors to all my baking now. They also make a startling variety of flours from rye to buckwheat to Appalachian bread flour. And you can order their products online then drive out there once a month to pick them up and chat with the Tudors. Weatherbury corn also led to Wigle Whiskey creating its very tasty Pennsylvania Wapsie Bourbon. All good.
Chick ’n Bubbly
117 Oakland Avenue, Oakland
This small Korean cafe is a favorite of mine after work. Easy parking nearby. Friendly staff. I love the crispy, spicy soy garlic wings, the pork gyoza, and also the soft and scrumptious Japanese fried octopus called takoyaki. One time a fellow patron told me, “Oh, get the taro milk tea with the tapioca bubbles here!” And I’ve added that “bubbly” to my order ever since. There are a few outdoor tables, or you can take the food next door to their brother business called Oishii Bento. I usually get it to go, sample some in my car, and reheat what’s left in my air fryer at home. Happy.
Rick also shared some of his favorite restaurants in Pittsburgh with us in our 2023 How to Pittsburgh issue.
Story by Rick Sebak
Food Styling by Keith Recker
Food Photography by Dave Bryce
Portrait by Jeff Swensen
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