http://www.neighborsinthestrip.com/
Pittsburgh’s Strip District is a vibrant warren of streets filled with produce stands, fish and meat markets, cheese shops, ethnic grocery stores, kitchen supplies, restaurants and an eclectic collection of shops. It runs down Penn Avenue and Smallman Street and starts at 16th Street and goes to 24th Street, with most of the shops being centered on Penn from about 16th to 22nd St. Originally a wholesale area, it retains its rough and tumble feel and is especially chaotic on a Saturday morning. There are a ton of street vendors selling Steeler/Pirate/Penguin fan wear, South American and African clothes among other surprises.
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There is store that specializes in fresh biscotti, Penzey’s Spices, a chocolate shop, Greek food stores and then on 24th Street is the Pittsburgh Public Market with a number of vendors inside, including a wonderful olive oil & vinegar shop and a store selling handmade wood carved items, where I picked up a beautiful large cherry lazy susan.
Some of my favorite stops are:
- Pennsylvania Mac (Macaroni) for incredible selections of cheeses, olive oils, and bulk nuts and dried products (as well as pasta of course)
- Robert Wholey & Co is a fish market carrying a huge variety of fresh seafood, much of it live, as well as having a wide grocery selection.
- Mancini’s Bread for freshly baked Italian bread and bread sticks
- Lotus Foods is one of four Asian grocery stores and has aisles and aisles of Asian sauces, condiments and other products.
- In the Kitchen sells kitchenwares of all kinds at reasonable prices; every gadget imaginable!
- Parma Sausage, for the carnivore in you, is filled with delicious sausages and salamis
- Pittsburgh Popcorn Co for varieties of flavored popcorn for every taste.
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There are a ton of restaurants in the Strip as well. Primanti’s is famous for their huge sandwiches stuffed with tons of meat and french fries. My favorite is the kielbasi with the fries…in for a penny, in for (5) pounds, as they say! This is the original Primantis location and is open 24/7. Kaya is a Caribean restaurant on 20th & Smallman that is an excellent change of pace. I recently discovered La Prima Espresso bar on 21st Street between Penn and Liberty Avenue and felt like I was back in Italy. The espresso was wonderful and as I walked in, I could feel every regular sizing me up. For breakfast, you can try Primantis, DeLuca’s or Pamelas. All have good, hearty breakfasts…nothing fancy but very satisfying and filling.
The Strip is a thriving local market where you get a feel for Pittsburgh’s rich ethnic diversity. It is treasured by the locals but worth a morning stroll by visitors as well.