<p>For my first visit to Pittsburgh I would like to know where to find a good sandwich or other regional food. From a search of past posts it looks like Primanti's is the place. Should it be the original location? Or is there one close to campus?
Meanwhile I rented a PBS documentary from Netflix called "Sandwiches You Will Like" (serious research here!) and it featured Isaly's in Pittsburgh. But when we look up Isaly's we just find meat products and BBQ sauce. Is there an actual location where they serve a sandwich and the ice cream?
Is it OK to ask about Philly Cheesesteak in Pittsburgh?
The student has already been to CMU and on-campus dining would be fun. But we will arrive a bit before the official move-in day so don't know if any on-campus dining will be available.</p>
<p>For a sweet look at the city try "Chasing 3000" also available from Netflix. It's not about food, but baseball.</p>
<p>There is a Primanti Brothers fairly close to campus, closer to Pitt than CMU, but walkable from campus. It is on Forbes Ave. I have been to both the original and that one, but haven’t had the food at either (long story), so I can’t really comment on that. The original isn’t too far though (I mean, you do have to drive), so if you’re really into it, it might be worth it.</p>
<p>Oh man, Pamela’s is freaking amazing, and there’s one in Shadyside and Oakland. I had a Primanti’s sandwich once, two years ago, when I was a freshman. Never went back, my judgement was basically just that it was kind of uninteresting. You should definitely try it though, even if it turns out you hate it going to Pittsburgh and not having a Primanti’s sandwich is kind of like going to Chicago and not having a deep dish pizza.</p>
<p>I would say, above all, go to Crepes, on Craig street. For one, Craig is a major stomping ground anyway by virtue of a lot of CMU students living in that neighborhood, and two, Crepes is just fantastic.</p>
<p>If you are interested in food, go to the strip district (no, not that kind of strip) and you will find Primanti’s and Pamela’s as well as a smorgasbord of ethnic foods available for take out mostly (actually they are small ethnic grocers). Some of my favorites include Stamoli’s and Renya’s. Also, Labads has a small restaurant in the back, you would never know when you walked by the front of the place. They serve home made middle eastern food, grape leaves, hummous, taboli and such. Cheap and really good with a quirkey atmosphere you don’t get in most places. The owner is amazingly friendly and will take care of you. I am a native burgher who is unfortunately not living in Pgh at this time. I try to get to the strip every time I come in. Saturdays are my favorite day to go, more people and sometimes outside music. Good luck and have fun!</p>