The Strip Neighborhood of Pittsburgh a Place for Food and Fun

The Strip Neighborhood of Pittsburgh is an historic district situated along the banks of the Allegheny River. It is located between 11th and 33rd streets along the southern shore and the Strip's historic market district runs from 16th to 22nd streets. The neighborhood was established in 1814 as the Northern Liberties of Pittsburgh and because it was situated along the river, it became a growing industrial portion of the city, quickly filling up with foundries, iron mills, and glass factories. Many immigrants arrived to work in those factories and mills, mostly from Germany, Ireland, and Poland.

The Strip - a name given to the area by locals - also became a prime area for the wholesale food and produce industry. Grocers lined the streets and independent grocery store and restaurant owners visited daily to choose the best of the best when it came to meat, poultry, seafood, fruits, and vegetables. The 1950s and the advent of chain food stores caused The Strip District to change, but many of the vendors stayed and their descendants still remain today, peddling their foodstuffs to customers who are interested in buying the freshest and best.

From the early years of the 20th century, The Strip was also the location for some of the area's best diners. Many of them still remain, once serving the truck traffic that made their way through the wholesale area but now serving local residents and tourists.

Today, this area, just north of downtown, is still known for its great food and, in addition, its nightlife opportunities. Many of the old warehouses that once housed factories and other industrial businesses have been converted to loft-style residents and are quite popular with artists and others looking for spacious living accommodations at a good price. Some of the buildings even have their own marinas on the river.

For foodies and shoppers, The Strip neighborhood is still the place to be for good food and great shopping opportunities. Boutiques, trendy gourmet stores, coffee shops, and mom-and-pop places like the Pennsylvania Macaroni Company - which opened in 1902 - continue to serve the needs of the neighborhood and those who travel from other parts of the city to enjoy what's offered here in The Strip, which had been a poor shantytown during the days of the Great Depression. It was the wholesale food industry that invigorated the district after the Depression ended and the same food industry that keeps the area vibrant today. Guests can book culinary tours of the area to learn more about its past and present.

Restaurants are many, including quite a few ethnic choices, and when the sun goes down, the area is one of the most popular in the city. Young professionals flock to The Strip neighborhood to enjoy a huge selection of bars and nightclubs, many offering live music of a variety of genres.

Guests should also visit St. Patrick's Church, the oldest Roman Catholic Church in Pittsburgh, and the Senator John Heinz History Center, a Smithsonian-associated museum that touts 250 years of Pittsburgh History. The Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum is also a part of the Heinz History Center.