The NewBurgher List: A New Pittsburgher Best Picks List (Uniontown: hoa, work)

[beeswax]

Since there's so much good information in the Pittsburgh forum threads but because its all over the place, tucked away in nooks and crannies, I'm opening this one with the intent to gather all of the best finds gathered by new Pittsburghers, for those of us just getting our bearings in the city. Whether found on our own or passed along by thoughtful longtime Pittsburghers and visitors alike, I hope this thread condenses the best of what's out there.

I'm going to start with some things that (soon to be former) West Coasters might be familiar with and happy to find in PGH and in what neighborhood they can be found. Please add to it with quick reference in mind!


Specialty groceries:

Trader Joe's
Pittsburgh's East Side in East Liberty
6343 Penn Avenue, www.traderjoes.com

Whole Foods
Pittsburgh's East Side in East Liberty
5880 Centre Avenue, www.wholefoods.com


Home decor

Z Gallerie
Pittsburgh's South Side in Southside Works
510 S. 27th Street, www.southsideworks.com


Restaurants

Chipotle Mexican Grill
East Side by the University of Pittsburgh
3615 Forbes Avenue, www.chipotle.com

[beeswax]

Clothing

Banana Republic
East Side on Walnut Street in Shadyside
5534 Walnut Street, BananaRepublic.com: Modern Apparel, Handbags, Shoes, and Accessories

H&M
South Side at Southside Works
535 S. 27th Street, H&M

American Eagle Outfitters
South Side at Southside Works
2655 E. Carson Street, American Eagle Outfitters

REI
South Side at Southside Works
412 S. 27th Street, REI Labor Day Sale & Clearance: Outdoor Gear & Clothing for Camping, Hiking, Cycling & More


Beauty

Sephora
East Side in Shadyside
5526 Walnut Street, Fragrance, Cosmetics & the Finest Facial Skin Care Product Selection at Sephora.com

L'Occitane en Provence
East Side in Shadyside
5521 Walnut Street, usa.loccitane.com


Shoes

Nine West
South Side at Southside Works
2655 Sidney Street, Nine West Official Site: Women's Shoes & Accessories

Steve Madden
South Side at Southside Works
441 Cinema Drive, Steve Madden: Womens Shoes, Mens Shoes


For the Kitchen

Sur La Table
South Side at Southside Works
2681 Sidney Street, Sur La Table

[prototypepariah]

chipotle is a chain owned my mcd's. it's good but qdoba is better if for no other reason than selection and personally I think it's a better quality it's across street from chipotle. - mad mex is basically a local play down the street from forbes that is also pretty good I think it's atwood at bates.

this city needs a wegman's just imagine whole foods trader joes the giant in shadyside + the giant in the waterfront rolled into one. I'm so pissed I moved here as they are building one next to my old home...best supermarket ever!

[lostinpgh]

Originally Posted by prototypepariah

chipotle is a chain owned my mcd's. it's good but qdoba is better if for no other reason than selection and personally I think it's a better quality it's across street from chipotle. - mad mex is basically a local play down the street from forbes that is also pretty good I think it's atwood at bates.

Mad Mex isn't really Mexican food. But they're trying.

[PApisces]

Originally Posted by lostinpgh

Mad Mex isn't really Mexican food. But they're trying.

Mad Mex is Cali-Mex. And It's DELICIOUS. The North Hills location on Mcknight road is better than the Oakland location. Great food AND great service.

[barneyg]

Originally Posted by prototypepariah

chipotle is a chain owned my mcd's. it's good but qdoba is better if for no other reason than selection and personally I think it's a better quality it's across street from chipotle. - mad mex is basically a local play down the street from forbes that is also pretty good I think it's atwood at bates.

this city needs a wegman's just imagine whole foods trader joes the giant in shadyside + the giant in the waterfront rolled into one. I'm so pissed I moved here as they are building one next to my old home...best supermarket ever!

I agree with both of your observations; Qdoba (Denver-based chain I believe) is better than Chipotle, and this city needs a Wegman's.

[Katiana]

OK, I'll probably get trashed for this but, according to my niece and nephew who moved to Pittsburgh from Denver, there is no decent Mexican food in Pittsburgh. Authentic Mexican food out here is not found in the fast-food outlets like Chipotle and Qdoba, which, yes, is Denver based. It is my own experience that the Mexican food in Pittsburgh is milder (less spicy) than in Denver. And then when you get to New Mexico, it really heats up!

It is interesting to me that in this thread, the best of Pittsburgh, most of the stores listed are chains that could be found anywhere.

[Shenandoah]

Originally Posted by pittnurse70

It is my own experience that the Mexican food in Pittsburgh is milder (less spicy) than in Denver. And then when you get to New Mexico, it really heats up!

There's a good, authentic Mexican restaurant in Zelienople, located by the airport - can't recall the name, but it's on 288 by the 522/288 split.

Originally Posted by pittnurse70

It is interesting to me that in this thread, the best of Pittsburgh, most of the stores listed are chains that could be found anywhere.

I noticed that too. Can we keep to non-chain places, please? And there's plenty there.

blessings, Shen

[Shenandoah]

Clothing store (since turned into a local chain, but started in the Uniontown PA area): Gabriel's (my vote is for the original store, long since closed, where the clothes were all dumped into large wooden bins, and your purchases were wrapped in brown paper and tied with twine).

Restaurant: Pechins in Dunbar (same for the groceries, clothing, shoes, and misc shopping experience) - moved to rte 119 Connellsville area. 5c cup of coffee, 15c hamburger, 35c hoagie, $2.39 Prime Rib Dinner, $1.89 Salisbury Steak Dinner. You'll set at the same dinner table between a farmer from the mountains and a millionaire from Pittsburgh. Can't miss experience.

Butcher Shoppe/Meat Market: Herb Brittner's Radiator Shop and Meat Market in Zelienople

blessings, Shen

[Katiana]

I didn't know there was an airport in Zelienople. Maybe I'll give that Mexican place a try the next time I'm out there.