The best cheap eats in Pittsburgh

1. 1
   
   Dad's Dog & Burger4.7

   Bloomfield · $ · No. 13 of 157 overall

   A genuine mom-and-pop, Katelyn Bako runs the kitchen, her dad Rick works the register, slinging snappy natural-casing dogs, crispy-edged smash burgers, onion rings, and shoestring fries on Liberty Ave. The chili comes from Brothmonger down the street, almost everything's under ten bucks, and there's a milkshake with your name on it. Cheap, charming, and exactly what a corner burger joint should be.

   Order: Natural-casing hot dog and a smash burger, both under ten bucks

   Full review →See on the map →
2. 2
   
   Prantl's Bakery4.5

   Shadyside · $ · No. 26 of 157 overall

   Home of the Burnt Almond Torte, and it lives up to the legend. It's a bakery, so set expectations. But that cake is special.

   Order: Burnt Almond Torte

   Full review →See on the map →
3. 3
   
   Tram's Kitchen4.3

   Bloomfield · $ · No. 33 of 157 overall

   Unassuming BYOB pho the regulars guard. No frills, consistently great, easy on the wallet.

   Order: BYOB pho the regulars swear by

   Full review →See on the map →
4. 4
   
   Las Palmas4.2

   Beechview · $ · No. 35 of 157 overall

   Tacos out of a grocery counter that beat most sit-down spots. Cheap, fast, the real thing. The line's the only downside.

   Order: Tacos al pastor out of a grocery counter

   Full review →See on the map →
5. 5
   
   Pamela's Diner4.1

   Strip District · $ · No. 41 of 157 overall

   Those crepe-thin hotcakes earn the reputation. Just know it's packed, cash-friendly but chaotic, and breakfast-only going in.

   Order: Crepe-thin banana hotcakes & Lyonnaise potatoes

   Full review →See on the map →
6. 6
   
   Ritter's Diner4.1

   Bloomfield · $ · No. 42 of 157 overall

   A classic Bloomfield diner that's fed Pittsburgh's night-owls for decades. It isn't fancy. That's the appeal. Get the honey fried chicken.

   Order: Honey fried chicken (the sleeper order)

   Full review →See on the map →
7. 7
   
   Aiello's Pizza3.9

   Squirrel Hill · $ · No. 44 of 157 overall

   The other half of the Murray Ave pizza rivalry. Good, classic, and best argued about with a Mineo's slice in hand.

   Order: 16-inch pepperoni pizza

   Full review →See on the map →
8. 8
   
   Colangelo's Pizza3.9

   Strip District · $ · No. 46 of 157 overall

   Strip District bakery counter doing tomato pie the old way: room temperature, heavy on the sauce, no cheese to speak of. Buy more than you think you need.

   Order: A square of tomato pie

   Full review →See on the map →
9. 9
   
   La Prima Espresso Company - Strip District3.9

   Strip District · $ · No. 50 of 157 overall

   Old men arguing in Italian over tiny cups at seven in the morning. No laptops, no oat milk theatre, just the best espresso in the city served the way it should be.

   Order: Espresso, standing up

   Full review →See on the map →
10. 10
    
    Millie's Homemade Ice Cream3.9

    Downtown · $ · No. 53 of 157 overall

    Genuinely excellent small-batch scoops. Seasonal flavors, salted caramel the standby. Just ice cream, done right.

    Order: Salted caramel scoop

    Full review →See on the map →

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