South Side Eats 'n 'at

OTB...YUM

2009-01-13T22:32:00.006-05:00

Kathi sums it up nicely. It was a wonderful lunch. I had the turkey burger, which also had a fancy name, though I don't remember it. It was one of the best turkey burgers I've ever had. It was fresh, not a frozen patty, it had great flavor and the fries are to die for.

I also enjoyed how clean and new it felt and looked. Service was fantastic....ok, there were like 2 other tables there, but it was still great. I actually can't wait to go back! The only problem is it's next to Taco Loco...that makes it a tough decision when choosing dinner options.

I would also recommend them for happy hour...all day long. As I can't partake of the hootch now, I do encourage others. They advertised PBR ponders for $2.00 all day. PBR, the beer of hipsters, but cheap beer is always good beer, right?

OTB (Over the Bar) Bicycle Cafe - 01/13/09

2009-01-13T18:01:00.002-05:00

Today we checked out the brand new, OTB Bicycle Cafe at 2518 East Carson St. This site was formerly the bar Quagmire's.

Pop City had a nice write-up about OTB in their issue last week, so TTG and I (with boss lady Maura in tow) drove down to check it out.

Since it is brand new, it wasn't very busy, but there were a few bodies in the place. The back room looks to be about the same as the Quagmire days, but in the front, the full, oval-ish bar has been replaced by a more practical traditional bar up against the wall, with tables along the street, and side of the room.

The decor is fun, with bicycle spokes and gears and such on the walls, under candles, etc. but not in an overabundance. There was even at least one souped up bike hanging from the ceiling.

The menu featured a nice selection of sandwiches, wraps, burgers, and salads, with a number of veggie options, and other nice touches like the ability to order a turkey burger. (An all too rare occurrence in restaurants.) The items have fun local and national names-like the Livestrong Club, which was Maura's pick for lunch.

I chose the Rails to Trails wrap, with buffalo sauce flavored seitan instead of the chicken selection. It came with lettuce, tomato, onion, melted provolone and carrot, in a nice, fluffy pita. Blue Cheese and pickle on the side. All sandwiches come with fries (delightful-they weren't greasy, but were thick and crispy) and a very small serving of coleslaw. The coleslaw was also great (creamy dressing), the small serving was just the right size.

The food was great, prices were good, portions were just right, service was friendly and efficient, and the owner checked on us and inquired as to how we learned about the place.

Oh, and I should also point out that they have a happy hour (and I think it was also listed for late night) special where select food items are a mere $2.99. We didn't have any alcohol to drink (Preggo can't, plus, the boss was with us-of course, she'd probably be the first to order...) but from what I saw they have regular stock in liquor, and a few beers on tap-including East End on tap.

Great experience all around, I think all three of us will definitely go back there soon.

The New Year

2009-01-01T10:48:00.002-05:00

With 2009 comes a new blog. Kathi and I will be blogging about the South Side eateries that you may or may not know about. We have already started our research so some new posts will be on their way shortly.

The main goal is to lunch once a week at a place either of us have never lunched at before. In the South Side, that shouldn't be to hard. But I'm sure some of our old favorites will find their way into the blog, ahhhhhhhhhhh Pickle Barrel. ;)

So stick around, there is sure to be some delicious tales from the nicest places to the dives that grace the fair section of the South Side of Pittsburgh.

-TTG