Hank's Frozen Custard and Mexican

Yep. That's the name of the place. Most might think that frozen custard and Mexican food are an odd mix...I know I did...But after frequenting Hank's for decades, it all seems kinda normal now. Hank's isn't a sit-down restaurant, but rather it's more like an old time drive in, just without the car service.

The burritos are really great! Not huge, but so good. I usually go for the beef and bean, spicy. After a steaming, spicy burrito or taco, there's nothing like a cool, creamy frozen custard.



The custard is so smooth and creamy, it's my favorite kind of ice cream hands down! They always serve chocolate and vanilla, and then have a daily special. In addition, they have a number of gourmet flavors, but I stick to the old standards.

Hank's is located at 2210 3rd Avenue, New Brighton, PA 15066. It's a bit of a drive, but an easy one and really makes for a nice afternoon trip. Take your GPS, and after a buritto and custard, head over to Kelly's, stick your toes in the sand and enjoy a cold one in the sun!

Click on the title above...

Jergels

I always liked the Rhythm House in Bridgeville because, depending on what was going on, you could watch a sporting event, order a meal, have reasonably priced drinks, and listen to live music. Most music places tend to really wack you with a ticket or cover charge, or make up for it with crazy prices for drinks. A lot of music venues don't serve food and you usually can't watch a Pen's or Steelers game!

Years ago, Jergels was a great place on Babcock Blvd. in the North Hills. It was kind of a restaurant, sports bar, and music venue that, along with other bands, featured a house band called Father Time. It was a fun, relaxing place, but closed several years ago.

Jergels recently opened a fantastic new location in Warrendale. The difference between this new location and the old one is significant. This new place is built for music with a big stage and a lighting and sound system that is fantastic! There is a balcony, a dance floor, and an outside patio with seating and fire features, large bars both upstairs and downstairs, and a separate cigar bar.




Happy hour goes from 5 to 7 daily with 1/2 price drafts and half price appetizers. The apps menu is good too. On one visit we order PEI Mussels and an order of Ahi Tuna. The mussels were steamed in a white wine sauce with garlic, parsley and tomato's. The tuna was properly rare with an Asian Cucumber Slaw. Both were excellent and quite a bargain at the happy hour price of about five dollars each. Other menu items include fish tacos, meatball sliders, a number of burgers and a complete dinner menu.

When music acts preform, if there is a cover charge, it's not charged until 8:00pm with most acts starting at 9:00. I love this because if you do as we have, and go for a Pen's game at 6 or 7:00, most likely by the time the music starts you have already spent a fair amount of money. If you show up ten minutes before the music starts, you pay the cover. That's reasonable. It doesn't take advantage of loyal customers, and at the same time if you don't want to eat or drink you can get in for a reasonable charge. The happy hour is good enough that they should develop a daily local crowd, and the food is much better than standard bar fare.

Jergels is located just off the Warrendale exit of Interstate 79. While it's not exactly close to downtown, it's a very easy drive. I've heard that there have been some issues with parking, but on each of our visits we didn't have a problem and easily found a spot.

As usual, click on the title above to see their website.

Il Pizzaiolo

This is the best traditional Italian pizza in Pittsburgh. Il Pizzaiolo, located in the middle of the Mt. Lebanon business district bakes their pies in a wood fired, brick oven. They bake at 1000 degrees for only about 90 seconds. The ingredients are top quality which results in a great pie for those of you that love the true traditional, Neapolitan style. In addition to the large speciality pizza menu, they also have a nice variety of pasta dishes.

We decided to split a salad which had beautiful fresh greens along with roasted red peppers, cherry tomato, carrot, cucumber, parmigiano-reggiano, and served with a balsamic vinaigrette dressing. For the main course we chose the Diavola pizza, which is San Marzano tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, spicy salami, chili pepper, pecorino romano, fresh basil, and extra virgin olive oil. Excellent.

During the warm months you can dine on their private patio in the back. Il Pizzaiolo also has a nice bottled beer selection for $5 to %20, and wine at $8+. Keep in mind that a pizza with a salad and a couple of ice teas will set you back about $35...Top quality ingredients in a sit down restaurant along with a Mt. Lebanon address adds up! This isn't your typical take-out pizza joint, but that's not what they are trying to be. I also recall reading that they are opening a new location downtown, in Market Square sometime this summer. With all the new restaurants and renovations happening in Market Square, this should be a great location for them.

Il Pizzaiolo isn't really the kind of place I think of when I'm craving a pizza. For me, that would be Franks in Ambridge, but I think of it more like a nice dining experience.

As always, click on the title above to see their menu.

Chicken and Waffles

I spent a couple of days this past week in State College PA, which is the home of Penn State University. I've always really liked visiting State College. It's a small town without the traffic or major crime issues of larger city's, but just about any night of the week you have a choice of many live bands at a number of local watering holes. On a Wednesday night, we were able to catch a blues band, a great bluegrass band, and back at the hotel, a folk duo playing in the lounge, all within walking distance of each other. Anyway, another thing I love about the area is the "stick to your ribs" Pennsylvaina Dutch food found at local eateries.

In the south, chicken and waffles are famous. I know that Gladys Knight has a restaurant in Atlanta that features it as a speciality. Great southern fried chicken served on top of a thick, tasty waffle. It's not like that in Central PA though. Here the PA Dutch version is prepared with shredded chunks of chicken on top of a thick waffle and then smothered with gravy! The sweetness of the waffle combined with the tasty salty gravy makes a great traditional dish.

If you would like a recipe, or to read a little about the Pennsylvania Dutch, just click on the title above and check out Teri's Kitchen.

Pittsburgh Turkey Devonshire

I posted this several years ago, but get so much interest that I thought I'd post again. For those not familiar, the Turkey Devonshire Sandwich was a traditional Pittsburgh dish and can still be found on many local menus. Some restaurants also make Crab Devonshire, just substitute lump crab meat instead of turkey. Enjoy!

Frank Blandi's Original Devonshire Sandwich

Cream Sauce:
3/4 stick butter, melted,
1 cup flour
1/4 pound Cheddar cheese, grated
1 pint chicken broth
1 pint hot milk
1 teaspoon salt

Melt butter in deep pan and add flour, stirring constantly. Add chicken broth and then hot milk, stirring all the while. Add cheese and salt. Bring to boil, then cook slowly for 20 minutes, still stirring. Cool to lukewarm. Beat with wire whip until smooth before using. This makes enough sauce for 6 Devonshire sandwiches.

For each sandwich you need:

1 slice toast, crusts trimmed off
3 slices crisp bacon
5 thin slices cooked turkey breast
Cream Sauce, recipe above
Melted butter Parmesan cheese and paprika

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
In each flat, individual oven-proof casserole dish, place 1 slice of toast and top with 3 slices bacon. Add 5 thin slices of cooked turkey breast. Cover completely with cream sauce. Sprinkle with a little melted butter, then with the combined Parmesan cheese and paprika. Bake 10 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Pittsburgh Fish!

In my quest for the best fish sandwich in Pittsburgh, I stopped in the Carson City Saloon on the South Side the other day. I know I've ordered fish there before, but I just forgot how good it really is! The things a monster too. Since its fish fry season, I thought I'd post this for those of you that might be looking for an alternative to you local church or fire hall.

For those of you unfamiliar with the Pittsburgh Fish Sandwich, this city has a history of serving up monstrous filet's, almost always fried, and usually cod. It's common to get a fillet a foot long served on a standard hamburger bun. Some places offer an additional bun for a little more cash. Because of the large Catholic population in the area, hundreds of local church's hold fish-frys during Lent. Volunteers will prepare, cook and serve hundreds of dinners and sandwiches each night to lines of people at these churches.

To get an idea of whats available, or to locate a fish-fry near you, click on the title "Pittsburgh Fish" above.

And yes, that is broccoli....I eat healthy!

Jean-Marc Chatellier’s French Bakery

I don't know much about baked goods, but I know when I really like them. Jean Marc Chatellier's Bakery has the best I've ever had. Really. Look him up online, read the reviews. This is really great stuff. Jean-Marc is a third generation pastry chef from a small town in Brittany, in the northwestern part of France known for buttery pastries. His father and grandfather were both bread bakers who owned boulangeries (bread bakeries), but Jean-Marc went on to become a pâtissier (a pastry and cake baker).

Jean-Marc apprenticed four years with Master Pastry Chef George Merlet in Chateaubriant, France and earned Certificat d’Aptitude Professionnelle in pastry, ice cream, and chocolate candy making from Chambres des Metiers in Nantes, France.

I had heard about this bakery years ago, but never bothered to stop. What a mistake! On a recent trip, we enjoyed a vanilla cream croissant, and a raspberry brioche. Breton Cake, or French shortbread samples were available and It was so good, I'm not sure why I didn't come home with one. Maybe next time. A variety of colorful Macarons filled one display case along with chocolate dipped strawberries, chocolate truffels and a variety of cakes, pies and pastries.

Jean Marc Chatellier's French Bakery is located in Millvale, at 213 North Avenue. Click on the title above to go to Jean-Marc's website.

Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza

Those of you that read this drivel know that I'm always on the lookout for a unique comfortable tavern, good fish sandwich or exceptional pizza. My favorite pizza's in the area, Franks and Pizza House, are both located Northwest of Pittsburgh, in Ambridge. Harry's in Peters township and Il Pizzaiolo in Mt. Lebanon are also favorites when I'm in the mood for a more traditional style. Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza which recently opened in Settlers Ridge, is going into my list of favorites.


Anthony's got their start in Florida. Hometown son and Miami Dolphins quarterback, Dan Marino soon became a patron. Dan's enthusiasm soon compelled him to become an equity partner in the business, as they started to expand throughout Florida and now in the Northeast.

The pizza is baked in a coal fired 800 degree oven and comes out thin and crispy with just a touch of burnt, similar to the wood fired style. A side salad with fresh mixed greens and full bar service (say hello to Tracy!) made for a great meal. The only complaint was that it's a bit pricy for a pizza place, but it's more of a restaurant than a typical pizza joint, so that's understandable.

Anthony's is located in Settlers Ridge in Robinson Twp, just off of the Parkway West.

NOLA

The recent renovation of Market Square has made it the location for several new restaurants within the past year. Joining long time tenants like Ruth's Chris, The Original Oyster House, and Primanti's, are at least five or six new eating establishments. In the past, The 1902 Tavern was one of my favorites, although admittedly it was desperately in need of some updating. Since the 1902 Tavern closed, it's nice to see NOLA on The Square in that space.

The folks that opened NOLA have done a great job of improving the interior while maintaining the charm of the original structure. The classic bar, beautiful tile floors and tin ceiling have thankfully been retained, but have been cleaned and repaired.

Finding good Creole or New Orleans restaurants is not easy in Pittsburgh. Since the James Street Tavern on the North Side closed many years ago I'm not aware of any really good options.

The menu at NOLA offers frog legs, crispy fried alligator, muffaletta, shrimp and grits, along with a number of Po Boys. The Chicken and Andouille Po Boy, described as "Grilled Organic Chicken, Cajun Andouille, Homemade Mozzarella, Fresh Baguette, Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Creole Mustard" along with a side of Red Beans and rice made for a great meal. If you feel like a drink with your meal, they can make you a classic Hurricane!

NOLA is located in Market Square in downtown Pittsburgh. As always, just click on the title to see their website.

At one time this bridge was used to transport prisoners from the Allegheny County Courthouse to the Jail. The Bridge of Sighs mimics the original in Venice. It is one of many architecural highlights of the building which Henry Hobson Richardson considers his best work. The Bridge of Sighs is one of 720 bridges within Pittsburgh city limits, and one of more than 1,700 bridges criss-crossing Allegheny County. Pittsburgh has more bridges than any city in the world except for Venice, Italy.

James Street Gastro Pub and Speakeasy

For 17 years, the James Street Tavern operated on the North Side. Serving Louisiana fare and hosting the best jazz musicians in the area, it quickly became my favorite go-to spot near the city. Since the James Street closed several years ago, several different reincarnations have been tried, but none were nearly as good as the original. The James Street Gastro Pub and Speakeasy finally brings back the great menu offerings, beer selection, live music, and personal service that were the signature of this once great establishment.

On my first stop here, I learned that they had found numerous old framed photos of entertainers that have preformed there in the past. The owners intend to incorporate these into the decor. At one time, the stairway walls leading to the downstairs bar were covered with signatures and notes from many of the famous jazz artists that had played there. Past owners painted over this feature, but the new owners have started to revive the tradition.

While we did not eat full meals, the couple of appetizers that we tried were tremendous. My favorite, the "Tiny Tunas" are described on the menu as: Ahi tuna sliders, avocado, citrus scented sprouts, red onion, wasabi mayonnaise,
pickled ginger. The tuna medallions were perfectly seared on the outside, and beautifully rare on the inside. They were really a great combination of flavors Other offerings include a nice selection of sandwiches, salads and wings with not only several different sauces, but a choice of five different dry rubs.

Their web site (click on the title above) lists 15 different nights in February with live entertainment, and the Pittsburgh Jazz Society has started to hold their weekly Sunday night concerts here. For years the Jazz Society was in a great room at the Rhythm House in Bridgeville. When that closed, they moved to the Rivers Casino but the casino just wasn't a very good venue. Also, while the Jazz Society never charges a cover, the casino would strong-arm you into buying their buffet just to see the band. Now they are back to the kind of place they belong!

The James Street is at 422 Foreland Street on the North Side.

Happy New Year!

As always, just click on the title above!

The Freedom Square Diner

Over the past few years the draw of lower taxes combined with good highways into the city have made the Cranberry area increasingly congested. While I usually try to avoid the area, an abundance of good shopping made it a destination this Christmas season. Aside from the typical chains, the area is drawing some new restaurants. The upscale Echo, along with quality burger joints BrGr and Wingharts (due to open soon) come to mind.

In search of a place for breakfast, we found the Freedom Square Diner near the Shop and Save just off of Freedom road. It was 7:00 am (we start early!) and they had just opened. They have a weekday breakfast special of two eggs, bacon or sausage, and choice of potato, toast or pancake for $3.99, but what caught my eye was the December breakfast special which was $4.00 off of any Eggs Benedict, and they have several tasty choices including spinach and tomato, crab and salmon. The Crab Benedict was so good that I went back a couple of days later and ordered the Salmon Benedict! Very generous portions of crab and salmon make this a hearty breakfast, and at $4.00 off, that makes it a great bargain meal for only $4.29. I've got to say, their promotion worked. I'll be back and gladly pay full price.

To get to the Freedom Square Diner and avoid the Cranberry traffic, just head North on I-79 and exit on the second Cranberry exit. Turn left at the light, cross over Route 19, and it's about a mile ahead on the left side. As always, just click on the title above to see their website.

Rico's

In years past, I would frequent Rico's quite often. I remember sitting at the bar and seeing Art Rooney Sr. (yep, The Chief!), and Lynn Swan come in one evening. The Rooney family and many local sports figures still dine here, probably because it's the kind of place where no one will bother them. The place hasn't changed much, they still have a coat check, valet parking (that's not necessary)and it's still decorated in old school Italian. Rico will usually greet you at the door. The place still has the feel of rare old school elegance.

We started our meal with salad with a nice mix of fresh greens, house Italian dressing and chunky Roquefort cheese. It was really fantastic. For the main meal, my daughter ordered Poached Salmon, I chose Veal Medallions, and Stacy and Jaye went for the Filet Mignon. All of us raved about our meals, and my veal may have been the best I've ever had. I still remembered my favorite selection from years ago was the Walleye Pike, and even though I didn't order it, I was happy to see it was still on the menu!

If you want progressive, inventive food, this might not be the place for you, but if you want a great traditional meal, prepared with top quality ingredients, and a little pampering, try Rico's!

Rico's is kind of hard to find, hidden on a hill just off of McKnight Road at the Millvale exit. As always, just click on the title to see their website.

Merry Christmas