Tessaro's ★ 4.1
Tessaro's on Liberty Avenue in Bloomfield runs a late bar and grill in Pittsburgh. The hardwood-fire burger and a drink at the bar into the night.
Try: Hardwood-grilled burger
History
The Pittsburgh salad grew out of the same fries-on-everything instinct that produced the Primanti sandwich. Diners and bars across the city pile hot French fries on a chef-style salad of lettuce, tomato, cheese and grilled chicken or steak. There is no single inventor; it is a regional convention that visitors notice immediately and locals take for granted. It appears on menus from neighbourhood diners to bar kitchens citywide.
Common allergens: Dairy
Make it at home
Ingredients
- 1 head romaine or mixed greens, chopped
- 2 cups hot French fries
- 2 grilled chicken breasts or a grilled steak, sliced
- 100g shredded cheddar
- 1 tomato, diced
- 1/2 red onion, sliced
- Ranch or vinaigrette dressing
Method
- Make the French fries and keep them hot and crisp.
- Build the salad base: greens, tomato, onion and shredded cheese in a wide bowl.
- Slice the grilled chicken or steak and lay it over the greens.
- Pile the hot fries on top of everything just before serving.
- Dress with ranch or a sharp vinaigrette and eat at once, while the fries are still crisp.
Tip from the editors. Add the fries last and serve immediately; they go soft fast once they hit the cold greens.
This is the TableJourney editorial recipe, modelled on the canonical bistro / counter version. The first place to try the dish in its city of origin is below.
Where to eat the pittsburgh salad
The Pittsburgh salad in Pittsburgh
Butterjoint ★ 4.1
Butterjoint on North Craig Street in Oakland runs a late bar near the universities in Pittsburgh. Classic cocktails, a strong burger and house pierogi.
Try: Burger and pierogi
The Original Oyster House ★ 4.0
The Original Oyster House on Market Square serves fried fish into the evening downtown in Pittsburgh. The 1870 counter and a giant fish sandwich for a late.
Try: Fried fish sandwich
More cities are in research. Want the pittsburgh salad covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.