A concert...without fries on it? In Pittsburgh?!

May 29, 2009 3:43 PM

Going to a concert at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Pavilion this Saturday. It starts at 7:00, and it takes about an hour to get there from Shadyside/Oakland. What can we do to eat a tasty dinner?

I haven't been to the Post-Gazette Pavillion before, so I don't know if there are good food places there, but from what I've found online, it's overpriced and bleh (standard Pittsburgh fast food fare).

Here's the problem: if the show starts at 7, and I assume that I need to leave 30-40 minutes for parking/getting in/leeway, and it takes me 45 minutes - 1 hour to drive there, then I'm looking at a 5:00-5:30 departure time from Craig St (between U. Pitt and CMU).

Do I...
- Pick up a lunch to go for the pair of us and try to fit it in a 1 gallon clear plastic bag? (recommendations on where to get a bag lunch?)
- Bring food and dine in the car before the concert? (the atmosphere is so...lovely)
- Eat at the Pavilion, braving lines and fast food?
- Eat out near the pavilion? Where is tasty? When is reasonable?

Any other advice for the pavilion (is it the sort of place where you need to get there early? Where getting in/out of the parking lot is nuts? Do they have especially worthwhile beer? Should I watch out for my umbrella/Mefites?)

posted by ADoubtfulTrout to food & drink (4 comments total)

There is not much by the Post Gazette Pavilion. The most food choices are going to be at the Robinson Town Center / Point at North Fayette area right near the interchange of US 22/30 and PA 60. I'd recommend taking some extra time if you're going to do that, traffic can be bad.

There is a gas station Subway in Burgettstown, maybe you can fit that into a gallon bag?

The food on site (from what I recall) is pretty much burgers, chicken sandwiches, fries, and mini-pizzas.

The parking can be crowded, and it's always good to get there early. They do have a lot of people directing though.

Also, Google Maps doesn't have the right address for PG Pavilion. It's also still labeled Star Lake, the old name. The correct address is:

665 Rt. 18
Burgettstown, PA 15021

Enjoy Coldplay and Pete Yorn, I'd be there if I was in Pittsburgh.
posted by ALongDecember at 4:15 PM on May 29

Can't really give advice on Pavilion-related things as I've never gone there, but if it were me, I'd call one of the Oakland restaurants for take-out (I don't know of any offhand that don't do it, actually) and let them worry about boxing/bagging it up. And then either tailgate, or find someplace that looks reasonably pretty in the surrounding state park to sit and eat, since the weather is supposed to be nice.

Also if it were me, I would use it as an excuse to go to Bayleaf again for some reasonably-priced and delicious Kashmiri Indian food (which should also stay hot for the entire drive).
posted by notquitemaryann at 4:26 PM on May 29

It has been years, but I remember the traffic out to Star Lake being pretty bad. If that is your time frame I'd suggest bringing food or planning to buy inside at the very least as a back up plan. There really isn't any food out that way that will be better and quicker than what you can bring in any case.
posted by meinvt at 4:30 PM on May 29

You might try searching or asking around on Chowhound's Pennsylvania board. It's basically Ask Mefi for regional food.
posted by 6and12 at 9:38 PM on May 29