Pittsburgh advice

November 5, 2006 9:10 AM

Next Monday I'm driving my friend to 3000 Sidney St., Pittsburgh, for her citizenship test. The Mapquest and Yahoo maps make this area look like terra incognita. Any advice on where we can park free, eat lunch, and where I can hang out nearby while waiting for her? I don't know the name of the neighborhood, but we cross the river on Hot Metal Street, if that's a clue.
posted by sevenstars to Travel & Transportation around Pittsburgh, PA (9 answers total)

You'll be going to Pittsburgh's South Side. You'll find plenty to do along East Carson St. (turning right off of Hot Metal St.) Shopping, eating (full range from coffee shops to upscale restaurants), browsing etc. There's a Joseph's Beth's Book store not far from the Hot Metal Bridge and also a Carnegie Library next to the Birmingham Bridge. If you venture down Carson St. (heading towards 10th) you'll get more of the flavor of the South Side. There's also a trail along the river (crush limestone mostly) if you'd like to go for a walk, run or (if you're so inclined to bring your bike along) ride.
posted by nnk at 9:56 AM on November 5, 2006

You'll be on the South Side (that's the neighborhood/region) right by the South Side Works, the new shopping center. It's mostly chain-style stores and the like, but there'll be plenty of places to park and eat. When you're done, you can head East on Carson Street and be in South Side proper, which will probably be a better place to get a celebratory meal, drink, etc.
posted by allen.spaulding at 9:56 AM on November 5, 2006

Er, make that West, and darn you nnk.
posted by allen.spaulding at 9:56 AM on November 5, 2006

Here's the South Side Works web site, which lists places to eat nearby and has parking information. The people I know who live or work in the area seem to always wind up going to the Cheesecake Factory, for whatever that's worth.

If you're willing to go farther up Carson, I highly recommend Piper's Pub over most of the other bars in the area. Quieter, with better food and a much better beer selection. I've had a couple of nice celebratory meals there. Although I'd never been to their website before just now, and wow, it's kind of hideous. Sorry about that. The pub is nice, though.
posted by Stacey at 11:02 AM on November 5, 2006

There's a Pamela's that's 1.5mi from your address. Pamela's is a diner and one of just a couple restaurants that I'm familiar with in Pittsburgh. I recommend it but I understand that the five Pamela's locations are not equal in terms of quality. I think that two or even three of the other locations are also within 10 minutes of your testing site. You can sort out which Pamela's you need to go to on chowhound.com. You can also find a lot more information about Pittsburgh food at Chowhound.
posted by stuart_s at 11:25 AM on November 5, 2006

I should mention, if it's not clear, that I didn't look up where you are going, I just used the Hot Metal Bridge as a reference -- so I hope that makes sense -- and have fun! Pittsburghers are a friendly bunch generally and will help you out if you ask (and sometimes if you don't)!
posted by nnk at 11:37 AM on November 5, 2006

It might look like a wasteland on the map, but you will be very close to an interesting, active part of Pittsburgh. You will be right across the street from a new shopping development called the Southside works where there are lots of places to eat and shop. If you are more into independent stores go a few blocks further you will see the Beehive coffee shop, ye Olde Guitar Shoppe, thrift stores and used bookstores.

Free parking can be had just a few blocks away on Sarah street and most of the side streets. The only metered parking is on Carson and at the Southside works.
posted by Alison at 12:15 PM on November 5, 2006

For reference: Southside Works is the shopping/dining complex that is right on the opposite side of the Hot Metal Bridge from where you'll be going to drop your friend off.

South Side is where you'll be, the string of businesses, restaurants and so forth really starts a few blocks west from Southside Works. There's another list of restuarants and attractions here.

3000 Sidney is a federal complex that includes, amongst other things, the regional FBI office. It's the large building just northwest of the "terra incognita wasteland" where Google Maps seems to think you're going. (The arrow isn't pointing in quite the right place.) If you're going to try to pull in and drop your friend right at a door, be prepared for some security scrutiny.

Crazy Mocha is a locally owned coffeehouse in Southside Works with good drinks, good sandwiches, a nice atmosphere and free wifi, it'd be a good place to hang out if you're not up for a drive-and-seatch expedition.
posted by Dreama at 11:43 PM on November 5, 2006

Response by poster: Thank you, one and all. Your advice will help lower the stress level of the whole day.
posted by sevenstars at 6:57 AM on November 7, 2006