R-Time at Rene's — Restaurant in East McKeesport

I have been going to Rene's restaurant on 5th Avenue in East McKeesport literally since the day they opened. Many people familiar with Rene's restaurant may be surprised to know that Rene was the cook at Nigros restaurant until she opened up her own Italian restaurant, Renee's, approximately 32 years ago. I used to take my daughter to Nigros until she was 2 years of age because Rene was such an excellent cook and when she opened Rene's on 5th Avenue in East McKeesport it was only common sense that we should follow her. My daughter is now 34 years old and we still frequent Rene's restaurant. Our favorite things to eat are the gnocchi and Lasagna, which is hands down the best we have ever tasted. Rene's also has THE BEST fried zucchini we have ever tasted!!! We always order the zucchini with provolone cheese melted on it. Please try it, you will be happy you did. They have a rather large menu that includes Italian/American cusine with appetizers such as the aforementioned zucchini and other favorites like mozzarella cheese sticks and many others. They are probably best known and loved for the fantastic fish sandwiches they offer. I swear you could feed a family of four with one sandwich. Other items include burgers, fried shrimp and shrimp scallopini, Italian hoagies/subs, chicken parmesan, various pasta choices and other selections. I believe they do have a children's menu and one can also choose to have their pasta selections as a dinner, with soup and salad, or ala carte. And another reason I love eating there is because they give you more than adequate portions. They also have takeout service. Something special about Rene's is that many of those people who presently work there have been there since day one or thereabouts. Though Rene no longer works there, it's still all in the family, with her children and others who are related, still working and running the restaurant. There is a lounge area that seats maybe 10 people or so, where you can enjoy a drink if you must wait for your table, or you can eat dinner there. The menu is moderately priced and usually worth every penny. Currently they have a great Thursday special that I recall for $25.00 for two people. You receive an appetizer to share and each can select soup or salad, and each dine on shrimp scallopini. There may or may not be alternative entree choices, sadly I do not recall. They also have a wonderful special on Saturdays that can't be beat. Two dinners for $22.00 dollars which includes maybe a choice of 2 appetizers to pick one to share from, OR soup or salad for each person. Each person also gets to choose an entree from a select menu. These entrees include fried shrimp and fries, chicken parmesan, shrimp scallopini, lasagna, a hamburger and fries and a six inch Italian hoagie with fries. I may have forgotten a few as I am writing this from memory. The Saturday special is available all day from 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM ( I believe that closing time is correct). I also believe they are closed on both Sunday and Monday. They have individual restrooms for men and women on the lounge/restaurant side which can be accessed by a person with a wheelchair. They also have a restroom in the dining room area that I do not think would be able to accommodate a wheelchair. There is street parking, which has coin parking meters, and they also have a small free parking lot on the side near the kitchen. There is also parking in the back of the restaurant, down approximately 8 steps, that is on Broadway Avenue. This lot is also very limited, maybe six spaces. I would venture to say that Friday evenings and nights are their busiest times, especially during Lent season. I am certain that they have something on the menu to please all and I believe you will not be disappointed in the food or great service. Tell them Shelly and...

Quite a nice meal here from a hidden gem in East McKeesport. It is a pretty unassuming place, laid back family food. Fish, meat, and classic Italian-American dishes are served here. I got to try their lasagna, which came with a meatball, bread, and wedding soup.

I quite enjoyed this meal. Prices were OK and the portion was satisfying. The lasagna had quite a lot of ricotta and it was reasonably flavorful, but I would have liked a bit more of a flavor from the sauce.

The meatball was quite large. Not too flavorful and a bit of a tough texture (almost sausage like), but still good. Bread was very basic but free so can't complain. The wedding soup was quite good. Small cup but flavorful broth and quite a good amount of cheese (I think?) in there.

All in all, I enjoyed my meal here. Good little Italian spot in East McKeesport and probably one of the better restaurants...

Great little Italian place hidden away in East McKeesport. They have always been very courteous and friendly! the restaurant itself, while old fashioned, is impeccably clean and I have it on good authority that the kitchen is spotless as well. I had the fish sandwich and this is one of the biggest sandwiches I have ever seen! It's really well done and tastes just like you would want a fish sandwich to taste. Great breading and cooked perfectly! Combine this with the French fries and Cole slaw and the honestly there would be enough food for two! Oh, and the price was incredible to boot. We should support these independently owned, family run places in this day and age. With food this good, it's easy to do! Update 2025: service is still great as is the quality of food...