Mitchell's Pub — Restaurant in Pittsburgh

I have been going here on and off for the better part of 15 years now. It was one of my favorite spots for lunch. It used to have a friendly vibe. In the past year or so that vibe is gone. It's not as warm, welcoming, or friendly. I recently stopped in, like I have been weekly for years, the day after the 4th. A sign out front highlighted drink specials for the day. I went in and sat down, asking for a lunch menu. I was the only customer. The bartender let me know the kitchen was closed for the day. I thanked her and made my way out. As I was leaving, a guy sitting in the back seat at the bar where he normally sits said loudly to the bartender "you would think people know how to read or would look at the signs before they come in." When I got outside I made a point to look at the signs again and nowhere did it state the kitchen was closed. I don't know what role this guy plays at this establishment but I get the impression he is part of ownership, and can often be found sitting there. The family vibe of this place is gone and has been for a while. I continued to go because the food is very good. These days it feels like a click. Your either in or your not. If your not that friendly environment this place was known for is gone. Come here if like good food with a side of...

It's location is great for a take out lunch being close to my work. Recently they changed the menu, which I believe was due to a new chef. The menu is smaller and I really miss the lighter choices for lunch, which were the wraps that were removed with the new menu. Have tried a few of the items on the new menu, best one being the Mitchburger. I also recently tried the Balsamic Chicken sandwich - which sounds tasty on the menu description, but was drowned in balsamic - perhaps to try and compensate for the dryness of the chicken and the huge ciabatta bread they put it on. I give big props to restaurants who do fresh cut fries instead of frozen fries...but the only thing that seems consistent with their food is the sogginess of the fries. A soggy fry is a sad fry. In fact, it probably shouldn't even be called a "fry." Not sure if they are cooking too many at once, or they are not doing a second drop on the fries at a higher temperature...but that definitely needs addressed. I'm not saying I will be cutting Mitchell's out of my lunch rotation, but it's going to be awhile...

Fantastic pub no matter if you are local to the area or like myself, visiting for work and/or personal. A buddy and I hit this place for the first time on our 2nd visit to the area for work. It's a close walk to local hotels and once we found this gem... it was a no brainer to pop in for a 2nd night to grab another brew.

Both nights were just sampling the good assortments of beers. However, after seeing the food that was being served up, that will be on the list for our next visit which is guaranteed.

Special shout out to some great folks we met there... Derek (bartender) and Sarah (manager). These are the kind of great people that you want to encounter as a first time visitor. Both were warm, personable and not just doing the fake small talk that you get elsewhere. Just real people that enjoying what they are doing. Bother are the types that if they were not working, you would be sharing a beer with them on a personal level.

For sure will be back and highly...