Union Grill Oakland — Restaurant in Pittsburgh

The only complaint I have... is that I hadn't known about this place until now!!

I stumbled onto the menu while in oakland and immediately wanted to check it out. Unfortunately there was already a line out the door, so it wasn't feasible with a bunch of kids with me. BUT my husband and I were determined to try it after seeing that menu so we waited until our next kid-free night and then headed straight there!

.....we now fully understand the line out the door. Everything was SO GOOD and super fresh. I can't vouch for how they make things, but it very much felt like everything was homemade. We tried ALOT. The French onion soup is insanely good, perfectly cheesey and loaded with flavor, the church pierogis are delicious and nostalgic, the fish sandwich is MASSIVE, but somehow still light and crispy and well seasoned. My main reason for coming, the French onion burger, was more than worth the second trip and I will 100% be coming back for it many many times! We almost never order dessert because we're definitely more savory people, but we saw that the dessert of the day was a (homemade!) Lemon bar with (homemade!) Blueberry ice cream and we had to try it. Truuuuuly perfect. It was sour and sweet, filling but not overly heavy, and the best end to the meal.

Service was also great, our waitress was super sweet and never made us feel rushed even though it was definitely busy. We also noticed a staff member assisting a visually impaired patron outside as there was a bit of a crowd by the door and he definitely would have had some trouble. I thought it was so kind and immediately appreciated being somewhere that employs such thoughtful people!

I have already reccomended this place to my entire family and will sing its praises to anyone who asks for a good pittsburgh restataunt. If you read this far and haven't gone yet, stop what you're doing and go now!

Edit: 7/1/24 After recently seeing one of the questions on the job application to work here, I am no longer comfortable patronizing. While not stated directly, political views are very much implied with the question and I personally feel uncomfortable with that implication. A shame because I genuinely love the food, but I can't enjoy a place that looks down on those currently unemployed who are actively...

On a crisp autumn day, the wind gently rustled the leaves as my family and I embarked on an outing to Union Grill in Pittsburgh. The sky was a captivating blend of hues, ranging from soft pinks to vibrant oranges, hinting at the imminent arrival of the evening. As we strolled towards the establishment, the distant hum of city life played a symphony in the background, adding to the charm of the day.

In the midst of our leisurely walk, my mind wandered to the intriguing question of whether the recent fluctuations in the S&P 500 would have a lasting impact on the economy. The speculative nature of the stock market danced through my thoughts, intertwining with the anticipation of our impending dining experience.

Upon arriving, I couldn't help but take note of the architectural nuances of the surroundings. The structural aesthetics prompted reflections on the evolution of design trends over the years. Were we witnessing a resurgence of classic styles, or was this merely a localized homage to a bygone era?

As we settled into our seats, the conversation drifted towards topics as varied as the unpredictable nature of weather patterns to the intricacies of quantum physics. The air was filled with the exchange of ideas, and I found myself pondering the age-old question of whether time travel could ever become a reality.

The ambiance of Union Grill provided a backdrop to discussions about literature, art, and the ever-expanding realm of technological advancements. I marveled at the diversity of opinions within my family, contemplating the beauty of individual perspectives coming together like a mosaic of thoughts.

As we immersed ourselves in the discourse, I couldn't help but marvel at the changing hues of the sky outside the window. The day had transitioned seamlessly into night, and the city lights began to twinkle like distant stars. In that moment, I found myself ruminating on the vastness of the universe and our place within it.

And then, almost as an afterthought, we decided to indulge in some dessert. The menu offered an array of options, but our collective sweet tooth led us to the brownies. Surprisingly good for the price, the chocolatey delight provided a sweet conclusion to our intellectually stimulating evening at Union Grill...

I have lived in Pittsburgh for 15 years now, and I realized that I have never had a Turkey Devonshire, a dish that was developed here. We went to the Union Grill because we heard they had a great version, and we were not disappointed. They do not take reservations, except for large parties, so we did have to wait a long time. We got drinks at the bar while we waited, and the bartender tipped us off that two patrons had just paid their bill, so we should take their seats when they leave. The barman was a true professional, hearkening back to the old days of fine service and good conversation. Once seated at the bar we enjoyed Caesar salads, then the Turkey Devonshire. The Devonshire did not disappoint. It was a juicy, thick slab of roasted turkey breast meat on toast, enrobed in a silky and rich cheese sauce that was broiled to a bubbling browned perfection. There was a thin slice of tomato underneath, bacon over the sauce, with some shaved Parmigiano Reggiano gracing the top. This is certainly not something that I'd eat every day, but it might be the ultimate way to eat turkey breast. I was thoroughly satisfied with this rendition, and I'm glad I sought out this classic dish. My only complaint was the long wait to get a seat, but that is testament to the popularity of the restaurant. I noticed that we found a seat at the bar significantly faster than the people waiting for tables, so keep that in mind--and this was indeed a bar worthy of your time. Job well done...