Mealtime doesn't always get the respect it deserves. Life's often far too hectic to gather everyone around the table for an old-fashioned family meal, especially when you consider the time involved in making a hearty meal. Make meal time a priority again by visiting these family kitchens in Pittsburgh, where you'll enjoy a scrumptious meal in a cozy atmosphere.

1. J&J’s Family Restaurant & Catering – 300 Shiloh Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15211

Start a new family tradition by dining at J&J's Family Restaurant and Catering, a cozy family kitchen that offers a hearty breakfast all day long as well as a menu packed with such traditional meals as burgers, turkey sandwiches, sweet potato fries, and mashed potatoes. Stop by J&J's Family Restaurant & Catering daily from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

2. Carmi Family Restaurant – 917 Western Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15233

Sit down to an old-fashioned, authentic Southern meal at Carmi Family Restaurant. Peruse the menu that features breakfast, lunch, and dinner dishes, including fried chicken, smothered chicken, smoked pork chops, chicken and waffles, and fish and grits. Dine at Carmi Family Restaurant Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

3. Family Restaurant – 2614 Brownsville Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15227

Relax as you dine at Family Restaurant, a quaint family kitchen that focuses on American, Greek, and Middle Eastern cuisine. Browse the menu that features such delectable dishes as spinach pie, lamb kabob, chicken gyro, and falafel.

Family Restaurant welcomes diners Monday through Saturday from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.

4. Adolfo’s Restaurant – 4770 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224

Bring Your Own Beer (BYOB) to Adolfo's Restaurant, a charming family kitchen that specializes in Italian and Venezuelan cuisine. The generous menu features a variety of lunch and dinner dishes, including fettuccine Alfredo, cheese ravioli, fried yuca, and Norwegian salmon. Visit Adolfo's Restaurant Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

5. Drew’s Restaurant – 2060 Ardmore Boulvevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15221

Join countless other Pittsburghers who have made Drew's Family Restaurant a part of their families for more than a century. The charming BYOB eatery features such dishes as pizza, homemade meatloaf, liver and onions, chicken fingers, and veal parmigiana. Drew's Family Restaurant welcomes diners daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

6. Dor-Stop Restaurant – 1430 Potomac Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15216

Relive the past at the enchanting Dor-Stop Restaurant, a friendly neighborhood eatery that serves breakfast and lunch. Opt for such scrumptious dishes as steak and eggs, potato pancakes, omelettes, chicken salad, hot meatloaf sandwich, and corned beef Reuben. Enjoy a meal at the Dor-Stop Restaurant Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

7. DiPietro’s Restaurant – 412 Perry Highway, Pittsburgh, PA 15229

Indulge in an authentic Italian meal, with homemade sauce, at DiPietro's Restaurant, where you'll find a generous menu of meat, chicken, and veal dishes. A kids' menu is also available. Kick off your meal with a delectable appetizer, such as the hot banana peppers, fried mushrooms, or Italian hot wings. DiPietro's is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

8. Big Jim’s Bar & Restaurant – 201 Saline Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15207

Go to Big Jim's Restaurant hungry because you'll have plenty of scrumptious entrees from which to choose: NY strip steak, jumbo shrimp, homemade lasagna, or spaghetti. Drop by Big Jim's Restaurant Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to midnight, Saturday 10 a.m. to midnight, and Sunday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

With its many quaint restaurants, Pittsburgh is certainly a food lover's dream. Enjoy a scrumptious meal at one of these eight best family kitchens in Pittsburgh.