Our Favorite Pittsburgh Diner Dishes Up Delicious Comfort Food At Some Darn Good Prices
By Beth Price-Williams|Published April 22, 2024
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Beth Price-Williams
Author
A professional writer for more than two decades, Beth has lived in nearly a dozen states – from Missouri and Virginia to Connecticut and Vermont – and Toronto, Canada. In addition to traveling extensively in the U.S. and the U.K., she has a BA in Journalism from Point Park University (PA), a MA in Holocaust & Genocide Studies from Stockton University (NJ), and a Master of Professional Writing from Chatham University (PA). A writer and editor for Only In Your State since 2016, Beth grew up in and currently lives outside of Pittsburgh and when she’s not writing or hanging out with her bunnies, budgies, and chinchilla, she and her daughter are out chasing waterfalls.
One of the first things I do when I travel anywhere – big city or small town – is look for a diner. While it might not be fine dining or five-star cuisine, there’s just something so comforting about a diner, and most, even those hidden in a big city like Washington D.C. or Toronto, have that small-town friendliness that’s served with some pretty tasty food. We’ve got a few old-fashioned diners in Pittsburgh that dish up delicious food at affordable prices and promise that old-school feel. Ritter’s Diner in Pittsburgh is one of our favorites.
Ritter’s Diner has been a staple in the Bloomfield neighborhood of Pittsburgh since 1951, and it still exudes an old-school feel, right down to the jukeboxes on the tables and the counter where regulars sit and chat.
If you’re heading to one of the best local restaurants in Pittsburgh, you can park along the curb right next to the diner. If the curb parking is filled, look for the parking lot next to the apartment building across the street. There's a sign that says it's for Ritter's customers. Even when the diner is packed, you can usually find a parking spot.
Make sure you’ve got cash. Ritter’s is cash only, although you can use the ATM at the front of the diner.
Certainly among the most affordable restaurants in Pittsburgh, Ritter’s Diner is open daily. It once welcomed diners 24/7, but that changed during the pandemic.
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The only thing that really compares to the old-school vibe here is the food. If you like good, old-fashioned diner food, you’ll find that – and some of the best golden fries – and a menu that’s jam-packed with classics.
Pittsburgh is all about Kennywood’s Potato Patch fries. However, if you like those classic golden fries, Ritter’s makes some of the best. Just bring your own yellow mustard if that’s your preferred condiment.
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Breakfast is served all day, so you can dig into a stack of pancakes, an omelet, or a breakfast sandwich. Portions are so generous that we usually leave with leftovers.
Even if you’re not that hungry, stop by for dessert. Ritter’s serves slices of homemade fruit and cream pies, cheesecake, rice pudding, and ice cream. Whole pies are available, but you’ll have to order ahead of time.
Have you been to Ritter’s Diner in Pittsburgh? What did you think? Does it rank on your list of favorites? If not, which Pennsylvania diners should we visit instead? Let us know in the comments! If you’re up for an adventure before or after a stop at Ritter’s, head over to Fall Run Falls, the only named waterfall in Allegheny County.
