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Editor-In-Chief LISA CUNNINGHAM
Director of Advertising RACHEL WINNER
Director of Operations KEVIN SHEPHERD
News Editor JAMIE WIGGAN
A&E Editor AMANDA WALTZ
News Reporter JORDANA ROSENFELD
Art Director LUCY CHEN
Photographer/Videographer
JARED WICKERHAM
Graphic Designer JEFF SCHRECKENGOST
Digital Editorial Coordinator
HANNAH KINNEY-KOBRE
Senior Account Executive OWEN GABBEY
Sales Representative MARIA STILLITANO Marketing & Events Coordinator
HANNAH MORAN-FUNWELA
Digital Sales Coordinator EMILY RADAMIS Circulation Manager JEFF ENGBARTH Featured Contributors
REGE BEHE, NATALIE BENCIVENGA, MIKE CANTON, LYNN CULLEN, TERENEH IDIA, JORDAN SNOWDEN
Interns ALICE CROW, MATTHEW MONROY
Photo Intern PATRICK CAVANAGH
Getting spotted on the street by this year’s Best Lifestyle Influencer has become a badge of honor in the Steel City. With an Instagram feed documenting the region’s most interesting people and streetwear, he’s helping prove the city deserves its little spot in the galaxy. And that’s just one of the hundreds of out-of-this-world Best of Pittsburgh winners in this year’s poll, which highlights your favorite people, places, restaurants, bars, shops, and more.
From the hundreds of thousands of nominees you initially submitted to the winners in this issue, everyone in this year’s space-themed Best of Pittsburgh was decided by you. It’s the one issue a year we give all control over to our readers, and our staff is always just as excited as you are to see who ends up on top.
GENERAL POLICIES: Contents copyrighted 2022 by Eagle Media Corp. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. The opinions expressed in Pittsburgh City Paper are those of the author and not necessarily of Eagle Media Corp. LETTER POLICY: Letters, or e-mails must be signed and include town and daytime phone number for confirmation. We may edit for length and clarity. DISTRIBUTION: Pittsburgh City Paper is published weekly by Eagle Media Corp. and is available free of charge at select distribution locations. One copy per reader; copies of past issues may be purchased for $3.00 each, payable in advance to Pittsburgh City Paper.
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COVER DESIGN: LUCY CHEN
Sure, there are also lots of repeats. Pittsburghers know what they like. (Seriously, is anyone ever going to beat photographer Dave DiCello?) But within this issue, you’ll also discover plenty more folks who help make Pittsburgh a little less dreary. Inspiring businesses like this year’s winner for Best Nonprofit, which works to feed people in need. The winner for Best Yoga Studio, who is making the industry more inclusive to all body types. The Best Black-owned Salon, whose owner helps build her clients’ confidence. And don’t worry — we’ve included silly categories to keep you entertained, too. Like the Best Person to Represent Pittsburgh to Aliens. (OK, confession: We don’t always agree with the winners, but this guy? He’s one of our all-time favorites, too.)
BY LISA CUNNINGHAM LCUNNING@PGHCITYPAPER.COM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
2 WWW.PGHCITYPAPER.COM
pghcitypaper.com PGHCITYPAPER PITTSBURGHCITYPAPER SEPT. 28-OCT. 5, 2022 VOLUME 31 + ISSUE 39 CELEBRATING 30 YEARS SERVING PITTSBURGH SINCE NOV. 6, 1991
National Advertising Representative VMG ADVERTISING 1.888.278.9866 OR 1.212.475.2529 Publisher EAGLE MEDIA CORP. PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER’S 2022 BEST Of PittSbuRgH Culture and Nightlife >> >> > 06 Food and Drink >>>> > >> > 18 Goods and Services >>> >> > 30 People and Places >>>>>>> 38
BY BACARDI
3PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 5, 2022 THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS AND PARTNERS! BACARDI • TOTAL PEACE & WELLNESS • NIUM INC • ORGANIC REMEDIES • EASY STREET PROMOTIONS • AUDACY COMMONWEALTH PRESS • YA JAGGOFF • PITTSBURGH YOUNG PROFESSIONALS • PITTSBURGH COMMUNITY BROADCASTING SHENDEROVICH, SHENDEROVICH & FISHMAN, P.C. • MCKEES ROCKS CDC • CARNEGIE SCIENCE CENTER • MOONSHOT MUSEUM A FULL NIGHT OF LIVE ENTERTAINMENT! ROXIAN THEATRE 7-10PM For more information and tickets: pghcitypaper.com VIP Admission: $50 • General Admission: $30SOLD OUT BAG POLICY: To reduce staff contact with guest belongings, Roxian Theatre has implemented the following bag policy: Any clear bag, or a bag 6.5x4.5 or smaller is allowed. (Open bar for first hour & early access) JIM DONOVAN AND THE SUN KING WARRIORS SIERRA SELLERS DANCE PARTY WITH DJ SELECTA THURSDAY 9.29 EMCEED BY DRAGLOCALQUEEN PRINCESS JAFAR VIP HOUR FEATURING WEIRD PAUL LIVE MUSIC BY 21+ EVENT CELEBRATING THE BEST OF PITTSBURGH SPACE-THEMED SIGNATURE DRINK, PRESENTED
BEHIND THE SCENES
What went into this year’s Best of Pittsburgh issue
Here are the facts: From the nominees in the first round to the top 10 finalists in the voting round to the top three winners you’ll find in this issue, everyone in this year’s Best of Pittsburgh was decided by Pittsburgh City Paper readers.
What sets City Paper’s poll apart from others? Besides the obnoxiously large number of categories (yeah, we know — we keep trying to edit them down, but every year, we hear from readers who tell us we’ve missed some important ones), the Best of Pittsburgh is 100% determined by reader input. We use SecondStreet, an online voting platform, which automatically tabulates the results. No, City Paper staff members aren’t allowed to vote. And no, despite rumors which have existed since the poll first launched 30 years ago, no one can win a category by buying an ad. (But yes, winners are notified before this issue hits the stands and our sales team does sell them ads, which help support our local journalism throughout the rest of the year.)
What we do, though, is factcheck your noms. And we don’t just check them for spelling errors or to make sure you actually nominated Pittsburgh folks. We spend months checking each entry and eliminate any nomination we find to have posted anything racist,
sexist, homophobic, Islamaphobic, transphobic, or harmful to others. We also listen to your feedback and adjust the categories before the poll starts every year based on your recommendations. Did we miss a category you’d like to see next year? Spot one you’d rather we delete? Reach out and let us know. This is your poll, after all, and we aim to have each year’s poll better than the last.
Why the space theme? Well, besides making this issue look cool as hell, there are spacethemed events happening all over the city this year. For one, Pittsburgh is home to the Allegheny Observatory in Riverview Park and a planetarium at the Carnegie Science Center, where yinzers can dream of life in another galaxy. The Science Center also just launched a new exhibit, Sun, Earth Universe, focusing on the solar system, the universe, and “the big questions NASA is trying to answer about each.” In November, the Center will also debut its Mars: The Next Giant Leap exhibit, which explores the possibilities of traveling to and living on the Red Planet. But mostly, we were inspired by the Moonshot Museum, Pennsylvania’s first-ever space museum, opening soon in the North Side. We can’t wait to see if it ends up on next year’s winners’ list.
Now onto the winners!
4 WWW.PGHCITYPAPER.COM
5PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 5, 2022
PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER’S
6 WWW.PGHCITYPAPER.COM CULTURE NIGHTLIFE BEST Of PittSbuRgH Best Bartender Best Comedy Troupe Best Event Planner Best Electronic Group fEaturiNg AND
READERS’ POLL
Best of CultuRe & niGhTliFe
JOEMYGOSH & JAXA FROOT
BEST COMEDY TROUPE
BY AMANDA WALTZ // AWALTZ@PGHCITYPAPER.COM
JOEMYGOSH of the sketch comedy duo JoeMyGosh and Jaxa Froot says they will perform anywhere that has them. That extends outside of Pittsburgh, where they have done shows in Boston and San Francisco, and in Columbus, Ohio.
The pair say that since they started doing sketch comedy three years ago, they’ve performed in clubs, bars and restaurants, theaters, and other venues, as well as doing private gigs. Many past shows have taken place at Blue Moon, a popular LGBTQ bar in Lawrenceville.
be here in this moment, it just feels like very surreal and very, like, hon oring, you know?”
The win caps a journey that started in West Virginia when the two met in high school and began performing theater together. They relocated to Pittsburgh, where they continued to perform.
“[JoeMyGosh] had been doing drag for a couple years, I think, at that point,” says Jaxa Froot, “and they needed help with one of their numbers. And after just perform ing together doing a drag event, we decided to try to get into comedy and start writing stuff together.”
Their combination of raucous humor and drag has earned the best friends the title of Best Comedy Troupe in this year’s Best of Pittsburgh readers’ poll.
“The biggest thing for us is to just make people laugh,” JoeMyGosh tells Pittsburgh City Paper in a phone interview. “And honestly, it’s such an honor for us to be nominated at all. And then for us to have won is just really, really cool because being able to make Pittsburgh laugh has been like our goal the entire time that we started doing sketch comedy, and to
They perform as different charac ters, including playing the directors of a Pokémon cruise line, sex phone line operators, and more. Many sketches were filmed and can be found on their YouTube channel.
They have another Pittsburgh show in December at Mr. Smalls Theatre, where they will join Steel Kitty Productions for a “femmes and thems” show featuring lesbian, femme, and nonbinary performers.
In terms of their style, JoeMyGosh puts it simply, saying, “I think people can expect a really stupid time.”
youtube.com/c/JoeJaxa
PHOTO:
7PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 5, 2022
•
RAYNI SHIRING
JIM DONOVAN AND THE SUN KING WARRIORS
sunkingwarriors.com
2nd: Buffalo Rose
3rd: The Shiners
COOP DE VILLE
BEST BAR (EAST)
KELLY’S BAR & LOUNGE
6012 Penn Ave., East Liberty. kellysbarlounge.com
2nd: Spirit
3rd: Thunderbird Café & Music Hall
BEST BAR (NORTH)
JERGEL’S RHYTHM GRILLE
285 Northgate Drive, Warrendale. jergels.com
2nd: Federal Galley
3rd: Max’s Allegheny Tavern
BEST BAR (SOUTH)
MINDFUL BREWING COMPANY
3759 Library Road, South Hills. mindfulbrewing.com
2nd: Rugger’s Pub
3rd: Jack’s Bar
BEST BAR (WEST)
RILEY’S POUR HOUSE
215 E. Main St., Carnegie. rileyspourhouse.com
2nd: The Parkway Theater & Film Lounge
3rd: Rockefeller’s Grille
BEST BAR TO DAY DRINK
SOUTHERN TIER
BREWERY PITTSBURGH
316 N. Shore Drive, North Side. stbcbeer.com
2nd: Trace Brewing
3rd: Coop De Ville
BEST Of PittSbuRgH
LARA BORASSO
BEST BARTENDER
BY JORDANA ROSENFELD // JORDANA@PGHCITYPAPER.COM
LARA BORASSO DOESN’T HAVE a signature cocktail; she’s not that kind of bartender.
“I’m a volume girl,” she tells Pittsburgh City Paper on a recent Saturday night at Rugger’s Pub, the South Side dive where she’s tended bar for the last nine years and managed for the last six. “I’d rather spend five minutes making 20 things than five minutes making one thing.”
AT RUGGER’S PUB
Rugger’s is the official home of Forge, Pittsburgh’s rugby club, but Borasso isn’t a player. She likes it at Rugger’s, she says, because everyone is chill. Despite the bar’s focus on rugby, Borasso says not
all of Rugger’s patrons are athletes, and everyone is welcome.
Borasso has been a bartender for 15 years and also won Best Bartender in 2019. She got into bartending after realiz ing it was easier and more lucrative than the barista job she had been working.
She works quickly and efficiently, rarely having to ask customers to repeat their orders or remind her what they’re drinking when it’s time for a refill. Fingers flying through Rugger’s aging point-of-sale system, Borasso says she likes to challenge herself to brain games while she works, like trying to match patrons to their open bar tab without asking their name.
Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Borasso
says her style behind the bar has been shaped by the Steel City. She rinses off the top of every can of beer before opening it all the way and handing it to a customer. This is muscle memory, she says, from when she tended bar at a place that stored their beverages in a musty Pittsburgh basement.
She’ll probably take that habit with her to Key West, Florida, where she and her fiance plan to move at the end of the year. Both visual artists, they hope to find a more robust fine art market down south.
It’s certain that customers of Rugger’s, where Borasso turned bartending into a fine art, will miss her when she heads for sunnier climates.
CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM
CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM
8 WWW.PGHCITYPAPER.COM
BEST AMERICANA ARTIST/GROUP
BEST OF CULTURE & NIGHTLIFE CONTINUES ON PG. 10
• 40 S. 22nd St., South Side. ruggerspub.com BEST BAR (DOWNTOWN & STRIP DISTRICT)
2305 Smallman St., Strip District. coopdevillepgh.com 2nd: Con Alma Downtown 3rd: The Warren Bar & Burrow
9PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 5, 2022 Hemp CBD & THC That WORKS! 4213 BUTLER STREET • PITTSBURGH, PA 15201 WWW.TOTALPEACEANDWELLNESSCBD.COM • Total Peace and Wellness Takes Pride In Being Your “Premier CBD Store”. • High-Quality Hemp-Derived CBD & THC for Wellness. • No Medical Marijuana Card Needed. Thank You For Nominating Total Peace and Wellness one of The Best Places To Buy CBD Products!
BEST BAR TO DRINK ALONE
JACK’S BAR
1117 E. Carson St., South Side. instagram.com/jacksbarpgh
2nd: Gooski’s
3rd: Blue Moon
BEST BAR TO PREGAME SOUTHERN TIER BREWERY PITTSBURGH
316 N. Shore Drive, North Side. stbcbeer.com
2nd: Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar
3rd: Tequila Cowboy
BEST BARTENDER
LARA BORASSO at Rugger’s Pub
40 S. 22nd St., South Side. ruggerspub.com
2nd: Chris Miller at Hidden Harbor
3rd: Derek Blankenship at The Smiling Moose
BEST BLUES ARTIST/GROUP BILLY PRICE
billyprice.com
2nd: The Fabulous Booze Brothers
3rd: Miss Freddye
BEST BOUNCER LAMONT MOORER at Mr. Smalls Theatre and Gooskis
instagram.com/batmetal
2nd: Big Pete at Smiling Moose
3rd: Thomas Ross at P-Town Bar
BEST CHARITY FUNDRAISER MARIO LEMIEUX FOUNDATION 6.6K
mariolemieux.org
2nd: Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh’s Wags, Whiskers & Wings End of Summer Pawty
3rd: Women Who Rock
BEST CLASSICAL ENSEMBLE PITTSBURGH
SYMPHONY
ORCHESTRA
pittsburghsymphony.org
The Grammy Award-winning Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, which celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2021, has come out on top in this brand new category. Whether you’re a fan of classics from the likes of Strauss and Mozart, concerts pairing live scores over screenings of movies like Star Wars, or the PNC Pops, featuring upbeat productions like The Doo Wop Project, the PSO has some thing for everyone as it attracts new and younger audiences.
2nd: River City Brass Band
3rd: Cello Fury
BEST CLUB
SPIRIT
242 51st St., Lawrenceville. spiritpgh.com
2nd: Belvedere’s Ultra-Dive
3rd: Tequila Cowboy
BEST CLUB DJ SELECTA
instagram.com/selecta720
2nd: DJ Solo Dolo
BEST CAMP FOR KIDS ZOO CAMP AT PITTSBURGH ZOO & PPG AQUARIUM
7370 Baker St., Highland Park. pittsburghzoo.org
2nd: Girls Rock! Pittsburgh
3rd: Jewish Community Center
Greater Pittsburgh
BEST CARTOONIST ROB ROGERS robrogers.com
2nd: Marcel Walker
3rd: Randy Bish
3rd: T.J. Harris
BEST COMEDIAN JIM KRENN
jimkrenn.com
2nd: Bill Crawford
3rd: Chrissy Costa
BEST COMEDY TROUPE JOEMYGOSH AND JAXA FROOT
youtube.com/c/JoeJaxa
2nd: Knights of the Arcade
3rd: Nebby Neighbors
10 WWW.PGHCITYPAPER.COM membership@jccpgh.org 412-697-3522JCCPGH.ORG It’s all here HAPPY. HEALTHY. Thank you for voting SteelMillRising: HighwayTraveler 1st place for Best Local Album of the Year! LYNNCULLENLIVE every Monday thru Thursday at 10 a.m. at pghcitypaper.com
BEST OF CULTURE & NIGHTLIFE, CONTINUED FROM PG. 8 CONTINUES ON PG. 12
of
11PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 5, 2022 www.smoothieking.com 1025 Washington Pike, Bridgeville, PA 15017 11199 Perry Hwy, Wexford, PA 15090BLENDING GOODNESS TO FUEL YOUR GREATNESS FIRST PLACE AGAIN! THANK YOU FOR VOTING
BEST
CHRISTIAN BECK
facebook.com/ChristianBeckBand
2nd: Buckwild
3rd: Justin Fabus
BEST COVER ARTIST/GROUP DANCING QUEEN
facebook.com/DancingQueenBand
2nd: Totally 80s
3rd: Gary Prisby
BEST
PITTSBURGH
BALLET THEATRE
2nd:
BEST
STUDIO G DANCE CENTER
995
2nd:
BEST
VENUS IN FURS
MONTIA ROBINSON OF M. ROBINSON GROUP
BEST EVENT PLANNER
BY MATTHEW MONROY // INFO@PGHCITYPAPER.COM
MONTIA ROBINSON knows event planning is all about the details. Whether it be festoons, balloons, lighting, or getting just the right shade of table linens, she tries to perfectly capture her clients’ visions for their events.
Voted this year’s Best Event Planner, Robinson, owner of M. Robinson Group, organizes events that range from corpo rate parties to baby showers.
feel like?” Along with her team of plan ners, Robinson then builds an event plan with details like a budget and vendor list. When it’s time for the actual event, Robinson makes sure everything runs smoothly.
“We really want to be immersed in the vision of what that person wants to see when they walk in the room,” Robinson says.
BEST
M. Robinson Group
2nd:
“I am obsessed with that first look,” Robinson says. “I like to know that I am in some way helping by taking those details off their hands.”
When meeting with a client, Robinson asks them creative questions: “What song best describes this theme?” Or “what movie do you want the event to
Robinson has worked in the planning business for over 10 years and has been around events even longer. As a child, she would accompany her mother, who was an artist, to festivals around Pittsburgh.
“This is not just a wake up and start putting ribbon on,” says Robinson. “My whole life has been immersed in the art and culture of event planning.”
Robinson says she also shares her skills with the community. Her company works with several programs, including Bedford Connect and Allegheny Dwellings, to teach residents in marginalized communities how to organize events. She also makes an effort to work with nonprofit groups such as When She Thrives, which holds an event focused on empowering local female writers.
Moving forward, Robinson hopes to grow her business to encompass larger events while continuing to make her clients’ lives easier.
“Life is hard,” she says. “Partying shouldn’t be.”
PHOTO: RAYNI SHIRING
12 WWW.PGHCITYPAPER.COM
COUNTRY ARTIST/GROUP
CONTINUED FROM PG. 10
• BEST Of PittSbuRgH
mrobinsongroup.com
DANCE STUDIO
Greensburg Pike, Forest Hills and 1454 Lincoln Highway, North Versailles. studiogdancecenter.com
Bell School of Irish Dance 3rd: Abby Lee Dance Company
ELECTRONIC ARTIST/GROUP
venusinfursrocks.com 2nd: The Gay She’s 3rd: Ky Vöss
EVENT PLANNER MONTIA ROBINSON of
mrobinsongroup.com
Shayla Hawkins 3rd: Lito Corpuz
DANCE COMPANY
pbt.org
Attack Theatre 3rd: Point Park University Conservatory Dance Company CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM
BEST
CHRIS PREKSTA
chrispreksta.com
2nd: Alistair McQueen
3rd: Max Cianci
BEST GALLERY FOR LOCAL ARTISTS
REDFISHBOWL
4327 Butler St., Lawrenceville. redfishbowl.com
2nd: Baron Batch Art Gallery
3rd: BOOM Concepts
BEST HAUNTED ATTRACTION HUNDRED ACRES MANOR
1 Hundred Acres Drive, Bethel Park. hundredacresmanor.com
2nd: The Scarehouse
3rd: Kennywood Phantom Fall Festival
BEST INDEPENDENT MOVIE THEATER
ROW HOUSE CINEMA
4115 Butler St., Lawrenceville. rowhousecinema.com
2nd: Manor Theatre
3rd: Dependable Drive In Theater
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s BATTLE OF THE BOOKS carnegielibrary.org/battleofthebooks
2nd: Abolition Is Everything at White Whale Bookstore
3rd: Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures’ Ten Evenings Series
Steel Mill Rising is the ultimate nofrills Pittsburgh bar band. With a little country and a little bit rock ‘n’ roll, the band’s April 2021 release, Highway Traveler, features 10 songs that would fit in on any local jukebox. Sing along to the title track as you’re swiggin’ down an Iron City.
13PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 5, 2022
FILMMAKER
BEST LITERARY EVENT
CONTINUES ON PG. 14
BEST LEGACY ARTIST/GROUP THE CLARKS clarksonline.com 2nd: Anti-Flag 3rd: Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers BEST LGBTQ BAR 5801 VIDEO LOUNGE & CAFÉ 5801 Ellsworth Ave., Shadyside. 5801pgh.com 2nd: Blue Moon 3rd: P Town Bar 2nd: No Gloryholes in Heaven by God Hates Unicorns 3rd: Smile, You’re Alive! by Benji. BEST JAZZ ARTIST/GROUP PHAT MAN DEE phatmandeemusic.com 2nd: Big Blitz 3rd: Kenny Blake CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM BEST LOCAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR HIGHWAY TRAVELER by Steel Mill Rising facebook.com/SteelMillRising BEST METAL ARTIST/GROUP LADY BEAST facebook.com/ladybeastofficial 2nd: Greywalker 3rd: Windchimes BEST MUSIC FEST MILLVALE MUSIC FEST millvalemusic.org 2nd: Deutschtown Music Festival 3rd: Three Rivers Arts Festival listen now at wyep.org Thanks Readers for Voting WYEP the Best Radio Station in Pittsburgh
BEST NEW BAR CON ALMA
DOWNTOWN
613 Penn Ave., Downtown. conalmapgh.com/downtown
2nd: The Getaway Bar & Grill
3rd: Ceasars Ale House and Eatery
BEST PHOTOGRAPHER (CREATIVE) DAVE DICELLO davedicello.com
2nd: Dustin McGrew
3rd: JP Diroll
BEST PHOTOGRAPHER (WEDDING) RACHEL ROWLAND rachelrowland.com
2nd: Wild Native 3rd: Taylor Ollason Photography
BEST PICK-UP BAR BELVEDERE’S ULTRA-DIVE
4016 Butler St., Lawrenceville. belvederesultradive.com
2nd: Spirit 3rd: Blue Moon
BEST PLACE FOR A DATE NIGHT PHIPPS CONSERVATORY AND BOTANICAL GARDENS
1 Schenley Park, Oakland. phipps.conservatory.org
2nd: Pusadee’s Garden
3rd: Coop De Ville
BEST PLACE TO CELEBRATE YOUR BIRTHDAY
KENNYWOOD
4800 Kennywood Blvd., West Mifflin. kennywood.com
2nd: Arsenal Bowl
3rd: DiAnoia’s Eatery
BEST PLACE TO CELEBRATE YOUR DIVORCE
LUMBERJAXES
AXE THROWING
Multiple locations. lumberjaxes.com
2nd: Club Erotica
3rd: Belvedere’s Ultra-Dive
BEST PLACE TO DANCE
BELVEDERE’S ULTRA-DIVE
4016 Butler St., Lawrenceville. belvederesultradive.com
2nd: Tequila Cowboy
3rd: Spirit
BEST PLACE TO FEEL LIKE A KID AGAIN
KENNYWOOD
4800 Kennywood Blvd., West Mifflin. kennywood.com
2nd: Carnegie Science Center
3rd: Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
BEST PLACE TO KARAOKE
BOB’S GARAGE
1372 Freeport Road, Blawnox. instagram.com/pghbobsgarage
2nd: COBRA
3rd: Jekyll and Hyde
BEST PLACE TO SEE
LOCAL BAND
MR. SMALLS THEATRE
400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale. mrsmalls.com
2nd: Jergel’s Rhythm Grille
3rd: Thunderbird Café & Music Hall
PHOTO:
CP PHOTO: PAM SMITH
BEST MUSIC VENUE (CITY) BEST OF CULTURE & NIGHTLIFE, CONTINUED FROM PG. 13
CP
LUCY CHEN
A
2nd:
BEST
RACHEL ANN BOVIER
2nd:
15PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 5, 2022 BEST PLACE TO TAKE ALIEN VISITORS MOUNT WASHINGTON OVERLOOK visitpittsburgh.com/neighborhoods/mt-washington
Randyland 3rd: South Side on a Friday night
POET
facebook.com/Rachel.Ann.Bovier
Joe Szalinski 3rd: vanessa german BEST POP ARTIST/GROUP MEETING OF IMPORTANT PEOPLE meetingofimportantpeople.com 2nd: Katie Simone 3rd: Donora BEST PUNK ARTIST/GROUP FUCK YEAH, DINOSAURS! dinopunks.com 2nd: Bastard Bearded Irishmen 3rd: The Cheats BEST RAP/HIP-HOP ARTIST/GROUP BENJI. facebook.com/AvatarBenji 2nd: Miss Money 3rd: Tjuan Benafactor CONTINUES ON PG. 16 BEST R&B ARTIST/GROUP THE BILL HENRY BAND billhenryband.com 2nd: The Commonheart 3rd: Sierra Sellers BEST RADIO DJ KELLY 100.7 STAR FM facebook.com/kelonair 2nd: Mikey & Big Bob 3rd: Randy Baumann BEST RADIO STATION 91.3 FM WYEP wyep.org 2nd: 102.5 WDVE 3rd: 96.1 KISS FM BEST ROCK ARTIST/GROUP THE CLARKS clarksonline.com 2nd: Weird Paul Rock Band 3rd: Byron Nash BEST SPORTS ANNOUNCER MIKE LANGE en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Lange 2nd: Bob Pompeani and Andrew Fillipponi 3rd: Bill Hilgrove BEST SPORTS BAR PRIMANTI’S Multiple locations. primantibros.com 2nd: Bigham Tavern 3rd: Rugger’s Pub BEST STREET ARTIST BARON BATCH baronbatch.com 2nd: Mook 3rd: Jeremy Raymer BEST STREET FESTIVAL THREE RIVERS ARTS FESTIVAL traf.trustarts.org 2nd: Picklesburgh 3rd: Little Italy Days BEST STRIP CLUB CHEERLEADERS 3100 Liberty Ave., Strip District. cheerleaderspittsburgh.com 2nd: True Diamonds 3rd: Real Luck Café BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT & BEST FOOD TRUCK! FOR VOTING US Thank You 660 WASHINGTON RD. Thank you for voting us B E S T P O D C A S T PITTSBURGH!
BEST
PITTSBURGH
PUBLIC THEATER
ppt.org
2nd: City Theatre Company
3rd: Stage 62
BEST THEATER PRODUCTION
PITTSBURGH CLO’S
THE WIZARD OF OZ at Heinz Field
pittsburghclo.org
2nd: The Nutcracker by Carnegie Performing Arts Center
3rd: City Theatre’s An Untitled New Play by Justin Timberlake
BEST TRIVIA NIGHT
5801 VIDEO
LOUNGE AND CAFÉ
5801 Ellsworth Ave., Shadyside. 5801pgh.com
2nd: Bigham Tavern
3rd: Radical Trivia at Trace Brewing
BEST UNSIGNED MUSIC ARTIST
WEIRD PAUL
weirdpaul.com
2nd: Matthew Kamenicky
3rd: Letizia Collini
BEST VISUAL ARTIST
BOB FREYER
bfreyerart.com
2nd: Baron Batch
3rd: James Wodarek
BEST WORLD OR INTERNATIONAL MUSIC ARTIST/GROUP
THE TAMBURITZANS
thetamburitzans.org
2nd: Ishtar
3rd: Gavas Beat
BEST WRESTLER OR WRESTLING TAG TEAM
KURT ANGLE
kurtanglebrand.com
2nd: Lee Moriarty
3rd: Ziggy Haim
BEST WRITER
DAMON YOUNG
damonjyoung.com
2nd: Sean Collier
3rd: Tony Norman
VENUS IN FURS
BEST ELECTRONIC ARTIST/GROUP
BY JORDAN SNOWDEN // CPCONTRIBUTORS@PGHCITYPAPER.COM
WHEN
ASKED WHAT MAKES Venus in Furs stand out from other electronic groups in Pittsburgh, the duo’s founder and front man Michael T. Nolan answers humbly: “Nothing. We are all great and work hard.”
However, there must be something that makes the rock-infused band dis tinctive because readers choose Venus in Furs as 2022’s Best Electronic Artist/ Group.
“It was quite a bit of a surprise,” says Nolan. “I’m glad someone is listening.”
During the early 1990s, while Nolan was still in college, he and his friend Michael Routh thought it would be a good idea to try their hand at electronic music. So, Nolan bought a drum machine, sampler, and a Casio CZ101 keyboard, and
Venus in Furs was born. Once the duo started booking gigs, John Routh, Michael Routh’s brother, took over for live shows.
Nolan describes Venus in Furs’ sound as “dance music with guitars” and points to the group’s top Spotify track — their namesake “Venus in Furs” — to get a feel for their dark, glitchy energy. But it may be better to catch a Venus in Furs’ live show. According to the duo, their unique per formances are a “next-level experience when the lights go up and the dancing girls go-go on.”
Yes, you read that correctly. Venus in Furs hires dancers, often scantily clad in leather and lace, to take their live sets to the next level. An example of this can be
seen in the music video for the group’s cover of “Relax,” the original controver sial hit by Liverpool legends Frankie Goes to Hollywood. Their version highlights vocals from Alicia Lynn and powerful guitar solos from featured player Jason Sichi, as well as the work of Suz Pisano, one of this year’s top three winners in the Best Fashion Designer category, who zhuzhed up the go-go dancers in an exciting nod to prominent disco fashion designer Roy Halston.
But Nolan recommends Pittsburghers take in everything the Steel City’s elec tronic music scene has to offer.
“There is quite a lot of great local music out there,” he says. “People are creating all around you. Don’t be afraid to listen to it.”
•
CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM MIchael T. Nolan of Venus in Furs
16 WWW.PGHCITYPAPER.COM
THEATER COMPANY
CONTINUED FROM PG. 15
BEST Of PittSbuRgH
venusinfursrocks.com
17PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 5, 2022 RELIEF FOR YINZ! Dispensary Locations including McKnight Road & Bethel Park Order Online & Curbside Delivery Voted #1 Best Medical Marijuana Dispensary
PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER’S READERS’ POLL
18 WWW.PGHCITYPAPER.COM FOOD DRINK BEST Of PittSbuRgH Best African Food Best Bar Snacks Best Cocktail List Best Bubble Tea fEaturiNg
BEST Of fOoD & dRiNk
KILIMANJARO FLAVOUR
BEST AFRICAN FOOD
AS A LITTLE GIRL growing up in Tanzania, Africa, Grace Mbowe would cook for imaginary diners. As she got older, she started to cook professionally as a means to support her family while doing what she loves. After moving to America, she stayed on the same path.
“Cooking is my passion,” Mbowe says.
In 2019, Mbowe started Kilimanjaro Flavour, a beloved and successful food truck that sells East African food throughout Pittsburgh.
The blue-and green-truck, adorned with pictures of animals like lions and giraffes, has visited Bellevue, Downtown, Ross Township, and many more local neighborhoods. A message pasted around the truck says, “If You Can’t Make It To Kilimanjaro, Climb It Here!”
BY MATT PETRAS // INFO@PGHCITYPAPER.COM facebook.com/Kilimango.kitchen
Food sold in the truck includes entrees such as Wakanda Braised Beef, Coconut Shrimp, and Chicken on a Stick, as well as desserts like Sweet Plantains and Coconut Puf Pufs. In order to successfully sell authentic African food, Mbowe says she had to acclimate to American tastes, such
as a penchant for condiments that didn’t exist back home. One solution she found was embracing coconut flavoring.
“As I grew up with my grandpar ents, we had a coconut plantation in our house,” she says. “Surrounding the homes, there were a lot of coconuts, and my grandmother used to cook everything using coconuts, even if it’s a chicken stew, beef stew.”
Running the truck proves to be difficult work. It’s not uncommon for Mbowe to wake up at 4 a.m., and she often works alone.
“This is something that I love. I pray so that I won’t give up and keep on going because I’ve already given people something good,” Mbowe says. “If I quit, I will be disappointing so many people who have been behind my business.”
Mbowe prides herself on running a successful business that provides a unique style of food.
“People have been honest and they appreciate the work that I put into this type of work,” Mbowe says, adding, “I’m so proud of coming up with the creativity of twisting our actual food back home and making sure everyone here enjoys.”
19PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 5, 2022
•
CP PHOTOS: PAT CAVANAGH
BEST AFRICAN FOOD KILIMANJARO FLAVOUR
facebook.com/Kilimanjo.kitchen
2nd: Tana Ethiopian Cuisine
3rd: African Eats Cuisine
BEST ALCOHOL-FREE SPIRITS SHORTY’S PINS X PINTS
353 N. Shore Drive, North Side. shortysx.com
2nd: Hidden Harbor
3rd: Grand Concourse
BEST ASIAN FUSION RESTAURANT
BAE BAE’S KITCHEN
951 Liberty Ave., Downtown. baebaes.kitchen
2nd: JJ Poke Bowl & Taiwanese Bubble Tea
3rd: The Slippery Mermaid
BEST
OAKMONT BAKERY
1 Sweet St., Oakmont. oakmontbakery.com
2nd: La Gourmandine
3rd: Jean-Marc Chatellier’s French Bakery
BEST BAR SNACKS
FAT HEAD’S SALOON
1805 E. Carson St., South Side. fatheads.com
2nd: Dive Bar and Grille
3rd: Bigham Tavern
BEST
WALTER’S BBQ
SOUTHERN KITCHEN
4501 Butler St., Lawrenceville. walterspgh.com
2nd: Showcase Barbeque
3rd: Off the Rails Barbeque
BEST
MANCINI’S BAKERY
1717 Penn Ave., Strip District and 601 Woodward Ave., McKees Rocks. mancinisbakery.com
2nd: BreadWorks Bakery
3rd: Oakmont Bakery
BEST BREWERY
GRIST HOUSE
CRAFT BREWERY
10 Sherman St., Millvale. gristhouse.com
2nd: Voodoo Brewing Co.
3rd: Hitchhiker Brewing Co.
BEST BAR SNACKS
BY MATT PETRAS
KELSEY
BENIGNI, bar manager at Fat Head’s Saloon, has a lot of fun at her workplace.
“When I’m not working, I love to hang out here, or my friends like to come and hang out and get nachos or something while I’m working,” Benigni says. “It’s fun. Food and drink is just a fun way to social ize, I think.”
While many know Fat Head’s Saloon for its large sandwiches and brewed beers, folks also love its bar snacks such as its wings, nachos, and flatbreads.
Fat Head’s Saloon, located in the South Side, has been around since 1992. In addition to wings, which can be ordered house-smoked or fried with sauces like smoky BBQ, garlic parm, and “Black and Yellow,” the bar has an extensive
“Munchies’’ menu category. Options include a giant pretzel, Buffalo cauli flower, fish and chips, chicken tenders, the “Frickles” fried pickles, flatbreads in chicken Choke Dip and Buffalo Chicken varieties, pierogis prepared either sautéed or deep-fried, the spicy “Arrogant Onion Rings,” and more.
Benigni became the bar manager last summer after rising through the ranks over seven years. In that time, she’s gotten to know repeat customers.
“We have a lot of regular customers that like to come in, so it’s always fun to see them coming in and having an oppor tunity to enjoy themselves and hang out with their friends and get something good to eat, too,” Benigni says.
While the sandwiches and “head wiches” remain incredibly popular, according to Benigni, many customers start the night out with some munchies.
“A lot of times, our guests will come to the bar, grab a drink, and start with wings or munchies before diving into the rest of the menu,” she says.
She loves the munchies herself and has a top choice.
“My favorite would probably be the three cheese corn dip,” Benigni says.
“It’s just really good. It’s a great one for if you’re just hanging out and having a couple drinks and you don’t want a whole sandwich or anything, but you just want something to munch on.”
CP PHOTO: PAT CAVANAGH
20 WWW.PGHCITYPAPER.COM
BEST OF FOOD & DRINK
• BEST Of PittSbuRgH FAT HEAD’S SALOON
// INFO@PGHCITYPAPER.COM 1805 E. Carson St., South Side. fatheads.com
BAKERY
BBQ
and Drafthouse
BREAD
BEST BRUNCH
PAMELA’S DINER
Multiple locations. pamelasdiner.com
2nd: Grand Concourse
3rd: Square Cafe
BEST BUBBLE TEA
JJ POKE BOWL & TAIWANESE BUBBLE TEA
110 Atwood St., Oakland. jjpoke.com
2nd: Fuku Tea
3rd: Banh Mi & Ti
BEST BURGER BURGATORY
Multiple locations. burgatorybar.com
2nd: Tessaro’s American Bar & Hardwood Grill
3rd: Moonlit Burgers
BEST CANDY STORE
GRANDPA JOE’S
CANDY SHOP
Multiple locations. grandpajoescandyshop.com
2nd: The Milkshake Factory
3rd: Betsy Ann Chocolates
BEST CARIBBEAN RESTAURANT
KAYA
2000 Smallman St., Strip District. kaya.menu
2nd: 2 Sisters 2 Sons
3rd: Leon’s Caribbean Food
BEST CATERER
PASTA TOO
5260 Library Road, Bethel Park. pastatoorestaurant.com
2nd: The Cooked Goose Catering Company
3rd: DiAnoia’s Eatery
BEST CHEF
DAVE ANOIA
at DiAnoia’s Eatery
2549 Penn Ave., Strip District. dianoiaseatery.com
2nd: Matt Christie at Streets on Carson
3rd: Bill Fuller at Big Burrito
BEST CHINESE RESTAURANT SESAME INN
Multiple locations. sesameinn.com
2nd: Chengdu Gourmet
3rd: Everyday Noodles
BEST COCKTAIL
BRIDGES & BOURBON
930 Penn Ave., Strip District. bridgesandbourbonpgh.com
2nd: Hidden Harbor
3rd: Maggie’s Farm Rum Distillery
BEST COFFEE SHOP
BLACK FORGE COFFEE HOUSE
1206 Arlington Ave., Allentown and 701 Chartiers Ave., McKees Rocks. blackforgecoffee.com
2nd: Carnegie Coffee Company
3rd: BeanThru
BEST
WIGLE WHISKEY DISTILLERY
2401 Smallman St., Strip District. wiglewhiskey.com
2nd: Bridges & Bourbon
3rd: Hidden Harbor
LIVING WITH
MACARONI
CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM
21PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 5, 2022
HIV? You Are The Key To Your Health AIDSFreePittsburgh.org
LIST
CRAFT COCKTAILS
CONTINUES ON PG. 22 BEST CSA 412 FOOD RESCUE 412foodrescue.org 2nd: Who Cooks For You Farm 3rd: Harvie BEST DELI PENNSYLVANIA
CO. 2010 Penn Ave., Strip District. pennmac.com 2nd: Carson Street Deli & Craft Beer Bar 3rd: Labriola’s Italian Market BEST DESSERT MENU OAKMONT BAKERY 1 Sweet St., Oakmont. oakmontbakery.com 2nd: Page’s 3rd: The Butterwood Bake Consortium
assemblepgh.org 4824 Penn Ave 412-661-6111 STEAM STEAM PROGRAMS PROGRAMS F R E E A F T E R S C H O O L D A Y C A M P S S A T U R D A Y C R A F T E R N O O N S B I R T H D A Y P A R T I E S Y O U T H M A K E R N I G H T A N D M O R E ! FOR FKIDS OR KIDS Find out more: B u i l d i n g c o n f i d e n c e t h r o u g h m a k i n g
BEST DINER
PAMELA’S DINER
Multiple locations. pamelasdiner.com
2nd: Ritter’s Diner
3rd: Kelly O’s Diner
BEST DISTILLERY
WIGLE WHISKEY
DISTILLERY
2401 Smallman St., Strip District. wiglewhiskey.com
2nd: Maggie’s Farm Rum Distillery
3rd: McLaughlin Distillery
BEST DONUTS
OAKMONT BAKERY
1 Sweet St., Oakmont. oakmontbakery.com
2nd: Duck Donuts
3rd: Valkyrie Doughnuts
BEST FOOD TRUCK
TOTOPO FOOD TRUCK
facebook.com/totopoonwheels
2nd: HibachiLou412
3rd: Blue Sparrow
BEST FRIED CHICKEN
COOP DE VILLE
2305 Smallman St., Strip District. coopdevillepgh.com
2nd: Bird On The Run
3rd: CHiKN
BEST DOG-FRIENDLY
GRIST HOUSE
CRAFT BREWERY
10 Sherman St., Millvale. gristhouse.com
From hops to sours, it’s clear why this Millvale brewery with a huge variety of beers on tap is a repeat winner of Best Brewery. It also has become a popular spot for dog owners and large groups alike thanks to its generous outdoor seating. Grab a brew, and a bite from a visiting food truck, and hang outside at one of the picnic tables.
2nd: Double Wide Grill
3rd: Southern Tier Brewery Pittsburgh
BEST FRIES
POTATO PATCH
4800 Kennywood Blvd., West Mifflin. kennywood.com
2nd: Primanti Bros.
3rd: Point Brugge Cafe
BEST GLUTEN-FREE MENU
CONDADO TACOS
Multiple locations. condadotacos.com
2nd: Onion Maiden
3rd: Square Cafe
BEST GREEK RESTAURANT
MIKE & TONY’S GYROS
Multiple locations. mikeandtonysgyros.com
2nd: Pitaland
3rd: Amel’s Restaurant
BEST HAPPY HOUR MAD MEX
Multiple locations. madmex.com
2nd: Primanti Bros.
3rd: Mike & Tony’s Gyros
BEST HOAGIE
TRIANGLE BAR & GRILL
2122 Monongahela Ave., Swissvale. trianglebarswissvale.com
2nd: Peppi’s
3rd: Uncle Sam’s Submarines
BEST HOT DOG
D’S SIX PAX AND DOGZ
1118 S. Braddock Ave., Regent Square. ds6pax.com
2nd: Brighton Hot Dog Shoppe
3rd: Franktuary
BEST ICE CREAM
MILLIE’S HOMEMADE
ICE CREAM
Multiple locations. millieshomemade.com
2nd: Page’s
3rd: Leona’s Ice Cream
BEST INDIAN RESTAURANT
TAJ MAHAL
7795 McKnight Road, North Hills. tajmahalinc.com
2nd: People’s Indian Restaurant
3rd: Udipi Cafe
BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT DIANOIA’S EATERY
2549 Penn Ave., Strip District. dianoiaseatery.com
2nd: Alla Famiglia
3rd: Pasta Too
BEST JAPANESE RESTAURANT
NAKAMA
Multiple locations. instagram.com/nakama_pgh
2nd: Umami
3rd: Ichiban Hibachi & Sushi Bar
BEST JUICE THE PITTSBURGH
JUICE COMPANY
3418 Penn Ave., Lawrenceville. pittsburghjuicecompany.com
2nd: Live Fresh Cold Pressed
3rd: East End Food Co-op
CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM
22 WWW.PGHCITYPAPER.COM 703 SOUTH NEGLEY AVENUE • PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA 15232 FIRST PLACE WINNER BEST BED & BREAKFAST
BEST OF FOOD & DRINK, CONTINUED FROM PG. 21
CONTINUES ON PG. 26
RESTAURANT
Juice + Smoothie Bar
23PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 5, 2022 Whether you’re looking to save, spend, borrow, learn, or grow financially, we’re here for you. We’re proud to be recognized as Pittsburgh’s Best Credit Union. 22ENP5560 ThankYou Pittsburgh! Pittsburgh! FOR VOTING EAT’N PARK ‘BEST OF PITTSBURGH’ BEST KID-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT / BEST PLACE TO EAT CHEAP
STORYTELLING OCT. 7-9 AUGUST WILSON AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER 412-456-6666 | PBT.ORG IN MOTION THANK YOU PITTSBURGH FOR RECOGNIZING WE ALWAYS HAVE YOUR BACK! - from the Partners & Team at Shenderovich Shenderovich & Fishman Congrats tothe winners!
25PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 5, 2022
CP PHOTO: JARED MURPHY
BEST
BAE BAE’S KITCHEN
951 Liberty Ave., Downtown. baebaes.kitchen
2nd: Soju
3rd: Green Pepper
BEST LATIN
GAUCHO PARRILLA
ARGENTINA
146 Sixth St., Downtown. eatgaucho.com
2nd: Cilantro & Ajo
3rd: Mi Empanada
BEST
TOTOPO COCINA & CANTINA
660 Washington Road, Mount Lebanon. totopomex.com
2nd: Condado Tacos
3rd: El Campesino
BEST
SALEM’S MARKET & GRILL
2923 Penn Ave., Strip District. salemsmarketgrill.com
2nd: Aladdin’s Eatery
3rd: Pitaland
BEST
THE MILKSHAKE FACTORY
Multiple locations. themilkshakefactory.com
2nd: Burgatory
3rd: Page’s
BEST
TAQUERÍA EL PASTORCITO
facebook.com/taqueriaelpastorcitopgh
2nd: Stuntpig
3rd: Bridge City Brinery
BRIDGES & BOURBON
BEST COCKTAIL LIST
BY JAMIE WIGGAN // JAMIE@PGHCITYPAPER.COM
ALTHOUG
H a Pittsburgh native, Scott Shaffer spent his formative professional years immersed in the flavors and aromas of Chicago’s acclaimed food scene during a time when Pittsburgh had no culinary culture worth speaking of.
But he moved back in 2016 with the hope of bringing a little taste of the Windy City to the Steel City, where he saw new signs of promise.
and chefs and mixologists coming in and pushing to try to better the overall scale.”
Shaffer’s contribution to that emerg ing scene has been running the bar at Bridges & Bourbon, a Cultural District bar and eatery voted by Pittsburgh City Paper readers as the best cocktail outlet in town.
The drinks menu at Bridges & Bourbon includes an extensive and ever-rotating curation of cocktails split between new takes on old classics and in-house cre ations supplied by the chemically-curious bar staff. The team can help you pair any of these with the restaurant’s selective but satisfying food list.
While taste is paramount, the bar staff places equal emphasis on presentation, meaning libations are sometimes served
out of colorful bird-shaped glasses or paired with smoke-emitting tree stump props, for example.
But the impressive pyrotechnics shouldn’t scare away the uninitiated, says Schaffer, who notes the bar always stocks a sample of wines and local beers to ensure there’s something on hand for everyone. Aside from mixing the best drinks in town, bartenders at Bridges & Bourbon also work hard to help guests taste their way through the menu in accord with their distinctive palette.
“What we’re trying to do,” says Shaffer, “is give you a really nice experience with a high-quality product, but make it approachable where you feel like you want to sit here for hours.”
CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM
“I felt like [Pittsburgh] was evolving,” he says. “And there was a demand for something we’d like to do, and so you have more independent restaurateurs
26 WWW.PGHCITYPAPER.COM BEST KID-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT EAT’N PARK Multiple locations. eatnpark.com 2nd: Mad Mex 3rd: Over The Bar Bicycle Cafe
• CONTINUED FROM PG. 22 BEST Of PittSbuRgH
930 Penn Ave., Strip District. bridgesandbourbonpgh.com
KOREAN FOOD
RESTAURANT
MEXICAN RESTAURANT
MIDDLE-EASTERN RESTAURANT
MILKSHAKE
NEW FOOD TRUCK
BEST NEW RESTAURANT MOONLIT BURGERS
1426 Potomac Ave., Dormont. moonlitburgers.com
Only in Pittsburgh would a burger joint win the title of Best New Restaurant. But, believe us, Moonlit Burgers is worthy. The Dormont restaurant spe cializes in smashburgers, the trendy American fast-food sensation that involves smashing a hamburger onto a hot grill as it cooks, resulting in a thin patty with crispy edges. Pair one up with Moonlit’s smash fries.
2nd: Gi-Jin
3rd: Rear End Gastropub & Garage
BEST OUTDOOR DINING
PUSADEE’S GARDEN
5319 Butler St., Lawrenceville. pusadeesgarden.com
2nd: Over The Bar at North Park Boathouse
3rd: Redfin Blues
BEST PIEROGIES
PIEROGIES PLUS
342 Island Ave., McKees Rocks. pierogiesplus.com
2nd: APTEKA
3rd: Saint John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church
BEST PIZZA
FIORI’S PIZZARIA
103 Capital Ave., Dormont and 3801 Washington Road, McMurray. fiorispizzaria.com
2nd: Mineo’s Pizza House
3rd: Iron Born Pizza
BEST PLACE TO DRINK CHEAP
LEFTY’S
2021 Penn Ave., Strip District. facebook.com/leftys.bar.14
2nd: Dee’s Cafe
3rd: William Penn Tavern
BEST PLACE TO DRINK FANCY
BRIDGES & BOURBON
930 Penn Ave., Strip District. bridgesandbourbonpgh.com
2nd: Butcher and the Rye
3rd: Con Alma
BEST PLACE TO DRINK OUTSIDE
NARCISI WINERY
4578 Gibsonia Road, Gibsonia. narcisiwinery.com
2nd: Grist House Craft Brewery
3rd: Southern Tier Brewery Pittsburgh
BEST PLACE TO EAT CHEAP
EAT’N PARK
27PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 5, 2022 CONTINUES ON PG. 28
Multiple locations. eatnpark.com 2nd: Noodlehead 3rd: Big Jim’s in the Run BEST PLACE TO EAT FANCY PUSADEE’S GARDEN 5319 Butler St., Lawrenceville. pusadeesgarden.com 2nd: Monterey Bay Fish Grotto 3rd: Grand Concourse BEST POKE BOWL JJ POKE BOWL & TAIWANESE BUBBLE TEA 110 Atwood St., Oakland. jjpoke.com 2nd: Sushi Fuku 3rd: Kahuna BEST RESTAURANT (DOWNTOWN & STRIP DISTRICT) DIANOIA’S EATERY 2549 Penn Ave., Strip District. dianoiaseatery.com 2nd: Gaucho Parrilla Argentina 3rd: Salem’s Market & Grill CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM CP PHOTO: RYAN DETO Orders taken from Oct 31 – Nov. 10th, 2022! This year be sure to order your FARM FRESH TURKEY from Pittsburgh’s BEST BUTCHER SHOP! THANK FORYINZ ALL SUPPORT!YOUR 2520 East Carson St PittsburGH, PA 15203 THE BEST in Pgh! Thank you for voting us
BEST RESTAURANT (EAST)
NOODLEHEAD
242 S. Highland Ave., Shadyside. noodleheadpgh.com
2nd: Tessaro’s Restaurant
3rd: Casbah
BEST RESTAURANT (NORTH)
NICKY’S THAI KITCHEN
Multiple locations. nickysthaikitchen.com
2nd: Fig & Ash
3rd: Off The Hook
BEST RESTAURANT (SOUTH)
PASTA TOO
5260 Library Road, Bethel Park. pastatoorestaurant.com
2nd: Dish Osteria
3rd: Totopo Cocina & Cantina
BEST RESTAURANT (WEST)
MIKE & TONY’S GYROS
5980 University Blvd., Moon. mikeandtonysgyros.com/moon
2nd: Pizzeria Davide
3rd: Central Diner & Grille
BEST RESTAURANT BEER LIST INDUSTRY PUBLIC
HOUSE
4305 Butler St., Lawrenceville. industrypgh.com
2nd: D’s Six Pax and Dogz
3rd: The Urban Tap
BEST ROMANTIC RESTAURANT LEMONT RESTAURANT
1114 Grandview Ave., Mt. Washington. lemontpittsburgh.com
2nd: Pusadee’s Garden
3rd: Monterey Bay Fish Grotto
BEST ROOFTOP BAR
IL TETTO - Sienna Mercato
942 Penn Ave., Downtown. siennamercato.com
2nd: Biergarten at Hotel Monaco
3rd: Over Eden
BEST Of PittSbuRgH
BOWL AND TAIWANESE BUBBLE TEA
BEST BUBBLE TEA
BY LUCY CHEN // LUCYCHEN@PGHCITYPAPER.COM
JENNY LIN has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to bubble tea. She and her husband use to run a shop fea turing bubble tea, also known as boba, in Taiwan for many years before they moved to the United States.
“Late one night, I wanted to satisfy my craving for boba milk tea I grew up with in Taiwan,” Lin says. “However, what I got in hand did not satisfy me. I felt things could be done better. So, it struck me that Pittsburgh was missing great boba tea.”
She says the idea of serving bubble tea was always a part of JJ Poke Bowl and Taiwanese Bubble Tea’s menu plan, even a year before opening.
More commonly known as JJ Poke, the restaurant is a partnership between
Lin and Joe Wu and their spouses, hence the name “JJ.” They opened in Oakland in August 2019 just before the craze around boba started slowly making its way to the Steel City.
Their tea is customizable, with mul tiple options from base to flavor, as well as a broad collection of toppings including egg custard. And, in a world where bubble tea prices can break your wallet, the cost of boba at JJ Poke is sure to please.
Manager Jackson Chen says that the original Taiwanese bubble tea flavor is definitely their most popular, and for good reason. It’s the original flavor that started the bubble tea craze.
“If you are someone who prefers richness and savoriness in a drink, I definitely would go with this one,” Chen says. Though if you are lactose intolerant or just need something lighter, try the JJ Honey with black tea.
If you find yourself in need of lunch or dinner, add a poke bowl (JJ Poke is also Pittsburgh City Paper ’s readers’ choice for Best Poke Winner) to your order of bubble tea.
“We want to set the benchmark for what boba should be,” Chen says. “No compromises, the best tea, the best ingredients, and the best business prac tices to create the best cup of boba tea you have ever had, every single time you stop in.”
CP PHOTO: PAT CAVANAGH
CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM
28 WWW.PGHCITYPAPER.COM
JJ POKE
CONTINUED FROM PG. 27 110 Atwood St. Oakland. jjpoke.com
•
MONTEREY BAY
FISH GROTTO
1411 Grandview Ave., Mt. Washington. montereybayfishgrotto.com
2nd: Luke Wholey’s Wild Alaskan Grille
3rd: Off The Hook
BEST SMOOTHIES
SMOOTHIE KING
1025 Washington Pike, Bridgeville and 11199 Perry Highway, Wexford. smoothieking.com
2nd (tie): East End Food Co-op
2nd (tie): Tropical Smoothie Cafe
BEST
CARMI SOUL FOOD
RESTAURANT
1825 E. Carson St., South Side. carmirestaurant.com
2nd: Grandma
3rd:
PARRILLA
ARGENTINA
BEST
CONDADO TACOS
TEA
1937 Murray Ave., Squirrel Hill. dobrateapgh.com
2nd: The Steeping
3rd: Allegheny
NICKY’S THAI KITCHEN
locations. nickysthaikitchen.com
2nd: Pusadee’s
3rd: Noodlehead
CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM
29PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 5, 2022 BEST SEAFOOD
SOUL FOOD
B’s
Wings & A Prayer BEST TEA SHOP DOBRÁ
PITTSBURGH
Leaf
Coffee & Tea Exchange BEST THAI RESTAURANT
Multiple
Garden
BEST VEGETARIAN MENU APTEKA 4606 Penn Ave., Bloomfield. aptekapgh.com 2nd: Onion Maiden 3rd: Mad Mex BEST VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT TRAM’S KITCHEN 4050 Penn Ave., Bloomfield. tinyurl.com/TramsKitchen 2nd: Two Sisters Vietnamese Restaurant 3rd: Banh Mi & Ti BEST WINE LIST NARCISI WINERY 4578 Gibsonia Road, Gibsonia. narcisiwinery.com 2nd: Allegheny Wine Mixer 3rd: Mary’s Vine BEST WINGS BIG SHOT BOB’S HOUSE OF WINGS Multiple locations. bigshotbobs.com 2nd: Bigham Tavern 3rd: Sidelines Bar & Grill BEST VEGAN MENU APTEKA 4606 Penn Ave., Bloomfield. aptekapgh.com 2nd: Onion Maiden 3rd: Aladdin’s Eatery
CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM BEST STEAK GAUCHO
146 Sixth St., Downtown. eatgaucho.com 2nd: Tessaro’s American Bar and Hardwood Grill 3rd: Napa Prime Chophouse & Cigar Bar BEST SUSHI NAKAMA Multiple locations. instagram.com/nakama_pgh 2nd: The Slippery Mermaid Sushi Bar 3rd: Little Tokyo Restaurant
TACO
Multiple locations. condadotacos.com 2nd: Las Palmas Tacos 3rd: täkō
PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER’S
POLL
30 WWW.PGHCITYPAPER.COM GOODS SERVICES Best Black-Owned Salon Best Antique Shop Best Psychic/ Tarot Reader fEaturiNg BEST Of PittSbuRgH
READERS’
ARTS & CRAFTS: BOTANICA & OCCULT SHOP
BEST PSYCHIC/TAROT READER
those interested in everything from creating an ancestral altar to spend ing an evening with a trance medium.
In addition to its spiritual services, the shop provides a wide range of items used in pagan and folk magic practices, including incense, tarot and oracle decks, crystals, and much more. Epps says they specialize in products for those who practice African Traditional Religions, or ATR for short. As an ATR practitioner, Epps says these kinds of resources can be difficult to find in
“We wanted to create a space that could fill that gap,” says Epps. “For all three of us, our personal practices are very important to us for many reasons. By opening the shop, we have a space where we can fulfill our own needs but also be of service to others.”
While the shop attracts longtime practitioners, Epps feels honored that newcomers visit Arts & Crafts for
“So many people come in and tell us that they love the energy in our shop and they thank us for being there,” says Epps. “That always makes us feel really good and is confirmation that all of our hard work and effort was worth it.”
CP PHOTO:
31SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 5, 2022
• seRvicEs
JARED WICKERHAM
BEST ADULT STORE
ADULT MART
Multiple locations. adultmart.com
2nd: Sassy Sensations
3rd: exxxiteme
BEST ALTERATIONS SHOP/TAILOR
ALTERATIONS EXPRESS
Multiple locations. alterations-express.com
2nd: Topaz Thimble
3rd: Old Flame Mending
BEST ANTIQUE SHOP
THE LINCOLN HIGHWAY HUB
1404 Lincoln Highway, North Versailles. thelincolnhighwayhub.antiquetrail.com
2nd: Miller’s Crossing Fleatique
3rd: Wexford General Store Antiques
BEST ATTORNEY
SHENDEROVICH, SHENDEROVICH & FISHMAN
429 Fourth Ave., Downtown. ssf-lawfirm.com
2nd: Blaine Jones Law
3rd: Joseph Horowitz
BEST AUTOMOTIVE SHOP WALTER’S AUTOMOTIVE
5775 Baum Blvd., Bloomfield and 5446 Penn Ave., East Liberty. tinyurl.com/WaltersAuto
2nd: McNeilly Automotive Service
3rd: Baum Boulevard Automotive
BEST Of PittSbuRgH
SALON S.C.
BEST BLACK-OWNED SALON
BY JORDAN SNOWDEN // CPCONTRIBUTORS@PGHCITYPAPER.COM
BEST BARBER SHOP
HOUSE OF HANDSOME Barbershop and Boutique
2906 W. Liberty Ave., Dormont. houseofhandsome.com
2nd: Mister Grooming & Goods
3rd: ManKind Pgh
BEST BED AND BREAKFAST
THE INN ON NEGLEY
703 S. Negley Ave., Shadyside. innonnegley.com
2nd: The Inn on the Mexican War Streets
3rd: Brownsville Road House: Bed & Breakfast
BEST
DUFFY’S BEER & MUCH MORE
294 Curry Hollow Road, Pleasant Hills. duffysbeer.com
Liberty Beer
Bellevue Beer
BEST BICYCLE REPAIR SHOP
KRAYNICK’S BIKE SHOP
5003 Penn Ave., Garfield. kraynicksbikeshop.weebly.com
Thick Bikes
Kindred Cycles
BEST BICYCLE RETAIL STORE BICYCLE HEAVEN
1800 Preble Ave., North Side. bicycleheaven.org
Thick Bikes
PRO BIKE+RUN
BEST BIPOC-OWNED BUSINESS
LAS PALMAS
326 Atwood St., Oakland. tinyurl.com/LasPalmasPgh
2nd: Fudge Farm
3rd: Tal & Bert
BEST BLACK-OWNED BARBER SHOP
THE NATURAL CHOICE
109-111 Meyran Ave., Oakland. naturalchoicehair.com
WHILE
OTHER BUSINESSES were closing their doors during the pandemic, Shanna Cochran, owner of this year’s Best Blackowned Salon, chose to do the opposite. As a result, her hair studio Salon S.C. debuted in December 2020, becoming a thriving, multicultural salon offering an extensive level of education and experience in a wide variety of services.
“This was a scary time to start a business,” Cochran tells Pittsburgh City Paper . But, she says, they have “grown immensely.”
“We have partnered with foster and kinship programs as a resource for families in need,” she says, “and we also expanded our reach in working with health care professionals to assist women suffering from hair loss.”
Hair loss is one of the multitudes of areas Salon S.C. specializes in, and they accept insurance for qualifying clients. Cochran was certified as a hair loss spe cialist in 2021, allowing her to work with dermatologists and oncologists, and to fit clients for hair loss systems and/or units.
Among the salon’s other special ties are coloring, braiding, natural hair styling, and more. Plus, the stylists at the Braddock business also provide standard services like haircuts, extensions, blow outs, and children’s hair care.
“Salon S.C. goes above and beyond to ensure our stylists are not only experts in their specialty, but we continue to invest in our learning and development in hair care,” says Cochran. “We at Salon S.C. are simply confident in what we do.”
Knowing one’s hair is in the hands of experts is comforting enough, but a step inside the salon creates even more ease. Relaxing and intimate, Cochran says Salon S.C. is sure to welcome every guest with a very friendly, calm, and laid-back atmosphere.
2nd: JP’s Barbershop
3rd: Hair On Bedford Square
BEST BLACK-OWNED HAIR SALON
SALON S.C.
704 Braddock Ave., Braddock. salonsc412.com
2nd: Twisted Color Lounge
3rd: Loc ‘N Loaded
BEST BODY-PIERCING SHOP
HOT ROD PIERCING CO.
95 S. 16th St., South Side. hotrodpiercingcompany.com
2nd: Pittsburgh Tattoo Company
3rd: South Side Tattoo & Body Piercing
BEST BOOKSTORE
WHITE WHALE BOOKSTORE
“We would like to send a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to all of our clients for voting,” Cochran says, “and a humble welcome aboard to the new clients willing to join us on this healthy hair journey.”
4754 Liberty Ave., Bloomfield. whitewhalebookstore.com
2nd: City of Asylum Bookstore at Alphabet City
3rd: Mystery Lovers Bookshop
704 Braddock Ave., Braddock. salonsc412.com
CP PHOTO: PAT CAVANAGH
32 WWW.PGHCITYPAPER.COM
BEER DISTRIBUTOR
BEST OF GOODS & SERVICES
•
BEST BUTCHER SHOP STRIP DISTRICT MEATS
2123 Penn Ave., Strip District. stripdistrictmeats.com
2nd: Tom Friday’s Market
3rd: Salem Market & Grill
BEST CHILDREN’S STORE S.W. RANDALL TOYES & GIFTES
630 Smithfield St., Downtown. swrandalltoys.com
2nd: Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop
3rd: Castle Toys and Games
BEST CIGAR SHOP/BAR LEAF AND BEAN
Multiple locations. leafandbean.com
2nd: Old Allegheny Smoke Shop
3rd: Cioppino Restaurant & Cigar Bar
BEST CLOTHING STORE
THRIFTIQUE
125 51st St., Lawrenceville. facebook.com/thriftiquepgh
2nd: Three Rivers Vintage
3rd: Vintage 416
BEST CORNER STORE SQUIRREL HILL MARKET
2329 Murray Ave., Squirrel Hill. squirrelhillmarket.com
2nd: Groceria Merante
3rd: Tom Friday’s Market
BEST CREDIT UNION CLEARVIEW FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
Multiple locations. clearviewfcu.org
2nd: PSECU
3rd: Hill District Federal CU
BEST DAY SPA
ONYX + AURA
431 Beaver St., Sewickley. onyxandaura.com
2nd: Swoon Aesthetic Spa
3rd: Magnolia Studio
BEST DRY CLEANER
RUBY’S CLEANERS
300 Mt. Lebanon Blvd., Mt. Lebanon. drycleanerpittsburgh.com
2nd: Owl Cleaners
3rd: Chuong’s Cleaners
BEST E-RETAILER
ZURI BEADS
zuribeads.com
2nd: Sleepy Hollow Handmade
3rd: Maude’s Paperwing Gallery
BEST FARMERS
MARKET VENDOR
FREEDOM FARMS
freedomfarmspa.com
2nd: Mediterra Bakehouse
3rd: Who Cooks For You Farm
BEST FITNESS CENTER
ASCEND PITTSBURGH
2141 Mary St., South Side. ascendclimbing.com
BEST COWORKING SPACE
EMERALD CITY
213 Smithfield St., Downtown. emeraldcitypgh.com
Prioritizing Black entrepreneurship and Black professionals is the main goal of Emerald City, a coworking space in Downtown Pittsburgh launched in 2021 by Samantha Black and Khamil Bailey. The 12,000-square-foot space features gorgeous, bold architectural details, sound-resistant phone booths, and an assortment of services including curated programming and multiple memberships for those seeking an affordable spot to work without distraction.
2nd: The Maverick Pgh
3rd: Fulton Commons
2nd: Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh
3rd: Iron City Boulders
BEST FLORIST
THE FARMER’S DAUGHTER FLOWERS
502 E. Ohio St., North Side. thefarmersdaughterflowers.com
2nd: Dormont
3rd:
BEST FURNITURE STORE CONSTRUCTION
JUNCTION
214 N. Lexington St., Point Breeze. cjreuse.org
2nd: Levin Furniture
3rd (tie):
Haute
3rd (tie): Pittsburgh
Mattress
33PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 5, 2022
CONTINUES ON PG. 34
Florist
Z Florist
and
Hot
Hot Inc
Furniture Company
BY HANNAH KINNEY-KOBRE // HKOBRE@PGHCITYPAPER.COM
We’ve all had the experience of going to an antique store that feels exactly like your grand mother’s basement: stuffy, overcrowded, and requiring real fortitude to sort the gold from the garbage. Sorting through grandma’s basement may have its own appeal, but sometimes you simply don’t want to work hard, especially when par ticipating in America’s top form of rec reation: shopping.
1404
Enter The Lincoln Highway Hub, an antique mall so meticulously curated and organized that you’re able to actu ally appreciate the huge variety of items it has to offer. Owners Sue and Tony Bazzo have been dealing antiques for nearly 30 years in various shows and antique shops. Their son and one of the Hub’s managers, Nicholas Bazzo, tells Pittsburgh City Paper that “one day they decided they wanted to open their own local mall, and the rest is history.”
The Hub features over 125 dealers, spread out over an 18,000-square-foot space. When it comes to the kinds of things you might find, the selection is so wide-ranging as to be unpredictable.
“Whether it’s celebrity-signed mem orabilia, pieces of local history, props from famous Pittsburgh films, or a band of taxidermied frogs playing instru ments, we never really know just what is going to come across the counter,” Bazzo says.
If you’ve never shopped for antiques before, he has a few words of advice: “Do your research! Knowledge is often just as valuable as the items we sell, and you’ll never know what kind of treasures you will happen across just waiting to have their secrets uncovered by a discerning eye. It also gives you an appreciation of the item’s unique place in history. Also, make sure you allocate plenty of time to browse!”
On a recent trip to the store, I scored a vintage black lace top and a piece of uranium glass — a slightly radioactive kind of glass popular in the early 20th century, which is tinted green by the addition of uranium and glows neon under a UV light. But my favorite find? An animatronic gorilla that gyrates violently to the “Macarena,” which, when shown to others, elicits reactions ranging from “horrifying” all the way to “epic.”
It’s true what they say: one person’s trash really is another’s treasure. •
CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM
34 WWW.PGHCITYPAPER.COM BEST OF GOODS & SERVICES, CONTINUED FROM PG. 33
BEST Of PittSbuRgH THE LINCOLN HIGHWAY HUB BEST ANTIQUE SHOP
Lincoln Highway, North Versailles. thelincolnhighwayhub.antiquetrail.com We welcome you to visit the Sanctuary and experience love, peace, and friendship with our rescued farm animals. www.hopehavenfarm.orgwww.springspa.org 814-442-4594 • 1711 Springs Rd., Springs, PA 15562 We regret due to experience, only service dogs are allowed during Festival days. Celebration of our heritage in Amish Country • Over 100 working artisans • Pennsylvania Dutch Food • Hayrides • Music All Day 9 AM – 5 PM
SOERGEL ORCHARDS
2573 Brandt School Road, Wexford. soergels.com
2nd: Janoski’s Farm and Greenhouse
3rd: Shadyside Nursery
BEST GIFT SHOP
WILDCARD
4209 Butler St., Lawrenceville. wildcardpgh.com
2nd: Kards Unlimited
3rd: Hocus Pocus
BEST GUIDED TOUR
HOPE HAVEN FARM
SANCTUARY
2506 Wexford Bayne Road, Sewickley. hopehavenfarm.org
2nd: Doors Open Pittsburgh
3rd: The Frick Pittsburgh
BEST INTERNATIONAL GROCERY STORE PENNSYLVANIA
MACARONI CO.
2010 Penn Ave., Strip District. pennmac.com
2nd: Labriola’s Italian Market
3rd: Salem’s Market & Grill
BEST JEWELRY STORE HENNE JEWELERS
5501 Walnut St., Shadyside. hennejewelers.com
2nd: Songbird Artistry
3rd: Orr’s Jewelers
BEST HAIR SALON
DENHAM & CO. SALON
100 Fifth Ave., Downtown. denhamandco.com
2nd: Be Studio
3rd: Uncommon Loft
BEST HEAD SHOP
HIPPIE & FRENCH
5122 Butler St., Lawrenceville. hippieandfrench.com
2nd: Curated Flame
3rd: Keepin’ It Glassy
BEST HEALTH ADVOCACY GROUP
PLANNED PARENTHOOD
- Pittsburgh Family Planning Health Center
933 Liberty Ave., Downtown. plannedparenthood.org
2nd: Central Outreach Wellness Center
3rd: Metro Community Health Center
BEST
HIPPIE & FRENCH
5122 Butler St., Lawrenceville. hippieandfrench.com
2nd: Well Oiled
3rd: Murray Avenue Apothecary
BEST LGBTQ-OWNED BUSINESS LEONA’S ICE CREAM
PRESS
35PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 5, 2022 BEST GARDEN SHOP/NURSERY
CONTINUES ON PG. 36
HOLISTIC MEDICINE SHOP
Multiple locations. 2nd: Pigeon Bagels 3rd: Square Cafe BEST LOCAL T-SHIRT COMPANY COMMONWEALTH
691 Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon. 2nd: Steel City Brand 3rd: Yinzer Store BEST MANI/PEDI EMBELLISHED 411 Mill St., Coraopolis. 2nd: Elliven Spa 3rd: Nails On Point BEST MASSAGE THERAPIST NIKKI REMIC Pittsburgh Center for Complementary Health and Healing 1124 S. Braddock Ave., Edgewood. pghhealthandhealing.com 2nd: Kim Yerman at Elliven Spa 3rd: Dawn Szabo at Evolve CP PHOTO: LISA CUNNINGHAM Explore cannabis as a support for what ails you. Become a medical cannabis patient. We provide low-cost certifications and expert assistance, over the phone. www.herbalcarerx.com • 215-554-4044 • HELP@HERBALCARERX.COM $125 - New Cannabis Card Certification $75 Card Recertification $75 - New Certification for Veterans/SSI/Disability 6 weeks for $32 VISIT WWW.PGHCITYPAPERSTORE.COM WORKING FROM HOME? GET CITY PAPER DELIVERED TO YOUR MAILBOX
BEST MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARY ORGANIC REMEDIES
5001 Library Road, Bethel Park and 7402 McKnight Road, North Hills. organicremediespa.com
2nd: Ethos Dispensary
3rd: Sunnyside Medical Cannabis Dispensary
BEST MUSIC RECORDING STUDIO MR. SMALLS
Recording and Mastering
922 W. North Ave., North Side. mrsmallsrecording.com
2nd: Spaceship Studio PGH
3rd: ID Labs
BEST NEIGHBORHOOD GROCER
EAST END FOOD CO-OP
7516 Meade St., Larimer. eastendfood.coop
2nd: Labriola’s Italian Market
3rd: Tom Friday’s Market
BEST PERSONAL TRAINER OJ MACKLIN at OJ Macklin Fitness
ojmacklinfitness.com
2nd: Ryan Harris at Fitness Factory
3rd: Chris “Steel” Edmunds
BEST PET DAYCARE THE DOG STOP
Multiple locations. thedogstop.com
2nd: Camp Bow Wow
3rd: Pittsburgh Paws Pet Resort
BEST PET GROOMER THE DOG STOP
Multiple locations. thedogstop.com
2nd: The AuStella Pet Parlor
3rd: Candelore’s Barking Beauties
BEST PET STORE PETAGOGY
5880 Ellsworth Ave., Shadyside. petagogy.com
2nd: Asgard Raw Dog & Cat Food
3rd (tie): Healthy Pet Products
3rd (tie): Lawrenceville Pet Supply
3rd (tie): Salty Paws Pittsburgh
BEST PLACE FOR A KID’S BIRTHDAY PARTY PITTSBURGH ZOO & PPG AQUARIUM
7370 Baker St., Highland Park. pittsburghzoo.org
2nd: Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh
3rd: Urban Air Adventure Park
BEST PLACE TO ADOPT A PET HUMANE ANIMAL RESCUE
1101 Western Ave., North Side and 6926 Hamilton Ave., Homewood. humaneanimalrescue.org
2nd: Animal Friends
3rd: Trash Cat Rescue
BEST PLACE TO
HIPPIE & FRENCH
5122 Butler St., Lawrenceville. hippieandfrench.com
2nd: Curated Flame
3rd: Total Peace And Wellness
BEST PLACE TO BUY
PHANTOM OF THE ATTIC COMICS
411 S. Craig St., Oakland and 3766 William Penn Highway, Monroeville. phantom-attic.com
2nd: Eide’s Entertainment
3rd: New Dimension Comics
BEST PLACE
I MADE IT! MARKET
imadeitmarket.com
2nd: Handmade Arcade
3rd: love, Pittsburgh
BEST
TO
N STUFF MUSIC
468 Freeport Road, Blawnox. nstuffmusic.com
2nd: Volkwein’s Music
3rd (tie): Brighton Music Center
3rd (tie): Pittsburgh Guitars
BEST
PGH PRINT SHIP
595 Butler St., Etna. pghprintship.com
2nd: Signs N’At
3rd: Copies at Carson
CP PHOTO: KAYCEE ORWIG
36 WWW.PGHCITYPAPER.COM
BEST OF GOODS & SERVICES, CONTINUED FROM PG. 35
BUY CBD PRODUCTS
COMICS
TO BUY LOCALLY MADE CRAFTS
PLACE
BUY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
PRINTMAKER/ POSTER DESIGNER
ARTS & CRAFTS:
BOTANICA OCCULT SHOP
4901 Penn Ave., Garfield. artsncraftspgh.com
2nd: Smellis Ellis
3rd: Indigo Baloch at Maude’s Paperwing Gallery
BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT
SARA LEITERA
tinyurl.com/SaraLeitera
2nd: Pamela Simmons
3rd: Corey Kelly
JERRY’S RECORDS
2136 Murray Ave., Squirrel Hill. jerrysrecords.com
2nd: Attic Record Store Inc
3rd: Preserving Record Shop
BEST SHOE STORE
LITTLE’S SHOES
5850 Forbes Ave., Squirrel Hill. littlesshoes.com
2nd: Wagner Shoes
3rd: The SōL Collective
BEST SKATEBOARD/ SKATE SHOP SWITCH & SIGNAL
SKATEPARK
7518 Dickson St., Swissvale. switchandsignalskatepark.com
2nd: OneUp Skate Shop
3rd: Wicked Skatewear
BEST TATTOO PARLOR
ICE 9 STUDIO
2520 E. Carson St., South Side. facebook.com/Ice9TattooStudio
2nd (tie): Pittsburgh Tattoo Company
2nd (tie): Sanctuary Pittsburgh
BEST THRIFT SHOP
THRIFTIQUE
125 51st St., Lawrenceville. facebook.com/thriftiquepgh
2nd: St. Vincent de Paul Society - Thrift Store
3rd: Pittsburgh Center For Creative Reuse
BEST VAPE SHOP
STEEL CITY VAPORS
4023 William Penn Highway, Monroeville and 4136 Library Road, Castle Shannon. steel-city-vapors.myshopify.com
2nd: Cool Vapes
3rd (tie): Swirling Wind Vapors
3rd (tie): Vapor Galleria Vape & CBD Shop
BEST WEDDING SHOP
BRIDAL BEGINNING
450 Cochran Road, Mt. Lebanon. bridalbeginning.com
2nd: Blanc de Blanc Bridal Boutique
3rd: Luxe Redux Bridal Boutique
BEST WEDDING VENUE PHIPPS Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
1 Schenley Drive, Oakland. phipps.conservatory.org
2nd: Pittsburgh Botanic Garden
3rd: Heinz Memorial Chapel
BEST WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS SONGBIRD ARTISTRY
4316 Penn Ave., Bloomfield. songbirdartistry.com
2nd (tie): Pittsburgh Honey
2nd (tie): The Refillery
WELCOME YOGA
allbodieswelcomeyoga.com
If you’ve resisted trying yoga because you’re self conscious about your body, look no further. Emily Anderson, a selfproclaimed “fat white woman,” is the brainchild of All Bodies Welcome Yoga, which offers on-demand videos, group classes, and private instruction. Her practice comes from the desire to recon nect people with their bodies and “build resiliency in a fatphobic, abelist world.”
2nd: Yoga Flow Pittsburgh
3rd: The Om Lounge
BEST YOGA STUDIO ALL BODIES
CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM
CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM
BEST RECORD STORE
37PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 5, 2022 BEST PSYCHIC/TAROT READER
PITTSBURGH
38 WWW.PGHCITYPAPER.COM Best Tiktok Account Best Dressed Best Lifestyle Influencer fEaturiNg PEOPLE PLACES BEST Of PittSbuRgH AND
CITY PAPER’S READERS’ POLL
BEST Of pEopLe & PlaCes CHANCELOR HUMPHREY
BEST LIFESTYLE INFLUENCER
BY JORDAN SNOWDEN // CPCONTRIBUTORS@PGHCITYPAPER.COM
SINCE 2016, there hasn’t been a year that’s gone by where Chancelor Humphrey’s name hasn’t made an appearance on Pittsburgh City Paper’s Best of Pittsburgh list.
Some might know Humphrey simply as Keep Pittsburgh Dope. His popular Instagram account of the same name boasts over 38,0000 fol lowers and snagged him the winning spot for Best Local Instagram Account in 2016 and 2018.
His crisp and bright photos of Pittsburghers Pittsburghing around Pittsburgh showcase a stylish side of the city that those from outside the area might not expect to see in a former steel mill town. Instead of a sea of camo and work boots, the influence of Pittsburgh’s industrious past shows itself in a unique way, one that Humphrey expertly captures with his camera.
“We’re known for blue-collar, hard work, and I think that really comes through in the street style here,” he said in a 2016 interview with City Paper. “There’s definitely an attitude with our style.”
And Humphrey himself is no exception. In between his photographs
featuring a wide variety of people and fashions, the photographer includes selfies of himself posing in everything from bright pink swimming goggles to a black denim ensemble, topped with a Pittsburgh Pirates hat.
keeppghdope.com
Beyond Instagram, others might know Humphrey as a former on-air radio host at 100.7 Star and WAMO, or as one-half of the duo behind Creatives Drink, the free, local net working event that aims to connect Pittsburgh residents and businesses through alcohol and fun in eccentric locations.
Whatever the case, it’s clear Humphrey, who was a 2021 Pittsburgh Magazine 40 Under 40 honoree, is defi nitely helping keep Pittsburgh dope.
“I want to leave a legacy, an imprint,” Humphrey told Pittsburgh Magazine last year. “I want to be the Black dude from Pittsburgh who is bigger than Mr. Rogers.”
May Humphrey, 2022’s Best Lifestyle Influencer, continue to influ ence both Pittsburgh residents, and Pittsburgh perception, on (and off) the internet for years to come. •
CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM
39PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 5, 2022
BEST DRAG PERFORMER
PRINCESS JAFAR
facebook.com/theprincessjafar
Princess Jafar tells Pittsburgh City Paper she likes to celebrate herself every day, “loudly and proudly.” And it shows. From her eccentric outfits to her creative performances and oft bizarre musical recordings, the 6’6” drag queen knows how to make an entrance … and keep audiences’ attention. See her fierceness for yourself in person as she hosts this year’s Best of Pittsburgh party.
TIKI
2003
2nd:
3rd:
HERITAGE
2nd:
THE BURGH
discovertheburgh.com
2nd:
2nd:
3rd:
BEST Of PittSbuRgH
@COOKING_COMEDY_CHAOS
BEST TIK TOK ACCOUNT
BY ALICE CROW // INFO@PGHCITYPAPER.COM
“WHAT’S
UP BUTTERCUP?”
This is how Desarae Legros starts each video on her TikTok account @cooking_ comedy_chaos. With close to 200,000 fol lowers, Legros’ account is a treasure trove of fun cooking videos, but her journey wasn’t always smooth.
“It was a fluke accident,” Legros says. Back in December 2021, Legros joined TikTok after her husband bought her a molecular gastronomy kit, but her first couple of videos were “pure chaos,” she tells Pittsburgh City Paper.
At the time, Legros was struggling with self-acceptance. She had broken her ankle in 2020 and, despite multiple sur geries, her doctor said it would never fully heal. Now disabled, her 20-year career in restaurants came to an end. Starting her TikTok account and embracing who she
was allowed Legros to grow a dedicated fanbase and a community full of laughter and philanthropy.
She has multiple signature sayings and mannerisms that make her stand out from other cooking-related social media accounts, including occasional appear ances from one of her most notable quirks, Linda.
“I have this alter ego that I’ve blamed everything on for the last 15 years of my life. Her name is Linda,” Legros says. “So anytime anything goes wrong in the kitchen, it’s definitely Linda’s fault. I am a top-tier chef and Linda’s just a trainwreck. So, we meet in the middle.”
Legros can also be spotted wearing a unicorn headband or declaring a recipe “certified unicorn” when she finds it
magical. Ultimately, she says her goal is to inspire people to get back in the kitchen, laugh at their mistakes, and bond through cooking.
Despite her success, Legros does not take money from the TikTok creator fund. Instead, she believes in giving back to her community because of her history of growing up poor and in the foster care system. Legros is now involved in charity organizations such as Lasagna Love and has put together events like a recent barbecue cookoff that raised $1,765 for Monessen Middle School students.
From all of this, Legros hopes to someday start a nonprofit cooking school for youth in the foster care system and have her own cooking show on Comedy Central where, she says, she’d be able to continue to spread her love of laughter and cooking.
CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM
tiktok.com/@cooking_comedy_chaos
CP
40 WWW.PGHCITYPAPER.COM
PEOPLE & PLACESBEST OF PEOPLE & PLACES
• BEST BAR BATHROOM
LOUNGE
E. Carson St., South Side. ordertikiloungepgh.com
Brillobox
Blue Moon BEST BIKE TRAIL THREE RIVERS
TRAIL friendsoftheriverfront.org/three-rivers-heritage-trail
Montour Trail 3rd: Millvale Riverfront Park BEST BLOG DISCOVER
Burgh Brides 3rd: Made in PGH BEST BUSKER SAXOPHONE GUY AT PENGUINS GAMES nhl.com/penguins
Trombone Guy on Murray Avenue
Pittsburgh Steel-Man
PHOTO: TERENEH IDIA
BEST
POOL
DORMONT POOL
1801 Dormont Ave., Dormont.
boro dormont.pa.us/dormont-pool
2nd: North Park Swimming Pool
3rd: Settlers Cabin Park Wave Pool
BEST DRAG PERFORMER PRINCESS JAFAR
facebook.com/theprincessjafar
2nd: Lola LeCroix
3rd: Dixie Surewood
BEST
HEATHER ABRAHAM
facebook.com/KDKAHeather
2nd: Weird Paul
3rd: Nix Muse @werewolfstyleguide
BEST HUMANITARIAN GISELE FETTERMAN
twitter.com/giselefetterman
2nd: Phat Man Dee
3rd: Ciora Thomas
BEST INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT
OAKMONT BAKERY
instagram.com/oakmontbakery
2nd: @stufftodoinpittsburgh
3rd: @weirdpaulp
BEST JAGOFF
PITTSBURGH DAD
pghdad.com
BEST
KEISEL
2nd: Wendy Bell
3rd: Mark Madden
BEST LIFESTYLE INFLUENCER CHANCELOR HUMPHREY
instagram.com/keeppittsburghdope
BEST
PIRATES
KIYA TOMLIN
WEIRD PAUL
BEST PERSON TO
RICK SEBAK
facebook.com/ricksebakwqed
2nd:
3rd: Mikey
CP PHOTO: RAYNI
41PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 5, 2022
CITY
DRESSED
CONTINUES ON PG. 42
REPRESENT PITTSBURGH TO ALIENS
Pittsburgh Dad
and Big Bob
2nd: Dr. Stacy Lane 3rd (tie): Hautemess Tom (@hautemesstom) 3rd (tie): Kelly (@explore_pittsburgh) BEST NONPROFIT 412 FOOD RESCUE 412foodrescue.org 2nd: Animal Friends 3rd: Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
FACIAL HAIR BRETT
brettkeisel.com 2nd: John Fetterman 3rd: Weird Paul Petroskey
FAILURE TO LAUNCH PITTSBURGH
mlb.com/pirates 2nd: Mount Washington Zip Line 3rd: Sharon Needles’ Career BEST FASHION DESIGNER
388 Butler St., Etna. kiyatomlin.us 2nd: Kelsy Black (@thats_sew_kelsy) 3rd: Suz Pisano BEST HAIR
weirdpaul.com 2nd: Trisha Pittman 3rd: Spaz BEST HANGOUT FOR TEENS CARNEGIE LIBRARY OF PITTSBURGH Multiple locations. carnegielibrary.org 2nd: Brookline Teen Outreach 3rd: Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania
SHIRING CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM
BEST PLACE TO DITCH A SCOOTER A CHARGING STATION
move-pgh.com/what-are-mobility-hubs
2nd: Next to the median on Boulevard of the Allies
3rd: Middle of the street in the North Side
BEST PUBLIC TRANSIT ROUTE MONONGAHELA INCLINE
8 Grandview Ave., Mount Washington. monongahelaincline.com
2nd: The Red Line
3rd: P1 East Busway
BEST PLACE TO HAVE SEX IN PUBLIC
THE CATHEDRAL OF LEARNING
4200 Fifth Ave., Oakland. tour.pitt.edu/tour/cathedral-learning
2nd: Schenley Park
3rd: West End Overlook Park
BEST PLACE TO TAKE RECYCLING
CONSTRUCTION
JUNCTION
214 N. Lexington St., Point Breeze. cjreuse.org
2nd: The Curb on Scheduled Recycling Nights
3rd: Pittsburgh Center For Creative Reuse
BEST PODCAST
THE YAJAGOFF! PODCAST yajagoff.com
2nd: Making A Martini
3rd: City Cast Pittsburgh
BEST POLITICIAN TO SEND TO SPACE
DR. OZ tinyurl.com/DrOzPA
2nd: Doug Mastriano
3rd: John Fetterman
Maybe it’s the phallic tower, maybe it’s because the location is so central to horny students away from home for the first time. Either way, we’re not endorsing you drop your drawers at the University of Pittsburgh’s tallest building, but this isn’t the first time the Cathedral of Learning has been named the readers’ choice for the Best Place to Have Sex in Public. Nearly 20 years ago, we featured dozens of couples making out in front of the building on our cover when it won the same category in 2005.
BEST SOCIAL JUSTICE ORGANIZATION
1HOOD MEDIA
1hood.org
2nd: SisTers PGH
3rd: City of Asylum
BEST THIRST TRAP WEIRD PAUL
weirdpaul.com
2nd: Hautemess Tom
3rd: CC Daniels
BEST TIKTOK ACCOUNT COOKING COMEDY CHAOS
tiktok.com/@cooking_comedy_chaos
2nd: @weirdpaulp
3rd: @oakmontbakery
BEST TINY FREE LIBRARY COMMUNITY LIBRARY OF CASTLE SHANNON’S
LITTLE FREE LIBRARY
3310 McRoberts Road, Castle Shannon. castleshannonlibrary.org
2nd: Neighborhood boxes in Mt. Lebanon
3rd: Livy’s Library at The Black Cat Market
BEST TROLL MARK MADDEN
twitter.com/markmaddenx
2nd: The guy who hands out free passes to strip clubs at Penguins games
3rd: The duct cleaners in all of the neighborhood FB groups
BEST SELFIE MIRROR
RANDYLAND
1501 Arch St., North Side. facebook.com/randylandpgh
2nd: Brillobox
3rd: Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel
BEST STARGAZING SPOT OBSERVATORY HILL
North Side. observatoryhill.net
2nd: Mount Washington
3rd: West End Overlook Park
BEST TV PERSONALITY RICK SEBAK
wqed.org/ricksebak
2nd: Bob Pompeani
3rd: Heather Abraham
42 WWW.PGHCITYPAPER.COM
BEST OF PEOPLE & PLACES, CONTINUED FROM PG. 41 CONTINUES ON PG. 44
43PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 5, 2022
WEIRD PAUL
twitch.tv/weird_paul
2nd:
3rd:
JOEY BAG OF
twitter.com/joeybagovdonuts
2nd:
3rd:
MOUNT WASHINGTON
2nd:
OHIOPYLE
ohiopyle.org
2nd:
3rd:
PITTSBURGH DAD
pghdad.com
2nd:
3rd:
BEST
PITTSBURGH DAD
youtube.com/user/pittsburghdad
2nd: Weird
3rd: Oakmont
AS THE HOST OF KDKA’S morning talk show, Pittsburgh Today Live,
Heather Abraham is always in the spotlight, which means her outfits are up for public scrutiny. Luckily, viewers approve, selecting the on-air personal ity as the Best Dressed in town.
“I have always been enamored by Audrey Hepburn’s classic style,” she tells Pittsburgh City Paper. “While I like some prints, I tend to go for solids and a more classic look.”
One might think her wardrobe is huge, considering her occupation, but Abraham says she tries to buy things that will last or can be reused. “In the fall and spring, I like to go through what doesn’t fit anymore and donate those items,” she says.
As for what she chooses to wear, she
says it’s “all about what makes me feel comfortable and confident.”
Off-air, she says she’s “all about that mom life: chasing after kids, cooking dinner, going to practices. I try to be as comfortable as possible!” And at KDKA, where she’s worked since 2010, she credits a partnership with Macy’s and Simon. “The stylists, by the way, are free to use and have helped me tremen dously in finding what works best for my body type.”
The outfit she chose for City Paper’s photoshoot has her in a fire leather skirt, a beautifully colored blouse, and a chic sky-blue mani. “This is an outfit chosen between me and the Macy’s stylist at
Ross Park Mall, Kim Macek,” she shares. “I really love separates and, when I saw the skirt, I knew I wanted it. We searched for a fun top that was neutral but added a little contrast. As for the nails, getting routine manicures is relatively new for me. I love Perfect 10 and the owner, Heather. Getting my nails done somehow oddly makes me feel like my life is not in utter chaos!”
Appreciating her own body has been a journey, she tells City Paper, but says she’s “here for it now” and encourages others to focus on their self confidence.
“As someone once said to me, ‘Isn’t it amazing all that our bodies allow us to do? Run, swim, walk, play, hug.’ So love yourself,” Abraham says, “and your style and natural beauty will shine.”
CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM
CP
44 WWW.PGHCITYPAPER.COM
• BEST Of PittSbuRgH HEATHER ABRAHAM BEST DRESSED BY TERENEH IDIA // CPCONTRIBUTORS@PGHCITYPAPER.COM facebook.com/KDKAHeather BEST TWITCH ACCOUNT
@SteelCityImprovTheater
@Mizz_Ladasha BEST TWITTER ACCOUNT
DONUTS
@OddPittsburgh
@weirdpaul CONTINUED FROM PG. 42 BEST VIEW OF THE CITY
visitpittsburgh.com/neighborhoods/ mt-washington
Fort Pitt Tunnel 3rd: West End Overlook BEST WEEKEND GETAWAY
Erie
Laurel Highlands BEST YINZER
Rick Sebak
Billy Gardell
YOUTUBE ACCOUNT
Paul
Bakery
PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM
45PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 5, 2022
BY BRENDAN EMMETT
Game with Skip cards
Clear,
February
Dudes
Like “sus” or “bet”
Copying, in the kitchen
Band that infamously stipulated “no brown M&Ms”
its riders
Software developer’s target audience
Most in pain
Mil. title
store bread
Davidson
Meet Cute
Scottish dances
heroine
bricks
gueuze
Stirred (up)
46 WWW.PGHCITYPAPER.COM CONGRATS Best of Pittsburgh MCKEES ROCKS WINNERS Mancini's Bakery Black Forge Coffee Best Bread Best Coffee Best Perogies Perogies Plus Best Bar (WEST) Runners up Parkway Theater & Film Lounge Best Music Venue (Suburbs) Runners up Roxian Theatre www.mckeesrocks.com WHY I’M LATE
QUIGLEY // BRENDANEMMETTQUIGLEY.COM LAST WEEK’S ANSWERS ACROSS 1. Very pale 4. Biblical queen’s home 9. Reliever’s stat 14. Letters on a Crest box 15. Serve some more wine 16. Spanish plain 17. Squalid hope? 19. Music scout’s dept. at a label 20. Back of the book listing 21. Coastal flyer 23. Coloration 24. It comes after 11 25. College head’s tumbler? 29. “Get back here, you scoundrel!” 30. Figures out 31. Smaller grommet 32. Choral works 34. Olaf Scholz’s nat. 35. November event for the Black Is King singer? 38. Grass to grow on 39. Some urinals 40. Big name in travel guides 43. Surf without comment 44. Safety’s point value 47. Get some wild felines from a store? 49. See 8-Down 50. Decorative globe 9.
10.
11.
in
12.
13.
18.
22. Sandwich
25.
of
26.
27. Great Expectations
28. Some
30. Ingredient of some milk 32. Red wine 33. Do a deep clean 51.
52.
as windshields in
53.
55. Cafeteria item leans a bit? 59. Dude in Devonshire 60. Craze of the moment 61. Long tail? 62. Made some stitching 63. ___ Theory (postulate in sports wherein a team gets better after their star player is sidelined) 64. [Just a couple examples will do]: Abbr. DOWN 1. Going up to one’s ankles 2. Songs in (Alicia Keys album) 3. ___ the Relentless (What We Do In The Shadows vampire) 4. Underground riverway 5. “Explain it to me” 6. Prefix with Pen 7. Long way around town? 8. With 49-Across, alias of electronic musician Richard D. James 35. It’s a gut punch 36. Besmirches 37. Fluid from a well 38. Drink similar to a lambic or a
40. They’re dropped when one’s angry 41.
42. Day light 44. Feeling of regret 45. Set of pegs in cricket 46. “Almost done” 48. “Dunno” 49. Big Sri Lankan export 52. Dumb putz, for short 54. Squeeze (out) 56. Unpolished 57. Black bird with a smoothed bill 58. Yang’s companion
MARKET PLACE
FINANCIAL
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Compare 20 A-rated insurances companies. Get a quote within minutes. Average savings of $444/ year! Call 844-712-6153! (M-F 8am-8pm Central) (AAN CAN)
HELP WANTED TECHNOLOGY
Philips RS North Ameri ca LLC (formerly Respi ronics, Inc.) is accepting resumes for the position of Senior Software Engineer in Pittsburgh, PA (Ref. #URKN). Build Enterprise applications with keen focus on per formance, resilience, and quality. Telecommuting permitted. Mail resume to Philips North America LLC, Legal Department, Barbara Bickford, 222 Jacobs Street, Third Floor, Cambridge, MA 02141. Resume must include Ref. #URKN, full name, email address & mailing address. No phone calls. Must be legally authorized to work in U.S. without sponsorship. EOE.
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STUDY
SMOKERS WANTED
The University of Pittsburgh’s Alcohol & Smoking Research Lab is looking for people to participate in a research project. You must:
• Currently smoke cigarettes
• Be 18-49 years old, in good health, and speak fluent English
• Be right handed, willing to not smoke before two sessions, and to fill out ques tionnaires
Earn up to $260 for par ticipating in this study.
For more information, call (412) 407-5029
NAME CHANGE
IN The Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania: No. GD-21-9241
In re petition of Sean Anthony Jones for change of name to Ari Bey. To all persons interested: Notice is hereby given that an order of said Court authorized the filing of said petition and fixed the 31st day of October, 2022 at 9:30 a.m., as the time and the Motions Room, City-County Building, Pittsburgh, PA, as the place for a hearing, when and where all persons may show cause, if any they have, why said name should not be changed as prayed for.
FINANCIAL
Struggling With Your Private Student Loan Payment? New relief programs can reduce your payments. Learn your options. Good credit not necessary. Call the Helpline 888-670-5631 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm Eastern) (AAN CAN)
NAME CHANGE
IN The Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania: No. GD-22-9755
In re petition of Nancy Kristina Graves for change of name to Nancy Kristina Holton.
To all persons interested: Notice is hereby given that an order of said Court authorized the filing of said petition and fixed the 7th day of October, 2022, at 9:30 a.m., as the time and the Motions Room, City-County Building, Pittsburgh, PA, as the place for a hearing, when and where all persons may show cause, if any they have, why said name should not be changed as prayed for.
SERVICES
AT&T TV - The Best of Live & On-Demand On All Your Favorite Screens. CHOICE Package, $84.99/mo for 12months. Stream on 20 de vices at once in your home. HBO Max FREE for 1 yr (w/ CHOICE Package or higher.) Call for more details today! (some restrictions apply) Call IVS 1-877-350-1003
NAME CHANGE
IN The Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania: No. GD-22-009208
In re petition of Alexis Kimberlyn Dupee for change of name to Alexis Kimberlyn Kohlbeck.
To all persons interested: Notice is hereby given that an order of said Court authorized the filing of said petition and fixed the 18th day of October, 2022, at 9:30 a.m., as the time and the Motions Room, City-County Building, Pittsburgh, PA, as the place for a hearing, when and where all persons may show cause, if any they have, why said name should not be changed as prayed for.
LEGAL
Need Help with Family Law?
Can’t Afford a $5000 Retainer?
Low Cost Legal Services- Pay As You Go- As low as $750-$1500Get Legal Help Now! Call 1-844-821-8249 Mon-Fri 7am to 4pm PCT (AAN CAN) https://www.familycourtdirect. com/?network=1
DENTAL INSURANCE
DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 350 plus procedures. Real dental insurance - NOT just a discount plan. Do not wait! Call now! Get your FREE Dental Information Kit with all the details! 1-855-385-3879 www.dental50plus.com/ citypaper #6258
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M2M Massage by Lee Lean athletic shape. Discreet with 22 years experience. 24/7 • 412-628-1269
Man Massage by Damon 412-961-1971
CLASSIFIEDS
47PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 5, 2022
MASSAGE
YOUR HOME! Are you behind paying your MORTGAGE? Denied a Loan Modification? Is the bank threatening foreclosure? CALL Homeowners Relief Line NOW for Help 1-855-4395853 Mon-Fri 8:00 am to 8:00 pm Sat: 8:00 am to 1:00 pm(all times Pacific) (AAN CAN) FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO PLACE A
ADVERTISEMENT, CALL 412-685-9009 ext. 106
Voted Pittsburgh’s Best Thai Restuarant for 11th year in a row! Visit our Website for Hours, Menus and Online Take Out Ordering! NickysThaiKitchen.com Thank you for voting us Best Thai Restaurant and Best Restaurant, North!