Plenty of chains in the suburbs but for the most part I’d say Pittsburgh is a town where you’ll find independent restaurants/bars and local conglomerates that spread around the same concept (Eat N’ Park, Primanti’s) or multiple different concepts (Deshantz group, Big Burrito). Though soul sucking developments like the terminal in the strip and east side bond are bringing in more out of town chains/franchises so who knows where we’re going at this point.

Pgh isn't a chain city, with the notable exception of steakhouses.

I’d say somewhere in the middle, definitely a lot of good independent places. But chains seem ever present and very popular, especially local chains.

the city? most chains are local or regional, with exception to some national chains like Eddie V's that plant themselves in almost everyone's downtown

the metro area? yeah, just as many chains as everywhere else

What's the metric for determining whether something is or isn't a chain restaurant city?

Don't forget about the saga of SouthSide's fake Burger King

I'm sure there's someone with access to this data who could quantify it, but my general observation is that Pittsburgh is sorta under-represented when it comes to chains. Not saying that's good or bad--just that when I travel to some US cities, I notice way more chains that either we don't have or that I've never heard of.

Columbus is the city to go to if you want chain restaurants. Holy mackerel, do they have a lot of variety! They've been a test market and/or HQ for a number of them over the decades, so I guess there's some kind of very generic, average-ness to Columbus that we don't have here.

In the suburbs, perhaps. In the city itself, I would elect to say no.

There are chains in the city limits but they are wildly outnumbered by independent restaurants and bars.

I think this is a good way to put it. Even in the suburbs, you can find your share of non-chain restaurants once you get away from places like McKnight Road.

I feel like it's more chain filled than places like New England, but I think it's less chain saturated than most places I've been in the South and Midwest.

It is kind of odd that we don't have any locally owned high end steakhouses. It really seems like it would thrive in the Pittsburgh market. The more expensive places that are popular here tend to be food over ambience like gastropub type places where people don't feel the need to dress up. Steakhouses seem to fall in line to with that niche

Napa Prime is great, but it's well outside of the city in Wexford. Cioppino and Alla Famiglia come close in terms of vibes, but neither has the variety of cuts you expect at a good steakhouse. That said, both are worth visiting regardless.

Edit: I'm going to add Meat and Potatoes to the "not a steakhouse, but go for steak anyways" category.

not really. if anything, I feel like we have lots of local/regional chains vs. the national chains for a city of our size.

I feel like I have to go out of my way to get chain food in the city proper

Go to any larger Midwest city like Cleveland, Columbus, Ft. Wayne and I can confidently say no. I would think with us being in the rust belt, we are probably the least represented by chain restaurants, with the exception of fast food. It's sort of ironic since our population is aging, and older folks generally embrace Olive Garden, Applebee's and the like.

What city isn't?

The city of Pittsburgh? Absolutely not.

The surrounding suburbs? Some, absolutely yes. West Mifflin, Monroeville, Robinson.

one Pitt's greatest stories

Pittsburgh, for one. Think about the city proper - honestly there aren't near as many chain restaurants as you might expect. It's one of my favorite things about Pittsburgh.

People here seem to loooove mad mex and eat n park so I’d say yes. I’ve never seen a city love their chain food so much.

I’m not a fan.

I was gonna say, there wasn't even a real Burger King in the city limits for a minute.

I tend to think that Pittsburgh is more of a chain city than locals can appreciate. We're just getting the higher end franchises now.

Mad Mex has like a handful of locations, and EnP is regional. If those are your examples, we're doing better than a place where you keep tripping over Applebee's.

Damn I don't know this story and I'm fascinated. There was a Pittsburgh McDowell's? Any links?

https://www.cracked.com/article_28014_the-crazy-story-fake-burger-king-in-pittsburgh.html

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This. I miss Red Lobster, not gonna lie.

And Panda Express

If we're talking national Casual Dining Chains, of the Friday's or Appleby's variety, we've got The Cheesecake Factory in Southside Works and nothing else? I can't think of a single other one inside the city limits. There's a ton on McKnight, in Robinson and Monroeville but for some reason, they stay out of the city. Maybe there's some tax or zoning reason for that.

This makes me so sad. Partner and I have a tradition of a birthday dinner wherever the celebrant wants. I was so in the mood for a steakhouse this year, but reasonable Uber/Lyft distance was a must, ruling out Napa Prime. Every steak place in or around downtown just gives me the super pretentious chain-y more money than class vibe.

Going off this map of metro areas, I would say no, it's not a particularly high "chain" city: https://i.imgur.com/7lc6EY4.png

I love telling my out of town friends about this! The looks on their faces every time… /chef’s kiss

The out of town "chains" you are referencing that are located in the terminal are both local conglomerates from the region, but just not Pittsburgh based.

Primo subs is a Philly local chain and Aslin Beer is a northern Virginia local chain. Primo subs does have a lot of locations, but this is effectively a Philly chain.

I don't think your friend lives in Pittsburgh proper then. What chains?

McKnight Rd: You can add Arby's to make it a trifecta and visit all 3!

Very interesting 👍🏻

Chains are mostly in the suburbs

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Delco is the opposite side of a pretty big state. The city vs suburb divide is still true in Allegheny county, but if you are new to delco, and not from Allegheny, maybe this isn’t the place for you. These are very different counties, and Pittsburgh and Philly are VERY different cities.

That's honestly how I imagined it would look. Also weird this isn't upvoted more because it answered the question better than anyone

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This definitely tracks well with my experiences of what I see when I go to various other metros.

Man we don't even have 31 flavors anymore idk what y'all are talking about.

Not sure why you're comparing the urban center of Pittsburgh to a suburban county. Most cities the size of Philly have suburbs like that.

I said why. I happen to be sitting here and it was just utterly surprising. I've never seen anywhere else like it.

And no, Pitt urban centr, as I said in the beginning, is not a chain based place.

If you want to see one, go to Delco

Let's not forget the new Chipotle. Seeing those bags in that neighborhood is a bummer.

I don't live in Pittsburgh anymore and I grew up outside of Philadelphia but oh man primos is a great chain. They make awesome hoagies.

Meat & Potatoes?

There is a Baskin Robbins on Forbes in Squirrel Hill.

That......is news to me I know where I'm going this weekend!!!!

Erie is the most chain city around.

Meat and Potatoes is probably your best bet. They don't have the selection of a true steakhouse, but the tomahawk ribeye and steak frites there are amazing

It isn't really a steakhouse (they don't have enough different cuts of steak on the menu). That said, the steaks and sides they do offer are great.

More of a gastropub feel IMO. Love that place.

What was their original point? My GF is from Delco and I want to compare their thoughts

I wouldn't say so. There's some chains in the city downtown, North Shore, and down in Station Square, but generally way more local businesses. I feel like it's a lot harder to find fast food in Pittsburgh than most of the cities and to me that speaks volumes. I'm not looking for it (or any chain restaurant) though, so, maybe I'm just full of it.

I have lived in Pittsburgh over 40 years and have never heard of either Primo Subs or Aslin Beer. Where are they?

The terminal in the strip they renovated on Smallman.

Came here to write this. Compared to cities in Ohio and some other midwest states we are not very chain heavy. Like you said, Columbus is just crazy haha.

I grew up in New England, lived here for 12 years, and travel across the country for work. I agree with your statement!

Yikes Phoenix

I wonder how much Waffle House skews the numbers for the south

Huh. Are they good? For subs, we really have had to rely on foreign chains since Uncle Sam's closed.

It’s Pittsburgh. Pitt is the school

No it is not.

I come from Florida, land of the nationwide chains. Pittsburgh chains will have like, three Pittsburgh locations and maybe a random Ohio city.

As someone who recently moved to Pittsburgh from Columbus - this is spot on. One thing I'm absolutely flummoxed by is there being no Taco Bell near Pitt/CMU. Have to imagine a Taco Bell Cantina would do numbers...

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There used to be a KtacoHut (kfc Taco Bell and Pizza Hut combo) in Oakland- at least in the early 2000s when I went to Pitt. It was disgusting 😆

Two Five guys, only a surprisingly few McDonald’s really. One Boston market. Maybe three burger kings? A handful of Wendy’s, Ruth’s Chris downtown, maybe three arbys, Choolah is a chain but small one. One Applebees right at the city limits near Edgewood. What else?

I’ll say that quantity is as important as quality here in most places.

are you serious right now?

burgh, sixburgh, pitt, iron city, city of bridges, the 412, city of champions, steel city, footbal city with a drinking problem, blitzburgh....

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youre a true jagoff for making that comment, oh no, i used shorthand while typing on a phone

Station Square is the city right? It has Hard Rock, Joe’s Crab Shack, and a few others., but it is out of the way over there. And Bar Louie and maybe something else by the stadiums? There aren’t too many, I definitely wouldn’t consider it a chain restaurant city.

It's been noted that this region has an unusual concentration of pizza places. While there's no shortage of locally owned eateries, it just seems like so many of them fall into the pizza category, particularly in the suburbs.

Could stand to see a bit more variety in the locally owned restaurants.

I think our restaurants are good but as a middle aged Yinzer, no one does dive bars better than the Burgh

Charlotte too surprisingly

Oh KenTacoHut, how we miss you.

McCormick and shmicks, Eddie vs

R.I.P. Max ‘n Erma’s downtown

Top 5 wish list for chains in PGH:

1. Skyline Chili

2. SmashBurger

3. Wahoo Fish Taco

4. Le Peep

5. And in the name of all that's holy, bring back the Ground Round

Uncle Sam's still has stores in Squirrel Hill and at the Waterworks mall.

Apparently you are not going to find any world class chefs or home cooks here. I miss mama’s recipes.

They’re chains but I feel like smaller chains with some personality so it’s not as obvious

And this is one of multiple reasons I don't want to move to the South.

OMG yes. I literally would rather drive downtown than eat near home at this point... I am getting a bit tired of finding parking though.

Pittsburgh is not say NYC when it comes to restaurants, but its not that bad either. I've been to places in the USA where it seems like all there is is chain restaurants and 7/11. Pittsburgh is not nearly that bad

Its not out of the way if you live on the south side 😁😁😁

Eddie V's is literally the same chain as Olive Garden

I didn’t know that, thanks for the info

Also one in Aspinwall

And attached to a Dunkin near the intersection of Baum and Liberty

I don’t think my spouse is going to survive a year in Shadyside because there isn’t a Taco Bell near us! Not gonna lie, I miss him bringing me cinnamon twists

My friends and I had a discussion recently after a trip to Columbus about how woefully underrepresented fast food chains are in Pittsburgh.

We have neither a Krystal nor a White Castle!

No Skyline Chili.

Even Burger King is weirdly sparse, as is Popeyes (yes, I know they're around, but you have to make a point to go to them).

Would also love some Southern staples like Bojangles and Zaxby's.

I always forget about Station Square. Haven't been over there in ages.

There used to be multiple McDonalds downtown. But they were pretty run down and run poorly. Only one left is Market Square.

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Capital Grille is also a Darden restaurant.

This is a good summary! I’m originally from Hampton Roads VA area and it is like chain central down there. The ratio of chain vs independent is WAY skewed as compared to the Pittsburgh/Allegheny Cty area.

In the city? Mostly not. But the region is overwhelmingly dominated by its suburbs, where chain restaurants proliferate.

There’s one in Carrick though and it was open at the time.

My family supports independents almost exclusively. Though the kids do want their chipotle and the like from time to time. The suburbs are chain restaurant hell. Even so we'll try to go to independent restaurants even when in the land of restaurant mediocrity.

Basically they said the delco suburbs are all strip malls with chain places, and that they weren’t expecting that

Shaler bro. Aspinwall Bro just go bro it’s only like 5 miles bro it will be so good bro, just go bro trust me.

I tried primos this weekend and I liked it. I'd compare it to a Dibellas.

Forgot about this one. Definitely a huge chain.

But, man, in between there are some absolute bangers. Baldwin-Whitehall is rife with tons of different food places. It's kinda ridiculous.

Definitely not a chain restaurant city.

Definately not. Most places are local business/origional type restaurants., But, if you leave the city all of the suburbs are mostly chain restautants so if you are looking for a chain/chains they are not too far away.

Once you find a good garage. You never have to think about parking downtown.

Obligatory slim yogurt pants at the Arby's on McKnight road at Arby's.

Yeah, I've been down there a few times and I definitely remember it being pretty chain heavy.

When I was a kid in the 80s there was a White Castle by the north side end of the 16th street bridge, I don’t remember if it was open or already shut down at that point, but the building was there. I always thought it was cool, because it was shaped like a weird castle! I didn’t even know it was a burger place until years later.

It shut down very suddenly one day and the rumor was it failed health inspections that badly. I don't know how true that was, but precisely zero people would've been surprised had that been the case.

What do they mean by "Pittsburgh"?

Like, in the city? There's barely any chain restaurants. The vast majority of neighborhoods have zero.

In the suburbs? That's where the chains are here. But that's also not the city, so this may depend on both of ya defining "Pittsburgh" very differently.

I remember being there when they opened that up. It was mind blowing. There are other combos, but that one had all three.

KenTacoHut ... what a fast food masterpiece.

The city isn’t chains, the suburbs are.

Go to the towns around downtown, like Lawrenceville, squirrel hill, the entire East Side.

Phoenix is White Flight, The City

There was a Smashburger in Monroeville but it closed like 5 or 6 years ago. It only lasted a couple years.

Is that surprising though?

not a fan of peppi's or any local pizza place that makes subs?

That was a White Tower, not a White Castle. There was a White Tower at Craig & Centre too.

There was a pizza hutt and a panda express i think, in the student union in the mid 90's. My pregnant ass worked there then and used to send bagels thru the pizza hut oven.

I grew up in Pittsburgh, and have lived the last two years in Columbus, and can confirm. It's like corporate chain hell out here. Yeah there are some decent locally owned places, but it's nothing like Pittsburgh. We might be similarly sized cities, but Pittsburgh is a real city. Columbus is just a strip mall, a corn field, and a chain restaurant in a trench coat.

Ah! Thank you!

not surprising to me. they have about 12 Hooters

Not at all. A but more so the farther you go out into the suburbs but I think that’s the case in most places.

isn't that technically fox chapel

> No Skyline Chili.

Good, that shit sucks.

For someone with 420 in their name, you sure are discerning about your snackage

Boomers fuckin' loovvvvveeee chains and Cranberry Township is chock full of them. It's like a concert just for boomers, where all their favorite brands are playing.

Where's this from? This is awesome.

Cool map

That’s a good question. I think I saw it on Reddit. I knew I had it saved on my computer

Edit: it was the Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2022/09/29/chain-restaurant-capitals/

I heard someone call Charlotte the Chili’s of cities. I only drove through once but it seemed accurate.

Columbus is like 3x the size of Pittsburgh, at least in the city proper.

Didn’t a bus drive into it? I wanted to go there and people’s shitty driving, as usual, ruined my day.

Oh yeah true, I totally forgot about that.

while technically true, it's only because Columbus annexed a majority of Franklin County. Imagine if Pittsburgh annexed Ross Townshop, Monroeville, Penn Hills, Baldwin, Pleasant Hills, Bethel Park, Robinson, and Sewickley/Franklin Park

Gaucho? Though I've heard it's gone downhill since it moved.

I actually miss arbys, dead serious. The cream cheese jalapeno poppers ❤️