Pittsburgh, PA

I know, I know. You're probably thinking - of all the places to start, Pittsburgh? I could have chosen New York City, San Francisco, Chicago...pretty much any major city, and I chose Pittsburgh? Well, yes.

For the past four and a half years, Pittsburgh has been my home base (Go Steelers! or like Pittsburghers say it "Go Stillers!") and I have grown an affinity with the city and its people. Plus, while studying engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, I had gotten to know the cheap eats real well, on my $10/hr computer lab salary.

And so, the first food list of many (I hope)...

Primanti Bros.
Primanti Bros. is the quintessential Pittsburgh eatery. No doubt about it. Hands down, 100% pure Pittsburgh.

Their call sign is their sandwich. They take a slice of bread, place whatever meat option you choose, add coleslaw and fries to that (yes, coleslaw and fries on a sandwich), and top it off with the second slice of bread and there you have it, a Primanti sandwich.

If you go, get the number 2 best seller, the cheesesteak. It's amazing and worth breaking your diet for. What's the number 1 best seller? Beer, of course.

There are a few Primanti locations in Pittsburgh, including stands at Heinz Field (home of the Steelers) and PNC Park (home of the Pirates). So better yet, go watch one of the Pittsburgh teams and grab a Primati sandwich. Perfect!

Dave & Andy's Homemade Ice Cream
207 Atwood St
Pittsburgh, PA
Four words. Birthday cake ice cream.

Dave & Andy's serves up some of the best ice cream I have ever had. Their waffle cones are made fresh and their ice cream flavors are out of this world. Birthday cake ice cream is one of my favorite flavors. They take vanilla ice cream and add chunks of birthday cake (with sprinkles) to it. Two great things, birthday cake and ice cream, in one. Brilliant.

I used to go on runs from campus to Dave & Andy's and then walk back with waffle cone in hand. Best workout ever.

Mad Mex
370 Atwood Street
Pittsburgh, PA (Oakland area)
When I wasn't stuck in the computer lab, my favorite Friday afternoon event was Happy Hour at Mad Mex, a local mexican chain. During happy hour, their Big Azz Margaritas (16 ounces of mixed goodness) were only $6. Depending on the mix that day, finishing one margarita could keep you good for hours. While some of my friends swore that the mango on the rocks was the best, I preferred a blended, strawberry margarita.

One thing to note, is that happy hour gets packed real fast, especially at this location near University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University. If you plan on going, get there early. Sometimes, my friends and I would go there for their half off food specials which ended a half an hour before happy hour and stay around for happy hour. That way we could be assured a table during happy hour.

Essie's Original Hot Dog Shop (nickname: "The O")
3901 Forbes Ave
Pittsburgh, PA
I'll be honest, I'm not a big hot dog fan. But that's fine, because it's the fries that you go to the O for. I once saw a list of the top 10 fries you have to try before you die and was not surprised when the O was on the list. Their portions are enormous. So big, they don't give you ketchup packets, they give you ketchup cups.

Their fries are cut from whole potatoes right on the premises. After they get their dunking in oil, the fries come out soft and golden, often sticking in big, delicious fry clumps. For the crispy fries lovers, the O fries may not be your thing, but definitely give them a try. Just note that if you get a large, you may want to make sure that you have at least 3 others to share it with.