The Fish Sandwich That Saved Pittsburgh

I've lived in Michigan for 18 years but to me 'eating local' means Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh has several fine restaurants (steak, Pittsburgh-style), many mom and pop diners (pancakes and omelets to make you weep with joy), and some truly amazing firehalls and church meeting rooms to tempt your tastebuds (kielbasa and pierogi so flavorful you can taste the devotion and love that went into it).

But when you want an entire experience that combines an amazing fish sandwich with a jaw dropping shopping opportunity you simply MUST go to the Strip District in downtown Pittsburgh and make a beeline for Wholey.

Wholey has been a Pittsburgh institution since 1912 and has been in its third location at 1711 Penn Avenue since 1959. Established as a poultry business they branched out in 1960 and added fresh fish, capitalizing on the trains making daily deliveries to the warehouses around the store. They have continued to add to the location and a trip there is a must for serious kitchen gadget and tool enthusiasts; there is a new wonder around every corner.

In the Fish swim in large glass-walled tanks, mounds of ice hold crab, fish, oysters. There is a sushi bar (tell Andy I sent you!) and a top floor dining area where you can recharge as you contemplate adding fresh fudge for dessert.

Just promise me; you will shop only AFTER you eat, OK? Because the smell from the cooking area will drive you to madness.

Because you are here for the fish sandwich, or sammich if you want to blend in with the crowd. You can chose Whiting ( a Wholey's staple) or Icelandic cod. But since we've driven all the way here, go for the Holy Moley: one full pound of Icelandic cod batter dipped and fried to perfection on your choice of bread: soft wheat, or Mancini's bread: all baked just steps away from the store.

Are there sides? Did the Steelers win six Super Bowls? Of course there are sides! Crisp fries, onion rings, crab cakes, fried oysters, and calamari all fried the same tantalizing caramel brown. Too much fired food you say? Well go with a bowl of Lobster Mac and Cheese, made in house with wild caught lobster and Vermont Cheddar cheese.

But it's the fish sandwich that will keep you coming back. Named by Roadfood as 'The King of Sandwiches' the crisp and crackling exterior gives way to a steaming flakey and fresh interior. For many mortals this sandwich is all you need. Go with the Holy Moley for a full pound of cod or the Wholey Whaler for a full pound of whiting. You win no matter what you choose!

You simply can't be more Pittsburgh then bellying up to the counter and ordering the fish sammich to go or better yet- to take to the dining area. Sit on the metal chairs and slowly peel back the wrapping. As the steam hits your face and you wrap your grip around the meltingly fresh bread you can hear the bustle of the building below.

Stretch your mouth wide- WIDE-WIDER and sink your teeth into the sweetly- salty- crispy- crunch fish. Spoon a little taste of the Lobster Mac in between bites, alternating with fresh and crisp cole slaw. Take a photo for the Instagram account to make all the other folks that aren't as lucky as you jealous.

Make sure not to get any grease on your map of the Strip District! As you eat plan the rest of your day and scheme your stops to come. You simply MUST visit Pennsylvania Macaroni Company (call it Penn Mac) for cheese, pasta, olives and mortadella, salami, and prosciutto. Head to Stamoolis for more olives with a Greek Flair. Head to Lotus Food Company for noodles and more in this Asian grocery store. Check our Reynas for Mexican delights, Sunseri's for even more Mediterranean groceries and fresh foods.

Sambok Korean Groceries and Grandpa Joe's candies are there, as are sidewalk chefs and everything black-and-gold that you can imagine. Get fresh-baked bread, produce, beads, henna tattoos, and dance a polka. And, yes, OK- you can go to Primanti's before you go home. If you are too full get a Primanti Pitts-burger for the trip back home.

You had a Wholey fish sandwich, you are wearing a Steeler's hat and a Penguin's jersey. You have a 2 pound chunk of grainy and salty parmesan cheese and a pound of green olives in one bag and and assortment of Penzey's spices in the other. So go on- dance that polka- you belong here. And yinz come back soon, OK?

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Links:

Wholey

Pittsburgh Strip District

Primanti's

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