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    Big Jim's Restaurant & Bar

    4.2 (362 reviews)
    ModerateAmerican, Italian
    Closed 11:00 am - 7:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Big Jim's Restaurant & Bar Photos

    Business Info

    BIG JIM'S RESTAURANT & BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Divey
    Casual
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Big Jim's Restaurant & Bar

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    Whole chic parm
    Denny V.

    4/11/26- Popped in for lunch today, and the place was nearly empty but the hostess, bartender and waitress were super pleasant. Ordered the Fried Jalapinos and they were good, but the basic Sysco product. I don't think anyone makes them from scratch- do they? Anyway for $6, I wasn't disappointed. My son ordered the Big Jim's Club and could only finish half. Look at the size of that sandwich! Then I ordered a side of fries to go w his other half so he could take it home w him. Thanks Big Jim's..! Keep on, Keeping on...!

    Layers of corned beef in this Reuben
    Peggy H.

    The food here is amazing! Big, delicious portions. We had Reubens, fries with gravy, and open roast beef smothered in gravy and fries. They use Mancini bread- big flavorful slices, large amounts of tender, seasoned corned beef, with dressing on the side. The fries are submerged when cooked in some type of oil which brings every bite more delight to your tastebuds than ever before. The flavorsome bread on the roast beef is toasted, which is a nice touch, and compliments the thinly sliced tasty meat. The gravy is just like your grandma's- full of rich flavor. The staff is friendly, quick and thoughtful. This place has your hometown bar, restaurant appeal. We will be back!

    Italien sub & Iron draft
    Johnny K.

    Great ole school Pgh bar! Iron City on tap & bottle. Big, delicious italien hogies and fun locals.

    One server wearing an Imaculate Reception T-shirt
    Fellman B.

    I went to Big Jim's with my brother and a friend after running the Pittsburgh Great Race. I was very hungry. We knew the restaurant had hearty dishes. I ordered the cheeseburger with Swiss cheese, with the burger cooked medium rare. It came back perfect, served with tomato, onions and lettuce, with a dill pickle on the side. The server, Toni, was very accommodating. My friend had a strange request for her Reuben sandwich order. She doesn't eat meat, so she asked if she could give her corned beef to me and just have her sandwich include sauerkraut and cheese. "No problem," said Toni. However, when the order was served, the cheese came on top of the corned beef, and my friend's sandwich had no cheese...just sauerkraut. The cook had gotten the special request wrong. The bread was a hearty, thick Russian rye. Toni agreed to have the sandwich sent back for cheese to be added. And there would be no extra charge for the cheese already on the corned beef. My brother requested extra sauce for his eggplant Parmesan. No problem! The restaurant is very sports-oriented. Games in the TV, and the servers were wearing Steelers-related clothes. It's a homey place to go for good bar type food.

    Pepperoni, extra cheese, and jalapeños, please and Thank you
    Gretchen U.

    Finally came in for an early dinner and had the best service possible. As the folks started coming in there was a great smell of all the delicious options for lunch, dinner and just a lovely time. As always a big thank you.

    Open face Open Faced Roast Beef Sandwich
    Brooke H.

    Always a treat. Food is always amazing no matter what you order. This place is busy so offer grace because those servers are RUNNING! If you want a real Pittsburgh dinning experience, this is it. You are elbow to elbow with your neighbor and everyone is here to have a good time. When one table sings happy birthday, or cheers, you ALL do. It's just a happy experience all around but if you are looking for a quiet meal, this isn't it. You can't get prices for the portions anywhere like Big Jim's.

    Homemade Lasagna
    Sarah G.

    Classic Pittsburgh spot! Portions are generous, food is old school and delicious, and the staff are friendly and make sure you are taken care of. Feels like you are in someone's home! Will absolutely be back.

    Interior - bar area
    Trish T.

    Great dinner the other night in this hole in the wall in Garfield. We popped in last Friday around 6pm, and the place was packed to the gills! Not even a couple seats at the bar. We didn't have to wait long for a 2-top. The hostess was really welcoming and entertaining while we waited. It was clear the place has a sizable regular crowd. Everyone knew everyone, it seemed. The atmosphere is very "old Pittsburgh" - energetic and almost like being in someone's old, paneled living room. A server took our order pretty quickly. The beer selection was quite varied (happily there was a hazy IPA!). Beer seemed a popular pick judging by all the tables and bar top around us. We waited a long time for our food, but I don't think that's usual. Our extremely apologetic server explained that the kitchen had been overwhelmed by 3 huge, unexpected parties. We were fine. The food was really good. My husband had their Reuben which he said was quite flavorful. He loved the Thousand Island dressing. My Alfredo pasta was crazy rich and dotted with roasted broccoli (you can have it plain, with broccoli &/or chicken). The surprising standout of the meal, though, was our basket of fries! I mean, they were the real deal - fresh, some skin on, and super tasty. The portions are large at this place - so come hungry! I took home 1/2 my meal. A nice evening. We'll definitely be back!

    Hot Sausage Hoagie
    Jack R.

    Saw this place on Diners Drive in and Dives and figured it would be a must go to spot. The staff was definitely very friendly and you definitely get the old bar restaurant vibe the second you walk in. Pretty decent menu. I didn't get anything that was tried in the show, but I got the hot sausage sandwich. I wasn't overly thrilled piece of sausage on a large piece of bread that was toasted and pretty dry a lot more bread than there was sausage.

    Mike M.

    Multiple reviews below of how this is a nostalgia childhood spot for me. But first time getting a spread in one sitting...and most impressively each item is consistent every time after all these years! Chicken parm, fish sandwich where I add creamy slaw and thousand island for a Reuben style, and "side" of Italian hoagie

    Reviews are pretty accurate. Not the best sandwich but very solid. Also the staff was attentive and the vibe is totally super dive bar Pittsburgh. Fries were very solid as well.

    Italian Hoagie
    Julie B.

    We stopped here for the first time after an event at the convention center. We had a wonderful experience! It might not look like much from the outside but this place is a true gem. There's a small dinning area within the massive bar along with a separate section just for dining. It has a homey feel. We were greeted and seated right away. All of the employees were friendly and helpful. This place definitely has character and charm. True yinzer experience! The menu is fantastic with tons of great options to select from. We started out with the zucchini with marinara. It was really good nice and crispy. For my entree I ordered the open faced roast beef sandwich. Whenever it was served I couldn't help but say WOW because it was absolutely massive! It could easily feed two people if not more. All of the food that we ordered was delicious, huge portions and reasonably priced. I really can't say enough good things about this place truly. Do yourself a favor and give it a try!

    Italian hoagie full

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    24 days ago

    Great food for decades served with service smiles and more. Cozy environment . If in area stop simple bar approach and dinner room in back.

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    5 months ago

    Always get the chicken parm. Sometimes its very fishy tasting from the oil I surmise. Otherwise portions are enough for taking home.

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    10 months ago

    Big Jim's is great! Loved their calzone. Great food, great service and fun atmosphere!

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    Saint Ravioli

    Saint Ravioli

    5.0(6 reviews)
    2.5 miBloomfield

    Every year my girlfriend and I find a cooking or baking class that is local in Pittsburgh to do…read moretogether. This year we decided to down our robes and become disciples of Saint Ravioli. Getting a spot in a class is very hard since they are limited to 6-8 people, but if you get the chance I absolutely recommend it. The classes are 2 hours long each and are extremely intimate. Bryan and Justin will meet you at the door and will introduce you to their workshop. There is a spread of antipasto to snack on which was curated very well. Each person gets to make 4 (four!!) dozen raviolis each. The class is extremely informative and fun. I personally haven't ordered any of their ravioli drops before, but from eating the batch I personally made, I know I will in the future. Highly recommend ordering their raviolis online or taking the class if it's available.

    Although it takes some planning to order ahead, then pickup your order, the Ravioli is amazing…read more When you pick up your order, it's frozen. To prepare it, simply drop into boiling water, then after it floats to the top, wait a few minutes. I also ordered the Marinara sauce which was delicious. The owner friendly and helpful. He noticed that this was my first order, so he took some time to explain a few things and answer questions. Parking is on the street, and I had no problems finding a spot. It's a fun experience and I will definitely do it again.

    Photos
    Saint Ravioli
    Saint Ravioli - Wedding soup ravioli

    Wedding soup ravioli

    Saint Ravioli

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    Garbarinos - Caprese

    Garbarinos

    4.5(203 reviews)
    2.6 miEast Liberty
    $$

    Seriously what's not to love about this place. From the servers to the food to the ambiance, both…read moretimes we've been here it's been immaculate. Got the pasta with a crispy chicken cutlet again, which could have been a meal on its own-may have been a foot across. House made pasta was delicious as usual. Star of this round was the brussel sprouts, by far the best I've ever had. Have heard people say they can make vegetables take on that meaty taste, and this nails it. And they're huge! Meatballs melt in your mouth.

    Food: We ordered the Spaghetti Pesto Alfredo & Rigatoni Tomato Cream…read more The ingredients listed on the menu is what you get. Very simple, no extra effort given beyond the output of a classic italian dish. Each plate proportionately could have fed two people so it felt like we were eating for four. We both left full, but underwhelmed with the flavor profiles rendered. Service: Overall our waitress was pretty absent, having asked us how we were doing only twice, leaving little room for any comments or feedback to be offered. She recognized her absence and offered us a surprise tiramisu (complimentary) to make up for the lack of attentiveness to our table. Seating: A large bar stretches the restaurant accompanied by wooden chairs, tables and a few booths tucked against the parallel wall. The seating is not tight, meaning you have space between yourself and other parties but the wooden chairs/tables were uncomfortable. In 2026, we just expected a little more from a restaurant charging $20+ for pasta plates. Affordability: If you're going out for drinks and an appetizer, you might be able to sneak your bill in for under $50, but otherwise forget it. Each plate is $20+ with options on the wine list reaching as high as $200+ ... We wouldn't describe this atmosphere as fancy, but the prices are trying to be. Comments: Always support local, small business and give every spot a try. We left this restaurant full, but saying we wouldn't be back, and think it's important that you get an opportunity to read an honest review before you spend your hard earned money. Take care, and happy eating!

    Photos
    Garbarinos - Bar area

    Bar area

    Garbarinos - Cannoli

    Cannoli

    Garbarinos - Inside

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    Inside

    Piccolo Forno - Three Cheese Mezzaluna with Wild Mushroom Marsala Cream Sauce

    Piccolo Forno

    4.1(672 reviews)
    2.9 miLawrenceville
    $$

    A few of us came in for dinner on a weeknight and they were packed, so it was a good thing we made…read morereservations. They were happy when they quickly greeted and seated us. The venue is beautifully decorated and though it's small, they do a nice job with spacing of the tables for all the guests they can accommodate at once. They are also BYOB, but offer a QR code for a neighboring wine shop who will deliver any bottle you select and pay for via the QR code at your table - This is great because they don't charge a corking fee when you do this, but if you do bring your own, they charge a modest corking fee, I think $8. Their menu is excellent... it's filled with so many appetizing options! We started with their stuffed peppers - OMG, EXCELLENT!! Any time I'm in the Pittsburgh area I need to try a few things, this being one of them. These were probably some of the best I've ever had! The sauce was finely ground and really flavorful. The peppers were perfectly cooked to keep their beauty and texture and they were spicy too! We also requested a large order of their table bread and asked for a side of EVOO with it. I sprinkled grated pecorino and freshly ground red chili flakes into the EVOO to make an incredible dipping sauce which worked perfectly with that bread! For my entrée I enjoyed their amazing Spinach Tagliatelle which came perfectly presented and tasted amazing! The spinach was perfectly cooked to the proper texture and the sauce was so good I didn't mind it having eggplant in it (which I hate). Save room for dessert, their panna cotta was great! Overall, the entire experience was very nice, I'd definitely return!

    A cute little Italian place on the corner of Butler st! It's got an intimate, cozy vibe and was…read morewarm and humid inside when I went in the winter. It's somewhat like classy Italian food with entrees starting in the $20s. If you pay with cash, you can get a 5% discount! They have an awesome joint deal with the winery next door called Grapperia where if you buy a bottle, they'll waive the $8 corkage fee. It's a nice place to try new wine at dinner. We got the smoked gouda and nduja pizza & scallop mezzaluna (with the latter as part of their new year menu). Honestly, the pizza was way better than I expected, I'd say the best of these two dishes. It was thin but well flavored with the gouda, tad spiciness (or rather kick) from the salami, and creaminess of the roasted squash. I don't normally like white pizza nor squash on my pizza(?), but this tasted rather good and unique! The scallop mezzaluna was as if the scallop was a ravioli filling. So the dish came with 9 half moonish pasta/raviolis served in a very simple sauce of lemon and processo. It was okay, my first time trying something like this but I wish there was more or had an oomph to it. I'd love to come back here and try more of their pizzas!

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    Piccolo Forno - Inside

    Inside

    Piccolo Forno
    Piccolo Forno - Brushetta

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    Brushetta

    Alla Famiglia - Raspberry Tiramisu

    Alla Famiglia

    4.3(535 reviews)
    2.3 miAllentown
    $$$$

    This is the best Italian restaurant I've been to in a long time. It's five stars for their service,…read moreatmosphere, and their food. Not just service with a smile, we were entertained. It was fun watching them fix drinks and mix pasta in the cheese wheel. Sparkling water House salad: candied walnuts and raisins make it next level. House pasta: corkscrew pasta with homemade vodka sauce is delicious. Filet mignon Diane: tender, juicy, lots of flavor here. Birthday dessert - raspberry tiramisu Complimentary small strawberry filled cannoli was the best cannoli I've ever eaten. There are three levels of dining rooms. We were up on the second floor. Very ornate decor and a beautiful spiral staircase. AJ was a joy to have as our server this evening. We were seated at the bar. But we were treated just like any other table. Great service all night. (7 photos; 1 video)

    Seated via OpenTable Reservations…read more Food & Drink: - Mixed Drink(s): 5 / 5 Sip of Sunshine Old Fashioned - My server recommended it and I couldn't understand why he called it SOS until I had it. Spoiler: it's not the name. Clean, clear, smells like any other bourbon until that first sip reveals just how perfectly blended it is. The kind of drink you savor while watching the sun set on the horizon. Crème Brûlée Espresso Martini - As my heart rate settled from the first drink I needed something to kick it back up. One sip and I could've read the dictionary cover to cover without blinking. Close your eyes and the aroma takes you straight to that first cup of coffee fresh out of the pot. Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Martini - Beautiful presentation but flatter in flavor than the previous two. However for a final cocktail that was exactly the point -- the perfect calm down after a rich and spicy meal. - Food: 4.25 / 5 Bread, Oil & Dip: A great palate cleanser that quickly taught me the chef loves his spices. The dip was described as "Italian Hummus" and if this is the standard I completely understand the hype. Appetizer - Ceviche Peruviano: Think of that forgotten appetizer thrown together last minute for a dinner party, a hodgepodge of raw fish and vegetables. But every bite delivers an explosion of complementary flavors, and that sneaky hint of spice hiding in the raw fish bites will wake you up immediately. Pre-pasta - Tuscan Kale Salad: Needed something to cleanse my palate after the spicy ceviche and frankly I am tired of Caesar salad. Not a kale fan normally because it tastes like dirt, but the lemon vinaigrette adds just enough flavor to make that dirt genuinely enjoyable. Pasta - Cacio E Pepe: Easily the highlight. My buddy describes it perfectly as fancy fettuccine. I have never liked fettuccine until now. My server, who prepared it himself, recommended adding house chili oil for a slight kick. I went one click past recommended and even then it was still divine. I would order it again without hesitation. Entrée - Veal Chop, Lobster Tail & Vegetables (Chef's preference): After riding Cloud 9 all evening I felt like Icarus flying too close to the sun. One word: bland. The veal was overcooked with all the flavor locked into the fat, and the lobster tail tasted like a convenience store impulse buy. The best use of those bones would be soup stock. I had no desire to finish it. Dessert - Tuxedo Crème Brûlée: As much as I wanted the house raspberry tiramisu I left the choice to my server after some back and forth. He recommended this for its balance of sweetness and berry bitterness and he was right. The perfect final note to tap out on. Service: 10 / 5 Even now, I still don't think I tipped my server enough. Dining alone, he made the evening feel like I had a companion at the table. Great conversation, personalized attention, and a level of service that few will ever experience. It was a pleasure to talk to someone who knows and appreciates food as much as I do. If you want an exceptional dining experience, request AJ as your server. I promise you won't be disappointed. Vibe: 5 / 5 Presentation, presentation, presentation. That is the theme every dish and the environment itself conveys the moment you walk through the doors at Alla Famiglia. This is a place for those who want to feel bourgeois for the night. Overall 4.25 / 5: My goal in life is to become a regular somewhere. There is something special about finding a place you love so much that every visit still feels like a new experience. Alla Famiglia is exactly that type of place. During my visit I was introduced to new items and dishes not listed on the menu, which only adds to that sense of discovery. It may be a while before I return since this place isn't cheap and my restaurant bucket list is long, but I will be back. Hopefully AJ is still there when I do, because that is exactly the kind of server you want in your corner as a regular. Recommend? Absolutely

    Photos
    Alla Famiglia - Upstairs Bar and Dining Area

    Upstairs Bar and Dining Area

    Alla Famiglia - Veal Chop Milanese

    Veal Chop Milanese

    Alla Famiglia - Exterior of restaurant

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    Exterior of restaurant

    Big Jim's Restaurant & Bar - tradamerican - Updated May 2026

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