I most recently visited Tillie's on a Sunday evening in July to celebrate my sister's birthday…read more This restaurant has been a long-time favorite for my family, and I have always enjoyed visiting here.
Tillie's is located on 36th Street in McKeesport, just a few minute drive from the high school. It is also rather close to the Boston neighborhood. The building has adequate signage and is easy to locate. There is an entrance off of 36th Street as well as off of Kountz, and both are usually open.
There is some street parking surrounding the building, along with a private lot to the left of the main entrance. I have never had an issue finding somewhere to park when dining in.
We arrived to the restaurant around 5:30 PM on a Sunday, and it was not too crowded. I dined in with a group of 5, and we were seated immediately. I have been here on Saturday nights where there is a wait, so just be mindful that there could be a wait during peak business hours.
In addition to the normal menu offered, there were some specials also available. We did not order any of these this trip, but there is the potential for some rotating dishes if you come to dine here!
To start off, we ordered a few appetizers for our table. We got an order of the Fried Provolone Cheese, as well as the Fried Calamari. The Provolone is in wedges, and served with their marinara sauce - they were crispy and melty just as you want them to be. The Calamari are served with the marinara, along with a special dipping sauce. Both were good and complimented the Calamari well! Additionally, thick-sliced bread is provided for the table before the main courses come. They will refill it if you ask, and it is always delicious.
For my main course, I ordered the Parmioli, which is a Tillie's special dish. It is Chicken Parmigiana topped with a giant cheese ravioli and baked together. It is a favorite of my family, so I have enjoyed it many times before. This time was no different, and the dish came out delicious! It was definitely enough for me to have some to take home. The entree came with the choice of a soup or salad, and I had a Small House Salad with a side of ranch. It came out as a nice appetizer before the meal, and was fresh and colorful.
Other members of my family ordered different entrees. All were enjoyed by the person who ordered them, and included in my review are some pictures of these dishes: Chicken Alfredo, Lasagna, and Chicken Parmigiana (no mushrooms). There was also a Small Caesar Salad, and a Cup of Wedding Soup ordered that were included with the entrees.
Beyond what we ordered on this visit, I would recommend trying the pizza to split with a group. It is especially great if eaten fresh while dining in. If you are undecided or want a lot of food, the Specialty Trio Combination Dinner is a great way to try multiple dishes.
Our meal was wonderful! Everyone enjoyed their food, it was all hot and fresh, and was prepared well. The service was excellent, and we had a great experience with our waitress. We have really never had a bad experience here before, and will continue to keep coming back.
The prices here are very fair. All meals come with the table bread, a soup or salad, and then the main entree. Most are around $20, but for what you receive it is worth it. A lot of items are made in-house, and the sauce is unique and tasty. I would recommend this place on value alone.
I always love coming to Tillie's, and this visit was no different. The food is classic and as close to true Italian as it gets. The charm, atmosphere, and staff all keep me returning time after time. Tillie's has that old-time Italian restaurant charm that reminds you of a different time, but in the best way. Do not miss your chance to try this classic gem if you are thinking about going!
