Fantastic barbecue with flavorful sides. Atmosphere is fun and comfortable with friendly locals. Highly recommend!

5 stars! Yes, I did..... First off, as other Yelpers mentioned, this is a "hidden gem" and not only is it off the beaten path, it is so far off the path, that the path disappears, you hit B.F.E., then go another 100 miles..... My experience was totally Yelp random. I was at the Three Rivers Harley Davidson Dealership and searched for BBQ, this place popped up. I am so happy that it did!!!! Getting down to business----- 1. Deep Fried Deviled Eggs - The best I have ever had. The Bullet bourbon bacon jam with a jalapeño is a killer combination. The bread crust gives it a snap, yet the inside is devilishly delish! 2. The Chopping Block - Warning! Addictive as hell! Crispy Pork Bites are to die for, in fact, after it was all said and done, I ordered an order just of the bites. Marinated pork butt then fried. So basically, you have a caramelized crust with a fatty inside, can you say "flavor explosion"? Bacon is to die for, I could live on their bacon alone. Kielbasa was to be expected, pretty good smoked flavor (I am not a Kielbasa expert). Bacon jam and chili hurry - yes please!!!!!! One bitch, its small and not really shareable. I could prob eat two of these!!!! 3. Brisket - Very good smoked flavor with a perfect crust. They slice to order. Perfect! 4. Homemade BBQ sauces. What? Yes!!!! All equally phenomenal.. Jonathan, who is local, was my bartender. Great personality. The "executive chef" ---- BBQ has an exec chef, wtf? ---- was friendly and chatty, explaining his secrets. They do a great job, it is a pity that they are about 10 miles way past B.F.E. I was there for lunch, but it looks like it would be a great place to hang out and listen to music, I was liking the craft beer list and bourbon list!!!!!!!! As General MacArthur said, "I shall return" read more

This was a find from google for a ribs hankering. Quiet, set back, and very much a local place. I had the 2 combo with ribs and salmon sweet potato fried and pork and beans. Everything was cooked to perfection. Mom had the 2 combo with ribs and pulled pork. She doesn't like the pork dressed and this wasn't. She had cole slaw too. We overheard that the ice cream sandwiches were a house favorite. Would definitely go back for eat in or take out. Outside seating was nice. read more

Yum! Love this place so much. Great bbq in the north hills. Last night I had the salmon sandwich. I know, Salmon at a bbq place? It is seriously awesome! So juicy and big. Fries on the side are awesome as well. I can't get enough of the sauces too. Bold is my personal favorite but the sweet and spicy mixed together are great too. I've also had the pulled pork nachos and chicken wings. There hasn't been something I didn't love. Finally, last night I got the Mexican Mule from the bar. Mostly ice but the flavor was good. Just wish it was a little more drink and a little less filler. read more

Wheelfish - Salmon sandwich - Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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I was out for a funeral and found this place by my hotel. It's exactly what I needed. Live music and unbelievable food. Service was amazing and wish this was closer to home. read more

Wheelfish is worth the drive wherever you live in the greater Pittsburgh area! It is on Thompson's Run Road and I came from the Babcock Blvd side. There are many signs warning of the road being closed ahead, but the road is open to Wheelfish from this direction. Just ignore the detours. They have a small selection of craft draft beers and a much larger list of bottled crafts. I sat at the bar and enjoyed listening to the local patrons. This is their neighborhood bar. It was $2.00 Taco night so I ordered 2 with a salad and Mac n cheese. My salad was so fresh, with lovely greens and a homemade citrus vinaigrette. The Mac n cheese was just like mom used to make and topped with garlic breadcrumbs! Delicious! The tortillas were brown on edges like they were warmed on the grill. YUM! My Pork taco was outstanding. So full of flavor! I tried each of the homemade BBQ sauces in separate bites. Every sauce was good, but I favored the Spicy Texas sauce. The Brisket taco was a little shy on the brisket but the green peppers and onions were so good and the chimchurri was excellent! I will definitely return to this hidden gem BBQ place out in the wilds of the North Hills. read more

I've been eating here occasionally since I moved here 3 years ago. But since the COVID lockdown they've really outdone themselves. My friend and I ordered take out 3 times and each time were totally Impressed with incredible fish tacos, brisket tacos, perfectly crispy fries- both regular and sweet potato which can so often be soggy. Napa slaw delicious, beet salad yummy and wings exactly what I was craving. They have a great system to have NO customer inside, deliver quickly to your car. They also give back to the community by making hundreds of lunches for a local food bank. I will always be a fan! read more

Wheelfish - Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Delicious smoked meats and perfectly mixed cocktails. Excellent service and attentive staff. Love this local bar, and delighted to see it thriving and getting better each time we go. Stop by for lunch, dinner, or a late night bite in the North Hills. read more

Wheelfish - Pulled pork sandwich - Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Being former Shadyside residents turned suburbanites my husband and I often express our disappointment to now be surrounded by chain restaurants when we once surrounded by an array of unique cuisine options. Enter Wheelfish. The menu is not overwhelming, focusing on BBQ and a few accompaniments. The specialty cocktail list has a nice array of selections. I really enjoyed my gin cocktail, Heart of Darkness. There's also a range of rotated craft beers and ciders. My husband ordered the chili, which was very generous with the meats and had just the right amount of spice to it. The included cornbread was savory and well portioned with the chili. I went with the spinach and bacon salad, adding chicken and the sheep's milk feta from their beet salad. Perfection. We brought our (almost) 9 month old who happily helped us polish off the tomato bisque. The staff was friendly and attentive, working together to ensure everyone was cared for and enjoying themselves. They also support local musicians by offering them space to perform for their patrons. The ambiance is very modern. Reclaimed wooden walls. Edison bulb light fixtures. Vintage window ceiling fixtures. The pricing was also very fair. For the chili, tomato soup, salad, a beer and a cocktail we paid about $40 before tip. Definitely not a bad Friday out! read more

Wheelfish - Heart of Darkness - Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Good food. Casual dining environment. Good service. Will be back in the future. Large parking lot.

Great place for cocktails and BBQ. One of our favorites for a drop in for a drink. Bourbon selection is great.

We love coming to this hidden neighborhood gem for some delicious BBQ. They always have great service, amazing food and drinks, and awesome music on the weekends! Recently we tried the fried devil eggs for an appetizer and we truly can't stop thinking about them. Add this to your list of weekend places to try-- you won't be disappointed! read more

So glad I decided to try this hidden gem! There is live music and a fun environment. Meat is smoked right outside. We shared the brisket with fries and the ribs with vegetables. The ribs were phenomenal and fall-off-the-bone tender. The brisket was good but nothing special. Vegetables were also good but not amazing. The fries were so amazing. They were hot and crunchy and we would have ordered more if we weren't so full from everything else! I'll definitely be back to enjoy the good food and good vibes. Free parking on site. read more

Wheelfish - Brisket (4/5 stars) and fries (5/5 stars) - Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Amazing food, service and drinks with great prices. Very cool spot with live music! Seek it out and give it a try.

Great service and attentive staff. Server explained and offered suggestions. They had a special apple cider old fashion, which was great! Fried deviled eggs- must buy, fantastic! Tomato bisque was creamy and home made. The fried pork was tender and not tough. The fried egg rolls were ok, not my favorite. Little to much wrapper and not enough ingredients. The chef or owner came by to check on us, he was super friendly and made the experience better. Overall I highly recommend and will be back to try more stuff. read more

Wheelfish - Fried deviled egg! - Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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I stopped by here a couple of Friday nights ago with my wife. We ended up headed to Wheelfish because one of my bowling teammates told me that it was good. Whenever we arrived to the restaurant at right around 7 PM both the bar and the restaurant were jam packed. Thankfully there ended up being a single two top available which we were seated at. The unfortunate part about that was that it was near the door and so it was cold every time someone came in or out which happened frequently. The inside of wheelfish is composed of two levels with the top level consisting of the bar sitting a couple of feet above the dining room. The walls are decorated with what looked like reclaimed wood and the night that we were there a live band was playing. For our entrees on this evening my wife and I decided to split a ton of different meats as we often do at BBQ restaurants. So my wife went with the smoked eggplant with a side of sweet potato fries while I went with the brisket with a side of Mac and cheese. Then we also also ordered 1/4 pounds of chicken and pulled pork. It all looked pretty good whenever it was delivered to the table with my only concern being the fact that the chicken was still on the bone which I don't like. Ironically the chicken ended up being my favorite thing due to the spice rub on the outside and the fact that it was cooked nicely. The pulled pork was flavorful and juicy and while I enjoyed the brisket it was weird for me to see a 1/2 pound of it cut into only 3 strips. My least favorite main dish of the night ended up being the smoked eggplant which while good and certainly the most innovative wasn't completely my cup of tea. Out of the sides I liked the sweet potato fries better and thought that the Mac and cheese was adequate although nothing to rave about. After we had finished our meals my wife asked to see the dessert menu which consisted entirely of Leona ice cream sandwiches. It's good to see one local business supporting another! The bottom line for me is that I would head back here again in the future. Hopefully next time we get a seat a little further away from othe door but I thought that the food was good and enjoyed the live music. read more

Wheelfish - Brisket with Mac and cheese -- pulled pork -- chicken -- smoked eggplant with sweet potato fries - Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Great local bar and restaurant with really good food! Definitely give it a try. They also have live music, tricia nights and specials for game days. read more

Fantastic food and drinks! The sweet potato fries with the sauce is to die for. Always a go to place!Pulled Pork Sandwich is amazing as well. Been going here for years. read more

Stopped here after a long work day to see some friends perform. Wasn't going to get anything to eat but the smell of the smoker upon entering the place changed my mind. I got the brisket with Mack and cheese. The Mac and cheese was good had a nice crust on top with nice cheesy flavor. I was disappointed in with be brisket though. It had nice flavor but was pretty dried out and a bit tough. The decor was nice and when the cooker was bringing a piece of pork in from out side he gave me and my boyfriend a sample and it was delicious and tender. Maybe I got a bad batch of brisket wished I got the pork instead. Place worth another try and some of the other dishes I saw looked like worth a taste. read more

Wheelfish - Brisket with Mac & Cheese - Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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I wish there was such a thing as 3.5 - 3.75 stars... because this ranks just under 4 stars. My husband and I came here with another couple on a Wednesday night. The restaurant is tucked in at the beginning of a housing development right off of the main street. The gravel parking lot is large and would accommodate quite a few guests. However, the back of a strip mall abuts the lot, which is not the most ideal situation and could be a potential eye sore. The building is inviting from the outside, as it perfectly fits the BBQ, rustic theme. The inside is dimly lit, with several dining options: small tables, a long table overlooking the main dining area, and the bar. We opted for the bar as the live music was quite loud and we wanted to have conversation with our friends. The bartender was very friendly and attentive - I would go back for the sole sake of having her again! There are 4-5 different meat options prepared a couple ways. I had 1/4 lb pulled pork with the pork and beans. The BBQ sauces were very good - spicy was just that, regular was a nice blend of spices, and sweet was sweet, my favorite! The pork and beans were just ok, however my friend had the sweet potato fries (I stole a few) and they were very good! The food was a little pricey, however it is one of the better places I have been for BBQ in Pittsburgh. If you enjoy smoked meats and traditional BBQ/picnic sides, this is a place to put on your list. A little pricey and located off the beaten path, however, it's worth a stop! read more

Wheelfish - Pulled Pork and Baked Beans. Loved the variety of BBQ sauces offered at this BBQ joint! - Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Fun times at Wheelfish! On a side road a bit north of Pittsburgh, you definitely wouldn't expect it. It was small on the inside but I loved the feel of the place with the deep woods and lower lighting. They have music on a stage on one side of the restaurant with a bar and some tvs on the other side. A blues rock band called Strange Brew played and they were good! It was a good mix of the food and music and the music wasn't so loud that you couldn't talk. The menu was impressive for a mostly barbecue place. They even had a fancy salad with beets and candied pecans. Their main dishes were ribs and brisket and those types of things but the surprise item for me in that section was the smoked eggplant!! It was really cool they had that option, although I was too full to try it. I opted for a bunch of sides (which ended up being extremely filling). I ordered the seasonal vegetables, which included zucchini, carrots, squash etc. The seasoning was perfect on them but a few were a bit harder than I like(I love squishy zucchini especially). I ordered the mac n cheese and it was a smooth and creamy dream. Came in a jar with breadcrumbs on top and was really rich and everything I'd expect. I also ordered a corn bread muffin. Those are the bomb! This one came with some raspberries inside of it. Really good. Definitely have to come back to try that eggplant! read more

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I've had a bunch of BBQ in Pittsburgh and there's maybe only 1-2 spots that I'd go back to. I can gladly add another to the list. I came here for a birthday dinner and thoroughly enjoyed the food and drinks. I sampled everything from the wings, to deviled eggs, to ribs and everything tasted great. The portions are pretty big so I'd be careful when ordering. I also enjoyed the fact that they had a bunch of different sauces to try so everyone can flavor the BBQ with what they liked. read more

Wheelfish - Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

I don't get the good reviews for this place AT ALL. Pros: sweet potato fries, Arsenal cider, and music. My husband reports that the ribs were average. Cons: I ordered a stuffed baked potato with pulled pork and toppings. The potato tasted like cardboard and the pulled pork was, weirdly, both greasy and dry. I got a side of veges that were not distinguishable. And, nothing was hot. And, the pulled pork add on says $2 on the menu and I got charged $6. Nope. read more

This is a true hidden gem! I can't believe I just recently found this place. It is tucked away in a neighborhood so it's nothing you see from the main road. As soon as you walk up to the door there is a smoker on the side and the smell makes your mouth drool. Everytime I have been here it has been packed. Your best bet to getting a table is having a small party. The restaurant is so cute inside. They have a great selection of bottle beers and interesting cocktails but are slacking on the draft beers. The food is ridiculously good. The nachos, ribs, pulled pork, mac n cheese, and coleslaw are all spectacular! Plus they often have some kind of different band on stage. This is such a different kind of restaurant for this area and the best BBQ I've had in Pittsburgh. Definitely a must try! read more

Wheelfish - Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Diamond in the rough. I was looking for a spot between here and there and Wheelfish was the perfect fit this evening. I started with Smoked Georgia Peach cocktail. It was fresh, boozy and had a light smoked flavor. For dinner I ordered the Roasted Beet Salad with Salmon and a Blueberry Corn Muffin. The salad was tossed perfectly with a citrus vinaigrette. I enjoyed all of the components of yellow raisins, sheep milk feta and candied pecans. The salmon was smoked to perfection and had a glazed crust which hit the spot. I thought the corn muffin was dry and the server promptly told me she would comp it. From the service, to the delicious food, to the great rustic atmosphere of an old barn, I thoroughly enjoyed Wheelfish and will be back. read more

Food good, nice atmosphere, service good. Waiters are nice. Overall great establishment.

We went to Wheelfish yesterday for our anniversary. It is a small joint in the middle of Mccandless, and we are so glad we found it! My husband is a BBQ fiend, and he drags me to every BBQ in and around Pittsburgh. This place is the real deal. Food is reasonably priced, fresh, delicious and smokey perfection. Our waitress was friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. We had the pulled pork nachos... All people should try these nachos, they are amazing! The pulled pork is one of the BEST we've ever had, they make their own queso AND chips! SO DANG GOOD!! My hubs had the smoked salmon and the brisket and I had the brisket. Everything is great, the fish was delicious and the brisket was tender and sooo good. They have a full bar and lots of local beers. They also have a cooler with bottles, lots of random beers- seasonal, ciders, etc... It was great for a picky beer drinker like me! We will most definitely be going back! read more

Wheelfish - Pulled pork nachos, SO GOOD - Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Ariana took care of our group and could not have asked for better service. We had an amazing time and the food and drinks were on point. A great local that is worth checking out. The ambiance could use a bulb or two turned off. Its a little aggressive. Lighting like a grow house. read more

Wheelfish - Double rum - Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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We have been here two times now. We live close by but never stopped here. I'm so glad that we did. We came here both times on a Friday night. It looks like they usually have a band on Fridays and that's what we have been looking for. We like live music and we found it. It's not too big inside so it gets busy but the first time we came here we just grabbed a few drinks and listened to the music. The second night we came here we waited about ten minutes for a table and got to sit close to the band. We had some snacks and some beers. It was really nice. This place is a meat lovers heaven I think. They smoke their meat and all of the food that came out looked and smelled great. Unfortunately we don't eat meat anymore and there wasn't too many options for us. We ordered some mac n cheese which was good and some fries. We wish there were a few more veggie options on the main menu. Regardless we came here for the music and some beers and we had a nice time both nights. We will definitely be back often. read more

New favorite place. The food, drinks, and service are top notch. Never thought I'd enjoy "smoked meat" so much but here I am always telling my husband I'm craving either their pulled pork sandwich or wings. THE WINGS. I cant think of anything we've tried here that's not delicious or anyone we've encountered that wasn't attentive and friendly. Live music some nights is a nice touch too!! read more

I got a half chicken to go .I got 2 pieces of chicken @ fries for 18 bucks i'll never order from there again buy the way it sucked

We have gotten take out here twice, ate in once. The ribs are good and the fries heat up perfect. Disappointed in the dry chicken and brisket we had for take out. The assorted sauces are nice for everyone's varied taste. The Mac N cheese presentation was better than the taste. We love how close to home this restaurant is and when they have live music. read more

Wheelfish is a hidden gem! It is tucked back off a main road but it is such an amazing find!! I love the smoked salmon and my husband loves the pulled pork. They have a lot of side options but the mac n cheese is my favorite! Also, the pulled pork egg rolls are a 10/10! read more

We have made three visits here now while visiting my in laws in the North Hills. It's a dark place, heavy on the wooden decor. We've generally been please with both the food and service. However, the quarter chicken (at least the dark meat) is very small- very tiny chicken! If you order 1/4 chicken and a side it is exactly the same as the kids meal. The rest of the portions are decent, but this has stuck out over multiple visits. They have fun drinks specials (Yoda Punch for May the 4th, for example) and a good beer selection. In the colder months be aware that the ladies room has no heat and is freezing! read more

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Service was quick, the food was excellent, and prices were very reasonable. They give you three different bbq sauces on the side to compliment the ribs. I definitely recommend the spicy sauce out of the three, but you can't go wrong with any of them. read more

Wheelfish - 1/2 Rack Ribs - Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Meat is always tender and well seasoned. I dream about the nachos. Excellent beer selection on draft and in cans. Fresh cut fries are so good. One of our favorite places to be. read more

My boyfriend and I just moved super close to Wheelfish and I'm SO excited about that. I actually love the location - not just because it's close to us but it gives off a small town vibe that is super comforting for those who didn't grow up in a big city. We've heard good things about this place and we're excited to try it! Also, they carry Leona's ice cream sandwiches so that's reason enough to come in. We started off with wings with a dry rub - something recommended by the server so we could try all of the sauces they had in the bucket they give everyone when dining in. The wings were good and the sauces were too but didn't blow me away. I got the pulled pork sandwich with fries and my boyfriend got a burger with fries and Mac and cheese. My pulled pork was good but next time I think I'll just get the meat. I felt like the slaw, red onions, and bun (while all delicious) overpowered the meat that I came in for. My boyfriend really enjoyed the burger but didn't even touch his Mac and cheese - the portions are plenty! The service here was wonderful. It felt so comfortable and homey and our server made us feel like a part of the family. We ended with Leona's ice cream sandwiches and I don't think I can ever end a meal here without one now. Highly recommend Wheelfish and what they have to offer! read more

Very good place to check out. It is hidden in a neighborhood in the North Hills area. I was out on my own, and decided to check this place out It was a bit rustic western style, and too cold for my liking in there. The AC was in full force. I was freezing! Nometheless, I was immediately seated. So there was not much of a wait time, at least on that day. They do have live bands. But, I didn't get a chance to check that out. I ordered the Beef Brisket Quesadilla, with extra sour cream on the side. And I also got the mac n cheese. Ok, let me tell you that the Quesadilla was hands down, ahhhhmazing. I enjoyed every bit of it. The mac n cheese was good as well. My only sad feeling was, they ran out of the cornbread that I so badly wanted to try! I still plan to go back, and hopefully catch the live bands. In my opinion, where it is located is awkward. But I am sure those that live in the residential area enjoy. And if for those that enjoy the hidden jewel, enjoy it as well. read more

Wheelfish - Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Good food, good menu. The live entertainment was a nice surprise and good. Extremely solid place!

Good food and great service!! I was so impressed ‼ would recommend to anyone looking for an amazing night