Keri Parker
I'm visiting Pittsburgh with my family, and we stopped in for breakfast at Pamela's.
The decorations are super cute, the service was friendly, fast, and the food was great!
We ordered the corn beef hash with fried eggs and rye toast, 2 scrambled eggs with cheese, potatoes, bacon, and toast, the short stack pancakes and sausage links.
Everything is cooked to order, so it can take a few minutes to get your food, but it is worth the wait.
The pancakes are super thin with crispy edges; so good!
Adrian Tan
Pamela's Diner is a reliable place for a good brunch (and other meals). Their hotcakes are unique, being like something between crepes or pancakes, and are big, fluffy, soft, and that melts in the mouth with or without butter and syrup.
As far as I know, they do not take reservations, but only allow walk-ins. When you arrive, go up to their front counter and let them know how many people are in your party. Note that their policy is that every member of a party has to be present in person to be seated once a table opens up.
The atmosphere is nearly always vibrant because the place is often full of students from the nearby colleges having a good time (see photos). It can mean a long wait queuing (15 to 30 minutes?) outside at peak times. The decor is bright and cheerful with lots of amusing things like old board games displayed on the walls.
Parking is available on the surrounding streets and charged by time via city meters. Street parking in Pittsburgh is free on Sundays and certain public holidays. Paid parking in nearby commercial garages are always available.
Elvis C.
It is located near Pittsburg University. We went there before our campus visit. We tried the daily special, Tex mex omelet. Very reasonable price, very efficient service, and the waiter was kind. He patiently explained what is the daily special. The food was delicious. I am not a big fan of tomato, but I had the best hash browns in two years! Will visit again next time I’m in town.
Vincenzo Mercurio
Very busy in the weekend, but you kinda see why when you dine here. The atmosphere makes me feel like I'm in a boardgame.
Great chorizo omelet! It was like a Sloppy Joe...but in an omelet. Strawberry hotcake was good, but may be a bit too buttery for some.
Kaylee Hyatt
We were first time visitors and the energy of the place was palpable. The staff were friendly and fast. The food was INCREDIBLE! We loved the old school games and seeing some we had never knew about. If you're craving some good home cooked food, definitely stop at Pamela's
Frank Bruno
I can't say enough good things about this place! My first visit to Pittsburgh went here for breakfast. The decor and atmosphere are kitsch and fun, the service fast and friendly. The eggs was perfectly prepared, the rye toast delicious, the bacon crisp and good quality but the star was their "famous" lyonaise potatoes. Simply the best I ever had and perfectly seasoned. So good I went back the next day and repeated. You guys need a place in Allentown. Best breakfast ever!
Mazin Kaju
First time here in Pittsburgh, and we really enjoyed having breakfast 😋 its a winner.
Irms
ate the turkey brioche sandwich with sweet potato fries! didn’t expect the sandwich to be fully cold, would’ve loved for it to be a hot meal but still enjoyed (would’ve liked to be informed it would be a cold sandwich since it was my first time there, and as a tourist). Sweet potato fries were amazing! My friend ordered a side of sausages and she genuinely enjoyed them so much and wouldn’t stop talking about them! fast service and nice employees. understood all allergy orders and delivered correctly.
Amie Holko
We had a lovely breakfast with great service. We went at opening time on a Sunday, expecting a line. There was no line and plenty of seating. I tried their specialty crepe pancakes, which were more filling than I’d expected. We would definitely return.
Don Brovero
What a great place for breakfast. Their corned beef is home made and very good. Their chorizo sausage is excellent. A great big cup of coffee that was really tasty. An excellent price point. The wait staff was very attentive and friendly. I highly recommend for breakfast.
Ally Runco
My favorite omelette is the corn beef and Swiss and it is consistently good!
Laura Hidalgo
Great breakfast! Tasty and big! Will recommed
Steve Selvage
What a great find! Very nice atmosphere and friendly staff. The food was amazing, I would definitely recommend Pamela's famous Crepe Hotcakes!
MG U
Located in the heart of the University of Pittsburgh Oakland neighborhood youll find this little gem. Fantastic breakfast with nostalgia and great service. Try the potatoes with your meal. You will not be disappointed. We will definitely be back!
Jim H
I loved Pamela’s as a Pitt student in the late 90s, and I still love it today nearly 20 years later. The decor has changed to a retro 60s vibe with paintings of famous rock stars long gone and the walls are decked out in classic board games, many of which I remember playing as kid. This particular location is a bit cramped and fills up quick, but the staff is very friendly, quick and efficient at moving diners through without making one feel rushed. The food is always excellent. IMO this is still the BEST BREAKFAST IN PITTSBURGH! Sadly, their prices have slowly crept up over the years and I think they’re getting to a tipping point. $9.25 for an omelet, taters and toast is steep. However, their crepe style pancakes are the best! Love the crispy edges around the dense but soft and buttery cake center. You cannot get a better pancake anywhere else. It has always been cash only, so come prepared.
Mon Santi
Some recommendations before you make the decision to come here.
1. Yes, lines are long and have to wait until you can go in (I'm talking by experience, since I came on a Friday morning)
2. Yes, is American style breakfast so spect for a fat fulfilling breakfast.
I came to this place with my family (party of 5) and we waited for a good 30 minutes (give or take) to be seated.
As soon as you have a table, take look at the menu. Perhaps even do it before coming in, it will safe you some time.
We order a lot of they specialties and it was delicious. Some of us struggled finishing the food, but it was worth every bite.
I will definitely keep this place to make the drive and visit again!!
Prapti Patel
Amazing pancakes, amazing and quick service. Definitely have to come again!
Very much enjoyed our revisit. As before, love the energy and smiles from all the staff. Loved the food, coffee is okay.
Chris
Definitely one of the better breakfast diner’s I’ve been to. The wall decorations are entertaining and light hearted and the overall atmosphere was upbeat and fun. Our food was great. Order the Lyonnaise Potatoes!
Simarprit Singh
1. Centrally located<br/>2. Has a reputation<br/>3. Lives by it<br/>4. Tax-Max omelet was great - Portion was generous<br/>5. Tomato Juice was good, it was real thick, had to dilute it with ice and water for my taste<br/>6. Chocolate Chip Banana Hotcake is good, lives by its reputation of being a specialty of this place.<br/>7. Coffee was standard
Regina Brecker
Amazing food, always worth the wait and the fact that you have to pay in cash. Wish I was able to come here more often. It's great to bring out of town visitors here
Jessica Lewis
What a great Sunday breakfast spot...they serve it ALL day. I had the chorizo omelet, my husband had the hash, my sister had the banana chocolate chip pancakes. All of it was delicious. For how insanely packed they are the staff is quick, efficient yet have the time to make you feel like your important. Great place, would recommend this place to everyone!
Facebook User
Tasty. There is a wait but it is worthwhile. the potatoes are always a little different, which I like. I'm kinda boring as far as ordering. I get the eggs with potatoes and toast. never disappointed.
Jess
I was very disappointed by this diner in Oakland. I've been to the one in mt lebanon and they have great food and service. However the one in Oakland had an unfriendly and very rude cashier and the food was bad as well. Usually I love their lyonnaise potatoes however their potatoes were soggy and the omelets were one third the size of the ones in mt lebanon.
Wddm91
Just dont get the hype. I've been to Pamela's 3 times in the last year because of great reviews. I found the crepe pancakes greasy and the veggie omelet came without cheese. I order veggie omelets everywhere and never have I been so disappointed!
Dawn Vestrat Wilson
Surprise!. OK, all the usual breakfast suspects appear, but how about crepes?? omg, so delicious! Crowded and busy, certainly no place for a quiet tete e tete, crowded and you might have a wait if you don't go before or after the usual meal time rush.
Food Eater
Holy Hot Cakes!. I visited Pamela's last November and man, it was packed. We waited about 15-20 minutes to get seated but we already heard about how busy it gets so the wait wasn't as bad as we had expected. We ordered the Morning After Breakfast which was nothing special EXCEPT it came with the best hotcakes I have ever had in my life!! If you ever go to Pamela's, order the Strawberry Hotcakes. They are AMAZING. Crunchy on the edges, soft in the center, loaded with sweet strawberry goodness... TRUST ME, you need to try it!!
Bec
Jims the man. Jim had a great table ready for us and our waitress was very attentive. We will be returning asap because the service added with the amazing food was worth the trip from Greensburg.
Mike
Awesome staff, and great breakfast food. Eat here all the time. Owner and cooks are great about making food the way you want it. You won't be disappointed
Tricia's Sister
Horrible service and a contemptuous attitude at the register from the hostess. She could care less if you even exist.
Josh Belford
First time there: service was fast, atmosphere was comfortable. My Tex-Mex omelette was awesome, and their potatos were incredible.
EatingPittsburgh
I love everything about it except the food. After hearing all of my local friends obsess about Pamela's, I finally decided to try it for myself. The atmosphere is that of a great old diner, and the people who work there are all very pleasant. It's a very cute place with a great fan following. That said... the pancakes are very good, but everything else is just Meh. The bacon and sausage aren't good, and the eggs are quite greasy. Definitely worth a try though, because a lot of people really do like it.
Rebecca
Super yummy food and exceptional service!!! All Pamela locations are great but I always find myself drawn to the Oakland location! May have trouble finding a parking spot or find a line of hungry patrons at the door waiting for a table but it's totally worth it!! Usually get you in relative fast due to the quick turnover in tables. Staff is very efficient, very friendly, knowledgabable of the menu, willing/ able to make substitutions, overall top notch!! Don't be surprised to have several servers wait on you they work as a team and they pool their tips. The restaurant is kind of small and you are typically close to your neighboring tables. Good way to see different dishes to get ideas for your next visit. It is a breakfast, brunch, lunch place. CASH ONLY. But there is an ATM just outside if you forget cash. We are frequent visitors and have never been disappointed! I always get breakfast. THE BEST BREAKFAST IN THE BURGH!!! Must haves: stuffed pancakes (choco chips and banana or strawberry) both are outstanding I like to add walnuts makes it even tummier! Omelettes are great, had their special this morning, an cheesesteak omelette with steak, peppers, mushrooms onions and Swiss. Must try the lyoinnaise potatoes, they are out of this world!!! They have hamburgers, salads, and sandwiches too!! Put pamela's on your "to try" list!! You will not be disappointed!!!! ;)
Charley
Breakfast. Great Pancakes!! Can't beat this place with a stick!
Ninonana
Love it. Nothing more to say. Try this food. You will love it
Matt Shirey
Perfect cure for a hangover. Go here if you want huge portions of great food, and it's cash only
Pat
Just good, not great. I don't see the hype for Pamela's? It was decent tasting and yes the service was quick, but I didn't think that the food was all that. Also, the fact that they only take cash was not helpful, though there is an ATM down the street.
JeanyB
Best Breakfast in Town. I ate at Pamela's in Oakland yesterday, and it was as good as ever. Not only was the food good, but the service was fast, and the customer service was outstanding. I'm ready to go back soon.
Dante Robert
Good Comfort Food Had an omlette, which was excellent and not too greasy. The potatoes were really good too. What I like about this place is that, in the middle of the crazy college atmosphere of Oakland, Pamela's provides a homey and comfortable atmosphere. The interior is warm and they play classic rock and oldies, not the usual college grung rock or rap. If you want a laid-back breakfast with good food and diner surroundings, definitely come eat here.
Steeler-nurse
Consistently great!. Had a great lunch there with 5 other people. Our server was awesome. He got all of our orders correct, was pleasant, and had no problem doing separate checks. The food was awesome. i had a sausage and cheese omelet. My friends ordered omelets or hotcakes and we were all very satisfied and so happy with how good everything tasted. And, it was quick. We were in and out in less than hour.
Skb1447
Fine Breakfast. Very nice breakfast spot - excellent pancakes, lively atmosphere. Good value and service. Enjoy this spot very much!
Lizzy
Always a tasty meal. Pamela's is a cheap but tasty meal. They have all kinds of breakfast foods and different sandwiches and salads. I've never been disappointed with a meal here!
StephRanieR
Warning- cash only. I tried to eat lunch here one day. i waited in a long line to get a table, then opened the menu to find some note about this being a cash-only establishment.... which is a little shady, i always think. so yeah, if you operate with a debit card, don't expect to eat here.
GluttonLee
Pancake-licious. First, a word of caution. If you're coming here to try their pancakes you need to know these are crepe-style, not the fluffy-thick kind you might be expecting. Nonetheless, they're very good pancakes. I tried the much hyped strawberry pancake with sour cream. Yes, it sounds like an awful combination. But with whipped cream and syrup it's actually really good and the sour cream really adds a nice note to the meal. The other pancakes/breakfast food people were ordering looked and smelled fantastic as well. Their lunch menu, however, pretty much looks like something you would get at a Big Boys or Eat-N-Park. But hey, you can order breakfast all day, so try it out.
Sam
LOVE IT. This is a great place to eat! I always want to go here on the weekends ! BUT ALWAYS extremely busy , and don't feel like waiting 20 mins for a table!
Adison
I think Pamela's is good! It is decorated very cute! I love the banana chocolate chip hotcakes!
Rick
The Oakland location is a good choice on weekends because Pitt students sleep late.
MiggyT
The strawberry hot cakes (more like crepes) withe brown sugar and sour cream are amazing!! Good coffee and the omlets are great as well. California fresh toast was an unexpected surprise.
Louis
Great spot to take the parents for breakfast. Food here is comparable to what you'd get in a IHOP or Bob's Big Boy, or Eat'n'Park for you yinzers out there. Don't expect anything "healthy" on this menu as even the waffles are greasy. Price is pretty cheap and still pretty good food.
EJB
Terrible Food. Quite frankly, the worst breakfast food i've ever had. The bacon seemed as if it were microwaved and had no flavor of bacon. The eggs were greasy and undercooked, the crepe hotcake tasted terrible, and now my stomach hurts. I have no idea why this place gets good reviews. If you are NOT a drunk college kid looking to jam a bunch of "food" in your face, then DON'T eat here.
Pseudo-Suzy Homemaker
For Pamela's hotcakes, I'd gladly suck it up and withdraw cash, because it means that I can suck up more pancakes and hot chocolate. If you're new in Pittsburgh, visiting Pittsburgh, or if you've lived here for 100 years, please make sure that you always have a pocket of cash to spend on a gem like Pamela's.
Marilyn Wolf
Gabriela and I decided to kick off our day of meetings over a discussion at Pamela's. The design is friendly and efficient but not overdone. Service was just right for morning---responsive but unobtrusive. I went with Pamela's Special Crepe Hotcakes topped with strawberries. The hotcakes were interesting and quite good: not as thick as a pancake but thicker than a French crepe. They were also just a little crispy, adding texture that you don't usually get with pancakes. The strawberries were fresh and good. The coffee was hot and plentiful. I was a little surprised that Forbes Avenue doesn't seem to have more breakfast places, but I consider Pamela's a find.
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