Peppi's

For years I had longed to take on the RoethlisBurger, but Peppi's hours aren't the most convenient for me. That is until a Saturday evening at Altar Bar with Icarus Witch and Kamelot caused Kay and I to track down dinner in the Strip District. And there it was, Peppi's. And they were...open? "Yeah, 'til 8PM," a guy behind the counter said. "But the sign says..." "Oh, ignore that. What'll it be, man?" Kay was frightened of the RoethlisBurger, so when I ordered it, she ran to The Clown across the street. After the fellow took my order, I was given a ticket, and was told to sit down and relax. As I waited, I took in the surroundings, gazing at the sports memorabilia and photos of patrons both ordinary and famous. Just as hunger pangs assailed my belly, there it was, enveloped in a paper plate in front of me: A homonculous of loose meat a la Maid-Rite gone malevolent. Ground beef, hot sausage, onions, lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise, scrambled eggs, and 'Merican cheese were all packed into a bread that was as flaxen as a Valkyrie and as airy as the morning mist. Upon doing some research I've found that it is called a Portuguese Roll, and it is pulchritudinous. This behemoth of a breakfast sandwich dazzled my tongue with its spice, filled my stomach amply with its bulky, chunky proteins, and soothed me with its fresh, fundamental vegetables, all of it held together with that amazing roll of rolls that threatens to make Italian bread passe via its sublime texture alone. 'Tis the greatest sloppy joe to ever emerge from a steaming flattop. P.S. I found nothing "shabby" or "greasy" or "dirty" or "loud" about Peppi's. The service was friendly, the restaurant itself was clean, the atmosphere was quiet, and the sandwich was triumphant. If Primanti Brothers has a true parallel, it is Peppi's. One half of a Roethlis-Burger. I ate the first half and realized I didn't snap a pic.

Ordered 3 different cheesesteaks, everybody loved them. Better than anything I can get back home! There is no eating at the restaurant due to COVID and the restrooms are out of order. Everything was very straightforward: come in, order food, get out. Last order goes in at 7:30 PM. Normally I would knock off a point for the interior but the food was so good it doesn't matter.

The greasiest, dingiest, most cramped little sandwich shop that you will be absolutely ecstatic to be in. Absolutely phenomenal and uniquely Pittsburgh sandwiches. Not for the faint of heart or anyone on a diet, but filling and satisfying in a way few other establishments can match. Highly recommend trying at least once.

This location is further from us than others but it has tons of parking and is easier to get in and out of if your driving, even from the South Side Slopes where we are and crossing the river. The Stacconi might be one of the best sandwiches I have ever had. We got that, an ultra cheesesteak with mushrooms and peppers added and with mayo (no lettuce or tomato), and a cajun fries to share. The cheesesteak was very good, better than Big Shot Bobs I think, which is my other favorite cheesesteak in the area. But man, the Stacconi was unique and delicious. It was my boyfriends sandwich but I liked it so much he split half and half with me lol (he's the bestest). The only caveat is that the cheesesteak lost a huge amount of its cheese on one side cause the cook accidently wrapped the sandwich with the corner of the paper squished into the top opening so when i opened it a lot of the cheese was stuck to it and it was tucked into the bread and difficult to get out, but it was obviously not on purpose and was only an issue on the one so I doubt its a regular occurrence or anything worth complaining about, I just lost a little cheese. The cajun fries were very good with the ranch, though for me they were a little too heavily seasoned. They were the perfect amount of spicy though, and tasty. The ranch they come with was good and cut down on the mouth feel from being so heavily seasoned so I would definitely get them again next time. This place is going on our regular rotation now, and we regret having not tried it before! Though I have only been in Pittsburgh a little less than three years now, originally from Seattle, so I am finally getting to all of the better local places and not going to the more obvious places like Primantis (which I like, but it's bland and basic compared to some of these amazing local hole in the wall type places I have been trying lately). This place is going to the top of my list for hot sandwiches now!