About Eric Fontana

Restaurant Gems of Pittsburgh Restaurant Reviews

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About Eric Fontana

Restaurant Gems OF PITTSBURGH Restaurant Reviews

It's a pretty familiar thought..."Where should we go out tonight?"

"I know what I don't want!" someone chimes in.

"I don't care where we go as long as I don't have to go through the Squirrel Hill tunnel!" another says, not kidding.

"I only have $10..."

Perhaps you've been here before.

There are so many great bars and restaurants in the Pittsburgh area...

...but finding reliable information on the internet can feel like an exercise in futility.

How many fake-sounding Yelp reviews can you read before you throw in the towel and hit up the Olive Garden?

I'm here to tell you that you do not need to settle for the "same old" with so much to experience in Pittsburgh, and you do not need to spend a fortune to have an amazing time.

There is another way! But first, a little background...

At Penn State, I discovered a site called the State College Bar Tour.

It had all the drink specials at every bar, every day of the week. It was updated weekly.

As most of you know, when you are in college, funds are limited, having access to see where you can drink cheap in college is a huge asset. This was the first time I was like, "wow, how useful to have this information available any time, right at your fingertips - tailored to my location and written by people I trust!"

As I moved on from my college years, I noticed a lack of the same tools for the general public.

Sure, I could sift through reviews of bars and restaurants in Pittsburgh on Google or Yelp until the cows came home...but I never felt like I could really trust what I was reading.

Additionally, there wasn't a single place I could go to see all of the best specials of the week to decide where to spend my cash.

Thus, Restaurant Gems Restaurant Reviews of Pittsburgh began!

I started small, posting reviews on Facebook for fun. It grew from there as people found my reviews helpful, thorough, and sometimes even comical.

My ultimate goal is to help everyday Pittsburghers find hidden restaurant gems that won’t break the bank.

Think of me as your good friend who has tried the best restaurants in and around the city, giving you reviews you know you can trust. That's what this website is all about.

I have written restaurant articles for applications and newspapers, appeared on the radio, am working on my second Pittsburgh restaurant book, and am starting to become well known in the Pittsburgh area as I visit all different types of restaurants from all over the area.

You can get started by reading some of my reviews below!


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Restaurants

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Breweries

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On Facebook:

🚧 Who’s Ready for Adams Town Center? 👀Big changes are coming to Route 228 in Mars! Adams Town Center has been planned as a new mixed-use retail and office development, bringing more shopping, restaurants, and businesses to one of the fastest-growing areas in Western PA. If you could choose?🍔 One restaurant to open there…☕ One coffee shop…🛍️ One retail store…what would make you the most excited?Drop your dream lineup below! 👇 Let’s see which businesses get mentioned the most. And don’t forget to tag someone who’s always saying, “Mars needs more places to eat!” 🚀#MarsPA #AdamsTownCenter #ButlerCounty #Route228 #WesternPA #RestaurantGems #SupportLocal #WhatsComingNext #FoodiesOfPA ... See MoreSee Less
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15 hours ago

Restaurant Gems of Pittsburgh and Ohio Valley and More
🍬 Who else remembers the candy you grew up with? 🍭Has anyone been to Baldinger’s Candy in Zelienople?519 Perry Hwy, Zelienople, PA 16063I keep hearing it’s like stepping back in time, with shelves full of the old-school candy you thought disappeared years ago. From childhood favorites to nostalgic treats, people seem to rave about this place.What’s the first candy you’re grabbing when you walk in? 🍫🍬And if you’ve been to Baldinger’s, what are the must-buy items?Tag someone who would love a trip down memory lane! 👇#PittsburghFood #WesternPA #CandyLovers #Nostalgia #SupportLocal #RestaurantGemsOfPittsburgh ... See MoreSee Less
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1 day ago

Restaurant Gems of Pittsburgh and Ohio Valley and More
🍕 Is there a restaurant that’s NEVER let you down?For me, it’s Luciano’s Brick Oven in Mars. Every single visit has been clutch. The pizza is consistently outstanding, the food never disappoints, and the service is always top-notch.In a world where some restaurants can be hit or miss, Luciano’s just keeps delivering.What’s one restaurant in Western PA that’s always consistent every time you go? 👇 Tag them and let’s give the places that never miss the recognition they deserve.#RestaurantGems #MarsPA #PizzaLovers #SupportLocal #WesternPAFood #BrickOvenPizza ... See MoreSee Less
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🍕 Youngstown Pizza Debate Time! 🍕If you know Youngstown, you know Brier Hill Pizza isn’t just pizza, it’s a piece of the city’s history. Born in the Brier Hill neighborhood, this legendary style is known for its thick tomato sauce, sweet peppers, and Romano cheese instead of mozzarella. So let’s settle it…Where can you get the BEST Brier Hill Pizza in the Youngstown area? 🤔🔥 St. Anthony’s?🔥 Wedgewood?🔥 Avalon?🔥 Sunrise Inn?🔥 Belleria?🔥 Uptown?🔥 Somewhere else?Drop your favorite spot below and tell us why. Bonus points if you’ve been eating Brier Hill Pizza for decades and have a strong opinion! 👇🍕One rule: You can only pick ONE.#YoungstownOhio #BrierHillPizza #MahoningValley #YoungstownFood #PizzaDebate #OhioEats #RestaurantGems #SupportLocal #YoungstownProud 🍕🔥 ... See MoreSee Less
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Hidden Gem Alert: Pure Indulgence in Mars, PA! ☕❤️Has anyone been to Nosh & Curd in Mars?113 Grand Ave, Mars, PA 16046From handcrafted cheeses and incredible charcuterie boards to specialty coffee, sliders, dips, and decadent desserts, this place feels like pure indulgence. But what makes it even more special is the energy inside. The owner has a huge heart, and that warmth shows in everything they do.Whether you’re grabbing coffee, building the perfect board, or looking for a unique spot to meet friends, this local gem is all about community and unforgettable flavors.🧀 Favorite cheese?☕ Coffee lover?👇 If you’ve been to Nosh & Curd, what should everyone try first?#MarsPA #ButlerCountyPA #RestaurantGems #HiddenGem #CharcuterieBoard #CoffeeLovers #SupportLocal #PennsylvaniaEats #FoodieFinds #SmallBusinessLove ... See MoreSee Less
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