Anybody that knows anything about Pittsburgh (aka da ‘Burgh) knows a Trip to the Strip  – –  Strip District that is – –  is a must to get the full “flavor” of our amazing city.  Whether you are shopping for fresh produce…

in a range of colors…

or looking to “spice up your life”

with the best smoky paprika – or my (are you ready for the “big reveal?”) top secret ingredient to my baked beans recipe – Penzy’s Barbecue of the Americas spice,

The Strip District is the place to go.  The Strip District is a neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that is about a half square mile area of land northeast of the central business district bordered to the north by the Allegheny River and to the south by the Hill District. The Strip District runs between 11th and 33rd Streets and includes three main thoroughfares — Smallman Street, Penn Avenue, and Liberty Avenue — as well as various side streets.

So Saturday was the day for my buddy Janet and me.  Janet had not been to the Strip since she was a child, and since she is only around for a few months in the summer before heading South, we decided to squeeze a field trip in.

After sniffing our way through Penzy’s, we visited In the Kitchen where we admired this beautiful Polish Pottery.  Can you find Janet?  Her top blends in with the pottery pattern! 🙂

The streets are filled with yummy treats – like these whoopee pies, cannoli, apple strudel, macaroons,

lady fingers, and sticky buns, and mini pineapple upside down cakes – oh my!

Mike Feinberg’s is THEE iconic place to find your ‘Burgh-theme party supplies.

It is black ‘n gold through and through

for anything Pixburg or Stillers

even black ‘n gold flamingos to go with the sweet glasses Janet found!

I wanted to get her these tights for Christmas – we’ll see…..  look out Jan!

There are colorful fruit kabobs…

and colorful artistic displays…

and a trip to the Strip is just not complete without a visit to Pennsylvania Macaroni Company – Penn Mac to us Yinzers.

You will find bucket after bucket of every kind of olive

pickled peppers, and pickles

pitted and stuffed….

or fresh and unpitted.

The Parmigiana Reggianno and fresh homemade mozzarella is the best outside of Italy (and of course I bought both AND some awesome olives).

Here’s a little glimpse of my basket…

Some of the sweetest music can be heard on the streets by local street artists.

But Black ‘n Gold definitely reigns supreme on these streets.

So if Yinz need any Stillers or Buccos or Penguins gear – The Strip is your one-stop shop.

Janet and I discovered the most amazing store of all on this trip!

Strip District Meats!

Not only because you can find boneless python – for only $35.95 per pound – because who likes bones in their python?!?!?!

But mainly because of Henry!

Henry has worked at Strip District Meats for 11 years, and he is the most amazingly sweet, informed, fun, and charming salesperson and butcher you will ever meet!

Not only did he specially cut Janet’s Lamb Chops exactly to her specification (which just so happened to be whatever Henry thought was best!),

but that little charmer talked me into buying a couple of Wagyu Steaks for Marty and me at the GREAT DEAL of only $19.95 – drastically on sale from the usual $31.95 per pound.  Oh they better be good Henry!  He went through three cases to pick the best two out for me.  Did you know Wagyu Beef are given daily massages and beer to drink (which so appealed to another shopper near me that he asked to be signed up to be a Wagyu Cow, until Henry gently reminded him –   with a swift hand motion across the neck – that they get their heads cut off after about 18 months of this spa-like treatment…

But if Wagyu or Lamb Chops are not your “cup of tea,” how about some Ground Camel – or Alligator – or Kangaroo – or Ostrich – or only the finest hind legs of rabbit?????!!!!!…..

Melanie was Henry’s apprentice, and just as sweet – and even a little cuter (if that is possible 🙂 ). What a great place to shop that I will never miss again when visiting the Strip!

There is any kind of bread you might crave,

and a visit to the iconic Wholey’s is a must before ending your day at the strip.

And look what I found!!  Striped Bass!!  (Could our one that got away be in there?!?!?)  (and if you look really close – you can find me in this picture – you know – the one with the camera – caught in the mirror above the fish tank)

In case you need some fish heads or bones, the price is right…

and they are quite fresh!

Janet and I split an amazing Lobster Roll and one of Wholey’s Famous fish sandwiches for lunch before ending our shopping excursion and running out of money.

It was a great day to go “dahntahn.”

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi