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Ritter's Diner
5221 Baum Blvd.
Shadyside
An original city landmark, Ritter's opened in 1951 across the boulevard from its current location. The original diner car, now out of commission, sits as a historic relic at Station Square near the shore of the Mon. The current space still holds the same diner car feel, with large booth seating and spacious counter space that in all can accommodate 175 patrons. Its all-day and all-night breakfast menu draws an eclectic crowd of students, hospital staff and late-nighters—all of whom can provide great entertainment. An authentic diner, Ritter's offers a menu that boasts distinctive choices, from the chili omelet served with potatoes and toast for $4.45, to buckwheat (an anomaly on Pittsburgh menus) or chocolate-chip pancakes. You will not be short on selections from Ritter's extensive, reasonably priced breakfast menu, which is this diner's obvious draw, evidenced by the two-page spread on the menu. Ritter's offers an ATM conveniently located opposite the cash register.
412/682-4852; open 24 hours daily; breakfast all day; smoking/nonsmoking; cash only
Dor-Stop Restaurant
1423 Potomac Ave.
Dormont
This quaint, family-run diner couldn't be better situated than its place along a beautiful tree-lined street. Dor-Stop began serving homemade potato pancakes, one of its biggest breakfast hits, in 1986. The friendly atmosphere is evident as soon as you enter through the original screen door when the owners and staff greet you with a smile.
Diner favorites include a litany of original-recipe pancakes, including oatmeal cakes, which have the taste of warm oatmeal cookie dough smothered in butter and syrup. Apple-walnut, oatmeal-apple and chocolate chip are a few of the other varieties, for $4.49 a stack. Be sure to try the home-baked ham, accompanied by two eggs and potato pancakes served with applesauce or sour cream, for $4.25. Grits, overstuffed burritos and early-bird specials are other favorites.
412/561-9320; Mon.-Sat., 6 a.m.-3 p.m.; breakfast all day; smoking throughout; cash/credit/debit Nancy's Restaurant
616 South Ave.
Wilkinsburg
For the more adventurous breakfast-hunter, Nancy's home-cooked food will be the reward for locating this off-the-beaten-trail diner in the heart of Wilkinsburg. The original mustard-colored Formica booths are a throw-back to another time, as is the display case of homemade cookies; a recent selection included peanut blossoms topped with a Hershey kiss—a bag of three for $1.
The menu, while small, highlights three specialties: The Scrambler, a grilled collection of eggs, sausage and potatoes; The Italian Stallion, a salami and provolone omelet with potatoes and toast; and The Wrangler, a Western omelet with grits and toast. All are priced at $6.95 and served with a smile and friendly
conversation. The large parking lot makes access a snap.
412/241-0163; Mon.-Sun., 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Sat., 7 a.m.-noon; smoking throughout; cash only Dari-Villa Restaurant
559 Lincoln Ave.
Bellevue
When passing through the entrance of this humble yet bustling neighborhood diner, you are swept into a world akin to 1960 Mayberry. Dom, the cook/owner, whose name you'll learn within minutes, grills up pecan rolls, fresh eggs and home fries for a swarm of regulars. The traditional breakfast menu is complemented by strawberry pancakes, buttermilk biscuits (with or without sausage gravy) and a choice of hot or Italian sausage, which can be substituted for 50 cents.
Whether it's the warm countrylike atmosphere, the motherly waitresses or the black-and-white photographs of old-time Bellevue, you can find yourself lost in thought over a delicious warm meal.
412/766-9812; Mon.-Sat., 7 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun., 8 a.m.-2 p.m.; breakfast all day; smoking throughout; cash only  Joe's Rusty Nail
560 Lincoln Ave.
Bellevue
Joe's Rusty Nail, another famous Bellevue eatery, is the perfect reason to revisit this enchanting borough. The restaurant's exterior projects a rustic image, but inside, it's all about the food. Approximately 17 tables, covered in maroon vinyl cloths, constitute the furnishings in the square dining area. The no-nonsense interior seems to say, "We know you're here to eat, so let's get down to business." That sentiment comes alive when you see the amount of food and taste its quality. No need for fancy decor when you have food like this.
Selections are bountiful at Joe's, particularly the Country Breakfast: two eggs, three hotcakes, three meats, home fries and toast or french toast. This requires an additional plate to properly manage the eating operation. Vegetarians appreciate the ingredients that can be added to omelets: spinach, broccoli, red peppers, onions, mushrooms and cheese. Omelets come with an order of thick-cut Italian toast, in pumpernickel or wheat. Daily breakfast specials may include various quiche dishes, banana stuffed pancakes or Joe's surprise omelet of the day. 412/766-9228; 8 a.m.-9 p.m. daily; breakfast all day; nonsmoking; cash/personal checks Gab And Eat
1073 Washington Ave.
Scott Township
Despite this cafe's clandestine locale, it really packs 'em in. Nestled in Glenn Scott Shopping Plaza, Gab And Eat has grown mostly through word of mouth, which has reached the likes of KDKA's Ken Rice and the late Mayor Pete Flaherty. Their signatures are among those local celebs donning the walls. The collection of Led Zeppelin signs and brightly painted porcelain roosters create an eclectic feel.
The menu, graphed like an accounting report, requires somewhat of a learning curve to read, but provides all the right selections, namely The Original Mixed Grill, which, for $4.50, includes a fusion of eggs, peppers, onions, potatoes and hot or sweet sausage. Or, for a dollar more, build your own with up to four ingredients using the method outlined on the menu chart. Also offered are breakfast sandwiches, omelets and traditional breakfast favorites.
412/276-8808; Mon.-Fri., 6 a.m.-2:45 p.m.; Sat., 6 a.m.-12:45 p.m.; Sun., 7 a.m.-12:45 p.m.; breakfast all day; smoking throughout; cash only
Jo Jo's Restaurant
110 24th St.
Strip District
There could be a correlation between authentic greasy spoons and local celebs. This city spot has been known to attract local football idols during training season (a rumor confirmed by our server). However, the atmosphere is as unpretentious as its exterior. Unfinished plywood decorates the white walls at chair-rail level, accompanied by large red booths that comfortably accommodate four guests without too much elbow bumping.
Menu highlights include the Jo Jo Omelet, which includes everything but the toast, stuffed into a three-egg pouch: peppers, onions, home fries, cheese, mushrooms and your choice of bacon, ham or hot/sweet sausage for $7.95. Hotcakes, french toast and crisp home fries served spilling off the plate are just a few of Jo Jo's specialties.
412/261-0280; Mon.-Fri., midnight-noon; Sat.-Sun., closes at noon; breakfast all day; smoking throughout; cash only Frank & Shirley's Restaurant
2209 Saw Mill Run Blvd.
Overbrook
This original building, where you now can order pancakes and lottery numbers at the same time, was home to the first Eat'n Park car-hop restaurant. While girls no longer take orders from your car, the crew of long-time servers has the early-morning breakfast rush down to a science. Regulars familiar with the fast turnover here are not deterred by a weekend standing-room-only crowd, lured by a consistent plate of hot, traditional morning food served fast and cheap. The homemade pancakes, steak and eggs, and home fries are a big hit, along with 10 morning specials, all for $3.49, served weekdays before 10 a.m. The restaurant also serves bacon cheeseburgers and other lunch and dinner items to the early-morning crowd.
412/882-3550; Mon.-Thurs., 5:30 a.m.-7 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 24 hours; Sun. until 7 p.m.; breakfast all day; smoking throughout; cash only  Pamela's (five locations):
5813 Forbes Ave., Squirrel Hill
3703 Forbes Ave., Oakland
5527 Walnut St., Shadyside
60 21st St., Strip District
232 North Ave., Millvale
Throngs of devoted customers line up for this local chain's famed original lyonnaise potatoes and fruit-filled crepes week after week. After opening in Squirrel Hill nearly 25 years ago, as "your mother's kitchen," Pamela's has expanded, with each location offering its own distinctive theme.
The newest location in the Strip is fashioned after the '50s era, while Millvale's late-1930s theme is perfectly placed inside the original Lincoln Pharmacy building. Dine alongside artist Barbara Broff Goldman's stuffed mannequins that have been styled to look like socialites of the era, resting in the booths near the pharmacy. While most menu items can be found at all locales, the Strip offers a more eclectic selection, including the Tex-Mex omelet with chorizo sausage, cheddar cheese and salsa, topped with sour cream and guacamole for $6.95.
Crepes, such as strawberries and cream stuffed with brown sugar, sour cream and fresh strawberries, at $5.95, are available everywhere, while the
buttermilk hotcakes are available only at the Oakland spot. An upcoming renovation will replace the garden hoes and wooden wheels with peace signs and psychedelic decor.
Squirrel Hill, 412/422-9457; Oakland, 412/683-4066; Shadyside, 412/683-1003; Strip District, 412/281-6366; Millvale, 412/821-4655; Mon.-Sun., 7 a.m.-4 p.m. at most locations; breakfast all day; smoking/nonsmoking; cash only Your Way Café
639 Caste Village Shoppes
Whitehall
This cafe's name was based on the theory that food ordered out should be prepared "One Way—Your Way." While the menu offers an array of creative fare for those without specific requests, the menu is open for interpretation, and customers can order just about anything they crave. The dining rooms provide spacious booth seating in colored pastels and stained-glass table partitions.
Having originated as a Sweet William's Restaurant, Your Way Café holds the same original soda-shop appeal. A variety of omelets, including your own creation, or others such as the Alpine with Swiss cheese, ham and red pepper, average $4. Peaches-and-cream-stuffed french toast, pretzel egg-wiches (made from soft pretzel dough) and breakfast burritos are just a few of the distinctive,
anytime selections.
412/884-5155; Mon.-Sat., 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun., 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; breakfast all day; smoking/nonsmoking; cash/credit/debit
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