Pros: friendly and quick service, great food, relatively good prices
Cons: NONE (not that I can think of right now...)
Tucked in the row of Squirrel Hill restaurants/shops is this gem. It opened up the second year I was in Pittsburgh...and my life was never the same again!
I typically get the matzo ball soup and the turkey sandwich here. This was one of those must-go places on any return visit to Pittsburgh. I never had that much Jewish food before coming to Pittsburgh and was impressed by this.
My new york friends claim this is just a wannabe of nyc delis, but hey I didn't grow up there!
I have come here so many times during my breaks from researching and those things that grad students do. The owner recognizes me and often gives me the nod of familiarity.
I have never been a big fan of corned beef, but my friends have always loved the Reuben and Rachel.
I am still in love with the matzo ball soup here. PDC in Shadyside comes in as a close second. But the ball is perfectly soft and not too hard. Just one wrapped in warm chicken broth. My former roommate loves the fries here, but I often gulp them so quickly that I don't remember how they taste like.
There was once that I came in ordering a full picnic with 4+ sandwiches. They helpfully came up with an easy way for me to carry it.
I have never been to the Smallman's downtown in the Strip, so I cannot comment on the difference. Regardless, I love you Smallman's!