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| - I walked over here from my office one day for lunch. I've seen Johnny's Place many times driving down Craig Street, but have never thought too much about it. The place is a small, stand-alone building and looks very much like your local dive bar from the outside. Typically your local Pittsburgh dive is dirty, old, and "has personality", which is really the regulars' way of saying "I know the bartender and all my drunk friends go there". So, thinking all that, I've never thought about going in there. Boy was I missing out!
We walked in and I was immediately proved wrong in many ways. It is clean, not old, well decorated, and really did have personality. The owner/bartender was a very attentive server (read: refills my beverage regularly without me having to hunt him down) and, from hearing his interactions with other tables, very obviously proud of his food, and his establishment. The walls are completely covered with dedications to Pittsburgh sports - the Steelers, the Penguins, the Pitt Panthers, and lots of photos and autographs. Johnny has obviously welcomed the best of da Burgh's athletes. If it's good enough for them.... Rather than your neighborhood dive bar, this place resembles more of your neighborhood sports bar.
Now, on to the food. I had the Teriyaki Cheese Steak and it was pretty tasty. I heard Johnny talk about his Teriyaki Buffalo Wings to someone else, and they seemed to like it. I think he does a few dishes with his Teriyaki Sauce. Instead of the typical Japanese teriyaki flavor, this homemade sauce is a little more sweet and sour tasting. It's good. The menu is not your typical bar food menu. It has the staples, but also twists on "normal" dishes. I'm definitely going back to try different things.
One patron was walking out and said "You can order anything, you can't go wrong." I don't know if he's Yelp elite (prob not) but it's still a bold statement for any diner.
So, definitely try it out if you're around the neighborhood. I'm not sure how crowded it gets in the evenings or during games, but it's a great lunch place for sure. I bet a lot of locals love Johnny's Place. I'm hoping I can get on a first-name basis with Johnny soon too!
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