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| - Smallman Street Deli was one of the very first places I dined at on my first trip to Pittsburgh, and the first Squirrel Hill eatery I tried. I don't know why it's taken me three years to come around to writing this review. I guess it's fitting that it's also one of my last meals in Pittsburgh before I move away.
Since I was born and raised in NYC, I have a soft spot for delis. (You had me at black and white cookie.) I like the atmosphere here--it's always nicely air-conditioned on hot days, and there's plenty of seating. The ordering system works here--order and pay at the counter, get a number for your table, and then choose any available table in the dining area. They even have a covered patio, if you want to be up close and personal with bustling Murray Ave.
All the food I've had here has been solid--egg salad sandwiches, the crunchy French toast, silver dollar pancakes, the Mediterranean veggie sandwich. Portions are good and those silver dollar pancakes are about the size of regular pancakes I make at home. (A friend once ordered the regular pancakes and they were the same size as the plate.) The thing is, nothing really jumps out at me as noteworthy. Granted, I can't judge many of the things other reviewers have raved about like the Reuben and Rachel and other cold cut sandwiches.
Still, because of its extensive menu, and its ample seating, I'd recommend Smallman Street Deli as a good place to go if you're eating with a bunch of people who have varying food preferences and you need some sort of middle ground.
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