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| - I kept hearing about it, and hearing about it, and reading about it...and finally had a partial day off from work on a weekday when I could actually USE my bus pass to get there and back home.
I'm not a whisky fanatic, but I am a primo burger whore. And MAN, did I get my fix properly at Winghart's.
I've read several reviews, some that criticized space, some that snarked at loud 'punkish' music, and some that didn't like the burgers.
Well, first off, space is an issue. This place deserves a bigger space with more tables. If you go as a part of a group of four or more, you may be S.O.L. for seating, unless you take it outdoors to the seating in Market Square. This space was for far too many years the number one nuisance bar in Market Square, where the doors were open at 6 am, and the local bums were there drinking at 6 am. And it was just a bar...there wasn't room for anything else. It's kind of still like that space-wise, but now it's a much better commodity for the neighborhood.
But I went alone, and can't imagine finding a 'group' to go with anyway, so it wouldn't be an issue for me.
Second, the music...I don't know whose Ipod is playing, but it made me stop someone twice to ask who the artist was. I'm a swing, big band, traditional jazz fan, so for me it was a treat to find out that Ricky Lee Jones has done a 'version' of the Squirrel Nut Zipper's 'Put A Lid On It' with completely different lyrics, and learned that They Might Be Giants do a cool version of 'Istanbul Is Constantinople Now'. And the guy at the cash register was VERY cool to talk to about the music...and the food.
So, I go in, and check out the menu. The guy behind the register is helpful and friendly. He tells me that during the lunch hours during the week, they don't have actual counter service, but to place the order at the register, and they'll call out the number when it was ready.
I checked the menu, which has pizza, burgers, salads and soup, and 'create your own' burger and pizza. I've always done the 'create your own' at Burgatory, but opted to try one of the Winghart's creations called the Mattola Burger. The description read: "This one has been created for one of the butchers I apprenticed under. Two 1/2 lb beef patties with applewood smoked bacon and American cheese." There were two prices, one for $12.50 and one for $7.50. When I asked about the price difference was, he told me that $7.50 was for a single patty.
Anytime I've been faced with a single versus double patty dilemma at most other burger places, the patties weren't really all too big, so I opted for the double patty, with some lettuce, tomato and pickles, and some mayo. (they didn't have dark mustard to marry to the mayo, which is my usual sauce of choice) He asked how I liked it done, and I said medium rare, but how much does it lean toward 'rare', and the lady sitting next to where I was standing opened her burger and said 'This is medium rare.' It had some pink, but I like them practically bleeding, so I asked for 'leaning more toward rare.'
Then he asked if I wanted fries, chili or cheese...MMMMM...cheese fries. He then warned me that it wasn't cheese 'sauce' but real cheese, so you kind of needed the chili to help melt the cheese. Ok, I'm treating myself, so I'm going for it.
I wasn't looking for a 'drink', and their sodas were all some kind of odd brand, so I opted for iced tea, which was brewed and not fountain. I paid the bill, which was just under $20, and found a seat at the bar/counter until my number was called.
Number 89!
Here it came. A burger in a paper wrapper in a basket, and another basket with the cheese fries.
I peeled back the paper from the burger...
HOLY COW! Or rather...WHOLE COW!
This burger was almost if not actually five inches tall, and it was NOT fluffed...it was BURGER! And it was absolutely an amazing burger. It was ginormous, but it was cooked just right, the flavor was terrific, the toppings were the right level and complimented rather than masked, and I ate the whole thing, almost immediately feeling the onslaught of a food coma.
Then I looked at the fries...I took a nibble...fogettabadit. Can I get a to go box?
I learned my lesson. There are TWO places now in Pittsburgh that make a legitimate burger where one patty is plentiful. Burgatory...and even moreso...Winghart's.
Winghart's has all of the right essence. Good food, nice staff, reasonable prices (honestly, $12.50 for the double burger is worth the price - it is HUGE...but the $7.50 for the normal size is extremely reasonable for the mass you're getting)
If you are a drinker, they're quite stocked, and very knowledgeable about their beers and whiskies.
My only complaint...space size. I'm serious guys, break through a wall...rent the upstairs...you deserve the added business, and you have created a great product and a cool place to relax and enjoy it. Save your pennies and GROW!
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