Big Jim's is an unassuming restaurant in an unassuming neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Most people don't know where "the run" is or where lower greenfield is. Big Jim's makes it worth investigating. This is place is the quintessential Pittsburgh dive, but the red Italian is amazeballs.
We split a bowl of the wedding soup with was easily the best version that I have ever had. The escarole really makes it. I had the chicken parmesan dinner. The included salad was forgettable but the entree was great. Large crisp chicken breast smothered in a borderline inappropriate amount of cheese. I got the pasta and it was a little overcooked but serviceable. My meal was large enough to split with someone but what came next was just downright dirty. The calzone is at Big Jim's is ridiculous. It needs to come with a warning other than that it takes 45 minutes. I am not kidding these calzones could double as tomatoey warming blankets for italian newborns. My wife and I couldn't come close to finish this.
As for the service, I would like to call it, Pittsburgh friendly. Meaning that in any other city you would assume your server was rude and incompetent but in Pittsburgh it is normal. Just now what you want before your server gets there.
Bottom line, this place is a dive in the BEST way. Take the time to get to the run.