Deluca's

Apparently Deluca's in the Strip District is the Mecca of all breakfast spots in Pittsburgh. Every time we go by on a Saturday morning there is a line stretching down the block. Oh, and their signage all proclaims it to be the "Best Breakfast in Town". So off we went, to see what all the hype is about!

This isn't the first Saturday this year we've spent in the Strip District. Even in cold weather (like today) outdoor vendors abound. The picture above gives just a glimpse of one store who pulls out their handmade sweaters, scarfs & hats, beckoning to the crazy folks who have decided to stand outdoors in the middle of February!

Inside the restaurant the line is much shorter, seems they eliminated any sort of waiting area and replaced it with tables instead. Makes sense when you're this popular! It's a long, narrow restaurant with counter seating running down one side and a couple rows of booths down the other.






We were seated at a table waaaay in the back. I'm actually kinda glad because I think I would have felt uncomfortable eating next to the giant mural of semi-clothed Ancient Romans lounging on the grass (??)

So why are these guys voted the best breakfast in Pittsburgh? I thought maybe the menu would help clue me in with some signature dish or something truly unique. I didn't find anything like that, but the menu is quite extensive for breakfast - 2 full pages. They did have a specials board, and since I'm not one to make up my mind quickly on an empty stomach, I decided to go with one of them - pumpkin pancakes with scrambled eggs & bacon. And husband picked a greek omelet made with chicken, tomato, spinach & feta, that came with hash browns, toast and an extra pancake.

I have to admit the food really was delicious. It doesn't look like much in this picture (taken from my camera...) but everything came together perfectly. The bacon was even done just the way I love it - not too burned - and the pumpkin pancakes had exactly the right spices.

The prices were some of the highest we've seen, but I guess when you have this much of a following, you can pretty much charge whatever you want. For as busy as they were, we didn't wait too long. Deluca's employs plenty of servers to help move through what seemed to be mainly locals enjoying a Pittsburgh tradition. I can't claim this is my favorite place in town, but it definitely is a slice of local culture. "Best Breakfast in Town" ?  We'll see...

Oh, and I just love clever things. And I thought this was a great solution to those sticky syrup pitchers you see so often at breakfast places - a top like you would use for olive oil, and in a re-used ketchup bottle! (Yes, I know, it doesn't take much to impress me ;)