Driving into the strip district, Penn Ave, on a dark evening you may think that you have wandered into a bad part of town but I dare you to come back at about 9 am on a Saturday morning. You will be astounded. There is more food and shopping than the eye can see. This type of "Market" street feel is just one of the major parts of the history and culture in Pittsburgh. I tend to start on one end and just walk! Parking isn't too hard to come by; there are several lots that are mostly behind some of the abandoned warehouses that give Smallman Street that creepy feel. However Old factories and warehouses have been converted to lofts and upscale residential living. The parking there is usually a few bucks to park all day, not too shabby if you can't find anywhere else. Like I said, it's really interesting to start at one end and head towards the end. The Strip District's east and west boundaries run from 11th and 33rd streets-with the produce district running from 16th to 22nd streets.

The Strip was home to many iron mills, foundries and glass factories. After the Civil War, industrial development flourished and many "famous firsts" happened in the Strip, including industrialist Andrew Carnegie's first job in the iron and steel industries. George Westinghouse built his first factory to produce air breaks here, and ALCOA (formerly the Aluminum Company of America) began its commercial production of aluminum on Smallman Street.

A great place to start is one block over from the sports bar on Smallman Street, Sports Rock Cafe. This is one block from the new Hampton Inn, which I must say looks out of the way, but is actually quite central to many on ramps and city sights. 

Keeping your eyes peeled is one of the BEST suggestions that I can make while traveling down Penn Ave, AKA the Strip District. Blink and you could miss one of the cutest chocolate shops, a little old lady selling water ice with her little poodle keeping cool under the refrigerated cart or even the Weinie King and his Spin The Wheel for a Prize gimmick.

There are two places in particular that when in the Strip District you cannot avoid. They are the Pennsylvaia Macaroni Company and Wholey's Market. These are two of the biggest "shops" and I use that term loosely because there is no one specialty item that you can connect to these shops.

Of course the Pennsylvania Macaroni Co. is going to sell pasta products but it also sells chocolates, the finest Olive oil that you can put right into your own glass containers or buy a reusable one from them. The average cook probably goes through a large bottle at least every month, buying this in bulk is just one of the great things about this shop. There are hundreds of cheeses to choose from, talk about a dream come true! Outside of the PA Mac shop, there are dozens and dozens of great Italian bakery items, talk about fattening and delicious!! This is the type of place where you and your friends or significant other can pick up a great loaf of bread, cheese and hit your next stop, Wholey's Market for some meat!

Wholey's Market has the total feel of an Italian shop. There is a guy outside playing the accordion. Tell him a song, I can almost guarantee that he knows it! The Steelers fight songs, and more, it is really neat, and it drew me in for sure! If you are not a fish person, like myself, I jetted through that part but there are more than your fair share of sea food there, and its FRESH!

The other side has all the different meats. I saw sales for skinless chicken breasts, 10 lb bags that were Twelve dollars. That's INSANE!!  This shop will take you at least a half hour to navigate. There are the normal meats and such but there is much more!

Please visit their websites for more information including their sales!

www.wholey.com  &  www.pennmac.com

Because there are so many things to see on the Strip District, I will be back for more soon. Until then, let me know if there is something you think should be included and I will do just that! J