Bettis 36 Grille

Heading home for the holidays and can't wait to be back in the Burgh. For years now I've always wanted to go to Bettis' 36 Grille but it never works out. This year I told the wife that on our "date night" that we are going dawntawn to the best sports bar in Western Pennsylvania. She said that we always go to another restaurant that has been a "tradition" for us. I pulled up the menu and started reading it to her. My taste buds were watering. I said forget tradition this year, that's where we're going.

Need advice from those that went and maybe even some reviews. How crowded is it on Friday nights? Do we need reservations?

I know it will be more expensive than our traditional place. Is the quality of food worth it?

Is there any free parking down there or should I expect to pay for that as well.

Might want to jump over to the casino just to check it out. Can you park there and walk over then back to maybe hit a couple slots? Is parking at the casino complimentary or do they charge for that as well.

All comments and any personal experiences with reviews is appreciated.

 

Parking across the street is $5.
The Nacho's are huge!
The Gridiron steak is realy good. The Burger is good too.

My buddy did the 36 oz. steak and wasn't all that impressed although I think he just had buyers remorse.

 

We eat at it every time we are in the Burgh! Very good food. Not too bad in terms of pricing. I would say probably higher end sports bar pricing. I had the deep fried cheeseburger which is awesome, along with a couple of other burgers. We haven't had a bad meal there. Plus any wait is worth it due to all the Steeler memorabilia there. Love that place!

 

It's always been a madhouse there for me when I've been in Pittsburgh. I hope you can get in there.

 

If you are sure you're going, make reservations. It has 3 different areas: restaurant, bar and terrace. Sometimes (gameday, college football days) it's pretty crowded. I've always been fortunate enough to make it, but have heard of several people that tried to get in and wasn't able.
If you're a vegetarian (like me), you'll have very limited options. Otherwise, it's a very international menu where steaks and burgers are the most popular choices. They also offer several shareable snacks.
I've seen Jerome a couple of times, and people that work there say that he's in the house on Friday, from 4 to 6 (aprox). That's when I've seen him. If you're lucky enough, your server will take you into the owner's box, where he has several game-worn cleats around a big TV screen.
You can purchase signed (and non-signed) stuff there too.

Consider the weather if you're planning to walk from a distant parking lot. Parking across the street is $5-$10. A walk from the casino to Grille 36 with snow or cold weather is not an easy one (I understand you're going in December).

IMHO, if you're looking for a quiet dinner where you can have a nice talk with your wife, go to the restaurant area. If you're looking for football mood, go to the bar. Other option is going to the bar for a couple of beers and a snack while watching a college game, and go have dinner at other place.

 

Food is good, market price, and can get very busy. JB is known
to come in on occasion although I have never been lucky enough
to see him. McKormick's up the street is quite good also.

 

I've tried making a reservation and was told they don't accept them. I've only been on a game weekend. In my experience on Friday night you can expect a 15-30 minute wait, on Saturday night an hour and a half to two hour wait.

 

I didn't exactly get to make a reservation per se but one time they actually had a really long wait and asked me for my cell phone number and told me they'd call me when they had a table ready so I could go and do whatever I wanted in the mean time. I'm not sure if they still do that though.

 

I've also done the cell phone thing. They do that instead of handing out pagers.

 

Thanks for the feedback. Sounds to me like I need to make a reservation or just get there early for dinner.

 

That's a better system really because it gives you more range.

 

The best bar in western PA? I guess you can't catch a game while you are here so you want to see the stadium and it's on the river/nice view. But if we are talking food and beer, Fatheads >>>>

 

It's been rated Pittsburgh's best sports bar every year since it's been opened.

 

Which means I couldn't return here to Phelan while waiting to get into Bettis 36 because it's only a single bar town all around - 1 watering hole and 1 bar cell reception. Can't even watch car bumpers rust with the single digit humidity.

 

Sounds like a popularity contest to me. Bettis is definitely the most popular because it's right outside the stadium. I'm just saying if you really want good food and drink look into Fatheads. You said your mouth was watering looking at Grille 36's menu look at Fatheads. That Kelsey burger with a pierogi on top. If you and the wife like ipas. They always have 100+ good beers on tap. Their beers have actually won awards, they are like a 95-99 on beeradvocate, and I can trade them with almost anybody in the world and get hard to get beers. It's on the sahside. 5 mins from the clipper or incline and view of the stadium and Pittsburgh. 10 mins from Bettis's. Just my suggestion.

 

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll be driving so no IPA's for me. Have to go with the light beers if any. I'm sure Bettis is just a popularity contest but I'd like to check it out at least once. I might look into Fatheads as well but I'm very time limited. We are staying in town for the Seahawks game. Maybe Bettis' on Friday night for dinner and then Fatheads during the game on Sunday.

 

Yeah, I hear that got to check it out at least once. Also, Burgatory is a Pittsburgh only franchise. Burgers decent and beers suck but they got some of the best shakes. Get a shake to go if the wife or anybody has a sweet tooth. Trying to get you some brownie points Hope you have a good time in the Burgh!