Where to eat before concert at Mellon Arena (Pittsburgh, Duquesne: hotels, theatre)

[vec101]

Where to eat before concert at Mellon Arena?

Traveling up I-79 from Charleston, WV to Mellon Arena for Eagles concert. Looks like we will take 279E, exit Grant Street, to 7th Ave to Mellon Arena. (Think the route takes us past the Parkway Center Mall).

Any suggestions on restaurants near Mellon Arena or along our way? Rather not get off into a traffic/parking mess (will be 2-3 cars of us). Don't want to have a 3 hour meal or real dressy. Figure sons will wear jeans but we can have them wear dockers if needed for restaurant. Don't want fancier dress than that.

Price? I don't know. $15 - $20 per person for entree. Not looking for real fine dining but looking for good place with good food. Within walking distance of Mellon Arena would be perfect but checking Triple A map I'm not seeing that.

Thanks in advance for suggestions.

[Geeo]

There are restaurants in the hotels and office buildings surrounding the arena, but they're all pricier and dressier because they're downtown. Even some of the restaurants in the Strip District are more high-end now. There's always the Spaghetti Warehouse in the Strip, at around 23rd and Smallman, or Roland's on Penn Avenue at around 16th Street. Both casual and reasonable. There's also a new restaurant in the atrium of Oxford Center on Grant Street, which is within walking distance, but I don't remember the name. Perhaps someone can help here.

[vec101]

Thanks - will check it out.

OK, food price wise I can go higher but the dressier thing... hmmm, don't want to go dressier than khakis or Dockers for the guys.
What's a reasonable price? $20-30 per entree (not including drinks and dessert)?

[Mr Siegal]

i had a good meal at the Steelhead Grille in the Marriot right across from the Mellon Arena. It was the night of a Penguins preseason game. Tons of people in jersey's, jeans, tshirts, etc. The food was great and there are multiple bar options within the restaurant. It seemed like everyone was enjoying themselves and eating good food, also the Penguins eat there before they play so that must mean something right. Plus you can park in the hotel parking garage for cheap while you attend the concert. The Marriott is directly across from the Mellon Arena.

[fleetiebelle]

There's also the Red Ring, which is a restaurant in Duquesne's new building on Forbes (within walking distance of the Arena.)

REDRINGRESTAURANT
A review: The Red Ring - Food - Dining Reviews - Pittsburgh City Paper - Pittsburgh

[bbrian12]

grill in the parking lot and tailgate

[dannythekid]

The Souper Bowl is a good place to eat and good drink specials.

[vec101]

Thanks for all the great suggestions. Good to know there are "walking distance" and parking options. Will check them out.

[Blackbeauty212]

It would be nice, that when they got done with the New Area on 5th, if they start to transform that part of 5th/Forbes into a Resturants Row. God I hope they have plans for that area of Uptown, it would be a shame to have a brand new area and dilapidated buildings surrounding it.

[nuwaver88]

Downtown needs more moderatley priced restaurants. For the 9 to 5 weekday crowd there is whole plethora of choices. After 6 or 7 pm, there is high end for the business traveler and theatre goers, and there is fast food and pizza places, basically. Station Square has the moderate restaurants too, like Joe's Crab Shack, Hard Rock Cafe, Bar Louie, Buckhead Saloon etc. That is a bit of a walk from Mellon Arena, about thirty minutes, but doable. The T is only $1.50 from Station Square to Steel Plaza Station, about five minutes, then another five minute walk up the hill to the arena. Station Square also has plenty of reasonably priced parking also. I would park there, spend time and eat there, then I would take the T across the river to Downtown to Steel Plaza Station. There is no way around having to pay to park in the downtown area. Make a day of it and stay in Station Square.