Maybe I am spoiled or just am to old school for Jazz Clubs here in Pittsburgh. Â But I remember when the performer was on stage that YOU SHUT YOUR MOUTH AND LISTENED TO THE MUSIC!!!!!!!!!! Â I know why BOB and Susan are getting divorced, I know Helen has bunions and the Doctor she goes too is a crook., Â but didnt get a chance to hear some great music. Â
Its not the same when Mr. Poole owned it. Â The food is subpar, and not even presented well. Â Im just saying, when Mr Poole owned the Place, you knew what to expect Great Music, Great Drinks, Great Food, and GREEAAAATTTTT Service.
Based on my experience during a quiet workday during lunch, I think this is a pretty decent place; I came here recently with some coworkers for lunch and really enjoyed my time here.
The place was pretty empty - I bet this is not the case during evenings and weekends - so my table could talk at ease without having to yell at each other over other customers or loud TVs and music. Always a plus!
Everyone overall received very delicious looking dishes; I personally would have enjoyed more crabcake on my crabcake sandwich - there was more bread than meat and I ended up having 1/4 of a bun left when I finished the best part of the sandwich - but hey, the fries were pretty darn delicious, so kudos for that.
I'd definitely come back seeing as everyone else enjoyed their meals, but will not ordering the crabcake sandwich again; too disappointing. I also want to come back to try a drink or two, seeing as lunch during a workday is not the ideal time to order a beer - hopefully I get to do that soon!
Good cold beer and a nice selection of wine make this neighborhood tavern a real treat. Jazz played downstairs on the weekends. The waitstaff and bartenders very friendly and attentive. The patrons very colorful and entertaining. The food was good but not great. I'd be here often if I lived in Pittsburgh.
Review Source:Was invited to lunch and, honestly, I was a bit intimidated. Â I have been to a few "gastropubs" and I just cannot get the image of a bloated belly out of my head anytime I hear/see that name.
I am happy to report that, once again, my mental image be darned, the food was fantastic. Â These gastopubs know what they are doing. Â
I did go easy with a Chicken Cobb salad - but it was fantastic. Â Great mix of crispy bacon, avocado, and a hefty chicken breast left me one happy customer.
Looking forward to a great new lunch spot, with parking, on the North Side!
Oh, and while I did not partake, the beer selection was very extensive & impressive.
It was my first trip back to James Street since they were James Street Tavern years and years ago and I guess I wasn't surprised that a lot has changed. Firstly, my food was delicious and everyone I was with said the same about what they ordered. My burger was cooked perfectly. I had pulled pork & bacon on it and the BBQ sauce was dripping with flavor, ahhh. One of my favorite burgers I've had to date.
The ambiance was just okay which is where the three stars come from. We went on a Friday night to hear the live jazz band that was playing. Jazz  bands play in the basement of the place. It's dark down there and has a big pub feel to it which is cool. It's crazy loud though! I spent the evening screaming to my friends and was grateful for times when the band would take intermission to be able to talk at a normal level.
The band was fun and really talented. It was great seeing them goof off on stage. It wasn't exactly bluesy New Orleans jazz though; more like a muddling of jazz, pittsburgh polka, and rock.
It was a good time with a group of 4. Taking a date there is probably a bad idea if you want to talk. You could always grab a table on the main level though I suppose where it seemed to be quieter. But even if you can't talk, the tasty food will keep you busy in those inaudible times of jazzy inspiration.
We came here during Craft Beer Week since there was a Brooklyn brewery beer tasting + Sinful Sweets pairing. We went to Penn Brewery first and had a very poor experience just trying to get seated (waited forever just to be acknowledged, were finally seated with menus, and were then rudely told by another employee that we had to move because there was a wait). So we opted to leave. No sense in giving money to a place that doesn't quite value our experience or know what the shiz is going on, y'know?
We took the short drive to James Street Gastropub and Speakeasy and it was immediately better. We got a spot in their parking lot which was great; it gets so old paying for street parking everywhere (I'm looking at you Southside!). We quickly got the attention of an employee and got a table for dinner. Our waiter, Zach, was great and very attentive. They had run out of promo glasses (you got one if you ordered a Brooklyn beer) but he snagged one someone had left. It was a nice gesture, you know? :) We ordered the oysters which were very delicious (they're out of the shell and fried with a cajun breading with a horseradish sauce on the side) and we had the three times fried fries, although they didn't seem like they had been thrice fried, they were still tasty. Their beer, wine, and cocktail list is extensive and there is most definitely something tasty for people of all preferences. I was the DD tonight, but they had cider which I appreciated as a pretty big cider advocate. The vibe here is wonderful, intimate yet casual, and the music they play is awesome. You won't hear any pop-y trash in this place, which is a nice change of pace. The bartender was also friendly, and the manager checked on us after making a beer suggestion to go with the oysters. It felt a bit like we belonged here, which was great. I'm definitely keeping this on my list of places to re-visit!
My boyfriend and I have been here a few times now and we have always had a really good time. Great beer selection, bottles and tap, and knowledgeable (and super friendly!) bar staff - that's all I really want out of a bar at step one and they nailed it.
Food-wise I've tried to shrimp po-boy and the fish and chips. The fish and chips weren't bad; not great but not bad, either. The batter on the fish had a hint of sweetness to it that I really enjoyed, but the fries didn't do a whole lot for me. Then again, I still think McDonald's has some of the greatest fries ever of anywhere so ... there's that. ;)
The shrimp po-boy was really effing delicious, one of the best I've ever had! My only complaint against it was that the sandwich bread was really super dense. There seemed to be way too much in regards to the toppings. The shrimp were scrum-diddly-umptious, though. :D
I love the atmosphere of this place and I think it's great addition to the Northside. It definitely has that speakeasy feel (without the outrageous prices of one downtown speakeasy *cough*): low lighting, dark wood, spacious. If any of that makes sense.
I have not been there during any of the live music performances, but I am pumped that they have Roger Humphries playing there now. Totally checking that shiz out.
(2 1/2 stars rounded up to 3)
I've found myself mostly stuck in restaurant mediocrity lately, but that has more to do with the types of restaurants I've been choosing (not me, but the people I've been with) than any particular fault of the establishments themselves. Â We just all have different preferences and ideas of what we think is good, but enough with stating the obvious.
Once again, I find myself saying this just really isn't my kind of place, but I could see it appealing to some, particularly if you're looking to go to a place that features live jazz and serves good ol' southern style belly busting meals. Â I happened to be there at a time when live music wasn't playing, but I've heard good things about the Jazz scene here and the place has the right ambience for it.
I had the Steeltown Sirloin sandwich and it came with a nice side of homemade style potato chips that ensure you get enough carbs with the meal - even if you're eating for 2 - but better to have too much than not enough, right? Â The sandwich was ok, nothing all that special, and the bun was good (thinking Breadworks?) other than being soggy on the bottom, which didn't bother me all that much but seems worth noting.
This place certainly isn't outrageously expensive, but it's not cheap either. For the money you're likely to spend here, there are a myriad of other places you could go in the city, so unless you're bent on dining to live jazz (be sure to check ahead on times this is featured) or you want to stay very proximal to AGH for some reason, keep that in mind.
P.S. They do have a decent drink list if you're not dining with a group of puritanical teetotalers. Â After all, it is a pub.
My mom and I ended up here for dinner to use a City Dining Card and it was a pleasant surprise! It's in such a quaint part of the North Side and I was shocked I had never been here before.
The atmosphere was pretty down-to-earth, low key. The staff was really friendly upon us entering and sat us right away. I also was surprised to see that they change the table cloth after each seating. Everything was clean and the wall photos of musicians were really cool.
The food was pretty good. I had the crab cake sandwich and my mom had the shrimp po boy with a side salad. I'd give my crab cake a 3 out of 5 - it wasn't my favorite but it was decent. My mom really enjoyed her sandwich but didn't eat her whole bun as it was a little over-powering to the shrimp itself. She ended up finishing the shrimp on its own.
We didn't get a chance to stay for the live music that goes on downstairs in the speakeasy part of the restaurant, but I'm hoping next time maybe it will be a good spot to just stop and have a drink and listen to live music after dinner somewhere else.
Let's start with what's right - the bartender/waiter was nice and the establishment seemed to attract an "ok" crowd. Â Now to what's wrong - the food was terrible, beyond terrible, just really terrible. Â I've had MUCH better prepackaged hummus and the falafel was not palatable. Â I'm very grateful that this bar was not my introduction to Mediterranean food. Â However, here's my disclosure, I'm a foodie, and I probably should stay away from bars when dining out, so I take some responsibility for my disappointment. Â However, the next time I want what tastes like previously frozen food from Giant Eagle's freezer, I think I'll just go to Giant Eagle. Â When it comes to the food, buyer beware.
Review Source:Completed our 3rd trip here within 4 months. This trip included their awesome Veggie Fries with the addition of the Cajun Wings. As other people have stated VERY good wings.
 This recent trip I decided to try the house special "Sweet Meat" Burger... Wow!  What a unique and tasty flavor combination. The glazed donut type bun and sweet onion mayo along with Angus burger and smokey bacon?!?!  Happiness!!  Great beers and our waiter was terrific as always! We love this place!!
I want to love this place, as the decor/bones are great and food is a bit more interesting than other North Side spots. Good beer selection too (tho that's common in neighborhood). The problem is the service.
Whether it's a crowded night with bands playing or a quiet one as it was tonight (2 tables in dining room, 6 at the bar, 3 small booths occupied) the service is lousy. And it comes from the top. On one of the three times I was trying to waive down help (once to get a beer that I ordered three times, twice again to get check) I was waiving at owner and lead bartender to no effect.
I live on the North Side and I and my neighbors -- who have had the same kinds of experiences -- want tis place to succeed and be better.
Great place... period. Â As a dedicated North Sider, this place brings me back to the original James Street Tavern, only better. Â The food is good and sometimes very good. Â The menu is pub style and I have tried nearly everything on the menu at this point with little disappointment. Â The key takeaways if you are considering:
Food: Â Good food, but not exotic. Â It says gastropub but not by NYC standards but who cares. Â Appetizer menu is limited and a few more healthy choices would help. Â I do love the fried oysters though, for me perfect every time. Â Some friends have found them spotty. Â Burgers are tasty, I like them all. Â Food gets a 3.5 stars
Drink: Â Great bartenders generally speaking and drinks are relatively fairly priced. Â Drafts are solid, nothing earth shattering but it is not a craft beer haven. Â Mixed drinks solid, again nothing exotic but always a good and fair pour. Â Drink gets 4 stars
Atmosphere: Â What can you say, it's the James Street. Â Jazz oozes out of the rafters, day and night. Â With their steady stream of jazz nightly it has become the go-to jazz club in the city. Â Atmosphere gets 4.5 stars
Total = 4.0 stars. Â Very good in my view. Â
Would like to see some menu changes, and maybe even a few more exotic gastropub like specials. Â No complaints though... all good here.
I've really been loving this place lately. The food is pretty fantastic. Try out the mac and cheese and Twisted Chicken Sandwich is a must try. We had wings one night for wing night. It was BOGO wings with a nice selection. I am also always able to find a good beer there to try. Prices are a bit high, but I think on the North Side they have to do that to keep out the bad crowd.
I really want to go back for open mic night. I hear it's awesome. Every other Tuesday I believe, in the downstairs area.
Oh how I wish I could give this place more stars... I wanted to love it. Â I really did. Â And for some reason, I had it in my head that I was going to (which probably lead me to my disappointment).
After going a few times, the one theme stays the same... the service and ambiance is not enough. Â The food needs to be better for me to be able to want to come back. Â Despite a good, friendly and attentive staff, and a great beer and cocktail selection, there just needs to be better food. Â Even the basics were just that, basic... nothing to write home about. Â
Maybe things will change, and I am sure we will give it another chance, but I do not see myself rushing back anytime soon.
This place... this place.
Upstairs is like a 100year-old Saloon. Relatively well lit, the ceilings are high, and the woodwork dark. It's a bit like Cheers - a corner bar, with a decent sized bar and a good seating area. It's clean and feel comfortable, but a little too open.
Downstairs is the real treat.
You walk down a corridor, and then down a flight of carpeted stairs into the bar I would own if i could. A room with small, but sufficient tables, a small stage (perfect for jazz ensambles, small bands, or Stand-Up Comedy), several booths, and a nice small bar that can probably seat 12 or so patrons.
This room is like a time capsule, as if someone lifted everything amazing about the 1950's nightlife, and removed the nicotine from the air. You almost feel that Tony Bennet or Old Blue Eyes himself could wander in with his fedora tilted to the side, in a skinny tie and suit, grab himself a manhattan and start crooning.
The beers are all craft, and the Guinness (or mine at least) is always served in the right glass. Beers aren't cheap, per se, but they are high quality than you'd find in most bars. I've not had much of the food here, but what I have has been wonderful. Two words: Grilled Wings.
This is a great place, and I wish it was in walking distance of my home. The North Side has a reputation for being sketchy, but this place has it's own parking lot, and makes you feel at home.
Having lived just off of James street for a few years when I first moved to Pittsburgh, I've seen a few businesses come and go at this location. Unfortunately, Â while I hope I'm wrong, I'll be really surprised if this iteration of the James Street Tavern sticks around much longer than its predecessors.
We've been there a two times and neither time left us thrilled. The first time was for lunch. I got a simple buffalo chicken sandwich that was so-so. The chicken was dry and a little chewy, which made the meal feel too much like your average bar food. That would be fine, but when you walk into a really cool, old building like this, it's fair to say that your initial hopes are higher than "typical bar food"...even for lunch. Perhaps our outlook was tainted by our lofty expectations, so we decided to go again...for dinner.
Dinner started out well enough. We were met by a very nice waiter. Unfortunately, he was almost too pushy when it came to the menu. We asked for advice, but there wasn't a lot of genuine feedback from him. His advice was way too "I like everything on the menu" for me. Let's be real...no one likes everything on the menu. Regardless, I opted for the oyster po boy. Granted, this was after seeing one of the kitchen workers leave the bathroom without washing his hands. I wanted to leave, but we had already ordered drinks and I figured I'd test my immune system and stay. Unsurprisingly, it left me uncomfortable the entire meal. Anyway, the po boy was simply more po boy than oyster. There really wasn't a whole lot of fried oysters on the sandwich, which more-or-less left me with a lot of toppings on a bun. The flavor was okay, but nothing special. I got a side of fries, which were good, though. Hard to go wrong with triple fried fries!
My wife ordered the buttermilk chicken dinner. The chicken was good, but she wasn't a fan of the sides. I can't hold that against them, though, as grits aren't my favorite thing, regardless of how they're prepared.
The pros? Nice atmosphere in the dining area (I haven't been downstairs during the Speakeasy's current run), a great beer list (some on tap, many in bottles), and nice servers. Also, the suds & spuds are really good. Subtle beer flavor in the chips made them interesting without tasting too much like beer.
Cons? The food is simply average.
I'm willing to try it again, but I'm just not convinced that the third time will be a charm.
We really liked this place, which was within walking distance from where we were staying. I went with a group of four on a Friday night for drinks and a snack at the bar upstairs. I got some creamy raspberry and vodka concoction, which was delicious. The guys tried some interesting beers and were offered a sample of another they wanted to try. I got the pierogies, which were very good, and then we headed out.
The next day, we were back for another snack while our friends were having some down time. I got the "Suds and Spuds", which I've gotta say was about the most delicious snack I've ever had - homemade beer soaked potato chips with tomato relish, cheddar sour cream, and spicy bacon ranch dipping sauces. Needless to say, we left quite jealous that we don't live in Pittsburgh and won't get to become regulars. The drinks aren't cheap, but if I lived in the area, I could easily see myself there at least once or twice a month.
I really, really, wanted to like James Street Gastropub.
I went with a large group for dinner before a 10PM show. Â We had about 2 hours for dinner, which I thought would be plenty of time. Â Our waitress was nice enough to inform us that the kitchen was small, it was busy, and that service would be a little slow. Â We barely made it out of there in time!
My cocktail was good, and the fried vegetable appetizer was good. Â I wish our waitress would have let us know what the sauces were, as one definitely had bacon in it (which I found out after eating it, oops). Â But, I didn't blame her for that. Â My issue came when my meal came. Â I had ordered the veggie sandwich with a side of collard greens. Â Nowhere on the menu did it say that the collard greens were cooked in bacon. Â It did say "classic collard greens", Â which I guess means loaded with bacon. Â I just wish our waitress was a bit more attentive and I could have switched up my order.
Other than that, the food was decent. Â I was prepared for slower service with a large group, but I was disappointed in the time it took for our meals to come out and the time it took for our drinks to come out (and subsequent drink rounds).
I was recommended to go here and oddly enough I was also told this place wasn't that special. I ended up here by luck after my mother who is very impatient when she is hungry wouldn't wait 5 minutes for a table at another restaurant and oh my goodness I'm glad she is impatient. I ordered the cowboy crunch burger and it was awesome. I typically don't finish anything and I finished this burger. Â It came with the homemade potato chips and they were perfect and thin and just the right amount of salt. I'll be happy to have this in the options going forward when the "I don't know where do you want to eat" starts.
The ambiance was not what I expected and it could be so much cooler, but the food was excellent.
I had high hopes for James Street, but I can only say that it was okay. Â
The cocktail I ordered, a cucumber gin fizz was delicious and the food I had, the chicken sandwich  on a pretzel bun was good, but not anything special.  The fried vegetable appetizer was pretty good--especially with the sauces they served with it, but the beer chips were underwhelming.  To bill a restaurant as a gastropub, I was hoping for a little more creative flair to the food.
The service was friendly, but sometimes painfully slow.  We were there for a little more than 2 hours for a single round of drinks, appetizers, and dinner (one member of  our party ordered a second cocktail, but it was never delivered).   While I understand the limitations of a small kitchen, I feel like they could have better prepared since we had made a reservation a week ahead of time.
When you wind up being inadvertently diverted to the North Shore due to ridiculous weekend construction, what do you do? Lose $500 at the casino! And after that? Go to James Street! James Street is gonna make everything alright again.
After my bf reached his daily max on ATM withdrawals, we took it as a sign that we should probs leave the roulette table behind, and venture out to get something in return for our cash money. I'd had James Street bookmarked for a while, so it seemed like the perfect opportunity to finally knock it off my to-do list.
The place itself wasn't hard to find, but it wasn't easy either -- as in, it's not really on a main street where you'd just happen to drive past and say "Hey! There's Janes Street Gastropub!"
Regardless, we got there, parked on the street nearby, and entered at about 5pm on a Saturday. The place was pretty dead -- maybe 6-8 people at the bar, nobody seated in the dining area. We chose a booth right near the bar, and our waiter promptly came over to give us menus and take our drink orders.
The menu had lots of options that looked good, and I think I'd describe the selections as mostly comfort food kinda stuff, but with a kick.
We started with the oft-touted "pipe bombs". Mmm... They didn't disappoint! Thinly sliced flank steak was nestled in between pepper jack cheese, red and green pepper, and jalapeños. Better yet, it's all rolled up and deep-fried like a spicy, Spanish eggroll! Oh, and it gets better -- the dipping sauce they serve it with is SO good. It's got all the tang of A-1 (I don't care if mentioning A-1 makes you think less of me -- I'd drink that sh*t for breakfast), but its consistency is that of an au jus. It really added to and complemented the "pipe bombs"!
Now, on to The Main Dish: Chicken Fried Steak! Oooh, boy. It. Was. AWESOME. Perfectly seasoned crispy breading. Tender steak. Delish gravy with a peppery kick. The smashed potatoes were a perfect accompaniment. Oh man, just recounting this is making me salivate. I will definitely be going back to James Street soon!
I have been here twice recently in the last month, each time was for lunch. Â
I am a big fan of places that have some character and aren't just plastered with huge TVs and cheesy 'burgh flare on the walls. Â The bar in the spot is beautiful. Â The bar area has an interesting set up which I have never seen before (and i have been to a lot of bars). Â The there is a divider with elevated two person booths. Â hmmm.
The menu has some interesting options nothing that I would really classify as gastropub-esque but good options. Â I got a salad with fried portabella's and a turkey burger the last time i was there. Â The salad was really good. Â The portion was decent as well, its always the worst when you try and be healthy but you are just given a cup a lettuce. Â The burger was good, not great. Â She did ask me "how i wanted my burger cooked" which was a little scary meaning it was a turkey burger. Â I wish the turkey burger had a little more flavor, i had to salt, pepper, red hot, the hell out of it. Â Fries are an upcharge as well. Â meh.
My only big gripe is the slow service. Â Don't get me wrong the service is friendly but sooo slooooww. Â The second time I went it was for some bloodys and burgers but I think it took 20 minutes to get our first drink. You know when you need that bloody mary, its feels like ages! Â I think part of the problem is there is one server for lunch who is also the bartender. Â Both times I was there the slow service was an issue.
Pros: Classic interior, neighborhood feel, larger menu, full bar
Cons: Slow service, food is good, not amazing.
Overall: Â I am in this neck of the woods a lot so I will def be back. Â
I would love to see them start doing brunch. Â Also, I hear they have a trivia night which would be fun.
My husband and I have come here twice, each time getting drinks and sharing food. Â They have a great beer list, offer many classic and specialty cocktails, and have a very reasonably (read: nothing fancy) priced wine list. Â Each time, we both ended up ordering a beer--they always have something new and interesting to try. Â
There is not much that's veggie-friendly on their menu, even the collard greens and all but one salad have bacon in them! Â The non-bacon salad is Caesar, which DOES have anchovy paste. Â Mac-and-cheese is "meh." Â I wouldn't come here for the food alone, but the H, who is a meat eater, says their burgers are good, as well as the fish and chips. Â Just a heads-up to the veggies out there that the options are pretty sparse.
I give this place four stars for the service--it's always friendly and right-on. Â The atmosphere is also really cool--both times I have been, there has been a live jazz group downstairs, but they also show it upstairs on a big TV so everyone can watch/listen.
The menus are in old jazz album covers, bonus points for that! Â If you're on the north side, you should give James Street a try.
I have a general philosophy when it comes to breaking up with men: If he breaks your heart, get your best friend, get in the damn car, and drive until it doesn't hurt anymore. Then get some delicious food when you get where ever you landed.
Clearly, my most recent ex wasn't significant enough to take me across the country, but I did get to Pittsburgh before I felt better (about a 2 hour drive from AK-Rowdy). Lucky I did too, because James Street Gastropub was... pardon my yankee.... fucking fantastic.
Now. If restaurants were like men, this restaurant would be tall, sturdily built, a southern accent, a wicked smile, and a really big.....menu.
I had the pipe bombs (flank steak, jalapenos, and did you say Guinness sauce?!), the spinach salad, the buttermilk fried chicken with grits and greens, and creme brulee to fully heal my poor broken heart.
Pipe bombs were fantastic and wicked. I wish they had given me more, but, well, ya know, I still had a salad coming and a meal...and dessert. The wonton wrapper was super crispy and the oil they were fried in was clearly fresh. I'll admit to sticking my fingers in the Guinness steak sauce.
Normally, salads are kind of a 'meh' affair. Just a way to make you feel better about ordering fried chicken. But this salad was seriously good. The roasted strawberry vinaigrette was a surprise, a very pleasant one.
I'm going to tell you something top secret. One of my best friends knows her fried chicken and, up until this point, made the best fried chicken I've ever had, but....come a little closer, I'm not saying this above a whisper....theirs is better. I didn't know what to expect with chicken breast, it usually comes out a bit too dry for my tastes, mostly because it's severely overcooked, but theirs was perfect. Seriously moist with a crunchy, flavorful crust that stuck to the breast instead of flaking off. And cheese grits with greens....slap yo momma good (I don't have a clue where I picked up that phrase. I'm a Texan, and that is not a part of our vernacular.... Though, if you really want to be particular, neither is the word 'vernacular').
Okay. The creme brulee was good. Solid dessert made right. But what I really wanted at the end of that meal was a slice of peach pie. Or sweet potato pie. Preferably peach, but I'll take what I can get.
Service-wise, our waiter was kick ass. I should have written this review when I went almost two months ago now....because I can't remember his name. It was a J-name I think, and he had to spell it because I'm a total derp when it comes to names. Anyways, he was a complete sweetheart and kept the glasses full and even made a fresh pot of coffee for me when I asked for a cup even though I told him not to worry about it. (HAH! Read someone else's review, the gentleman in question is Jarrett!)
One word: disappointing. But it wouldn't be disappointing if they didn't try to bill it as a "gastropub"! Seriously, how is this a gastropub AT ALL? There's little to no creativity shown on the menu. Meat & Potatoes = gastropub. James Street = bar with decent barfood. Not the same thing.
Sandwiches are average to good. Mac and Cheese has been inconsistent (it was great one time, but another time really bad?). Peanut butter wings...weird, not in a good way. But there's really nothing on the menu that sounds all that interesting, except the donut cheeseburger which, i'll admit, sounds pretty tempting but I haven't been in the right mood to try it just yet...
The atmosphere on the other hand is really cozy and comfortable, and the drinks are really good! It's a great drinking spot! But a gastropub? I think not. Honestly, it reminded me of Harris Grill in that I love it as a bar but hate it for food.
5-stars as a Speakeasy, 2-stars as a Gastropub. Especially with such an amazing food scene happening in Pittsburgh right now, all I have to say to James Street is...try harder.
Update: The house salad with bacon, pickled onions, & a peach vinaigrette was bangin'. But it still doesn't equate to gastropub status. Sorry, guys.
I was in Pittsburgh for business and decided to walk across the river to this place after reading about the sweet meat burger here on Yelp. Â I had to have it, two homemade glazed donuts holding a cooked to order burger with bacon. Â
I have to admit, I didn't eat the whole burger because it was huge. Â The bacon sopped up the donut glaze and became candied bacon. Â THAT is something the place should sell, candied bacon!
Overall, if you're looking for a fun place to go, a nice area to walk around and if you pick the right day you may have the opportunity to take advantage of open mic night.
Glad I went.
So I'm naive to the Northside. It's one of the few neighborhoods in Pittsburgh that I am relatively unfamiliar with. Other than the north shore area around the stadiums, I'm pretty clueless.
So when I stopped by James Street I was pleasantly surprised. It's an old fashioned looking bar with the original woodworking and everything. Upstairs has a bar and restaurant seating area. There is a a nostalgic feeling up there, like stepping back in time.
Downstairs is great. At first I didn't even realize there was a downstairs bar, that is until I heard music floating up and people with drinks heading down. So I followed them down and saw a bluegrass band playing on stage and enjoyed some drinks at the dark bar. It's a cool little subterranean setup. A stage with tables filled with people watching live music on one side and a bar with booths along the wall on the other.
Also, if you are a beer lover James Street has a nice selection of drafts for a reasonable prices. Craft beers were between 4 and 5 dollars.
This is the kind of place that opened my eyes to the North Side and I am going to have to check out some of the other places in the area.
I can't believe that, after living in Pittsburgh for 18 years, I found this place only after having moved away! Â What a fabulous establishment!!! Â The North Side has some of my favorite urban dining spots, that really remind me more of dining in Brooklyn or Philadelphia. Â Half bar, half restaurant, and a really interesting menu. Â It's chill, open later than most places, and apparently has a great tradition of jazz music. Â
We came for the food. Â Though, next time, I anticipate hanging out at the bar and/or visiting the Speakeasy. Â Hopefully, on a weekend when there's an actual scene. Â
The menu is diverse. Â Most of the food looks pretty yummy (if unhealthy - there are some salads...) Â There is some great "fad" food, like a burger on a grilled donut and chicken on a pretzle bun. Â Also, lots of comfort food like meatloaf and steak. Â The prices vary, but are reasonable. Â I will definitely be eating here next time I visit... Hopefully, I'll get to hear some jazz next time!
This may be my new favorite hang out place in the 'burgh. Having just started a job over here in the North Side, it is the perfect place for me to have a bite before hitting rush hour traffic.
Formerly Serendipity, James Street has only been here since mid December. The vibe here is cool, laid back and mellow. I had the pleasure to hear an ENTIRE Booker T album (!!!) as I dined this evening. The beer menu is phenom, an they have Rogue samplers on certain nights!
The waiter remembered me and knew exactly what I had ordered to drink for the time before, and this is only my 3rd visit- gotta love that! The Turkey Burger was juicy, perfectly seasoned and melted in my mouth....this paired with homemade chips was AHHH-mazing. I loved that damn burger so much that I have eaten it all 3 times I have been here.
Do yourself a favor and check this place out. The service is beyond cool and friendly. They have live jazz on Fri nights as well.
It hasn't changed a bit since I was there over 20 years ago! Â And that's a good thing, folks. Â James Street G&S has a feel of history, of time...almost as if the spirits of the music, the musicians and the clientele have permeated the walls and the wood and to linger. Â There are stories to be heard if only those walls could talk!
The long bar upstairs and those gorgeous wooden booths are a wide open, yet intimate, space to gather and talk, to drink and catch up with friends and the latest televised game of your choice. Â If you want to talk, upstairs is the place to be, downstairs is where the music is...talking is unnecessary.
Downstairs is where my heart is. Â Dark, close, no, not smoky, but that's the only thing that's missing from all those years ago. Â Those same beautiful wooden booths line parts of the downstairs by the arches that divide the bar side from the stage side. Â There are tables, too, on the stage side to allow a clear view of the musicians who belt out or croon or sweetly sing. Â Along with the seating, jazz lovers stand along the edges of the room listening and swaying with the music. Â I love this place!
I can't tell you about the food, we didn't order any...it looked and smelled wonderful as plates went by our booth. Â We enjoyed drinks and music. Â The Moscow Mules in proper copper mugs were good! Â Not perfect, but very good. Â Lisa, one of the owners, asked how we liked them...we told her a little more ginger and a mint sprig. Â You may think the mint is just a garnish, but it truly makes a difference in the whole sensory experience of the Mule! Â Lisa was putting mint on the list for next time. Â
That's the next thing I need to compliment...the owners CARE! Â They want each and every guest to enjoy themselves and to feel at home. Â If you want to enjoy a drink and feel like part of the family, you can't go wrong here. Â If you're looking for great music in a really comfortable atmosphere with a diverse crowd of music lovers, this is the place for you. Â Welcome back, James Street! Â Pittsburgh is lucky to have you back!
I'm a bit confused by what happened here. Â We were sitting around having drinks, then the next thing I know, I'm convincing my wife to order a burger on a doughnut bun with candied bacon. Â This was awesome...for a little bit. Â With the benefit of hindsight, I would never even pretend like this is a good idea. Â There's a reason why we separate the dinner and dessert courses traditionally.
That being said, the atmosphere was awesome, beer selection good, and apparently Tom Cruise was there not too long ago. Â I saw pictures. Â He was smiling. Â If that's not a ringing endorsement then I just don't know what's right anymore. Â Dude is like a level 4 alien master, who beat Val Kilmer in volleyball at least once.
If you're in the North Side, this is definitely a place worth your time. Â The menu is pretty eclectic, and though I wouldn't recommend the doughnut burger, I think everything else is pretty delicious.
I live in Brooklyn. It seems unfair that Sixpoint (a Brooklyn brewery) ships their delicious Diesel Stout down to James Street in Pittsburgh which charges only $4 a pint, and I can't get it in Red Hook (next to the brewery itself) for less than $6. This is crap.
Anyway.
In addition to having great beer on tap, James Street distinguishes itself as the brightest, most conspicuous "speakeasy" of all time. (I think that word has taken on new meaning, kind of like "college-educated.") Our waitress was clearly brand new, but exceptionally nice. She might not have known the beer list by heart yet, but she did split our tab into 8 different checks without being asked.
I had already eaten, but next time I'd love to order off the amazing-sounding menu. Although, some things are not my bag, baby:*
1. I sampled a peanut-butter wing that was ill-conceived.
2. Personally, I don't think burgers should be served on doughnut buns, but I suppose I wouldn't turn you away if you showed up at my door with one, demanding sexual favors in exchange.
Overall, James Street has a good vibe, especially with the sweet sounds of a blues band emanating from the bar below. I would appreciate if they turned down the lights a tad, as I tend to appear a lot more attractive in complete darkness...but I'd come back.
___________
*When was the last time you heard an Austin Powers reference? I'm so behind the times I'm ahead of them.
Oh boy... Had only I known what I was getting into, perhaps I could have better prepared myself for this place. Then again, I seriously doubt one can prepare one's self for the indulgence of the Sweet Meat Burger. This candied-bacon burger, served up on a glazed donut bun, is not for the faint of heart. Literally, if you have heart problems, you probably shouldn't even be thinking about this thing. I had to stop and think about how to approach it. Pick it up and it'll glaze your hands like a Krispy Kreme; eat it with a fork and, well... you'll be known as the guy that eats burgers with a fork. Either way you choose to proceed, grab that tomato and lettuce and just toss them aside! Vegetables will only get in the way of your rising cholesterol. Â
I love the concept and and the execution of James Street Gastropub. The atmosphere is great and uniquely sets itself apart from the standard restaurant choices in the area. Â Service was on point (for the most part). We never had to ask for a refill for our drinks. Â As it was our first time here, I would have liked to be shown to a seat; rather we were told to just find a booth or a table. There was also an awkward moment when another employee interrupted our waitress as she was wrapping up with us. Despite that, we appreciated the attention and recommendations we received.
The speakeasy is downstairs below the dining room, and although we didn't have the opportunity to explore, my imagination likes to think it's a pretty cool place. Their signage suggests they have live music in the evenings. Â
We will definitely find some time to make a return trip and experience more of what they have to offer. I recommend giving them a try if you're in the area.
Quick tip: there's is a customer parking area on the side of the building, meaning there's no need to fight for an on-street spot!
James St Pub is a fantastic addition to the North Side. The owners have done a really great job bringing all of the historic accents of the building back to life and creating a classy, but not stuffy bar and dining area. The bar side is slim and can fit about 10 people at the bar. There are also 6 2 person booths on that side. The bar provides about 8 draft beers most of which are micros. The beers run from $4-5.50.
My friends and I split an order of wings (so-so, they needed more sauce) and we all had burgers. The food was really tasty and cooked exactly to order. I'm excited to come back and try the rest of their menu. My tab for 2 beers, 1/2 an order of wings, and a blue cheese burger was $24.
I'm going back on Friday night to check out the jazz show in their down stairs speak easy. They have an open mic on Wednesday nights and live jazz Friday through Sunday.
I can easily tell you this review is too easy to write. Â Everything I had here was amazing. Â This easily has became the to-be spot for me.
The building has a lot of history in it. Â The owner took lots of old photo of performers and hanged them all the wall. Â The atmosphere is awesome for any type of mood you're into for the night. Â You got the bar with plasma tv and slightly divided from the actual dining area. Â They also hold recently special performances downstairs. Â So it is great for when you wanna go somewhere to watch sports, bring a date, or just spend a casual night listening to artists.
There were two dishes I tasted that I would have never ordered. Â Cajun Oysters and Tiny Tunas. Â I am not a big fan of oysters but this one was awesome. Â It didn't taste like oysters. Â The Tiny Tunas had a side of wasabi/mayo which tasted nothing like the dreaded wasabi. Â The tuna was also perfectly cooked where it wasn't overcooked but still didn't taste raw.
I moved to Pittsburgh two years ago and still didn't get why pierogies are so popular until I came here. Â The pierogies here made. me. understand.
My favorite dishes are the Twisted Chicken, Crab Cakes, and Sweet Meat. Â The crab cakes were 90% meat. Â Straight up meat. Â Awesome.
The twisted chicken is your chicken/bacon sandwich but on a pretzel bun. Â The pretzel bun has a nice sweetness to it. Â The chicken was a thick piece of meat. Â I honestly don't get how they can sell this thing so cheap.
The show stopper is the Sweet Meat. Â The Sweet Meat is basically a hamburger with candied bacon in between glazed donut buns. Â Seriously, it is not the healthiest thing in the world but it is the tastiest thing I've had in a long while.
I've had the pleasure to talk to everyone that runs the place. Â The owner, the owner's son, the co-owner, the executive chief. Â They're regular people, not investment bankers. Â If you want a local restaurant to succeed, choose this one. Â They're amazingly nice people. Â
I just checked out their menu online and there's lots of variety of different food. Â I can't wait to go back there. Â Look at their prices too. Â You can't beat getting quality food for this price.
Overall, stop reading and go try the place NOW.
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