Location: Tarentum
Top Restaurants in Tarentum
Tarentum Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Tarentum
Tarentum is a borough in Allegheny County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It is 22 miles (35 km) northeast of Downtown Pittsburgh, along the Allegheny River. Tarentum was an industrial center where plate glass and bottles were manufactured; bricks, lumber, steel and iron novelties, steel billets and sheets, sack and wrapping paper were also produced. The Pennsylvania Railroad operated a station in Tarentum; its rail line ran through the town. The population was 4,530 at the 2010 census. Two statues of Hebe, the Greek goddess of youth, are displayed by the borough in Tarentum.
Things to do in Tarentum
1. Killian's Pub
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By bbwex - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
I passed Killian's a month ago on the way to another place, but looked Killian's up and found the great reviews. For us, it was a 25-minute journey each way, but having gotten there, it was well worth the trip! Our server was wonderful, helpful and attentive. They had the pork chops on the menu, and she suggested that I try that since they have ribs all of the time. I had them put their own barbecue sauce and the Korean sauce on the side to try them both. The pork chop was really large, had excellent flavor and went with both sauces very well. I had the home fries which were excellent and more than plentiful. It came with a salad as a starter, and it was a bowl with lots of what looked like mache lettuce with some darker colored leaves mixed in, some sliced olives, sliced cucumber, croutons, cherry tomatoes and a few beets. It was excellent, but so large that I would never have been able to eat dinner. My wife had a burger with the red skin potatoes, and both were excellent. The burger was pink as ordered, and the potatoes might just have been better than the home fries. Though trying to watch what I am eating, we tried the Black Forest cake for dessert, and it too was wonderful.
As a note, I have no idea what the other reviewer was talking about when he said the place is not worth the money and paid $40 for 2 soups and 2 salads. We had the two dinners and dessert, and the total bill, with a diet Coke, was $44.
We will be back several times to try some of the other offerings.
2. P&M Pizza Inc.
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By WyattChirp - Ennis, Montana
I worked for years making pizza and learning some of the "secrets".
I don't often mention other reviews, but in this case I must. I read akvalleyfoodman's review and he is spot on. I have also been coming here for years and my grandfather used to "visit" P&M every day for years when he was still drinking. Pretty much 20 years straight "back in the day". Other family members have been regulars for decades. Apparently akvalleyfoodman knows the history as well and the analysis is dead on. Obviously he knows the behind the scenes.
That being said, I still say P&M is one of the best pizzas you will have (if the right guy is making the pizza that night. Consistency is key. I could go into how you make pizza the right way, but I will refrain from that. Most of the time, they do make them right.
The cheese "secret" isn't that big of a deal but regardless if you know it or not, it is still better to go in and buy it than make it yourself. We had a couple pizzas shipped to us, but once we found out the "secret" we started making it ourselves. Now all we need is a commercial pizza oven and I can make it better than P&M! :)
Again, I have to agree with akvalleyfoodman, if you make a good sauce, FEATURE it. Don't make me ask for more! One of my biggest pet peeves!
One thing we learned from P&M, if you go somewhere else for pizza, take your own garlic salt with you!
3. Tarentum Station
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By Loretta S - Johnstown, Pennsylvania
This restaurant is in an old train depot. Regular trains go by it and they are loud. The spaces in the parking lot are narrow so don't come with your huge SUV's or trucks. Our large private party (15) met upstairs. (They cannot accommodate more than 40.) I felt bad for our waitress who had to make all those trips. She was friendly and efficient. The appetizers were fried eggplant with sauce (good), Mushroom Caps Imperial (good), Italian Bruschetta (good), + stuffed banana peppers (don't know, didn't go near them). I had the French Onion Soup (extra $) which was very good. Had lots of melted cheese, but a tad too much paprika on top. My husband had the tossed salad - plain, nothing special. He had the Veal Parmigiana which was good, but he felt it was a small portion. I had the New York Strip steak. It was very good - a good sized portion, done to my liking (not too charred) with a tasty sauce on the side. It came with a baked potato. For dessert, my husband had the chocolate creme brulee which was very good. I didn't choose that because I wanted the usual flavor. Unfortunately, my vanilla creme brulee had a ton of rum in it which I did not want or care for. All in all, I would recommend this place.
4. Oakmont Bakery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 243 reviews
Reviewed By Joseph K - Pittburgh, United States
Mark your calendars, travelers, for Saturday 1-6-2018. Oakmont Bakery will, once again, start making their exceptional PACZKI. (Pronounced poonch-key or paunch-key) This delicious pastry is a Polish donut made of fried dough with a fruit or cream (Pittsburgh Cream) filling. They will be available thru Easter and perhaps shortly after. These sugar or glazed coated donuts are to die for. Oakmont Bakery is one of best bakeries we’ve found anywhere. The have a huge assortment of pastries such as: cookies, cupcakes, cinnamon rolls, donuts, breads, cakes and items you can’t even imagine until you see their show cases. On any given day (they’re open 7 days a week) arrive early. Review the pastry selections, make a mental note, then grab a ticket from the dispenser and wait for your number to be called. The lines move fast as they have a wonderful staff to serve you. Tip: If you can’t wait to eat one of you’re pastry choices, there is a small sitting area where you can enjoy a coffee and devour your PACZKI.
5. Villa Ballanca
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 88 reviews
Reviewed By SMFSanFran - San Francisco
Southern Italian that tastes homemade and authentic. Rich thick red sauce, not overly seasoned, with huge portions and the most generous pour of Chianti we've seen in a long time. Good service. Family friendly atmosphere. We had "casseroles" - eggplant Parmesan (good) and baked meat-stuffed ravioli (delicious). It's worth finding -- it's a neighborhood right out of the 1950s and quite affordable -- maybe because it's a bit off the beaten path.
6. Capri Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 38 reviews
Family Owned and Operated Since 1991. We cook for our customers like we cook for our family, because everyone is family. Stop in and have dinner with us!!!
Reviewed By OffAgain22 - Freeport, Pennsylvania
I eat at Capri approximately twice a month. In the past, I would not describe the wait staff as friendly. However, tonight we had a wonderful waitress and another staff member was very attentive to any refills that were needed.
I do not care for their meat sauce for I find it quite boring. Their Bolognese sauce is another story. I do not deviate from their spaghetti with Bolognese sauce so I can only comment on that entree. Their bread is absolutely wonderful and the wedding soup is delicious. The portions are large, so much so that I ALWAYS bring home half the soup and half the spaghetti.
The restaurant is on the small side and the atmosphere is very comfortable. It is the perfect choice for this ridiculously cold weather!!
7. David's Diner
Overall Ratings
5 based on 38 reviews
Reviewed By TeamPA - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Long line to get into this small cottage diner located between two suburban towns north of Pittsburgh. The wait was completely justified and worth it. Service was really strong. Menu is all fresh and homemade items. Lots to choose from. We had eggs benedict and pancakes. Eggs came on fresh jalapeno cornbread. The cornbread is too die for and they give you more than you can ever eat. The server offered to make anything we wanted or revise an item without reservation. It wasnt necessary. I can see why they do a great business. Will go back. Oh, and there is a neat fruit and veggie stand next door to make delicious purchases. Parking is a nightmare but its worth figuring that part out. Do NOT be in a hurry.
8. China Lobster
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 41 reviews
Reviewed By o2cthesea - Mercer, Pennsylvania
A favorite stop for girlfriends & I as our husbands dont care for oriental cooking. Even though there are American dishes on the buffett. Alcohol served & Many variations of old favorites--crab rangoons, coconut shrimp, pot stickers, fish, cookies, eggplant, fish, egg foo young, & even sushi, many more on menu but we ALWAYS get the buffet! Scrumptious!!!
9. J & S Pizza
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 30 reviews
Reviewed By Tim B - Butler, Pennsylvania
If you go here I would stick to the pizza or hoagie, the few times I tried the pasta it was overcooked.
10. Olive Garden
Overall Ratings
4 based on 43 reviews
Reviewed By msadler99 - Greensburg, Pennsylvania
Busy especially on the weekends. Busy enough we ate at the bar. Service was good but slower as the bartender doubles as your waitress/waiter. These guys did great doing double duty, but they should have 1 employee designated to this job, including bar patrons, beside the bartender. Eating at the bar saved us a 30 minute wait. Worth it.
