Are you a fan of bacon? What about pork cheek?

Well, that escalated quickly! But hey, we’re not here to judge. Besides, eating nose-to-tail is the ultimate win-win situation. Less waste AND more to eat. So if that sounds like something you can get into, you’re in luck. Pittsburgh is filled with places to try each and every part of the pig, from more familiar items to overlooked cuts. And with this article in hand, you’ll know exactly where to find them all.

Looks like there’s only one thing left to do. It’s time to pig out.

Bacon Candy at Proper Brick Oven & Tap Room

Bacon Candy Pittsburgh[relevant url=”http://www.properpittsburgh.com/” map=”https://www.google.com/maps/place/Proper+Brick+Oven+%26+Tap+Room/@40.4435533,-80.0024126,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x8834f157cd3001bf:0xf4cc2f96ff726838″] BACON: After curing their meat in-house, Proper takes a thick slice of their bacon and glazes the meat with a glossy coat of brown sugar sauce. Legitimately finger linkin’ good. A black pepper crust provides balance and keeps the dish from going over the sweet edge.

Salumi Platter at Cure

Cure Salumi Platter Pittsburgh
Adam Milliron
[relevant url=”http://www.curepittsburgh.com/#welcome-to-cure” map=”https://www.google.com/maps/place/Cure/@40.4826789,-79.9533422,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x8834f2f7a11b5a09:0x1ecc1cd99294efcc”] LARD: Cure is charcuterie-heaven, and their salumi platter is like experiencing Costco for the first time: with wide-eyed and open mouthed delight, you realize all the things that you want to have and didn’t realize you needed. We’d specifically like to direct your attention to the generous slice of their housemade ciccoli. Lard is key in making this luscious country-pate/pork rillette/terrine hybrid.

Pork Ribs from Showcase BBQ

Ribs Showcase BBQ Pittsburgh[relevant url=”http://www.showcasebbq.net/” map=”https://www.google.com/maps/place/Showcase+Barbeque/@40.4580828,-79.908191,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x8834ed92eff7f2b5:0xb0976fa21f5aa4a1″] RIB: This Homewood BBQ joint will make you a loyal follower of their smoky, tender, and juicy pork ribs. Make no apologies for how savage you look when you’re chowing down.

Pork Belly Carbonara at Root 174

Pork Belly Carbonara Pittsburgh[relevant url=”http://www.root174.com/” map=”https://www.google.com/maps/place/Root+174/@40.4325471,-79.8957984,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x8834ee7454a5f2b3:0xed98002559620348″] PORK BELLY: Carbonara pasta is stunning in its simplicity: cheese, eggs, and a piggie product (like guanciale or bacon) to round out the flavors. Chef Keith Fuller somehow harnessed everything that’s wonderful about that Italian classic for the benefit of your taste buds. You’ve never had a dish like this, starting with the melt-in-your-mouth pieces of pork belly to the house-made gnocchi.

Pork Soup Dumplings at Everyday Noodles

Pork Soup Dumplings Pittsburgh[relevant url=”http://www.everydaynoodles.net/” map=”https://www.google.com/maps/place/Everyday+Noodles/@40.4382625,-79.9222751,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x8834f20011b3bf63:0xbcefd93286afbd9e”] PORK SHOULDER: Eating at Everyday Noodle is like the tastiest kind of twofer: a meal and a musical performance. Between the thwacking and thudding of the noodles being made right before your eyes and your chorus of “oohs” and “ahs” from total satisfaction, Everyday’s delicate pork soup dumplings are a memorable experience.

Chorizo Taco at Tako

Chorizo Tacos Pittsburgh Tako[relevant url=”http://www.takopgh.com/” map=”https://www.google.com/maps/place/T%C3%A4k%C5%8D/@40.4422146,-80.0044689,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x8834f156614b08f9:0xc77a10ad093879ec”] PORK SHOULDER: We’ve got one more pork shoulder option for you. Because house-made chorizo and a fried egg in a taco is nearly impossible to say no to.

Tagliatelle at Station

Tagliatelle Station Pittsburgh [relevant url=”http://www.station4744.com/” map=”https://www.google.com/maps/place/STATION/@40.4611422,-79.9507192,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x8834f247404b9269:0xdda01e366927a68e”] SHANK: Curtis Gamble’s new Bloomfield gastropub serves up a rustic and dreamy plate of tagliatelle. Topped with parm and a 1-hour egg, the al-dente pasta is perfectly accentuated by insanely tasty morsels of smoked pork shank.

Pig Wing at Butcher & the Rye

Butcher and the Rye Pittsburgh[relevant url=”http://www.butcherandtherye.com/” map=”https://www.google.com/maps/place/Butcher+and+The+Rye/@40.442321,-80.0042882,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x8834f15666b9ee7f:0xdfd18cd6d31d6940″] WING: Okay, so a “pig wing” is technically a cut of the shank. But this bone-in, lean & tender piece of pork is designed to be eaten like a wing. And to that effect, prepare to get some Thai chili sauce all over your face and your fingers. You won’t regret it.

Fried Pork Rinds at Il Tetto, Sienna Mercato

Pork Rinds Sienna Mercato[relevant url=”http://siennapgh.com/” map=”https://www.google.com/maps/place/Sienna+Mercato/@40.4441077,-79.998642,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x8834f3e2a0e988f7:0x2559970f17158725″] RIND/CRACKLINGS: There’s still time left to enjoy all the al-fresco drinking options in Pittsburgh! At Sienna Mercato’s rooftop beer garden, Il Tetto, grab a drink and snack on their fried pork rinds. Just like chips & dip, but at the next level.

Pork Blood Tofu with Intestine at Sichuan Gourmet

Sichuan Gourmet PIttsburgh[relevant url=”http://www.pittsburghsichuangourmet.com/” map=”https://www.google.com/maps/place/Sichuan+Gourmet/@40.435861,-79.925457,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x8834f1ff11ba608d:0x78c29b1261d9ac8″] OFFAL: Needless to say, this item is not for the faint-hearted. You’re on for an exhilarating adventure if you opt for this Sichuan peppercorn spiced dish.

Pork Chop from Meat and Potatoes

Pork Chop Meat and Potatoes Pittsburgh[relevant url=”http://www.meatandpotatoespgh.com/” map=”https://www.google.com/maps/place/Meat+%26+Potatoes/@40.4431503,-80.0033835,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x8834f15647f602d5:0xb8a2253e177d34df”] CHOP: Maybe you saw this one coming, us mentioning a place with meat in the name. So no surprise there. The real surprise comes later when your server arrives with a massive cut of meat. This gigantic chop will be cooked to perfection and topped with pork belly. Two parts in one!

Cheeks Bowl at PAN

PAN Pittsburgh[relevant url=”http://www.panasianpgh.com/” map=”https://www.google.com/maps/place/PAN/@40.4645709,-79.9683588,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x8834f3b4e52711ab:0xb11c937ddcbdd579″] CHEEK: If you’re looking for an accessible way of branching out beyond your run-of-the-mill cuts of pork, make your way over to Lawrenceville. PAN, which replaced Tamari earlier in the summer, offers a not so authentic, but still pretty tasty riff on pad thai. For their special twist, the noodles are topped with flavorful, thin-cut slices of pork cheek.

Soppressata, capicola & more at Penn Mac

Pennsylvania Macaroni Co. PIttsburgh[relevant url=”http://www.pennmac.com/” map=”https://www.google.com/maps/place/Pennsylvania+Macaroni+Co./@40.4512086,-79.9857798,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x8834f3dce2260de9:0xccfbe8c0c9cdfaeb”] CURED/VARIOUS When you get a hankering for a good sandwich, take matters in your own hands. A great place to pick up ingredients would be Penn Mac in the Strip with its bustling marketplace vibes. Some of our favorite pork-based deli cuts include salami soppressata, hot capicola, and mortadella, which is like bologna but for real people (like, is it just us or is bologna a weird mythical meat only referenced in cartoons?) Trust the guys that are working the counter- their recommendations are always on the money.

[join]What do you think about these spots? Did we miss any? Let us know with a comment here on facebook. [button text=”Click Here to Leave a Comment” link=”https://www.facebook.com/madepgh/posts/959741700766106″ target=”blank” width=”full” color=”black” size=”small”][/join] This content was provided by a local, independent contributor to Made in PGH, a lifestyle blog.
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