The joys of traveling with an 18-year-old. After several days of working long hours and running on…read morevery little sleep, there were only a few things on my young travel companion's mind: sports, food, sleep, and probably girls--in no particular order!
With an 8:50 PM flight out of Pittsburgh and not much time to spare, we decided to grab dinner on the way to the airport. I let my travel companion pick the restaurant, and since he's a lot like his father, he made a solid choice.
All Star Sports Bar & Grill was conveniently located and an easy stop before heading to the airport.
Thankfully, the restaurant wasn't busy when we arrived because we still had the rental car return, TSA and a flight ahead of us. We opted for the dining area rather than the bar, which gave me a chance to take in all the sports memorabilia. As a lifelong sports fan, I really enjoyed the atmosphere. Being in Pittsburgh, the walls were covered with Steelers and Penguins history, along with plenty of jerseys from players I grew up watching.
Our server, Nicole, was excellent from start to finish. Friendly, attentive, and quick with recommendations.
Before my coworker could even look at the menu, I spotted the Soft Pretzel Sticks and ordered them as an appetizer. Good decision. Warm, salty, and paired perfectly with the cheese sauce. Definitely order these
When I asked Nicole for recommendations, she immediately suggested the Reuben and the wings. Had I not eaten a Reuben the day before, that's probably what I would have ordered.
As for the wings, I'll admit it--I am a Wing Snob. If they're not homemade or from Western New York, I'm usually passing. That's not a knock on their wings; it's just a very high standard that comes from growing up around some of the best wings in the country.
Wanting to try something local, I ordered the Pittsburger. For me, it was just okay. Not bad by any means, and I cleaned my plate, but it wasn't a sandwich I'd order again. Looking back, the Reuben probably would have been the better choice. The fries were also average. I requested them crispy and without seasoning, but they didn't really stand out.
Meanwhile, my travel companion ordered boneless wings. What can I say? He's 18. I even tried explaining the superiority of blue cheese over ranch, but that lesson appears to have fallen on deaf ears.
Overall, I'm giving All Star Sports Bar & Grill 3 stars. That rating has more to do with my particular food choices and the rushed nature of our visit than the restaurant itself. The sports atmosphere was excellent, the service from Nicole was outstanding, and there were several menu items I'd like to come back and try.
If I'm back in the area with more time and a bigger appetite, I'd definitely give this place another shot.