Treasure landmark!!!!! The burgers are the real winnner. Tastes like 1940! Good people GooD I mean GreAt place!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! After ordering last week 2x burgers to pick up I want to change my 5 stars to 10 stars but yelp don't have that option! The burger as I said before is a secret Pittsburgh Treasure! read more

There are no shortage of places to drink in the East End, so I'm not clear on why I would ever return to a place where the bartender treated me like garbage for no apparent reason. My experience here was a short but admittedly eventful one. I and a group of co-workers stopped in after hosting a visiting speaker for dinner at Bangkok Balcony right next door. The downstairs was not super crowded, but there was no table large enough for everyone in our group. The friendly waitress agreed to open the upstairs for us. After she brought our round of beers, myself and a colleague realized she hadn't brought us pint glasses for our porters (generally not a beer you want to drink out of a cold bottle). Rather than waiting for the waitress to come back up, then making her go down and back up the stairs another time, I went downstairs to ask for some glasses at the bar. First I was just ignored. For maybe 5 minutes I watched the bartender shoot the shit with some people at the other end of the bar. He was not making drinks or taking orders, just conversing. Which is fine, except that he looked at me several times and it was obvious I wanted something. Eventually, someone came out of the kitchen, so I asked this person if he could grab me a couple of pint glasses. He told me he couldn't, because he's not the bartender, but did go to the other end of the bar to let the bartender know what I wanted. Several minutes later, the bartender deigned to grace me with his presence. He began to hand me two pint glasses, then said he needed to see my ID before he could give them to me. I told him I already had drinks, I just wanted the glasses, and that I'd come downstairs so that the waitress didn't have to make an extra trip. He said "No ID? No glasses." Ok, fine. I'm 35 years old. I have an ID. I don't look remotely underage, but I can play the bartender-on-a-power-trip game as well as anyone. So I went upstairs, grabbed my ID, came back down and, after waiting probably another five minutes for him to grace me with his presence again, showed it to him. Only now he needed *2* IDs, what with there being 2 glasses. So up the stairs I traipse, back down, and now - I shit you not - now he says "How many people are up there? I need to see everyone's IDs." I looked at him in astonishment and said "I only came down here to save your waitress the trip. I've now gone up and down the stairs three times. Everyone up there already has a drink." His reply - seriously - was "I just can't go serving drinks to complete strangers." I'm sorry, what?? You're a bartender. It's your JOB to serve drinks to complete strangers. At this point, I'd had enough. I told him I didn't mind showing an ID, and that I understand people have to do their jobs, but that there was absolutely no reason for him to be a dick about it. I used those words. At which point he said, "Well then you are welcome to leave." So we did. Our entire group left, and I refused to pay for beers that we didn't get to drink. The waitress went and talked to the bartender - seeing how upset I was and also seeing that I was not going to give her money for drinks we couldn't actually imbibe. She came back and told us it was all a misunderstanding and that it was fine if we stayed, that he didn't know that we were her customers, yada yada. No. I'm not spending my money in a place that treats people like shit. While waiting for the bus afterwards, one of my colleagues said that he and another friend had encountered similar hostility from this same bartender before, and had also been "asked to leave." (I didn't get the bartender's name, but I'm guessing he's the only one working there who looks like he just stepped off the set of Duck Dynasty). I guess the Squirrel Hill Café does such great business that they don't need any more? This was my first and last visit to this place. We were very sorry that the waitress had to pay for the bartender's shit attitude, but hopefully it will spur her to say something to him or to management about the fact that he is running off customers. What an absolute disgrace. read more

What's not to like about the Squirrel Cage? It's not a theme bar, you'll not find any cheesy decor or anything fancy that matter. It's simply a great neighborhood place. As other posters say, it's a place to have good, cheap, greasy food and a beer (okay, so I'm primarily a non-drinker). It's a great place to people watch too because here you see people as they really are. They come here and they act like themselves and aren't putting on an act like at some lame club. read more

I do not like going there, because there is a lot of smoking in there. I have been cancer free for six month now...

When I was a kid growing up in Squirrel Hill, the Cage was a place of mystery for us. Who knew what went on behind those dark windows? It was probably a den of iniquity where things too terrible to talk about went on. You weren't allowed to go in and use the BATHROOM. WHY WEREN'T YOU ALLOWED TO WALK IN OFF THE STREET AND USE THE BATHROOM??? IT MUST BE A TERRIBLE PLACE. When I went to art high school (this was before they started carding), all the coolest teachers used to drink there, and sometimes we'd come in to talk to them on Friday nights and pretend we were cool and old enough to be sitting in the old wooden booths smoking cigarettes. And then suddenly, we *were* old enough to be in the booths smoking and drinking enormous pitchers of Yuengling (or double old-fashioneds for those of us who still had pretensions towards being literary) and stumble out at the end of the night heading for Eat n' Park and smelling like the inside of a cigarette (though my allergies have gotten a lot worse of late and I'm actually starting to wish you couldn't smoke in here--I am getting old!) This is a good bar to come to on a pre-Christmas December night to hang out with friends you haven't seen in ages, and know that tons of people you know will be drifting in and out as the night goes on. This is a good bar to come to when you don't really know where you want to go on a Friday but you know you want to just relax. This is a good bar for women to not get grossly hit on in. This is a good bar to people-watch in--it's always a crowd of middle-aged drunks, university intellectuals, and other fun neighborhood types hanging around in here. It's not the cleanest bar in the world, nor the friendliest (though the bartender with the ZZ Top beard whose name I can't remember is pretty damn great), but it's just a straightforward place where what you see is what you get. It's not for everyone. It's definitely for me. (Also, I hear their burgers are good, but I've never eaten here, lol) read more

Lots of room...hazy memories but the service must have been good. Had a blast. Extra star for allowing smoking!

I stopped here for lunch today and I was so happy! Not only was it cheap, but it was good food and served quickly. I will be a regular here now! read more

Ahh, the Squirrel Cage. Many a shameful evening has started here. This used to be my neighborhood bar and thus I have some ingrained loyalty...but beyond that the drinks are cheap, the bartenders are friendly, and it kind of has that Cheers feeling (everyone knows your name). If you want anonymity and live in the Squirrel Hill area, don't come here. You will run into everyone and their mother and its not a place for a quiet drink. The guy at the next bar-stool will talk to you or the table next to you will invite you to join them on a Ritters trip. Not much of a pick-up bar (thankfully) but just a really friendly place. Squirrel Cage is definitely not for the snobby or standoffish, but if you want to meet some locals and are up for joining strangers on an adventure, head over and grab a seat at the bar. read more

I love this place, mostly because it means I don't have to deal with the oversaturation of bars in the South Side. The "squirrel cage" as some affectionately call it really is my favorite bar in Pittsburgh because it's a little dive-y, but still hip, and has nice booths to sit in where you can just get a cheap pitcher or two and chill with your buds. It's also great for people watching! read more

Oddly enough, this place has the best burgers in town. The wait staff and bartenders are excellent and the beer selection is great. One of my favorite bars in Pittsburgh hands down. Get there early enough to grab a seat. It can get unbearably smoky later in the evening, but that can be lessened by grabbing a seat near the front. read more

"The Cage" has cheap, decent food, and reasonably priced drinks -- though for the divey atmosphere, they're probably a little overpriced. It's smoky as Hell, so don't wear your finest outfit (unless, I guess, it includes a smoking jacket). The service is generally lacking if you're not right at the bar, but that is more a staffing issue, as there's usually only one waitress for the whole place. If you like old boardgames and don't mind hipsters, I recommend checking out their Game Night on Tuesdays. I mean, come on; free rounds of 1986 Trivial Pursuit? Can't be beat. read more

Great place for drinks or to socialize. Lots of seating around the bar plus tables and booths. Always a busy joint and they have tons of tvs playing sports to make things better the bar food is cheap and tasty. If i could id give this place 4.5 stars read more

Shittest place ever. When i walked into this bar, no one is answering me. They just let me stand over there and make me feel like stupid. Also the bar is quite small and smoky. Didnt like the experience at all. read more

This is such a difficult review to write. The cage has really decent cheap food and an excellent selection of reasonably priced beers. Unfortunately they frequently seem understaffed and it absolutely reeks of cigarette smoke. Every time I go in I have to immediately wash whatever I was wearing and take a shower. Even then I can always smell the smoke the next day. If you're a smoker this is a great spot. If you're not, keep in mind that there is a visible cloud of cigarette smoke when you walk in. read more

Love this place - convenient location (great to unwind after a day of working in the library), good, filling food that doesn't leave you feeling sick, smoking permitted, and of course, reasonably priced beer, including my favorite, Blue Moon, on tap. read more

It is a smoking bar with a bad ventilation system. I've been to smoking bars before but this was too much. Their fries are freshly cut and AMAZING though!!! Their upstairs area is basically a mezzanine/supply closet where if you are taller than 5'5 you'll hit your head. If it wasn't for the smoke I would come here more often. read more

Affectionatly referred to as 'the squirrel cage', the squirrel hill cafe rules. It's got a relaxed atmosphere, cheap food, cheap beer, and decent surroundings. The crowd is often odd, with some random creepy people at the bar, often gatherings of older folks at the early side of the evening, and as it gets late lots of alternative college-aged kids roll on in. It's good times. Have a few pitchers, stumble home and you'll be back at the squirrel cage. read more

This place is grossly over priced! Also, the bartender took her own tip from my money when paying for my drink! I will NEVER come back here!!!! read more

I would have given this restaurant 5 stars if it was non-smoking or had a non-smoking section. The prices are excellent and you get a big portion of delicious food. I got the steak salad and the fried egg sandwich. Both were phenomenal and huge! The fries are soooo good. My boyfriend got the steak hoagie and loved it. (He didn't even let me try any!) I ended up taking the entire egg sandwich home for breakfast the next day because I was stuffed from my salad. We liked the environment, lots of people there of all ages 21+. Its cozy and we were comfortable on the wooden benches. We also had enough privacy. The only problem was the smoke; the ventilator didn't do much for the smell. If you don't mind smoke, and you like small, cozy bars with good beer and cheap food, then def give this place a try! read more

One of my favorite bars in the burgh! Bartenders are fun and knowledgeable, servers are sweet, fast and attentive. Drinks are phenomenal and reasonably priced, and a wide beer selection. The food is also great... My go to is the cheeseburger, veggie burger, or cheese balls. Gotta check it out! read more

Best bar in squirrel hill. Billy the bartender is awesome and personable. Cozy booths, good prices, walking distance. A+

The Cage is the most vibrant bar in Squirrel Hill, with the possible new exception of the Independent Brewing Co., but the two don't really overlap in purpose or atmosphere. It's a smoking dive with patient and friendly staff and a wild mix of customers. You might wait a while for service at busy points--it's not a heavily staffed place and the drinks and food are cheap. Billy the bartender is a staple of the establishment and is well known for his jolly attitude, willingness to light up your smoke, and friendly and generous patronage of local businesses. The old guard of serving staff have always been on top of things even while the bar was busy, and the new staff seems to be merging quite well into the mix. Kudos. The Cage has always seemed like a sort of social equalizer to me. The patrons all talk to one another and congregate loosely, and it's a good place for casual conversations among friends or whoever is around. Even if you're not a regular, you'll likely see someone you know every time you stop by. Non-smokers who can't stand smoke--don't bother. Otherwise, it's a really damn cool place. Give it a shot. read more

Super good eats for cheap. The place is kind of a dump but that only adds to the charm. I lived in Pittsburgh for 10 years and frequented this establishment probably a bit too much. I miss the place terribly. read more

Good bar burgers and very friendly service. Guy at the bar is really good at remembering who you are making this place have a very comfortable hangout atmosphere. Salads are just kind of okay...but it is a smallish and not so expensive bar so that's to be expected. Good selection of beer. Sports games are often on when I've been. The place has a very Pittsburgh "feel". Sometimes seating gets crowded. read more

The Squirrel Hill Cafe or as it is locally called, the Cage is a cool place to grab a beer and watch the Pens play. The food is incredibly cheap and surprisingly good and the beer is cheap. I went with a friend recently and had a bacon cheese burger, a giant basket of cheese fries, and a pitcher of Yuengling and my bill was only $15. I almost died when I saw how cheap it was. This wasn't my first time there and certainly won't be my last. read more

Good food. A burger with pepper jack cheese is a craving I get monthly. I used to be here every night when I lived within stumblng distance. The bartenders are all friendly, unless you are a dick. Sunday at 6pm is my favorite time to hop on a stool, order some wings well done, hot. And cram filthy $5's into the Jukebox. read more

A pretty big beer selection for guys plus a lot of fruity liquors for girls, a no-frills food menu that includes pretty decent fries, and zero pretentiousness means that this is a fair to good place to catch up with friends. The smoke gets annoying after a while, which is really my only gripe. But other than that - A-OK. read more

The Cage rules. I'll agree with Zoe P 100% -- screw the cheesy themed clubs and bars, and get down to it at the Cage. The only "frills" it has is an online jukebox and some video poker that looks like it's been there since the 80s. The food is greasy and cheap and fabulous with a beer. Prices are great on pitchers, and the selection is not too bad. Weeknights are actually better here -- on weekends you better get in and get a table early if you want to sit. read more

My wife and I ordered take out from here a few weeks ago. We got burgers and fries. For such a humble meal, it was outstanding. We were hungry for nonsense burgers and that's what we got. The burger was juicy, the bun wasn't huge, and they had all the fixins that we wanted. The fries were the perfect size, weren't too salty or greasy, and were delicious. I don't think we would eat at the cafe simply because it is a smoking establishment and we don't smoke...but for take out - YES! read more

Perfect pub food. Servings are much larger than you'd expect so don't over order! Great beer selection. Very friendly, fast service.

Love this bar! Fun crowd and the staff are all incredibly nice. Drinks are affordable and the food is VERY cheap. I had a burger and it was quite tasty. read more

Great local bar with good beer and strong drinks. It will become your home away from home if you frequent it enough. Try the cheese balls!

My husband and I went in on a whim and each got a cheeseburger. Honestly we were expecting a typical thin patty burger with more toppings than meat but were pleasantly surprised. They were thick, messy, and actually made-of-beef burgers. Really filling too- I could only eat half. One note on the ambiance- the place was neat looking inside however it is a smoking friendly bar. The smoke was so overwhelming due to a lack of windows or fresh air that we planned on eating in but ordered to go because there was no way we could eat in the cloud of smoke. read more

I wanted to give this place a better review. The Cafe was pleasantly full, great tunes, and the waitress was friendly and attentive. Unfortunately we (a table of 2) waited 45 min for our food to never come out while seeing a table of 5, who came in 20 min after us, get served first. The waitress was apologetic but her continued "your food is coming out next" assurance lost credibility when she had to repeat it twice and then servered the table of 5 was first. read more

Great place with an incredible selection of beer. The crowd is very diverse and the food is good. I would recommend stopping by this place.

My girlfriend and I just popped in for drinks but the bar has a great atmosphere, plenty of seating, a great location, friendly staff and great prices on drinks. They make their mixed drinks strong, which we love. The food looked good too but we didn't have order any. We got everything we were looking for and will definitely be back. read more

Good food, good service, good specials, good people, responsible prices. Wonderful place to hang out.

Cheap, smokey, no-nonsense dive bar. You don't go there for the service, you go there for the cheap booze and great bar food. Definitely not for everyone, but if you want a smokey dive, this place is perfect. read more

Phenomenal. The alcohol--reasonably priced--and the food--even cheaper--which is amazing. Great hole in the wall. I cannot stress enough, even if you don't drink, then go buy some food because it tastes amazing and the prices are easily the cheapest you will EVER find in Pittsburgh. The spinach artichoke dip is homemade, which is the first time in my life I have ever seen a restaurant not just buy industrial dip. Ask for toasted bread with the spinach artichoke dip for a real treat! Recommendations: 1) cheese burger; 2) spicy hot cheese balls :); and 3) spinach artichoke dip. Beware though--I think the kitchen closes at 10 or 11 so place your orders early! The also have a super wide selection of bottled beers to choose from in addition what they have on tap. If you dread the smell of smoke, do not go here. It is a very smokey place at night. During the day, they have the vents on so there is no smoke smell. Also, do not go here if you expect to leave quickly. The service is really slow because the bar does not have enough waitresses. But who cares if you are out with friends casually. read more

After hearing the raves about this place from my friends, I went for it. Not a fan. The service is SO SLOW. I also was very put off when the waitress told a member of our party to ash her cigarettes on the floor because she didn't know or feel like finding us an ashtray. That's just kind of dodgy to me. read more