The Humble Gourmand

Fat Heads Saloon
1805 E. Carson St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
(412) 431-7433

Web site
Menu

Cuisine: Sandwiches, burgers, wings

In Pittsburgh, Pa., black and gold sports reign supreme, cold beer is king, and sandwiches — topped with “condiments” such as coleslaw and fried eggs — run the place as much as City Hall.

Pittsburgh, home to H.J. Heinz and its ketchup mainstay, is not afraid of stretching the traditional sandwich-topping term, and if there’s one restaurant that can combine an assortment of pride for the hometown team, a mighty selection of brews, and a list of monster sandwiches that includes more than 80 options, it’s Fat Heads in the city’s South Side.

Fat Heads can be overshadowed by the more high-profile Primanti Bros., a staple of mammoth sandwiches full of Pittsburgh culture. But I argue that Primanti’s, while certainly a place to check out during a visit to the city (a steak sandwich there is topped with french fries and coleslaw, no joke) it still takes a back seat.

Fat Heads sits amid a strip of boutiques, tattoo parlors, record stores and restaurants in the quirky and eclectic South Side (a walk around this neighorhood is a must for a visit to Pittsburgh). With more than 35 beers on tap and bottles galore, the place is great for a stroll through Microbrewery Lane. Start off with a Tröegs Sunshine Pils, brewed at Tröegs Brewing Company in Harrisburg, Pa. With a hoppy pilsner taste and a fluffy white head, this brew is perfect for summer’s sizzle. If you want ultra local, go for a Penn Pilsner, brewed a few miles away in the city’s North Side at Penn Brewery.

If you think tackling a beer menu with 40 options on tap is difficult, getting through a food menu is even more daunting. Here’s what you’ll find: 25 burger varieties, 12 chicken sandwiches, 19 “Headwiches,” not to be confused with the 20 plain old sandwiches, 14 subs, more than 15 wing varietals, and 17 “munchies” appetizers.

Lest I forget the salad category … about 14 to choose from, and wimpy I would not call them. These puppies come in a bowl fit to feed a family of four.

But that’s the point at Fat Heads, as the name certainly infers. I will warn: this place is not for the vegetable-loving lot. It’s meaty, fried, grilled, hearty, and certainly not a place for those watching the old waistline.

Start out with the fried pierogies, served with sour cream, a staple for the city’s Polish portion of its roots. There are plenty of traditional bar appetizers, from nachos to potato skins to Buffalo shrimp, and they are great for a group, but I’d recommend not filling up on them.

Instead, save room for sandwiches, such as the “Artery Clogger,” which boasts two fried eggs topped with slices of ham, crispy bacon, melted American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion and mayo.

One dining companion tried to tackle the “Southside Slopes,” named for the neighborhood of houses perched on steep hills and windy roads that sit watch over East Carson St. It includes kielbasa topped with fried pierogies, American cheese, grilled onions, and horsey sauce. Yes, there are actual pierogies on the sandwich.

“Fat Head’s Original Steak,” which claims to be “the best steak sandwich you’ll ever eat” — I’m not sure I’d go that far, but it measures up well, with tender shaved ribeye steak grilled together with green peppers, mushrooms, onions and hot peppers, topped with melted provolone and American cheese, lettuce, tomato and mayo.

“The Fat Italian,” a meatball, pepperoni and salami extravaganza topped with melted provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion, and hot cherry pepper mayo, is all the name implies. Most often, I go for the classic corned beef and swiss. The lean beef is piled high and topped with the swiss, served with a side of spicy dark mustard.

The burgers and chicken sandwiches carry their weight on the yummy scale. The wings, with flavors ranging from Beasty Barbecue to Caribbean Killers, are all sauce and hardly any grease. The sandwiches are served with homemade shaved potato chips. French fries can be ordered, but the slices of crisp potato goodness are superior to the traditional.

The restaurant’s vibe really is pure fun and very Pittsburgh. It’s a neighborhood bar and grill, for sure, with big wooden tables and spunky service from a staff of all ages. (Aim for the courtyard in the summer). But the bar, a great space to catch the game and bite, is as expansive as its taps. If you want a taste of the Steel City, and one of its best neighborhoods, go to Fat Heads and get ready for a sandwich that may be the biggest you’ve ever seen.

1. jackgerald

   July 3 10:56 a.m. 1

   Your article is very well written and gave a fine overview of the restaurant and it's food offerings. Being a former, but, always Buffalonian, it reminds me of the Polish heritage still represented in many like restaurants in that fine city. Keep up the excellent work !

   Gary Odachowski...yes Polish

2. lynnefunk

   July 3 3:03 p.m. 2

   Thanks so much, Gary. Pittsburgh and Buffalo are pretty similar towns when it comes down to it. Friendly, hard working people with a certain charm not found in bigger cities. Thanks for commenting!

   Lynne

3. lissafunk

   July 5 10:28 a.m. 3

   Lynne, awesome article ....can't wait for my next visit to the Burgh so I can pay them a visit!!