60 21st Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
*Disclaimer: We were not paid for this review. All opinions are our own and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
Pamela's is an iconic diner with many 'Burgh locations. The first cafe opened in 1979 in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood. Most famously, President Obama visits on any trip to Pittsburgh. He first visited the Strip District location in 2008 during a campaign visit. According to local newspapers, he liked the hotcakes.
Pamela's is most known for their hotcakes which are made crepe style. Flavors include strawberry, blueberry, chocolate chip banana, and banana walnut. French Toast and waffles will also please anyone with a sweet tooth. Savory selections include omelets and breakfast sandwiches.
We enjoyed the Veggie and Broccoli/Cheddar omelet. The lyonnaise potatoes are so delicious and worth every calorie. Pricing is affordable, so that's a plus. Unfortunately, coffee is only served in a paper cup at this location, so kind of a bummer. I would opt to get coffee at one of the many local coffeehouse in The Strip. Luckily, Defer and La Prima Espresso are both located within walking distance of Pamela's and both serve delicious coffee and espresso.
Pamela's also offers a lunch menu with a small selection of burgers, sandwiches, and salads to choose amongst. Unfortunately, almost every option is loaded with meat. Healthier choices include a Greek wrap with grilled marinated chicken breast, a Roasted Turkey breast sandwich, and a Jumbo tossed salad. Pricing isn't too bad considering the large portion sizes.
Service was decent, not super friendly, but attentive enough.
The vibe is colorful and fun with lots of unique retro touches. Although nicely decorated, The Strip District location appears to be in need of a good cleaning.
Pamela's is a popular breakfast/brunch choice amongst locals and tourists. With 5 locations, it's easy to incorporate a visit into your daily plans. The Strip cafe is the best pick because you can easily walk to local coffeeshops and take a stroll along the beautiful riverfront. While the food and ambiance are both great, a good cleaning would be appreciated. Note that Pamela's is cash only.
