Pittsburgh Election Day Specials
Today is Election Day (Tue., Nov. 5), and for those who voted and need a pick-me-up (don’t we all), Pittsburgh businesses are glad to oblige with food and drink promotions.
Eat’n Park pours a free cup of coffee for all guests who voted. Present a voting stub, email confirmation, or sticker to receive a free cup. Coffee lovers can grab another discounted cup at Brave Bean Coffee Company in Pitcairn. The cafe offers 10% off to customers with an “I Voted” sticker on Election Day.
Leona’s declares “democracy is delicious” by giving away free mini cones to voters at its scoop shop inside Lawrence Hall. Beginning at noon, voters can show a voting stub, sticker, or email to get a “super cute” mini cone while supplies last.
Krispy Kreme celebrates “DOUGHmocracy” at participating locations — the closest one to Pittsburgh resides in Washington, Pa. — by handing out a free Original Glazed doughnut to every guest (no purchase or proof of vote necessary). IKEA Pittsburgh treats voters to a free frozen yogurt at its Swedish Bistro on Election Day (customers must use a coupon, available on IKEA’s website).
For Pittsburghers heading out on Election Night, Two Frays Brewery takes $1 off all draft beers all night for voters. Their Garfield taproom is open 4-9 p.m. on Nov. 5. Voters can keep drinking at Aslin Beer Co. in the Strip District Terminal, where, starting at 5 p.m., guests receive $1 off their first beer with an “I Voted” sticker. The brewery hosts a watch party until close. Greenhouse Co-op in Greenfield kicks off its Election Day watch party at 7 p.m. with free pizza while supplies last.
Rogue BBQ
601 Amity St., Homestead. roguebbqpgh.com
Pittsburgh barbecue lovers can go ham with an exclusive dinner at Rogue BBQ. On Sat., Nov. 9 from 5-7 p.m., join Pittsburgh Foodie Gone Rogue, co-hosted by Cindy Riley of Pittsburgh Foodies and the new Homestead barbecue joint. Attendees will receive a curated sampler platter of ribs, wings, brisket, and pulled pork, along with assorted sides including collard greens, cornbread, and pickled onions. Meal tickets cost $30 and include peach iced tea.
Pita My Shawarma
3716 Butler St., Lawrenceville. pitamyshawarma.com
Pita My Shawarma celebrates four years in Lawrenceville with an anniversary party. Head to the Lebanese restaurant — which began as a popular green shawarma truck — on Sat., Nov. 9 from 6-10 p.m. for a special food menu, drinks from Jackworth Ginger Beer, live music, and raffles. The celebration also doubles as a fundraiser for humanitarian efforts in Lebanon with owner Jason Taylor matching donations to charity organization yalla nour.
Uncorked
703 Main St., Sharpsburg. uncorkedpgh.com
Sharpsburg is already somewhat of a drink destination, and a new bar invites guests to imbibe in the 1920s. Uncorked, a jazz and blues bar, hosts its grand opening on Sat., Nov. 9 from 6-9 p.m. with a night of live music “in a setting inspired by the golden era of jazz.” Try handcrafted cocktails, a curated wine list, and a menu of small plates the restaurant describes as “[blending] comfort and sophistication.” After the opening, Uncorked will operate Wed.-Sat. from 4-10 p.m. and plans to feature local jazz musicians.
Bitter Ends Food x Sausalido
4621 Liberty Ave., Bloomfield. bitterendsfood.com
Former luncheonette Bitter Ends Food returns for a “sit down full vibes hot dinner series” this month. Running on Sundays from 5-9 p.m. through Dec. 1, Bitter Ends will host pop-up dinners at Sausalido, serving three pre-fix courses on a tray (meat and vegetarian options available). The eatery will partner with “booze buds” Two Frays Brewery and Nine O’Clock Wines. Guests can walk in for Sunday dinners or make a reservation on Bitter Ends’ website.
De Fer Coffee & Tea
Penn Ave. and Eighth St., Downtown. defer.coffee
De Fer announced a new location Downtown. Planned for November, the coffee and tea shop will open an indoor-outdoor cafe with sidewalk seating in the Cultural District, offering its locally roasted coffee, tea, smoothies, and more. De Fer wrote that it’s “an honor and a privilege to play a role” in the neighborhood’s “ongoing renaissance.”
Cilantro & Ajo
4017 Butler St., Lawrenceville. cilantroajo.com
Cilantro & Ajo, a South Side Venezuelan street food joint launched in 2018, opened a second spot in Lawrenceville. The new restaurant offers signature dishes including build-it-yourself arepas, and other favorites including yuca fries, empanadas, and a special pabellon bowl. Cilantro & Ajo’s Lawrenceville location is now open Tues.-Sun. for dine-in and online ordering.
Hilltop Coffee
2400 Arlington Ave., Arlington. hilltopcoffeepgh.com
After going on hiatus since June, Hilltop Coffee returns with a new roaster. The coffee shop, first opened in 2020 on the South Side Slopes, celebrated its grand reopening on Nov. 2, announcing a new partnership with local roaster Thomas & Fisk, Ltd. Visitors can now snag bagged whole coffee beans, fresh roasted in-house, from Thomas & Fisk, or try special pumpkin spice or maple lattes. The shop has updated hours, now operating Mon., Wed., and Fri. from 7 a.m.- 2 p.m. and Sat.-Sun. from 8 a.m.- 2 p.m.
The Open Road x Lawrenceville Hemp Co.
3512 Butler St., Lawrenceville. openroadbarpgh.com
The Open Road, a popular local non-alcoholic bottle shop, also marked a reopening on Nov. 2. For the rest of the month, the NA purveyor has temporarily set up shop inside the dispensary and supplement store Lawrenceville Hemp Co. The Open Road wrote on its website that the move from Allentown to its “forever home” in Garfield is still in the works for the first week of December.
Kavsar
16 Southern Ave., Mt. Washington. kavsar.info
Kavsar, an Uzbek and halal restaurant, reopened its dining room after accepting only takeout orders since 2020. The restaurant focuses on freshness and features vegetarian and “meat-forward” homestyle dishes. Recent bestsellers on its website include samsa (an Uzbek pastry), stuffed flatbread “boats,” borsch, and manty (steamed beef dumplings).
This article appears in Oct 30 – Nov 5, 2024.
