Hip hop and tacos, tribute bands and BBQ, and more Pittsburgh food news

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
173 Bakery Square Blvd., East Liberty and 447 Cinema Dr., South Side. jenis.com

Beat the heat with new ice cream at Jeni’s. The scoop shop collaborated with rock band Goose to release Goose Tracks, a limited-time berry and chocolate flavor. Debuting Tue., June 24, and described as a “classic black raspberry chip,” Goose Tracks layers bittersweet chocolate flakes with red raspberries and blackberries.

Jeni’s also releases the first half of its Super Fun Times summer flavor collection, designed to capture “that carefree, kid-in-a-candy-store energy.” New flavors include Pink Bubble Gum, Root Beer Float, and Toasted S’mores, which combines vanilla bean marshmallow ice cream with milk chocolate and graham cracker cookies.

Find all the new flavors at Jeni’s Pittsburgh scoop shops or online.

Lilith
238 Spahr St., Shadyside. lilithpgh.com

Lilith honors a quintessential summer fruit with a new dish. Through Wed., July 2, the restaurant hosts Watermelon Discovery Week, featuring a watermelon ceviche. Chefs Lizzie Sestito and Jamilka Borges share their “watermelon epiphany” to grill the fruit, bathe it in a “watermelon leche de tigre” made with coconut milk, soursop purée, and green curry paste, and serve it with poached shrimp and avocado.

Fans can view Lilith’s full recipe online. Order the watermelon ceviche, share it on Instagram, and tag Lilith for the chance to win a $100 gift card. Reservations can be booked online.

Pittsburgh BBQ and Band Fest
209 Mall Plaza Blvd., Monroeville. pittsburghbbqandbandfest.com

Ribs and ‘70s bands converge when the Pittsburgh BBQ and Band Fest comes to the Monroeville Convention Center. From Fri., June 27-Sun., June 29, feast on award-winning selections from pit-masters around the country while enjoying tribute bands for Earth, Wind and Fire, Kool and The Gang, The Jackson Five, and more. Tickets are $9 online, $12 at the door (including free parking), and free for kids under 12.

Tacos and Tequila Festival
One Washington Federal Way, Washington. tacosandtequilafestival.com/market/pittsburgh

On Sat., June 28, the Tacos and Tequila Festival brings hip hop legends to EQT Park. Presented by Social House Entertainment and Tapatío Frozen Meals, the day-long event includes live performances by Lil Jon, Chingy, Trick Daddy, Petey Pablo, and more. Chow down on locally-made tacos, craft margaritas, and tequila, including a tequila tasting lounge on-site. The day also includes a salsa and queso competition, lucha libre wrestling, a car showcase, a chihuahua beauty pageant, and art installations. General admission tickets to the 21-and-over festival start at $90.

Stuntpig x Beth Zozula
1707 Murray Ave., Squirrel Hill. stuntpigpgh.com

Stuntpig celebrates the first anniversary of its brick-and-mortar sandwich shop with a feast and collab. On Sun., June 29 at 11 a.m., Chef Beth Zozula (formerly of 40 North) presents a Wrap Party where she’ll make her family’s “renowned and secret” hand-rolled flour tortillas. Fill the tortillas with a one-day special menu that includes braised lamb, jerk chicken, Cochinita pibil (Yucatán-style pork shoulder), vegetarian bean, or a gluten-free rice bowl, along with a side of spicy green salad and Pittsburgh’s favorite strawberry pretzel Jell-O for dessert. The Wrap Party is walk-in only and accepts cash and Venmo.

Kimpton Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh
620 William Penn Pl., Downtown. monaco-pittsburgh.com

Biergarten at Hotel Monaco invites guests to its rooftop all summer long. The Biergarten launched a Sunday Spritz Happy Hour series happening from 1-5 p.m. every week. Enjoy a $10 Campari-based cocktail menu, including an Aperol Spritz, on the hotel’s ninth-story open-air rooftop with city views. A special food menu features small bites, including a Biergarten Pretzel with salt, beer cheese, and apricot mustard, hummus with red pepper jam, flatbreads, and a Smoked Salmon Cheddar Rilette with house-smoked salmon and aged white cheddar on olive oil crostini. Sunday Spritz Happy Hour continues throughout the season; no tickets are required.

Two Frays Brewery
5113 Penn Ave., Garfield. twofraysbrewery.com

Two Frays dropped a new beer in honor of Pittsburgh’s public pools opening (and reigniting the pool ranking debate). Adult Swim Hours is a golden summer ale described as “light, floral, and citrusy” with notes of English breakfast rolls, tangerines, and summer flowers. Try it on draft or in cans at Two Frays’ taproom.

This article appears in Jun 18-24, 2025.