A culinary concoction that some people might consider stomach-turning will be the menu staple at a new Pittsburgh restaurant.
PITTSBURGH, PA — The meal is a called a Garbage Plate, which seems appropriate. It sits on a plate and it looks, well, like garbage.
And it will be the featured menu item at Pilez, a new eatery expected to open soon in the space formerly occupied by the original Mad Mex on Atwood Street in Oakland. The restaurant is a venture of Zechariah Vanzo, who wants the meal that originated in his native upstate New York to catch on here.
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Vanzo, a former member of the Mero Group, which owns Chik’n, Stack’d and Melt’d, has lofty goals for the new restaurant. “We don’t want to be your standard Garbage Plate place,” he told The Pitt News.
What exactly is a Garbage Plate, you ask?
According to Visit Rochester, a traditional Garbage Plate is a diner’s choice of hamburger, cheeseburger, hot dogs, Italian sausage, chicken or grilled cheese. It’s served on top of any combination of home fries, french fries, baked beans and/or macaroni salad. Ketchup, mustard and onions are optional additions on top.
Oh, and it’s usually served with a side of buttered bread.
Nick Tahou, the late owner of Rochester restaurant Nick Tahou Hots, created and trademarked the Garbage Plate name. The dish has been served for decades there and at other Rochester restaurants.
Will the Garbage Plate become popular in Pittsburgh, a city famous for putting french fries and coleslaw on hearty sandwiches? We’ll begin to find out in August, when Pilez is expected to open.