The Pittsburgh neighborhood of Oakland certainly has the most college campuses for a city filled with colleges.
The University of Pittsburgh dominates the community but CMU and Carlow also call Oakland home. With so many young college students in one place there’s bound to be many cases of the munchies. Fortunately Oakland has no shortage of eatteries, including quick, easy, indulgent dishes like pizza, burgers, tacos, and nachos!
If you need a gift for a college student in Pittsburgh, consider a GiftYa to one of the venues below. It makes it super easy for busy students, you just pick almost any place and it texts the gift certificate right to their phone. The best part is it synchs up with their debit card so they don’t have to worry about carrying around a gift card for a tasty treat.
Sorrento's Pizza | 412.621.9129
233 Atwood Street
Mon-Wed 11am-11pm
Thu-Fri 11am-3am
Sat 4pm-3am
Sun Closed
Sorrento's serves up a variety of tasty options -- thick and thin crust pizza, hoagies, calzones, pasta -- but they're famous across the Oakland neighborhood for their carryout special, which has become something of a cult classic. Grab a large cheese pizza for $6.50 (tack on another buck if you want a side of ranch). Whether you squeeze all of your friends into one of Sorrento's classic red booths or actually carry your pizza away to munch elsewhere, it's some of the best late-night grub in Oakland.
Buy a GiftYa To Sorrento’s Pizza >
"I have ordering pizza and Italian hoagies from here since I was a kid. It is the best! The cheese and sauce is on point! I was diagnosed with celiac in 2013. It's been rough but thank You Sorrento's for making the best gluten free pizza in Pittsburgh!" - Mrs W's Yelp Review
Antoon's Pizza | 412.687.5446
247 Atwood Street
Mon-Wed 11am-2am
Thu-Sat 11am-3am
It's the battle on Atwood street -- two amazing pizza spots less than a block apart. For a late night case of the munchies, or your 2am walk home from the bar, Antoon's is another local favorite for cheap, quick, good pizza. For only $6 you can snag their large cheese pizza made right in front of you for the quickest service day or night.
“Antoon's Pizza is the perfect ending to a night out. On any given week i probably have 2 to 3 boxes of Antoon's Pizza in my kitchen from myself or from having friends over. It's everything a college kid wants after going to the bars: Cheap, quick, greasy, and delicious.” - Billy D. Yelp Review'
MadMex.com | 412.681.5656
370 Atwood Street
Mon-Sun 11am-1am
What’s better than a $7 22oz Margarita in a delectable selection of fruity flavors frozen or on the rocks? Well pair it with fresh chips and an enormous burrito and you’re night is made. Mad Mex offers a wide variety of Southwestern Tex-Mex food and delicious drinks to pair it with. Students can score half off food in the afternoon, and everyone can get half off specials after 11pm.
FuelandFuddle.com | 412.682.3473
212 Oakland Avenue
Mon-Sun 11am-2am
If you’re looking for a casual place with great food and great beer then check out Fuel and Fuddle! Fuel and Fuddle is a lively restaurant in the heart of Oakland that serves fantastic wildfire food and nice chilled beers on the tap and bottle. If you’ve got a major cause of the munchies, try the rollafatty pizza roll!
Buy a GiftYa To Fuel and Fuddle >
“It's been awhile since I've been to Fuel and Fuddle and I don't know why I waited so long to go back. Just reading the menu made my mouth water. I went for the half off menu which starts at 11. In the past, it's been really busy during this time and there was typically a wait. But during this visit, we were sat immediately.” - Katie D. Yelp Review
ThirstyScholarPGH.com | 412.681.9770
3610 Fifth Avenue
Mon-Wed 12pm-12am
Thu-Fri 12pm-2am | Sat 4pm-2am
Who says you can’t have some fun and games with your favorite bar snacks? Thirsty Scholar has board games that you can play while you have a nice cold beer and a tray of nachos. Don’t worry they do take out too!
“This is the place to be. The drinks and food are good, obscenely well priced and the atmosphere is perfect for a fun time with friends. The staff treats you like family and you will want to come here every night!! They just added board games too!! What more could you want out of a night with your buds?” - Louise B. Yelp Review
TheOriginalHotDogShop.com | 412.621.7388
3901 Forbes Avenue
Sun-Wed 10am-10pm
Thu-Sat 10am-2am
Affectionately known as “The O”, you can certainly order a hot dog and you won’t be disappointed. But when the munchies strike there’s no better choice than their heaping order of fresh made fries which you’ll want to dip in their perfect melted cheese sauce. This spot is an Oakland institution up there with the Cathedral!
“Ok. This place I know is a Pittsburgh staple. It has been around since longer than I have been alive. It is somewhere you go, well I go, when I am really craving a salty dog or fries. Usually this happens after a night class and before I go home to sleep of the working full time going to school part time blues.” - Adelina M. Yelp Review
Hotchikn.com | 412.626.7141
3712 Forbes Avenue
Mon-Sun 7am-10pm
Any fried food will cure a case of the munchies, but these spicy chicken sandwiches more than hit the spot. Throw in some fresh crinkle fries, plenty of sauce, and a quick and easy meal any student will love. You can also get tenders and chicken and waffles, or homestyle mac n cheese.
“I am writing this review with sauce dripping from my fingers!! I love this place!! I love the chicken. I love the sauce. I love the dipping sauce. I wasn't thrilled about the fries-why...because, who needs them when that chicken is so amazing!! I ordered MILD. The person at the register told me the medium is like other places hot. The mild was perfect.” - Suzan H. Yelp Review
HelloBistro.com | 412.687.8787
3605 Forbes Avenue
Mon-Sun 10am-10pm
When you’re looking for fast fresh food, Hello Bistro is your spot. If you’re in a healthy mood, you can build your own custom salad. But when you have the munchies you’ll want one of their juicy burgers. It’s quick, affordable, and top notch!
Buy a GiftYa To Hello Bistro >
“This place satisfies all of my needs! It's cheap, fast, can be healthy, and filling. I've been here twice in the past week and both times have left satisfied. The first instance my friend and I shared a California scrambler ($5!!) and fries ($2). The fries were thin and plentiful, and the people behind the counter were very friendly and accommodating when I asked for mayo.” - Judy Z. Yelp Review
PieExpressPizza.com | 412.904.3291
148 Oakland Avenue
Sun-Wed 11am-11pm
Thur-Sat 11am-3am
Everyone likes their pizza their own way - so why not build your own with unlimited toppings and sauce of your choosing. Pie Express lets their customers invent and build and their own 12” (8 cuts) pizzas using their own munchie inspired imaginations. Top their homemade pizza doughs and sauces made fresh everyday with the any of their over forty fresh-made toppings. The best part, your personal pie is ready in 3 minutes!
“Everything a broke college student could ask for right here. Unlimited toppings for under $6 and open late, almost sounds too good to be true! Pie Express is a great underground restaurant (literally), and it has never let me down in my college days. For the times that I have been, I have never seen a long line or packed space, which is a bit surprising to me, but I'm not complaining too much since it allows me to get my food easier :).” - Derek Y. Yelp Review
SciullisPizza.com | 412.687.9287
3404 Fifth Avenue
Mon-Fri 10am-7pm
Sciulli’s has been proudly serving the Oakland neighborhood since 1980 right across from Carlow University. You can pick your pie from junior to extra large with your favorite toppings. If you’re not in the mood for pizza they have hoagies, dinners, sides, or get a slice of their famous Sicilian pizza.
“Small place off the beaten bath. Was recommended to me so thought I'd give it a try. Lots of options as far as sizes of the pizza go, too, which is always a plus. The pizza was fantastic. The sauce was perfect. The crust was crunchy but thick enough to hold it all together. Plenty of cheese. It was just like you'd find in NYC. The price was great, too. I'd highly recommend this place.” - Stacey C. Yelp Review
So whether it’s sometime after 4:20pm or 2am after last call, Oakland has plenty of options for a student with the munchies.
