Pittsburgh's Legendary
Hardwood Grill
Home of the City's Best Burger Since 1985 - Bloomfield, Pittsburgh
Nothing frozen. Nothing fried.
House-ground daily by our in-house butcher &
grilled to order over Pennsylvania hardwood.
No reservations needed.
Pittsburgh's
Legendary
HARDWOOD
GRILL
Home of the City's Best Burger
Since 1985 - Bloomfield, Pittsburgh
Nothing frozen. Nothing fried.
House-ground daily by our
in-house butcher &
grilled to order over
Pennsylvania hardwood.
No reservations needed.
The Burger Pittsburgh Can't Stop Talking About
The Burger Pittsburgh Can't Stop Talking About
Hardwood Grilled to Perfection
Hardwood Grilled to Perfection
Every burger at Tessaro’s starts with beef that’s ground in-house each morning. The patties are hand-formed – never pressed, never frozen – and cooked to order over Pennsylvania hardwood on a cast-iron grill. Fresh buns arrive daily from Sanchioli Bakery right here in Bloomfield.
You can order yours from four ounces to twelve. Pittsburgh rare to well done. Dressed however you like, or nothing at all. Grill master Courtney McFarlane has been tending that fire since 1985, and the burgers show it.
The menu doesn’t stop at burgers. Hardwood-grilled steaks, beef ribs, chicken, and seasonal specials round out the kitchen – everything touched by the same open fire. And the bar, with its original art deco fixtures and glass rod lights, has been pouring cold ones since Prohibition ended in 1933.
CHECK OUT OUR MENU
**All items available for takeout**
OUR
DAILY
SPECIALS
OUR
DAILY
SPECIALS
**All items available for takeout**
Pork Chop
A new fave here – a generous portion of pork chop with grilled veggies
Tuna Melt
Our double cheese tuna melt on our special Tessaro’s bread
MEDIA ACCOLADES
PRESS JUNKIE
Tessaro's has earned national recognition from some of the most respected food publications in the country - named one of the 100 restaurants America can't afford to lose, called the best burger in Pennsylvania, and a perennial winner of Pittsburgh Magazine's Best of the 'Burgh.
FOOD & WINE RESTAURANTS
Readers cast more than 230,000 votes to determine the city's best in dining, entertainment, shopping, and more.
"Always a contender for the best burger in town, the kitchen has expanded its burger offerings...now to include a bacon and egg breakfast burger as well as a hamburger salad." -Gayot
PENNSYLVANIA: People who are passionate about burgers tend to have a lot of opinions about how they ought to be cooked. Some people find chargrilling essential, others swear by a flattop, and it's kind of difficult to get the two camps to meet in the middle. If anybody could make it happen, it might be Tessaro's, the Harrington family's legendary tavern in Pittsburgh, famous for having their own in-house butcher. Burgers here are grilled on cast iron over local hardwood coals...
We're raising a toast to these spots around the country—old and new, scruffy and spiffy—because if we lose them, we lose who we are. Tessaro’s (Pittsburgh, PA): Don’t play around. Don’t walk in here and start getting precious about your Instagram picture—people will look at you funny. Just order a beer and a burger and keep your mouth shut. Listen. Look around. Everyone’s getting the same burger, as big as a flattened softball, salty juices seeping into the bun. Yinzers know. —JG
Who would have thought the most popular restaurant in Pittsburgh’s Little Italy would be a hamburger joint? The allure of Bloomfield’s Italian restaurants faded years ago, but the restaurant that Richard Tessaro opened in 1981 remains as popular as it’s ever been. The Harrington family purchased the business in 1985, and matriarch Moira Harrington leads the operations today. Some of the staff have worked at Tessaro’s for nearly as long as the Harringtons have owned it...
Readers’ Poll Winners: Food & Restaurants Best Burger:
Tessaro's American Bar and Hardwood Grill.
Grill Master Courtney McFarlane [Burgers/American] Tessaro’s, an iconic Pittsburgh establishment, expanded into a neighboring building and added outdoor seating in 2015. That’s great for the neighborhood, because the enticing aroma of burgers built from house-ground chuck and juicy steaks cooking on the restaurant’s hardwood grill permeate throughout Bloomfield. Sit at the bar to feel as though you’re a regular...
...When you’re here, you’re family, and you can (literally) have whatever you like. Cooked to order by both size and temperature, Tessaro’s classic eight-ounce burgers have also been prepared in four-, six-, and even 12-ounce portions, ranging from “Pittsburgh rare” to “medium minus” to “well done.” Says Harrington, “[As a burger bar], you don’t necessarily have to be the best. But you do have to be different..."
...Steak House Burger, Tessaro's American Bar & Hardwood Grill Eight ounces of blended beef ground fresh daily by Tessaro's in-house butcher, with candied jalapenos, grilled mushrooms and onions, applewood bacon, all smothered with Tessaro's house-created BBQ sauce and choice of cheese on a toasted bun.
OUR HAPPY CLIENTS
CUSTOMER REVIEWS
“Tessaro’s is the definition of a quintessential Pittsburgh tavern—warm, unfussy, and absolutely excellent. The menu may be small, but every item is spot-on. We had the Gourmet Steak Sandwich with slaw and the Bacon & Blue Burger with home fries, and both were fantastic—big flavor, great portions, and cooked perfectly. We sat at the bar, where the bartender was friendly, attentive, and super cool, adding to the whole vibe. We’ll definitely be back.”
“What a great place! Walked down from the hospital and wanted a burger cause someone recommended it(got the gourmetkelly burger). And what a great burger! The staff is the best! I came in to take it to-go and celibrbrate a little i just had my first child after trying 11 yrs and they took real good care of me. And they were the best! Would definitely come back and get more food, what a great little place! If your thinking about trying it, don’t think just do it you’ll thanks me later!”
“This place was recommended by a friend and it did not disappoint. The burger was the best burger I’ve ever had. I loved how thick and juicy it was. I definitely will come back next time I am in town.”
“Busy place and for good reason! Hands-down the best burger I have had all year! Parking is difficult to find but I’d walk a ways knowing the joy set before my taste buds. There is a bar and they serve food at it too.”
“GREAT FOOD! Atmosphere: relaxed professional. Places to dine: Dining rooms / bar side. Kindness and Quality is un-paralleled in the Burgh. Family run & owned, multi generational landmark. Burghers are tops & the fish are smart & delicious.”
“Had a great outing and meal here Saturday night. The drinks were nice. My brother had vodka Martini and I had an old fashioned. The Caesar salad was a shareable size with anchovies on the side, wonderful 👍. The steaks were cooked to order and healthier choice sides were available. But. The best part was the service. Our waiter was great. 30 year veteran of the restaurant. The owner came over to greet us and shared the story of this family establishment. You really need to eat here and enjoy this place. Not sure why guy Fiery hasn’t been here!”
“Went here for the first time about a week ago and had an amazing experience. My boyfriend got the filet and I got the chicken kabob – the filet was buttery, melt-in-your-mouth perfection and the chicken tasted smokey and juicy, and veggies had the perfect smoke and char on the outside. Best meal we’ve had in Pittsburgh and we both grew up here/lived here for years. Honestly I’ve never been to a place this unique. I was originally a little peeved because they didn’t accept reservations but now I understand why. THEY ARE SO GOOD THEY DON’T HAVE TO. I would wait forever outside even if it’s cold. Staff was friendly and attentive. I have no idea how I didn’t know this place existed but I’m hooked.We can’t wait to come back and try the burgers. I’ve been thinking about it all week! Aside: completely COVID compliant.”
“Someone told me the best burgers in the Burgh were here. I didn’t believe them; everybody says things like that. But, they were right. The seasoning and flavor of the burger was without equal. It was enormous, definitely a two-hander. Good bun, complimentary but not overpowering condiments and additions. I want to try everything on the menu. Are you still reading this review? Why? Eat their food for yourself and see if I’m wrong.”
“I stopped in today for their deluxe rib eye steak sandwich and it was DELICIOUS!! It was cooked perfectly to my request of medium rare, the steak was juicy and tender and cooked over a hardwood grill for a great smoky taste. Inside was very clean, and servers wear masks. Satya, at the bar, makes phenomenal mixed drinks, and a pleasure to talk with. I can’t say enough good things about Tessaro’s. They also make the best burgers in Pittsburg!”
CONTACT US
LET'S CONNECT
412.682.6809
412.682.6809
Location
4601 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Hours of operation
Tuesday – Saturday
4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Sunday
4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Monday
CLOSED
