Central Diner & Grille

Someone from this business manages this listing.

653 reviews

#12 of 1,858 Restaurants in Pittsburgh$$ - $$$, American, Greek, Grill

+1 412-275-3243+ Add website

Hours

Sun

6:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Mon

6:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Tue

6:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Wed

6:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Thu

6:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Fri

6:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Sat

6:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.

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Ratings and reviews

4.5

653 reviews

#12 of 1,858 Restaurants in Pittsburgh

RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

Details

Someone from this business manages this listing.

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CUISINES

American, Greek, Grill, Diner

Special Diets

Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, After-hours

features

Location and contact

6408 Steubenville Pike, Pittsburgh, PA 15205-1004

+1 412-275-3243

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Is this an American restaurant?

Yes

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Details

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CUISINES

American, Greek, Grill, Diner

Special Diets

Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, After-hours

FEATURES

Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service

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4.5

653 reviews

Excellent

426

Very good

145

Average

Poor

Terrible

Marisa R

Cincinnati26 contributions

Incredible French toast breakfast with amazing service

Jun 2021 • couples

I don’t normally reviews, but I had to make an exception. Breakfast this morning was out of this world good! We wanted to stop on our way out of town, but we were turned off by how crowded the parking lot was. I ran in and was surprised to hear it was only a 10-15 minute wait. I figured they were lying, but by then my husband found a spot, so we decided to try it. Much to my surprise, we were indeed seated that quickly, and I soon realized it was because of how efficient the staff was. We timed one table, and it took only 4 minutes for them to clean the table and have it ready for a new party after the first party left. Now for the food: my husband is an omelette fan, so he had to order the Big Fat Greek omelette after hearing that the owner was Greek. He really enjoyed it along with the potatoes and rye toast. For me, one item on the specials board was calling my name: French Toast Napoleon. I don’t normally order French toast since I don’t like soggy bread, but I made an exception since it was topped with strawberries, bananas, honey, and pecans. It was divine. The bread was thick and airy and not at all soggy. Portion size was huge and the presentation was delightful. Absolutely my favorite breakfast ever and making me wish I had another excuse to be in Pittsburgh.

Written June 27, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

j_edpie

Van Voorhis173 contributions

Wonderful, very, very busy place

Jun 2021 • friends

I had seen the diner reviewed on a local Pittsburgh talk show on KDKA and wanted to give it a try while staying at The Hampton Inn Settlers Ridge for a couple days with a friend. She had not awakened in time for the hotel breakfast the first morning like I did, so we stopped here for her to get breakfast and I got a bowl of soup since I had eaten about 4 hours before. My friend ordered one of the breakfast skillets and the serving was huge. She said it was delicious and she ended up taking half back to our room and ate it for breakfast our last morning. I ordered a bowl of chicken noodle soup which was very good and filling, a cup would probably have sufficed! We enjoyed breakfast so much that we went back later for the turkey dinner which we split because the portions are HUGE! (See photo I will include). We both were stuffed and still had to both take home leftovers. The food was delicious and all the staff are so friendly, polite, and efficient. Thank you all for a great time.

Written June 23, 2021

Kendall M

Columbiana135 contributions

Awesome dinner!

Feb 2022 • family

I went here for dinner before a concert and it was amazing! It was very busy for a Tuesday evening but the waitstaff was very efficient and we got our food much faster than I expected. The portions were large and everything tasted very good. I got a piece of cake to go from the bakery and it was massive! I will definitely come back the next time I am in the area!

Written February 9, 2022

Kiersten Rhoads

Venus279 contributions

A very disappointing experience

Oct 2020 • friends

I hate writing bad reviews, and I rarely leave a restaurant feeling unsatisfied. We visited back on October 30th, there was 6 of us total on a Friday night. Upon arrival around 10pm, the place was pretty empty, but looked very nice and was extremely spacious in the inside, so the experience started off good. I had read online that it stays open until 2am but apparently that has changed due to covid or something and we had no clue we were arriving an hour before closing, or we wouldn’t have come at all. Everything went downhill when we were seated. I ordered a margarita, and as you’ll see in the picture, it was almost pure tequila- just awful and very difficult to drink, let alone enjoy. Calamari appetizer lacked flavor and was overly rubbery, usually we fight over calamari but not this order. The cheese sticks were good. My clam chowder was subpar. I had the pasta fra diavolo, it probably would have been good except the mussels that were used were horrible, so fishy and had sandy bits in them, I had maybe 3 bites and took the rest home, and just threw it out. My husband said his strip steak had no flavor, as if boiled in water. My sister said her seafood broil lacked seasoning/flavor and her boyfriend said the same about his chicken salad. My 2 brothers both got burgers, and said they were “okay”. Really the only thing I thought was delicious from dinner was the random side order of fries that showed up, that our waitress, though nice enough, insisted that somebody had ordered and flipped through our order multiple times as if she didn’t believe us when we said nobody ordered the fries. My sister ordered a piece of cake and that was the only thing that everybody was impressed by, it was amazing. We saw most the other tables there were eating breakfast food, maybe we should have followed suit for a good meal. I wanted to love this place, I mean, that menu is huge and amazing and the prices are reasonable! It was a major fail though, and now every time we talk and joke about nasty restaurants, Central Diner & Grille is the butt of the joke, and I’m picked on for choosing to have us eat here.

Written December 3, 2020

BobKPgh

Pittsburgh202 contributions

Lots of food but mostly soggy and unappetizing.

Nov 2021 • none

The Disco Fries $7.75 were smothered with lots of toppings that made them a sloppy mess to try to share as an appetizer. I like crisp fries and these were very soggy. Next I had the Vegetarian Panini $11.95. It too was soggy. So much so that I could not pick up the sandwich without everything falling out. It also left a bad aftertaste that lasted thru the rest of the evening. This was our first time at the restaurant and I will not hurry back. It was not what I was expecting.

Written November 20, 2021

Rocky Friz

Bridgeport130 contributions

Flavorful and Friendly, except the Manager

Mar 2022 • couples

This was our second visit to Central Diner and Grille. Both experiences offered the very best in service and incredibly flavorful dishes. So… why four stars and not five? Well, on our most recent visit, a nicely-dressed (professional) lady… perhaps the manager or owner… stopped to ask us if we were enjoying our meal and when we were pleased to tell her how wonderful everything was… she didn’t even remain at the table to listen and abruptly walked away while we were trying to have a nice conversation. She was very rude. Why did she bother to ask? She kind of ruined the nice meal we were enjoying. When paying our bill at the cash register, the same person was also impatient and unfriendly (again… very rude). That person isn’t going to keep us from returning. The food and servers are too good. We will be back!!! Hopefully the grouchy manager will be enjoying her day off elsewhere.

Written April 3, 2022

cynthia_sue

477 contributions

Delicious Food With Great Service!

Mar 2022 • family

Our son took us to the Central.Diner after church and it did not disappoint! Despite being very busy we were seated within 15 minutes and greeted promptly by our server. Their menu is huge with many Greek classics as well as traditional American fare. I had a Greek salad with grilled chicken and it was large and very good. My husband had their leg of lamb and received a hefty serving with sides of vegetables and a salad. He said it was very tender and tasty. Our son had a bowl of lemon chicken soup and a triple platter of tuna, chicken and egg salads, all very good. We passed on their scrumptious looking desserts because were full. The only downside was that it was very noisy because of being so busy and it was difficult to hear at times.

Written March 8, 2022

karl n

1 contribution

Breakfast food was served lukewarm and servers were rude.

Dec 2022 • none

Stopped at restaurant with wife. Both of our breakfasts were served lukewarm and cold and after complaining, second plate was served uncooked and still cold. Servers could have cared less about complaints. Had three different servers with no apologies offered. Breakfast was way overpriced and unedible. Will never return.

Written December 6, 2022

Twistedintheburgh

274 contributions

Excellent Diner!

Oct 2020 • none

This afternoon, my wife and I ate lunch at the Central Diner and Grille off of Steubenville Pike, near the Robinson Mall. The place is huge, and the portions are even bigger! Fast friendly service, reasonable prices, and very good food. Absolutely will return!

Written October 1, 2020

JoeTCrimeDog

Lincoln87 contributions

Come with an empty tummy. Get a doggie bag!

Aug 2023 • family

This was our first visit to this diner as we (4 of us) were in town to visit relatives and have the ladies attend a baby shower. It was a Saturday morning at about 9:30 and the place was very busy. Patty was our waitress and she was fabulous. She took our breakfast drink orders and returned almost immediately. We all had briefly scanned the very busy, multi -page menu, made our food choices, relayed that to Patty, and in short order she was back with our food. We then all remarked at the size portions that we each had received. It’s clear that the locals know this diner is fabulous because it was consistently busy, the food was scrumptious, and the wait staff was on their game. They all “got it done.” When we are back in town, we most assuredly will be dining here again.

Written August 6, 2023

jwhopwood

Tucson29 contributions

Unappetizing Meals & Too Bright

Jan 2023 • none

Sat in booth next to "breakfast bar". Overhead lights were too screaming bright! Noise level from blender and server noise was almost unbearable, Tried their special which was salmon over spinach which lacked flavor and was ugly in appearance. Friend had another seafood dish which lacked flavor and appearance. Hostess Karah? was very sweet and attentive. Similarly our Latina server, Pauline?, did a great job. Returned a second time to try cheeseburgers which were very good and well done as requested. It, supposedly being Greek restaurant, why not a Greek prepared steak which is normal fare in any other Greek restaurant? Place was very clean and staff was friendly. Dining room seating too close. Sorry, but not returning

Written February 6, 2023

Lisa

1 contribution

Allergen request

Mar 2023 • family

I was visiting central diner with my family and requested to speak with a manager about my gluten allergy. I have been here several times before and had a very nice man come and speak with me about all the different items and dinners that I could have and everything was wonderful. This particular evening, I spoke to a lady manager and she was completely clueless about what gluten-free was as was my waitress. This lady needs to be trained on gluten-free, what people can and cannot have and about cross-contamination as well as all of their employees. When you have new hires they need to be trained and not stand there clueless with their mouths gaping open, especially management! They need to step up their game when it comes to allergens and knowledge because someone can become extremely ill.

Written March 10, 2023

Sandy D

Pittsburgh94 contributions

Finally , someone can really cook!

Jul 2021 • none

We visited for lunch yesterday. I can tell you that the food here is fantastic! Unlike most places I have been in a long time. I had the frecn dip, which was delicious. The coleslaw was fantastic too. I am not a fan of the coated fries, but they were not bad. I just prefer regualr fries. My husband had the montecresto and it was escellent too. Fresh breads, and meats and alot of food. The servcie was outstanding too. The waitress was wonderful (Pam, I think) and the girl doing the busing with the long dark ponytail was working her tail off! We were greeted right away at the door, seated ad a clean table. (what a concept) and we will return. I have had the stuffed muchrooms with crabmeat in the past and they were EXCELLENT! fresh crab that did not taste fishy. My only commplaint is that it is noisy. But, they are busy , so what are you going to do? Worth a visit.

Written July 10, 2021

jerrygray99

3 contributions

Can’t wait to go back again!

Jun 2021 • couples

We’re always glad when we end up on the west side of Pittsburgh so we have an excuse to eat at Central Diner & Grille! Everything we’ve ever ordered has been delicious and portions have been enormous. There are a dozen or more specials every day. Service is consistently excellent.

Written June 8, 2021

J E

Fredericksburg11439 contributions

Great for Breakfast!

Aug 2022 • none

Stopped in for breakfast on a weekday and the place wasn’t busy at all, but was fully staffed, so service was quick and friendly. Their menu is interesting and though it’s not very unique, it’s nicely laid out, offering many popular breakfast items. I was saddened to see that they don’t offer homemade corned beef hash (it’s also obvious from the pics I’ve seen on social media), so I opted for their Spanish Omelet and it was awesome! The sauce they make and put on top had a really nice flavor! Their English muffins are REALLY good too, as they’re larger than normal and very fresh! Coffee was excellent too! Overall, I really liked my visit and would definitely return!