Tessaro's American Bar & Hardwood Grill

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.

Stop here while in Pittsburgh for the weekend. The Gourmet Chicken sandwich was very good, as well as the Specialty Burger, which was a Hickory BBQ Burger. Our server, Jen, was great. I definitely recommend stopping here if you're in Pittsburgh.

Loved eating Tessaro’s burger with fries when we went. Plate pictured across was Salmon which was excellent. Pretty excellent food. Atmosphere is fantastic. Go here with family or on a date and explore their menu. Good restaurant choice in Bloomfield. I’d go back!!

Best burger ever. Great potato salad friendly service. If I ever get back to Pittsburgh, I would definitely eat there again. Bill for 3 was only $60.00, have paid more for two people and less inspiring food.

Unfortunately, my experience wasn't as positive as many others. I was really looking forward to this meal because I'd heard good things. I ordered a cheeseburger, medium well, which according to the menu, would be "juicy, with no pink" I don't mind a little pink, but the first thing I noticed was the bottom half of the bun was blood soaked. I cut into the hamburger and it was a little pink, but okay. I ate my hamburger with a knife and fork since I had to remove the lower half of the bun. The texture of the meat was off, like there was a lot of filler. I asked for yellow mustard, I got brown mustard. I asked for seltzer water with very little ice, I got a full glass of ice. My side of potato salad was just passable, and it was unbearably cold inside the restaurant. I'm always searching for the best hamburger, but this was definitely not the place. I'm not shy about voicing my concerns, but it was so busy I just wanted to go. - - Thank you for responding to my review. I do appreciate it, but I won't be returning.

We were highly recommended to this restaurant and really enjoyed it. The bbq chicken was tender and really good. The home fries were very delicious. The roast beef cheese steak was excellent. Our only complaint was the red potatoes were very bland and lacked any kind of flavor. The atmosphere was very neat and we especially liked the table clothes that were made out of jeans. We highly recommend this restaurant.

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!

We had 6 diners and we waited about 45 min. The burgers delivered were burnt on out side and extremely hard to eat. Never would I CONSIDER this the BEST burger in the burg. At 18 dollars each it was terrible! A refund is needed!

Another great dinner at Tessaro's, a true Bloomfield neighborhood icon. We usually grab seats at the bar or nearby, but this past Friday it was packed--no surprise--so we put our names in and waited. Eventually, we were led up the stairs, around the corner, then around another corner to a part of the restaurant I never even knew existed. After all these years, I had no idea there was a whole set of rooms tucked away in the back and to the side! As always, the food did not disappoint. The burgers are a solid 10. He had the Gourmet Kelly Burger--a fan favorite--and I went with Courtney's Chicken Sandwich, which is always a reliable winner. Between the hearty food, friendly service, and old-school charm, Tessaro's continues to stand out as one of Pittsburgh's classics. Solid food, solid service, and a slice of the city's history.

As usual, fantastic...Meg was charming and helpful...Pork Chops w/ the hot sauce on the side just hits differently. What else can you say about the burgers!

Long considered by many to serve up the best burger in Pittsburgh, Tessaro's has been a favorite of mine for years, but I've never left a review. Smash burger joints have been popping up all over the 'burgh in recent years, and I do like that concept. But when I want a thick, juicy burger where I can really taste the meat, nobody does it better than Tessaro's. Theirs is a fat, jaw-straining patty (has to be at least 8 oz), and I'm amazed at how they nailed the medium temperature, considering its thickness. Not too pink, not too dark, just right. They don't serve fries, but the chunky home fries are awesome. My only (nitpicky) complaint is that you kind of need to tear the bun with your teeth when taking a bite, and the bun can get a bit destroyed in the process. It's a great choice of bread though - fresh, soft, and very tasty. Just make sure you bite all the way through it or things could get messy! It had been too long since last visiting this East End gem. I have to get back again soon.

Tessaro's isn't trying to be fancy -- and that's exactly what makes it perfect. The food fills a void most people don't even realize they're missing: simple, straightforward cooking made with high-quality ingredients and real care. The burgers are legendary for a reason -- smoky, juicy, and cooked to perfection. Everything on the plate has purpose, and nothing feels overdone. It's the kind of meal that just hits right, every time. No gimmicks, no unnecessary frills -- just honest food done incredibly well. Tessaro's understands that great food doesn't need to be complicated. It's comfort, consistency, and quality -- and not much more you could ask for. A true Pittsburgh gem.

2/13/25 Ate List: Chicken Club Sandwich - 6.3 Another true Pittsburgh institution for generations. The interior feels unchanged- in mostly the best ways. The food feels unchanged as well. Because of that, if you have a craving for something that feels "traditional" - this spot is worth the try. This time, I tried the Chicken Club Sandwich because I remember being let down by their "fan favorite" and fairly popular burger. The Chicken here had a bit of char to it. Very thick and tough too, especially for being on a sandwich. Home fries weren't great. This place is in desperate need of adding fries to the options for sides. Or Tots. A good place, wouldn't be a "first choice" for me even amongst the restaurants in it's vicinity, but something i could see being specifically in a mood for.

First time here. Prime dinner time on Saturday, no reservations...no problem it is sneaky big. Stop here you won't regret it. Hand made burgers, good service, and solid menu. No fries is always a problem for me. Award winning burgers can compete anywhere, but no fries. Busy and loud.

This came recommended from a friend who used to live in Pittsburgh as the place to try for our short trip to town. And it did not disappoint. The burgers are the speciality and the clear star of show. Our group tried a few different ones (breakfast, bbq), but the standpoint was the bacon & blue cheese. We opted for the "dry" - melted blue cheese chunks, but the regulars next to us later told us that it's even better with the "creamy" blue cheese dressing.

It's not very often that I take a bite of a meal and pause. I happened to be craving ribs and didn't know what a good place to get them was. I went on my phone and away that tessaros serves them on this days only. We immediately made our way over. I'm gonna be honest and say I didn't have high expectations. Wow was I wrong. For context, I was in St. Louis a few weeks before this and had a trip back there in a few days so I was by expecting these ribs to compare to anything in St. Louis. I waited to post this review until after I got back from St. Louis to confirm my suspicions. These ribs are indeed better than every rib place I visited. I don't know what they're doing in the back or where they acquired these ribs from but bby these ribs are doing something crazy. I almost don't want to post review because I want to gatekeep, but I feel it's an injustice not to alert the masses. My partner got the burger, took a bite of the ribs I got, and I swear I've never seen him look so disappointed. We sat at the bar and the bar staff/servers were so nice and funny. Do yourself a favor and make your way over there. You won't regret it

It's a great burger and I got my monies worth. I was skeptical because they don't serve fries in fact they don't even have a fryer. I asked about it and the waiter was very nice and promised that the potatoes were just as great and they weren't lying. The place is quite small but it's intimate and inviting. It's giving pub feel and you can smell the food while standing outside. The burger was everything that I wanted to be as they didn't overcook it or over season it. They allowed the quality beef be the star of the show.

Good burger! I'm a very basic girl that just gets a hamburger, nothing fancy. But the taste/seasoning was perfect. Would have loved French fries instead of the home fries but they were out of I think that would have completed my burger. The waiters were all very pleasant. They actually split our checks with 6 people which is very nice of them. The place is actually big because there's also an upstairs, initially I thought it was just that entrance with the bar area. My fave question at the end of reviews, would I come back? And answer is yes!

Before last week, it had been at least ten years since I had eaten here and let me tell you... it's exactly the same as I remember. This isn't a bad thing. In those ten years, Pittsburgh has gotten a lot cooler, hipper, and foodie-driven. But Tessaro's is like a time portal to the time before Google went into Bakery Square. It's classic Bloomfield. It's unpretentious. Nobody's drinking a fancy $20 cocktail. Just good burgers for a good price. Portions are gigantic. Beers are plentiful. Service is pretty good (and I think most of these servers have been there for years and years and know the menu inside out). All around solid experience.

Very good restaurant. Amazing food. Very good service with quick waiter and waitresses. The prices are just right. Not too high, not too low

Tessaro's is a gem. Feels like stepping back in time when you enter this cozy establishment, with booths and art deco decor that's reminiscent of the 30's. We were miraculously able to snag a couple seats at the bar and were taken care of immediately. The bar staff was attentive and professional despite the packed house. I ordered the burger which is their specialty and it is obvious why. Delicious and messy, just like a good burger should be. Tessaro's does not have a fryer, so home fries is the standard side, but I was not disappointed. A Southern Tier Pumking with a sugared rim was the perfect pairing.

Always delicious!!! Burgers!!!!! No need to smash ..... plump, juicy .... Amazing! Must try!!

This burger is huge. It was so good. The special has candied jalapeños, grilled onions, cheese and homemade steak sauce. I wish they had French fries. It was busy in there. The staff was okay could have been better.

There really is not another burger place in Pittsburgh that even comes close to matching this place. They flame grill 1/2 pound burgers to perfection. They don't fill the meat with tons of unnecessary salt and garlic. It's just 1/2lb of pure burger joy on a fresh bun. I always get the American burger with lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles. It rocks my world. I have to tell you, though, in case you are a pickle snob, that these babies come straight out of a huge hamburger dill jar like you'd get at the grocery. I like them though because they are super tart. For sides, they have the best red potato salad with hints of vinegar and mayo just like Mom used to make. It is so delicious. And their boiled red potatoes are super good too. Just plain red potatoes with butter. Their servers are always excellent and this visit was no exception. We really love this place.

Best burger in the burgh!! Such a great restaurant and bar. The hamburgers are so fresh, delicious, and huge!!! They have other great food options as well

Had the burger here, and the burger wasn't anything special, but it was big. The real show of the meal was the home fries with the Redskins potatoes that included bacon in it. The place had a good ambience for what it is. Maybe too much discussion about politics.

Love the idea of combining mushroom and onions into a burger, which makes their special gourmet Kelly burger with THICK, juicy patty perfect. Also recommend the lobster bisque and veggie kebab.

I feel like I can finally call myself a true Pittsburgher now that I've had a burger at Tessaro's! We stopped in around 8 PM on a Saturday evening and we were seated within 10 min of arriving. The place kind of has a New York City diner feel to it. I ordered a cheeseburger with a side of broccoli and my date ordered a tuna melt with home fries. We also ordered some wine too! Our food came out quickly. My burger was your typical cheeseburger but it looked delicious! The tuna melt was kind of like a Reuben in tuna melt form. Our food was really good! I can definitely see why they are known for their burgers. Our service was also really great! I like this cute little no frills spot in Bloomfield. I will be back for dinner again!

A great spot if you're craving burgers! They have a selection of different styles ranging from breakfast burger (pictured in this review) to Cajun, BBQ, etc. The burger is a 1/2lb patty that comes loaded with the standard burger ingredients (lettuce, tomatoes, pickles) unless you request otherwise. I wasn't a big fan of their "home style fries" which are basically just diced potatoes. Regardless, the burger itself was cooked perfectly to what was requested and very flavorful. Service was great by the staff. We were seated quickly, and once we ordered food, there wasn't a long wait. Our waitress was attentive and made sure our table was taken care of. We stayed towards closing time but never felt rushed. The ambience was nothing special, just your standard neighborhood bar/grill, facilities were clean which is always a plus. All in all, great place to catch up with friends!

They have delicious food good drinks, nice staff street parking and it's a convenient place to go to right across the bridge

Well done Tessaros! This was my first time trying this place .. normally place is packed when we try but hey go at 9pm and u get in!!!!! Our hamburgers were delicious... hands down one of the best in the burgh! My sis got her's with potatoes salad ( really good) and I got mine with the home fries. We both said after we should not have eaten the whole thing ... but just could not stop! Look forward to trying this place again ... next time ... Deli Burger!

This place is your typical neighborhood bar and grill. Solid burgers and great service. The portions are gigantic and you will definitely leave stuffed. I love how cozy and neighborly it feels inside. Be sure to go early for dinner because it always seems to be packed, especially in the weekends!

What can you say, this place is a classic! A classic urban decor set the scene for a cozy dining Pittsburgh experience. Can't go wrong with with the burgers. So glad this place is still around. My husband and I had dinner here the night we got engaged 22 years ago. It still doesn't disappoint.

Went on the recommendation of a friend after the pirates game and I'm glad we did. Excellent service and huge portions

As a burger aficionado and new PGH arrival, I had to go to what was being toted as one of the best burgers in town. I had the Cajun burger with red potatoes and also began with a side salad. The food was all very good. The bun would probably be better if it was toasted or a better quality bread. The potatoes were fantastic. I really like the ambience of the bar and restaurant and I'm sure I will return again to try something else. The salad was a little pricey for what it was. The burger with a side was moderately priced. The service was efficient and friendly. A good place for gathering socially or just grabbing a drink, some food, and watching sports on their tvs. Note: you will save 3-4 percent by paying cash, as there is a credit card surcharge.

Their enclosed patio outside is super cute, beef is super juicy and shows all the difference made by going to a local butcher, loved my burger and my wife seemed happy with her grilled onion & mushroom chicken sandwich. My cheeseburger + home fries (they don't have fried potatoes) cost like $16. Be prepared to be stuffed though! A regular burger is 1/2 Lbs, imagine my friend's surprise when she ordered a double cheeseburger

Best burger and salads in town! Stopped here late night after little Italy days, was the only place still serving dinner , so you can count on a great meal open late! Cozy and quaint inside, and the staff is kind and welcoming. Also the bartender makes a mean drink! A must stop if you are in Bloomfield!

Great food and good portions. Always crowded. Have eaten there s few times and never disappointed. Years of being in same place with lots of neighborhood locals. Everything good you want.

Came here on a busy Friday night for dinner. We were seated quickly and the staff was friendly. The burger was insanely good. It was cooked exactly medium well; still juicy but no pink at all. Would have given 5 stars but the booth seats are 100% vertical with no pad or tilt. An hour sitting there was really hard on my back.

They were super busy when we came Sat night. We were still seated pretty quickly and the service was good even though they were a little understaffed. They have great burgers, but I opted for their bbq half chicken this time. It was so good! The meat was super tender and moist. It came with a soup/salad and a side. I will definitely be back for more soon!

Consistently good. Best burgers and chicken sandwiches. Grilled trout , mahi mahi , swordfish, etc on their grill is always a plus. Friendly staff and good bar selection.

This place was amazing! Burgers were outstanding, and the the old-school feel of the place was awesome. Not to mention some strongly-poured cocktails. I can't wait to come back!

Unseasoned, thick slab of a burger. The quality of the burger went down hill throughout the years. So sad :( It felt like a big brick of beef just sitting in my stomach. I hope they add seasonings and more flavor to the meat. Waitress and staff extremely nice.

This is a classic Pittsburgh/Bloomfield Little Italy kind of restaurant. The food was OK. I ordered the grilled kebabs and grilled veggies and it was 10/10. My friend ordered the fish that was on special and it 100% tasted and smelled spoiled/rotten. Mind you it was the end of the day and they were about 30 min from closing but if the fish isn't fresh you should just NOT serve it. Drinks were great and the service was great (they removed the fish from the bill) but my friend left hungry and that's just sad. I'd recommend this spot for locals for a weeknight dinner and drinks but if you're visiting the city there are plenty of other consistently GOOD places to eat in Pittsburgh.

If you're in the mood for some delicious ribs, Tessaro's is the place to be on Thursday nights! The ribs are mouth-wateringly tender and the sauce is finger-licking good. There's also a great selection of sides to choose from, so you can make a complete meal of it. The only downside is that it can get pretty pricey, but it's definitely worth it for a special treat.

Absolute best burger in town when you want a big one and realize that smashburgers are trite nonsense. Wonderful service - a family-feel where you benefit from anything that hits the fire/smoke of the grill.

Menu is lacking, and food is not prepared fresh. The food is warmed up and not fresh. No fries with world famous burger.

Over an hour of waiting at our table, for two Cheeseburgers? On a positive note, our greeter, server and possibly (a manager) were very pleasant. We were sat in the back room this evening, eventually the entire back room cleared out & we were still waiting for our order, wondering...our server said that the kitchen got hit, "all at once", it would only be about five minutes, or more?...At this point we decided to leave. They comped our Beer, cool. Yet we left so super hungry. My boyfriend and I have both work in the food service industry, for years. He is culinary trained & has worked for April Bloomfield, right out of culinary school. I've managed a handful of NYC restaurants. We saw their kitchen staff, we saw their tables sat - there is absolutely no reason we should have waited for over an hour, at our table - for two Cheeseburgers that didn't even make it to the pass. Disappointed as this is our new neighborhood and we've heard such great things about this place. Only at this point, we have zero interest in returning.

So cozy and fun! Visited Tessaro's for the first time on a rainy and cold Friday night and it was the perfect spot for a dinner with friends. I enjoyed a DELICIOUS martini, our amazing server made it himself at the bar and it was exactly to my liking. Our table of four all ordered burgers, because that's the menu item that we've always heard about, and they did not disappoint. So huge, flavorful from the perfect seasoning and the nutty char, and the bun was soft and complementary to the patty. I personally tried the Kelly burger with mushrooms, caramelized onion, bacon, and a smoked Gouda. I had the works of lettuce, tomato, and pickles, plus dijon mustard and mayo. I selected home fries as my side, and they were so good! Tessaro's doesn't have a fryer so all sides are either roasted or grilled or in a salad format, I tasted my husband's coleslaw and it was tangy and old school and very tasty. Service was friendly and thorough, and we felt very welcomed during our meal. Can't wait to return for more great burgers!

I got the gourmet steak sandwich and it was excellent. The service was also great and everyone was super generous and kind. Environment was also very friendly and the workers definitely added to the experience in a very positive way. Would definitely come back.

Amazing staff, Amazing prices, and above all amazing food. Wonderful environment highly recommend.

Been going there for years. Got a tremendous burger. Great ribs on Friday. Welcome to the next level.

Not as good as I've come to expect since I used to live in Bloomfield. It's been a couple years since I've been here bc the last time I ordered a burger it tasted like propane...like they didn't have the grill heat high enough or something...this time I ordered the burger with pepperjack cheese TO GO...by the time I got it back to work, maybe a 5 minute drive...the bottom bun was mushy and the cheese was waxy. Packaging burgers (or really any food)...in styrofoam containers is the kiss of death. Spend a little more and wrap it in foil or use a paper container. As far as the burger itself...it was as big as I remember, but that's not necessarily a good thing since it was pretty much unseasoned meat and almost flavorless. The potato salad was good, but also not as good as in the past. I guess they are suffering the same fate as a lot of places...staff turnover, unskilled workers, short staffing, who knows.

Fantastic burgers and sandwiches in a classic old school Pittsburgh bar! We came for lunch on a recent Saturday, the front bar area was busy so we sat in a back room which was about half full - not as atmospheric as the front but perfectly pleasant. Our waitress was very friendly, as was another lady who I assumed was the owner/manageress. Burgers were great, they arrived promptly and were perfectly cooked, generously sized, and very tasty. There's no fries at Tessaro's but there are plenty of other side options which are included in the price of your burger. We had a potato salad and some home fries both of which were good. Drinks wise there is a good selection of beers on tap and bottled craft beers. Prices are very reasonable indeed. Tessaro's is a Pittsburgh classic for good reason and I can't wait to come back!

The burger hype is real! If you're looking for that grilled - cookout style burger Tessaro's is your place. I ordered a regular ol' cheeseburger, with cheddar and all the toppings with coleslaw as a side. The coleslaw was a slightly sweet-tangy-creamy fresh tasting creation. Be warned, the burgers are big and require a bit of smooshing to fit it all in your mouth. Still, totally worth it! Only con of the experience, go light with the onion - it's delicious and powerful.

We read about Tessaro in a magazine recently that was talking about the 100 best restaurants in the US and decided it was time to give it a try. We called in ahead and my wife went to pick up at the appointment time. When she got there the greeter thought our meals weren't ready yet so she waited patiently for about 15 minutes until they realized it was sitting on the counter and had been ready all along...That long wait, plus the short drive home meant the food was cold and slightly slightly. For my meal I got the Gourmet Kelly burger with home fries and my wife got the cheeseburger with potato salad. The sides were actually pretty nice and the portions of everything were very large. The buns were so large in fact that we could hardly get our mouths around them. Perhaps we'll be able to go back when dine-in is allowed again and be able to try again when everything is piping hot and fresh.

We haven't been here in a few years and with how good our burgers were tonight I'm not sure why. Our burgers were all that and more. The char, amazing! Other burger places in town are mere pretenders. This is the real king!