Fuel & Fuddle
212 Oakland Ave
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213
United States
(412) 682-3473
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GeoPage Score
9.4
What's this?
1 Recommend
Citysearch Rated
There's nothing collegiate about the unique eats and beer selection here.
April 12, 2004
(3.5 / 5 stars)

The Scene
Fuel & Fuddle styles itself as a "filling station for the soul." It attracts a large number of students and employees from nearby universities and hospitals who are looking for more than the average college bar and grill.

The Food
The menu is an equally impressive collection of unique dishes, crushingly big and juicy burgers and pizzas from the wood-fired oven. The beer list is well-stocked with bottles and drafts of both imports and micros. Pumphouse pale ale and Firebrick brown ale are small batch-house brews made especially for F&F. The back bar is covered with plaques celebrating the drinking accomplishments of the dedicated few who have sampled 100, 200 and even 300 different beers.

(Editorial review provided by Citysearch)
Not Bad
May 13, 2010
(3.0 / 5 stars)

Food was good with large portions and a decent price. You have to scream across the table due to how loud the restaurant is. I would go back but I will avoid the lunchtime rush.

Pros: Good food
Cons: LOUD
(User review provided by Citysearch)
Exceptionally rude service and rude managment
October 28, 2009
(1.0 / 5 stars)

We arrived around 10:50pm and put our name on the waiting list.
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At the time, the hostess told us "it shouldn't be too long". Now I fully understand that they are busy, and we were prepared to wait. While we were waiting the hostess apparently thought my girlfriend was standing in her way, and repeatedly pushed her. I don't mean like a tap or an accidental shove, I mean intentionally crashing into her multiple times while glaring at her.
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At 12:00am we were still waiting. I asked the hostess what the problem was and she said that "someone else got our table" and "she didn't know faces". We were seated soon after that.
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Our waitress was pleasant enough, and got our orders quickly. My girlfriend ordered a steak salad. No mention whatsoever was made at the time about the steak not being part of their half price menu, and this is not mentioned anywhere on the menu.
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When we got our check, the salad was full price. I inquired about this and was told that steak is not included in the discount. I asked to see the manager.

He was exceptionally rude, when I tried to tell him about her wait he cut me off with "everyone had to wait" not even listening to me telling him how unprofessional the hostess was. He then tried to refuse to make the salad half price, asking "what my problem was" and "if I'd ever been there for half price food before". Apparently I was just supposed to know that steak and seafood are not included without being told?
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Up until this point, I was willing to give them a pass on everything else. I've worked in restaurants, I know how demanding these jobs are. I realize that employees can be having a bad day and am generally not one of those annoying customers. However, for a manager to be rude to a customer with a legitimate complaint is extremely unprofessional. He took what was an opportunity to have my leave the restaurant feeling satisfied and instead guaranteed that I will never go back there, and will suggest that everyone I speak to about it does not either.

Pros: Good Food
Cons: Unprofessional, rude treatment by both employees and manager
(User review provided by Citysearch)
AVOID for Brunch
May 09, 2009
(1.0 / 5 stars)

I made the mistake of going there for brunch today, 5/10/2009. We were seated promptly, but sat at our table for more than 5 minutes without water or any attention. Our waitress, Ashley, was condescending and inattentive. My coffee was delivered without sugar, none of our drinks were ever refilled. We only saw Ashley twice, to place our order and we flagged her down for the check. My french toast was overcooked and the bread seamed stale. The coffee was terribly watered down and lists among the worst I've ever had at a restaurant. If you must eat breakfast/brunch in Oakland, go to Pamela's. If you must eat at Fuel and Fuddle, avoid the french toast and, more importantly, Ashley.

Pros: Cheap
Cons: Service, Food, Timeliness, Atmosphere, Everything Else
(User review provided by Citysearch)
Not all it's cracked up to be
December 01, 2006
(3.0 / 5 stars)

Living less than a block away in Bouquet Gardens, my roommates and I would venture down to Fuel and Fuddle quite regularly. The frequent trips do not translate into a great restaurant experience, however. The food is so-so. Much of it comes out burnt or the opposite - undercooked. There is absolutely no standing room inside the door. Many times you'll see throngs of students waiting outside to be seated. College students may enjoy this restaurant, but I don't see how when the cheapest draft costs $2.50. On a recent visit, the host was very rude. The server barely checked on us and was horrible with refills. Check this place out for yourself if you're in walking distance. It's worth one visit so you can tell your friends you've been to the "renowned" Fuel & Fuddle. Just don't go in expecting anything spectacular, or even sufficient.

Pros: Local, Relatively inexpensive
Cons: Uninterested servers, Sub-par food, Very compact
(User review provided by Citysearch)
LOVE IT!
November 09, 2006
(5.0 / 5 stars)

This place is great and cheap! go after 11 and everything is half price, nachos are amazing, as well as the strange pizzas. The smashed potato pizza is also delightful and tastes like a giant perogie. So good! i go here twice a week!

(User review provided by Citysearch)
Crowded college bar/grill
October 20, 2006
(3.0 / 5 stars)

This is the type of place which definitely relies on its reputation for its success. People in Pittsburgh (usually the college students who lie in Oakland and don't venture out much) will rave on and on about it. In truth, it is decent. The food is decent, and the beer selection is decent, but there isn't much special about it. I also really don't understand the 'best chill scene' award since there is really nothing at all 'chill' about the joint. It is quite crowded and noisy - think of a Chili's with more people packed inside. The food selection is pretty good, and what you get is not disappointing at all. It is average, but not worth going out of your way for.

Pros: Location, hours, young crowd
Cons: A bit overrated, and often crowded.
(User review provided by Citysearch)
Cold Food, Cold Service, Colder Management
July 05, 2006
(1.0 / 5 stars)

room temp chili, inexperienced waitstaff, rude manager... the quality of Fuel & Fuddle has really taken a nose dive. Go for the beer, not the food.

Pros: Late night menu
Cons: Extremely busy
(User review provided by Citysearch)
The best!
May 05, 2003
(4.5 / 5 stars)

For four years I went to Fuel and Fuddle at least weekly to enjoy great food and great drinks. Try the buffalo wings. And Fuel's signature combination of regular and sweet potato french fries are unmatched. Service is great and while it may take some time to get a seat at peak times, it's worth it. Great food, grat value, great place.

Pros: Food, Service, Value
Cons: Can be Crowded, Parking limited
(User review provided by Citysearch)
So, what's the big deal?
July 21, 2002
(2.5 / 5 stars)

Okay, really, what is the big deal and fascination with this place. I have eaten there plenty of times and while my friends always rave and love it, I think it is below average. Rosemary's breasts... come on, it is just a name, it doesn't mean you have to love it because the name is clever. If you are looking for cheap food late and want to avoid crowds order take out from Mad Mex.

Pros: price (after 11pm)
Cons: crowded, noisy, average food
(User review provided by Citysearch)
Yummy Yummy
July 01, 2002
(4.5 / 5 stars)

I don't live in town anymore, but every time I come back to the area I make sure to stop by. It's a great place to hang out, have a few beers, and get some great (and cheap) late night food.

(User review provided by Citysearch)
When to Go:

Events occur throughout the week, with live music upstairs and literary readings in the basement. Call for a schedule.

Save Money:

Fuel & Fuddle always has a low-cost "college tap" for the economically challenged.

RECOMMENDED BY
THE DETAILS
Category:
Restaurant
Cuisine:
Burgers
Features:
Local Favorite, Late Night Dining, Brunch, People Watching, Lunch Spot, Live Music, Cheap Eats
Prices:
$
Payment:
Gift Certificate, American Express, Visa, MasterCard, Travelers Check
Serving 1 neighborhood:
Central Oakland
GEOBLOGS
By Zach Hirsh on 01/14/10 01:12 PM

Have you ever needed that late night entertainment or dining during the week without getting drunk? Well Fuel and Fuddle, right in the heart of the...

By Ian Childers on 12/01/09 09:21 PM

If you are looking for good food at a ridiculously low price, look no more. Many college student debate on whether going to Joe Mama's or Fuel and...