Cain’s Saloon By: Jake Mulliken
Walking into Cain’s Saloon, the delicious aroma of beer battered onion rings, burgers and craft beer immediately announces itself. The interior has no frills, no beat you over the head gimmicks like certain chain restaurants; it is a comfortable and easy environment. As you enter, you notice the 33 beer tap system behind the bar, the limitless selection of liquor (bacon vodka!), and the flat screens that line the walls showing every category of sport imaginable. The bar is a classic wooden beast that stretches like an oak serpent from front to back. The tables and stools are high up, in the fashion of old school sports bar. Weaving your way through the bar area and into the back, you will find a dining area that is simply laid out, much like the front. Televisions connect ceiling and wall, and various jerseys signed by athletes from Dan Marino to Sydney Crosby hang above the booths that outline the periphery.
As mentioned earlier, Cain’s has a considerable beer selection. Naturally, they carry hometown favorites like Yuengling, Fat Heads and East End, but their selection also boasts some fine brews from around the country. Heavy Seas Loose Cannon IPA is a favorite among customers.
Cain’s is not only a sports bar. It is much more than your typical watering hole with the NFL Sunday Ticket. Cain’s is a bastion of the Dormont community; a place that, aside from catering to the local scene, hosts anniversaries, birthdays and receptions as well as fundraisers to aid people in the community. If you live in Dormont, odds are some of your most cherished memories take place at Cain’s. It is more than just a bar, it is Dormont’s living room, where family can gather to enjoy a game, some good, old fashioned quality time, or a good meal. Below are highlights from Cain’s staggeringly delicious offerings we sampled.
Appetizers:
Cain’s World Famous Cheese Sticks: $6.99: Stuffed with a secret mix of cheeses and battered in Panko bread crumbs with a hit of spices, and served with a side of house marinara. These fellas are gargantuan and a solid, gourmet interpretation of an old favorite. Try them with the Loose Cannon IPA, awesome!
Cain’s House Chili: Crock: $2.99/Bowl: 3.99: Cain’s own award winning recipe is sure to take you back to your childhood. Old school home style chili. Hearty, meaty and near perfect, especially with a Guinness.
Entrees:
Open Faced Steak Sandwich: 8 oz. NY Strip $9.99/6 oz. Filet Mignon $14.99: Your choice of Filet or Strip always served medium rare, unless otherwise specified, atop grilled Italian garlic bread topped with grilled portabella and crumbled blue cheese. Served with your choice of side. A word of advice: go with the baked potato. You get your choice of classic, stuffed or twice baked. Couple all of that with a cold pint of Fat Heads Pumpkin Ale and you are gold.
Pastrami Smoked Salmon Club: $12.99: Sushi grade Pastrami styled smoked salmon (smoked in house), thick sliced bacon, lettuce and tomato topped with house made dill mayo on thick sliced marble rye. Add a side of sweet potato waffle fries and polish it off with a Hoegaarden.
Lobster Stuffed Ravioli: $14.99: This stuff is good, really good. No, awesome. Huge ravioli stuffed to the brim with thick lumps of lobster. Drenched in house made sauce that includes fresh tomatoes, spinach and huge chunks of langostino lobster. Served with garlic Italian bread. Have a glass of white wine with this bad boy.
Homemade Brownie: Cain’s brownie’s are made fresh daily and let me tell you…they are to die for…death by chocolate would be a good way to describe it! Served with ice cream and whipped cream.. Wow!! Simply scrumptious and definitely a must try!
All of these delectable dishes are prepared by Cain’s own chef, Andrew Bash.
Don’t go to Cain’s expecting typical bar food like greasy gut pounding potato skins and floppy cheese sticks. You can, of course, get your standard pub fare, but not in the standard frozen bag Tyson’s chicken kind of way. These guys are doing it right. Locals who never venture outside of your borough, you are missing out! There is a food revolution happening under your noses and Cain’s is at the forefront.
Cain’s provides a modern and delicious twist on old time American comfort food. Whether it is slow cooked Sunday BBQ, make it yourself Bloody Mary’s, the Cod Father or the gargantuan Pittsburgh Pierogie, anyone can find something they like. From in house soups, smoked and roasted meats to sauces, Cain’s has an appreciation for fresh ingredients and solid, friendly atmosphere and service. Cain’s offers daily specials and Prix Fixe Dinner Specials (which includes soup, salad, entrée, 2 sides and homemade desserts) Monday through Friday 3pm-1am. They are also open for breakfast daily Monday through Friday – 7am-11am, Sat & Sun, 8am – noon. Go on the weekends and experience “Free Valet Parking;” go anytime, and remember to try something outside of your wheel house. Who knows, you might just learn something new about yourself.
Cain’s Saloon is located in Dormont at 3239 West Liberty Avenue – Pittsburgh, PA 15216 – phone: 412.561.7444 or visit them on the web to view all of their menus at www.cainssaloon.com