I have high respect for anyone that grills during the summer. Not because of their skills flipping burgers or turning dogs, but because of the heat – any person that willingly stands at a fiery grill in the middle of a humid, sticky day earns my admiration.

We’re coming up on Memorial Day weekend – the unofficial start of summer and grilling season – and if you’re not willing to sacrifice your sweat for a burger, don’t worry. You’ve got options. 

Muddy Waters Oyster Bar

Few things feel more summery than a plate filled with fresh oysters. So, what better way to kick off the season than with Muddy Waters’ infamous seafood tower?

These massive towers will transport you out of the city and to the coast, covering all the bases: oysters, lobster, crab, and shrimp. Crack a beer or sip on a cocktail while you work through the rest of the menu, filled with Cajun-inspired eats, including the New England classic, a lobster roll. 

Duncan Street

Have you ever eaten something that you can’t stop thinking about it? A dish that, no matter what you’re eating, you crave? For me, it’s the Everything Pork sandwich from Duncan Street in Millvale. 

This needs-two-hands-to-eat-it big sandwich, stacked high on their thickly-sliced, housemade bread, combines roasted pork, everything seasoning, pickled red onion, crunchy cucumber, and a swipe of creamy Boursin cheese. It’s absolutely incredible and will definitely take you two meals to finish. 

As for the rest of the shop’s eats, find a mix of homestyle, picnic-ready sides (their potato salad is out-of-this-world), adventurous crispy rice treats, and ice cream. Roast pork isn’t the only sandwich to grace their menu, either. Find combinations like barbeque sweet potato, Nashville hot turkey, and toasted cheese. 

Showcase BBQ

Stick-to-your-ribs barbeque is a Memorial Day must-have – find everything you need and more at Showcase Barbeque in Homewood West. 

Their menu is loaded with the classics, filled with Showcase's signature flavor. There’s sauced-up beef and turkey ribs (fan favorites), chicken wings, sandwiches -- including a massive pulled pork 'wich -- along with a menu of traditional sides covering mac n’ cheese, yams, greens, and baked beans. Grab a crowd of friends and order one of everything. What better way to spend a holiday? 

Burgh’ers Brewing 

You didn’t think we’d let this list go without a burger, did you? Though there are plenty of burger joints in the ‘Burgh – and truly, you can’t go wrong with any of them – Burgh’ers Brewing has remained a favorite, for their take on the classic smashburger.

I am partial to the Oakland, one of their more traditional burgers, stacked with two patties, American cheese, onion, pickle, and spicy sauce. (Save room for their crispy, thin, shoestring fries!). Try it with #theblend, a mix of mushrooms and beef.

Roundabout Brewery

Beer is the unofficial drink of Memorial Day, so spend some time soaking up some booze-filled sun at Roundabout Brewery’s riverside pop-up in Chateau. 

Sip on a few beers from the Lawrenceville-based brewery and order some eats from their rotating food truck – their lineup for the weekend includes a double appearance by Blue Sparrow. Get the ramen burger, it’s delicious.

STORY BY MAGGIE WEAVER / PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF BURGH’ERS BREWING