Snack On Popcorn And An Ice Ball From Gus & Yiayia's In Pittsburgh

Yinzers are all about tradition, and we can all probably agree that we have some pretty amazing ones in Pittsburgh. Opening day at PNC Park. Watching fireworks explode in the sky on Light Up Night and First Night. Exploring The Three Rivers Arts Festival; even the rain that inevitably comes with the festival is a tradition. One of the most treasured traditions of summer is, undoubtedly, the return of Gus & Yiayia’s in Pittsburgh.

Anyone who's ever been to the North Side has inevitably driven or strolled past the colorful Gus & Yiayia's food cart in Allegheny Commons Park.

Generations of Pittsburghers, in fact, have come to associate the return of Gus & Yiayia's, which opened in 1934, with balmy summer days in the Burgh.

For decades and continuing today, Gus Kalaris has run the hugely popular food stand that his father purchased so many years ago. Gus is, of course, the Gus in the name, but did you know that yiayia is...

...the Greek word for grandmother? Gus inherited the stand from his parents (Gus' mom, Pauline, was the first yiayia), and he and his wife Stella continued the longtime summer tradition. (Stella passed away in 2016.)

If you've never been to Gus & Yiayia's, you're in for a tasty treat and a fun, memorable experience. The stand is perhaps known for its ice balls, scooped up in a variety of flavors.

Take a deep breath. Smell that freshly-popped popcorn? You'll probably want to order some popcorn, too, which goes oh-so-well with an ice ball. (Don't forget the peanuts!)

You'll have no trouble finding Gus & Yiayia's in Pittsburgh. Just look for the orange cart, brimming with popcorn, and the colorful umbrellas.

You might even be lucky enough to see Gus during your visit.

Have you been to Gus & Yiayia’s in Pittsburgh? What’s your favorite treat? What are some of your best memories of this treasured Pittsburgh food cart? Join the conversation in the comments! If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you might also want to indulge it by setting off on the Sweet Tooth Trail through Butler County.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Featured Addresses

Pittsburgh, PA 15212, USA

Snack On Popcorn And An Ice Ball From Gus & Yiayia's, An Iconic Food Stand In Pittsburgh

Beth Price-Williams

Author

Related Stories

Some People Don’t Know That Pittsburgh Was The First To Do These 10 Things

The Longest Float Trip Near Pittsburgh Will Bring Your Summer Tubing Dreams To Life

The Downhill Summer Tubing Adventure Near Pittsburgh That’s Unlike Any Other

Want more Pittsburgh in your inbox?

Related Articles

Featured Addresses