Legends Of The Northshore

Been here a few times. Decent place that always rates 3 – 4 stars

Great spot if you’re looking for a quality Italian meal. Food is always fantastic and consistent. Highly recommend the chicken parm — large portion and very tasty. BYOB is a nice bonus. Good spot before a concert or sporting event. Be sure to make a reservation.

Good food, nothing too «amazing», a bit overpriced for what they offer, but a good little quaint place to eat. Salad looked very nice, although they were stingy on the dressing, also only have 2 kind of dressings; Balsamic and ranch. Soups could have been a bit more full in the cups. I had the fettuccine Alfredo, and it was in all honesty an average meal of fettuccine, wasn’t too impressed with it. But hey, if you’re looking to try something new and don’t mind spending a few extra bucks, give it a try!

Fantastic restaurant. Close seating, must make reservations because it fills up. BYOB. And my meal was delicious. Maybe it was the atmosphere because it was an anniversary dinner for my husband and i, but I adored this place.

Update: Chef Dan read my review (below) and was kind enough to refund the meal. As stated in my original review I should have sent the meal back right away, so that part is on me. Great quality customer service.
When I go which is probably about a half-​dozen times a year for the past several years. I usually just order the Beans and Greens. This past Friday evening I did something different, I ordered the special which sounded divine. Blackened ahi tuna with two different kinds of ravioli asparagus and mushrooms topped with artichoke hearts covered with a cream sauce. Well when the dish arrived I thought it was my dinner companion’s meal because all I saw at first was the ravioli. My friend was confused as well because she thought the fish, the tuna was replaced with salmon, was an unripe tomato. It was in fact the smallest piece of salmon I had ever been served in a restaurant barring a piece of salmon sushi. My friend joked that maybe because I was wearing a kimono jacket they thought I want a bonsai salmon. Now I blame myself for not sending it back, this is what I should have done. Now it gets worse. The bill comes, my dish was $ 36. Sticker shock and disappointment to say the least. Given that the entrees at Legend’s are in the $ 18 – 25 range I thought that the high-​end of that range would be the price of this special. Ah well Legend’s if I do return I will go back to the Beans and Greens. If you go and are tempted to order the special, ask the price.

Our first dining experience here caught a bad night at the restaurant. This time, our night out was very enjoyable. Reservations worked. Service was friendly. We weren’t rushed out. Food was plentiful and very good. And bonus, Wednesday night is free corkage night. I will be back.

I spend a lot of time on the North Side, so I’d been meaning to try this place for a while. My boyfriend and I went in on a Tuesday around 7:30 PM, and we were the only people in the house.
The food:
I tried a house special dish of the day — It was a blackened flank steak over penne with peppers, sun-​dried tomatoes in a gorgonzola cream sauce. The dish was excellent, the right combination of sweet, salty, and savory, and the steak was on point. It came with a house salad that was a delicious blend of fresh greens with olives, peppers, tomatoes, the like. It also included grilled bread with a bottle of olive oil and Parmesan cheese for dipping.
My boyfriend ordered the Veal Parm, it also tasted great, but it was nothing outstanding.
Tuesday is there «Greens and Beans» for 99 cents special, so we also gave that a whirl. It was decent, lacked some flavor, but I wouldn’t order it again.
The Staff:
Service was excellent, our waitress was attentive and answered all of our dumb questions. You can also see the cooks making the good, all around they seemed pleasant.
The Ambience:
We were not aware this was an «upscale» Italian restaurant; from the vibe, the name, and the décor, you’d think standard Pittsburgh food. True to the name «Legends» the walls were lined with your staple Pittsburgh sports news clippings. The whole place was tiny, so the tables and chairs followed suit. I would by no means have minded the ambience of the food matched the theme– but it was a $ 20 average plate place, and I would have appreciated the vibe to match. They also placed terribly loud, out-​of-​date pop hits I could have lived without. Even silence would be better.
All around, the food was great, not excellent, but overpriced for the setting and ambience. I would recommend and I may go again. Also, be weary — it’s BYOB with a $ 4/​person corking fee.

Make reservations, byob, the food is awesome, the menu is always fresh, love the personal feel, great desserts, always a great meal

liked this place, felt like eating at a relative’s house. low prices. last time I was there, I ordered the lunch panini special, very good but not great. I would recommend this place for lunch if you were looking for something causal

Legends is that nice neighborhood restaurant that I probably forget about too often. Simple Italian food at a good price. It’s also BYOB which is a bonus!

First time here. My parents raved about this place and how great the spots are.
We arrived at 6:45 in a sat night and were promptly seated at our table.
We ordered an app and unfortunately this is where our problems began. They brought mussels instead of our mozzarella sticks. But this was quickly corrected.
They were fair. We had the Brussel sprouts which were under cooked and did not have any Parmesan cheese on them. Plus they were mixed in with large random pieces of lettuce. So odd!
I was actually looking forward to the special. Ribeye topped with shrimp. But unfortunately they had already sold out of the special. Amazing since it was so early on in the night and nothing else in the menu looked good. It was all traditional oily foods.
Plus who can’t make a veal or chick parm. It’s the easiest thing to make.
My parents had the spots and the portion was sooooo small and came on an plate all by itself. I give them a 1 for presentation.
The best part of the meal was the wine. Oh yeah it was byob. So I guess I did a good job at picking out the wine. Haha.
Service was nice and friendly. And she did apologize multiple times about the food. But did nothing to make up for it.
Won’t be back anytime soon.

Legends is a an old style American-​Italian restaurant. The restaurant is so small and they have a problem with managing customers. People who came in with reservations waited for at least 20 minutes to get seated to their tables. Other people who walked-​in were seated immediately if they promise «to eat in less than an hour» I guess they have reservations for other people for the same table but they want to get customers anyway. I was able to witness all of that because I was seated on the bar table which has the cashier/​host. The food was less than average. I tried 3 different orders + desserts, nothing was impressing.

Love the «cozy» atmosphere. They keep it simple but the food is delicious. I’ve gone a few times and have had great service each time. Only complaint is that the prices can be rather expensive for the basics, especially since the portions are on the smaller side ($ 18 for a small bowl of alfredo with little chicken).

Went for the first and last time tonight. Made reservations for 3. Restaurant thought we said 2 and acted like we lied. $ 12 corkage fee for 1 bottle of wine. Asked to leave when we finished eating, because they needed the table, on a Thursday night. Food was OK, but not even close to making up for all the other problems. I can easily get a good meal elsewhere for those prices, with better service.

I stopped here after a long day of house hunting. It’s a small place but has a pretty nice family like feeling to it. I could tell there are alot of regulars that come here because there was alot of first name basis going on.
They bring out bread with this delicious olive oil and seasoning to start you off. The salads were pretty good from what I remember. The entrees were completely satisfying. I got the chicken fettucine alfredo and it was pretty good but nothing to write home about. The legends is not the best Italian food I’ve ever had but it was damn good. The dessert was amazing, all seemed home made and we even got some complimentary fudge after our meal! If you are in the area it is definitely the best Italian food around but like I said it’s not the best ever. 4 stars for legends!

I love Legends!
My friends and I frequent there often!
The food and service is always wonderful! Love that it’s BYOB! My favorite is their spinach ravioli!
I live in the War Streets so it’s so convenient!
My 2 friends are having their rehearsal dinner here and I know we won’t be disappointed! Thank you Legends!

I checked this place out for the first time on a Saturday night. We got seats at the bar just inside the door and thus had a good view of the whole establishment. The atmosphere is unpretentious with a friendly neighborhood vibe — there were obviously lots of happy regulars.
The food was great from start to finish. We started with the hot antipasto and the greens & beans, which were perfectly seasoned. My dining partner, who has a less adventurous palate, was very happy with her spaghetti and meatballs. I got the halibut special, which was flaky and tender with a delicious apricot chutney, served over arugula. We decided to split a house made cannoli for dessert, which was warm and gooey and just plain yummy. I’ll definitely be back!

We do not often get back to my home town of Pittsburgh, PA so this trip was a real treat with our visit to Legends of the North Shore — a highfaluitn name for sure as it is just the plain old North Side when I was growing up. Down home and delicious is how I would describe Legends. Cramped and not pretentious — it’s all about the food which is delicious for sure.
This will be a regular stop whenever we are in the burg for sure. Don’t let the area scare you away — well worth the trip and the hassle of finding a parking space that is not restricted. Just go there and enjoy!

Very good. Friendly service, my mom would say it was too plain, i say it was just perfect. I would totally recommend this joint to my friends, and would definably bring my girlfriend here. Next time your in Pittsburgh, give it a go. The shrimps were large and impressive

We went on Valentine Day. There was a special menu for the day.
The tables are on top of each other, so it is definitely not a romantic place… but the food was good. The noise level is a little no the load side, at least where we were sitting.
Had to have the beans & greens with Italian sausage… tasted great!
Had veal that came with some nicely cooked and fresh veggies. A very good meal.
We split a desert, that we were told are made in house, that was very good.
BYOB a plus+!
We enjoyed our meal and had very good service.

Legends is a great place to go for a night out with your significant other, or a few close friends. The homey/​intimate environment makes you feel like you are in your parents living room waiting for a home cooked meal from your mom.
Of the 4 times I’ve been here, I don’t have any complaints. The staff is friendly and accommodating. I’m usually not a fan of getting chicken when I dine out, but the Chicken Romano and Chicken Cacciatore are on point. Chef Dan’s greens and beans are delicious as well, and I can’t complain about the warm focaccia bread they bring out before dinner.
It is BYOB, so make sure you bring your own bottle if wine. There is a small corkage fee, usually around $ 4 a person.
They have some sort of special going on every night during the week. Monday is couples night which is dinner for 2 for $ 30, Tuesday is .99 cent greens and beans with an entrée, Wednesday there is no corkage fee, and Thursday is ladies night. Be sure to make a reservation if you can, weekends fill up fast.
All in all one of my favorite dining spots on the North Side for a special occasion.

Solid little Italian place! The mozzarella triangles are Awesome, and their sauce is boss.
I had The Godfather (salami, pepperoni, prosciutto, and provolone on their housemade focaccia). It was pretty alright! My favorite part was the top and bottom layers of salami that had been crisped under a salamander or in the oven, like a pepperoni cup on a great pizza.
Their focaccia is good… better if dipped in salt, pepper, Parmesan, and olive oil.
Others got the Cajun chicken sandwich, the pasta of the day (tortellini) and fettuccine Alfredo, and every single plate was empty when the waitress came to clear the table.
It’s tiny and it filled up not long after they opened, but the service is fast and the food is worth it!
Oh, and they give you fudge at the end of the meal. Very homey feel to this place!

If I could give this restaurant a zero, I would. We were just asked by our waitress to leave because someone with a reservation was waiting for our table. My father and father-​in-​law were still finishing up their coffee and we had not yet finished our dessert! I’ve never been so humiliated. Do NOT go to this restaurant!
Their food was mediocre at best. If you want excellent Italian in a small intimate restaurant, go to Dish on the South Side. I will not be going back.

Rated one of Pittsburgh’s best in 2012 I was excited to enter Legends and prepare for what was sure to be an amazing meal. Upon entering Legends, you get the immediate «hole in the wall» vibe (a vibe that I love) with diner style tables and chairs.
We started with the margarita bruschetta. This was delicious increasing my already high expectations. Our waitress came back– I ordered the Penne Vodka and was excited, but overwhelmingly disappointed. The sauce, although good, is simply ordinary. I’ve been to countless Italian restaurants in Pittsburgh and could name at least 20 better than Legends.
Had Legends not received substantial praise I may have not been so disappointed, but when you’re touted as one of the best I expect nothing short. To their benefit the restaurant is BYOB, maybe this gets so much praise because everyone’s drunk before their meal is served…
Food C+, Service B–

Came here with some clients for lunch.
Neat location in an old building and has been here forever. Obligatory Steelers memorabilia hung everywhere.
Ordered some paninis which were outstanding. Particularly liked the homemade bread.
Worth coming to if in the area.

We have been wanting to try Legends of the North Shore for a long time and since we were right across the street yesterday, we seized the lunch opportunity. It was not what I expected at all. Tiny I expected because I’d seen it driving by many times. Diner-​esque inside, completely unexpected. I knew they are BYOB but after eating lunch here, I can’t imagine any scenario where I’d take more than a couple of beers with me. Not a place to linger over a bottle of wine. Tables on top of each other, cramped and kind of a low end divey diner, uh uh.
I wanted the mussels for lunch but was told they were out of them. Not terribly disappointed because our server had just run through the lunch specials and one had caught my attention enough that I mentally considered changing my mind anyway. A fried zucchini plank sandwich with melted mozzarella and side of sauce. I do love a good zucchini plank and had never heard of anyone creating a sandwich out of them, so no hardship to change my order.
That was a greasy, good lunch sandwich… heavy on the greasy but, I’ve always loved some tasty ‘fried deliciousness!‘
Hubs had the sausage sandwich… good… but mine was the clear winner.
Starter soups were homemade and tasty. Hubby had black bean and I had the chicken pastine, aka wedding soup. The broth rivaled my premium homemade Christmas chicken soup broth so no complaints on that.
Overall: ambiance 1star, mine and hubby’s sandwiches 3 stars, soup 4 stars. Average is a 3 — not rushing back but I’d clearly have lunch there again, if I’m across the street.

I’m pretty much committed to trying EVERY BYOB restaurant around so this was on my list for a long time. Friends told me it wasn’t worth it but I persisted to the point that we went there for lunch yesterday. My first reaction was not a pleasant one. The cheap plastic chairs, the small close together tables, the tacky decorations, not a good feel but I pressed on.
Now, I didn’t avail myself of the BYOB (might have resulted in a higher rating!!) and it was only lunch so I can’t comment on dinner. Regrettably, I won’t ever try them for dinner so this is the best I can offer. I think Legends in their name only applies to the sports heroes and not any legendary food experience you’ll find here.
The place is essentially a diner. Diner atmosphere, diner chairs, diner specials, diner everything. Not that I don’t appreciate diners, I do. But this atmosphere is BLAH. I’d rate it a max of 2 stars. Max.
Food on the other hand is ok. Not great. Ok. Worth going out of your way for? Absolutely not. I had the Parma hot sausage with a bowl of black bean soup– both things I love!!! We’re these memorable? Not in the least. It’s generous to say they were adequate. «Mama’s gravy», a marinara sauce of sorts, was lackluster and flavorless. The sausage was just a split link of hot sausage and something I could replicate at home with ease. The black bean soup was listless and uninspired. Sad because i was expecting (hoping?) for so much more. I wish I had ordered the chicken parm that the guys pressing up against me from behind ordered. It looked way better. But I’ll not have that chance cause I won’t be going back. I’ll drive by this place a thousand times to go to other more deserving places on the Northside.
Sorry. Didn’t do it for me. Can’t even imagine coming here for dinner with a bottle of wine. Would be awful. I wanted to give it 2 stars but felt a little generous today. Plus, I thought if I worked down the block, I’d probably come here for lunch. But never would I go out of my way to go here.

I was out and about on a Saturday afternoon with a good friend and we were in the north side area and he suggested that we eat at «Legends of the North Side» since he heard it was good. We walked into the door and there was a woman standing near the door and she shot us a look of surprise (or frustration) and asked if we had a reservation? Well that wasn’t the greeting I was expecting and was surprised at this question since the place was empty but within a half hour I totally understood why.
This small but quaint restaurant filled up very fast. This establishment is just lovely and was clean and was decorated for the holiday season. It was cozy. The menu was small but had something for everyone and the prices weren’t too bad but It might be a little pricey if you are on a budget but it’s worth it trust me.
The service was excellent. we received beverages and bread within a moments time. Our bread basket never remained empty either.
We ordered the «beans and greens» as an appetizer and it was delicious. My Italian Mother makes this dish all the time and it was «almost» as good as hers — which is saying a lot.

I had penne pasta with sausage, roasted red peppers, olives and artichokes. It was very tasty but was a bit salty for my taste (think it was the olives) but still delicious. My friend ordered the Walleye and was very pleased. The tossed salad that came with my entrée was just the right size and everything was fresh.
Fresh greens and was accompanied by carrots, red onions, feta, cherry tomatoes and olives. By the time we were ready to leave there wasn’t an empty table in the place.
The restaurant is located on the corner at a very convenient location in North side with parking available on the street right outside the restaurant. Getting back on 279 was a snitch.
The restroom doors were so festive and unique that I couldn’t resist taking a picture !! The restrooms were also clean too.
I love restaurants that aren’t «chains» and have their own flair. and this establishment has that!
I am very happy we decided to have dinner at Legends of the North Shore and will no doubt be visiting again …
Bravo !