Kelly O’s Diner

I love Kelly O’s! It’s absolutely amazing! Nothing bad to say about it, just the day I went there was a huge wait and a line that started to go out the door and the area to wait is very small. The food is so worth it though! I’ve only had their breakfast, but they have other food such as salads, burgers, etc as well. They squeeze fresh orange juice and it’s $ 5 a cup but it is incredible and so fresh! It’s so cool this is in Pittsburgh and was featured on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives. Everyone needs to eat here atleast one, but you won’t be able to stop at that! :)

This place was great. Great food, great service, and great atmosphere. Sat at the bar and got to watch the staff in action. True team effort. Everyone was happy to be there and happy to help… and it showed in the food. Will definitely be back and definitely recommend.

The food and the coffee here is excellent! This a charming little diner with the typical décor. The place is very clean. I liked the fact that they have a chalk board specials menu in addition to their regular menu. It took a little while to get waited on, the coffee refills went a bit slow, and we had to wait a bit for the check. The food came out at an appropriate pace. Many of the dishes come with Mancini’s bread (local bakery). Everything that we ordered was cooked perfectly with the right amount of spices. After speaking with a few locals they commented that this is their favorite diner in the area. DDD has been here and they have also been featured on a local TV station, write ups, etc.

Kelly O’s is a Strip District spot that has been on my short list of places to try for quite some time. It’s located just a stones throw from the hustling center of the Strip and does have a few free parking spots (arrive early to take advantage). For those not fortunate enough to snag a space there is a $ 5 flat rate lot right next door.
When you enter there is a sign directing you to wait to be seated. You can wait, or try your luck at the counter. You don’t need to check in with a host/​hostess, just keep your place in line and wait. The waiting area is small, so be prepared to wait outside.
The menu is traditional diner fare with a few popular items that stand out. The featured dishes on Triple D are haluski, turkey pot pie soup and mush with bacon. I can’t vouch for these choices, but hope to be able to after a return trip.
I had the Mancini’s French toast (local bread company — amazing), shredded potatoes with onions and peppers and a side of bacon. I also had fresh squeezed orange juice. The French toast was tops, the potatoes were nothing special (no real flavor and the onions and peppers weren’t cooked with them very long, just tasted like they were thrown in at the last minute). The bacon was good and the OJ was magical, I just wish it came in a bigger glass and didn’t cost over $ 3.00.
My husband had an omelette and the shredded potatoes, he didn’t have any complaints.
As far as a breakfast place in the Strip goes, I prefer Pamela’s and DeLuca’s over Kelly O’s. No signature choices really stood out to me. However, I’m looking forward to returning for some Haluski and turkey pot pie soup and hoping to add another star or two to my review.

Awesome service, great food. I love bacon really really well done and they’re not afraid to run it through the fryer to make it perfect!
The hot chocolate is awesome too!

Came here for breakfast with my family and the service, food, and prices are all worth 5 stars. Everyone who works here and dines here is SO friendly. My family was decked out in Chicago apparel when we came and the waitress (who grew up there) and my mom bonded right away.
Their menu is super extensive, with many breakfast and lunch options so I was overwhelmed. I ended up getting Seana’s breakfast with bacon, eggs over easy, and french toast. The portion was huge and the french toast was the highlight of the meal because it was made on the famous Mancini bread… probably some of the best bread I’ve ever had. Next time I come I will probably just get french toast because the bread is THAT good. Everyone loved their meal and most entrees are huge and well priced (under 10 $- such a steal because I am used to manhattan prices!) This place was featured on the food network too, for good reason.

Want to go get good breakfast at 5 AM and not go to an Eat n Park? Kelly O’s is open! I knew Kelly’s would be a decent place, not because it was on Triple D, but because it was decently packed at 5:30 AM.
I got the Loaded Waffle with Bacon– large waffle with bacon bits inside that also comes with whipped cream and powdered sugar. It was great! Waffle was fluffy and it was packed with bacon.
He got Chicken Fried Steak (at 5 AM. yikes!) and it came with Shredded Potatoes and Mancini’s Toast. He killed it.
I liked the classic diner atmosphere and would love to be back. There is also a private parking lot, and they take CCs.

I’ve been to Kelly O’s a few times. I actually enjoy it a bit more than Pamela’s.
If you’re dining on the weekend, it can be a little crazy. Be prepared to wait if your entire party doesn’t arrive together. During the week, the rules are put aside and you can sit and wait for others to come in.
The service is pretty friendly and food to table time is pretty average.
I haven’t had their orange juice, but they squeeze it on site. It looks really yummy.
Most recently, I ordered a side of their mush (polenta) and a breakfast sandwich with pepper jack cheese and two slices of bacon on top. I ordered the egg fried. I should have been specific, but I expected the egg to be at least a little runny. Instead, it was pretty dry. The cheese wasn’t melted. In fact, it was still cold.
The mush was fried (3 rectangular pieces), served with a side of maple syrup. Polenta is pretty boring on its own, so I was hoping the syrup would liven it up. It did not.
My boyfriend ordered one of the omelette specials: pulled pork/​beef with bbq sauce. We both ordered this the previous time we were at Kelly O’s and enjoyed it. He noted that it was just as good as the first time. It was served with a few slices of white bread and their home fries.

My father and I sat at the counter yesterday morning. There was a line to get in, although it moved quickly, we seemed to be in the middle of the breakfast rush. Kelly O’s definitely has an authentic diner atmosphere. From our seat at the counter we had a great view of the kitchen. They were slammed but managing it well!
Food was great! I ordered the daily special of the Kielbasa and Swiss Mixed Grill. My father had the Cinnamon Raisin french toast. One of the best mixed grills I’ve ever had! We are big breakfast people and the food is 5-​star. Took awhile to get our order, but that’s more due to our poor timing (we could clearly see the kitchen staff busting their butts to fill orders).
Waitstaff was friendly. Handled an unruly/​rude customer better than I would have. Kelly O’s is right up there with Deluca’s and Pamela’s for me. Seemed a little less touristy which was nice!
I would come back here for breakfast.
**** I highly recommend the fresh squeezed orange juice! I could drink a gallon of it in one sitting. So refreshing!

Another post-​workout Friday brunch. Came here with two of my friends who love Kelly O’s and who promised it’d be way better than Deluca’s and Pamela’s. Most of the restaurant was empty since it was a Friday at 1:30pm, so we didn’t have to wait long for our food at all. I got the world famous breakfast with sausage patties and home fries (should’ve gotten the shredded potatoes, I later realized). It also came with eggs and Mancini’s toast. The sausage looked a little burnt and dry, but they were good. Everything else was pretty much up to standard for typical breakfast/​brunch food. The best part of the meal though were the cinnamon rolls we ordered to share. So good. I usually don’t like cinnamon rolls, but these were amazing. Best I’ve ever had. Wasn’t too happy with the presentation of our food. It seemed like everything was just piled on carelessly, especially the side of shredded potatoes my friend got that was served all on one side of the plate. Then again it’s a diner so what can you expect. I did, however, appreciate that the diner was much cleaner than its competitors (no sticky tables). I’m expecting to return since the friends I came here with love Kelly O’s, but next time I think I’m going to just order a bunch of the cinnamon rolls.
Taste | 4
Atmosphere | 3.5
Presentation | 2.5
Service | 3
OVERALL | 3.5

It was a rare occasion that I was awake and out early on a Saturday morning. I made the trek from Brighton Heights to Trader Joe’s in the East End to do some grocery shopping before the crowds hit and on my way home I toyed with stopping by Coca Café but as I drove by around 9 AM it already looked like it was getting busy and being by myself I thought that I’d just go straight home instead. I cut through the Strip District and as I arrived at the stop sign near Kelly O’s I spotted a parking spot in the lot and the fond memories that I had from when the spot was once JoJo’s drew me to stop in and give Kelly O’s a second try as I had only been there one other time before and that visit had made me miss JoJo’s even more… so, I really hoped that this visit would be a fresh start, but sadly, I should have just kept driving home. I must say that I have really high standards when it comes to breakfast — even though the JoJo’s omelet was enough for 3 meals and was possibly a heart attack waiting to happen it was delicious enough to be worth the risk. I’ve also had very delicious but healthy breakfasts that I love just as much. So, let’s get to Kelly O’s. The place was busy but had a few empty booths/​tables and seemed well-​staffed so I was hopeful.
Despite there being an ample amount of staff behind the counter there really wasn’t anyone playing hostess. There was someone waiting in the front entry way and I stood near him waiting to be seated — I stood there for about 2 minutes before I was acknowledged, and that only happened after a larger group of people walked in behind me. I was seated at a small table that was in a awkward location with a booth directly behind me with a direct line of site behind the counter, though a single diner arrived after me and was seated alone in a large booth along the windows, which had also been available upon my arrival. My server came over without a menu and asked me if I knew what I wanted or did I need a menu?!? I told him that, yes I needed a menu because it was only my second time there, and he told me that he was new and that he didn’t know who the regulars were yet, and that most of them already knew what they wanted, so off he went to get me a menu. I ordered a coffee, which took a couple of minutes to arrive, but then I had to ask for not only cream and sugar, but also then had to ask for silverware and a napkin once I realized that was also not already on the table — so already 10 minutes into my visit I had to 1) ask for a menu, 2) ask for cream and sugar after my coffee arrived, and 3) ask for silverware and a napkin — it wasn’t looking too promising.
There wasn’t anything on the menu that was jumping out at me and I don’t eat pork, so I decided to get the country fried steak because in the description it read that it was «covered in country gravy» which I assumed was different than the «homemade sausage gravy» in the description for the biscuits and gravy, yet, when my breakfast arrived, it arrived with sausage gravy (I should have known better than to make assumptions so this was a good reminder to always ALWAYS ask) so I scraped the gravy off after posting my photo of course. The country fried steak itself was decent though I haven’t eaten country fried steak probably since grade school when it was routinely on the cafeteria menu so I really can’t say that I have much to compare it to. The shredded potatoes were devoid of any seasoning so I asked for ketchup and added salt and pepper (which I rarely do when eating out) and the over hard eggs were also just bland and in need of salt and pepper. Overall, the whole meal was completely underwhelming. During my meal, I also had to 1) ask for a coffee refill even though my server had passed by my table at least 3 times and then it took at least 5 minutes before I got a refill and 2) when I was done with my meal, I sat there for another 10 minutes after my plate was cleared waiting for my server who was somehow now stationed at the opposite end of the restaurant to bring my check, which inevitably, I had to ask a different server if she could check me out.
The only other time that I ate here a couple of years ago, it was also an unremarkable experience but I wanted to give them another chance. It’s unlikely that I will return as there are far better breakfast places in Pittsburgh.

Visiting the Pittsburgh area on a quick mini vacation With the bf to watch the Packers vs Steelers preseason game.
Randomly stumbled upon this spot but what a jewel it was. Ordered breakfast food and it was amazing. I ordered a basic waffle with eggs & bacon and my bf ordered the steak with potatoes. We were both extremely happy with the food and with our waitress.
We then realized that this spot was featured on Triple D which was awesome. In hindsight we would have ordered what they were famous for lol.
My only issue was when I walked in there was this long line of people waiting. We asked the group in front how long they’ve been waiting and we were told 30 mins and no one acknowledged them yet.
Anyway highly recommend this spot but be warned it gets packed due to its size. We sat at the bar so took us like 5 mins to be seated.

It was the best breakfast I ever had.
Spent a weekend in Pitt and wanted a big breakfast to help with a baby hangover. We stayed a walking distance from the strip and wanted to originally dine at DeLuca’s. The line for that place was out the door and down the street. What seemed like a disaster of a walk ended up being a blessing. We found Kello O’s further down the strip. It was packed for Sunday breakfast. We waited maybe 20 minutes for a table.
I got a chocolate milk to drink. It was the best chocolate milk I ever had. It tasted like a cold melted Wendy’s frosty. Amazing.
I ordered the biscuits and gravy. I think it was called Greg’s Favorite? Well its my favorite now. The biscuits had a perfect crispy outside and soft fluffy inside. I can’t describe how flavorful the gravy was. I wanted to lick my plate clean.
It also came with eggs which were cooked perfect to my liking. I don’t like moist eggs and they somehow read my mind and cooked them dry.
The shredded potatoes were a perfect complement to them. Crispy and also flavorful.
And I have no idea how true this is but a lady outside stopped us trying to leave and said 25% of proceeds went to Ronald McDonald House. Best breakfast ever and some of my bill went to charity? I wish I lived in the Burgh.

Wow what a busy breakfast place. We were at the Smallman St. location. A bit off the beaten path, but still packed. We did get there before a wave of more patrons. We were seated quickly. And served right away. Coffee was good and the breakfast was really good. 4 out of 5 for service and same for the food. Wish I tried something a bit different than the steak omelette, mine was a bit watery inside. But not complaining I ate it all. Just saying there are way better choices on the big breakfast menu. Enjoy!

I always end up at Kelly O’s after a huge study session. This is definitely a place where you indulge yourself with comfort breakfast foods: eggs, bacon, toast, coffee, etc. As long as you don’t expect something fancy, this is a good place for you. I always get the World Famous Breakfast and a side of the grilled cinnamon roll to go. The first time I came here, the bacon was too greasy but a quick dab with my napkin cleared up the problem. The following visits were so much better. The food was consistently delicious, and I find myself wanting to come here just for the cinnamon roll. It’s definitely not a place I would go to every morning but is a diner that picks up my spirits when I come here. An added bonus is the quick service. There was never a time when I was waiting too long for a check or to give my order.
If you want some comfort food for breakfast, definitely check Kelly O’s out!

This is your typical little dinner with a cool city twist. I’ll go here if I want a simple breakfast or lunch, they have fresh Mancini bread!
Don’t let the line out the door scare you because it moves fast! The waitressing are always busting their butts, you’ll never wait long for anything in there! Don’t try and have a long conversation or ask questions, menu is pretty simple so know what you won’t and you won’t be disappointed.

On our way to Wigle Whiskey we noticed Kelly O’s, which has a parking lot in the Strip and decided to stop for brunch.
We where seated right away, which I didn’t except because of the time of day. I ordered a steak & eggs (my usual). It was very good, I still prefer Bob’s Diner’s steak and eggs over all others though.
My daughter had a protein disk and was not impressed. My wife order a stand breakfast and like it a lot, she really like the toast which was fresh bread.
I will stop again if I am in the strip, but I wouldn’t travel to the strip just for Kelly’s. I still have to look up the episode of Diners, Drivein’s and Dives that Kelly O’s was on. I usually watch the show all the time.

cool yinzer diner! My friend Brandi and i stopped in on saturday. we were on the hunt for st patricks day shirts in the strip and she let me decide on where to have brunch since im a Unilocaler n’at. I had a few places in mind, but I remember walking by Kelly O’s during the burgh bash and ive wanted to try it since then.
We arrived around 130 but still decided on breakfast. We informed our server it was our first time here, and she gave great suggestions. They have specials daily. A few from Saturday were: pierogi and cheese omelet, philly steak omelet, oreo pancakes. I decided on the breakfast burrito. It’s huge and inside you’ll find eggs, home fries, onions, peppers and cheese. You can add a side of sour cream for 50 cents or meat for $ 1.50-$ 2. i went with sweet sausage. I also ordered a side of shredded potatoes with green peppers and onions because i love eating them as a side :) My friend Brandi ordered the french toast which is topped with cinnamon sugar. She ordered the home fries and said that they were very well seasoned.
We sat near where the cooks let out the food. everything looked great! Waffles, huge salads, omelets. We are super excited to head back!

I went to the Kelly O’s in the North Hills years ago and was so NOT impressed. I tried Pamela’s a month or two ago, and I was again so NOT impressed. I gave up all hope on finding diner breakfast in Pittsburgh. However, one morning I was meeting friends for breakfast, and we were looking for somewhere near work. I figured why not give the original Kelly O’s a chance?
I played it safe and ordered the Don’s Free Ride Omelette ($ 6.99) with Ham, Cheese, Tomato, and green peppers. It also came with toast so I ordered rye. I am not a potato eater and this was one of the only options without potatoes. The omelette was packed full, and the price was super fair. Our food came out quickly and service was fast but on the go friendly. This is as close as you seem to get to diner style in Pittsburgh.
Credit card minimum of $ 10 and there is a small parking lot where you can park for free!

We reluctantly ended up here since Pamela’s wait was at least 45 minutes to an hour for our group of 6. Since we were all empty belly and had a kayak trip to look forward to — we decided to wait at Kelly’s since there were only 2 folks before us waiting to be seated. The place was packed but luckily the only large table became available after waiting for about 10 min. or so.
Despite the place being packed and busy — we were promptly served with coffee and our orders placed within few minutes. We all had something different from the Veggie Burrito, World Famous Breakfast, Steak and Eggs with biscuits/​gravy. Pretty much all the breakfast had an option for either the potato fries or the shredded potatoes. The potatoes were good but I like the Pamela’s more. Overall, the service was good — food was good and the service was much better than expected.
Overall, a good alternate to Pamela’s if you’re in the strip.