For the past three years, the Pittsburgh Sandwich Society has been a fixture on the local food truck scene, putting a Steel Town spin on traditional lunchtime favorites. Now it has a stationary kitchen in Lawrenceville.
Take Aht!, a grab-and-go spot that occupies the former Kaleidoscope Café on 43rd Street, features all of Pittsburgh Sandwich Society’s mobile staples as well as some new mouth-watering options.
After a long stint sharing commissary space with other food truck chefs, owners Erin Andrzejewski and Mike Carney wanted their own kitchen.
Now that they’ve got one, hungry pedestrians can call 412-224-2188 or order online and then stroll over to the colorful building — which is a popular selfie destination — to pick up their meal.
The shop is open for takeout lunch Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and takeout dinner on Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m.
Brunch is served from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Walk-in orders also are welcome.
Popular menu items include the In-N-Aht Burger — two beef patties on a toasted bun topped with American cheese, onion jam, tomato, pickles, “animal sauce” and a spring mix of greens.
The Grilled Chicken Club combines pickle-brined chicken breast with bacon, spicy avocado, tomato, aioli, greens and crispy potatoes on a brioche bun. Round out the meal with an order of hand-cut fries and a Red Ribbon soda.
In addition, there will usually be some type of burrito available. Andrzejewski and Carney, who hail from Buffalo, N.Y., also own and operate the Pittsburgh Burrito Bus, a 1973 Volkswagen Microbus that cruises around the city dishing out Mexican meals.
Both vehicles will continue to hit the road multiple times each week, stopping at breweries, hospitals and other businesses.
And if your dog is along for the walk to Take Aht!, there’s a pooch-friendly menu of beef, chicken and Milk-Bone sandwiches.
Although you can’t eat in at Take Aht!, the building boasts a 37-seat dining room that will be used to host events this fall, including beer dinners and art shows.
“We’re happy with being a takeout place right now,” Andrzejewski says.