Tessaro's

Tessaro's is a Bloomfield institution and one of the city's go-to answers for a thick, old-school burger. The half-pound patties are cooked over a hardwood grill, which gives them a smoky char you do not get from a flattop, and the classic cheeseburger with American cheese on a Mancini's roll is the move. Ask for it medium-rare if that is how you like it.

The room is a classic neighborhood bar, with TVs showing the Steelers and Penguins and a crowd that has been coming for years. It made the final four of Pittsburgh Magazine's burger bracket and still gets regular shout-outs from locals.