Campus Deli

400 Semple St.

(412) 683-3200

$

Panther Funds

The Campus… Campus Deli

400 Semple St.

(412) 683-3200

$

Panther Funds

The Campus Deli, located at the corner of Semple and Bates streets, in the heart of Central Oakland, offers a variety of New York-style deli sandwiches. This quaint, little corner eatery offers sandwiches with college-related names, such as the “Freshman” and the “Cheesy Dean.” They even have a sandwich called the “Panther.” Campus Deli offers a variety of breads, cheeses and toppings for sandwiches, and all sandwiches include a pickle on the side. In addition to cold deli sandwiches, they offer gyros, a reuben and other hot sandwiches, not to mention a variety of vegetarian dishes and salads.

— David Ogg

Carnegie Cafe

4400 Forbes Ave.

(412) 622-3225

$$$

No Panther Funds

Whether you’re looking for a restaurant to cap off a trip through the Carnegie Museum of Art, or you’re just looking for a place to eat without the hustle and bustle of places more central to campus, the Carnegie Cafe is for you.

Offering a variety of daily specials and regular menu items, ranging from dinner-sized salads to sandwiches to “Pittsburgh’s best omelet,” the Carnegie Cafe has something to appeal to everyone.

But it’s the atmosphere that sets it apart from other restaurants. Situated at one end of the Carnegie Museum of Art, the restaurant offers a refreshing lack of congestion.

Flanked on one side by the artistic fountains near Forbes Avenue and facing CMA’s entrance, which includes a piece of modern art, the unique dining environment treats patrons to culture along with their entrees.

— Dante A. Ciampaglia

Duranti’s

128 N. Craig St.

(412) 682-1155

$$

No Panther Funds

Duranti’s decor is large, comfortable and reminiscent of something out of your grandfather’s study. The rich carpeting and the dark wooden bar in the corner of the room suggest the use of hushed voices and best manners.

Order a cup of tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich to go with your cup of tea. Entrees such as fish and chips and roast beef and mashed potatoes can be found on the menu as well. Order a cup of tea and a slice of lemon meringue pie to top it all off.

Sit and talk and relax, letting the outside drift by — it’s OK, you’re warm and cozy.

— Leslie Hoffman

Food for Thought

194 N. Craig St.

(412) 682-5033

$$

No Panther Funds

Here’s some food for thought: North Oakland boasts one of the best places to buy egg salad by the pound. If you’ve been inkling for a good deli, but fear the intimidating world that lies beyond Oakland, Food for Thought should be on your mind.

The deli boasts a wide variety of deli fixins, available in sandwich form or by the pound. An incredible selection of carbonated beverages — count ’em, at least three different kinds of cherry soda to meet your cherry-soda needs — will impress even the most discriminating soda-guzzling fool.

So whether you crave tuna salad-on-wheat or cow tongue-on-rye, Food for Thought will deliver — just not to your door.

–J. Elizabeth Strohm

Jimmy John’s Sandwich Shop

3444 Forbes Ave.

(412) 681-9010

$

Panther Funds

The observant sandwich consumer will notice an interesting step in the making of a Jimmy John’s sub. The condiments, normally squirted atop a sandwich, are here fitted between two pieces of cheese, ensuring both a clean dining experience and a surprise with every bite. That’s one detail supporting the claim of “world’s greatest gourmet sandwiches.” For $2.50, you can get a “Slim Jim,” which offers the basics: a little meat, a little cheese and bread. Add a buck, and you’ve got the seven regular sandwiches, like the “Vito” — a classic Italian — or the tuna sub called “Sorry Charlie.” At the $4.50 level, your club becomes giant. Smoked Ham, Hunter’s and Country clubs.

“Ha,” you say, “my appetite could stand much more.” For you, there’s “The Jimmy John’s Gargantuan.” At $6.50, Jimmy John’s takes everything edible that’s available and puts it in a French bun. And for 5 cents an item, Jimmy John’s will deliver the goods to your door.

— Eric Lidji

Napoleon’s

503 N. Craig St.

(412) 687-5088

$

Panther Funds

Fat Tommy’s Pizzeria is a thing of the past. While the restaurant – now known as Napoleon’s – still retains that classic pizza parlor feel and no longer serves pizza, the friendly staff does throw together a mean sandwich.

And while those sandwiches are indeed hearty and tasty, Napoleon’s also serves big salads for those of us who want more greens, and fat wraps full of goodness for carb-conscious diners who still want the grease in their diet. Make sure to try the excellent chicken bacon wrap.

So if you’re in the mood for a good hearty bite, give Napoleon’s a shot. They’ll treat you right and you definitely won’t be leaving hungry.

– Daniel Richey

Panera Bread

3800 Forbes Ave.

(412) 683-3727

3401 Blvd. of the Allies

(412) 683-9616

$

Panther Funds (Forbes Avenue only)

Panera Bread — a bright, warm, spacious bakery — gets its name from the many kinds of bread the employees make on the premises. These chewy sourdoughs and nutty multi-grains are the bases for all kinds of sandwiches.

If you really like the bread, have an order of soup in a bread bowl — a generous ladleful of soup in a hollowed-out loaf of sourdough bread. No, really, an entire loaf. Cap off your lunch or dinner with a fresh pastry and a cup of coffee.

— Clare Perretta

Primanti Bros.

3803 Forbes Ave.

(412) 621-4444

$

Panther Funds

A Primanti Bros. sandwich is an experience. Like Pittsburgh’s strange mix of culture and industry, Primanti’s signature sandwich is an odd melange of a slab of meat with tomatoes, vinegary coleslaw and hearty French fries. The white bread surrounding the innards is soft and delicious. Primanti’s used to hold court in Three Rivers Stadium, and it’s not a trip to PNC Park without getting a warm Primanti’s sandwich. However, it’s not necessary to attend a sporting event to get a taste of this Pittsburgh tradition. A Primanti’s restaurant is located on Forbes Avenue, and it is open late enough to satisfy midnight cravings as well as your midday lunch needs.

— Leslie Hoffman

Quiznos Subs

120 Oakland Ave.

(412) 683-1177

$

Panther Funds

Quiznos Subs offers a sandwich that is a little less conventional than traditional subs. A Quiznos sub is toasted on special breads made from the finest quality ingredients, and carefully designed to add flavor and to make the perfect recipe for toasting.

Some of these subs include signature menu items, such as the chicken carbonara on herb focaccia bread and honey mustard chicken with bacon on Italian ciabatta bread.

Not only are Quiznos subs warm, but the restaurant also welcomes the health-conscious connoisseur. The menu includes subs made with low-carb flatbread, vegetables and fewer than seven grams of fat. The Quiznos Subs menu also includes soups, salads and deserts.

But don’t try to enjoy these items on a Sunday. Even Quiznos has to take a day of rest.

Uncle Sam’s Submarines

210 Oakland Ave.

(412) 621-1885

$

Panther Funds

Even Philadelphians have to respect the quality of Uncle Sam’s cheese steaks. Often referred to as the best in the ‘Burgh, Uncle Sam’s steaks are heaping with meat and cheese, and served with delicious fries that leave enough to keep for tomorrow’s lunch. And even the most Philly-loyal of cheese-steak fans will love the Uncle Sam’s Special. It’s part of the trio of Oakland Avenue restaurants, with Fuel and Fuddle and Joe Mama’s. The owners of Uncle Sam’s know how to serve college crowds, and can move a line along during even the busiest of lunch rushes. Not a strict carnivore? Not to worry. Uncle Sam’s is also listed in the vegan dining guide to Pittsburgh, thanks to its veggie Roma, veggie Florentine and portabella mushroom subs, which even the most ardent meat-eaters would enjoy for their rich, full flavors.

— Greg Heller-LaBelle