Review Detail
A Mixed Bag at North Park Lounge: Hits, Misses, and the Legendary Lounge Fries
(Updated: October 04, 2024)
Overall rating
3.8
Drinks
3.0
Atmosphere
3.0
Service
4.0
Pricing
5.0
Location
4.0
Alright Yinzers, gather 'round for a tale of two dinners. Picture this: It’s Father’s Day, and we’re ready for a treat at Coughlin's Law in Mt. Washington. But with a two-hour wait and growling stomachs, we decided to head back to familiar turf—the North Hills—and ended up at the trusty old North Park Lounge (NPL).
Now, let’s start with the good stuff. You can never go wrong with the Lounge Fries and the French Onion Soup. Those gooey, cheesy fries are like a warm hug from your grandma, and the French Onion Soup is a savory delight that hits the spot every time. But, aye, here comes the mixed bag.
Now, let’s start with the good stuff. You can never go wrong with the Lounge Fries and the French Onion Soup. Those gooey, cheesy fries are like a warm hug from your grandma, and the French Onion Soup is a savory delight that hits the spot every time. But, aye, here comes the mixed bag.
We decided to give the grilled wings a go, and let’s just say they were a bit drier than the Allegheny River in a drought. Not quite the juicy, flavorful bites we were hoping for. And then there was the Father’s Day Prime Rib. In the immortal words of Rodney Dangerfield in Caddyshack, it may have had whip marks from where the jockey was beating it. It was a bit tough, but, to be fair, it did the job and filled the belly.
Here’s where things get a bit curious—NPL has a drive-thru. For a sit-down restaurant, it feels a bit out of place. I mean, who’s driving through for French Onion Soup and prime rib? But hey, different strokes for different folks.
Despite the ups and downs, NPL has been a mainstay in McCandless while other locations have shuttered their doors. The fact that they’re still serving up those legendary Lounge Fries must mean they’re doing something right. It’s not perfect, but it’s homey, it’s familiar, and sometimes, that’s all you need.
So there you have it, folks—a Father’s Day feast at North Park Lounge. Not quite the grand slam, but not a strikeout either. I’ll be back, if only for those Lounge Fries and a good ol’ bowl of French Onion.
