Ride Home Rants
Ride Home Rants
Exploring Pittsburgh's Best Kept Secrets
Ever wondered what makes Pittsburgh a city worth exploring? Join me, Fiddy, as I fill in for Mike Bono and take you on a tour of Pittsburgh's rich culture, thriving business ventures, and beloved sports teams. This episode features Matt "Lando" Landowski, the mastermind behind Sweet Hand Sports, who will share the inspiring journey of his sports gear company, Scotty "Uber Driver," who gives us an inside look at his one-of-a-kind Pittsburgh Party Uber service that keeps the weekend crowd entertained, and Dr. Josh Himes! You’ll hear personal stories that underline their love for Pittsburgh and find out how they've built successful businesses in the heart of the Steel City.
What makes Pittsburgh a haven for foodies and adventure seekers alike? We've handpicked the city's top attractions and culinary hotspots just for you. From the baseball thrills at Pirates games to mouthwatering sandwiches at Primanti Brothers, we’ve got the ultimate guide to ensuring you experience the best Pittsburgh has to offer. Learn about unique features in Scotty's Uber rides that are sure to captivate college students and discover our favorite suburbs, each with its own unique charm. This segment promises to leave you with a bucket list of must-visit spots.
Get ready for some heartfelt nostalgia as we reminisce about unforgettable Steelers games and surprise reunions with old friends. We'll take you through the excitement of Kennywood, Pittsburgh’s iconic theme park, and rank our favorite neighborhoods from Squirrel Hill to the Southside. And for the sports enthusiasts, we'll wrap up with a tribute to Pittsburgh's legendary sports teams and the remarkable experiences their venues provide. Tune in for a comprehensive, heartfelt, and en
Stupid Should Hurt
Link to my Merch store the Stupid Should Hurt Line!
Reaper Apparel
Reaper Apparel Co was built for those who refuse to die slowly! Reaper isn't just clothing it’s a lifestyle!
Subscribe for exclusive content: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1530455/support
Cammo Comedy Show PodcaseMilitary shenanigans, pranks & mistakes! Subscribe to Cammo Comedy! On all platforms!
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Sweet Hands SportsElevate your game with Sweet Hands Sports! Our sports gloves are designed for champions,
Tactical Brotherhood
The Tactical Brotherhood is a movement to support America.
Shankitgolf
Our goal here at Shankitgolf is for everyone to have a great time on and off the golf course
Dubby Energy
FROM GAMERS TO GYM JUNKIES TO ENTREPRENEURS, OUR PRODUCT IS FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS TO BE BETTER.
Buddy's Beard Care
Buddy's Beard Care provides premium men's grooming products at an affordable price.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Welcome everybody to another episode of the Ride Home Rants podcast. This is your special guest, host Fitty, as today I'm filling in for Mike Bono as he is out and about and doing some things work related. Today we have a really great show with two former guests that were awesome former guests that are now back on this roundtable. It is the All Things Pittsburgh Roundtable. Yes, we did an All Things Cleveland Roundtable that I hosted. Yes, we're doing an All Things Pittsburgh Roundtable. Yes, we did an All Things Cleveland Roundtable that I hosted. And yes, we're doing an All Things Pittsburgh Roundtable that I'm going to host again. And we might have one more special roundtable for another city where we had a lot of guests coming out this fall, but not here to talk about that, here to talk about All Things Pittsburgh with two very, very great guests. But first I need to get this promo read in before I get to these two guests.
Speaker 1:One of the newest sponsors of the show is Buddy's Beard Care. Buddy's Beard Care provides premium men's grooming products at an affordable price. Products are made in Ohio and Buddy's Beard Care supports locals. The majority of their supplies are from Ohio-based companies and you can find them on social media, at Buddy's Beard Care or online at wwwbuddiesbeardcarecom. If you use the promo code Bono15, you will save 15% off. Also, make sure you check out all the sponsors in the pre-roll and the post-roll. We definitely want to support these small businesses. So our two guests today coming from Pittsburgh, former guests of the show, matt Matt, lando Landowski and Scotty Uber driver. They are here today to talk about all things Pittsburgh with me, but they're first going to talk about a little bit about themselves and their small businesses within the Pittsburgh area. So, lando, take it away within the Pittsburgh area.
Speaker 2:So, lando, take it away. Hey, fitty, thanks for having me. Man, appreciate it, love being here. So I started this sports company about four years ago called Sweet Hand Sports, and we started with batting gloves. I was playing a lot of men's league baseball, was going through a bunch of men's league baseball, went through the um was going through a bunch of them and saw an opportunity there and designed a new batting glove that was a little more durable and, uh, um, starting to take off a little bit. We sell online at sweethandsportscom and um, we also, uh, just launched a new line of golf gloves that just came out. So, if you're interested, check out SweetHandsSportscom and grab a pair of golf gloves. If you're heading to the driving range, or if you're playing some softball or some baseball, grab some batting gloves.
Speaker 1:Perfect Thanks, lando and Lando how long have you lived in Pittsburgh for and where do you live exactly?
Speaker 2:Oh, I'm born and raised man. I'm from the Kiske area, living in lower borough, now Probably about a half an hour outside of outside of the Berg. I love it, man. Steeler fan. Pirate fan. Penguin fan. Bethany Bison fan.
Speaker 1:Alright, scotty, take it away.
Speaker 3:Oh God. Well, my name is Scotty on the Pittsburgh Party Uber. It's something like I can't. You have to experience the pit party uber. You know I've been doing this for four and a half years now. You know, obviously during the years I've updated a lot. You know I started off with some weak LED disco ball and then I've upgraded, as you can see, to like black lights, a new LED disco ball, and then I've upgraded, as you can see, to like black lights, a new LED disco ball, color changing interior lights. It's been great. You know I suit the party crowd Friday and Saturday nights.
Speaker 1:You know, um jeez how long have you been in Pittsburgh for Scotty?
Speaker 3:Oh, I you been in Pittsburgh for Scotty. Oh, I've been in Pittsburgh since 2012. Okay, Originally from Florida, Moved up here just to be closer to my daughter, obviously back in 2012. And in what?
Speaker 1:part of the city do you live in now?
Speaker 3:I live in Cranberry Township so you know 20, 25 minutes from Pittsburgh if you're doing the speed limit.
Speaker 1:but you know I've had it Right, and here's what I can tell you about these two guys. One I've driven in Scotty's Uber. It is definitely the place to be on a I think that was a Saturday night that we were there. It was definitely a Saturday night. I do remember that it was after a pit basketball game. Scotty's Uber is the place to be, and don't forget to tip him, baby. One more time. Okay, One more time.
Speaker 3:No way, you did one of my transitions. Yeah, stop it, stop it, that's mine.
Speaker 1:Don't forget to tip Scotty if you're riding the Uber. In all seriousness, he's a great dude. He'll definitely get you from place to place. And don't forget to check out Lando's gloves. He was actually kind enough to send Mike and I both hats. We do wear those around, lando. I just wore it to work today again. So everybody thinks it's a golf hat and I keep telling them no man, this is Sweet Hand Sports by Matt Lando Landowski for batting gloves and golf gloves. I don't golf, I just wear the hat because it's cool. So I'm definitely promoting you, lando. Just know that.
Speaker 2:Hey, I appreciate it, Vinny, I appreciate it. Hey, you wear those hats wherever man they go with, everything right, the color they do.
Speaker 1:They definitely do, and actually it looks like we have one of our other guests actually joining right now. He's actually going to get connected here, hopefully be on in one second. I think he's going to stay on for a little bit with us and he should be coming through. He actually lives in Charleston now, but he is from Pittsburgh with Dr Josh Himes. Josh, can you hear us what's?
Speaker 4:up my man how you doing.
Speaker 1:Good, how's everything down there?
Speaker 4:We are prepared for this water intake.
Speaker 1:Well, I appreciate you coming on, Josh. We're just getting started here with Scotty and Matt. We were just doing our introductions. Do you want to tell everybody who you are, what part of Pittsburgh you're from, and you want to give a shout out to your business with what you do as a doctor?
Speaker 4:Absolutely my man. So my name is Dr Josh Himes, only known as the Handsome Hitman, a retired professional boxer, former UBFL America's champion. I went back to school, earned a PhD and become a naturopathic doctor, and I'm a functional health doctor now and we own Pro Health Place. I'm from Beaver County, pennsylvania, outside of Pittsburgh by the airport. We have a clinic in Menaca Center Township called Pro Health Place and we have a second one here in Charleston. Actually, we just opened up last year. We are a functional medicine clinic. We try to find the root cause of the problem Instead of just giving somebody a pill. For real, we try to really track down and narrow it down with that root cause.
Speaker 1:Okay, well, perfect. Well, thanks for coming on, josh. So we have about 10 questions here and stay on as long as you need to. I know you have some things to attend to with the weather down there, but we're going to go Scotty, matt, and then you on these questions, and then we're going to start with you, scotty. So, first question on the All Things Pittsburgh show. Right, we're going to get right into it right now. If someone who's never been to Pittsburgh is going to go to Pittsburgh for a weekend, what three things are you recommending they do? But here's the kicker you can't mention anything for food, and they have to be in the city, not the suburbs. What three things inside the city of Pittsburgh are you recommending for someone to do?
Speaker 3:Oh God, okay, Well, like in the city. So Mount Washington is out of the question, we'll go with Mount Washington.
Speaker 1:Yeah, we'll go with Mount Washington All right.
Speaker 3:So tourist attraction obviously is the Mount Washington Overlook, no doubt the best at nighttime, you know. And then, like in the city, in the city, city, city, the Strip District. It's full of new shops, new surprises. Let's see Strip District. And then I would highly recommend the North Shore, the North Shore, okay perfect.
Speaker 1:What about you, lando?
Speaker 2:I'm going to go with Red Fin Blues man, my restaurant right there you can't pick a restaurant.
Speaker 1:I'm sorry no restaurants, no restaurants. Okay, southside can't pick a restaurant.
Speaker 2:I'm sorry, no restaurants, no restaurants, okay.
Speaker 1:Southside. Okay, southside is one. What are the other two?
Speaker 2:I'm going to go Lawrenceville.
Speaker 1:That's a suburb man. You got to pick within the city.
Speaker 2:I'm sorry.
Speaker 1:It's hardurb man. You gotta pick within the city.
Speaker 2:I'm sorry, it's hard. It makes you think, yeah, it really does, it really does yeah, it helps when you're an Uber driver, not gonna lie downtown.
Speaker 1:Okay, we'll take that visit downtown and then what's the third thing you would recommend? Yeah, downtown, okay.
Speaker 2:We'll take that Visit downtown. And then what's the third thing? You would recommend North Shore. I would recommend North Shore. Okay, it's happening down there, man. I mean, that's where all the pie dealers and stuff it is where it's happening.
Speaker 1:Josh, what would you pick? What three things inside the city would you recommend for someone to do that goes to Pittsburgh? That's not food Station Square Okay, that's valid, that's one Carnegie.
Speaker 4:Science.
Speaker 1:Center Even better, that's number two.
Speaker 3:And the incline.
Speaker 4:Okay. See, I wasn't thinking any of those.
Speaker 1:Actually, here's what I was thinking. I was going to say go check out a Pirates game. I think it's the best baseball stadium in the United States that's most fan friendly. So go check out a Pirates game. If you want to go to a concert, go to wherever the Penguins play the old Mellon Arena I don't even know what it's called now, but I know there's a PPG. Yes, I know it's a great arena to catch that at. And I was going to say go see the Pickle Festival. Man, when they got the Pickle Festival going on, you got to go to the Pickle Festival. It's a fun time. I've never been, but it looks pretty cool from the pictures. All right, so, scotty, we're going to go back to you on this, okay, and Lando, now you can talk about restaurants. But Scotty, you're up first. If someone asks you what restaurants do you recommend for them to try, what two or three restaurants are you recommending in the city of Pittsburgh.
Speaker 3:Oh God, okay. So yeah, man, I'm an. Uber driver man, I've been to so many restaurants, you know Obviously this is classic.
Speaker 3:You have to go to Primanti Brothers because not many people have experienced fries and coleslaw on a sandwich before. And, honestly, I'm from Florida and we didn't have that kind of stuff down there. And when I came up here and tried Permani Brothers with fries and coleslaw I'm like, oh my god, this is mouth-watering, you know, it's so good. So, permani Brothers, obviously, the second restaurant I would recommend oh, it's a pzola in station square, or not a station square, um, market square, okay, okay, that's really good. I actually had a passenger one time, um, they forgot their cell phone in my car and I started driving away and all of a sudden, like the cell phone ringing in the back of my Uber, I'm like what? I pull over and I answer and they're like, yeah, we were just in your Uber, we left our cell phone in your car. I'm like, well, obviously you know I'm talking to you. And they're like, yeah, can you get back to us and join us for dinner? And I'm like, yeah, can you come back to us?
Speaker 3:and join us for dinner and I'm like well absolutely.
Speaker 1:That's fair. That's awesome. So you have one more. Which other one would you pick?
Speaker 3:From Ante Brothers Pizziola. And oh God, based on what passengers have told me, I've never been to it, but I've heard it has extraordinary views. What is it, Altus?
Speaker 1:No, I never heard of that. Maybe Lando has. For that, lando, what three restaurants would you recommend?
Speaker 2:Oh, I'm going Red Fin Blues, baby, okay there's one.
Speaker 1:What are your other two, or one or two more? You'd recommend they got?
Speaker 2:the all you can eat crab legs every night. I'm a big all you can eat crab leg guy, so you're like a big all you can eat anything.
Speaker 1:So like I know you, lando, I'm a fullback baby, right, like I know you. I know you, lando, for like I'm a fullback baby. Right, like almost like 17 years I've known you, so okay, so there's two, and then what would be the third one you would pick?
Speaker 2:I'm going to say D'Anois and the Streb Okay, all right, josh.
Speaker 4:What about you, josh? What would you pick? I'm going to go, actually, with off the wall one. I'm going to go with Taya for number one. Okay, taya's on Smallwood Street Interesting. It has some of the best paella that I've had. I've been to Spain as well before and I've tried it from there, which was amazing, but that was the best paella I've had around in a long time.
Speaker 1:Interesting, interesting, all right. What other couple would you recommend?
Speaker 3:I know you've been removed out of the city, though for a year.
Speaker 1:So we get it if you only can do like one more.
Speaker 4:Give me just one more that I'll do one more and I'll call there Okay, you can just do one more, perfect. The last one I'm going to do, obviously for just like a go-to for people was the Grand Concourse.
Speaker 1:Oh, good pick, grand Concourse.
Speaker 4:So I think, if I have to Add it in too for the Hopper House, the three.
Speaker 1:Yeah, how could you forget the Hopper House? Right, it is like a statement. It is like a statement. So I made some good points. So I think if I had to pick three of them, I would go with the original Primanti. I would agree with Scotty on that. I think you've got to try the original Primanti, even though they're so like chained now Gotta go back to the original. I would do Southern um Tier Brew Company and the North Shore. I know it's a chain, but I like that location, I like that vibe. And then I would go with uh Tenpenny, right behind the convention center, uh, right on the corner there, Um, I, I really liked it there. I ate there a few times over the years. So those would be the ones. So everybody got a lot of good choices for Pittsburgh. So, Scotty, we're going to go back to you on this one. Now you can only say the name of the town or area, but you can't explain why. Okay, what is the best suburb in all of Pittsburgh?
Speaker 3:Go, oh, the best suburb of all, pittsburgh. I mean, god Wait, can I introduce a new feature, since you've been in my Uber first, sure. Go ahead, go ahead. What's up, guys? My name is Scotty. I got a microphone now. That's awesome.
Speaker 1:That is awesome.
Speaker 3:And the college students love it. So obviously you know what I'm going to say is Oakland.
Speaker 1:Okay, that's fair. Oakland, all right, we're home of the Pitt Panthers and Dan Marino. Absolutely, matt. Which one are you picking? Suburb, yep, suburb.
Speaker 2:Oh, I'm going to go with Kiske area man Okay.
Speaker 1:Josh, what about you? What's the best suburb in all of pittsburgh around pittsburgh?
Speaker 1:beaver county, home of all the best athletes man, this is like I gotta pick the worst question, man. That was bad man. All right, all right, I will give you guys that, though that's funny, okay. Next one, though what's the most overrated suburb of pittsburgh? Now I'll let you think about this, because I'm going to answer what is the the best one right now and you guys think about what's the most overrated. I think the best suburb of pittsburgh is cranberry township, okay now going in your in your home.
Speaker 1:Scotty loves cranberry. It's great, great place. Now what's the most overrated suburb of Pittsburgh, scotty?
Speaker 3:Oh God, I hate to say it. I mean it does bring me the most business, but it's also the most overrated. It's unfortunately Southside Okay.
Speaker 1:Scotty, with the Southside, what do you got Lando.
Speaker 2:I'm going to agree with Scotty on that. One Southside's a little overrated man.
Speaker 1:Okay, Josh are you? Making it a trifecta or are you picking something else? Trifecta.
Speaker 4:I appreciate the guys. I can't argue that. But I'm going to have to go with either. North Shore North Shore is probably for sure, yeah, wow, okay. The Carnegie Science they have some good spots there. North Shore is probably for sure. Yeah, wow.
Speaker 1:But aside from those spots, that's all they got man, josh just killed my vibe, because the next question is do you think the North Shore is overrated or underrated? I don't even need to ask Josh on this one, because he just killed it for me, man dang. I love the North Shore. I don't even need to ask Josh on this one, because he just killed it for me, man dang, I love the North Shore. Like I'll answer that I think the North Shore is underrated. I think it's great. I think it's great. I wish Bettis' Bar and Grill was still there, because that was the spot, man, but I love the North Shore. I think it's underrated, josh, though is there anything else you want to add to that before we go to Scotty and Lando?
Speaker 4:So I mean to, I guess, combat that quickly. I like the North Shore, but out of those like five boroughs I always refer to Pittsburgh as five boroughs. That's one of the boroughs where, like it's a little bit more sketchy. You got to watch. I don't mind obviously personally, but like going with my family and my kids, unless I'm going to the stadiums or I'm going to one of those nice restaurants or science center. Some of the spots are a little bit shady there, you know what.
Speaker 1:I will give you that, Josh, I will. But yeah, when I think North Shore, I think where the hotel is at, between the stadiums, the bars right there, the science center, maybe the casino during the day.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I ain't adventuring in all the neighborhoods or anything like that, but okay, scotty, is the north shore overrated or underrated, honestly, in my opinion I? I would say it's underrated actually, just just because, like you know, obviously the main attractions for the North Shore are along the Boulevard and what is it? North Shore Drive? Correct me if I'm wrong, but like Tequila, cowboy and all them bars across that area, it's like a lot of my passengers prefer to go to the south side versus the North Shore, and I would gladly, gladly drive to the North Shore anytime.
Speaker 1:Interesting. Well, I know Scotty picked us up from the North Shore, so that's the first time I got to meet him Was actually picking us up from Southern Tier Brewery after the Pit Panthers game. So you know North Shore holds a special place in my heart, lando what about you.
Speaker 2:Is the North Shore holds a special place in my heart, Lando what about you? Is the North Shore overrated or underrated? I love the North Shore, man. You got the Pirates, you got the Steelers. You got Tequila Cowboy Burn the Cigar Bar, you got Borre Louis, right next to that, mcfadden. It's a great place to be, man, great place to be.
Speaker 1:You know, lando, the last time I was in Pittsburgh for a football game for the Steelers was like 2016,. Okay, so that's the last time, because I'm a Jets fan, so that's the last time I think they might have played there when I had a chance to go. So I don't, I'm a Jets fan.
Speaker 3:so it was the last time, I think they might have played there when I had a chance to go, so I go.
Speaker 1:I'm a Jets fan, yeah, so.
Speaker 3:I'm a Jets fan. I'm ending this call now.
Speaker 1:So I go to McFadden's Now Josh will appreciate this because one of the people that was there and this was Josh's buddy from back at home, and Josh will laugh when he hears this. But, lando, you'll laugh too. I walk up to McFadden's. The bouncer is like hey, fitty, and I'm like who the hell are you? He's like man, it's Rags, man from Bethany, and I'm like, oh geez, rags, my bad, I don't even know you. He's like, yeah, man, guire's working the door. Go say hi. So I walk. I see, I see, guire, these are guys we played football with. Guire is like and josh, this is where you're gonna laugh. He's like, hey man, chet sedlak is in the back of the bar. Go say hi to him.
Speaker 1:Although I'm in there with three of my college teammates, I haven't seen like six years since we graduated and I'm see, you know, I see seti, I see rags, I see guire and I'm like man, it's's like a Bethany Falls football reunion. The last time I was in McFadden's it was just so funny, like it was so random, to run into all those dudes in McFadden's at 430 on a Sunday, and I don't even live in Pittsburgh so, but I figure, josh and Lando, you would appreciate that. Yeah, just being in McFadden's.
Speaker 2:It's awesome Down there. Say that again, lando. I've seen Braggs and Guire and all those guys down there. Man, they're great guys man.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it was funny. It was just so funny seeing them. So, all right, next one, we're going to go back to you, scotty. So Pittsburgh does have a theme park for people that don't know. I mean, technically it is in the suburbs, but they do have a theme park. And no, when people say they go to Cedar Point, no, they are not here in Cleveland, it is not Cleveland, but Kennywood is truly like Pittsburgh as Pittsburgh comes. So, scotty, have you ever been to Kennywood? And then, if so, what?
Speaker 3:are your thoughts of it? Kennywood wow, okay, yes, I've been to Kenny Wood I would say a few times already Okay, more than a few times, I can't count after like a few or three visits, you know, because it all just blends together. But the thing I love about Kenny Wood is it seems like they're constantly evolving. You know different sides and stuff like that, and I love it.
Speaker 1:Okay, that's fair. Lando, I'm assuming you've been to Kennywood, so what are your thoughts of it?
Speaker 2:I'm actually going this Sunday.
Speaker 1:Oh nice, Nice. Is this your first time all year?
Speaker 2:Yeah, well, the girlfriend's taking me down. So a little family trip and all that good stuff, Are you?
Speaker 3:free, Free. I said I'm free if it's free.
Speaker 1:Hey, you know what, Lando? What you gotta do is call Scotty to be your Uber driver there.
Speaker 2:That's what I was just thinking, man. That's what I was just thinking have a couple and then call Scotty Right, everybody wins in this situation. That's what I was just thinking, man.
Speaker 1:That's what I was just thinking have a couple and then call Scottie. Exactly Right, everybody wins in this situation. Hey, lando, make sure you go through the tunnel of love with Garfield when you first get there. After you go through the arcade and play some games, the winner of stuffed animals.
Speaker 2:So make sure you, I'm on a potato patch. Well, he's dead.
Speaker 1:What about you, Josh? I'm assuming you've been to Kennywood. Have you ever taken all your kids there for a day?
Speaker 4:So I got. I'm getting summoned out, so I got to get ready to roll. This is going to be my last question for you guys. I'm sorry I have to roll, that's okay, no problem, and my kids are back in the day. It's been a couple years since I've been there. I don't know if I plan on going back after some of the horror stories that I did here, but I've been to King's and Kennywood probably more times than I can count, gotcha.
Speaker 1:Well, thanks for coming on, Josh. We know you've got to get going and we're thinking about you down there with the weather and everything. Stay safe with your family and your wife and your kids absolutely thanks for having me lando scott.
Speaker 4:Nice to meet you guys, you too thanks, josh thanks guys okay.
Speaker 1:So, uh, as everybody you know heard there, we are thinking about, you know, josh. At this time he is in, uh, charleston and they are preparing for um. You know the aftermath of the hurricane if they don't get hit that hard. So you know, we have. We do have a lot of fun on this show. We bring back a lot of fun guests, we connect a lot of people from, you know, all over the country in different locations and things like that.
Speaker 1:Um, but you know we do take the show serious sometimes and we are thinking of you, josh, and thinking of your children and your wife, um, and your business down there. So stay safe, man, and we, we can't wait to have josh, you know, back on. And when you think about things like that not to put a damper in the show, but you think about things like that it kind of puts it in perspective. So, but we have about four, four topics here too, and and before I get to that, scotty, I know you kind of went through this with Florida too. So you know, and I'm sure you've seen, what the devastation can be during hurricanes and aftershocks.
Speaker 3:Oh God yeah, yeah yeah yeah, I grew up with that and that was. It was kind of life-changing per se, you know, growing up with that kind of stuff, and that's why I don't live in Florida anymore, besides my daughter.
Speaker 1:Right, I mean, it's definitely valid. So you know everybody out there, you know, make sure you're thinking of Josh. As you know, we have a little bit of fun here, though, for the rest of these questions. So, scotty, we're going to go back to you on this one, and I think this is a great one for you to talk about, because with your job, you really drive all over, you're all, you're all over pittsburgh. You're seeing everything the good, the bad, the ugly, the, the hip, the not so hip, the old, the new and everything in between. So there's really three areas of pittsburgh I want to concentrate here on, and we're going to rank them from best, being number one to being number three. In your opinion, we're gonna, we're gonna go with squirrel hill, lawrence and then the Southside. So what are you ranking as number one? The best, and what are you ranking number three as N? Squirrel Hill, lawrenceville and the Southside.
Speaker 3:Oh God, Dude, Okay, as an Uber driver like business-wise. Okay, well, I'll do my personal opinion versus business-wise. Okay, I'm going to take it out of the business sector. Okay perfect, I'll do my personal opinion versus business-wise. Okay, I'm going to take it out. The business sector.
Speaker 1:Okay, perfect, that's perfect.
Speaker 3:So personal, so you said from best to worst.
Speaker 1:Yeah, best to worst, yep.
Speaker 3:Okay, so I will do Lawrenceville, number one, okay okay. Squirrel Hole, number two, and then Southside, number three, okay okay, what do you got? Number three Okay, okay.
Speaker 1:What do you got, lando? Are you agreeing with Scotty or are you mixing it up?
Speaker 2:I'm going to mix it up a little bit. I'm going to go with Lawrenceville what was it? Southside and Squirrel Hill what was that? What was that? And Squirrel Hill?
Speaker 1:And Squirrel Hill what was that?
Speaker 2:and Squirrel Hill yes, so it would be Lawrenceville, Southside Squirrel Hill.
Speaker 1:Wow, I got to know. I think me and Scotty want to know why would you pick Squirrel Hill number three out of that.
Speaker 3:Yeah.
Speaker 1:You just don't dig Squirrel Hill or what's going on with that.
Speaker 2:It's just, if I'm going out, I'm going to. You know, I don't know. I like the restaurants and stuff better in Lawrenceville and Southside. That's pretty much it.
Speaker 3:Yeah, yeah, yeah, don't get him wrong Like there's a lot of stuff popping in Lawrenceville and Southside versus Squirrel Hills, but in regards of, like you know best, to worst places to visit, yeah, so here's what I would say and now I'm, you know, I'm just a tad older than you guys, but you know, I would probably say south side is number three.
Speaker 1:That's really not my jam anymore. It's cool when you're like young, but yeah, yeah, you know, when you're like in college, maybe, like up to like 25, 26, I'm gonna say probably. Squirrel hill is number two because I think, from like I'm a history person, I like history and I think, from like a cultural, historical perspective, squirrel hill is awesome, like, awesome, and in that aspect, like the architecture, the cool things, just go hang out for the day and then you go home. You're not like going out, like like Lando said, there, but if you, if you like what I enjoy, I would go Squirrel Hill probably too. And then, number one you got to go Lawrenceville because that is like the most happening place in Pittsburgh.
Speaker 1:Right, it's like it's gentrified, everything's brand new. You know you, you basically, unless you lived, like it's gentrified, everything's brand new. You know you, you basically, unless you lived there before it got gentrified, you're a baller and you're doing very well for yourself, um, and it's just a hip, cool place to go. Now would I live there? No, but it's a really, really cool place. Um, I think that most people could enjoy it because there's a different age demographic in there that's pretty unique to the area. Scotty, were you going to say something? Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 3:Like Lawrenceville. Like you said, it's very gentrified, you get that party crowd that you want. But you also can find the bars and clubs that have that low like hey, I just want to go out have a couple drinks or whatever. And yeah, lawrenceville is pretty much the place to be if you're in between that range. Like you said, southside, yeah, 25. Yeah, you're done, it's too much of a party. But Lawrenceville you're 25 to like 40, 45 or whatever, bro, it's the best place to be 40, 45, or whatever, bro, it's the best place to be.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I would definitely agree with that. And for people that have never been to Pittsburgh, if you're from Cleveland and you're listening to this, think of Lawrenceville being like our version of Tremont meets Ohio City. Think about it like that. All my Cleveland people that are listening Tremont meets Ohio City. Think about it like that. All my Cleveland people that are listening. Tremont meets Ohio City is what Lawrenceville is, but Lawrenceville is definitely an interesting place. So another cool question here I want to get into and, scotty, I'm sure if you haven't been, you've at least picked people up from that. I mentioned it before about going to see a concert at where the Penguins play. You know Pittsburgh is a city of concerts. Oh yeah, you have a lot of big-time artists coming there, whether it's at a Penguins Arena or Heinz Field or anything in between of all the theaters there, stage A and E as well. So, scotty, have you ever been to a concert or concerts, you know, in the city there and, if so, where are they at?
Speaker 3:Yeah, I've been to. I'd say a handful of concerts in Pittsburgh Stay. Jae is my preferable place because one not only do they have the option of being indoor, they have the option of being outdoor. Not only do they have the option of being indoor, they have the option of being outdoor, and when they open the outdoor to like you know, the spring to fall time, the outdoor environment in a concert, you know it's almost like going to Star Lake, but you're still within the city.
Speaker 1:Sure.
Speaker 3:Outside experience is 100% amazing. I don't know how you cannot disagree with me.
Speaker 1:No, that's definitely valid. Have you been anywhere else besides Stage A&E?
Speaker 3:Yeah, yeah, I've been to Star Lake.
Speaker 1:I haven't been to PPG for a concert yet, okay okay, For anybody who doesn't know, Star Lake is our equivalent of Blossom in the Cleveland area. It's an outdoor venue that you drive like a mile or two in and then you wait five hours to get out of the parking lot when you're done. But that's really cool that you've been to those couple places, Scotty. What about you, Lando? Where have you been for concerts there? Scotty, what about?
Speaker 2:you, lando. Where have you been for concerts there? I was just at Chris Stapleton out in Star Lake about two weeks ago. I tell you what man. It was the best concert I've ever been to in my life. Really, I love Chris Stapleton man. He is the man. My girlfriend went out there, had a nice night. We beat traffic on the way home. We didn't beat it on the way in, but we did it on the way home. So we, we missed the uh, the uh, the encore, but yeah, um, I'd also say Heinz fields a pretty good place to check a concert out. Um, we went to, uh, we went to Guns N' Roses last year.
Speaker 2:Okay, very cool, that was happening yeah.
Speaker 1:I think the great thing about Pittsburgh with their concerts is that, like, the highway being right there makes it so much easier to get in and out of the city. Man and like and hit the highway or the turnpike or whatever. Scotty, I'm sure you agree from an uber driver's perspective. Um, you know, within the city there, because other places, like other older cities right like cleveland or philadelphia or whatever, and your, your, your city is not near like a highway, you're a couple miles away from a highway creates a nightmare getting out of the city after concerts or after sporting events or whatever. But one thing I will say about Pittsburgh is Pittsburgh is very, very smooth, with traffic after football games, baseball games, concerts, whatever it is, especially there in the North Shore getting in and out of the city. So two questions left for all things Pittsburgh show. Scotty, we're going to start with you Penguins, pirates, steelers which is the one stadium or arena out of those three you recommend for someone to go see an event at A sporting event?
Speaker 3:Oh God, Dude, like okay, Now you're going to put me on the spot because I'm an Uber driver for the city of Pittsburgh. Okay, I know we ask the hard topics here and ride home rants. Ah, dude. Okay, Like, honestly, like you know, like I'm originally not from Pittsburgh, but, but you know, since 2012,.
Speaker 4:so going on 13 years almost.
Speaker 3:I love all the teams Let me put that out there right now. I love all the teams. Let me put that out there right now. I love all the teams. I love the Penguins I grew up on hockey as soon as I started moving up here Obviously, the Steelers and the Pirates, but the best spot to go view is I got to put it out there like the Pirates. The PNC Park, the city view the outside. You know it's amazing, like the view you get from PNC Park is. It's indescribable how you see it.
Speaker 1:Sure that's valid. I will jump in, lando, before you answer. I've never been to a Penguins game. I've been to quite a few Steelers Jets games. Being a fan, I've been to watch the Pitt Panthers two or three times play in Pittsburgh at Heinz Field and while like going to Heinz Field or whatever it's called now, is great, I will say and I said it earlier in the show, pnc Park is, I think, one of the nicest ball clubs in all of the United States. It is amazing and the venue is so great and it's so family-friendly and it's so easy to get out of. That would definitely be my pick. I don't even like the Pirates and I would go there all the time, you know, to see a game if I could Lando. Penguins, pirates, steelers who are you picking man?
Speaker 2:Oh, I'm going to have to agree with you on the Pirates, with the PNC Park being the nicest stadium there is. Um, I love ppg. It's a good night out with penguins and, uh, I would have to say heinz field, that was my, that's my. Jam man going to a steelers ravens game, that's uh.
Speaker 3:Oh yeah.
Speaker 2:There's nothing like it, man. Like a Steelers Ravens playoff game like at Heinz field nothing like it, man. It's. It's unbelievable.
Speaker 1:Interesting.
Speaker 1:All right, the last question I want to. I want to ask you guys and Scotty we're going to get your opinion on this because you know you're not from Pittsburgh but you've been there enough and you deal with the college students and lando, even though you and I went to college in west virginia. We're not far away and, as former college football players, we're gonna both answer this what are your guys thoughts about pitt the pitt panthers, right, um, and being a pitt student being so spread out in the city of Oakland and not having their sporting arenas, like by campus in theory, do you think that's good, bad, indifferent? Does it hurt the school? Does it matter?
Speaker 1:And actually, scotty, we'll let you finish up with this because you drive all the college students around. And actually, scotty, we'll let you finish up with this because you drive all the college students around. But, lando, you know, as a former college football player, you know college graduate, you know what are your thoughts on, like how Pitt's campus is constructed and that being so far away from playing at the Steelers Stadium and sharing a stadium, not even having your own place, and compared to the football complex being on the south side, what do you think of all that in your opinion?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think Pitt needs that field near the school more. I mean, that's the bottom of the line. You need a smaller stadium, kind of like Cincinnati. That's going to fill. I don't know if you've ever been to Cincinnati Stadium. Yeah, talking about the Bearcats. The Bearcats, yeah, something smaller like that, that's what Pitt kind of needs, I think.
Speaker 1:Yeah, you know what Lando Remember we practiced there on the way to Thomas Moore, my last year.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, we practiced there on the way to.
Speaker 1:Thomas Moore, my last year.
Speaker 4:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Yeah, we practiced there. You know, here's what I would say and I've seen a lot of places and I've coached a lot of places and stuff like that when you have a stadium on campus whether it's football, basketball, ice hockey, I don't care what it is it adds to the student experience. Ice hockey, I don't care what it is, it adds to the student experience. Nobody wants to drive across town to go watch your favorite football team where you go to school play. If you can't like walk or even take, like, a quick bus ride, whatever, I think that hurts, right, that hurts. You're not getting the publicity on campus like you would and, to really put this in perspective for people that don't know Pittsburgh, like you ain't walking to the stadium from that campus. That's flat out not happening.
Speaker 1:I think when they tore down Old Pitt Stadium and built that dorm there, that was a bad move. I really think that they should have just found property and put that sitting with maybe like 40-45,000 people and make it similar to Cincinnati, make it similar to Toledo, make it similar to Akron. You don't think that matters. When a football stadium or a basketball arena, which I've been to, is not on campus, it does matter. It takes away from the student experience and it's hard to be competitive as an institution of higher ed and a football or athletic team in general, Scotty what are your?
Speaker 1:thoughts on that. I'm sure you have a different opinion, not being from here, but being an Uber driver.
Speaker 3:Yeah, yeah, I mean absolutely. He just pointed out, he just raised it up in the best sentence possible as an Uber driver. So one, obviously I do agree with you like 100% If Pitt had their own stadium within Oakland great student experience. Lovely, but business-wise aspect like for it being in the North Shore and college students, they either. You know, obviously you have to take the. Oh my God, what is it called? The train, the subway, oh my God, what's the name of the train? The subway, what's the name of the train?
Speaker 1:Lando Uh, the train. We'll go with the train. We'll just go with the train. I used it much man.
Speaker 2:I forget what it's called.
Speaker 1:I don't know what it's called. I never had to use it, but yeah, we'll just go with the train. Public transportation.
Speaker 3:Public transportation Right, right, right, and that includes, obviously, uber drivers. You know I love it that it's outside. You know I've actually given rides to a pit panther football team players, players, and they actually follow me on instagram, which is amazing. You know, it's like I do shout outs, like just like last year I don't know if you saw my instagram post, but but I cannot wait till football season starts up. So, into regards of like not actually having their official football stadium or whatever, whatever, yes, it does, like you, I agree with you. It hurts the student experience. Um, into other regards, it does create more business for me for it being. You know it's, it's.
Speaker 1:It's a 15 20 minute drive, depending on traffic, so it's not too bad, you know, you know but if you're a college student who has to do that constantly, to go to all the home games, yes, it's good, it's great for scotty, not good for the, for the college, you know. But I just want to get your guys' opinion of that because I think people don't realize that Pittsburgh is also a home to tons of other schools and in the suburbs and right there. So you have Pitt, you have Duquesne, you have Robert Morris, you have Chatham, you have Carlo, you have Point Park, you have Washington, and Jefferson is not far away. You have Waynesburg that's not far away, literally. Wvu is an hour away from there. You have Franciscan University, which is 45 minutes away from there. You have Carnegie Mellon. That is right inside the city as well. There are so many schools right there, it's unbelievable. Then you get into Penn State Branch Campus and Penn State Beaver and then you start to fight the West Virginia schools and stuff. Pittsburgh is so saturated with colleges it's unbelievable.
Speaker 1:But with that being said, scotty and Matt, we are finishing up this show here. We want to thank you both for being on. I'm going to give you both about 30 seconds If there's any other shout-outs you want to give to Pittsburgh or point out anything else we have missed on the show, you definitely can. So, scotty, you're up. If you want to give anybody a shout-out, shout out your business again. We're talking about anything we didn't quite cover in the show, oh yeah.
Speaker 3:So basically I mean you show, oh yeah. So basically I mean you tired of taking that boring uber going out with a group of friends. Bro, just hit let the pit party uber on instagram. You know, let me know. Obviously I want to give a shout out to my co-workers because, like you know, monday through friday I truck drive and on the weekends I do my ubering. So eric and Rick, you guys are the best coworkers. And obviously I want to give a shout out because football season starting up is the Pitt Panther football team. You know you guys follow me on Instagram. I love it. You know we interact the whole time during the football season and I cannot wait for another extraordinary football season, you know.
Speaker 1:Okay, and Matt go ahead with yours.
Speaker 2:Yeah, if you're a baseball, softball, golf, golf person out there, don't be afraid to elevate your game with some sweet hands, gloves and check us out at sweethandsportscom and I just want to shout out to the big man upstairs for making this all possible. And, yeah, give us a follow on Instagram, facebook, vx, tiktok, linkedin, wherever your social media is. And yeah, fiddy, thanks for having me and you and Bono man. I appreciate you guys, thank you, thank you.
Speaker 1:Absolutely. We are happy you guys were able to jump on and we thank Dr Josh Himes, formerly of Beaver County, now down in Charleston, for coming on and taking some time out of his uh, his evening um dealing with the potential hurricane to give some answers and insight as well. So this is fitty filling in for mike bono this week. Next week we're back with a brand new episode and, as always, if you'd like to show, be a friend and tell a friend, and if you didn't, tell them anyways, because I bet they like to show, just because you didn't, and we'll catch everybody next week. Safe travels, have a great week and we'll talk to you guys soon.
