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Third Eye Blind, Nelly to headline free Point State Park show

The show caps a statewide concert series marking America's 250th.

News

Third Eye Blind and Nelly will headline a free summer concert at Point State Park on June 27, closing out the five-stop <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="America250PA Commonwealth Concert Series" data-vars-click-url="https://www.america250pa.org/Signature_Events" data-vars-content-id="1e99e61a-08c7-472d-af67-0d71eb8e3516" data-vars-headline="Third Eye Blind, Nelly to headline free Point State Park show" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.america250pa.org/Signature_Events" target="_blank">America250PA Commonwealth Concert Series</a>.The big picture: The series joins a packed summer lineup of major events, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="headline acts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/26/nelly-2-chainz-to-headline-north-shore-plaza-shows" data-vars-content-id="1e99e61a-08c7-472d-af67-0d71eb8e3516" data-vars-headline="Third Eye Blind, Nelly to headline free Point State Park show" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/26/nelly-2-chainz-to-headline-north-shore-plaza-shows" target="_self">headline acts</a> and other <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="free shows" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/04/02/nfl-draft-concerts-wiz-khalifa-kane-brown-pittsburgh" data-vars-content-id="1e99e61a-08c7-472d-af67-0d71eb8e3516" data-vars-headline="Third Eye Blind, Nelly to headline free Point State Park show" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/04/02/nfl-draft-concerts-wiz-khalifa-kane-brown-pittsburgh" target="_self">free shows</a> in the city.

Pittsburgh joins Michelin restaurant guide

The Michelin Guide will rate Pittsburgh restaurants for the first time in 2027.

The world&#x27;s preeminent food reviewer is adding Pittsburgh to its guide. Why it matters: The Steel City continues to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="notch accolades" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/04/02/fet-fisk-james-beard-finalist-pittsburgh" data-vars-content-id="ef0026bd-41c6-43e6-abb2-affda42b758d" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh joins Michelin restaurant guide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/04/02/fet-fisk-james-beard-finalist-pittsburgh" target="_self">notch accolades</a> for its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="growing food scene" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/11/13/pittsburgh-restaurant-survival-doordash-2025" data-vars-content-id="ef0026bd-41c6-43e6-abb2-affda42b758d" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh joins Michelin restaurant guide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/11/13/pittsburgh-restaurant-survival-doordash-2025" target="_self">growing food scene</a>, and a Michelin star would fully legitimize it.

Pittsburgh gets its first romance-only bookstores

The new bookstores highlight the genre's growth and changing cultural reputation.

Things to Do

Pittsburgh is getting a double dose of romance with two new bookstores just blocks apart.Why it matters: Romance novels <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dominate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/07/briefing/romance-bookstores.html" data-vars-content-id="0248b646-8b45-495c-9b50-37680268b951" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh gets its first romance-only bookstores" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/07/briefing/romance-bookstores.html" target="_blank">dominate</a> bestseller lists, but the genre hasn&#x27;t always enjoyed equivalent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cultural respect" data-vars-click-url="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/why-cant-romance-novels-get-any-love-180954548/" data-vars-content-id="0248b646-8b45-495c-9b50-37680268b951" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh gets its first romance-only bookstores" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/why-cant-romance-novels-get-any-love-180954548/" target="_blank">cultural respect</a>.

Hospitals ramp up for NFL Draft crowds

The city's hospital systems will expand services to handle large crowds and emergencies.

Pittsburgh&#x27;s hospital systems are mobilizing in anticipation of hundreds of thousands of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="NFL Draft" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/25/nfl-draft-pittsburgh-transportation-tips-road-closures-parking" data-vars-content-id="862b1f09-3350-4b94-823c-653ef6320bd3" data-vars-headline="Hospitals ramp up for NFL Draft crowds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/25/nfl-draft-pittsburgh-transportation-tips-road-closures-parking" target="_self">NFL Draft</a> visitors flocking to the city this month.Why it matters: Record <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="crowds" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/04/02/nfl-draft-concerts-wiz-khalifa-kane-brown-pittsburgh" data-vars-content-id="862b1f09-3350-4b94-823c-653ef6320bd3" data-vars-headline="Hospitals ramp up for NFL Draft crowds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/04/02/nfl-draft-concerts-wiz-khalifa-kane-brown-pittsburgh" target="_self">crowds</a>, alcohol and late nights can quickly overwhelm emergency departments.

Kennywood gets creative with Potato Patch fries

New toppings like pulled pork and truffle reinvent the classic fries.

Culture

Kennywood is leaning into its history this year with fresh spins on old favorites, including a limited-time Potato Patch-inspired menu, plus two new dining spots.Dig in: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Celebrate Kennywood Weekends" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kennywood.com/press/kennywood-to-kick-off-2026-season-with-all-new-event-celebrate-kennywood-weekends/" data-vars-content-id="d8a61bd1-6ab1-429a-b557-3379f52850bd" data-vars-headline="Kennywood gets creative with Potato Patch fries" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kennywood.com/press/kennywood-to-kick-off-2026-season-with-all-new-event-celebrate-kennywood-weekends/" target="_blank">Celebrate Kennywood Weekends</a> — a new festival running each weekend from April 18-May 10 — will feature sweet and savory offerings such as pulled-pork–topped Potato Patch fries, rosemary truffle fries, and maple-cinnamon sweet-potato waffle fries with cinnamon sugar, mallow cream and maple glaze.

We tried Pittsburgh's original french fry salad

A Beaver County spot claims it invented Pittsburgh's iconic fry-topped salad.

Food and Drink

The french fry salad is one of Pittsburgh&#x27;s most celebrated foods, but its origins are less well-known than Primanti&#x27;s famous fry-stuffed sandwich.The intrigue: I tried <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jerry&#x27;s Curb Service" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/people/Jerrys-Curb-Service/100028410026985/#" data-vars-content-id="758086ea-a2a2-4b94-8c74-459a0fa33168" data-vars-headline="We tried Pittsburgh&#x27;s original french fry salad" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/people/Jerrys-Curb-Service/100028410026985/#" target="_blank">Jerry&#x27;s Curb Service</a> in Bridgewater, Beaver County, a fast-food joint that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="lays claim to the title of inventor of the french fry salad" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tastingtable.com/1234338/the-origins-of-pittsburghs-french-fry-topped-salad/" data-vars-content-id="758086ea-a2a2-4b94-8c74-459a0fa33168" data-vars-headline="We tried Pittsburgh&#x27;s original french fry salad" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tastingtable.com/1234338/the-origins-of-pittsburghs-french-fry-topped-salad/" target="_blank">lays claim to the title of inventor of the french fry salad</a>, aka the Pittsburgh salad.

We tried PNC Park's new 2026 food

From chipped ham fries to vegan empanadas, here's what to try and skip.

🤤 Come hungry to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="PNC Park" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/19/north-shore-plaza-opens-pnc-park" data-vars-content-id="4ce3863c-5b02-41c3-8633-4fae3df61e8a" data-vars-headline="We tried PNC Park&#x27;s new 2026 food" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/19/north-shore-plaza-opens-pnc-park" target="_self">PNC Park</a> this Friday.⚾️ The intrigue: The Pirates <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unveiled their concession lineup for 2026" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/18/pirates-new-pnc-park-food-2026-season" data-vars-content-id="4ce3863c-5b02-41c3-8633-4fae3df61e8a" data-vars-headline="We tried PNC Park&#x27;s new 2026 food" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/18/pirates-new-pnc-park-food-2026-season" target="_self">unveiled their concession lineup for 2026</a>, with a mix of savory surprises, sweet pastries and inventive yinzer comfort foods.

Pittsburgh has an Easter candy abundance

Local candy shops across the region offer handmade treats ahead of the holiday.

Pittsburgh is the second-best city in the country at celebrating Easter, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a Wallet Hub study" data-vars-click-url="https://wallethub.com/edu/best-places-to-celebrate-easter/19774" data-vars-content-id="3b629790-8ae1-413d-bcc3-4feffdc1c38c" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh has an Easter candy abundance" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://wallethub.com/edu/best-places-to-celebrate-easter/19774" target="_blank">a Wallet Hub study</a>, and when you look around, it makes sense why.🐰 Why it matters: Easter is, of course, about Christianity, but for secular celebrators it&#x27;s also about candy — and the Pittsburgh region has a plethora of local confectioners offering sweets made on-site.

Pirates unveil new food lineup for 2026 season

New menu items include pierogies, beignets and creative hot dogs.

<figure><img alt="Toasted hot dog bun filled with sausage, ground meat, onions, red peppers, shredded cabbage, ketchup, and a mound of crispy shoestring potato sticks." height="1080" id="05b5b974-4814-45aa-9d2d-0d57bd79f563" src="https://images.axios.com/28Qkp4yiwxu-5gYP43RIaavKEk8=/2026/03/18/1773860788380.gif" width="1920"/><figcaption>Some of the new food offerings at PNC Park, including the Boricua Dog, the Heavy Hitter Dog, the Coop Puppy chicken sandwich and Nutella Beignets. GIF: Courtesy of Pittsburgh Pirates</figcaption></figure>PNC Park is whetting our appetites for the start of Pirates baseball. The intrigue: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Longtime Pirates food vendor" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/03/17/new-food-2025-pirates-season-pnc-park" data-vars-content-id="34cafc15-92f7-41e8-a3d7-5ef8b476d3de" data-vars-headline="Pirates unveil new food lineup for 2026 season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/03/17/new-food-2025-pirates-season-pnc-park" target="_self">Longtime Pirates food vendor</a> Aramark announced Wednesday a new food menu coming to the ballpark this year that includes plenty of local favorites like pierogies and chipped ham, as well as some new creations.

Taste of the Draft brings local treats, Steelers stars

Over 20 local restaurants join Steelers alumni for a draft week fundraiser event.

A Steel City smorgasbord is coming to NFL Draft week.🍽️ The intrigue: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Taste of the Draft" data-vars-click-url="https://tasteofthenfl.com/taste-of-the-draft-2026/" data-vars-content-id="48c75956-88ab-4f29-8e85-d5b020167ca8" data-vars-headline="Taste of the Draft brings local treats, Steelers stars" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://tasteofthenfl.com/taste-of-the-draft-2026/" target="_blank">Taste of the Draft</a> will bring together food from over 20 local restaurants and chefs, and diners can mingle with former Steelers players as a fundraising effort for the youth anti-hunger initiatives of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="GENYOUth" data-vars-click-url="https://genyouthnow.org/" data-vars-content-id="48c75956-88ab-4f29-8e85-d5b020167ca8" data-vars-headline="Taste of the Draft brings local treats, Steelers stars" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://genyouthnow.org/" target="_blank">GENYOUth</a>.

North Side Croatian National Hall Javor voted Pittsburgh's best fish fry

The North Side social club has served Lenten classics with a twist since the 1980s.

<figure><img alt="Colorful mural on a brick wall: a hand holding a bouquet of red, white, and blue flowers, a guitar nearby, swirling blue and orange vines, and the text &quot;Taylor est. 1705&quot;." height="1258" id="6d7e42c6-346d-4315-861c-9ab272b56ee4" src="https://images.axios.com/q1GCAoQh4-Kh9in4IxSSkTN4yqM=/2026/03/12/1773342664762.gif" width="1920"/><figcaption>Art outside Croatian National Hall Javor on the North Side. Photos: Chrissy Suttles/Axios</figcaption></figure>The votes are in: Pittsburghers have crowned a new favorite fish fry.The big picture: Axios Pittsburgh readers named <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Croatian National Hall Javor" data-vars-click-url="https://www.javor.org/" data-vars-content-id="ce15df14-38dc-4dfd-ab0b-0e5daed9884a" data-vars-headline="North Side Croatian National Hall Javor voted Pittsburgh&#x27;s best fish fry" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.javor.org/" target="_blank">Croatian National Hall Javor</a> the region&#x27;s best fish fry this year in a competition stacked with heavyweights.

Vote for Pittsburgh's best fish fry

Axios Pittsburgh is back for year two of our hunt for Western Pennsylvania's best fish fry.

Update: Axios Pittsburgh readers named Croatian National Hall Javor the region&#x27;s best fish fry this year! <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Read more here" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/13/croatian-national-hall-javor-voted-pittsburghs-best-fish-fry" data-vars-content-id="4ef868ce-589c-400a-9070-963aea0103fb" data-vars-headline="Vote for Pittsburgh&#x27;s best fish fry" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/13/croatian-national-hall-javor-voted-pittsburghs-best-fish-fry" target="_self">Read more here</a>!Axios Pittsburgh is back for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="year two" data-vars-click-url="http://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/03/03/pittsburgh-best-fish-fry-vote" data-vars-content-id="4ef868ce-589c-400a-9070-963aea0103fb" data-vars-headline="Vote for Pittsburgh&#x27;s best fish fry" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="http://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/03/03/pittsburgh-best-fish-fry-vote" target="_self">year two</a> of our hunt for Western Pennsylvania&#x27;s best fish fry.Why it matters: We&#x27;re in the heart of fish fry season, and everyone has a favorite. Some stick with the fire hall down the street, while <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="others" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/02/mayor-corey-oconnor-fish-fry-order" data-vars-content-id="4ef868ce-589c-400a-9070-963aea0103fb" data-vars-headline="Vote for Pittsburgh&#x27;s best fish fry" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/02/mayor-corey-oconnor-fish-fry-order" target="_self">others</a> set out to visit as many as they can.

Roaming Bean opens Strip District cafe

The popular mobile coffee shop now serves fans on Smallman Street

The region&#x27;s hottest mobile coffee shop has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="settled into a storefront" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVeUWIiD2Dx/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==" data-vars-content-id="824a6e2e-fc55-4a00-a4c1-287487d31745" data-vars-headline="Roaming Bean opens Strip District cafe" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVeUWIiD2Dx/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==" target="_blank">settled into a storefront</a>, bringing scores of fans with it.The intrigue: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Roaming Bean" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/reels/DVeUWIiD2Dx/" data-vars-content-id="824a6e2e-fc55-4a00-a4c1-287487d31745" data-vars-headline="Roaming Bean opens Strip District cafe" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/reels/DVeUWIiD2Dx/" target="_blank">The Roaming Bean</a> opened a brick-and-mortar cafe in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Strip District" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/08/07/strip-district-pittsburgh-growth-report-2025" data-vars-content-id="824a6e2e-fc55-4a00-a4c1-287487d31745" data-vars-headline="Roaming Bean opens Strip District cafe" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/08/07/strip-district-pittsburgh-growth-report-2025" target="_self">Strip District</a> in late January. It&#x27;s been full of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="java heads" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/11/pittsburgh-coffee-shops-best-views" data-vars-content-id="824a6e2e-fc55-4a00-a4c1-287487d31745" data-vars-headline="Roaming Bean opens Strip District cafe" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/11/pittsburgh-coffee-shops-best-views" target="_self">java heads</a> since.

Food and Drink 🍽

Kennywood gets creative with Potato Patch fries

Pittsburgh joins Michelin restaurant guide

We tried Pittsburgh's original french fry salad

Beef Wellington at Meat & Potatoes is worth the indulgence

We tried PNC Park's new 2026 food