Pretzel Shop   

2316 E Carson St
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
412-431-2574

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Don't walk into this South Side institution expecting nothing more than soft pretzels. Sure, they have them -- small, medium, large, salted, non-salted -- in great supply, with cheese (extra purchase) and mustard for dipping. But the shop also creates a vast array of sandwiches where pretzels take the place of bread. Turkey and cheese, ham and cheese, and hot or sweet sausage are offered daily, nearly all of them under $2. And pizza takes on a new texture on one of these twists of dough.If all that breading sounds a bit much, a number of rolls serve as a good substitutes. Pepperoni, sausage and cheeseburgers are wrapped and baked in a light bread dough, and cashiers offer to heat the sandwiches in the microwave before bagging them up. Daily specials include soups and sandwiches such as chicken salad and tuna salad, built so the food doesn't escape through the holes.The Pretzel Shop also functions as a bakery of sorts, with half of its glass cases taken up by the goods that are baked on-sight. Brownies -- with an addictive layer of chocolate icing -- nut rolls or turtle cakes (chocolate with icing in the middle) justify the need for a post-lunch desert. The cookie selection includes everything from chocolate chip and peanut butter (three for a dollar!) to dinosaurs. The Pretzel Shop is a take-out only establishment and, at lunchtime, the line of customers comes close to spilling out the door of the small storefront. Customers are advised to figure out their order while waiting in line because the cashiers pride themselves on getting people in and out quickly. - - Mike Shanley