Tag Archives: Squirrel Hill

good old uncle sam

you may have seen an uncle sam’s, either in oakland, squirrel hill or at the waterworks. you may have thought that it’s a chain restaurant with it’s thorough decor and teenage staff. the only thing that may have tipped you off is the fact that they only take cash. uncle sam’s is a locally owned and operated business offerring yummy subs to several parts of the city. you always get a foot-long and they offer thin fries as a side [included when dining in]. for me, a foot-long portabella sub is two meals, and for a total of $7, that’s a deal.

check out other restaurants from the same owner: fuel & fuddle and joe mama’s – both in oakland

The Squirrels in Squill

Ever wonder how the neighborhood of Squirrel Hill got its name? According to the Squirrel Hill Historical Society:

“Before the advent of the Europeans, Squirrel Hill was a wilderness area used as an Indian hunting ground. During the 1760’s, Squirrel Hill was a pioneer farming community that also included Indian traders. Its main attraction was that it was a wilderness area where land was free, there was wild game to hunt, etc., but it was nonetheless not too far from the protection of Fort Pitt.

“Squirrel Hill has always been known for its abundance of gray squirrels in the days of the early pioneers, the squirrels were so numerous that their chatter created a din.”

Find more than you ever wanted to know about the pioneer days of this neighborhood from the group’s web site. The site is regularly updated with news and events, and the group meets regularly at the Sixth Presbyterian Church on the corner of Forbes and Murray Avenues.