Still mourning Stuntpig's closure in Squirrel Hill? Executive producer Mallory Falk and producer Sophia Lo have recommendations for new sandwich shops and some hot takes about what's considered an ideal pool sandwich. We're also talking about Butcher and the Rye's triumphant return to Downtown, rumors that we may finally be getting a restaurant with a volcano, and why you should splurge on sour gummy candy from a truck.

Notes and references from today’s show:

Learn more about the sponsors of this Monday, June 15th episode:

Pittsburgh CLO

Westmoreland Museum

Athens County Visitors Bureau

Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.

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Do you know how many parks Pittsburgh has? Residents of Salt Lake County have wondered about their parks for years — that is, until City Cast Salt Lake host Ali Vallarta set out to catalog them all. Over the course of two years, she visited all 511 parks in the county, seeking to record their amenities (e.g., bathrooms, playgrounds), write helpful summaries, and track down the people in charge. The resulting map has already become a valuable tool for locals, who now not only know who to call when trash cans are overflowing: they can also find outdoor spaces that meet their needs.

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You know you've messed up when both the National Weather Service and Mayor Corey O'Connor have to call you out for your lies! The City Cast Pittsburgh team is digging into the drama around country star Morgan Wallen's concert cancellation. Plus, we're discussing some new life for old spaces – including a slice of forest life at the North Side YMCA! – layoffs at UPMC, and new regulations for vape shops.

And in today's members-only bonus segment, we're talking about an infamous Pittsburgher (who was an answer on this week's Jeopardy!), and why the people of our city don't claim her.

Notes and references from today’s show:

Learn more about the sponsors of this Friday, June 12th episode:

Pittsburgh CLO

The Frick Pittsburgh

Westmoreland Museum

Athens County Visitors Bureau

Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm

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Ordering chicken when you're eating out doesn't feel like the sexiest option, but City Cast contributor and Post-Gazette dining critic Hal B. Klein is here to change your mind. He's telling host Megan Harris about the best chicken dishes at our fine dining restaurants and why it's time to pick chicken over steak.

Have a recommendation for Hal? Call or text our WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER hotline at 412-212-8893.

Learn more about the sponsors of this Thursday, June 11th episode:

Pittsburgh CLO

The Frick Pittsburgh

Westmoreland Museum

Athens County Visitors Bureau

Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.

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If you love scrolling through Pittsburgh's wildest Zillow listings, don't miss your chance to actually go inside some of those fancy homes. City Cast's Megan Harris and Francesca Dabecco are running through some of the best home and garden tours this summer, where visitors can peek through Victorian-style mansions, restored rowhouses, and edible gardens.

Learn more about the sponsors of this Wednesday, June 10th episode:

Pittsburgh CLO

The Frick Pittsburgh

Westmoreland Museum

Athens County Visitors Bureau

Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.

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Ever wanted to make public art or host an event in an abandoned lot? City Council is considering a proposal to let residents put vacant lots and underutilized park space to good use. Host Megan Harris and executive producer Mallory Falk explain the proposal, plus discuss the unannounced visit U.S. Reps. Summer Lee and Chris Deluzio made to Moshannon Valley Processing Center — the largest immigrant detention facility in the northeast, just a couple hours outside of Pittsburgh. Then City Cast's Elizabeth Kauma joins to diss the ruffed grouse as our state bird (game bird?) and make the case for why Pennsylvania should be repped by the scarlet tanager instead. 

Notes and references from today’s show:

Learn more about the sponsors of this Tuesday, June 9th episode:

Pittsburgh CLO

The Frick Pittsburgh

Westmoreland Museum

Athens County Visitors Bureau

Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.

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Is Pittsburgh's beer scene in trouble? Earlier this year, Fat Head's closed down, and now both Penn Brewery and the Abbey on Butler have filed for bankruptcy. With these beloved spots in limbo and Voodoo Brewing hitting the brakes on their once-rapid expansion, we're wondering if this signals a bigger shift in our brewhouse culture. Host Megan Harris is with City Cast's Owen Gabbey to explain what's behind the struggles and why the landscape might not be as bleak as it seems.

Need a beer recommendation? Call or text us our OWEN GABBEY hotline at 412-212-8893.

Learn more about the sponsors of this Monday, June 8th episode:

Pittsburgh CLO

The Frick Pittsburgh

Westmoreland Museum

Athens County Visitors Bureau

Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.

Want more Pittsburgh news? 

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Pittsburgh recycles some of its water, but not as much as Las Vegas, where the water there stays in the city. How else could a desert city possibly have enough water for its year-round tourists, a metro area population of over 2 million, and all those pools? The process just might be grosser than you think. With innovative recycling, strict lawn rules, and infrastructure to monitor it all, Vegas has become a global leader in water reuse. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Las Vegas podcast host Jesse Merrick to learn how the city makes do with what it has and how its practices could save other cities’ water supplies. Plus, are any Las Vegans actually going to the casinos?

Mentioned on the show:

Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now! 

We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter

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It's been a big week for Pittsburgh public hearings! People turned out to share their passionate takes on the city's revised affordable housing bill, the county's paid parental leave proposal, and a debate about whether to keep Serpentine Drive in Schenley Park car-free. Host Megan Harris, producer Sophia Lo, and contributor Colin Williams dig into the debates. Plus, we share the best local spots for watching the World Cup, some bittersweet Mister Rogers news, and the pickle "delicacies" we plan to avoid at this year's expanded Picklesburgh. (No offense to any vendors, it's tough to pull off an edible pickle ice cream!)

And in our members-only bonus segment, Megan is sharing a dispatch from the first Costco in PA to sell alcohol — and whether it's worth a trip to Cranberry for some bulk booze.

Notes and references from today’s show:

Learn more about the sponsors of this Friday, June 5th episode:

Pittsburgh Cultural Trust - TRAF

Bike PGH

Athens County Visitors Bureau

Pittsburgh CLO

Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.

Want more Pittsburgh news? 

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Pittsburgh's ice cream and soft serve shops are opening for the season! Host Megan Harris is with City Cast contributor Meg St-Esprit, and Meg's sharing which spots have the best soft serve, custard, hard scoops, and more. Plus, she's making the case for why it's always essential to visit Page's — even if it means waiting in line below the drippy bridge. 

And if you're vegan or lactose intolerant, there's still lots of ice cream for you to enjoy. Check out our roundup of our favorite non-dairy ice creams around the city.

**This episode originally aired on June 30, 2025.

Learn more about the sponsors of this Thursday, June 4th episode:

Pittsburgh Cultural Trust - TRAF

Bike PGH

Athens County Visitors Bureau

Pittsburgh CLO

Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.

Want more Pittsburgh news? 

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.