The Isaly Company

I can’t believe this place doesn’t have more reviews! There is something so satisfying about buying an Isaly’s chipped chopped ham sandwich right from the source. The sandwiches I bought here were so good and wow I can’t believe I’m raving about something as simple as a ham sandwich but man it was memorable. This is seriously one of the last remaining Isaly’s locations so it really should draw more attention than it does. Unfortunately no Klondike bars (they were invented by Isaly’s) because apparently Isaly’s lost the naming rights to Klondike bars or so I heard. Get the chipped chopped ham!

My friend lives near here so I came to satisfy my deli sandwich craving. The inside is super dingy deli/​convenience store, so I was excited for a real, down and dirty deli sandwich. They have a lot of weird items in their grocery section which can be kind of fun to look through.
I got an Italian «hoagie» as I feel is the appropriate term for this ultra-​Pittsburgh spot. It was bad. Totally skimpy on the meat, and it had American cheese and mayo, which don’t go well with Italian meats at all… provolone and oil & vinegar would have made way more sense. The bread was a squishy white bun. I mean, I still ate it, but I didn’t really enjoy it. It made me kind of sad. It was just a sad, floppy excuse for a sandwich. At least it was cheap?
Maybe I should have gotten the chipped ham instead, since that’s what they are famous for. I also suspect the location in the North Hills has to be at least marginally better… this Isaly’s is clearly past its prime.

I will admit the chipped ham sandwich was good. It was tender and salty and soft on the wheat bread. But this is just a deli. More like a bodega than anything actually. The signage is classic and the neighborhood, especially Ohio Street, is a delight. Isaly’s is a Pittsburgh legend, but more sentiment for yesteryear than anything.

HOLY. SANDWICH. BATMAN.
I feel like Joey Tribiani– «Joey’s favorite food?» «Sandwiches.»
When TBone and I travel I really enjoy hitting up places that make the city what it is– things that mold and shape the history, if you will.
Did yous know where the chipped ham sandwich came from? How about the Klondike bar? ISALYS!!!
They didn’t have Klondike bars when we went but we had the ham sammy. It was SO GOOD– just a regular old sammy on your bread of choice with shaved lettuce, onions and tomatoes– $ 3.99.
This is a really old deli– they sell an assortment of items– probably a little pricier than needed but the variety is part of the charm– where else can you get a pineapple pie in a Chinese noodle wrapper?! There are a few booths in the back for seating but the owner (?) was smoking a ciggy so we opted to eat in the car because Maks HATES getting ciggy with it.
If you’re looking for fine dining, you won’t get it here. It’s a deli– it’s a little grimy– but they make a FINE ham sammy.