I know there are a lot of Pittsburghers who frequent this board so I'm looking for your advice!

I'll be in Pittsburgh for a couple days at the end of next month for work. I'll have a couple of nights free and am looking for restaurant recommendations. I'd like to explore the North Side and Mexican War Streets area, as I haven't spent much time in this part of town. Any recommendations on a good, cheap-ish place to eat dinner in this area?

not from Pittsburgh of course, but I found this awesome neighborhood German place called Max's Allegheny Tavern. I thought is was quite tasty. It is hearty homestyle German food. There is also a brewery right around there too, Penn Brewery, I think is the name.

 

http://www.maxsalleghenytavern.com/about/about.html

India Garden

I second Peabody's suggestions.  Max's is a must-eat if you're exploring the North Side.  Also in Max's neighborhood (Deutschtown/East Allegheny) are Sassy Marie's (American chophouse-ish) and Legends of the North Shore (Italian).

 

http://www.sassymaries.com/

 

http://www.legendsnorthshore.com/

 

http://www.pennbrew.com/data/english/restaurant.htm

 

The Mexican War Streets itself unfortunately doesn't offer much dining.  It's commercial front door on Federal and North has been rotting for decades (though there's finally development proposals there).  If you need a drink or something light to eat while exploring the gorgeous residential Mexican War Streets... there's a nice coffeehouse on Buena Vista called Beleza... and the Monterey Pub is an Irish pub with a pretty decent menu featuring Shepherd's Pie.

 

http://www.montereypub.com/