Health Department Shuts Down Pittsburgh Pizza Place, Cites Bar

PITTSBURGH, PA — The Allegheny County Health Department has closed a popular Oakland pizza place and has ordered the shutdown of a bar next door that hasn't been open for more than two years.

The affected businesses are Pizza Romano at 219 Atwood Street and the Garage Door Saloon at 223 Atwood. The bar hasn't been opened since Pittsburgh officials condemned the building in September 2021; the bar owner and landlord have been embroiled in litigation that has left the future of the business in limbo.

A recent inspection at Pizza Romano found evidence of a sewer line blockage for the business. While running water in the restaurant, the sewer clean out on the sidewalk out front bubble with sewage. Sewer gas was prevalent inside.

It is unclear when - or if - the pizza place will reopen.

At the saloon, raw sewage was observed in 50 percent of the business - by the walk-in coolers, restrooms and ice machines. Two floor drains were bubbling with sewage, as was a sidewalk drain in front of the building.