A hand holds a sandwich filled with greens, roasted vegetables, and bread, outdoors in a garden with flowers and greenery, against a yellow background.
Ippa's wood-fired sandwich, The Veg. (Photo by Francesca Dabecco/Pittsburgh's Public Source)

🍽️ Restaurant: Ippa
📍 Location: 5241 Butler St., Lawrenceville
⏱️ Hours: Noon-9 p.m. Thurs-Sat | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun | Closed Mon-Wed
🌐 Links: www.eatippa.com, Instagram, Facebook

❤️ Best $15ish meal(s): Wood-fired sandwiches like The Veg, The Chopped Chicken and The Beef, plus Ippa Street Pizza, all $9-$15

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Why go?

A yellow graphic with a faint city map background reads: “$15ish Meal Map. Explore the map,” with a right-pointing arrow.

Tucked inside a lot next to Lolev Beer, you’ll find a permanent food truck dishing out wood-fired sandwiches inspired by Italian street food. Ippa’s handhelds are hearty and flavorful, stacked with meat like capicola and salami and savory fixings like caramelized onion, zesty pepper spread and balsamic jam. Bring some pals to sit and stay awhile. The patio feels like a hidden urban oasis with lush plants, plenty of picnic tables and dazzling string lights.

Fun fact: “Ippa” is inspired by how the owner’s kid pronounced “pizza.” Adorable!

What to order 

Get The Veg sandwich for exactly $15. The herby wood-fired bread is topped with cremini mushrooms, homemade red pepper hummus, fired tomato, balsamic jam, and crispy greens. The balsamic jam is perfectly sweet and tangy and brings the whole bite together.

A hand holds a half sandwich with visible vegetables and greens in front of a red food truck.
The Veg. (Photo by Francesca Dabecco/Pittsburgh’s Public Source)

If you’re a fan of cured meats, go for the $16 Italian Chop. It has capicola, genoa salami, thick pepperoni, sharp provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato and a zesty pepper spread. Every bite is packed with flavor. You also can’t go wrong with The Beef topped with spicy giardiniera or the Chopped Chicken. Both are under budget at $13.

The team at Ippa insists you don’t skip dessert. If you split the hearty sandwich with a pal, you can order a bomboloni doughnut and still stay under budget!

A hand holds an open takeout box with a sugar-coated pastry and a chocolate brownie in an outdoor café setting with tables, chairs, and plants.
Ippa’s bomboloni doughnut and brownie. (Photo by Francesca Dabecco/Pittsburgh’s Public Source)

Good to know before you go

  • Ippa will serve food no matter the weather, but if you’re planning to hang out on their charming patio, be sure to check the forecast.
  • Because it’s all outdoor seating, Ippa is dog friendly! Bring your pup along for a chill evening on Butler Street.
  • Look for special menu items during their brunch hours on Sundays, like the bacon sandwich with egg, sharp cheddar cheese, caramelized onion and cacio e pepe seasoning.
Food truck with a large red pizza oven labeled “IRPA,” stacks of firewood, and a person working inside; string lights hang above, and a black barrel is in front.
Ippa, a permanent food truck located inside a lot next to Lolev Beer on Butler Street. (Photo by Francesca Dabecco/Pittsburgh’s Public Source)

Know a Pittsburgh-area restaurant with a great meal around $15? Email us at social@publicsource.org.

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