| Gus and Yiayia's | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 1934 (1934) |
| Dress code | Come as you are |
| Street address | 638 West Ohio St. |
| City | Pittsburgh |
| County | Allegheny County |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| Postal/ZIP Code | 15212 |
| Coordinates | 40°27′08″N 80°00′44″W / 40.4520947°N 80.0122423°W / 40.4520947; -80.0122423 |
Gus and Yiayia's is a food cart located in Allegheny Commons Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Established in 1934, it is best known for serving ice balls for kids during summer.
History
This foodstand was originally established in 1917. Gus Kalaris' father then bought the cart in 1934 for $175 ($3,295.30 adjusted for inflation in 2019), and renamed it.
The name comes from the Greek term "Yiayia" meaning grandmother. The original Yiayia was his mother Pauline, who died in 1992. Gus' wife, Stella Kalaris, became the next Yiayia. After Stella died on October 26, 2016, the "Gus and Yiayia's scholarship" was founded in her name to benefit local kids they served.
In June 2024, Gus Kalaris died at the age of 92, months after the stand celebrated its 90th anniversary. Kalaris still owned Gus and YiaYia's at the time of his death.
Menu
The stand sells ice balls, peanuts, and popcorn. The ice balls are the main attraction. Originally, the ice blocks came from a manufacturer on Brighton Road, but now the cart imports them in from Ohio.
In popular culture
This restaurant was featured in Rick Sebak's North Side Story (1997) documentary on WQED (TV).
In 2012, the Pittsburgh City Council proclaimed April 25 "Gus and Yiayia Day."
Pittsburgh Magazine also named Gus as one of Pittsburgh's best personalities.
In 2021, a miniature version of the cart was added to the Carnegie Science Center's Miniature Railroad and Village.
Notes
- 1. Yiayia is the correct spelling as seen on the food cart. Variations appear across media.
References
- Honcharski, Emma (May 25, 2018). "In the City of Bridges, one closure won't stop the 84-year tradition of Gus & YiaYia's". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Block Communications. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
- Boren, Jeremy (April 10, 2017). "Gus & Yia Yia's is back to slinging summertime treats on the North Side". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Richard Mellon Scaife. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
- Highfield, David (May 28, 2018). "'We're Surviving': Bridge Closure Slows Business For Long-Time North Side Ice Ball Stand". KDKA-TV. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
- ^ Sebak, Rick (Narrator) (November 22, 2005). North Side Story (Documentary). Pittsburgh, PA: WQED (TV).
- Krauss, Margaret (August 14, 2015). "'Since Your Dad Was a Lad': What a Snack Cart Means To A Neighborhood". WESA (FM). NPR. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
- Schmitt, Ben (October 29, 2016). "Pittsburgh bids farewell to iconic Yia Yia". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Richard Mellon Scaife. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
- O'Neill, Brian (October 26, 2016). "Obituary: Stella Bistolas Kalaris / Wife of famed ice ball seller on North Side". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
- ^ Davidson, Lauren (June 14, 2017). "Best of the 'Burgh: Personalities". Pittsburgh Magazine. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
- ^ Dump, Patrick (June 29, 2024). "Gus Kalaris, owner of Gus & YiaYia's Ice Ball Cart, dies at age 92". CBS News Pittsburgh. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
- Idia, Tereneh (May 29, 2019). "North Side vs. Everybody". Pittsburgh City Paper. Butler Eagle. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
- Frederick, Haley (July 11, 2018). "At Gus And Yia Yia's Shaved Ice And Homemade Syrups Have Become A Culinary Tradition On Pittsburgh's North Side". Pittsburgh Current. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
- Yokim, Mandy (May 26, 2015). "Top Family Adventures this June in Pittsburgh". NEXTPittsburgh. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
featured in Rick Sebak's North Side Story, and, back in 2012, the Pittsburgh City Council even proclaimed April 25 "Gus and Yia Yia Day."