| Gus and Yiayia's | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 1934 [1] |
| Chef | Gus Kalaris |
| 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″N80°00′44″W / 40.4520947°N 80.0122423°W |
Gus and Yiayia's is a food cart located in Allegheny Commons Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. [2] Established in 1934, it is best known for serving ice balls for kids during summer. [3]
This foodstand was originally established in 1917. [4] Gus Kalaris' father then bought the cart in 1934 for $175 ($3,295.30 adjusted for inflation in 2019), and renamed it. [5]
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. [6] After Stella died on October 26, 2016, [7] the "Gus and Yiayia's scholarship" was founded in her name to benefit local kids they served. [8]
The stand sells ice balls, peanuts, and popcorn. The ice balls are the main attraction. [9] Originally, the ice blocks came from a manufacturer on Brighton Road, but now the cart imports them in from Ohio. [10]
This restaurant was featured in Rick Sebak's North Side Story (1997) documentary on WQED (TV). [4]
In 2012, the Pittsburgh City Council proclaimed April 25 "Gus and Yiayia Day." [11]
Pittsburgh Magazine also named Gus as one of Pittsburgh's best personalities. [8]
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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."