The Original Oyster House in Market Square serves up very popular fish sandwiches, and to prepare for its busiest time of the year it has announced a “new tradition.”
Owner Jen Grippo said the restaurant will be closed during the month of January — annually — moving forward as a way to give employees a break before the Lenten season starts.
“Our new tradition for the Oyster House is to close for the month of January,” said Grippo.
The Oyster House reopened Wednesday after a month-long hiatus. Grippo said the same thing was done in January 2021. She said the restaurant will continue to close for a month for future winters, too.
“January is notoriously slow for the restaurant industry, so why not give our staff more time to spend with friends and family that they can’t do when we are operating normally?” said Grippo.
Other changes for Pittsburgh’s oldest restaurant also include limiting hours. Grippo said the Oyster House will cut down from open five days a week to four. The update hours are Wednesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, 12-8 p.m.
The restaurant, famous for its fish sandwiches, remains immensely popular. Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey even stopped by Thursday for a fish sandwich.
“The Original Oyster House — A Pittsburgh Landmark. Congratulations on reopening,” tweeted Gainey. “Come get a delicious fish sandwich.”
Lent begins this year on March 2, Ash Wednesday.
