Ross Township is a Hidden Gem

Wheelfish

Between its close proximity to the city, the highly ranked school district, affordable housing prices, and a plethora of restaurant and retail options—including arguably the most upscale mall in Allegheny County—it is no wonder that Money.com ranked Ross Township as the 48th best place to live in the United States.

“When people are looking to relocate, they are looking for a couple of things: one is close proximity to the city, and another is average housing prices. Ours are in the low to medium range, with average housing prices being below $200,000,” said Ross Township Manager Ronald Borczyk. School districts are another factor for newcomers, and Borczyk called the North Hills School District “top-notch.” And because it borders the city, Borczyk said that Ross is considered to be a “first-ring” suburb.

The 32,225 residents of Ross Township have access to a large community center, which contains a full gym—including options for pickleball—meeting rooms, classrooms, and a playground for young children. “We also have a large, open grassy area where we have been known to hold live music events,” he said.

Photo provided by Ross Township

The township is home to more than a dozen parks, including Bruno Sammartino Park, Scharmyn Park, and Evergreen Community Park. The latter features a lake and a facility for rentals. In partnership with the Allegheny Land Trust, Ross Township is working to preserve additional green spaces and trails in the community.

If all of those amenities weren’t enough, Ross Township also boasts unparalleled shopping options. Ross Park Mall, which opened almost 40 years ago, is anchored by Macy’s and Nordstrom and features about 170 stores, many of which are high-end. The mall also includes a stand-alone L.L. Bean, Crate and Barrel, a food court and a newly constructed Dick’s House of Sport attached to the north end of the mall.

In addition to Ross Park Mall, McKnight Road features multiple restaurants and businesses, including a variety of strip malls with shopping options galore. A recent and welcome addition to the McKnight Road corridor was the newly redesigned The Block Northway, which replaced the former Northway Mall. It features businesses such as The Container Store, Nordstrom Rack, J.Crew Factory, Lands’ End, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Piada Italian Street Food and the newly opened Paris Baguette.

Though McKnight Road has much to offer, it is not the only location for retail and restaurants in Ross. A quieter road with less traffic, Babcock Boulevard is home to numerous businesses, many of which are independently owned. “The movement to support local businesses has increased in the last decade, so more people are drawn to Babcock, where many of the smaller businesses have cropped up,” said Borczyk.

North Hills Art Center, for example, began as an informal group of artists founded in 1959 by two stay-at-home mothers who wanted a place for artists to gather. They purchased a building in 1968, and that is where they have been since then. It’s easy to spot the building from a car, as it is hard to miss the colorful mural painted on one of the side walls. “We are a nonprofit, and we offer classes, workshops, summer camps, and enrichment and education to the surrounding communities,” said Executive Director Kim Freithaler.

She explained that the center focuses a lot on the healing power of art. “Right now, we have our holiday shop and have partnered with an organization in Carnegie called Studio Forget-Me-Not, which serves adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We sold their clients’ merchandise during our Holiday Artisan Market and highlighted their programming. Our hope is to circle back and have their clients visit us for enrichment in the new year to continue our relationship. We try to highlight other charities and nonprofits with every event we do,” she added.

Yvonne Hennigan, originally from the North Hills, learned to make pasta in Italy. A retired educator, she and her husband returned to the Pittsburgh area more than a decade ago and began selling handmade pasta, initially at the Ross Farmers Market. However, she later got a lead for a brick-and-mortar store, and now owns Handmade Pasta by Yvonne on Babcock Boulevard.

“We make handmade dried pasta, which is very hard to find. What differentiates dried pasta from fresh is that you cannot get al dente pasta unless it is dried. You can buy fresh pasta anywhere, but handmade dried pasta is unique. We sell 12 flavors, with the most unique being black squid ink pasta,” she said. With her background in education, she also offers interactive pasta-making classes, which sell out almost immediately. She is considering adding more sessions in the spring.

Hennigan enjoys being a business owner in Ross. “I have had several occasions to meet many of the police officers and firefighters who come in. Fortunately, I haven’t had to use their services, but I know they are very responsive. I feel very safe, and the people are very friendly and helpful. All the people around my particular geographic area are very responsive to anything we need,” said Hennigan.

Italian food connoisseurs who prefer to have someone else do the cooking know they can head to Rico’s, a Ross Township fixture since 1979. Originally seating 40 people, the restaurant, through multiple expansions, can now seat 400, with the bar seating another 75. The family-owned restaurant was started by Rico Lorenzini, an Italian immigrant from Tuscany, who, at the age of 86, still works as a chef in the kitchen, helping to prepare such delectable items as Rico’s Famous Angel Hair Pasta, Veal Florence, Lobster Rubino, Homemade Rotolo, and a variety of other authentic Italian dishes.

Rico’s son, David, said that the restaurant attracts patrons from all over the country, especially due to Pittsburgh Steelers games. He attributes the restaurant’s staying power to the quality of the food and his father’s continued involvement in the kitchen. Although Rico’s is tucked away a bit off the beaten path, David said the township has always been supportive of the restaurant, viewing it as an asset to Ross.

Another hidden gem in Ross is Wheelfish, located on Sangree Road, a residential street. Wheelfish, which opened nine years ago, is known for its live music, trivia, and open-mic nights, rustic décor, and smoked barbecue menu. Patrons can choose from pulled pork, brisket, chicken, and salmon, in addition to options like the popular deep-fried deviled eggs appetizer and side dishes such as smoked potato salad and seasonal corn muffins. In the summer, there is an option to sit outside on the patio. Owner Jono Fortier said that Wheelfish hopes to enhance its outdoor dining area so diners can book private parties and enjoy eating outside year-round.

Fortier said that the concept is a “rustic roadside barbecue” that appeals to people looking for a non-chain option. Fortier added that being a business owner in Ross has been nothing but a positive experience. “We are grateful that the township invites us to partake in Ross Neighborhood Day events,” he said.

Regarding Ross Township’s ranking by Money.com, Borczyk commented, “It’s just amazing that we were recognized. We are not flashy, not exclusive, and the average person can make a very nice living here. Ross Township is one of the best-kept secrets in western Pennsylvania.”