by Marcia LiggettIn one small Western Pennsylvania town, you can enjoy cuisine from around the world, turn what is broken into art and take a stroll back to the 1800s. The historic river town of Ambridge, Pa., is located 16 miles northwest of Pittsburgh and is known for its vast history of bridge b uilding and steel production. In 1903 financial powerhouse J.P. Morgan organized the merging of 28 small steel companies into one massive conglomerate known as The American Bridge Co. It quickly became the largest steel manufacturing business in the world at the time, playing an instrumental role in everything from building military ships for World War II, to providing steel for the Empire State Building.The horse and buggy town with narrow, cobblestone and dirt streets was established as the Borough of Ambridge in 1905, named after the steel titan American Bridge Co.Men from around the country flocked to Ambridge searching for gainful employment in the steel mill, which created a diverse ethnic heritage that is still evident through the variety of restaurants, churches and annual festivals in the borough. Tacos from the Monroy Supermarket food truck at 498 Merchant St. The food trailer outside the market serves everything from tacos to tamales and pupusas. Find the menu here. Photo by Rob Liggett.Where to eat“You can literally enjoy food from around the world in Ambridge,” says Ambridge High School graduate DeAunta’e Clark as he reflected on the various food options in Ambridge. “Watching the town grow and diversify culturally and welcome people with various ethnic backgrounds is heartwarming.”If you’re craving Latin cuisine, there are three choices in Ambridge.The Monroy Supermarket — “Your Authentic Latino Market” — is open daily, offering a full shopping experience with curbside food purchases available in the parking lot and inside dining. One can even enjoy fresh coconut milk served from a hand-carved coconut.La Poblanita Mexican Market & Taco Stand sells street tacos curbside in front of the market. There are multiple meats to choose from, including cow tongue tacos, all paired nicely with bottled Mexican soda. You can buy books, a coffee mug or a Bible at La Tienda Christian Bookstore, and owners Marjorie Piña, Gustavo Gomez, Daniela Smith-Gomez and Benjamin Gomez also offer customers a taste of their homeland. Their Venezuelan street food, including arepas, tequenos and empanadas feed the body, while their bookstore feeds the soul. Those craving Asian cuisine can dine at Ni’s Wok for Chinese food and Kagura Sushi, which serves Japanese poke and sushi bowls.Find Annie Lee’s Southern Kitchen at 1601 Duss Ave. Photo by Rob Liggett.Annie Lee’s Southern Kitchen boasts soul food, like whole fried chicken wings, slabs of ribs, fried fish, collard greens and peach cobbler.Speaking of chicken, the Duss Avenue Café (and bar) is “Home of Chicken Nick’s.” promising to provide fresh-roasted chicken served “tossed in Nick’s Secret Spice.” Dine in or takeout service is available. Newcomer Caffé Nerro’s café and bakery has been a hit since they opened their Duss Avenue location this January. Bright, colorful and creative baked goods paired with sandwiches keeps the quaint storefront full of customers on a regular basis.Ambridge natives, like Clark, grew up eating at Little Athens Catering, a Greek restaurant that has been in business more than 30 years. George Kontoulis, son of owners Vasilis and Lori Kontoulis, skillfully prepares to-go orders behind a glass display case full of authentic Greek cuisine. “My sisters and I help our parents with the business and we love it here,” says George Kontoulis. Each Monday the Greek restaurant sells gyros for $4 each, along with a huge menu and walk-in specials.Many restaurants in Ambridge have been family owned and operated for generations. One such local favorite is The Maple Restaurant. Established in 1963 by Jim and Joyce Pappas, it serves American fare and is “Home of the Hot Roast Beef Sandwich.” The third generation of Pappas family members offer customers generous portions and home cooking.On opposite sides of Ambridge stand two equally noteworthy pizzerias, each in business for more than seven decades.Since Frank Aloe opened it in 1958, Frank’s Pizzeria has been family operated, selling their famous baked or unbaked “cheese-under-the-sauce” pizza pies for takeout (no dine in) to customers for generations. Original Pizza House, aka Police Station Pizza. Photos by Rob Liggett.Known best by locals as “Police Station Pizza,” the Original Pizza House was founded in 1950, gaining its nickname because of its location near the former police headquarters. The Sicilian-style, square-sliced pizza is sold individually or by the tray. Ambridge Italian Villa, purchased by Joseph and Irene Palavros in 1978, is now owned and operated by son John Palavros and his wife Amy Palavros. The restaurant offers more than 100 different sandwiches, pastas, pizzas, Greek and Italian dishes, many of which they sell from their food truck at local events. A journey down Merchant Street and nearby narrow one-way streets will unveil a host of bars, microbreweries and wineries in Ambridge. Merchant Street in Ambridge. Photo by Rob Liggett.Many of these restaurants and bars participated for years at the popular Ambridge Nationality Days, which is now on hiatus. The borough hopes to revive the three-day annual food and ethnicity celebration soon.Visitors can participate in various food-based events like Ambridge Chamber of Commerce-sponsored Ambridge International Wine & Food Walk. Each fall Ambridge Historic District Economic Development Corporation and Old Economy Village host “Crush & Brew,” for wine, beer and mead tasting by home-brewers and winemakers.What to do In addition to culinary exploits, people visit Ambridge to enjoy the architecture of many original buildings constructed during the industrial revolution and earlier.Old Economy Village, a National Historic Landmark and popular tourist site built in 1824, allows paying visitors to experience and reenact activities that previous inhabitants of the Harmony Society did daily to live and survive. Old Economy Village is located at 270 16th St. Photo by Rob Liggett.Explore your creativity at Bella’s Wishes Creative Arts Center. The space brings artists and the community together through hands-on workshops, crafty activities and use of a party and event space. Independent artist Melissa Rhines, proprietor of Broken In2 Beautiful, showcases and sells mosaic art and holds workshops at the center. “It’s a unique, beautiful, relaxing and creative place. Everyone loves it!” she says.Skin Mind Health is an innovative dermatology and personal coaching practice offering “pay what you can” for services. Dr. Alaina James strives to provide health-evoking, monthly free programs and activities for the betterment of the community.There is no shortage of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors in Ambridge.The Gazebo on Merchant Street is a green space for the community to congregate, play with the giant chess board and socialize. Decorated with a colorful mural depicting Ambridge, the park brings folks of all walks of life together in the heart of the town.Of the numerous parks, Walter Panek Park is Ambridge’s largest playground, dog park, baseball and football fields and leisure walking area. It is home to the borough’s Independence Day firework display — to be held July 5 this year. The free Fitness and Wellness Court at Henning Park. Photo by Rob Liggett.The Outdoor Court, a free outdoor gym funded by the National Fitness Campaign NFC, is situated at the far end of Ambridge. Henning Park also includes a state-of-the-art playground and newly opened splash pad.What’s new in Ambridge?Henning Park will soon be renamed Edward ‘Idy’ Iorfido Park in memory of the former Ambridge councilman “for his many years of dedicated service,” says Mario N. Leone Jr., Ambridge borough manager.P.J. Caul Memorial Park  — located at 11th and Merchant streets — will undergo a major facelift. “The entire intersection will be upgraded as well, which will give the town a huge boost,” says Leone. The city park prominently displays multiple veterans monuments, including the Ambridge Honor Roll, a lighted exhibit showcasing names of all who served in the military from Ambridge.“Merchant Street is undergoing a major streetscape renovation, with construction scheduled to be complete in July,” explained Leone. “To celebrate the completion of the streetscape renovations, the borough is tentatively planning to hold a ribbon cutting at Rocktober Fest, the weekend of Sept. 20. This will be a smaller version of Jambridge, the large band musical festival we held last year, which we plan to do again in 2026.”Go to https://www.ambridgeboro.org to learn more about Ambridge and upcoming events. Marcia Liggett is a freelance writer, event planner and balloon artist based in Beaver, Pa. Her writing has been featured in the New Pittsburgh Courier and other outlets.The post A day trip from Pittsburgh for food lovers and history buffs? 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