Tambellini and Co. opened in Brookline carrying the legacy of the Tambellini name. Joseph Tambellini Restaurant, which operated for decades as one of Pittsburgh's most iconic Italian institutions, closed last year. Rather than let the family name disappear, a new generation has opened Tambellini and Co., a sandwich shop focused on Italian hoagies, meatball subs, and traditional sandwiches.
The pivot from sit-down restaurant to sandwich shop reflects how Pittsburgh's food scene has evolved. The economics of formal dining have become difficult. But the demand for quality food has not disappeared. It has shifted to faster, more casual formats. Tambellini and Co. is designed for that shift.
Adapting Tradition
The Tambellini family has been in the food business for generations. The shift from sit-down restaurant to sandwich shop is not abandonment of tradition. It is adaptation of tradition to contemporary circumstances. Italian food culture in Pittsburgh is not lost. It is evolving.
"We're keeping the recipes alive in a format that works for how people eat now."
Tambellini and Co. Owner
Brookline is a neighborhood of value-conscious shoppers and families. A quality sandwich shop is exactly what that neighborhood needs. The location is strong, and the name carries weight with older Pittsburghers who remember Joseph Tambellini.
Tambellini and Co. opened in March 2026 and has established a loyal lunch crowd.