Harris Grill, RIP

The Harris Grill, a Shadyside dining destination well known throughout Pittsburgh for its outdoor patio seating, quirky and extensive menu selections, and its weekly Bacon Night happy hour, perished in flames on Saturday evening, August 11.
The Post-Gazette account of the fire gives few details about the blaze, but according to Tom Mamaux, owner of the nearby Beechwood Garden Center, the fire is believed to have been started by one of the restaurant’s signature tiki torches. The torch was apparently blown over by a strong wind into a trash can that was resting below the restaurant’s wooden fire escape.

Diners and staff at the Harris Grill were unaware of the situation until patrons of the Elbow Room, located across the street from the Harris Grill, came over to let people in the restaurant know that the building was on fire. By that time, the flames had engulfed the fire escape and were working on the roof.

Cortney Higgins and Tom Murphy, who were both dining on the second floor of the restaurant at the time of the blaze, report that evacuation proceeded in an orderly manner. “Everyone was calm and it could have been a whole lot worse,” said Ms. Higgins. Mr. Murphy recalled that they could feel the warmth of the flames as they descended the stairs.

Outside, as firefighters battled the fire, Mr. Murphy and Ms. Higgins report that one of the waitresses was distraught and in tears. Meanwhile, the owner of the establishment tried to put a good face on things, saying that they would re-open for happy hour that evening. The three-alarm fire, however, caused extensive fire and smoke damage to the whole building, and the process of smothering the blaze resulted in extensive water damage. Currently, the gate to the restaurant’s patio is padlocked and it is unclear at this time whether the restaurant will re-open, and if it does, if it will still be at the same location.

For a photo of the fire in progress and a first-hand account of the event, visit Tom Murphy’s web page.

5 Responses to “Harris Grill, RIP”

  1. Troy Says:

    I think you should specify that this guy, Tom Murphy, is NOT the ex-Mayor or Pittsburgh. Actually, I think I just did.

  2. Cortney Says:

    Man, I could have been dining wit the mayor!

    Is the tiki torch for certain? From what I read about it, including their website, the fire started in a trash area outside, probably as a result of a cigarette butt in the trash.

    It’s sad to see it closed again.

  3. jwsharrard Says:

    The tiki torch thing is not for certain, though is a plausible cause–this version of events was told to me by the owner of an abutting business, who, while more in the know than me, is probably less informed than the owner of Harris Grill.

  4. a Griller Says:

    No one likes to be the frumpy filter in the rumor mill, but I’m willing to take that one for my team. The fire was not, at all, in any possible way, started by a Tiki or it’s fuel. It was a trash fire, as simple (and complicated) as that. Check out the website for more info on that. As for re-opening - we’ll be back, in the very same home, just as soon as we can. Don’t let that padlock fool you; we’re working hard. See you in ‘08, and of course, thanks for the love.

  5. jwsharrard Says:

    Thanks for the info, and I’m looking forward to returning when the restaurant re-opens. I was pleased to see that Harris Grill had a booth at the Steel City Big Pour at Construction Junction last weekend, even if the chili did taste a bit smoky.

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