Map: U.S. Census TIGER/LineOpen in map

Pittsburgh classic

The story

Ritter's opened in Bloomfield in 1951, and the Velisaris family took it over in 1966. In 1975 the diner moved across the street into a three piece Fodero dining car built in New Jersey, and a room was added on in 1983. The original diner building went on to Station Square, and in 2017 it moved to Irwin.

For years Ritter's was open 24 hours, and generations of East End night owls slid into its booths after the bars closed. These days the hours run 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and the menu is still a mix of diner classics and Greek dishes.

John Velisaris has worked there full time since 1999. Grab a seat on Baum Boulevard and you're sitting in a real piece of Pittsburgh diner history.

At a glance

The basics, from public records.

Ritter's Diner is an independent breakfast spot at 5221 Baum Boulevard in Bloomfield, a Pittsburgh neighborhood.

Details

From Allegheny County food facility permits. The owner can add the rest.

Address5221 Baum Boulevard
NeighborhoodBloomfield
CategoryBreakfast & brunch
HoursNot listed yet. Owner can add.
PhoneNot listed yet. Owner can add.
WebsiteNot listed yet. Owner can add.
SourcePittsburgh Spotlight directory (built from Allegheny County food permits)

Health inspection

No match on file
We couldn't confidently match this listing to a recent county inspection record. That usually means the permit is filed under a different name or address, not that it was never inspected.Source: Allegheny County Health Department open data.

Nearby

The closest listings to Ritter's Diner. 82 places in Bloomfield.

Bloomfield guide

Sources: listing details and inspections from Allegheny County Health Department food facility data via WPRDC (public domain). Story sources: TribLive, The classic diners still holding on in Western Pennsylvania. Map from U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line. Distances are straight line. Listing data refreshed Oct 28, 2026.