🛟 Tiki boats to the rescue

Mon Incline Problems Persist

Outside consultants contracted by Pittsburgh Regional Transit found the Monongahela Incline is still plagued by “sporadic and unpredictable” problems, but a PRT spokesperson said the issues are known and manageable. PRT completed an $8.2 million renovation of the 154-year-old funicular last year. [TribLive]

Tiki Boat to the Rescue, Again!

Chris Patton of Cruisin’ Tikis Pittsburgh spotted a man “bobbing” in the Allegheny River Sunday after his kayak tipped over and jumped into action. Company owners say it’s their third river rescue in the last year. This time, an unidentified man seemingly couldn’t swim and was wearing a poorly-fitted life jacket. Rescues last summer included a child in the Allegheny and a woman in distress in the Mon. [TribLive]

• 🛟 Skip the kayak, take a tiki? The podcast team is talking all about it, plus a pivotal film in the Pittsburgh movie canon. [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]

Primanti Bros. Challenges Chestnut

Major League Eating calls Joey Chestnut the GOAT, and the Pittsburgh-based sandwich shop seems to agree. Chestnut, a competitive eater best known for gobbling down the most hot dogs on the 4th of July, holds at least 46 records for speed eating everything from Twinkies to tamales. Chestnut can’t compete in the annual Nathan’s hot dog contest this year, thanks to a deal with Impossible Foods, so Primanti Bros. is challenging Chestnut to instead take on their current, unofficial record of scarfing down more than five sammies in one sitting. [Pittsburgh Patch]

Mango Mango

This national chain just opened its first location in Pittsburgh! Head over to Squirrel Hill to beat the heat with dessert bowls filled with fruit, ice cream, and other toppings like sago, lychee jelly, and rice balls. Mango Mango also serves up mille crepe cakes, mousse cakes, and waffles, or you can take a smoothie or a fruit tea to-go.

Amboy

A new Filipino spot is slated to join East Ohio Street’s “Restaurant Row.” Chef Rafael Vencio has experimented with growing tropical plants in Pittsburgh’s cloudier climate, and his latest project is bringing his farm-to-table innovation to the North Side. Although Amboy won’t be opening its brick-and-mortar location just yet, you can book a pop-up dinner or find his multicourse Filipino brunches and dinners at Soju in Garfield.

Golden Gai

Bakery Square’s adding another restaurant to its lineup: a takeout sushi spot. Golden Gai is part of the Richard DeShantz Restaurant Group, which also owns Meat & Potatoes, Tako, and Coop De Ville. For now, customers can grab sushi and rice bowls as a preview of the full restaurant, and in the upcoming months, Golden Gai will be opening its space for dining in.

Tiki Rescues, Tech School Closures & PA Passes a Cell Phone Ban

If you’ve been sneaking a peek at your cell phone while driving, the state says it’s time to stop. The city’s technical and training schools are struggling to the point of closure, tiki boat captains may be the city’s greatest unsung heroes, and we’ve got a special homage to a late West Virginia sports legend.