Penn Avenue’s evolution into one of Pittsburgh’s most exciting food corridors continues. Garfield is already home to destinations like Leona’s Ice Cream and One by Spork, and it has now welcomed Moonlit Burgers, the cult-favorite smash burger joint that’s built a devoted following across the region.
Moonlit Burgers Expands its Smash Burger Reign With Garfield Location
The new restaurant, located at 5491 Penn Ave. in the former Primanti Bros. space, marks Moonlit’s fourth freestanding Pittsburgh-area location, following Dormont in 2021, Uptown in 2022 and Sewickley in 2025. (A smaller outpost can be found inside the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse, home of Duquesne basketball.) The Garfield shop feels airy and energetic, with seating for around 80 and a large bar that invites guests to linger over burgers and beers.
Moonlit Burgers began as a pandemic-era pop-up from founders Derek Stevens and Mike McCoy, who met while working on the opening team at Eleven. McCoy, a Southern California native, brought inspiration from his West Coast upbringing, particularly the smash burger tradition. At Moonlit, loosely packed balls of beef are smashed onto a hot griddle until crisp-edged, then topped with onions, American cheese, pickles and the restaurant’s signature Moon Sauce.
Menu Highlights at Moonlit Burgers
That formula is on full display in the Classic Moonlit Double, a deceptively simple burger layered with griddled onions, American cheese, pickles and Moon Sauce on a Martin’s potato roll. Moonlit’s menu goes well beyond its signature stack. The Bacon Double Cheeseburger adds lettuce, tomato, and garlic dijonnaise. The Big Mick is a real two-fister of a burger. It comes with all classic toppings plus slaw and hot sauce.
Notably, they also offer an Impossible Burger and gluten-free buns.
Chicken, Fries, and Comfort Sides
Beyond burgers, diners will find plenty worth exploring. The Moon Bird Chicken Sandwich features pickle-brined fried chicken. It is topped with jalapeno slaw and Smashville hot sauce. The pickle-brined chicken strips come with a range of dipping sauces. Options include Korean BBQ as well as Texas Pete’s hot honey. Starters like Smash Fries are topped with cheese sauce, pickles, jalapeños, and chopped burger patties. They feel indulgent enough to be a main event.
Chili cheese fries and smash burger queso dip double down on comfort.
In fact, Moonlit Burgers’ Garfield location has already expanded its hours to include lunch. Additionally, Now opening doors at 11 a.m., seven days a week. And if Penn Avenue’s trajectory continues upward, Moonlit’s arrival is another sign. That Garfield’s food scene is firmly in its glow-up era.
Story by Emily Catalano
Photos By Dave Bryce