Pittsburgh airport gets restaurant by Cleveland's Chef Michael Symon

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - With the start of another National Football League season, it's time to renew the rivalry with our neighbors to the east in Pittsburgh.

And while the football rivalry has recently favored the Steelers - they've won 21 of the last 24 games - the city of Pittsburgh has come to Cleveland for help in another important human endeavor - food.

Perhaps noticing the vibrant, acclaimed and growing restaurant scene throughout Northeast Ohio, the Pittsburgh International Airport has entered into an agreement with hometown Cleveland favorite chef and restaurateur, Michael Symon.

Symon was recently on hand in Pittsburgh for the ribbon cutting of his newest venture, called Bar Symon, a large eating and drinking establishment at the center of the airport's Airmall.

"We had the ribbon cutting a few weeks ago," said Allegheny County Airport Authority Spokesperson Samantha Stedford. "We surprised Michael Symon by having his family come out - a lot of his family is from Pittsburgh."

NewsChannel5 visited the restaurant while working on an investigation involving regional airports and found the menu offering sandwiches at around $10, various macaroni and cheese dishes for about $12.50, and Symon's signature "Lola Fries" for between $4 and $9.

At the time of our visit, the new Bar Symon was doing brisk business both in the dining area and at the attached bar which features a selection of craft-brewed beers.

Bar Symon appears to represent a step up in the dining choices available at Pittsburgh International. The airport currently boasts four T.G.I. Friday's eateries inside it's terminals.

"Despite the whole Browns-Steelers rivalry, we're just thrilled," said Stedford. "Everyone here loves his food."

The Pittsburgh Bar Symon is the first foray into airport dining for Michael Symon. He has recently expanded his chain of B Spot burger restaurants to Cleveland's Horseshoe Casino and Cleveland Browns Stadium on game days,

Symon also owns an award-winning restaurant in Detroit called Roast .

Michael Symon can be seen weekdays at 1 p.m. on NewsChannel5 as one of the hosts of The Chew talk show.