PHOTOS BY LAURA PETRILLA

“I’m excited about this. I’ve been floating on cloud nine,” says Angel Randolph, chef and co-owner of Back To The Foodture.

She just signed a lease to open a second location of Back To The Foodture, the burger and wing restaurant she owns with her partner, Eddie Barnz. The 900 square foot East Carson Street restaurant is targeted to open by March 1. When it does, it’ll be a highlight of the massive renovation of SouthSide Works by its new owners, Somera Road.

Randolph and Barnz opened Back To The Foodture in Pitcairn in June 2019 and I first visited the establishment about a year ago. Following several festive, finger-licking meals, I heaped high praise on Randolph’s novel, expertly cooked offerings in the March issue of Pittsburgh Magazine. Back To The Foodture was one of my first stops for outdoor dining when Gov. Tom Wolf’s stay-at-home order was lifted in June.

Randolph says the South Side menu will be similar to the expansive list of the original location. She’s planning on adding a selection of homemade soups such as broccoli cheddar, as well as putting a dessert item, “baked potato” ice cream, too. She and Barnz are mulling over the fate of the Pitcairn location, a decision is yet to be determined.

The South Side space has a slightly larger cooking area, and it’s right in the front of the restaurant; Randolph says she’s looking forward to interacting with customers from the glass-enclosed cooking space. There’s room for 12 seats inside and another 10 outside, and, just as he did in Pitcairn, Banrz plans to add his nostalgic touch to the decor.

Randolph grew up in Beltzhoover, and she says the new location marks a homecoming for her. “To be able to open on the South Side and give back to where I grew up, now that’s amazing,” she says. “I want to be able to be a positive example to kids who are from my neighborhood for what they can do with their lives.”

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