Firebirds Wood Fired Grill is a popular American lodge-inspired steakhouse and polished-casual restaurant in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania. Located along the Route 228 corridor off Interstate 79, the restaurant is celebrated for its scratch kitchen, open wood-fired grill burning seasoned oak and hickory, hand-cut aged steaks, fresh seafood, and signature Double Black Diamond Martinis.
At A Glance: Firebirds Cranberry Details
| Dining Metric | Restaurant Specification & Guest Fact |
|---|---|
| Address & Location | 20 Old Transit Road, Cranberry Township, PA 16066, United States (Route 228 / I-79) |
| Operating Hours | Sunday–Thursday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM | Friday–Saturday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM |
| Cooking Method | Open scratch kitchen with custom hardwood grill burning seasoned hickory & oak |
| Price Level | Lunch: $15–$25 | Dinner entrees: $24–$48 USD | Average dinner per person: ~$40 USD |
| Atmosphere & Decor | Modern Rocky Mountain lodge with stone fireplaces, exposed timbers, and FIREBAR |
| Reservations & Transit | Direct reservations via OpenTable; Ample free surface parking in private lot |
The Essence of Hardwood Wood-Fired Cooking
The centerpiece of Firebirds Wood Fired Grill is its expansive open-concept expo kitchen, anchored by an authentic stone wood-fired grill. Unlike standard commercial gas charbroilers, Firebirds burns a proprietary blend of sustainably harvested, seasoned hickory and red oak woods. The intense natural radiant heat (exceeding 600°F / 315°C) sears the exterior of meats and seafood in seconds, locking in natural juices while imparting a distinctive, subtle aromatic wood-smoke flavor that cannot be replicated.
The architectural ambiance reflects a sophisticated modern American ski lodge. Soaring timber ceilings, dry-stack river stone fireplaces, warm amber lighting, and an energetic lounge known as the FIREBAR create a welcoming, upscale environment suited equally for corporate business lunches, celebratory date nights, and family gatherings.
Signature Steaks, Seafood, & Menu Classics
The culinary team cuts aged beef steaks in-house and sources sustainably caught seafood, delivering a diverse scratch-kitchen menu:
- Chile-Rubbed Delmonico: The restaurant’s signature cut. A 12-ounce aged boneless ribeye seasoned with a proprietary blend of smoky ancho chili spices, grilled over red oak, and crowned with chili-herb butter.
- Aged Filet Mignon & Center-Cut Sirloin: Premium midwestern aged beef seasoned with kosher salt and black pepper, grilled to order and served with loaded baked potatoes or roasted garlic mashed potatoes.
- Wood-Grilled Salmon: Fresh Atlantic salmon basted in a savory sweet glaze, grilled over hardwood, and served over ancient grains or paired with rich lobster fondue.
- Lobster Spinach Queso & Fire-Roasted Artichoke Dip: Velvety warm starters served in hot cast-iron skillets with house-fried corn tortilla chips and fire-roasted salsa.
- Wood-Fired Burgers & Sandwiches: Ground fresh daily from prime steak trimmings, grilled over wood embers and topped with sharp cheddar, smoked bacon, and herb mayo on toasted brioche buns.
- Big Daddy Chocolate Cake & Warm Apple Pie: Decadent desserts crafted in-house, featuring towering multi-layer dark chocolate fudge cake and cast-iron baked cinnamon apples with vanilla bean ice cream.
The FIREBAR & Signature Double Black Diamond Martini
The FIREBAR is a major social draw in Cranberry Township, featuring a glowing waterfall backlit bottle display and communal high-top tables. The undisputed signature cocktail is the Double Black Diamond Martini—premium New Amsterdam vodka steeped for 21 continuous days with fresh sweet golden pineapples, then hand-shaken over ice and strained into a chilled martini glass.
During the weekday “Firebar Happy Hour” (Monday through Friday, 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM), guests enjoy discounted bar bites, including crispy beef sliders, spicy tuna rolls, grilled chicken quesadillas, and specialty cocktails, wines by the glass, and craft beers.
Location & Visiting Cranberry Township
Situated in the heart of Cranberry Township’s corporate and retail hub on Route 228 (Old Transit Road), Firebirds is directly accessible from Interstate 79 (Exit 78) and the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76). It is conveniently located near the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex (the official training facility of the Pittsburgh Penguins) and Cranberry Woods business park.
The restaurant features a spacious all-season covered outdoor patio equipped with overhead radiant heaters and an open stone fire pit, making outdoor dining comfortable from early spring through late autumn.
Frequently Asked Questions About Firebirds Cranberry
Do I need a reservation at Firebirds in Cranberry?
While walk-ins are always welcomed at the FIREBAR and dining room, reservations via OpenTable are strongly recommended for weekend dinners and Thursday-to-Sunday evenings to avoid wait times.
Are gluten-sensitive menu options available?
Yes. Firebirds offers an extensive dedicated gluten-sensitive menu, including wood-grilled steaks, fresh seafood, salads, and vegetable sides prepared without wheat contact.
Is there a private dining room for events?
Yes. Firebirds Cranberry features private and semi-private dining accommodations for business luncheons, rehearsal dinners, and family celebrations with custom banquet menus.
The Hardwood Sourcing & High-Heat Grilling Technique
The culinary identity of Firebirds Wood Fired Grill is defined by its rigorous approach to wood combustion. The kitchen exclusively uses natural, kiln-dried red oak and aromatic hickory logs aged to an exact 15% to 20% moisture content. This specific moisture ratio ensures that the wood burns with intense, clean heat rather than producing excessive acrid creosote smoke.
The grill grates reach searing temperatures of 650°F (343°C). When hand-cut steaks or fresh salmon fillets hit the cast-iron grates, the intense radiant heat triggers immediate Maillard reaction caramelization, transforming surface amino acids and natural sugars into a savory, crispy crust while preserving tender, succulent textures inside. The subtle, sweet hickory aroma infuses every cut without overwhelming the inherent quality of the prime beef.
Cranberry Township & Northern Pittsburgh Regional Attractions
Firebirds is located in Butler County’s thriving Cranberry Township, making it a prime dining hub for travelers exploring northern Allegheny and Butler counties:
UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex: Located just 2 miles east along Route 228, this world-class 185,000-square-foot sports medicine and ice facility serves as the official practice home of the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, hosting youth tournaments, public ice skating, and athlete training clinics.
North Park & Cranberry Highlands: Golfers can enjoy 18 championship holes at Cranberry Highlands Golf Course, rated one of Pennsylvania’s top municipal courses, or head 15 minutes south to North Park for 3,000 acres of hiking trails, lake kayaking, and treetop adventure courses.
Curated Wine & Craft Beer Program: To complement its robust hardwood-grilled steaks and seafood, Firebirds maintains an extensive, temperature-controlled wine cellar. Guests can select from over 30 wines by the glass and an impressive bottle list spotlighting California Cabernets, Oregon Pinot Noirs, and bold Malbecs. Craft beer lovers will find rotating seasonal taps featuring regional Western Pennsylvania breweries alongside national craft favorites.
