Someone wrote: (of his dismay in Pittsburgh's mexican food scene...) John, Welcome to the `Burgh. Indeed, the southwestern/mexican offerings are rather bleak. Sante Fe, it ain't. On the other hand, with a fifth as many sunny days per year as Albuquerque, you won't have to worry about premature aging of your skin ;-) . For mexican food you'll want to try the Fajita Grill on Old Clairton Road in Pleasant Hills. According to Mexican friends, it's the only authentic place in the area. The salsa *actually* contains cilantro, as opposed to the tepid stuff you'll find elsewhere. The ever-changing menu has even featured turkey mole. They often have a Yucatan dish or two on the menu--always a delight. Unfortunately, it's at least a half hour drive from the city. However, they are contemplating a move to E. Carson on the South Side--wish them luck. No such luck if you've a hankering for new mexican/southwestern cuisine. There is a new-ish place downtown on Sixth St., across from the Fulton, called Southwestern Bistro. It's owned by Bikki (sp?), the restauranteur who brought us Simply French, Simply Italian, Mai-Tai, a few other places on Atwood, and, regrettably, Cozumel on Walnut in Shadyside. This last one you should avoid at all costs. Southwestern Bistro, on the other hand, is not bad (try the black bean turkey chili). Mind you, nothing you'll be writing about to the folks back in Tucson. But do give it a try. Med Mex you've already been to, so I won't comment. Actually, the two times I've been there I was too busy avoiding death from smoke inhalation to remember what the food was like. [Note aside: why is it that Boulder, a town of 80,000, can have at least two dozen smoke-free restaurants, while Allegheny County's 1.3 million residents cannot support a *single* one? (I'd love to hear that I'm wrong, and yeah, I know Bruegger's is smoke-free, but that doesn't count...)] A number of the dishes at Cafe Giorgio's (Donati Rd, South Hills) have new mexican overtones, and they serve a splendid black bean soup, but CG really can't be characterized as southwestern. Actually it can't be characterized as *anything*. The food, however, is marvelous--well worth a trip. Sooner or later you'll come to the realization that you're going to have to do it yourself if you want good southwestern in Pgh. Fresh cilantro and a variety of chiles can be found at a number of groceries in the Strip District. Better yet, grow your own. The Food Co-op (on Penn in Point Breeze) carries blue corn meal, from which you should be able to make serviceable tortilla chips. What ingredients you can't find locally, you can mail order from a number of sources. And finally, when all else fails, remember that D.C. is only 4 hours away .... :-) Cheers, omar
Pittsburgh, PA
Mexico it's not...at all...
Hey. I'd like to recommend the new cafe in the strip district (near Napoleon bakery (which, having finally consented to have one available to sell me, now gets my "best baguette in the 'burgh" award... but back to the cafe...) It's called "The Strip Bar". It has the nicest interior of any of the cafes in Pgh (beating out Sip, 61c and Il Duce), and generally does things properly ... down to providing (gold plated, please don't steal them) spoons to get the last of the foam out of your cappucino. Only problem at the moment is that they are only open from 10am to 4pm. They intend to extend those hours to 3am later on - they shouldbe encouraged. Oh, and in case it matters to you, it's a woman owned business. (but that doesn't figure into the recommendation). Michael
For something that's more Tex-Mex than Mexican I'd also like to recommend the Ben Franklin Inn on Rochester Rd. in the North Hills. I always figure there are two decent Mexican restaurants in Pittsburgh, Fajita Grill and the Franklin Inn. On the plus side, the FI is much larger and faster than the FG. They're also open later and have a bar. To get there from the city: Take 279N to exit 21 Camp Horne Rd., bear right at the end of the exit ramp and then straight until you hit a Y in the road. Bear left. This is Rochester Rd. you follow it forever until you're SURE you're lost in some yuppy suburbia. Finally, you'll hit an intersection with a 4 way stop sign. Take hope, oh intrepid gourmand, you're almost there. Look for a building on your left shortly after with a small sign out front and a gravel parking lot next to it. Be warned, on weekends you may have to wait awhile for a table. j-