Monroeville Tex/Mex

 My wife, my seven year old, and I had a late dinner at that new Tex/Mex place
 in Monroeville--it's either Don Pablo's or Don Pedros or something like that
 --I'm having a memory block.

 The verdict:  It's pretty good and we'll probably go back.

 When I was in high school in the mid '70s in Denver my family had
 two regular options for Mexican food.  There was Mama Elenas in a
 converted Taco Bell for real mexican food, but that required a fair
 commute and since the place _was_ a converted Taco Bell you never knew
 how long you'd have to wait for a seat.  The other option was a place
 called La Bola.  The attraction there was big margaritas for the adults
 and good "combo plate" kind of food.  I class Don Whatevers in the second
 area.

 My wife had a Chimichanga which she liked.  I had the Paco which was
 a pork tamale (in a liberal interpretation of what a tamale is however)
 and a cheese enchilada both with a mild red sauce. Also a cheese enchilada
 with a sour cream based sauce.  Both plates had mexican rice, refritos,
 and corn relish.  My son had a hot dog which camed wrapped in a fresh flour
 tortilla and french fries with a drink for $2.95 (actually it came with two
 hot dogs but he dropped one on the floor and he wasn't that hungry anyway).
 Total bill incdluduing tip was right at 26.50.  Nothing made you gasp
 in awe but on the other hand it all tasted pretty good and was a heck
 of a lot better than Chi chi's type places.

 They make flour tortillas right there and they are pretty good. I saw
 no signs of anyone making corn tortillas and forgot to check the menu
 to see if any dishes come with them.

 They have a range of Mexican beers.  My tecate came in a bottle with a
 small salt rimmed glass.  When I was in Mexico for a couple of months
 with a school group in 1975 we used to drink tecate from a can. You'd
 sprinkle a little lime, juice, salt, and hot sauce on the rim of the
 can and drink over it.  I couldn't quite to that but I did pour some of
 the "Cholua" brand hot sauce (respectable) that is in bottles on the
 table on the corner of a corn chip, suck that off and then follow it
 quickly with a drink from the salt rimmed glass.  Not the same but it
 shows the lengths we go to to recapture the forbidden pleasures of our
 youth I guess.

 The salsa that came with the chips on the table was ok.  It wasn't hot
 but it seemed that other versions were avaialbe for the asking.  My son
 was dippig so we didn't go for anything hotter--but ask if you looking
 for a kick.

 At 8:30 on a Monday night there were plenty of tables.  The place is
 cavernous.  Brick walls, ceilings at least 35 feet high, lots of neon,
 and colorful theme paintins on the brick walls.  Given the high
 ceilings, hard floors, and general lack of any sound deadening material
 it was pretty loud.  I imagine it could be deafening when full.

 Note the odd IHOP effect of the newspaper boxes out front on your way in.

 Jeff

 -------------------
 Jeff Fortescue, Assistant Dept. Head
 Downtown and Business Information Center
 Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.
 Board of Directors, Central Region Rep.
 Allegheny County Library Association
 412.281.4663
 [email removed]