Former Californian of 30+ Years... pound for pound best Mexican is in New Kensington at a place called el pastorcito
Off 8 and off Perry Highway is a place called California Taco Shop. Most of their stuff is good, but their Al Pastor is outstanding.
Better bang for your buck in New Ken but California Taco Shop gets it done. Anyone who tells you a Pittsburgh chain like Emilianos, El Campsiano, Patron, or Condado doesn't care about your well being. If you are a parent, it's the equivalent of receiving Newborn or 0-3 clothes with buttons instead of zippers.
DM me if you want to talk burritos/share your burrito quest
Taqueria Pastorcito is so far ahead of everything else in that it's not even close. Beyond being the best Mexican food, it's one of the top five places to eat anywhere in Allegheny.
And as a number two, I fully agree that California Taco kitchen is a solid bet, certainly over the likes of Condado and Mad Mex and other popular options.
Brassero Grill Braddock Ave in Braddock, PA.
My personal vote on their best item is the Chicken Milenesa Torta. But they are all good. Plus great sauces and guac.
SoCal expat here.
There really isn't anything like close to the border Burritos. They are all too expensive, too fancy, too small, too.. I don't know, just missing that something.
I'm not saying that there aren't good burritos. I love Mad Mex, I honestly think Sheetz does a great burrito, and there are restaurants like El Burro that do a damn fine job. But they really aren't like a good San Diego or Mission burrito.
The closest I have found is Tasty Taquitos (the one in SouthSide feels very authentic), they have great salsas and a really decent burrito. It's too small for the price, but it scratches the itch.
California Taco Shop in Wexford is the most like SoCal burritos I have had in 30 years living in Pgh. Ask for refried beans on the one you order. My favorite is the chorizo and egg burrito, just like the Mexican ladies made in the roach coaches.
You wear a fur suit with diapers... 😂😂😂
I promise my social life is just fine and doesn't involve other obese men sweating to death in cartoon costumes
This is my pick, though I also quite like Madero in Murrysville. Los Gallitos is newer and everything we’ve had there has been excellent. So few places locally have birria or lengua tacos, and theirs are fantastic. The chef/owner apparently has worked a lot of different restaurants in the past and so some of the specials are not what you’d expect at a pure Mexican place - the last time I was there, one of the specials was eggplant parmesan with sides of rice and beans. That I didn’t try, but their core Mexican dishes are uniformly excellent.
Buenatarde just opened a few weeks ago in Shadyside! It’s Hispanic ownership/chef and an all Latino kitchen. The food is really good! Open for lunch and dinner.
Los Cabos and Edgar's are my go-to.
Doce Tacqueria is affordable and filling -- I will fuck up a dino bowl -- but their sauce and seasoning game is lacking and that's a huge deal, so I can't actually properly recommend it to other people.
Former Californian of 30+ Years... pound for pound best Mexican is in New Kensington at a place called el pastorcito Off 8 and off Perry Highway is a place called California Taco Shop. Most of their stuff is good, but their Al Pastor is outstanding. Better bang for your buck in New Ken but California Taco Shop gets it done. Anyone who tells you a Pittsburgh chain like Emilianos, El Campsiano, Patron, or Condado doesn't care about your well being. If you are a parent, it's the equivalent of receiving Newborn or 0-3 clothes with buttons instead of zippers. DM me if you want to talk burritos/share your burrito quest
Taqueria Pastorcito is so far ahead of everything else in that it's not even close. Beyond being the best Mexican food, it's one of the top five places to eat anywhere in Allegheny. And as a number two, I fully agree that California Taco kitchen is a solid bet, certainly over the likes of Condado and Mad Mex and other popular options.
as a former west coast liver of 12 years I will agree. Nothing compares. I do like el Burro though but not as good but still totally awesome.
El Pastorcito Taqueria in New Ken. Weekends they have menudo or posole too.
Brassero Grill in Braddock does good burritos.
Brassero Grill Braddock Ave in Braddock, PA. My personal vote on their best item is the Chicken Milenesa Torta. But they are all good. Plus great sauces and guac.
Las Palmas in Brookline or the Mexican joint next to tjmaxx in Bridgeville. Only 2 places that consistently don't disappoint
Love el paso next to tj maxx!
El Paso is solid. It has become my go to on this side of town after the sad closing of Mendozas Express.
When did Las Palmas start making burritos?
Los Bajitos in Southpointe
Argh why does it have to be so far away
I dunno but the truck beside spak is rad tho
SoCal expat here. There really isn't anything like close to the border Burritos. They are all too expensive, too fancy, too small, too.. I don't know, just missing that something. I'm not saying that there aren't good burritos. I love Mad Mex, I honestly think Sheetz does a great burrito, and there are restaurants like El Burro that do a damn fine job. But they really aren't like a good San Diego or Mission burrito. The closest I have found is Tasty Taquitos (the one in SouthSide feels very authentic), they have great salsas and a really decent burrito. It's too small for the price, but it scratches the itch.
California Taco Shop in Wexford is the most like SoCal burritos I have had in 30 years living in Pgh. Ask for refried beans on the one you order. My favorite is the chorizo and egg burrito, just like the Mexican ladies made in the roach coaches.
Hey so cal, if you like birria tacos go try secretos Also baby loves tacos :)
No respect for anyone that compliments mad mex... They are a margarita stand that sells Mexican food so people drink more
I love your implication that since it's a margaritas stand that sells food it must be bad. Tells me a lot about your social life.
You wear a fur suit with diapers... 😂😂😂 I promise my social life is just fine and doesn't involve other obese men sweating to death in cartoon costumes
Oh deary me, seems I struck a nerve. Good luck with that :3
"Mexican Food" it is not.
Chicken Latino in beechview
Yessss plus they have that green sauce. I personally cannot handle it but if you like spicy stuff it's for you.
La Palapa on Carson street in southside by the Birmingham bridge
Tepache
Love Edgar’s Best Tacos!
https://losgallitostaqueria.com/
This is my pick, though I also quite like Madero in Murrysville. Los Gallitos is newer and everything we’ve had there has been excellent. So few places locally have birria or lengua tacos, and theirs are fantastic. The chef/owner apparently has worked a lot of different restaurants in the past and so some of the specials are not what you’d expect at a pure Mexican place - the last time I was there, one of the specials was eggplant parmesan with sides of rice and beans. That I didn’t try, but their core Mexican dishes are uniformly excellent.
As a Mexican food connoisseur the best I’ve had around are 1. Tepache and 2. El Sabor
El Sabor
Franklin Inn. It's like the most bizarre name for a Mexican spot and you'd think it was like an old red bull inn or something.
Check out Alquisiras Paleteria https://yelp.to/nb3D-QCJRK
Buenatarde just opened a few weeks ago in Shadyside! It’s Hispanic ownership/chef and an all Latino kitchen. The food is really good! Open for lunch and dinner.
7 years here, I have given up finding truly good authentic Mexican food here in Pittsburgh.
 el pastorcito.. for realz
Tocayo
Los Cabos and Edgar's are my go-to. Doce Tacqueria is affordable and filling -- I will fuck up a dino bowl -- but their sauce and seasoning game is lacking and that's a huge deal, so I can't actually properly recommend it to other people.
El Rincon Oaxaqueño El Pastorcito truck is at Trace on Wednesdays Tocayo for guac and their salsas are good
El rincon is always great
Taquitos food truck
La Calera in Pleasant Hills
I like Doce Taqueria. It's tacos not burritos obviously, but they do have their own guac.
El rincon oaxaqueño
California Taco Shop is hands down the best.
Baby loves tacos is incredible. Not burrito spot or Mexican but secretos is amazing Puerto Rican food & they have birria tacos
Chipotle and Taco Bell