One good Tex-Mex place would rake it in! (Pittsburgh, Clark: construction, pierogies)

[Stephanie P]

OK, so Tex-Mex is not "authentic Mexican" but for better or worse, it is a pretty major food style. There is a real dearth of even passable ones that I have found since arriving. With the "invasion" of Texans we are experiencing for the Marcellus work, it seems like you could really corner the market if you opened one here. Ketchup + red peppers do not equal salsa.

BTW, back in Texas when you did want "authentic" Mexican food, you could not do better than to hit the taco trucks idling on every corner where a lot of construction was going on. Those and all the modest local carnecerias with the little taco counters. You have not lived until you have had a real Mexican taco. Soft corn tortillas. Barbacoa, lengua (tongue), al pastor, etc.. Hit it with onion and cilantro and you were in business. Here the local "native" food runs toward pierogies and such, which we are really starting to like too.

[AaronPGH]

I agree.... also, BBQ. WHERE THE HECK is all the BBQ?

[BrianTH]

I don't know what you have tried, but Mexico City is pretty good. Las Velas isn't bad. Yo Rita is fun. I've heard good things about Emiliano's (never been personally).

[SorryIMovedBack]

Many people in this region don't seem to like hot and spicy food. I was all excited to try Compadres up my way (this one Compadre's Location). And it was the blandest, mildest non-hot Mex that I have ever eaten. Wth! not even a lil' hot! Their web site plays a polka, too, lol.

[Pitt Chick]

Originally Posted by SorryIMovedBack

Many people in this region don't seem to like hot and spicy food.

I have not found that to be the case at all!

[jay5835]

Originally Posted by Stephanie P

Ketchup + red peppers do not equal salsa.

Oh, please. Where did you ever have ketchup in salsa?

[jay5835]

Originally Posted by AaronClark

I agree.... also, BBQ. WHERE THE HECK is all the BBQ?

There was a BBQ place in Squirrel Hill. I think it was there for about a year, 2008-2009. The food was good IMO, but it could never tell whether it wanted to be a restaurant or a carryout. You had to place your order at the counter, and the food was served in styrofoam whether you were eating or out. That kind of service always leaves me with the impression that the owners would rather you leave ASAP after you eat.

[TelecasterBlues]

I agree entirely...I love visiting Austin/San Antonio and the food is definately one of reasons why. Mexico City is the best in my oppinion and the only thing that's close, most people around here think Taco Bell and Chipotle is Mexican food.

[lifepgh2op]

Mexico City.

Also, Mexican grocer draws taco lovers to Brookline - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

[BrianTH]

By the way, when people talk about the bland eating preferences of "most people" in Pittsburgh, if they are talking about everyone in the metro area, including all the exurbanites, and retirees, and so on--who knows, maybe their claims are right. The thing is, I don't go out dining with such people, so I really don't care. What I care about is whether there are enough people with dining preferences that I share to support a healthy mix of restaurants for me to visit--and I'm pretty sure that is now the case, since we have accumulated a growing backlog of places we would like to try and haven't yet gotten around to.

Of course we have a kid and aren't out all that frequently, but still, my point is that I really don't care what "most" people in Pittsburgh like as long as there are "enough" people in Pittsburgh to support a decent dining scene for me.