Affordable Mexican Food (Pittsburgh, Dormont, Portland: home, living, price)

[Copanut]

Originally Posted by Scientist Mom

It is not a matter of cheap, it's just a matter of principle.

It's equivalent to an Italian restaurant charging extra for bread or limiting how much you can have.

.

Ya know, there is no such thing as a free lunch. I don't know what business you're in, but making a profit these days gets tougher all the time. And the restaurant biz is probably one of the toughest. To expect unlimited bread at an Italian restaurant and unlimited chips/salsa at a Mexican establishment sounds kind of "piggy" to me.

My two cents.

[nynjmapa]

El Campesino (McKnight southbound side) in Ross is super fast and economical.

Emiliano's in Ross (McKnight northbound) gets a thumbs down from me in both food quality and service.

Patron in Wexford (19 south) has reasonably priced and delicious meals. The interior is done up really nice.


Buena suerte!

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by COPANUT

Unlimited chips and salsa? How cheap are you people?

It's commonly done in the southwest.

[sketchbooks]

Another vote for El Campesino.

Cuzamil in Squirrel Hill is okay, although the food varies in quality from one visit to another- it's more of a place to go for happy hour with the food as an afterthought.

A kid from my daughter's old school is from the family that owns La Fiesta. So we go there despite the prices. Besides, they were the first place we found in town that knew what horchata was.

I miss the taquerias where I used to live, but hey- Pittsburgh makes up for it in Indian restaurants.

[Tallysmom]

Originally Posted by COPANUT

Unlimited chips and salsa? How cheap are you people?

I second Kat -- all the Mexican restaurants do that out here... and it makes sense. Fresh warm homemade chips and great pico de gallo just screams for cervezas... and not that Dos Equis or Corona crap -- a good Bohemia or Pacifico.... and alcohol makes you want to eat more, so you order a nice sized dinner... and another beer -- and alcohol is where they make some real money.

Oh, yeah -- the chips and salsa pay off big for them....

[lifepgh2op]

Originally Posted by Tallysmom

I second Kat -- all the Mexican restaurants do that out here... and it makes sense.

I third you both--every Mexican restaurant I've ever been to does this. Even Chi Chi's did before their hepatitis closing. I don't really remember if Mad Mex or Don Pablos does it...I'm not a fan of chain Mexican food...Mad Mex has good Margaritas, though

[dugdogmaster]

Originally Posted by lifepgh2op

Even Chi Chi's did before their hepatitis closing.

Ha!

Originally Posted by lifepgh2op

I don't really remember if Mad Mex or Don Pablos does it...I'm not a fan of chain Mexican food...Mad Mex has good Margaritas, though

Mad Mex doesn't, but it's worth it to pay for theirs! And yes, about the margaritas, I said that as well a few posts ago, and they also have a great beer selection

[Mr. Mon]

Mexico City is the closest thing to authintic Mexican I've found in Pittsburgh. By authentic, I mean they don't cover everything in nacho cheese and soupy refried beans. The tacos are exactly $2.00 (go for the streak) and the resturaunt is BYOB, which is always a bonus.

[FlyByNightRat]

Originally Posted by peanut33

OK, so I'm looking desperately for a good, cheap mexican place. Here's what I want:
unlimited chips/salsa
cheese dip option (for a price of course)
cheap food ($2 taco, $6.50-$8.50 for an entree)

Is there anywhere like this!? We went to La Fiesta in Oakland and they wanted like $15 for a Chimichanga! I'm originally from Indiana where there were TONS of places like this. Any suggestions??

La Fiesta is half price after 9pm. Come back later and enjoy!

EDIT: As far as beer selection, it's literally unlimited since they encourage BYOB (no license).

[fleetiebelle]

Mad Mex doesn't, but it's worth it to pay for theirs!

One thing that Mad Mex does that bugs me is charge for sour cream and guac. Like, if you order a burrito and the waiter asks you if you want sour cream with that, they actually charge you for the sour cream.