Mad Mex - Shadyside

 

 

 

I was waiting for Noodle Head to open up a couple doors down from Mad Mex Shadyside they didn't open until noon, so I went to my comfort zone the bar at Mad Mex and had a couple drafts with an appetizer (shrimp taquitos), while waiting to dive into a steaming plate of Drunken Noodles (pad kee mao). I love this neighborhood, so many good beer and food options you could put on a blind fold and stumble into either one or both at the same place. Bartender was great very on point and quick with a refill/conversation. I also spotted Dom, the manager. A great guy for the beer selection, he's from Michigan and he knows his beer...the tap selection proves that high quality across the board checkout the online draft list if your ever considering stopping in. By the way, I hear this place has a killer brunch menu on Sundays, I got to check it out and each option had my mouth watering...can't wait to make it back for a Sunday brunch.

 

The newest jewel in the Mad Mex empire sees it return to the Pittsburgh city limits where it all started nearly 20 years ago. Finally another option for those of us old school Oakland customers who didnt migrate out to the suburbs!

The newest Mad Mex hits on a lot of the Southwest/punk decor common with other locations, but has a few extra touches. One is the huge mural on the wall opposite the bar. The other is a custom folding garage window/door in the front that can be opened on nice days. This location also supports an upstairs area and a private dining/party area. Its worth noting that there is very little physical separation between the bar and the rest of the restaurant, so it can get noisy at times.

The beer selection follows other Mad Mex locations in offering 20+ drafts of almost all craft (only BMC on tap is Miller). Eventhough they have only been opened since April, theyve been able to leverage the Mad Mex rep to bring in tough to find seasonals and one-offs. Dark Horse Double Crooked Tree and Founders Devil Dancer on tap at the same time? Yikes! There is also a good selection of bottles for dine in and take out. Growler fills are also available (at essentially the prorated draft full price).

The food is typical Mad Mex's take on Tex/Cali/Mexican. The big ass burritos rarely disappoint. Im also a fan of the Chicken tacos. The wings are good as well.

The service is "good for Pittsburgh". Mostly polite. Occasionally slow and forgetful a couple of times for the wait staff.

Prices can be a bit on the high side, although the best deal is Happy Hour from 4:30-6:30. Half off on all drafts, plus some margarita specials.

This part of Shadyside has been booming the past year and Mad Mex has been part of it. Definitely worth a stop over and make it a bar crawl with Harris Grill, Buffalo Blues, BRGR, Kelly's, and the Sharp Edge!