The Fajita Grill

I've had many disappointments in Pittsburgh dining, but this my friends is not one of them! I've got to say that this ranks up there in my eating experiences in this city. The service was simple, attentive, and satisfactory. The food was the way food should be... good. First off: salads were very nice... various assortment of greens.. good quality... fresh... and a nice house vinegrette. I also had the Black Bean soup... Delicious... accompanied by some pico de gallo, tortilla strips, and Queso Fresco. Main course was the Chicken Mole... it was very pretty... well cooked... impressive mole sauce (its very hard to make)... and chocolatey goodness. Other entree was the Salmon & shrimps w/ mango salsa... well cooked... good salsa (not super sweet, you can actually taste the mangoes). Overall I had nothing to complain about... not one thing.. the price is very reasonable for the food your getting, which is good quality food in this city of mediocre restaurants.

The place was a little out of the way, which was great for a couple of people who like to avoid the crowds of Shadyside. The atmosphere was quaint yet festive. The restaurant was carved out of a residential home and thus has smaller more intimate rooms. It certainly set the stage for a different dining experience.\t\n\t\nWe started with some soup. The soup portion was large enough to be a meal itself. I had black bean which was quite tasty. My boyfriend had a chicken soup which he described as Thai meets Mexican. "If I didn't like anything else, I would come back for the soup," says BF. The enchiladas and burritos are paired with your choice of fillings such as shredded beef, chicken, vegetables, and tofu. Then, you add the sauce. There are about 8 homemade varieties to choose from. When ordering, we asked the server for recommendations, and she was quick to offer suggestions. I chose a vegetable and tofu enchilada with a jalepeno tomatillo sauce. Everything was fresh and the sauce was flavorful. My father enjoyed a shredded beef burrito with a mild red sauce. My boyfriend chose a fajita with steak, shrimp, and bacon. It was a carnivores dream! For his sauce, he chose the habenero. For someone who orders 8, 9, and 10 hot levels at Thai and Indian places, the habenero sauce still made him sweat! No need to fear, though, all of the sauces are clearly marked mild, medium, or hot. \t\n\t\nMy boyfriend left nothing for leftovers while Dad and me had plenty for the next day's meals. My brother got into my father's burrito the next day and was so impressed that he is planning on making the trip soon.\t\n\t\nSummary: Be prepared to spend some extra cash, but the homemade dishes are well worth it. Also, it is BYOB.

Portions were small, especially for the price. Definitely not even close to the best Mexican I ever eaten. No complimentary sides or chips to come with meal. Seating area is small, cramped and hard to walk around. Service was slow.