For authentic Mexican cuisine, look south. Not the border, but of the city.
Cocina Mendoza, which made a name for itself first in Green Tree, then in Bethel Park, has moved to a new location in the South Hills, at the shopping plaza at 300 Mt. Lebanon Blvd.
The restaurant, which opened mid-June, is owned and operated by Acapulco native Abraham Mendoza, who established himself as a banquet chef at the
Club at Nevillewood in Presto, Pa., where he and his brother were in charge of the monthly Mexican-themed night.
"It was so popular, the members would ask me to do it twice a month and request it for special occasions," says Mendoza. "Then they pushed me to open my own business."
He established his first restaurant in 2003 in Green Tree, and then passed it off to his brother, who still operates Mendoza Express at 812 Mansfield Rd.
In 2006, Mendoza established his second location in Bethel Park, but closed that eatery just before moving into his current Mt. Lebanon space, which is almost twice the size. It seats about 80 people, and includes a full bar that's just waiting on a liquor license (in the meantime, Cocina Mendoza is BYOB).
The extensive menu includes conventional Tex-Mex dishes, traditional recipes passed down from Mendoza's mother, a large vegetarian section and Mexican breakfast items, from
huevos con chorizo to omelets served with beans and tortillas.
To receive Pop City free every week, click here.Writer:
Caralyn GreenSource: Abraham Mendoza, owner, Cocina Mendoza
Photograph copyright Jennifer Baron