Mad Mex

The space may be small and seating a bit cramped, but this is the place where you will find the best food out of all the Pittsburegh locations. The staff is friendly and its one of the most efficient places I've ever been to. more

Having tasted great Mexican food in California and Texas, I have to say - how is it possible that Mad Mex has received anything above a 2 star? I’m not saying the only good Mexican food is found near the border, but these 5 star reviews for Mad Mex are way too high. Not only is it not good MEXICAN food, it’s not good food! I've tried this place more than once to give it a fair chance. After trying Mad Mex a second time, I feel confident in writing the following: Bland! And more bland! The basic staples - burritos and enchiladas – are so tasteless I thought the first time had to be a mistake. This time around, there was no mistake – they really do make the food with the same blandness each time! As though flavors, spices, zing, and zest are foreign to this restaurant. So sad for the guacamole, it was prepared carelessly; it tasted like mashed avocados, yes, but minus the lime, salt, red onions, and chiles that make guacamole what it is. And at $9.00 a pint? Pretty pricey. On a positive note, their chips and sour cream were edible - because they came pre-packaged and required no preparation on the restaurant's part. Again, I have to stress how overpriced this place is for what you receive. $9.75 for a bone-dry enchilada?? That’s painful! This place is so bad that it’s come to me saying this: Chipotle and Veracruz are hardly authentic or worth writing home about, but tastes much better than Mad Mex. \r \r The food is so bad I would not even enjoy it at half the price, and I’m usually someone who goes ga-ga over half-priced eats!\r Pros: The name fits so in a sense they are forewarning you a bit Cons: Food is disgusting more

I've been going here for 15 years. Great wings and the best bleu cheese in the city...yes you read that right....bleu cheese. I've ordered celery and bleu cheese to go it's that good. This place is hit or miss. If you go when it's not crowded it's awesome. You get the ambience of the original without having to bump elbows with strangers. When crowded you have no privacy, no room, and have to watch dikes with nose rings canoodling. Pros: Great food, great beer selection, nice spot Cons: Too crowded and packed in, too many gays more

In Oakland where we've had our share of sub par food, Mad Mex certainly stood out. The service may not always be the best, and it can get pretty crowded, but I've never had anything I didn't enjoy (same for the people I've gone with). I personally love the Chicken Chimi, but I'd say, having tried 1/3 of the items on the menu, you really can't go wrong with anything you pick! Pros: Food, and great bar service Cons: Can get really busy and crowded more

I am usually not a very tough critic, but this place is just confused. I should have known from the time I entered the door and they scanned my ID that it was more of a bar than a restaurant, but I thought since it was rated so highly that it was worth a shot. I don't mind restaurants that have bars but it would be nice if they could have their respective places i.e. the bar and it's people in the front and the diners in the back. In fact the bar was so close to where we were seated that I was in jeopardy of getting a drink spilled on me at any moment. The music was also blaring so I couldn't even have a conversation with my girlfriend. I shouldn't have been so adventurous to have ordered the thai curry burrito since you should really order simple items when trying out a new place. The food was lukewarm and the flavors were really muddled. Additionally, they pack people into tables like sardines so you need to not only talk over the music but over the table that sitting right next to you. This is more of a bar than a restaurant so if you're going to eat the food get smashed first maybe it'll taste better. more

Mad Mex is wonderful. As a vegan, they are so incredibly accommodating. The food is delicious with so many options. The service is usually WONDERFUL (there's one bitchy bartender). The drinks are great, and their happy hours are well priced.\r It can get crazy crowded, but what do you expect from a great bar with half price food and drinks in a college area. C'mon. . . use your head.\r Pros: Vegan yum yums and food for my carnivosous friends! Cons: A little crowded. more

This is our least favorite restaurant in the Big Burrito group. The quality of ingredients is high, but the food is not particularly authentic. Most locals must disagree with us, because the place is pretty popular. more

We've been big fans of the Big Burrito restaurants and had a craving for some Tex-Mex food. Mad Mex certainly lives up to its fine-dining siblings like Casbah and Soba. The food is terrific (we can't stop talking about the guacamole we ordered with the chips for an appetizer) and decently priced. The service was good for a casual restaurant, and everything really jells. The beer selection is extensive, and most drinks are great. There's also a tequila selection, although we haven't tried the tequila samplers yet.\r \r Our minor complaint is that they seat people too close to each other, but both times we've gone, it's been packed, so it's somewhat understandable. Pros: Great food. Cool atmosphere Cons: Tables a bit too close together more

I don't go to mad mex for the food, because its awful! Everything always has no flavor and its always over cooked. It doesn't matter what I order it has been a disapointment every time. I recently met an employee of mad mex and he informed me that all of the meat that they claim is freshly grilled is only grilled for a minute (usually a few days before you eat it) and then it is microwaved to order. Gross! Pros: Very good happy hour Cons: food is disgusting more

I have always been a huge fan of Mad Mex in Oakland but lately the drinks and meals have been below average and I am now compelled to write a review. Several times I have ordered burritos and they have been 99% beans and rice with 1% of the promised ingredents of portabella mushrooms and spinach on the inside. its been a disappointment time and time again. friends of mine ordered the nachos and were disappointed with the small amount toppings. the waiter asked how the meal was and they showed him the broken up dust of chips and small amount of toppings. he said 'sorry' and that was it. no discount, no additional toppings, nothing. and lastly, mad mex is known for their margaritas. they are usually soooo good. last time i was there (last week) i think we got a batch of nonalcoholic ones or something because we drank 1-2 big azz ones each and everyone left sober. what a waste of $12/drink!\r i think i'm done with mad mex for a while. the only thing that still rocks is the black bean dip! more

My wife and I loved the concept, menu and ambience. We ordered 2 different enchilada dishes each with a side of guacamole for 99cts extra. The guacamole was about 1oz and was brownish in color. It had way too much salt and lime juice and was entirely inedible. We felt cheated. The beans were so oversalted I couldn't eat them, nor could my wife. The chicken in both our dishes was so dry you could barely cut it and were obviously precooked! They were so concerned with their food cost on the guacamole but weren't concerned about the 6oz or so of cheese they loaded in the middle and top of each of our dishes, an expensive ingredient. This was a terrible meal and we wouldn't recommend you go and try it. Pros: Vegetarian menu choices Cons: Poorly prepared food. more

western saloon turned contemporary club and restaurant. the food's not to die for, but it more than a... more

western saloon turned contemporary club and restaurant. the food's not to die for, but it more than a staple. i disliked the lack of fajitas at thi... more

western saloon turned contemporary club and restaurant. the food's not to die for, but it more than a staple. i disliked the lack of fajitas at thi... more

Along with Primanti Bros., Pamela's, and Dave and Andy's, this is another one of the places that I fondly miss since leaving Pittsburgh. It's the best mexican around, and the tiny loud atmosphere always makes for a fun night out. They also used to have great late night specials, although that might have changed.. Pros: Big delicous margaritas and food Cons: can get crowded, loud more

I realize there are not that many good mexican restaurants in Pittsburgh - but Med Mex is the best Pittsburgh has to offer. It gets crowded and it is a smaller restaurant (in Oakland) but it is worth it for the food, just try to go during off-hours. more

There are unfortunately not many good Mexican or Tex-Mex restaurants in Pittsburgh. This is arguably one of the better ones, but certainly not distinctive in any way. While the service was courteous and quick, the food tends to appeal to those looking for comfort food instead of more genuine and traditional fare. It's a well-stocked bar that serves Tex-Mex, but that's about it. more

I visited Mad Mex over the weekend from out of town. Its good but a far cry from Mexican. Mad Mex seems to have some traditional Tex-Mex (I can now say this with some authority having lived in south Texas for 8 years now, I think) dishes, and I imagine some Cali-Mex dishes, but there is not a trace of interior mexican on the menu, which might be the reason it doesn't win best mexican. \r \r That being said, the chick pea burrito was a decent and different burrito, if a little on the mild side. The margaritas were skippable; they're made with a sour mix which really wreaked havoc on my digestive system. A little crowded and way too smoky for my taste. Good eats for the price though. \r \r Pros: Good and filling for the price more

If Mad Mex's food were actually Mexican, it could well be the best Mexican restaurant in Pittsburgh (more by default, as the competition is hardly stiff). Mad Mex's fusion cuisine is a tick above average, and caters well to vegetarians and vegans. The atmosphere at this particular locations ranges from a pleasant, but dark, open setting during the late afternoon to smoke-filled crowdedness during the 11PM half-price time. The food is a bit overpriced at menu prices, but becomes an amazing deal during any of the half-price times, which are quite plentiful at this location. Pros: Half-Price Specials, Good Margaritas, Veg/Vegan Friendly Cons: Dark atmosphere., No Parking more

I LOVE this place! The food is great, and they use their own twist with traditional Mexican dishes. They will often have great price specials, whether it's for lunch, late night or for those with student IDs. You MUST get one of their margaritas while you are there. While the average ""pre-made"" margarita is synonymous with ""weak"", a Mad Mex Margarita will certainly beat your expectations! Blended or on the rocks - the drinks are subtle, but quite strong! Enjoy! Pros: Yummy food, Stong & tasty drinks, Good music & crowd Cons: Staff could be nicer, Bad for big groups more