Taqueria El Pastorcito

I first discovered the Taqueria El Pastorcito food truck at a festival and thought it was fantastic and authentic. I have since been to the restaurant several times and love it. Today I had the enchilada verde and it was just like a friend’s Mom would have made it! Authentic, delicious food! My friend had the enchilada roja and also loved it. The restaurant was clean and tidy. You order at the counter and they bring you the food. The employees were both very nice. I wish it would have been busier for lunch! I highly recommend it and their food truck! Yum!

Unfortunately, I just didn't find the food to be that great. This is a spot near New Kensington, and they also have a food truck that I see occasionally. I finally decided to stop by and try the food. I got the crunch wrap and a side of rice. The crunch wrap was so, so greasy. To the point it was dripping in oil. The meat was also quite fatty. There weren’t very many vegetable in there at all. Cheese was in clumps but was decently flavorful. Wrap itself had a weird flavor, and the side sauce was overly creamy/cheesy in a way I wasn’t super fond of. Chips were standard. The rice was really the only thing that stood out as solidly good. It was flavorful and came in a reasonable portion. But other than that, it’s unlikely that I’ll be coming back.

The beef tacos is always on point I worked in Pittsburgh for a year and this was the only place I got my tacos from. The cashier is not friendly, I stopped going at some point because of her but after their renovation, I met the owner and he was very friendly. He gave me one free taco because it was tacos Tuesday (I’m not sure if they still give 1 free taco on Tuesdays) My last 4 services there wasn’t bad There’s some improvement with the cashier. Also they’ve changed their opening time to 12pm. They need to update that on google I drove 4 times there and it wasn’t open. They use to open at 11am Empanadas is never available since March…. Overall I love their tacos, I got addicted.

I had a great lunch here. Carne asada and choripolo tacos were excellent. The pastor was super tender but needed a little more seasoning, compared to the others. Crunchwrap was great but needed some lettuce and tomato. Everything was really fresh. Can't wait to go back and try more menu items next time I'm in New Ken.

Was surprised how quiet it was for a Saturday evening but they did have lots of door dash orders going through, nice friendly staff got my order made in good time. Very good and big Burrito Ranchero that I ordered with a glass bottle coke plus the chill vibes of the restaurant made this a trip worth having. Definitely a hidden gem during my visit to New Kensington!

The young lady that took our order was newer I believe, but she was so very sweet and attentive. You don't get a server, orders are placed at the counter and she brought our food to the table. The cook was very nice as well. HOWEVER, the food had very little flavor and was overwhelmed with toppings. The taste of the food really was 1 star. The only reason I gave it 2 starts was because the portion sizes were good. Leaving a mid-range review that is only 3 stars because of the sweet young lady that took our order is tough, but it was our first time coming there, I just wish the food quality was better. Even with larger portions, I would trade the extra portion for taste. Especially since I spent over $50.

Amazing home made authentic Mexican food! The pastor is absolutely out of this world delishous and the restaurant is kept clean and tidy. This is my go to place whenever I'm near new Ken and it's consistently delishous every time!

Best Mexican food in the Pittsburgh area. We grew up in Mexico and have been looking for an authentic place for months all across the city and its suburbs, and this is the one. You enter the restaurant and all the staff are super friendly and welcoming. We had a few questions about the menu and the cashier was happy to answer and even accepted our special requests. The food was served promptly and it was delicious. The Agua de Horchata had the perfect blend of rice and cinnamon, the Al Pastor tacos were on point and had just the right authentic flavors and don't get me started on the enchiladas; the salsa was a beautiful blend of Mexican flavors, with the hot sourness of the tomatillo coming through as the hero flavor. If you're new to Mexican food and want to try an authentic experience, I'd recommend getting a variety of tacos and the Agua de Horchata. This place has made us feel close to home, even though we're thousands of miles away.

I was just popping in to kill some time before the bus, so I just grabbed some chips and salsa and a Diet Coke. But gosh darn it if it wasn't some of the best chips and salsa I've had in a while. Even the Diet Coke was hitting a harder and then service was phenomenal. Awesome inside as well. I gotta come back ! Thank you !

Unfortunately, I just didn't find the food to be that great. This is a spot near New Kensington, and they also have a food truck that I see occasionally. I finally decided to stop by and try the food. I got the crunch wrap and a side of rice. The crunch wrap was so, so greasy. To the point it was dripping in oil. The meat was also quite fatty. There weren't very many vegetable in there at all. Cheese was in clumps but was decently flavorful. Wrap itself had a weird flavor, and the side sauce was overly creamy/cheesy in a way I wasn't super fond of. Chips were standard. The rice was really the only thing that stood out as solidly good. It was flavorful and came in a reasonable portion. But other than that, it's unlikely that I'll be coming back.

Great food, a tad pricey though. Always fresh and tasty. Service is decent and they are happy to welcome you in. Ambiance is that of most hispanic restaurants with their cultural featured but this has a fresh look incorporated with it.

Love this place! Great authentic Mexican food. Reasonable priced and delicious!! They also have a little condiment Buffett you can dress your tacos with peppers and different salsas!!

Amazing food, clean establishment, good prices Amazing service, if you don't like the food here then Mexican food isn't for you, cause this place feels like being back in TJ

Super authentic and delicious spot! I was completely blown away. Some of the best tacos I've had in/around the Burgh. My favorite items were the birria quesadilla and the carne asada tacos- heavenly! I like mine with lots of raw onions, cilantro, verde hot sauce, and fresh lime. The prices for the food here are also very affordable. The service was very friendly and the woman making our food was super kind. I definitely recommend this spot next time you have a hankering for Mexican food- you won't be disappointed!

Food was excellent! Some of the best birria we've ever had. The place was super comfortable and clean and the service was fast.

Good food. The only star deduction was the lack of service, we were alone dining here and the staff was distracted. That said, the food was good and as authentic as I have found in Pittsburgh.

Love. I'm not sure that's a strong enough word to express how extraordinary the food is. Some of the best tacos I've ever had. The meat is seasoned to perfection. Toppings are fresh, salsas and flavorful and pop in your mouth.

Authentic Mexican food in the middle of New Kensington was a pleasant experience for lunch today!

Whenever anyone asks me about a Mexican place I'd recommend in Pittsburgh, I always point them towards Taqueria El Pastorcito. Yes, it's a bit of a hike if you live in the city since it's in New Ken but it's worth it! The food was delicious and pretty legit and the portions are enormous. I like how there's so many options for different combinations and inside is fairly spacious if you want to go with a group to try everything! Our food came out super quickly and we barely had to wait at all. It's a great place if you're super hungry and want to eat soon after sitting down. You at the counter and then pick a table to sit down at and they bring the food to you. There's also a toppings and salsa bar to customize your food even further!

So I was told this was one of Western Pennsylvania's best taco spots. They didn't disappoint at all. The food was prepped and ready before I got there. I had ordered nachos, a burrito, 2 orders of tacos, and a quesadilla. Everything was so delicious and well portioned.

I'm sorry to say that their tacos were not good. I tried one of each and the meat tasted like it had been there a while. Won't go there again

This is a hidden Mexican restaurant gem. The service was wonderful. The owners are so attentive and caring. My friend wanted coffee. Coffee is not on the menu. However, the owners made the coffee at no charge. The food is also authentic. We got a Mexican torta and the enchiladas rojo. Both fantastic choices. You can taste the freshness. Ambiance- place is very clean and lots of open space. Will be going back.

The most authentic Mexican! I have loved everything I've ordered and the humans who run and own this place - AMAZINGLY kind. So appreciative and good hearted people! I would go for them alone! But the food, it really is that good! Want a taste of Mexico!? Head here! Super cute inside!

A great spot in New Kensington. Service was great and staff is friendly. A lot of variety on the menu. I had the crunch wrap which was excellent. I really liked their salsa. Prices are very reasonable. Definitely worth a visit.

Sorry to say that I have been wanting to go there and finally went today. I was so disappointed in the food and I could not eat it. Got the enchilada versae and my friend got the rib eye steak tacos. The tacos came with onions and parsley? No condiments...??? My food was cold and not at all flavorful. We had that and two margaritas. Bill was $50. Very expensive for the quality. They were not friendly at all. we said thank you on numerous occasions and we got no response at all. There Facebook page is friendlier than the employees... I will not return...... Very Disappointed.......

First time here, enjoyed my dinner. Authentic Mexican food with lots of flavor. Best Mexican food I ever had in PIT.

The food is absolutely outstanding! I haven't had this level of quality of Mexican food in a very long time. Mexican corn was delicious! Chicken empanadas fresh and bursting with flavor. My boyfriend had steak burrito and loved it. Many order takeout but there are a few tables in case you wanna sit down & dine. We look forward to returning!

I was so excited to see a Mexican restaurant with a trompo to properly cook Al Pastor. I walked in and immediately ordered an Al Pastor burrito, probably my favorite of the California-style burritos. My disappointment started almost immediately. The cashier was unfriendly and unmotivated. The tables and counter were all completely filthy, like they hadn't been cleaned in days. The cost of one burrito and a glass bottle of coke: $23.50 after a 20% tip. That's waaaaaaaaay more than mediocre street food should cost, like at least double. Their rent can't be that bad, New Ken is a total dump. The storefronts nearby are abandoned and falling apart. On to the quality of the food: the texture of the Pastor meat was perfect, great crispness and it was juicy and tender. The flavor was just salt. That's it. Lots and lots of salt. Too much salt. No hint of pineapple or onion. I dumped their salsa "roja" on it, hoping to improve the flavor. Roja means "red", and this salsa was brown. It had no flavor at all, just some heat and more salt. Bottom line: it was a good amount of food. The quality of the food was bad, the cleanliness of the place made me feel that I won't return. I'd give it fewer stars, but Mexican food in Pittsburgh is pretty terrible in general, and this is one of the better ones I've tried. Very sad.

Atmosphere is always great and so is the food. I always come in on saturdays to get the birria, it's the best in the area .now they offer birria Friday-Sunday! We just stopped in and now they have a bar with various Mexican beers. Great place to stop if you want quick and quality food. Recommend!

This is a really nice family owned and run taqueria. We went for lunch today, my third visit and my wife's first. I ordered the al pastor torta and hers was three tacos, one pastor, one carne asada and one chorizo/chicken. All were quite flavorfully top notch along with a side of chips and salsa and an horchata for her and a cucumber/limon aguas frescos for beverages.. The condiments were a plus also with limes, onion, cilantro, pineapple, salsa verde, salsa roja and pickled onions with habanero. We were delighted to see a Mexican construction crew arrive as we awaited our orders, validating for us that this was the right place. They all ordered the pozole and looked to be enjoying it. I look forward to coming back and trying the pozole along with a few of there other offerings soon.

I was really spoiled spending so many years in north Georgia where you never had to go far to get to a good, or great Mexican restaurant. When I first tried their chips and salsa, I felt like I was back in Georgia as there's just a certain flavor that so few places have. The setup is sort of like a Moe's or Chipotle as you order at the counter, add condiments yourself, and grab yourself a drink. We ordered the chips and salsa and the salsa is pretty bland, but I think that's a great way to go as they have other salsas you can add to give it some heat. There's a condiment bar where can get sliced lime, cilantro, onions, some other salsas, and some onions with habaneros in them. I enjoyed the other salsas and appreciated that they offer the customer the chance to top their food. We tried the empanadas and they were exceptional. The outside was flaky and the inside had this little bit of chewiness. It's the first time I had an empanada where the outside was as good as the inside. It had was filled with chicken that was very nicely flavored , tender, and moist. If you like empanadas, I'd highly suggest you give them a try for these alone. We shared a quesadilla with sole tender and flavorful steak and filled with delicious cheese that just stretched as you pulled it apart. We also tried the pastor burrito which again had exceptionally tasty meat on it. The pork was charred perfectly, and the flavors of the marinade used tasted fantastic. Out of the delicious proteins, one thing that stood out was the tortillas. It seems so simple, but the quesadillas was grilled perfectly and for me, that's a tiny amount hung that made a significant difference in the flavors. The burrito was as the same. It was grilled perfectly. I have every intention of going back to this spot soon. The food was exceptional.

The decor was fun and lively! Service was given with a smile! The food was super authentic. I'll definitely be back!

The food was good but my enchiladas were salty. Staff was friendly and prepared my food to order while I waited.. Mexican decor with a small condiments bar.

I love having this place in town!! The food tastes just as good as it looks. We had the beef tongue plate and beef stomach soup. Sounds weird but sooo good! They have a lot of other standard things on the menu like quesadillas and tacos The decor is so cute and homie too. I love the brick! Highly recommended if you're in New Kensington.

Authentic home made. Kitchen is almost right in front of you. Very nice and welcoming. Order your tacos at the front and have a seat. My bff got the horchata and I had a bottled jarrito. We ordered tacos Al pastor and barria to share. There's a mini buffet of toppings at a station that doesn't disappoint. Everything we had was delicious and I got some things to go for later. Very clean and modern space.

This is it, Tacos el Pastorcito hit the spot. The food is fresh and delicious, I highly recommend it to anyone looking for great authentic Mexican food. Service is quick and pleasant. I was highly satisfied with my experience there. Definitely returning soon. Follow their instagram Paige to see daily special.

I discovered this tantalizing gem recently. The moment you open the door I found the aroma to be very tantalizing. A scent of authentic homemade dishes. I want to try one of everything! I got three marinated, lightly seasoned ground beef & carne asada (my new favorite) tacos. A toppings bar had a variety of tomatoes, onions, cilantro and sauces. I also got two beef empanadas. I topped my meal off with one of their tasty juice drinks, a blend of strawberries and blue berries. Yum! They have a quaint but inviting restaurant, under the black awning on 4th Ave in New Kensington. Be sure to stop in to support this new business, the taste will bring you back for more!

I ordered three tacos from their food truck. They were very small, and included no toppings or veggies with the taco, just meat. The fixings bar was nice, so no worries there. The reason I am giving this establishment a poor review is because the meat was old, dried up tiny pieces of what looked and tasted like dog kibble for small dogs. I don't mind the shape, but these bullets were way past their prime. They looked like they had been cooked at least 5-10 times, put away, and then reheated. They were so dried out, it could have almost been beef jerky without the flavor. They were as hard and dry as a rock. Maybe they were microwaved too long at the last minute. Horribly disappointing in any case. These small, lifeless tacos were pricey to boot! I don't mind paying for good food, but this was so unappetizing I had to throw most of it out. I ended up going home and re-heated some ribs since I was still hungry. I also cannot stand when an establishment that is making food subliminally asks for a tip in their checkout app. I should have paid cash. Having 15% as your lowest "tip" amount is telling me the establishment is begging for wages for employees or themselves. Yes, I know you can do a custom tip, but at that point I had high expectations I would enjoy the food. So the tip wasn't well deserved, as I got the food about 5-10 minutes after I left the tip. I am not sure what to add. Maybe others have had a better experience with fresher food? My suggestion to the restaurant is to throw out meat after a few hours. It's just not worth it to your customers, and it won't be worth it for your reputation.

Great space. Super fast service and the salsa/ topping bar is great to make your tacos to your liking. Homemade tortillas by the owner . Mixto is the way to go so you can try 3 diff tacos for one price . Chorizo was super , all others were equally as good. Ordered fajitas as well and they were superb. 2 thumbs up!

Authentic Mexican tacos. Love that you can add your own topping. the queso is amazing... just alittle pricey as I'm used to 30 cent tacos of the streets of Mexico. Great addition to new Kensington food scene. Highly recommend a visit

Staff was nice, place seems authentic, too, undoubtedly family-owned, and it is good to see a new place in New Ken of what is probably good quality, but they didn't have the amazing octopus taco I heard about, and they didn't have any vegetarian options, and they were out of chicken, and don't offer fish, so I didn't get anything here. I'll give it another chance at some point, maybe, but I doubt I will be a regular without a vegetarian offering. Can't eat beef and pork every day. I hope they can provide a bean, or potato taco option or some other non-meat option. The octopus would have been a smash hit with me, even if it was premium. Alas. Also, they have the same name as a Las Vegas, NV small chain restaurant. Not sure if they are related to that or not, but the branding looks different. Their facebook page has tantalizing specials like shrimp and crab shown on it, but that's only on random nights. https://www.facebook.com/taqueriaelpastorcitopgh/

The food here is phenomenal, and the staff members are so sweet The atmosphere is fun and peaceful.. i will continue to support this locally owned business with pleasure

If you want authentic tacos, this is a must go!! The service is friendly and quick. When you walk in it takes you away from the outside world and feels like a different place.

Don't order the Burritos, but the Carne Asada tacos are the best. The burrito was the worst we have ever had, and for $30 feels like we were completely cheated and ripped off plus you can't call the location to complain.The Burrito was 90% Rice, and maybe 1 or 2 ounces of beef. A lot of the beef was gristle and rubbery. It also tasted old as if it was made much much earlier. Also I noticed they had flat iron brown marks which means they heated them up on a flat iron after made which I have never seen. For $15 it MUST BE MADE FRESH. Also the rice was very strange and orange. Stick with the tacos.

Prices are horrible especially since it's not in a rich area Tacos are good not worth taking a loan out

I just finished my first meal from Tacqueria El Pastorcito courtesy of door dash. I'm not exaggerating when I say I could die happily and without any regrets now. Man that was amazing! We got the tacos Al pastor and a chorizo burrito. Everything was perfect and full of flavor. New Kensington is getting some really great food spots, and I'm very grateful that Tacqueria El Pastorcito is making food that matters. Huge smile. Thank you!

My husband and I moved to the Pittsburgh area in 2019 after having lived in San Francisco for 40 years. For most of that time we have been on the hunt for really good Mexican food, which is abundant in San Francisco. We finally found it at Taqueria El Pastorcito in New Kensington. The restaurant is family owned, the servers are welcoming, and the dining room is pleasant. My husband, who enjoyed their offerings a couple of times before, loves the tortas (Mexican-style sandwich). As it was my first time, I went with the three tacos (order at the counter and they bring the food to you), choosing 1) Al pastor (marinaded pork shoulder and their self-proclaimed specialty), 2) Carnitas (cubed steak), and 3) Chorizo (cured pork sausage) and chicken combo. Each of these street taco gems was double wrapped in fresh corn tortillas. I helped myself to the very fresh salsa bar for the fixings, which included diced pineapple (a must for the al pastor), spicy salsa (red or green), marinaded onions, quarters of lime, and plenty of cilantro. All three were delicious but that chorizo was to die for! For the house-made beverage, I opted for my favorite, the delicious rice-based drink known as horchata and my husband opted for a cucumber lime drink, both of which were very generous pours served in charming pottery cups. I can't wait to return to try their pozole, a traditional soup made from hominy with meat, with seasonings and garnish. Taqueria El Pastorcito is the real deal and I highly recommend that you give it a try. This restaurant deserves to thrive!

El Pastorcito is the real deal. Best Mexican food I've had in the Pittsburgh area, which has more and more options. A half hour drive up Route 28 from Pittsburgh in the small town of New Kensington, all I could think of was how lucky the folks of New Ken are to have it right there. We came up today for lunch. Had the pozole soup, tacos al pastor (their specialty), and chicken mole enchiladas. All superb. Pozole tasty with plenty of meat. Al pastor very simple with meat cut off the spit and placed on corn tortillas with a few simple toppings to add. Mole rich and flavorful. Couldn't get enough. Small item I wish they had: outdoor seating, for those of us who aren't yet absolutely comfortable eating indoors. Nice simple decor with brick walls with a few knickknacks, and rustic red stoneware to serve the food on. I'll be going there again.

My bf and I moved to Pittsburgh from Texas and have been looking for good Mexican food ever since. This is it. Choriqueso enchiladas

Visiting from out of town and picked this place because it could seat 12 people and looked pretty good. It was great! Service was lovely and everyone loved their food. Nothing was too spicy for the lightweights, but us heat-lovers really enjoyed the house made hot salsa brought on request

This place is FABULOUS!!! My Mexican husband said they are the absolute best and most authentic tacos he has had anywhere here in the U.S. Great service, cute atmosphere and family owned. Can't wait to return!!!

As a life long New Kensington resident, fellow New Kensington restaurant owner, & food obsessor, I can't even explain how happy we are to have Taqueria el Pastorcito in their new brick and mortar. The food is unmatched, it's simple, full of flavor, & just don't the right way. Couldn't ask for more.

This is a really nice family owned and run taqueria. We went for lunch today, my third visit and my wife's first. I ordered the al pastor torta and hers was three tacos, one al pastor, one carne asada and one chorizo/chicken. All were quite flavorfully top notch along with a side of chips and salsa and an horchata for her and a cucumber/limon aguas frescas for beverages.. The condiments were a plus also with limes, onion, cilantro, pineapple, salsa verde, salsa roja and pickled onions with habanero. We were delighted to see a Mexican construction crew arrive as we awaited our orders, validating for us that this was the right place. They all ordered the pozole and looked to be enjoying it. I felt like I was back in California. I look forward to coming back to Taqueria El Pastorcito soon and trying the pozole along with a few of their other offerings soon.

Great food, reasonable price and friendly service in a clean and well maintained environment. What more could you ask for

Delicious, authentic taqueria in downtown New Kensington's growing business district. They have brunch which I have yet to try, but based on other experiences there it's on my list.

Food was excellent. The Restaurant was very clean. The owner was very welcoming as were his assistants.

The food is very good authentic Mexican cooking. I had the crunch wrap chicken taco and side of rice and beans. All were delicious. The owners are friend and welcoming. It is a nice environment with clean and roomy interior. I will definitely be back often and bring friends with me.