Tocayo is my favorite Mexican restaurant in Pittsburgh. The decor is so well done. The staff is very friendly. The food is fantastic. I enjoyed my birthday dinner there one year. Anytime my mom and I are out near Shadyside, we love to eat there. We love Mexican food and they do it so well. My husband loved his pozole soup. I had the tortilla soup today and it had such great flavor. I would be easier to eat if the tortilla strips in it were a little bit smaller. The birria tacos were phenomenal. The shredded beef is so tender and has the most amazing flavor. They're also super cheesy. The consommé really made it too. The chimichangas are very crunchy and you can't go wrong with any protein you choose. The guacamole is so creamy and tasty. Their chips are really good too. I have never had a drink there but they always look good. Go check them out if you like Mexican food. We have loved everything we have tried and you will too. Absolutely loved the birria tacos. So tasty and cheesy! read more

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Second time here but first review. We live in Shadyside and this is the place for Taco Tuesdays. We got chips and salsa to start; the salsas are on the mild side (we got roasted tomato and tomatillo and both tasted mild) so if you want spice go for their spicy salsa. The service here is excellent. In both visits the attentiveness has been perfect. The environment is musical, decorative, and darker. It is great for a date, a visit with friend, or a chance to scratch that taco itch. Now, their tacos are so good. My favorite is the chicken taco (sounds boring?); these tacos are amazing. Guacamole cream, kale, and spiced chicken. I also had chicken and chorizo, which is very good, but that chicken one is the bomb! read more

Tocayo Taqueria & Tequila - Chicken + Chicken & Chorizo tacos - Tacos Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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The carnitas taco was the star of the taco sampler. In my opinion, the other tacos weren't that great. The drinks were good and the chips and salsa were pretty good. Went on a taco Tuesday and it was good deals and the vibe was overall good. The service was pretty slow in my opinion. read more

Tocayo Taqueria & Tequila - TACO SAMPLER - Tacos Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

We stopped by for dinner and the food was amazing. The atmosphere is classy with walls lined with artwork and sculptures. Drinks were fabulous. I tried a Cantaloupe Margarita. I had shrimp tacos and green chili soup. I wish the shrimp had been grilled. Bathroom was clean. Handicap accessible and parking is on the street. read more

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Tocayo was a very mixed experience for us.  It is definitely a colorful and popular spot.  We went there at a quieter time, but, even then, we had a really, really hard time getting the attention of anyone to order.  That was a little frustrating to the point where I almost had to get up out of my seat and go walk over and find someone.  Once we did order and receive our food, the experience was mixed again.  There are some things which were super.  The posole was my favorite.  Really, really good.  The queso was also very tasty and a generous serving that doesn't look that big until you keep eating it and realize that the little ramekin is deeper than you imagined (yah for that!).  The guacamole was also tasty.  It was a large portion with great chunks of avocado and a nice bit of citrus tang.  Other nice notes were the crisps on the side salad.  We ordered a selection of tacos including the el pastor, barbacoa and pulpo.  However, we really couldn't taste much of any of these as we found the tortillas themselves to be dry and overpowering.  It was very tempting to scoop the filling out and leave the tortillas behind.  Perhaps we are alone in this experience or in this desire for a less filling and thick tortilla.  However, the posole and queso might be reason enough to stop by and give Tocayo another try. read more

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Food is unfortunately a major scam. The price does not match the quantity or quality received. First, they provide a small cup of guacamole for $14. While flavor is fine, it's the same size you can buy at Chipotle for $3. Then, the queso fundido is bad. The queso isn't really melted, the flavor is missing, and they don't give tortillas to eat it with, just tortilla chips. For $14, this is really bad. The chips and salsa is again bad. The chips are so stale which is disappointing. Don't get the fajitas. I got the "mix 3" and ordered chicken and shrimp. There were 5 pieces of shrimp and a few measly, dry pieces of chicken. At $22, fajitas should also come with tortillas. But again, no tortillas are provided. Quite disappointing. Churros are decent and the chocolate ice cream is actually tasty (definitely store bought). Avoid this restaurant if you don't want to be scammed and left disappointed in the entire experience. read more

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I'm a sucker for Happy Hour specials. This place had some good deals. Come on Tuesday and they have a whole Taco Tuesday menu. Alex, our waiter, is friendly and helpful. Appetizer: chips and salsa $4 during Happy Hour you choose two dips. We chose queso and green salsa. Good but both were mild. Next time we will try something with spice. Tacos: served on soft blue tortillas Chorizo & Chicken: very flavorful Chicken: my favorite with guacamole and kale. Happy Hour drinks: Tocayo Margarita $8 (delicious) Ranch Water $8 (Hubby liked this, not I) Loud, festive music playing overhead. Tables in the middle, booths along the walls. Pretty decor on the walls. read more

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Very yummy food and drinks! Not pictured is the dip trio with chips which I devoured - the warm cheese dip was extremely delish! The drinks are exceptional here and the decoration and ambiance are perfect! Service is very inviting and wonderful! Everything is amazing quality for a decent price! If you are in need of a good catch-up sesh over a good Mexican meal and drinks, this is the place. read more

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Really solid Mexican spot! The chicken burrito and enchiladas were very yummy, and their rice and beans were spot on. Their chips are also a must get, perfectly crispy and not overly salty. Also love the deals they always have for online ordering, Their main dishes are more on the salty side, wish it was a little more balanced and more spice, but would definitely recommend as a great, consistent spot for Mexican food in the area! read more

Tocayo Taqueria & Tequila - Chicken burrito and chicken enchilada - Tacos Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Craving tacos, we walked in for lunch on Memorial Day. We got a table right away and ordered food. The experience started out strong with good service and quality starters. Chips with two dips is $6. The queso was excellent. The salad that comes with the lunch special is tasty. Our eight-year-old daughter loved her quesadilla. However, the brunch burrito and the Al pastor tacos fell flat. Both needed flavor. The mango frozen margarita isn't bad and it comes in a larger glass. After our starters, it took several tries to get the attention of our server. read more

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Another shadyside gem! Recommend this place during happy hour or literally anytime for a nice dinner and great margaritas! It's dimly lit inside, but it adds a cozy feel to it. I remember the service was also great and the presentation of the food was so nice. read more

Tocayo Taqueria & Tequila - Tacos Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

They have the most amazing guacamole. I know everyone says theirs is the best. This place is 10. Every time I have eaten there. read more

Tocayo Taqueria & Tequila - Drinks - Tacos Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Tocayo needs no introduction: Shadyside's favorite Mexican eatery! A full on menu featuring tacos, burritos, chimichangas, soups, salads, and deserts to name a few. The drinks menu is quite extensive. And don't forget the lunch and happy hour specials! Full disclosure: yes it's shadyside, but at this price point for Mexican food(one of the more affordable cuisines), It's only fair that I must be ultra critical in judgement. The restaurant itself is absolutely stunning. The space is Beautifully dressed out, from the eclectic bar, to the colorful wall decor, to the cozy dining room....there is clear intentionality everywhere you look. Food: the chips and salsa are awesome. Delivered tableside warm! The chips are thicker and crispier than 9/10 others you've probably had...and I like it! The tomatillo feels every bit as fresh as it should be while the queso....I mean, can you really mess up queso? It's hot, gooey, melty cheese. Fish tacos: this isnt just a battered peice of fish thrown on a taco. There are so many layers to this dish....cod, slaw, pico and avocado cream. The fish itself is flavorful but the batter was not at all crispy. And unfortunately, as complex as the other ingredients were, none of those flavors came through. octopus tacos: a lot bit of the same story here, a nicely prepared octopus in a well dressed taco, but overall lacking any depth of flavor. Tacoya, despite some of the taco technical shortcomings, has too much good going for it to be ignored. Overall a good experience, worth another go. Even the vibe alone is worth the trip! read more

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Nine months later and all remains as before - great! We were surprised to find so many people having a late lunch on a Tuesday but service is still efficient and friendly. This Shadyside location on Ivy offers super good food and is pleasing to the eye. read more

I just stopped by after work and visiting my family for a quick bite to eat. I had the chimichanga with shredded chicken and an unsweetened iced tea. It seemed pretty busy for a Sunday night, but it was around dinner time. It looks like a nice welcoming atmosphere with friendly, helpful servers. My chimichanga was flavorful with the addition of a salsa and some veggies on the side. The shredded chicken is well cooked and seasoned nicely. They pumped it out in about 5 minutes which means to me that they have items pre-made, but it still tasted and smelled fresh. They make dishes that sit a bit heavy on your stomach, but I didn't feel too bloated. All in all it was pretty good, may be back again, read more

Another wonderful dinner at Tocayo! Stopped in on Father's Day and every item we had was so tasty and beautifully presented. Kind service per usual and looking forward to trying more tacos in the future!! read more

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Super cute little Mexican spot right off Walnut Street which is a small hub for light shopping. In this economy businesses are closing quickly but it's still a charming small strip of stores and restaurants. Tocayo does not disappoint. The food is authentic and flavorful. We visited for lunch and were greeted right away. Our server was attentive enough and our food was ready quickly. The side salad was actually good and my daughter enjoys Buenos rancheros. One taco was enough for me, plus I got a side soup too. Maybe cream of corn? Very delicious if you don't mind a sweeter bisquelike warm starter. Next time, I'll definitely go for happy hour, try drinks and dessert. It's worth another visit. read more

Nice spot in Shadyside for a casual bite and drink. I enjoy their appetizers and always get the fajitas when I go

I am learning to speak Spanish; so upon entering Tocayo La cultura was on point! I'd like to return and sit at the bar and try to order bebidas, en español. The staff was friendly and the food and drinks were delicious. read more

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One of my favorite places in Pittsburgh! Whenever my family visits, they always ask to go to Tocayo! The drinks are always delicious, my go-to is always the blood orange margarita. I've never had to wait long to be seated which is always a plus! They also have my favorite house salad in the world, the dressing and the vegetables are always so fresh. I've never had a bad thing on the menu. Looking forward to my next visit here! read more

Tocayo Taqueria & Tequila - Tacos Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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The tacos are on the pricier side (2 quesabirria tacos for $17). The quesabirria tacos were soggy and broke apart very easily but was very flavorful and the barbacoa taco was very small. However, the place is nicely decorated in the inside and has a chill vibe. The servers were very nice and even gave a complimentary birthday cake. read more

Tocayo Taqueria & Tequila - Tres Leches Cake - Tacos Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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The chicken chorizo taco was our favorite here. It's pretty worth it to go for $5 Taco Tuesday. We also ordered a plate of some sort of steak. It was good but I preferred the tacos a lot more. Chips get one refill before you get charged for more. They come with queso and I think tomatillo. The queso was sooo good and a favorite among my whole group. Will definitely be back for another Taco Tuesday. read more

Tocayo Taqueria & Tequila - carne asada - Tacos Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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I like this place because it has a small manageable menu that doesn't make you feel overwhelmed with choices. The octopus tacos were absolutely delicious. We also ordered chips and salsa with queso. Service was quick. Parking is tricky but what parking in Pittsburgh isnt!? Small cute place perfect for a date night! read more

I stopped by with a couple of friends yesterday evening at 5:30 and was happy to find out they have happy hour specials from 4-6pm. We got quesadillas which were huge and my friends got mojitos. The inside was super cute and I really liked the vibe. The service was pretty speedy and we were able to get our food, drinks, and checks pretty quickly. They were able to do separate checks with no issues. read more

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Service and food were good. The different margarita options were unique. Food was good as well and the ambiance was very nice. A bit of a trendy, fancy vibe. Don't forget to look up at the ceiling read more

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Had another great dinner at Tocayo last night! The food is always super filling & delicious. The guacamole is a huge portion & a great sharing appetizer. I got the shrimp & carnitas tacos, both of which were really flavorful & quite different from each other. The shrimp were huge & crispy, served with a bean paste & sweet plantains, while the carnitas were shredded & served with pickled spicy veggies. To drink, I had the spicy pineapple margarita & it was perfectly balanced (with a tajin rim too - yum!). Service was a little slow, but the place was also super busy. The ambiance, as I noted in my previous review, is really cool & funky. I love this spot! Food: A Drinks: A Service: B- Ambiance: B+ read more

Tocayo Taqueria & Tequila - Al Pastor ; Octopus - Tacos Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

One of my favorite Mexican spots. I always get the Tostada salad with carnitas. They give you half an avocado and the vegetables are extremely fresh. A nice selection of salads to choose from. read more

Tocayo Taqueria & Tequila - Tostada Salad - Tacos Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

One of my favorite spots for Mexican in the area! A bit more elevated than your classic cantina with the variety, flavors, and presentation. Cool and dark vibe inside, looks very unassuming from the street but definitely worth stopping in! read more

We brought a group of friends here one Sunday for dinner when Shady Grove was full. They LOVED it! Not only did the bartender make an actual Manhattan, but I had the spicy pineapple cocktail this time. I remembered how much I like their salad dressing. And everybody enjoyed their tacos; I preferred the cauliflower to the beet one. Great service. We'll be back. read more

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Tocayo is literally so mid and so pricey for no reason. Their salad bowl sucks- it taste like canned ingredients with store-bought jar salsa topped off with a super sweet cream. I've never been more disappointed in ordering takeout than when I got this salad. Their tacos are super average and not worth how expensive they are. If they were actually good, I wouldn't mind the price. The only reason this place is getting two stars is because they have good drinks which can be enjoyed with chips and salsa. Save your bucks and go to a better Mexican spot. read more

I got the steak fajitas, which were pretty good (4/5), although I wish there was a bit more meat with them. The service was good, and it is a fun environment good for catching up with friends. read more

Tocayo Taqueria & Tequila - Steak Fajitas - Tacos Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Wow! I can tell you this is Mexican food like you never had before! I don't know where in Mexico they have food like this, but wherever it is, tear the wall down so we can get over there!! We started with the Chicken Nachos, then chicken chili soup and salad. Everything is really fresh! We tried 4 different tacos (Tocayo) The shrimp The Cauliflower and Portabella (awesome) Chicken Chicken and Chorizo. Without a doubt, the shrimp was our favorite Herminic was our server and did an awesome job! Great Job Guys we'll be back soon! read more

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Had an excellent lunch along with some margaritas. I had the blood orange margarita, which was delicious and refreshing. The tacos were tasty. The service was terrific and we are looking forward to trying it again. Parking was a bit of a challenge, but we found a spot close by. read more

Happy hour not only has drinks but has food too! The tacos are heavy with ingredients so two was just enough, and the staff is flexible with making accommodations to dishes. read more

Tocayo Taqueria & Tequila - Dip trio - Tacos Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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This is a pretty solid spot for tacos and drinks in town! Their tacos are pretty big and I like the way their menu is set up so you get a soup or salad with your tacos. My friends liked their soup a lot and I liked my salad. The chips and guac and salad are really good here. The guac is super fresh and handmade. Service is pretty fast and the staff is nice. There is usually a wait here since it's off Walnut, not huge inside, and there's a lot of college kids in the area. Definitely recommend getting a reservation. The drinks here are really good! Theres a really nice bar. I liked my Al pastor tacos a lot and my party all liked their food. read more

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Great food, drinks & service! The mojitos were amazing, the nachos were loaded and delicious, and the quesadilla was super cheesy and satisfying. Happy hour deals were great--awesome value. Service was quick, and our server was super kind and attentive. He even brought us extra chips when he noticed all we had left were meat and toppings--such a thoughtful touch. I'll definitely be back! read more

Tocayo Taqueria & Tequila - Quesadilla - Tacos Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

I basically lived next door to Tocayo for 3 years and I've been here more times than I can count, and it's never disappointed me! You can't go wrong with any of their tacos -- they're huge and loaded with lots of unique toppings, so 2 tacos plus the complimentary soup/salad is more than enough to fill me up for dinner. Also, you have to save room for dessert -- I've tried all of them and every single one is phenomenal. My favorites are either the tres leches or the chocolate filled churros with coffee ice cream Sooo good. Service is always exceptionally quick, and food comes out really fast so you never have to wait too long if you're hungry. Ambiance inside is wonderful and very lively -- trendy taqueria vibes, great for both dates and group gatherings. Hands down one of my fav restaurants in Shadyside, if not all of Pittsburgh. Would recommend to anyone in the area! read more

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From Texas for the game found this gem. Coming back for sure. Great energy, good food, great service. Thank you E.

Really cool spot right off of Walnut st. to get some good food. The interior is very cool looking but a little dark. The drinks here are fantastic, they were all very flavorful and fairly unique. Both the pepino and Jamaica margaritas were some of our favorites. I typically order the carne Asada here. Its a great portion of food and is cooked very well. I typically can make a second meal out it as well which is a big plus from me. The service was a bit of a miss when we last went here. They completely forgot about our order and it took us almsot an hour and a half from start to finish. I would hope that this was just an unlucky event as the food and cocktails are really tasty here. We will have to give them another chance in the near future. read more

Tocayo Taqueria & Tequila - Jamaica margarita - Tacos Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Food and seasonal drinks were very good. Went for lunch and was in and out in less than an hour. Good spot for a date night or small group meals. read more