Mad Mex

01/21/09

BBBBBAAAAAAADDDDDDMEX

by NYCWHG at Citysearch

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.

10/25/09

A Pittsburgh staple and the original!

by jboxton at Citysearch

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

05/16/09

Great food, fun atmosphere

by SarahMak at Citysearch

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

08/20/08

I dream of this place

by lnschra at Citysearch

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.

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.

• Pros: Vegan yum yums and food for my carnivosous friends!
• Cons: A little crowded.

03/07/08

OK, but not particularly authentic

by New2Pittsburgh at Citysearch

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.

01/12/08

Best Mexican in Pittsburgh

by advet at Citysearch

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.

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

01/11/08

Microwaved Food Can Be Made at Home

by tashafreeman at Citysearch

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

01/02/08

really gone downhill

by starmid at Citysearch

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!

i think i'm done with mad mex for a while. the only thing that still rocks is the black bean dip!

08/26/07

Too Bad They Can't Cook

by weiszcovers at Citysearch

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.

11/22/06

Awesome!

by redelephant at Citysearch

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