El Colibri opens Mexican restaurant in Garfield
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A new Mexican joint opened Wednesday in Pittsburgh's Garfield neighborhood.
The intrigue: El Colibri started in 2022 as a ghost kitchen serving people attending the First Friday street festivals on Penn Avenue, and has now moved to a brick-and-mortar location in the neighborhood.
Dig in: The restaurant specializes in Mexican street food, including classics like tacos and taquitos, but also serves harder-to-find dishes like huarache (oblong, thick masa patty topped with beans, cheese, and meats) and elote (traditional Mexican corn on the cob covered in mayo, cheese and spices).
- Co-owner Jeimy Ibarra said she's excited to offer vegan versions of many Mexican dishes, including a carrot tinga emulating the tomato-chipotle chicken dish and oyster mushroom birria, emulating the Mexican-style beef barbecue.
The vibe: The counter-service spot is bright and cozy spot in a recently renovated building with room for a few tables.
- With ongoing road work on Penn Avenue, there's no parking directly in front of the restaurant. Park on Atlantic or Aiken and walk over.
What they're saying: Mayor Corey O'Connor was on hand for the grand opening celebration Wednesday. He said the eatery is an example of the small businesses the city wants to boost.
- "This is a true Pittsburgh story. We want to be a welcoming city for all entrepreneurs," he said.
If you go: 5331 Penn Ave., Garfield
- Initial hours this week are 9am-2pm and 5pm-9pm, but they will likely change as operators get settled, El Colibri said on social media.