Mad Mex is Celebrating Tres Décadas!

 

“What started out as an idea between three high school friends from New York City who shared a passion for craft beer and delicious food has become Pittsburgh’s kitchen table, where everyone is welcome—but most importantly—everyone is comfortable,” says big Burrito President Bill Fuller while reminiscing on the restaurant’s origins. Now with 9 locations (eight in the Pittsburgh area and one in Erie, PA) Mad Mex is looking forward to the next 30 years.

 

To celebrate three decades of madness, Mad Mex has partnered with its long-time local artist-in-residence, Rick Bach, to create artwork for the celebration. Rick’s anniversary designs will appear on limited-edition glassware to be given away to lucky customers who order the Tres Décadas Margarita. And in beer news, Tres Décadas collaboration brews are on their way from local and regional breweries Fat Heads and Grist House, with additional partners to be announced in the coming weeks. For the big birthday bash on October 30, Mad Mex will be donating all dinner sales to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

 

The cuisine at Mad Mex has always been a blend of Mexican and southern Californian favorites combined in new ways to create “stuff that tastes really good,” says Bill Fuller. This year, two new menu items have been introduced that draw inspiration from more traditional Mexican flavors. Slow-roasted Adobo Beef Birria and Tomato Chipotle Chicken Tinga have arrived at all Mad Mex locations while Pork Carnitas is making its triumphant return in early October. Guests on the mailing list will have a chance to enjoy both a complimentary anniversary Namesake Burrito and Quesadilla featuring these flavors before the party is over!

 

Longtime Mad Mex fans know that possibly the most famous dish of all isn’t really even a little bit Mexican! The Gobblerito is Thanksgiving dinner stuffed into Mad Mex’s signature square burrito, and guests flock to Mad Mex every fall for this regional delicacy. The Gobblerito returns on September 18, just in time to kick off birthday celebrations.

 

BRIEF HISTORY OF MAD MEX
In the early 90s, Tom Baron had a good view of the Pittsburgh dining scene as co-owner of a local restaurant delivery company. Having moved from NYC five years earlier, he saw an opportunity to bring innovative and cool dining spaces to Pittsburgh. Tom invited Juno Yoon to town, a long-time friend who joined the venture as cofounder. The two borrowed start up money, enlisted their talented architect friend, Riva Sloan from New York, and transformed a small, nondescript storefront into a local landmark.

 

From the opening night in late October, 1993, the restaurant established a moodily lit, decidedly loud and visually striking place for good beer, big margaritas and hand crafted Cal-Mex cuisine. As founder Tom Baron reflected, “Mad Mex was meant to be a party, a fun atmosphere where you could have dinner and a bar scene at the same time.”

 

Over the next three decades, Mad Mex has scaled up that original concept to a variety of larger spaces in western Pennsylvania. While the roughest edges were smoothed out over the years, the original ideas remain the same. Huge, flavorful dishes made with an emphasis on simple, healthy ingredients; a passion for great craft beer and margaritas made with real fruit juices and better tequila; and a funky room filled with colorful folk art and a rocking soundtrack.

 

ABOUT MAD MEX
Mad Mex® serves food that’s tasty and fun, and made largely from scratch. Signature square burritos, fresh salads, spicy wings and innovative vegetarian options make for a unique and extraordinary dining experience. Complementing the fresh fare is an artful interior design and festive atmosphere.

 

ABOUT BIG BURRITO RESTAURANT GROUP
big Burrito restaurants appeal to quality conscious diners seeking a more sophisticated experience than that offered by ordinary chains. big Burrito specializes in restaurants with unique foods accompanied by attractive, soothing décors and high-energy environments. big Burrito restaurants include Mad Mex®, Alta Via, Alta Via Pizzeria, Casbah, Kaya®, Eleven, Soba and Umi.

 

Contact: For more information, contact Bill Fuller, big Burrito President, at 412.508.0403. For graphics, logos or photos, contact the big Burrito art staff at marketing@bigburrito.com.

 

 

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