There’s no shortage of ethnic food in Pittsburgh, but Edgar Alvarez says it wasn’t when he came here. Alvarez brought something to Pittsburgh that he thought was missing: authentic Mexican food. Now he has the best tacos in town – but his journey is about more than just the food. Watch the report and our interview with Alvarez in the video player above. When Alvarez cooks tacos, he puts his heart and soul into every meal. “You have to put a lot of love into what you do,” he said. “If you don’t do your stuff with love, it won’t work.” In a city known for its hundreds of bridges, Edgar’s best tacos definitely work. Alvarez has closed a cultural gap with his cuisine and introduced authentic Mexican food to people who were used to Americanized tacos. “When I got to Pittsburgh there was next to nothing, nothing at all,” he said. “There were chi-chi’s.” That was about 30 years ago. Other business owners have followed in his footsteps selling tacos, but Alvarez holds the title of best in town and is proud to know that he was the first taqueria. Alvarez uses groceries to showcase his Hispanic heritage and bring joy to others told me you don’t just sell tacos, you make people happy. You always smile, you always talk to people, you are very nice to people, “he said.” Well, I am. What can I say? “It wasn’t the smoothest trip from Mexico City. Alvarez stumbled upon the way into some bumps. “When I decided to get into this business, I said I wanted to do the right thing. I don’t know if people will like it or not, but I want to give it a try, “he said.” It wasn’t that easy because at the beginning some people were like, ‘Um, street tacos?’ and grimacing. “Alvarez said people just didn’t get it, but he was true to himself and owed it to his mother and grandmother, who taught him how to make real Mexican food for his siblings as teenagers.” When we were kids ‘My mom used to work and she worked all day from morning to night, “he said.” So before she left the house she gave me some money and said,’ Okay, you have to cook for your brothers. ‘“With hard work and an electrifying personality, it wasn’t long before people yearn for him, Alvarez said he hopes to continue to inspire people to enjoy his culture through great cuisine and he wants an encouraging message to others pass on. “Just follow your dreams. Do whatever you want to do, “he said.” Whatever you want to do, just do it. ”
PITTSBURGH –
There’s no shortage of ethnic food in Pittsburgh, but Edgar Alvarez says it wasn’t when he came here.
Alvarez brought something to Pittsburgh that he thought was missing: authentic Mexican food. Now he has the best tacos in town – but his journey is about more than just the food.
Watch the report and our interview with Alvarez in the video player above.
When Alvarez cooks tacos, he puts his heart and soul into every meal.
“You have to put a lot of love into what you do,” he said. “If you don’t do your things with love, it won’t work.”
In a city known for its hundreds of bridges, Edgar’s best tacos definitely work.
Alvarez bridged a cultural gap with his cuisine and introduced authentic Mexican food to people who were used to Americanized tacos.
“When I got to Pittsburgh there was nothing, nothing,” he said. “There were chi-chi’s.”
That was about 30 years ago. Other business owners have followed in his footsteps selling tacos, but Alvarez holds the title of best in town and prides himself on being the first taqueria.
Alvarez uses food to showcase his Hispanic heritage and bring joy to others.
“Some people have told me that you don’t just sell tacos, you make people happy. You always smile, you always talk to people, you are very nice to people,” he said. “Well, that’s me. What should I say?”
It hasn’t been the smoothest trip from Mexico City. Alvarez encountered some bumps along the way.
“When I decided to get into this business, I said I wanted to do the right thing. I don’t know if people like it or not, but I want to try, ”he said. “It wasn’t that easy because at the beginning some people were like, ‘Um, street tacos?’ and make faces. “
Alvarez said people just didn’t get it, but he was true to himself and owed it to his mother and grandmother who taught him how to cook real Mexican food for his siblings as a teenager.
“When we were kids, my mother worked and she worked all day from morning to night,” he said. “So before she left the house, she gave me some money and said, ‘Okay, you have to cook for your brothers.'”
With hard work and an electric personality, it wasn’t long before people began to crave his food.
Alvarez said he hopes to continue to inspire people to enjoy his culture through great cuisine and he wants to pass on an encouraging message to others.
“Just follow your dreams. Do whatever you want, ”he said. “Whatever you want to do, just do it.”
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