It seems like so many restaurants in Upper St. Clair are some variation on an Italian theme, and last week Jeremy and I were craving Mexican. So we Googled our options around USC and were directed to El Campesino at Water Dam Center, 4175 Washington Rd.
It was busy for a weeknight – several tables featured families, and a few booths brimmed over with giggling teens. We were seated immediately at a cozy booth near the parlor doors to the kitchen and presented with complimentary tortilla chips and salsa while we decided on drinks.
El Campesino has a wide selection of Mexican beverages for the over-21 crowd. They import a number of beer options including XX Amber and Lager, Negra Mondelo, Tecate, and Corona.
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If you like margaritas, you’ll might find yourself having trouble choosing between their signature house blend, Sauza Sunset, Red Bull, Mango, Blue, Sangria, La Casa, Tequador, and La Senorita margaritas. Too many to list: check out their online menu for drink options. They’ll even custom blend a margarita to suit your taste.
Not a tequila fan, I opted for a Corona and Jeremy, responsible driver that he is, had a soda. We also ordered a side of cheese dip, which appeared seconds later – a lovely combination of smooth, creamy cheeses with a bit of a kick in the aftertaste.
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The menu at El Campesino is organized but a little overwhelming – 25 different combo platters, ten dinner plates, twelve specialties, thirteen grilled options, four specialty quesadillas, and seven different vegetarian options. Plus appetizers, lunch specials, sides and a la carte selections, salads, a children’s menu and desserts.
I went with the combo simply named Vegetarian A: a bean burrito, cheese enchilada, and bean tostada with refried beans and nacho cheese. Jeremy had one of the combo platters with a tostada, hard-shell taco, and enchilada - all with ground beef and all delicious.
The service was lightning fast – we were still chatting over cheese dip when our meals arrived. Everything was fresh and hot and the sauces had zing without being overbearing. The servings are large, but I finished every bit of my meal and used the leftover tortilla chips to clean my plate – it’s that good!
El Campesino is not large, so the open tables in the middle of the restaurant could get a little noisy – might not be the place for intimate conversation. But our booth tucked into the corner was private and relaxed, and we loved the casual atmosphere, quick service, low prices (dinner for two was less than $40) and crave-worthy food.
If our word isn’t enough to convince you to give it a try, visit the website and print off the 10% off coupon to save on your entire bill (excluding liquor) and let us know what you think!
El Campesino hours:
Monday – Thursday: 11:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 11:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Sunday: 12 p.m. - 9 p.m.
