Silvi’s SouthSide Kitchen: Mexican Comfort Food

When someone tells you a place serves authentic Mexican food, you really have to hold them at face value. To some, Taco Bell is fine dining. Unfortunately, it has become the standard to Americanize all traditional ethnic foods, leaving many Americans believing there was actually a General in China name Tso who loved spicy chicken and somewhere in Mexico a talking Chihuahua with an insatiable appetite for processed beef.

But alas, I’m a purist. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve never been one to shy away from a Chinese buffet or miss a late-night Burrito Supreme run to satisfy a wicked case of the munchies, just to wake up feeling like I’m in the last trimester of childbirth. That being said, there are few things in this world better than REAL homemade authentic Mexican food.

I first met Dimitri and his wife, Silvi, after they moved to Pittsburgh from Texas a few years ago and word of his family’s culinary expertise caught my attention since I love food more than life itself. Always the generous type, the Avila’s would occasionally bring in homemade tamales, tacos and whatever other culinary masterpiece they happened to conjure up. When Dimitri told me they were opening their own authentic Mexican restaurant with late night tacos on SouthSide, my reply was, “It’s about time!”

Well, Silvi’s SouthSide Kitchen is finally here! Conveniently located on East Carson Street, Silvi’s offers something for everyone (including the bar-hoppers stumbling around SouthSide). They are open for lunch, dinner and late night “Taco Time” from 9pm-3am on Friday and Saturday nights. Nowhere in Pittsburgh can you find higher quality authentic Mexican cuisine at a better price. Silvi’s offers a great selection of homemade Mexican dishes that range from the traditional, such as the Street-Style Tacos (corn tortilla tacos with your choice of steak, chicken or seasoned pork, topped with lettuce, pico de gallo, guacamole, sour cream and queso fresco) to unique dishes, such as Silvi’s Tamale Soup (the dream-child of Dimitri that literally tastes like a tamale in soup form, served with crunchy tortilla chips).

Dating a food snob who refuses to try anything new? Before you kick Debbie-downer to the curb, Silvi’s also boasts an impressive menu of American comfort food, such as burgers, sandwiches, cheese wedges, salads, French fries and a Texas-style chili that’s sure to impress even the pickiest city-slicker. Oh… and before we forget, Silvi’s is a BYOB restaurant, so feel free to keep the party going with the most interesting man in the world, because I don’t always eat Mexican food, but when I do, I prefer Silvi’s SouthSide Kitchen.

*Click the thumbnail images to view them in full size.

Recommended Food

Carne Guisada…$9.99
Beef tips slowly stewed in a red tomato sauce, served with rice, beans and tortillas.

Late Night Tacos (Street-Style)…$2.50 each
I suggest the seasoned pork (tacos al pastor) with all the fixings and their homemade pineapple habanero salsa.

Silvi’s SouthSide Kitchen
2212 East Carson Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
(412)390-0333

Hours of Operation
Monday-Thursday: 11:00am-9:30pm
Friday-Saturday: 11:00am-3:00am
Closed Sunday

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