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| - The most accurate way to describe Casa Nayarit is a somewhat authentic Mexican restaurant which takes many liberties with the Pittsburgh palate. Judging from their true Mexican dishes Casa Nayarit deserves more than 3 stars, however, the compromised menu drops their authenticity and limits their overall rating in my mind.
Here is my candid review:
The legitimate authenticity in part: decor, price point, their salsas (tomatillo is roasted and amazing though their roja is way too mild - catering to the area), dishes such as bistec a la mexicana, ttampiquena, molcajete, camerones diablo, carnitas verde, carnitas ranchero, carne asada, enchiladas verde, tacos de pescada, huevos a la mexicana, & the friendly native language Spanish employees and more. I wonder why they do not serve mole other than perhaps the chefs are not from Oaxaca (hence the Nayarit name) and they don't want to sell the amazing sauce short of its true glory.
The standard Americanized liberties: flour tortillas as the default option, giant burritos (burritos are not a true Mexican dish but places like Juarez and Sinoloa will serve a version due to the blurring Tex Mex lines in Northern Mexico), hard shell tacos, having to ask for lime wedges, lettuce and cheese as taco toppings (that is a BIG no-no, they should at least give customers a Mexican option with cilantro, onion and tomatillo sauce), no Jarritos, cheese smothered refried beans rather than true black or pinto beans, tortillas with melted cheese dip, as well as some other things on their menu.
All in all, Casa Nayarit is a mid-Atlantic Mexican restaurant who must make financial ends meet hence the mostly understandable decisions to cater to all clientele. They do a very good job, mostly, in using fresh, quality ingredients while trying to balance some of their root cuisine with a heavy Tex-Mex influence and food American palates are accustom to eating. Their quality of food has always been excellent even when some of the flavors have been on the mild side. I have been a customer around 30 times and ordered a large part of their menu. I have left pleased with taste of their dishes much more often than not. I wish they would add more spice to some of their traditional, authentic, genuine Mexican dishes, though. Having written that, they do have more than their share of the Hispanic community who eat in their restaurant. That community seems to order a Molcajete. It is an amazingly tasty, super flavorful, unique dish made in their own certain way served in a traditional molcajete.
For the most part, if you want AUTHENTIC, KNOW what you are ordering, and are very specific you can be very pleased. If you think you know authentic and order chips with cheese or a fajita burrito you will still be happy because the quality will be good. If you just want Americanized Mexican they have a place on the menu for you too. This is a nice, semi authentic restaurant (but please add soft corn tortillas as standard) on the verge of taking too many Tex Mex chances which distance themselves from their true Mexican roots.
Food comparable to: El Campesino with a more home style but less authentic feel. Recommended but YMMV.
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