Brunch, dinner and cocktails are now on the menu at Gordo’s Cafe & Cantina in RIDC Park, O’Hara.
Owner Brian Gorder is looking to spread the news that there’s something for everyone at the Southwestern/Mexican-themed eatery featuring made-from-scratch food and cocktails.
“We’re so excited to launch our cantina menu,” he said.
Gordo’s received approval for its Allegheny County liquor license two months ago. Gorder recently added dinner hours.
Gordo’s features a bakery, cafe, full bar, cantina and weekend brunch.
Gorder also owns and operates Gordo’s Tacos & Tequila in Pittsburgh’s Mt. Washington neighborhood.
Cantina menu highlights include taquitos, nachos, brisket quesadilla, specialty salads, single tacos served on scratch-made flour tortillas with various meats such as chicken, chorizo, cheeseburger, braised beef brisket, citrus-brined pork and shrimp.
Tortas, such as Chicago beef and roast pork, are served “hoagie-style”on a fresh torta roll.
“Customers are commenting on how fresh the food is,” general manager Jennifer Hamman said. “It’s not your normal tacos — you’re getting scratch-made tacos.”
The kitchen is run by chef Brian Dougherty.
“We have quesadillas, burritos, rice and beans, chili — a lot of SoCal/Mexican with a lot of American twists here,” Hamman said.
The Cubano is a top seller, made with in-house smoked pork, fresh sliced ham, homemade pickles, mustard and cheese — and pressed to order.
The Nashville “hot” chicken taco offers a creative twist on tacos with buttermilk-brined crispy chicken breast, Nashville-style hot sauce, Napa cabbage, smoky pickle and cilantro lime aioli.
The tavern-style pizza is thin and crispy and cut in squares. The large taco pizza — featuring charred tomato sauce, Chihuahua cheese, chorizo, black beans and pickled onion — is $24.
“We want to attract the families around this area,” Hamman said.
The industrial, modern decor offers open-air dining when the weather is great, as well as booth and table seating.
A fireplace, several large televisions in the dining area and a large U-shaped bar provides a relaxed and cozy vibe.
Plans include adding an outdoor fire pit and outdoor seating.
Weekend brunch Casa Cocktails include the Spa Day Spritz made with mint syrup and Prosecco. All of the cocktails are made with freshly squeezed fruit.
Happy hour is from 4 to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.
Home delivery is available to most of the Fox Chapel area through DoorDash and UberEats.
“We’re getting busier and busier every day,” Hamman said. “Being a small business, we’re always trying to get people to visit us for breakfast, lunch and brunch.
Gordo’s Cafe & Cantina
Address: 900 Gamma Drive, across from RIDC Park, O’Hara
Hours: Dining (full menu) hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays; brunch is 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays (Cantina menu is also available); 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; cafe opens at 7 a.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. on weekends
Details: cafeandcantina.gordospgh.com