By SUSAN JONES
Looking for some new lunch or dinner spots in Oakland? There’s plenty to choose from and several would be great places to celebrate National Hispanic American Heritage Month, which runs through Oct. 15.
Latinx on the menu
The Colombian Spot, which grew from a stall in the Pittsburgh Public Market in the Strip District to a sit-down restaurant on the South Side, has opened an express location at the corner of Forbes and Meyran avenues. The spot most recently housed a frozen yogurt shop. The restaurant says it offers an authentic dining experience based on the real flavors of Colombian food. Specialties include arepas (made with ground maize dough), Cazuela de Mariscos (seafood casserole), Sancocho La Casa (Colombian beef soup), Empanadas and Trucha Frita (fried trout). The Oakland location at 3533 Forbes Ave. is open at 11 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays and closes at 9 or 10 p.m.
Baby Loves Tacos, which has a location in Bloomfield, opened a new site on Meyran Avenue late last month called Baby Loves Tacos Thunderdome. Favorites include Bigly Gordita Crunch, Beef Burrito; Smothered Beef Burrito and Chicken Enchiladas Verde. And, of course, there are tacos — beef, veggie, chicken, mushroom, chorizo, cauliflower and sweet potato. The restaurant is still in a soft opening. Check @babylovestacos.thunderdome on Instagram for latest hours.
Patron Pronto opened on Craig Street this summer, serving “fresh, authentic Mexican food,” according to its website. Its menu features street tacos with barbecue beef brisket, pork, chorizo or steak on corn tortillas. There also are bowls, burritos, and quesadillas. Patron Pronto is at 411 S. Craig St. and is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Coming soon: Viva Los Tacos, on the first floor of the O’s old location at 3901 Forbes Ave., looks like it’s getting ready to open. They are advertising for employees and the website says it’s coming this fall. The restaurant, owned by the group that runs Stack’d Burgers and CHiKN, says it will serve MexiCali Street Tacos and a wide selection of margaritas.
Other new offerings
Gussy’s Bagels & Deli: The Fifth Avenue shop offers bagels, including a Skinny Gussy with half the carbs, different seasoned lox and a variety of schmears — plain to peanut butter to avocado and bacon-pimento. There also are breakfast and lunch sandwiches on bagel or bread, and Gussy’s Famous Chicken Noodle Soup. The shop is open at 7 a.m. weekdays and 8:30 a.m. weekends and until 3 p.m. daily at 3606 Fifth Ave.
Divvy Coffee and Buns: The new coffee joint opened in August at 3714 Forbes Ave. It has sweet and savory buns with a wide variety of toppings — from dates, almonds and ice cream to turkey, avocado, tomatoes and swiss cheese. There also are salads and DivHealthy, which are acai bowls with different toppings. Coffees come in lattes, cappuccino, mocha, Americano, Turkish and Divvy Brew. There are iced varieties, teas and cold brew. It’s open early daily and until 8 p.m.; 6 p.m. on Sundays.
Susan Jones is editor of the University Times. Reach her at suejones@pitt.edu or 724-244-4042.
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