Pabellon: Venezuelan & Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in Pittsburgh

A Venezuelan restaurant in Pittsburgh? Time to try a new cuisine! So, me and several friends tried them out for dinner.

Being winter, the outside sign not being lit, and it being dark, made all of us almost miss the place. However we kinda knew where it was so we all eventually made it. When you enter, it looks like a fast-food place as there is a counter with a lit up neon menu above it. I asked one of the employees if they have a dining room, and if it's open and he pointed to my right -- where there was one.

It was completely empty, so it was not a problem finding a table for the four of us. Menus are already on the tables so we perused it. One side has Venezuelan dishes, the other Mexican. We focused only on the Venezuelan side as that was why we came here.

When the owner (?) came by to get our drink order, we asked for help with the menu selections and ended getting the Venezuelan Mix appetizer, a couple of Pabellon Criollos, and the Patacones. The owner assured us this would give us a good sampling of what the cuisine is all about.

The appetizers arrived after a while and we dove in. Everything was tasy and we enjoyed them all ... but did note that everything was fried. Then, when the main dishes arrived, the same thing happened. Tasty food ad most of it was fried. We did also ask for a sample of their hot sauce since some of us like things on the hotter side.

We all thought the food was very tasty and the owner kept checking back on how we were doing. His guidance was very much appreciated. While we were there, other parties drifted in. At least one party were regulars, and another may have been Venezuelan (and were certainly Latino) and knew the menu as they did not fumble as much with it as we did!

Prices were reasonable at less than $25 per person when including the appetizer, main dish, and tip. Service was a bit on the slow side, but the food was served piping hot, so it was probably a factor of the kitchen being overwhelmed with takeout orders, more than...

This is maybe the second negative review I've ever written in my life. I ordered a Burrito and did not select a choice of meat - because I wanted a plain burrito and on their websites description of the base of the burrito there is no meat in it. There is no comment section nor is there a choice for no choice on their online ordering system - so they assumed I wanted beef and put beef in this burrito. Where as this is fine and I am a very patient person as someone who hasn't been able to eat meat in the last 8 years - I absolutely would have waited the 20 minutes to be presented with the food that I ordered (you'd be surprised how many times in my life I order food without meat that arrives with meat - I'm used to it and I'm understanding of the service industry but I am also clear about what I order, I double checked the website to make sure there was no meat in the base of this burrito - i literally picked the one that didn't have meat)

But they then had the audacity to ask me to pay for an entire other meal... I did not select beef, so why was there beef on it? That's literally NOT what I ordered... and then to barter with me to pay half of the meal for again, something I did not order? And also blame me for not calling to clarify? I've never had an issue with their online ordering system until now.

This is so sad - the food is delicious and we've ordered here often since the shut down. I've told so many people about this place and was literally even texting my husband and friends about how excited I was that there was a coffee bar inside WHILE I waited for this meal (I never realized the coffee bar because we always ordered curbside pick up) and we will never come here again nor will I continue to...

I recently discovered that I love Venezuelan food. I've been here a while ago, and someone I know recommends this place. I got the chicken empanada, shredded beef empanada, and a cachapa.

First with the empanadas...these could very well be the best empanadas in Pittsburgh. The meat is just amazing. The shredded chicken is incredible flavorful and the texture is on point too. It's got just a bit of sweetness, a little smokiness, just delicious. The outer shell for these little empanadas is also great.

The beef empanada was very good too. The meat is seasoned very well and it's not too fatty. Again, super flavorful and quite large for just a few dollars. The sauce they serve with it comes in a somewhat small container, but it's pretty good. It had a slight cucumber-like flavor to it.

The cachapa here is quite good, but I still prefer Cilantro and Ajo's. Again, the meat is amazing. If you eat meat, order something with lots of protein and you won't be disappointed. The corn surrounding the meat was good, but was just missing something. I do like that you can see the kernels of corn though. The cheese was pretty standard but seemed to be high quality.

All in all, very good Venezuelan food. I'd definitely come back. I also want to try their tres leches or churros. The meat and empanadas are what you must...