Mexican spirit with Pittsburgh heart. Fust off Freeport Road past Fox Chapel Plaza, Tepache’s stately brick exterior (formally home to Atria’s) might fool you into thinking it’s a chain — yet it’s anything but. Inside, guests are greeted with rich aromas, a lively hum of conversation, and friendly faces — all designed to create the cozy ambiance of a traditional Mexican fonda, where the owners are hands-on and the food is also genuine.
A Family Vision Rooted in Jalisco at Tepache in Fox Chapel
Tepache is the vision of brothers Jovanny and Jesus (Chuy) Segoviano, who grew up in Jalisco, Mexico. The brothers opened their first location in Marshall near Cranberry in 2021 before bringing Tepache to the Fox Chapel area in 2024. Alongside their extended family, the Segovianos have made food their livelihood and their love language.
“Family has guided everything from the menu to the artwork on the walls,” says Kayla Welch, who describes her role as community manager. Married to Jovanny, Welch manages the restaurant with her husband, her brother-in-law, as well as her father, Joseph Welch, who handles much of the day-to-day operations.
“We wanted to continue the tradition of Atria’s, which was also a locally owned spot loved and supported by the community,” Kayla Welch says.
A Meaningful Name and a Celebration of Tradition
Even their name choice tells a story of tradition. Tepache is a naturally fermented pineapple drink flavored with cinnamon and brown sugar that dates back to pre-Columbian times. Lightly fizzy, sweet, and tangy, it’s a symbol of patience, tradition, and gathering. “It’s representative of both Mexican heritage and of our restaurants,” explains Welch.
Tepache’s sizable menu is a celebration of diverse regional Mexican cuisines. “Our mole negro is the star of our menu,” she says. The rich sauce with notes of chocolate, chili, and cinnamon is on everything from taquitos to enchiladas. Another favorite is the spicy tinga tostadas, a Jalisco special featuring tostadas topped with slowcooked pulled chipotle chicken. Diners enjoy the tableside guacamole and flaming queso fundido. The usual suspects, like enchiladas, tacos, as well as fajitas, are elevated with house-made salsas, carefully sourced peppers, and traditional cooking techniques that honor the brothers’ roots.
Dessert is also an adventure into authentic Mexican cuisine with options like Crepas de Naranja in Mexican caramel and flambéed in orange liqueur, or Flan Elote, creamy flan, and earthy sweet corn topped with caramel and drizzled with hibiscus reduction.
“We are constantly asking our staff about food they grew up with, or what reminds them of home,” Welch points out. “This keeps it interesting for them, and for our customers.”
Some of Tepache’s most traditional and authentic dishes appear on its changing seasonal menus that allow employees to play with flavors of home.
Cocktails, Culture, and Community Experience
Behind “Chuy’s Bar,” Jesus Segoviano curates the program with an eye for tradition and variety, serving many of the colorful drinks in traditional Mexican ceramic barware. The cocktail menu highlights seasonal creations alongside a core lineup of cocktails and specialty margaritas ranging from the fiery Spicy Blueberry to the tangy Tamarind. The indecisive (or adventurous) can sample any four by ordering a margarita flight.
For Mexican families in Pittsburgh, Tepache is a comforting reminder of home. For others, it’s a doorway into the smells, sights, as well as sounds of Mexico, all presented with care and authenticity. “We want the space to be free of the typical tropes, a space dedicated to that nature of Mexico,” Welch says.
To that end, they enlisted Aspinwall-based artist Alison Zapata to cover the walls with warm and vibrant murals. “The murals convey the beauty and strength of Mexico,” says Zapata, who has Mexican heritage and has studied in Mexico. Her centerpiece work in the dining room features Mayahuel, the goddess of fertility, nourishment, and abundance, all fitting in this family-run restaurant. “I wanted guests, owners, and staff all to feel energized through my art.”
Other themes throughout the restaurant include hummingbirds, butterflies, marigolds, and also ancient Aztec symbolism.
The Spirit of Mexico
The vibrant ambiance and food attract a diverse crowd, from lunch through dinner and weekend brunches. Tepache is also a destination for those looking for more than just authentic Mexican food. Special events like salsa dancing, tequila tastings, and workshops with local artisans turn the restaurant into a cultural hub, where the community comes together.
Bringing people together is central to Tepache’s philosophy and even represents the logo’s hummingbird. A Mayan legend holds that hummingbirds come from the Gods from the small leftover pieces of other animals, giving them their unique role as delicate yet vital messengers.
“I see us as a messenger between Mexico and Pittsburgh, as a way of bridging the two,” Welch says. Because of hummingbirds’ resilience and ability to hover in place, they also represent persistence and adaptability. “We want to bring the inviting experience of Mexico together with Pittsburgh’s sense of hospitality.”
Story by Sarah Tuthill