With a wide menu of Latin American fare, and a festive vibe, Buenatarde is right at home on Ellsworth Avenue in Shadyside.
Buenatarde is Shadyside’s Latin American Food Destination
Tacos have become a major food group in Pittsburgh, available in many forms all over town. For diners who want tacos and much more, a spot in Shadyside has become a destination. Buenatarde, open just over a year, serves a full range of traditional Latin American fare, plus some dishes unique to parts of Central America.
Buena tarde means “good afternoon” in Spanish. But co-owner Henry Avila, who is from Honduras, says it’s not just a greeting used through lunch and dinner hours — it’s also a saying that evokes joy and fellowship. “It’s about having a good time together,” he says.
The Beginning: Friendship, Work, and a Shared Vision
Buenatarde has been about good times — and hustle and heart — from the beginning. The story starts more than a decade ago. Henry was working at a Mexican restaurant in Cranberry alongside Rebecca Mehalic and Brian Magaritz, two born-andbred Pittsburghers. They all became good friends and, like the plotline of a rom-com, Henry and Rebecca became a couple. They married in 2015 (and now she’s Rebecca Avila).
El Sabor: The First Restaurant and Pandemic Challenges
The trio dreamed about starting their own Latin American restaurant, with Honduran influences inspired by Henry’s background. They got to planning and saving, and finally announced the opening of El Sabor (“The Spice”) in Bloomfield. But that was February 2020, on the unlucky cusp of the pandemic. They charged ahead, focusing mostly on takeout, even packing up margaritas in special mini-jugs.
The restaurant’s cooking caught on, particularly among staff at UPMC Children’s Hospital across the street. Word spread to the families of patients, visiting from all over the place, and many became regulars.
Lasting Impact and Giving Back
The owners got to know some of the families. “You’d see their pain and it was hard,” says Brian. But once the families returned home, El Sabor often received cards in the mail, thanking the restaurant for the nourishment of kindness and good food during a difficult time. Now, every December, El Sabor donates a portion of sales to Children’s.
With the success of El Sabor and also their mobile food truck, which hit the streets in 2022, Henry, Rebecca, and Brian began hunting for a location to open another restaurant. Finding a spot in Shadyside — a neighborhood that doesn’t have a taco joint on every corner (yet) — they launched Buenatarde in April 2024.
Though Buenatarde’s menu differs from El Sabor’s, the classics are all represented — tacos, fajitas, quesadillas, and chimichangas. Some items showcase Honduran dishes, such as yuca fritas (fries made from cassava root instead of potatoes) and sweet plantains served with Honduran sour crema (slightly less tangy and more savory than regular sour cream). Those out-of-the-ordinary items have gained fans, says Henry, noting the increase of orders over the past year.
Scratch Kitchen Philosophy and Fresh Preparation
It’s a mostly scratch kitchen, with made-to-order guacamole and salmon ceviche, six options of housemade salsa, and homemade desserts like tres leches cake or flan. That kind of prep takes time, but it’s worth it, say the owners.
“I truly believe you can tell the difference,” says Rebecca. A Buenatarde margarita, for instance, is only served with fresh-squeezed lime juice.
Another top seller is the churrasco, a platter of seasoned carne asada, wild shrimp, pollo asado, Paraguayan chorizo, and grilled vegetables. And then there’s the popular build-your-own bowls. Move over, Chipotle — here diners can choose from 12 proteins, including grilled shrimp, steak, al pastor, and spiced chicken. Veggie lovers will appreciate that crispy-soft tofu is available for most main courses.
Atmosphere, Hours, and Growing Popularity
Open daily for lunch and dinner, with a weekend brunch menu, Buenatarde is riding the wave of appreciation for south-of-the-border food. The region’s Hispanic population hovers just above 4 percent, one of the fastest growing demographics, and maybe that plays a part. “Plus, I think people just love good tacos and margaritas,” says Rebecca.
The pandemic perfected their takeout regime, so the to-go option is seamless. But there’s plenty of elbow room in the Ellsworth Avenue venue (which sits across from the late and legendary Elbow Room). Buenatarde’s vibe is casual, welcoming, and energetic; the schedule is dotted with trivia nights, drink specials, and the occasional live band.
With the coveted sunny days upon us, the front patio is a magnet. And garage-style doors open up to make the front room feel like a covered porch. A nice place for a good afternoon, and noche, too.
Restaurant Information
Buenatarde: 5741 Ellsworth Avenue, Shadyside, 412-404-2203, buenatardepgh.com. Hours are Monday to Thursday, 11 am to 10 pm; Friday and Saturday, 11 am to 11 pm; Sunday, noon to 9 pm.
Story by Liberty Ferda