Mexican restaurant opening today in Southpointe

Rick Shrum
Observer Reporter

Hola, Steel Cactus. Welcome to Southpointe II.

That is the sentiment among local aficionados of Mexican cuisine, as operators of the long-awaited restaurant prepare for their first day of business today. Doors will open at 11 a.m.

Steel Cactus Mexican Restaurante and Cantina – as it is known officially – will do business at 1800 Main Street in the Town Center section of the mixed-use park.

The launch was confirmed by Sarah Masterson, spokeswoman for Pittsburgh-based AMPD Group, which runs the regional Mexican restaurant chain. Adam DeSimone is the co-founder and principal.

AMPD announced in March that it planned to open a Steel Cactus in the Cecil Township park in August. The target date was later revised to early October, then November.

Steel Cactus will operate in space previously occupied by Saga Hibachi & Sushi. Boom Noodles, a “grab and go” business, will share that location.

The chain has seven locations, five in Allegheny County: South Side, Squirrel Hill and North Side in Pittsburgh; Cool Springs Sports Complex, Bethel Park; and Pittsburgh International Airport.

Southpointe and North Myrtle Beach, S.C., are the other locations.