In the heart of New Kensington, along Fourth Avenue, there’s a small Mexican spot that’s grown into something much bigger than it seems at first glance. It all started with José Tecuanhueh and his food truck. After moving to Pennsylvania from Puebla, he set up shop on wheels and made his first splash back in 2021, showing up at the Fridays on Fifth festival — the city’s monthly gathering with food, music, and local makers.
By the next year, José had moved into a permanent location. Not long after, it became clear the restaurant wasn’t just another eatery on the block. People kept coming back. Locals got hooked on the food, and word spread without much help from social media or ads.
He didn’t stop there. José relocated his whole family from Pittsburgh to be closer to the business. Then came another food truck. Then a grocery store. It’s not all happening overnight, but it’s moving forward. Piece by piece, he’s shaping something larger — a small network, a system that feeds itself and grows on its own energy.
Not every story like this gets told. Maybe because it unfolds quietly, without big headlines or flashy launches. But it’s the kind of progress that’s hard to miss once you notice it.
It is no secret that competition among restaurants is extremely high. In their efforts to attract customers, these businesses try all kinds of approaches. Some expand their menus as much as possible, while others aim to offer the most appealing prices.
Plenty of places are now adding a little more than just food or drinks. Bars and restaurants, for example, have started putting in slot machines. It’s become a common sight lately — gambling is no longer something distant or rare. It’s a regular pastime for millions.
The iGaming boom played a big role in this. With so many people playing from their phones or laptops, the line between online and offline entertainment began to blur. In Canada, things look similar. The review site TwinspinCA points out that the country has dozens of well-known online casinos, some of which are just as popular across the border.
So when someone sees a slot machine at a bar, it’s nothing new. It feels familiar. That’s probably why it works — it keeps regulars coming back and draws in new faces too.
Still, nothing brings people through the door quite like a good wine list. In the U.S., having a liquor license can make or break a restaurant. Not because guests are chasing drinks above all else — but because many simply won’t return if there’s no alcohol on the menu.
José Tecuanhueh has seen it firsthand. Over the past couple of years, he’s watched new visitors come in, ask about drinks, and quietly walk out once they find out it’s a dry place. They rarely come back. For a lot of folks, a meal feels unfinished without something to sip on, especially when the food practically begs to be served with a margarita or a cold Mexican beer.
The issue is, licenses are hard to come by. In smaller towns like New Kensington, there’s only a limited number, and most are already in use. Finding one that’s available isn’t just tough — it’s nearly impossible.
So José had to search beyond city lines. The answer turned up in Rostraver. There, he applied for a permit and got it with no pushback. The city council signed off on it without raising any concerns. For them, it wasn’t just paperwork. It felt like part of something bigger — a way to keep moving downtown in the right direction.