Tacos in Homestead

New Valentine's Day tradition: Lunch in an out-of-the way spot with friends.

The greeter inside Smoke.

Four of us went to Smoke, on 8th Avenue in Homestead, land of beautiful old buildings and boarded up storefronts. We had delicious pork and veggies tacos, one order of Mexican mac and cheese and luke-cold (no ice) soft drinks all around.
 I have completely lost touch with the eastern boroughs since leaving Wilkinsburg so long ago for the South Hills. And I think of Homestead only as  a place to be gotten through on the way to Kennywood and Sandcastle.
But this old U.S. Steel mill town has some really gorgeous early and mid 19th-century buildings, including this one, which is for sale and listed with Howard Hanna. Wow! Wish I had a few million and a vision.
You can also see lots of things like this in Homestead storefronts. Also, random kids will try to sell you pirated movies on DVDs. I think a longer day trip is pretty much in order.

Homestead, Pa. storefront, Feb. 14, 2013