Duolingo combines take-out tacos with language lesson in East Liberty
Diners will be able to say more than “muy bueno” after a visit to Duo’s Taqueria, a taco take-out window with a language-learning twist coming in late June to East Liberty. An exact opening date has not yet been set.
The taqueria is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Duolingo, a Pittsburgh-based company offering a language learning website and mobile app.
Guests will be able to get discounts on their meals by taking a short Spanish language challenge powered by Duolingo.
After placing an order, diners be asked if they want to take the “español challenge” to claim the discount. The challenge will be a single, speech-based question pulled from the Duolingo curriculum.
A built-in microphone will assess the spoken response.
The discount will change often and may include 10-20% off a meal, a free taco, free chips or other incentives. The concept is designed to encourage people to keep trying the challenge for different rewards.
Chef Marcella Ogrodnik will oversee the kitchen, offering Mexico City-inspired tacos with a focus on fresh nixtamal tortillas made in-house, along with agua frescas, salsas and other sides.
The menu will combine inspiration from traditional Mexican techniques with Pennsylvania ingredients.
“I think it’s really interesting that Duo’s Taqueria will promote the Spanish language through food, which isn’t too common in Pittsburgh,” Ogrodnik said. “From a culinary perspective, we are going to be milling fresh masa every day. We will source heirloom corn from Mexico, which I believe makes the best-tasting tortillas.”
A Pittsburgh native, Ogrodnik previously operated Café Agnes, a food stand selling Salvadoran cuisine at local farmers’ markets. She returned to Pittsburgh in 2019 after working in restaurants in New York, Spain and California.
According to Duolingo, the restaurant will create a new opportunity for people to practice speaking a new language, with Spanish being the most popular language to learn on Duolingo in the United States.
The restaurant also will give Duolingo a publicly accessible presence in the neighborhood, create local job opportunities and add to the Latin American culture of Pittsburgh.
Following the opening, Duo’s Taqueria will operate from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays next to 5900 Penn Ave. Operating initially with just a take-out window, the restaurant has future plans to add indoor seating.
Shirley McMarlin is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Shirley by email at smcmarlin@triblive.com or via Twitter .
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