Portland's Best Mexican Food 2008

Dine on authentic Mexican food with a host of funky folk-art skeletons for company.

Reviews:

• “Great food, horrible service”
• “la calaca comelona”
• “fancy feast in a tortilla”
• “Crickets, etc.”
• “Good Food, Baaaaad Service”

Tips: Don’t miss the Tepache, a naturally fermented pineapple drink with a pungent but pleasant kick, rarely seen outside southern Mexico.

La Calaca Comelona or email La Calaca Comelona

Casual spot offers festive dining and a diverse menu of traditional and new favorites.

Reviews:

• “What a great date place!”
• “Great introduction to Mexican in Portland”
• “Favorite Casual Spot in Town!”
• “Good Food, Good Price”
• “Call first to make sure they are open, and you’d better not take too long to order!”

Tips: Monday through Wenesday from 5pm to 6pm, Thursday and Friday from 4pm to 6pm and Saturday from 3pm to 6pm.

Aqui Mexican Cafe or email Aqui Mexican Cafe

Authentic California-style Mexican dishes are served at this simple restaurant, offering inexpensive tacos, burritos, Tex-Mex and lunch specials.

Reviews:

• “worst dining experience”
• “Um, Its food.”
• “Go somewhere else”
• “Always fast and good”
• “So Fast and Friendly”

Tips: In addition to soft drinks, juices, coffees and teas, the restaurant serves microbrews, margaritas, a few wines and the house specialty El Bravo, a blend of six liquors and juices garnishes with fresh fruit.

Original Taco House

Oaxacan cuisine made with seasonal, local ingredients is the focus at this Mexican hot spot in north Portland.

Reviews:

• “I’m still Hungry”
• “Not worth it”
• “OMG so good!”
• “Great food, cocktails and desserts”
• “Refreshing”

Tips: The cocktails and tequila list here draw crowds — just don’t forget to try Trebol’s bright, fruity Agua Frescas as well.

Trebol or email Trebol

Festive taqueria in the Pearl offers a variety of tacos and other traditional dishes.

Reviews:

• “Cha Cha Cha…highly recommended”
• “go to byways nextdoor instead!”
• “que delicioso”
• “Always enjoy my Relleno Burrito”
• “What the heck?”

Tips: Try a variety of Mexican beer or a Jarritos, a super-sweet Mexican soda, bound to cut the hottest of salsas.

Cha! Cha! Cha!

Homemade chips and salsa, tasty Tex-Mex and big margaritas are made right at this lively spot.

Reviews:

• “EXCELLANT Tex-Mex Mexican”
• “Best Guac Ever.”
• “Great Place!!!”
• “Impressed”
• “regular”

Tips: Reservations are not accepted, so go early to ensure you get a seat.

Esparza’s Tex Mex Cafe

Authentic Mexican cuisine for the gourmet crowd in a fun, festive spot.

Reviews:

• “Great food! Great staff! except Christina”
• “Better than most”
• “harried and busy constantly”
• “It’s worth the wait!”
• “Awesome!”

Nuestra Cocina or email Nuestra Cocina

This small Mississippi taqueria offers cheap Mexican fare, a popular brunch and house-made sangria.

Reviews:

• “Tiny food and the wait time for 1 taco is over an hour”
• ""our little secret" gone city-wide…"
• “fabulous sangrias”
• “best deal and best tacos around!”
• “Small taco’s”

Tips: Try one of the fresh-squeezed juices, like watermelon and prickly pear.

Por Que No

This neighborhood taqueria offers classic dishes ranging from mid-morning egg and chorizo to dinner enchiladas.

Reviews:

• “Go for Brunch!”
• “Good customer service”
• “This place is for real !!”
• “Best burritos and tamalis in portland and beyond”
• “Best Mexican North of SF”

Tips: Unlike many taquerias, La Bonita does have a liquor license, so you can enjoy your favorite Mexican beer for a mere $3.

La Bonita

Solid taqueria fare on the sauciest block in town.

Reviews:

• “Probably doesn’t do your body good, but it sure tastes good”
• “Best Mexican chow on the planet”
• “great shredded beef. avoid during summer it is like a sanua.”
• “Mexican food and nekked girls. What more could you want?”
• “Still a great spot!”

Tips: Perhaps best known for its location adjoining Mary’s Strip Club, El Grillo shares a bathroom with the strip club, making for quite the adventure.

El Grillo

Latin eatery heats up the Pearl with its sophisticated decor and inventive food.

Reviews:

• “Resting uncomfortably on its laurels”
• “Home of the $24 tamale”
• “Thoroughly enjoyed our evening”
• “Great happy hour and drinks!!!”
• “Innovative menu, great wine list and excellent service 4.5 stars”

Tips: From 4:30pm to 6:30pm daily all well drinks are $3 (including margaritas, lemon drops and cosmos), and a special selection of tapas are $3 to $4. Available in the bar only.

Oba Restaurant or email Oba Restaurant

Taqueria a few blocks west of North Interstate serves up fresh, first-rate Mexican food in plentiful portions.

Reviews:

• “Tasty Mexican goodness”
• “Best burritos in Portland.”
• “Get burrito’s to go. "
• “great tacos at great prices”
• “10am-10pm EVERY DAY!”

Tips: The restaurant is casual. Diners pick up their food from the counter when their number is called and then pick a table.

El Burrito Loco

Reviews:

• “good mexican food”
• “No longer impressed”
• “Not a friendly place”
• “Friday and Saturday evenings at La Carreta are so nice!”
• “Great value mexican food”

La Carreta Mexican Restaurant

A steady stream of taco lovers flock to this taqueria for some of Portland’s most authentic Mexican food.

Reviews:

• “Best Burrito I’ve Ever Eaten "
• “The Best Until Today”
• “Awesome Mexican!”
• “low grade”
• “Trust me.”

Tips: There’s a line of hungry patrons any given time of day, so call in your order ahead of time and it’ll be ready when you get there.

Taqueria La Sirenita

Reviews:

• “Pretty darn authentic Mexican food.”
• “Good Restaurant”
• “Mexican restaurant with american atmosphere!”
• “Horrible service.”
• “Burritos Bigger Than Your Skull!”

La Casita

Reviews:

• “Greasy atmosphere, AWESOME burritos and tacos!”
• “Some of the best burritos in town for the price”
• “Not bad”
• “Burrito greatness”
• “Best Mexican food in North Portland”

King Burrito