Tio’s Tacos

went there for lunch today and it’s closed for good :(. looks like Best Burgers is renovating the building.

Was out toward Gresham the other day and in the mood for some good Mexican so I stopped to check them out. The place looks very scetchy from the outside, but so does everything in Gresham. The inside isnt much better. Its one big open plain looking room with a few tables when you first walk in there is a sign that directs you to order in the back. I had a burrito with carnitas, it was very good. They had some homeade hot sauce they brought out to go with it. I wish i had had some guacomole reading over some of the other reviews. I’ll have to go back and check that out. If you are the type of person that freaks out over the sketchy appearance of the place you may not like it but you are missing out on some pretty stellar food if so.

This place is a golden hole in the wall !!! When you first walk in you might get this sketch vibe, but the food and the people are awesome! They really serve it up. I got the tapas and it was so yummy! They even added some extra side for me to try, not sure what the name is but it was delicious! (Gah! Now I’m craving for some!!!)

When I want to forget about the election and the crazy Mormon Republican friends I have on Facebook, I go to Tio’s for their delicious guacamole.
It is OUT OF THIS WORLD.

Tio’s is located in what looks like an old Chinese restaurant, and décor isn’t exactly luxurious. But I’ll let you in on a little secret: when I’m paying less than $ 10 for my meal, ambiance means zero to me. I just don’t care. Just gimme some amazing food.
And that’s exactly what we got. The carne asada enchilada wasn’t huge, but is was delicious. It was covered in a delightful red enchilada sauce that I found myself spooning onto tortilla chips when the enchilada was gone. Tacos were awesome as well. I’d stick with the asada in the future.
Like others have said, get the guacamole. Wow – it is really good. Simply prepared: chopped avocado, onion, tomato, cilantro, and lime juice. But these items combine to create what is probably the best guac I’ve had. Make sure you get it.
Next time we’re in Portland, we’re definitely stopping by Tios.
Oh! I almost forgot – the fish tacos are simply prepared, but delicous. I was expecting fried, and got griddled, and couldn’t have been happier.

The food here more than makes up for the décor and location.
Moved here from SoCAL… Have been craving «real» mexican food and have sat through disappointment after disappointment for a year now until Tio’s Tacos!
The staff is very friendly, there is a lot to choose from, the Chips are made to order, as well as the best guacamole in town!
The meat is flavored well and the house made salsas remind me of home. (Santa Ana, CA)
So happy to find it! The location isn’t great, but like I said… the food makes you not care.

My fiancé and stumbled upon this place when we were driving home and hungry. Interesting décor… seat cushions were REALLY stained, but other than that it seemed very clean. We both got carne asada supreme burritos. MEGA YUM! They brought salsa in a little pitcher like many places serve syrup in… very handy for dribbling it into these burritos. We would certainly stop here again!

Spent a sunny afternoon raking leaves and got a craving for their chunky/​fresh guacamole and fish tacos. Headed on over where they made some fresh chips for dunking. Yes indeedee. Got the usual couple of fish tacos to go with. The fish was fresh, cooked just right, not greasy at all, and NOT breaded. Washed it down with a Corona.
Yes I repeat myself.
Got over my craving till next time.

This place is fair. The food is nothing special. The pickled carrots are however the best I have had.

This place is GREAT!
I had 3 types of tacos before an outdoor volleyball game, and they were spectacular. Spiced perfectly with salsa and onions. The price was perfect at 1.25 per taco (some cost more for special meats/​ingredients). I jealously watched someone else eat a MASSIVE burrito too. Sorta wanted to eat one of those, but I made my choice.
Go figure… I came for volleyball, but might just come back for the food! Good stuff.

I would give this place 3.5 stars. The Chinese decorating is awesome! When we arrived the whole building was filled with acrid smoke and my wife and I could not stop coughing. Based in other reviews we ordered chips and guacamole; the guac was good but more like ¹⁄₃ guac and ²⁄₃ pico de gallo. I had three different tacos (carne asada, pastor, and barbacoa) and the flavor was awesome. These were almost Por Que No? quality for $ 1.20! My wife’s carne asada burrito was only ok, lots of gristle. Service was great, however a bit weird ordering at the counter but then paying at a different counter after eating. Overall a bit better than my company’s standard quick serve Mexican work lunch option, Don Pedro #1.

Due to the lack of choices in the area I pulled into this odd establishment. It appears to have been a Chinese restaurant that was taken over and turned into Mexican restaurant. (I know this due to the large amount of Chinese furniture and décor left over.) Also, behind the restaurant are several sand volleyball courts. (Not sure what that’s all about.) Also… when you go in the front door and have to walk around to the back of the restaurant to order. (It’s also helpful to know a little Spanish.)
The food is great. I come here regularly for lunch now and have had the opportunity to sample a good amount of the menu. I’ve had enchiladas, burritos, and the tacos here. They all are very good. An entire plate of food (rice, beans, huge burrito) runs about 7.00−8.00. Make sure you try the guacamole.

The people at Tios/​Woks Up are like family. When I first moved to the remote outskirts of Portland I was convinced that my taco fix was limited to the many super awesome trucks that dot the area. Then one day while walking to the corner store for a 40oz i spied this joint. Its a strange lay out with no table service. You walk to the counter order your food and have a seat. Next to the counter is a door leading to another business known as Woks Up, a full bar with several large sand volleyball courts outside the back doors. I skipped the 40oz and ordered a Rolling Rock from the bar. After talking to Ming (the bartender) I realized that these two places while separate owners operate as a co-​op of sorts. Meaning you are free to travel back and forth from bar to restaurant and courts with both food and drink from both places. I walked home gathered my family and came back. We were so impressed with the food from Tios, the cerviche was very fresh and very limey. The tacos were amazing especially the lengua and pastor. I was able to order tequila shots from Woks Up and bring them to our table in Tios. Since then we have become a fixture there, often going a few times a week. Summer is well spent here as you can sit out back and watch local volleyball tournaments while eating and drinking. They are dog friendly provided you are outside and your pooch has manners. These two businesses have something unique and I hope they stick around for years to come.

Amazing homemade fresh guacamole unlike anything else. Just go try it and you’ll know what I’m talking about. In fact, I bet a quarter that you’ll try it and say, ‘wow, this amazing homemade fresh guacamole IS unlike anything else!’ Hecka good.
The burritos are HUGE and delicious, full of good meat, lots of flavor and a good mix of all the normal fix-​ins. This is my favorite Mexican restaurant in town!

Driving through Rockwood, past steam rising above taco charts dotting every corner, I almost stopped and ate before I got to Tio’s Tacos. Rockwood is hard to look at, but the food sure smells good.
Tio’s doesn’t quite fit the irregular space it’s in. We walk in, turn left and proceed toward the rear where the kitchen is. We ordered at the kitchen counter next to a huge menu and photo poster of Tio’s offerings.
In the dining room, some folks were blowing up balloons for a child’s 1^st birthday, and sticking them onto the windows. There was an old van out front, and they were bringing in cases of beer and Jarritos. A soft spoken man with a shy smile brought warm chips and salsa. The people were sweet and friendly.
First up was a plate of refried beans, that I’m pretty sure was the best I’ve ever had. These were not the typical gray homogenous mass of grimy paste, but more like creamy pinto beans — these bean were fabulous!
My two fish, and lingua taco’s arrived. A basic taco is meat, onions, cilantro, and hot sauce. Beyond that, everything you add either makes it better, or ruins it. These had, in addition to the basic ingredients, some lettuce, tomatoes, and a little dollop of sour cream. Wonderful!
Served up on the side were pickled carrots, onions, and jalapeño peppers. You can’t get this food in the Pearl.

Holy cow! If these aren’t the best tacos ever, I don’t know what is. The only tacos I imagine to be better than this are probably in Mexico – but I’ve never had a taco there. Tio’s tacos were fantastic, and I didn’t skimp out. I got everything everyone recommended – crema, guac, salsa, chips. I ordered 2 of each: carnitas, al pastor, and pollo. The pollo one I could do with out simply because they weren’t as flavourful as the other two. Ughhhh talk about a food coma afterwards. And the horchata was to die for! I loved it. The simplicity of the place, and the friendliness of the staff. If I am ever in this area again, I will surely be back.

Whoa! Everyone else comments on this place’s décor, but it’s impossible NOT to mention! Chinese furniture, a random 12″ tv, a map of Central America, a HUGE mural of Jerry Garcia… but all of that doesn’t matter.
Fresh food, fair prices, & super nice staff (the lady sleeping on the bench during a sleepy late-​lunch trip was friendly as well).
I only got their standard carne asada burrito… It totally filled me up with drippy goodness. the only thing i would have asked for is better quality meat (you know when you get those pieces of fat/​tendon that you can’t even chew? Yeah, I dislike those, too, and unfortunately the carne asada had a bit too much of it). Despite that, though, I’m willing to try it again. Until then, 4 stars and a strong recommendation is more than fitting!

I’m here once a week for my taco fix (I live in SW, so this is a haul).
Food: tacos are the closest thing to mexican street vendor tacos that I’ve found to date in PDX. All meats are perfectly seasoned, fresh and delicious. They keep it traditional — small, fresh corn tortillas, meat, cilantro and white onion. They aren’t «american sized» but two will fill you up.
Drink: hand down best horchata in portland. perfectly spiced and not too heavy. If you want a beer or cocktail to accompany your meal, I suggest the fully stocked bar in the attached Woksup (to the rear of the restaurant). You can also watch sand volleyball games here while you wait for your food.
Service: Swift and efficient. Friendly (with heavy accent, so be ready to listen attentively if you aren’t used to this) staff, who take pride in their restaurant and appreciate their customers.
NOTE 1: In order to use plastic (debit or credit) you must order a minimum of $ 5 worth of food + drink or there is a $ 0.50 surcharge added to your order.
NOTE 2: Parking lot can be difficult to park in on league volleyball nights — don’t let this detour you. Parking can be found on the street, across Stark on 174^th.

The 5 stars are dedicated solely to the FOOD & service.
The décor is to say the least Weird! It used to be a chinese restaurant and they never fully switched.
Counter service, usually a little lady who speaks little english.
The service is quick and it is concise– always right!
The restaurant is clean and maintained, just a bit odd– but the food makes up for the lacking décor as in most authentic taqueria’s.
You would never stop here if you didn’t know of it– which is why I am starting a review.
The FOOD:
The sour cream, it is NOT just sour cream, it is wonderful.
The guacamole is the BEST I HAVE EVER HAD, chunky with onions & cilantro & lime.
The pork is delicious. Better than anywhere I have been.
If you want good meat, this is the place.
The torta’s are great. But the carnita’s tacos are really where it is at. Everything however has been wonderful.
The salsa is great, but they don’t have a salsa bar, just ask for some and she will bring you all the options.
The ingredients are all fresh, and perfectly prepared.
Very very authentic mexican food.
And delicious horchata!
The service is very friendly.
The only con is that it is in Gresham, in a seedy and unattractive area. But if you are willing to drive– make the trip.
ALSO– there is beach volleyball in the parking lot– at the chinese bar Wok’s up. To make it even more odd. YOu gotta see this place— it is truly a gem, and it is really twilight zoney!