Taqueria Portland

Do you have a hunger that calls for the sacrifice of all things cute and edible within a 10 mile radius? Try this place. Well done, tex-​mexish food. Great portions, and fast service. This place will be in my picket of favorite Mexican places to go.

It was OK, but too expensive. I needed to satisfy a mad Mexican food craving and it did the job. But I’ve had way better Mexican food in, believe it or not, Alabama, where I’m originally from. Literally any random Mexican restaurant in that area is better than here and cheaper and this is one of the cheaper places. I think Portland might just suck when it comes to Mexican and Chinese food, for whatever reason. But hopefully I will find a decent, sit-​down Mexican restaurant eventually, where the chips are complimentary AND fresh and the salsa isn’t so spicy it makes me tear up.

I was in Portland on business an looking for Mexican food. This place popped up and I was not disappointed. Coming from So Cal I’m snobby when it comes to street tacos and this place hits it out of the park on every level. First off, the salsa is phenomenal. I then ordered one carne asada taco and one spicy pork. They were both bursting with flavor and I wanted more.

Two stars because it wasn’t completely disgusting and you get decent portions… but it was not great, or even good food. The meat was also chewy.
Also, the menu sign is glossy and have lights shining on it… so you get a side of a headache for free with your order.

This place is so damn slow when you order to go regardless if you call ahead or not… The food is not bad but the wait is ridiculous.

What ya gonna do when you’re craving a plate of Tex-​Mex? Type «Taqueria» into Unilocal,of course. Apparently my husband and his co-​workers have lunch here occasionally, and he really likes their smothered burritos. This place is clean, and has two TV screens. While I waited for my order, I sipped a Mexicoke and watched entertaining Tejano music videos. Chips were fresh, salsa is a good balance between mild and medium, it wasn’t hot in my opinion. When my plate arrived I requested green sauce, and it definitely had a kick to it — hit the spot! I expected to receive my enchiladas surrounded by a small puddle of grease, but I was pleasantly surprised. They almost (almost…) remind me of a traditional recipe cooked for me in Texas. The rice was decent, but a bit more tomato wouldn’t have hurt. I do like that they put fresh Cotija cheese on the refried beans, though. I’ll definitely be back for tacos and horchata.

I can’t believe I didn’t know this place moved. Taqueria Portland was my jam when they were out in St. Johns, so I am so stoked to find them right smack in the middle of inner SE– on my way to just about everywhere.
My favorite is the breakfast platter. I now know bacon causes cancer, but omg it’s so hella delicious when combined with eggs, potatoes, beans, and rice wrapped in flour tortillas with some salad for good measure. So you know, enjoy in moderation.
Pricing is similar to when they were in NoPo, and as usual, Spanish-​language programming is on all TVs. They also have a full bar, if you’re into it. Free chips and salsa push the experience up a notch. Fast and friendly service makes it easy to return.

I have lived in Southern California pretty much most of my life and have had my fair share of tacos. This place is by far one of the best. This is a perfect spot for a quick bite and cheap eat. I personally think its better than all the rest. I eat here at least once a week

One of my go-​to lunch spots. Get there before noon to avoid the long lines. They’re fairly quick to get you your food and give you chips and salsa while you wait. I’m a burrito lover so I get a simple carne asada burrito, nothing special. Decent prices and nice spot to eat it if you have the time.

This place was SOOOO good that I came back twice in one day. Yes, I had both lunch and dinner here while I was in Portland.
I went to lunch with family and they took me to Taqueria Portland where I ordered the green salad with chicken (minus the radishes). The chicken is flavored to perfection — there is no need for dressing. They make a salad the most tasty thing — ever!
So, when my family came to get me for dinner, they asked where I wanted to go. I answered, «Taqueria Portland.» They laughed, but they took me again and I ordered the exact same thing — as did one of my family members.
The prices are reasonable, too.
I can’t say enough about this place. Love it. LOVE IT!
Can’t wait to come back.
I miss you already.
Love, Kate

Well done Taqueria Portland, I really enjoyed your food today. Well recommended by fellow Unilocalers and I see why.
We got several different Tacos and a Burrito today along with a couple margaritas. First I have to commend you on you flavor and texture of your food. My taste buds were so freaking happy today.
The Pork Verde Tacos were very good, and your red and green salsas again had flavor not just heat. The salsa with your chips was also flavorful, lots of texture and Delicious. I also chowed down a regular Burrito with grilled chicken, and wow here we go again flavor and texture.
Theme today is Flavor and Texture.
Very clean inside especially the mirrors on the walls no grubby hands prints. Giant menu on the wall, would be nice to have one to hold in my hand to look at.
Parking is a challenge in the lot next to the place because of all the spots marked for other businesses. You can find street parking and a garage on 8^th. It’s worth finding a spot to park.

For those of you who have been following along, you know that I love tacos. You probably also know that thus far I’ve been woefully disappointed in my Portland taco experience. Well, gentle readers, I’m not ready to declare Taqueria Portland a slam dunk, but they serve straightforward Mexican food without any «Portland twist», and at a reasonable price. That’s enough for me to declare myself a fan.
Every order comes with chips and salsa, and I really dig the salsa. It tastes smokier than you might expect, with a small amount of heat that shouldn’t turn many people off. I think it’s fantastic.
I’ve had a few of the more basic menu offerings, and from what I can tell, the tacos are superior to the burritos. The regular tacos are only $ 2.15 a pop, and are actually pretty hefty. I ordered four, and ended up being well past full. The carnitas and pastor are both pretty ridiculous, and the lengua was great as well. The burritos were fine, but nothing to write home about. There are a TON of specialty menu items here that I need to try, but I’ve been so happy to find reasonably priced and straightforward street tacos, that it’s been difficult to stray. Someday.
Finally, his place gets massive bonus points for not succumbing to the unique Portland expectation that you’ll bus your own tables. There’s not even a place to take your dishes if you DO try and do the work yourself. It shouldn’t be a novelty that a restaurant doesn’t expect you to do their job for them, but alas that’s the city we live in. Props to Taqueria Portland for remembering that they’re in the hospitality industry.

I would really give this place 2.75 stars, but Unilocal doesnt allow that. Shame on you Unilocal.Anyways, back to the nitty gritty. Went here with a friend to celebrate a new beginning. We both ordered three carnitas tacos each. Chips and Salsa are free, which is a nice change of pace, the chips didnt seem to be fresh but the salsa was good. The horchata was alright, I’d drink it again. Once we got our tacos, they seemed alright. Not anything mind blowing or impressive.

Big portions and big flavors. It’s not the California Mexican food I’m used to but it’s fantastic. My Texan girlfriend says it’s a lot closer to Tex-​Mex. For those hankerin’ for some delicious Mexican food way north of the border, this might be the place for you.

Tacos were delicious!!! And the combo meal was a steal. Regular tacos are $ 2.15/ taco. Meal for 3 tacos, beans and rice, chips and salsa, and soda was $ 7.
The meat for the tacos are more minced than most places, but there is a lot of flavor and nice crunch and not dry.
Indoor and outdoor seating. Fast service and low key environment. Will be back for more tacos. Yumm.

I was a fan and a regular (2−3x weekly) of their original location in N. PDX and I’m a fan of this location too. I just don’t get to SE that often, but if I need a mexican fix when I’m in this area, I will be going here.
Everything is made fresh and tasty. I’m very partial to the nachos here especially.
To those searching for this place, it is literally attached to the same building as Grand Bowling Alley, which is huge. I had drove around looking for it for awhile before I realized this.

Where do I start? I was reluctant to try a taco shop, because I’m from Texas. However, I was not disappointed! When I first read the menu and discovered that this place has beef tongue, beef head, and barbacoa tacos, I knew this place would be authentic. On the first day, I tried one taco each of the three mentioned. The barbacoa was flavorful but on the dry side. The other two were delicious. On the second day, I ordered three beef tongue tacos, because they were my favorite. Watch out for the salsa verde, because it is spicier than the normal green salsa. I’m excited to try the rest of the items on the menu! The rice and beans were good– I liked that the rice was soft (I’m not a fan of dry rice). The taco combo comes with 3 tacos (regular tacos), rice, beans, and a soft drink. Great value!

Few people had recommended this restaurant to me so decided to see what it’s all about. I have been back twice and I can honestly say I love this place.
Parking can be a little tricky at times but it’s worth the wait to find a spot. One thing that I love is the chips and the salsa, it’s the perfect salsa, fresh cilantro, chunks on onions, probably one of the best scratch made salsas I have ever had. They always ask you if you would like more when the food comes out.
Few of the favorites off the menu I have tried first is the 3 taco combo, you choose the meats and get rice and beans with radish and limes a drink comes with the combo’s for $ 7.00. The taco salad is pretty awesome the shell is my favorite part, comes with rice and beans, guacamole, sour cream, cheese and you choose the meat. Super burrito is huge, probably fill you up for the rest of the day, has a spicy salsa on it.
They have a huge bar and probably ever tequila you can think of, have not had a chance to try the margaritas but people say they are awesome. They serve coke products and have a selection of ice teas, also have a great selection of jarritos (Mexican flavored sodas) and horchata a drink made with ground almonds and cinnamon. Huge selection of bottled beers.
The restaurant is very clean, floor is always clean tables clean. The staff is super friendly and will always offer suggestions. If this is your first visit grab a menu and sit down to makes a decision its a huge menu. Check this place out you won’t be disappointed.

Friendly people and some of the tastiest freshest salsa I’ve had at a quick taco joint in Portland: not bad! I was in the area and needed a quick lunch, so I ordered the lengua tacos topped with cabbage, cilantro, radish and cotija. That’s the Taco Mexicano version; there are a couple of other options ranging from quite basic to guacamole and Jack as taco toppings. The lengua was tender, the veggies crisp, and I was happy.
What the tacos might have slightly lacked in complexity was more than made up for by the freshness of everything. The salsa was just-​right-​spicy, studded with little flecks of roasted peppers and fresh tomatoes and all other such good things; it stood out as the best part of the meal, memorable because it’s too often an afterthought at too many taco spots. And the menu was just the kind of lengthy tome I love, full of other favorites like sopes, gorditas, and tortas (plus several specifically vegetarian options). As far as quick tacos go, Portland may not be the promised land… but if you’re in Portland, Taqueria Portland is the right destination regardless.

In my short time in Portland, I have come to realize that it doesn’t matter the culture or cuisine, you can find it here and get a very good if not better rendition of what you already know. It’s Portland, it’s a foodie town.
I came up from Texas and bbq and Tex-​Mex are two very hard things to duplicate. So far I’ve found some very good taquerias but not great bbq. Being that I do dry rub myself, it’s tough to please me.
Anyway, I had to make a short trip to my storage unit and not too far away is the Portland Taqueria. It’s right by that bowling alley and Sparky’s Pizza. I required sustenance and why not, a quick check on Unilocal and in I went.
First thing that hits you is that menu… wow. Tacos, burritos, tortas, nachos and so much more. Of course they had their usual meat choices plus lengua and even cabeza. I’m brave, but not that brave just yet. I’ll get there. I got carnitas and lengua with a side of rice and refried beans. Then I saw they had hortchata. YES. Love the stuff. They also had some agua frescas in jamaica and tamarind. I also was given a side of chips and salsa. The salsa had a mild kick to it. The chips needed salt. The tacos were just what you’d want them to look like, two tortillas each, meat, cilantro and onions. I also had red and green sauce as well. Neither were too spicy for my liking but both had decent flavor. The green sauce had a bit of a lime taste to it. The meat was cooked perfect and the carnitas had a little char to it even. The beans were creamy and were gone rather fast.
This was a good meal that would have stood up down in the hearty of Texas. Some good people made some good food and that made me happy.
Enjoy.