?Por Que No?
North Portland's ?Por Que No? ("Why Not?"), located at the base of historic Mississippi Avenue, is usually packed with locals and tourists. Outdoor seating offers an uninterrupted view down Mississippi, while indoor seating radiates with color, warmth and character. ?Por Que No? is known for its tacos, which are made with homemade tortillas, and for their fresh, seasonal ingredients.
No Mexican meal is complete without a margarita. ?Por Que No? offers margaritas made with Sauza Blanco tequila and fresh squeezed juice. The pomegranate margarita in particular is a sweet addition to any dish. The next best thing to a margarita is a Mexican coca cola: served in a bottle with real sugar instead of corn syrup. Expect to spend about $10 per person for food, double if you're ordering drinks.
?Por Que No?
3524 N. Mississippi Ave.
Portland, OR 97227
(503) 467-4149
www.porquenotacos.com
Nuestra Cocina
Southeast Portland's Nuestra Cocina ("Our Kitchen") is an inviting restaurant that focuses on dishes from Central Mexico. The food is more upscale than the usual taqueria. Some more out of the ordinary meals include grilled cactus with spicy green salsa, avocado and manchego cheese, Yucatan lime soup with chicken and epazote, and barbecued lamb shoulder braised in banana leaf and served with spicy green salsa. Diners can order margaritas or try one of Nuestra Cocina's many tequila martinis. The "Tequila Martíni de Café y Crema" is an alluring combination of Patrón Xo, crème de cacao, cream and a dusting of chile pepper. Expect to spend $11 to $30 at this welcoming restaurant.
Nuestra Cocina
2135 SE Division St.
Portland, OR 97202
(503) 232-2135
www.nuestra-cocina.com
Cha! Cha! Cha!
Within a Victorian house on Southeast Portland's Hawthorne Blvd. is Cha! Cha! Cha!, a beloved restaurant that offers excellent food at very reasonable prices. In keeping with Portland values, Cha! Cha! Cha! has an organic burrito: the Oregon Harvest Burrito, made with a whole wheat tortilla and tempeh. Fish tacos with habanero pepper cole slaw are a highlight, as are the house burritos, which are served smothered in cheese and your choice of red or green sauce. Cha! Cha! Cha! has one of the best margarita deals in town, especially during happy hour, and bartenders will tweak a pitcher until its perfect. If you need a quick bite while exploring Hawthorne, look no further than Cha! Cha! Cha! Expect to spend $10 and under per person at Cha! Cha! Cha!
Cha! Cha! Cha!
3433 SE Hawthorne Blvd.
Portland, OR 97214
(503) 236-1100
About The Author
Michelle Wishhart is a writer based out of Astoria, Ore. She has been writing professionally for five years, starting with her position as a staff arts writer for an alternative weekly paper in Santa Cruz. She has a B.A. in fine arts from the University of California in Santa Cruz and a minor in English literature.
