The food is always absolutely incredible. The chicken and shrimp tacos are a little spicy but nothing I can't handle. Normally the corn tortillas don't break but they did this time. Not a big enough deal to take away a star. They taste great, have good texture, aren't oily, and don't need double layering. The chicken is always perfectly cooked. The salsa is phenomenal. The staff never misses a special request. The service is awesome. They are super fast. They also will come and ask for drinks when you're in line. There is plenty of seating both indoor and outdoor. It is loud inside, but outside is a tent. I love coming here!
Gita R.
Street tacos in spicy side but too delicious to complain. A bit on expensive side too, but I was satisfied.
Amy S.
Stopped in for quick lunch with friends. The street tacos, chips, salsa and guac, and guava Aqua fresca hit the spot. Love that the Hawthorne location has parking and plenty of indoor and outdoor (covered and uncovered)seating. The service is knowledgeable and friendly and the atmosphere is funky and fun. Street tacos are near $5/each and the chips, guac and salsa is $11. Not cheap but the food is great snd flavors well thought through and balanced.
Ryan K.
LOVE this place. This review is going to be split into two parts: one being about the actual restaurant (food, experience, etc), and another being about the validity of reviews (going into detail about how people don't know how to leave a review if you weren't happy with something.) I am a big taco person. After living in Chicago for 7 years (with a ton of inventive and delicious taco spots) and then New Orleans for another 7 (where there were a surprising amount of impressive taco joints), I was on a journey to find some good tacos here in Portland now that I've settled in. It's been relatively hit or miss, and not just because the entire city seems to go to sleep at 8:30 on any given day. Then, through the magic of an internet search, I came across an article that mentioned Por Qué No? I looked at the menu ahead of time (I love doing that) and then we set out to have tacos. I went twice in one week. The tacos, while a bit smaller than most people are probably expecting, are just the right size. Sure, they are a good average of $5 per taco, which is to be expected these days with rising food costs and labor and supply issues. However, they were worth every single penny. And I never felt they were heavy, or greasy, which can sometimes happen with tacos. I like to try many things off of a menu, so I know that they do more than just one thing well. They do. The tacos vary a great deal in flavor and composition. The spicy ones have enough heat, and taste of pepper, rather than just...hot. The service was quick, the drinks were delicious, and the staff were all bright and unpretentious. I'm not sure who everyone who had a negative experience with the staff was interacting with, but that wasn't my experience, at all, with anyone. Even when it was hectic (which was consistent) I never felt like the staff was short, rude, aloof, unfriendly, unaware, or entitled...which honestly...unfortunately is most of the people in Portland in my experience. (Maybe it's the long wet and dark winters...maybe everyone is just high...all I know is, it's time to warm up. And I thought Chicago was rude.) I can't wait to go back and try more things other than tacos. I don't know if I could pick a favorite because I had so many that I liked, but perhaps...the barbacoa. I can't wait to go back. Now...let's talk about people who leave low-star reviews and their ongoing obsession with the power they feel over doing so. I get it, I do...you weren't happy with something, but before you pick up your sword (keyboard) and take a swing at the jugular (the restaurant's credibility) maybe just take a beat and ask yourself, "Is this legit, or am I just happier handing out one stars with an acid-tongued review because it makes me feel vindicated?" If you experienced the worst service ever, were insulted, or a cockroach fell on your shoulder from the ceiling, or you found a daddy longleg in your food (those both have happened to me)...then ok, a one-star review might be on the table. But having to wait in line because a restaurant is busy is a lame excuse. Having the restaurant get your order wrong is a lame excuse. You absolutely shouldn't feel empowered to leave negative reviews if it sounds like this, "I love the food at this place, I go here once a week! But I had to wait in line for 20 minutes and then they didn't give me any napkins. ONE STAR," then you need to either learn about to leave a review, or don't leave one at all. As a former chef, and as an author, I understand the power of reviews. Unfortunately, negative ones (which are often delusional dramas) outweigh the positives and have a significant effect on a business. Are you doing anything helpful by leaving a low rating? Are you doing another customer a favor? Was it a busy night for them? Were they short-staffed? Was it serious enough to address whatever your problem was with the staff? Did you...or did you hide behind the internet and post a one-star with a smile? Restaurant work is hard work
Linde
Ample seating all around the restaurant and delicious food and drinks! Very kind of the server to bring a new drink when my friends was knocked over in the shuffle of receiving our food. Prices seem a bit high, but that sort of seems the case everywhere lately.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Eevee DeLioncourt
Always delicious. I had one of each of the vegetarian-friendly tacos, chips with guacamole, and the Jamaica agua fresca. The salsa bar is a must, with free escabeche.Vegetarian options: Veggie tacos, tamales, and bowls. Sometimes soups and other dishes, too.Dietary restrictions: Can ask for vegan alteration. Most of the menu is gluten free.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Housemade Chips & Guacamole, Street Tacos
Curtis Hidalgo
Best Portland Mexican food! Bold statement, yes but I’ve lived in Portland for over a decade and feel confident in my statement. Por Que No consistently serves great tacos, guac, and margaritas. What else do you need to know. Carnitas are great. Love the vibe, the salsa, it’s just good. If you haven’t been there, make the trip. Love this place.
Food was delicious! Atmosphere is so cute ! There's alot of different seating areas, outdoor heaters too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salsa Fresca & Housemade Chips, Street Tacos
Linda Grow
Happy 75th Birthday..
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bryan's Bowl
Isabella Fernandez
Very delicious! Not necessarily super authentic but that doesn’t make it any less delicious. The chorizo taco was great but the queso taco was my favorite!
Super disappointed. I used to love coming here years ago. But now, the portions are so small and so overpriced. Our food was very mediocre. We’ll probably never return.
Grace M.
My god, to think that all these years in Portland, I was under the false impression that this place is over hyped ... I was so wrong. We got lunch catered at work today (ordered on DoorDash) and woww I'm so blown away. Probably the best burrito bowl I've ever had?? Everything was perfection from the fresh chips to the carne to the salsas. All of it a 10/10. I will be thinking about this for a long time. Thank you por que no!!
Donovan Robbins
Possibly the best vegan Mexican food I have ever had. Also, love the outdoor seating area. If you need lunch and want a real treat, this is the place to eat.
Lisa Wood
Best fish tacos and horchata! Treat yourself.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Street Tacos
Rachel Armstrong
Everything they make is delicious and the staff is as friendly as can be! I’ve been eating here most days during a long, drawn out move and they have some lighter options that have helped me avoid a taco-baby belly. The lime chicken soup is so tasty ? I have proven to myself in the last three weeks that I really could eat here everyday! And the staff has only gotten kinder and kinder as I show my face moreDietary restrictions: I have found this place to be very safe for my gluten restriction and they are chill about switching out food that accidentally arrived with dairy on it!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salsa Fresca & Housemade Chips, Street Tacos, House Salsas, Bryan's Bowl, Asada Taco
The food is always absolutely incredible. The chicken and shrimp tacos are a little spicy but nothing I can't handle. Normally the corn tortillas don't break but they did this time. Not a big enough deal to take away a star. They taste great, have good texture, aren't oily, and don't need double layering. The chicken is always perfectly cooked. The salsa is phenomenal. The staff never misses a special request. The service is awesome. They are super fast. They also will come and ask for drinks when you're in line. There is plenty of seating both indoor and outdoor. It is loud inside, but outside is a tent. I love coming here!
Street tacos in spicy side but too delicious to complain. A bit on expensive side too, but I was satisfied.
Stopped in for quick lunch with friends. The street tacos, chips, salsa and guac, and guava Aqua fresca hit the spot. Love that the Hawthorne location has parking and plenty of indoor and outdoor (covered and uncovered)seating. The service is knowledgeable and friendly and the atmosphere is funky and fun. Street tacos are near $5/each and the chips, guac and salsa is $11. Not cheap but the food is great snd flavors well thought through and balanced.
LOVE this place. This review is going to be split into two parts: one being about the actual restaurant (food, experience, etc), and another being about the validity of reviews (going into detail about how people don't know how to leave a review if you weren't happy with something.) I am a big taco person. After living in Chicago for 7 years (with a ton of inventive and delicious taco spots) and then New Orleans for another 7 (where there were a surprising amount of impressive taco joints), I was on a journey to find some good tacos here in Portland now that I've settled in. It's been relatively hit or miss, and not just because the entire city seems to go to sleep at 8:30 on any given day. Then, through the magic of an internet search, I came across an article that mentioned Por Qué No? I looked at the menu ahead of time (I love doing that) and then we set out to have tacos. I went twice in one week. The tacos, while a bit smaller than most people are probably expecting, are just the right size. Sure, they are a good average of $5 per taco, which is to be expected these days with rising food costs and labor and supply issues. However, they were worth every single penny. And I never felt they were heavy, or greasy, which can sometimes happen with tacos. I like to try many things off of a menu, so I know that they do more than just one thing well. They do. The tacos vary a great deal in flavor and composition. The spicy ones have enough heat, and taste of pepper, rather than just...hot. The service was quick, the drinks were delicious, and the staff were all bright and unpretentious. I'm not sure who everyone who had a negative experience with the staff was interacting with, but that wasn't my experience, at all, with anyone. Even when it was hectic (which was consistent) I never felt like the staff was short, rude, aloof, unfriendly, unaware, or entitled...which honestly...unfortunately is most of the people in Portland in my experience. (Maybe it's the long wet and dark winters...maybe everyone is just high...all I know is, it's time to warm up. And I thought Chicago was rude.) I can't wait to go back and try more things other than tacos. I don't know if I could pick a favorite because I had so many that I liked, but perhaps...the barbacoa. I can't wait to go back. Now...let's talk about people who leave low-star reviews and their ongoing obsession with the power they feel over doing so. I get it, I do...you weren't happy with something, but before you pick up your sword (keyboard) and take a swing at the jugular (the restaurant's credibility) maybe just take a beat and ask yourself, "Is this legit, or am I just happier handing out one stars with an acid-tongued review because it makes me feel vindicated?" If you experienced the worst service ever, were insulted, or a cockroach fell on your shoulder from the ceiling, or you found a daddy longleg in your food (those both have happened to me)...then ok, a one-star review might be on the table. But having to wait in line because a restaurant is busy is a lame excuse. Having the restaurant get your order wrong is a lame excuse. You absolutely shouldn't feel empowered to leave negative reviews if it sounds like this, "I love the food at this place, I go here once a week! But I had to wait in line for 20 minutes and then they didn't give me any napkins. ONE STAR," then you need to either learn about to leave a review, or don't leave one at all. As a former chef, and as an author, I understand the power of reviews. Unfortunately, negative ones (which are often delusional dramas) outweigh the positives and have a significant effect on a business. Are you doing anything helpful by leaving a low rating? Are you doing another customer a favor? Was it a busy night for them? Were they short-staffed? Was it serious enough to address whatever your problem was with the staff? Did you...or did you hide behind the internet and post a one-star with a smile? Restaurant work is hard work
Ample seating all around the restaurant and delicious food and drinks! Very kind of the server to bring a new drink when my friends was knocked over in the shuffle of receiving our food. Prices seem a bit high, but that sort of seems the case everywhere lately.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Always delicious. I had one of each of the vegetarian-friendly tacos, chips with guacamole, and the Jamaica agua fresca. The salsa bar is a must, with free escabeche.Vegetarian options: Veggie tacos, tamales, and bowls. Sometimes soups and other dishes, too.Dietary restrictions: Can ask for vegan alteration. Most of the menu is gluten free.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Housemade Chips & Guacamole, Street Tacos
Best Portland Mexican food! Bold statement, yes but I’ve lived in Portland for over a decade and feel confident in my statement. Por Que No consistently serves great tacos, guac, and margaritas. What else do you need to know. Carnitas are great. Love the vibe, the salsa, it’s just good. If you haven’t been there, make the trip. Love this place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Housemade Chips & Guacamole, Street Tacos, Barbacoa Tacos, Asada Taco
Food was delicious! Atmosphere is so cute ! There's alot of different seating areas, outdoor heaters too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salsa Fresca & Housemade Chips, Street Tacos
Happy 75th Birthday..
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bryan's Bowl
Very delicious! Not necessarily super authentic but that doesn’t make it any less delicious. The chorizo taco was great but the queso taco was my favorite!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Street Tacos
Restaurantji Recommends
Super disappointed. I used to love coming here years ago. But now, the portions are so small and so overpriced. Our food was very mediocre. We’ll probably never return.
My god, to think that all these years in Portland, I was under the false impression that this place is over hyped ... I was so wrong. We got lunch catered at work today (ordered on DoorDash) and woww I'm so blown away. Probably the best burrito bowl I've ever had?? Everything was perfection from the fresh chips to the carne to the salsas. All of it a 10/10. I will be thinking about this for a long time. Thank you por que no!!
Possibly the best vegan Mexican food I have ever had. Also, love the outdoor seating area. If you need lunch and want a real treat, this is the place to eat.
Best fish tacos and horchata! Treat yourself.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Street Tacos
Everything they make is delicious and the staff is as friendly as can be! I’ve been eating here most days during a long, drawn out move and they have some lighter options that have helped me avoid a taco-baby belly. The lime chicken soup is so tasty ? I have proven to myself in the last three weeks that I really could eat here everyday! And the staff has only gotten kinder and kinder as I show my face moreDietary restrictions: I have found this place to be very safe for my gluten restriction and they are chill about switching out food that accidentally arrived with dairy on it!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salsa Fresca & Housemade Chips, Street Tacos, House Salsas, Bryan's Bowl, Asada Taco