Nacho Sunday

Growing up my mom used to make giant Nachos. We would have Nacho Sunday's. I didn't appreciate these  as a kid. Shame on me. As a grown up and now one that avoids gluten, I'm pretty into Nachos, especially ones that cost a mere $4.00 and fill four people up.

Casa Del Matador is their name. Nachos are their game. Oh and tequila. I don't drink tequila, but I do eat nachos. Daily from 4:00-6:00 and again from 10:00-1:00, you can order up their piping hot nachos for four buckeroo's. You can also add steak, chicken or chorizo for an additional $2.00. I prefer the chicken. This reminds me . . . the Superbowl is this Sunday and although I don't remember who's playing, I do know that nachos must be present.

These Nachos as an appetizer and a bowl of their Roasted Tomato Chicken Soup, made with a house-made chicken stock and flavored with lime, garlic, cumin, cilantro, onion, tomatoes, polenta and avocado, was overly filling and appetizing beyond belief.

I'll be back very soon to try their Goat Cheese Overstuffed Jalapenos . . . which are stuffed with ummm . . . bacon. Yes, it's true.


**Matador has an online Gluten Free Menu for those in need. Lots of choices and many substitutions can be made.

Hola Esparza's!

 Tostada Guacamole; $9.95

Close your eyes and imagine you have to pick one region of food to eat for the rest of your life . . . what would it be? When I ask this of people, they more times then not tell me Mexican food (in which I usually feel offended that they wouldn't choose Italian food).

But I do like Mexican food. I like Mexican food with huge portions. I like it with refried beans, guacamole, sour cream and salsa with kick!

Esparza's on SE 28th is best known for their smoked meats. Smoked chicken. Smoked pork. Smoked beef brisket. Smoked wild boar. Smoked lamb. Yes, they have lamb.

Their menu is unique and expansive.

The Trailblazer: Smoked salmon enchilada with chipotle marinated shrimp and topped with jack, cheddar and jalapeno cheese.

Dale Evans: Smoked lamb flour tacos covered in mole sauce.

Of course we went more traditional . . . which was just as good.
 

 

Forget Taco Bell

Al Pastor Taco, $1.25
The only way to end a night of drunken messiness is with a hardy meal, before passing out makeup and all. For awhile this meant weekend trips to the McDonald’s walk up window and then driving a cab through Taco Bell--which was obnoxiously expensive--but anything to get your fix. Dante’s Pizza is of course in there plenty of times and I often stay away from VooDoo Doughnut because of that story I told you about where I ate an entire bucket of doughnuts. A new found favorite was just discovered and if you knew about this and didn’t tell me, I officially dislike you.

I might be super late on this one, but I was introduced to Taqueria Las Piedritas, on NW 4th and Davis St. Friday night. Taqueria Las Piedritas: a lone midnight taco cart, serving a short menu of classic Mexican, including fresh tacos with homemade corn tortillas for $1.25 and massive burritos for $4.50. Why have we been supporting Taco Bell when this place existed? I’m ashamed. The Al Pastor Tacos were incredible and the homemade tortillas were so fresh. You don't even need to feel guilty, because unlike the Tachos I inhaled  last night this midnight snack is fresh fresh fresh! See you there tonight?

Better in a Bowl: Por Que No

Bryan’s Bowl, $6.50

Since the beginning of Mangia, Por Que No has been on my “To Do” list. For some crazy reason though, every single time I go, I’m without my camera. Finally last weekend, during the most beautiful spring day, Por Que No’s Bryan’s Bowl was finally caught on tape!
Por Que No has been packed since the moment they opened and known across town for delicious authentic Mexican tacos. However, the budget foodie will notice the Bryan’s Bowl—a splittable meal for two.


The Bryan’s Bowl unites all of their fresh Mexican ingredients into one delicious meal: shredded or grilled chicken or beef, with rice, beans, guacamole, sour cream, cilantro, cojito cheese, lime and salsa. Take your pick of chips or soft tortillas to dip and fill—kindly ask for double to make sure there’s enough for two! This bowl will make you want to implode it’s so tasty. Squeeze the lime on top and savor the moment.

Tuesday night’s Por Que No celebrates being cheap with .50 cents off tacos and $1.00 off drinks and chips and salsa! If you’re not anxious about the crowd, take advantage of the steal. One more word to the wise, perhaps it’s an obstacle illusion, but I’m almost positive the “to-go” bowl is much smaller than the piled high one “for here,” so opt to eat there!

One down side (which to some may be an upside): walk up counter and little signs on all the tables asking you not to sit down before ordering. This challenge is enough to make anyone stressed, especially when the little shack like restaurant is packed and you are starving, suddenly imaging you will have to eat in your car. Tables seem to always open up and even if you do have to eat in your car, I promise you—even your car will thank you!

Its the Real Deal, It's the Whole Bowl

Small Whole Bowl, $5.00

Ok, I get it, we are in an economic crisis. Apparently that means all of Portland is cutting costs as both business owners and consumers and only eating out of these things called, “carts;” which are these fake little restaurants that sit in random places around town and somehow the little people inside of these “carts” are able to make all this really good food. I don’t know how it’s done and kind of don’t believe that these places aren’t illegally preparing food in their homes and selling from these two wheeler cars. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not at all against food carts, I’m just a little apprehensive to know what’s really going on in there.


I’ve been hearing all about this place called the Whole Bowl. When I hear the word “whole” I think of Whole Foods, which also makes me think of whole wheat, which makes me think of really bland food and then I start thinking about those really healthy crackers that taste like cardboard. So you can imagine why I put off trying this place. Then I heard it was in a “cart” and I really felt hesitant about trying cardboard that someone cooked at home and brought into a motorless vehicle.


Long story short, I decided to try it and found out they had a small cartless version of the restaurant up on Hawthorne, past all the people and places that make Hawthorne so annoying. In a quaint little alcove on 44th and Hawthorne sits a very small shop. The bowl was whole alright and wonderfully flavorful with layer after layer of fresh brown rice in a special secret sauce, red and black beans, melted cheddar cheese, olives, avocado, salsa and a dollop of sour cream and sprinkling of cilantro. This crammed pack bowl of protein was healthy and yet flavorful enough to eat on a regular basis. I also love the simplicity of their concept: one thing to order, no big decisions. Big bowl or small bowl. I was shocked to see yellow colored rice—however, it didn’t taste at all like curry.


I can see why workers around Portland are flocking to this place and why waiting in a long line is ever so worth it when you get to go back to work with such a happy stomach. Plus, for $5, you can’t get a better deal. If only I could figure out what their secret “Tali” sauce is made of . . . any ideas?

Un Estomago Muy Feliz: Santa Cruz

Vegetarian Burrito, $3.25

Driving west down Lombard, you think to yourself, have I gone too far? Have I missed the ever hidden St. John’s? No, keep going, you think and you urge on. You see a red store front, bars on the windows, with a large sign that reads: Tienda Santa Cruz. You decide to go in— walking through the front doors, to your left sits a pastry case with elegant cakes and a fruit stand filled with mangos and ripe cherries. You walk further, past the aisles filled with Mexican groceries, bags of candy for piñatas which hang from the store ceiling and glass candles. Before stepping into the restaurant in back, you see another pastry case—this one filled with doughnuts, cookies and sweet breads. One step further: welcome to Santa Cruz.

The restaurant portion of Santa Cruz is sadly stark with no music, white walls, aside from a mural on one wall, and long mismatched tables and chairs. However, this is all a part of the Santa Cruz experience. For food this delicious and cheap, you could put me in a dungeon and I would still be happy eating this burrito.


I first heard about Santa Cruz while working at Roosevelt High School. My goal was to find out where the best Mexican food was in North Portland. The more I asked around, the more apparent it became that Santa Cruz was by far the best. After trying it a million times over, I agree and will even say it’s the best authentic Mexican food in all of Portland and by far the cheapest!


I’ve tried a few things here but became obsessed with their vegetarian burrito. It’s giant and filled with pinto beans, rice, melted cheese, large slices of avocado, shredded lettuce, tomatoes and your choice of three different salsas. I like to mix the salsa verde with their red salsa. The best part of the burrito—the crispy tortilla. If you are really, really broke, you could even split this burrito and you would be leaving full for $1.60. Crazy right? Their tostadas, for $1.25 each, are delicious and topped with cotija cheese, sour cream and again, large slices of fresh avocado. Skip the $3.00 tacos at Por Que No (get their Bryan's Bowl instead) and come here for the same yumminess--but only $1.00 a piece. I know, its as if they are giving away food!


If you have even an ounce of room in your happy stomach, try their chocolate covered doughnut for .50 cents. The dough is fluffy and they use semi-sweet chocolate in the frosting—making it satisfying, but not overly sweet.



Santa Cruz is one more reason to head up to North Portland!
8630 N. Lombard
Portland OR 97203
289-2005

Health Freak: Laughing Planet Cafe

Grilled Chicken Burrito on a Whole Wheat Tortilla, $5.95



When I first stepped foot in this cafe about two years ago, I was very much against flavorless foods that were overly healthy—I must have gotten some vegged out meal on accident. I refused to go back and dreaded the sight of their “keep Portland weird” restaurants. This was all until my roommate came home six months ago, with a burrito that smelled so delicious; I had to curse my own name and go back again and again.


Laughing Planet’s grilled chicken burrito is rolled up with pinto beans, organic brown rice, melted Tillamook pepper jack cheese, pico de gallo, grilled chicken and a smokey, hot salsa on the side. For an added indulgence, make it a deluxe for $2.25 with guacamole and sour cream.

This burrito will treat you right, fill you up beyond belief and you can feel really good about doing so—for you and the all natural chicken! Laughing Planet is a leader in sustainable restaurants—using biodegradable “to-go” silver wear, composting and not packing your food in twenty layers of bags and boxes. Go Laughing Planet! Plus, to my dismay, their food will kick your tastes buds ass (as long as you stay away from the Che Guevara; that one is still a bit bland).