Santeria

OMG, authentic homemade Mexican food. Okay, this place is no longer El Grillo, it is now called Santeria. From what the server told me the cook there now is the original owner of El Grillo who left and now he is back at Santeria. I had the Beef Morita, very spicy, but just right if you can handle it. The flavor was great from the roasted morita peppers. My buddy had the First Class Flight, 3 different tacos and a great way to try a few different things that they offer. Everything is done in house, they carry mexican beers, soda, etc. This place is legit and delicious. Final note, both of us left the restaurant completely full and happy, with tip less that $24 for lunch. You can't do that at a lot of Mexican joints as good as this one!…

Probably doesn't do your body good, but it sure tastes good. Delicious and cheap trashy Mexican food appropriately situated next door to Mary's, a strip club. Great for college students and others on a budget: large portions and small prices. Quesadillas are fairly standard but big burritos are tasty and sometimes overwhelming. One of a few Mexican food refuges in Portland where natives think Cha Cha Cha is "good" Mexican (it's not).…

Best Mexican chow on the planet. Get the Burrito El Grillo. It's huge, and doesn't break the bank. I'm a big dude with an always above average, if not rather large appetite. I am sated at El Grillo for under ten bucks! Furthermore, the sauces are superb, and the meats aren't dripping with grease. Great quality food at a very fair price. The counter staff deliver your order on the fly.

I found El Grillo by asking a bookseller at Powell's where to go for good Mexi-chow near the bookstore (my first visit to Portland in 2000). She suggested El Grillo. I've been going there since. If I'm in the city, I'll go out of my way to go there, as opposed to just another chain Mexi joint. El Grillo's ambience is awesome. Yes, it conveniently shares a restroom with Mary's strip bar next door. If the sight of bare women offends you, stay away from the restrooms!

However, the restaurant is a cozy little joint with a small counter, and a few tables. The decor is sort of a mix of indie-retro / 50's diner / Mexican tiled. There's nothing stuff-shirted or pretentious about El Grillo; go in with jeans and a t-shirt, kick back, and prepare to enjoy a great meal at a great price.

Yes, I avoid the place on the few days Portland has scorcher weather (>90 degrees).…

great shredded beef. avoid during summer it is like a sanua.. Great place to freak out your mom if she has to go to the bathroom. Once a cook there tried to pay me for somempthing verry wrong that I will not put in here, in the back room but after telling the owner it is a much better reasturant, frendly service and it is prompt. Good food but can be expencive for the kind of place it is. I reccomend it though…