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save Esparza's Tex Mex Cafe

2725 SE Ankeny St, Portland, OR | Map it

97214 45.522141 -122.637580

(503) 234-7909

3

out of 5

3 Star Rating: Average

101 Reviews

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Neighborhoods:
Southeast Uplift Neighborhood Program, Buckman

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Reviews from Citysearch

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EZs Mom

Member since Mar, 2011 View Profile
2Reviews
0Photos
EZs Mom Joined 11 months ago
4.0
October 23, 2011

Great food, OK service. We used to love Esparza's so we were headed there today for my birthday. My son hadn't been so he looked at the reviews online. Wow! That did not sound right and we almost didn't go. Am I glad we did! Maybe they did start to slip for a little bit, it has been awhile since we were there, but the food was right back up to what you would expect. Yummy!! The service, well, the waitress did seem to think an awful lot of herself but she brought the food and drinks in a timely manner.

We will definitely be going back!  View Less
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0

Tom Boardman

Member since Jul, 2011 View Profile
1Review
0Photos
Tom Boardman Joined 6 months ago
1.0
July 31, 2011

Bad food and worse service.. This used to be my favorite Mexican restaurant-but not any more. The food has dropped to "adequate" but nothing more. Service is atrocious. "Guys" starts every statement from what passes for staff. I wonder how these people survive as stupid as they appear to be. Our waiter 'guyed" us to death, took the menus after the drink order and I had to tackle a waitress to get a menu back to let me order. I haven't sone this in years, but I left a $1 tip to show my contempt.  View Less View More

0

Roadtripper

Member since Apr, 2011 View Profile
1Review
0Photos
Roadtripper Joined 10 months ago
1.0
April 11, 2011

Esparza's days of glory are no more :(. Sadly all good things come to an end. We went to Esparza's as former fans while on a roadtrip passing through Portland. We lived in Portland and used to eat there all the time. We are fans no longer. Esparza's used to have lines. There were no lines the night we went. That should have been a hint.

Service was just okay. And the fresh chips on the table were fine (as I remember), but the rest of the food was frankly bad.

How bad? Franchise chain Mexican fare would be better. That's how bad. My wife had the Tostada (chicken), which was tasteless and overcooked. It was nasty and unedible. The kids had nachos, which were over priced and skimpy (and anyone could make better at home). I had the chile verde, which was okay, but at $13 was over priced. And in truth even that dish was bland and uninspired.

The kids complained why didn't we take them to Burgerville.

Quite disappointing. Perhaps it was one bad night, but I suspect the place has just declined. It is sad because I used to go all the time and really loved the place.  View Less
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0

sshscaptain

Member since Mar, 2011 View Profile
2Reviews
0Photos
sshscaptain Joined 10 months ago
1.0
March 22, 2011

Is that a dead animal? No that's the server.. It was aweful! Horrible service, disgusting food, their idea of cleaning silverwear is wiping it on their shirts. It left me wondering why i was sick later that night, food poisoning or disgust with this redneck-brother-humping restaurant.  View Less View More

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bmpadgett

Member since Apr, 2010 View Profile
1Review
0Photos
bmpadgett Joined 2 years ago
1.0
April 24, 2010

Esparza's Tex Mex. Stopped going there after putting down $160 cash for 3 couples, waiter brought us change for $140 and stonewalled the complaint. Not a nice ending to an otherwise good evening. One more example of a captured audience and complacent management.

Otherwise, great meeting place, great crowd at the bar, good drinks, maybe just close the kitchen and serve poo-poos. OR start serving good food again, like when first opened.  View Less
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0

archrmike

Member since Aug, 2009 View Profile
2Reviews
0Photos
archrmike Joined 3 years ago
4.0
November 01, 2009

Great Tacos. The location and inside was great. Nice area. The smoked lamb tacos with mole were fantastic. Rice and beans were good too. Skip the guacamole. It looked more like whipped avacados and expensive. The service was good and we had a great dinner.  View Less View More

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hermanfury

Member since Aug, 2009 View Profile
2Reviews
0Photos
hermanfury Joined 3 years ago
5.0
August 21, 2009

Yummy!!. My husband and I drive from Hillsboro to enjoy the great food at Esparza

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CSMobileUser4

Member since Dec, 2008 View Profile
880Reviews
0Photos
CSMobileUser4 Joined 4 years ago
5.0
August 13, 2009

Excellent!. Best Mole-try the "Dirty Bird".Great service!

0

shannaniganz64

Member since Oct, 2008 View Profile
2Reviews
0Photos
shannaniganz64 Joined 4 years ago
5.0
August 08, 2009

Esparza's Is Da Place. Great TexMex food. Great service. Great atmosphere. Moving in next week!

0

CSMobileUser3

Member since Dec, 2008 View Profile
1k+Reviews
0Photos
CSMobileUser3 Joined 4 years ago
1.0
July 22, 2009

I thought things were bigger in Texas!. Not hungry? Want to throw away $6.95 plus tip? Enjoy a lunch special at Esparza's! You'll leave hungry and annoyed.

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