This unassuming cafe serves a fusion of Cuban and Mexican cuisine that comes together nicely. It's a great selection of traditional dishes along with sandwiches that are out of this world. Though the menu had many items that left us drooling, we both settled on the Pan con Lechon Americanos, which is essentially a pulled pork sandwich. The beauty of the Pan con Lechon is that it is served on the best bread around, and with an amazing rendition of pulled pork. The garlic and guava sauce just adds the chef's kiss of flavor on top of it all. While we were a little concerned about "doubling down" on the same sandwich, we were delighted that the bet paid off, and left with two happy tummies. It turns out that Caiman also has empanadas, and that we've had their food before at a local farmer's market. The turkey, guava, and goat cheese empanada was a good one! We think we got to speak with one of the owners, who clearly keeps her hand on the business, which I always admire. And if you're wondering what the heck a Caiman is, well apparently it is a type of gator. Who knew? read more

Atmosphere: Got it a the Sunday Farmers Market in the Pearl so it was just a stand, not the standard restaurant. Food: Cuban Sandwich was good. Piping hot and good rendition of a Cuban Sandwich. Would get this again. Price: $15 for a Cuban Sandwich. Pretty on par with other places. Service: Didn't take too long to prepare. Parking: N/A read more

Caiman Cafe - Cuban Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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You order and pick up at the counter. Prices are reasonable and the food delicious! Our burrito was packed full of chicken, beans and rice (plus more) and the flour tortilla was super fresh. We tried an empanada in the side and it was a delicious start! Nothing fancy here, but a great bite! Only open for breakfast and lunch. read more

Caiman Cafe - Cuban Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Stopped in for a quick sandwich and an espresso while we were walkin back to our hotel. Seems like a small, personal operation and the lady at the desk was quick and helpful. Got the Cuban sandwich (simple, but delicious. Not trying to re-invent it, just did a classic really well) Fried Plantains (also really good, these were vegan friendly so gf could have them) and a Cuban coffee (half espresso half brown sugar) -was also great. All in all maybe a 20 min visit from start to finish, and left satisfied. Would/Will return read more

Caiman Cafe - Cuban Sandwich, Plantains, Espresso - Cuban Near Me - Portland, Oregon

I can tell I like this place, and by the looks of their art (Frida, NEON, Oregon Beavers) it's safe to DREAM BIG! Pleased to find a Café con Leche in PDX, no extra sugar required, although a little heavy on milk. Grab yours here or direct-to-door catering - Empanadas x8 come sweet & savory, vegetarians also served! read more

Great place to stop in and snag some lunch if you happen to be in the area. I was serving for jury duty and this place caught my eye. I'm glad I went in. The atmosphere itself is classic for what you'd expect of a family run restaurant. There's nice decor on the walls and welcoming music playing. It's not a huge establishment but definitely big enough for multiple parties to sit. I wound up getting the pork sandwich which came out in around 10 min with a small lunch rush. The sandwich was rich in flavor and the meat itself was super tender. The bread was also delicious as I know it's made fresh locally. Some of the bbq flavor and the mayo I couldn't taste so it might have felt slightly one note but it was a good note to say the least. Definitely worth stopping by if you're in the area. read more

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Great food, fair prices, and just steps from the waterfront--this spot is a solid choice for lunch, especially if you find yourself near the courthouse. I've been here twice now while serving jury duty (it's less than two blocks away), and both visits were well worth it. The first time, I had the Cuban sandwich--absolutely delicious. The bread was perfectly grilled and buttery, and the fillings were generous without overwhelming the sandwich. Today, I gave their tacos a shot, and they didn't disappoint. What really stood out was the red sauce--bold, flavorful, with just the right amount of heat to wake up your taste buds. Definitely a solid lunch option if you're in the area! read more

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I have a soft spot in my palate for Cuban coffee and Cuban sandwiches. Both of these were satisfied fully by this perfect little Cuban/Mexican restaurant. This is a family run establishment so I felt like a part of the family as they spoke Spanish and catered to us directly. While a work in progress, this little joint is adorned in messages about the food and their backstory. Feels very homie in there! Great food and great family! read more

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If you work or live downtown and have not been here yet, you are missing out. Super friendly owner, manager, with homemade salsas! I love to get the tacos, the burrito is also amazing, and the Cuban sandwich is the star of the entire show. Nice place to sit and enjoy co-workers, or even sit by yourself if you like. Very cozy indoor downtown location. read more

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I had the azada (asado in Cuban) burrito, which was a somewhat exorbitant $17. The meat was great, and the fillings were typical. As you can see from the picture, all of the fillings are on one side of the burrito, so about a third of my bites were pure tortilla. Service was friendly and fast, but it was a very slow time of day. The interior of the restaurant was in need of tidying and cleaning; chairs were everywhere and about a third of the countertops needed cleaning. I know this is going to sound terrible, but I prefer Chipotle at half the price. read more

Caiman Cafe - Azada Cuban Burrito - Cuban Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Delivery order. Cuban sandwich and the $5 side order of black beans & rice. Both items were truly representative of the Cuban cookery. The sandwich was just excellent, and, served on the most legit example of a Cuban bread roll that I think you'll find anywhere near PDX. Truly great. The black beans and rice was a pretty small portion for the price, but the product was absolutely legit. Will order again. read more

A friend who had jury duty nearby raved about this place, so I made it a point to go the next time I was downtown. And oh boy! Even the friend's rave didn't do this little place justice! One of my new favorites in the whole city, not just downtown. You're greeted by great salsa music upon entering. It's run by a couple -- she's Mexican and runs the front, he's Cuban and runs the kitchen. There's also an Argentine cook. Everyone is friendly and helpful, and fluent in Spanish and English. The menu is Cuban-focused with some Mexican influence (e.g., burritos). And it's terrific. I had the veggie platter, which includes black beans, rice, yuca, platanos, and a fresh and tasty salad. The house hot sauces are both delightful and quite spicy! There's also beer, wine, horchata (another Mexican touch) and coffee drinks available. There are a few outdoor tables. I can't wait to go back and try more dishes! read more

My husband & I both agreed, this was the best breakfast burrito we have ever tasted! My whole family loved this place. :) read more

Caiman Cafe - Breakfast Burrito & Cafe con Leche - Cuban Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Bad day for Cuban. Showed up a few days ago during stated hours of operation, but they were closed. Then today: 1. Came for the traditional chilaquiles, but breakfast ends at 11 a.m. It's 2022, not 1982. 2. Craved croquettes, they were out. 3. Let's have papa rellanas...out 3. Ordered Cuban coffee, seven minutes later, "we're out of vanilla." 4. New hot drink finally came, but I ordered iced. 5. Very tiny taco for $3.50 ** One nice guy handing a big line Looks like there's some issues or just my bad luck. read more

Caiman Cafe - Meh, the feta was very "goaty" - Cuban Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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I arrived at about 8:10. Even though the sign on the door said they opened at 7:00, the door was locked. The one person in the restaurant quickly opened up. Apparently they may be changing the opening time to 9:00. She was authentically nice and friendly, to the point it felt like I was being welcomed into my favorite auntie's home. And, she was able to genuinely give that while dealing with a technical problem with the register and opening the restaurant by herself and doing the cooking. Amazing hospitality! I ordered the huevos rancheros and coffee. The huevos rancheros were definitely a stripped down version, no frills, but very good. The tortillas had that little bit of chewiness that only comes from fresh made tortillas and the Sunny side up eggs were perfectly cooked. The refried beans were well seasoned and flavorful. But the salsa molcajete stole the show, it had bags of flavor. Oh, and the coffee was good. Awesome new addition to the Portland food scene! read more

Caiman Cafe - huevos rancheros - Cuban Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Tasty dishes with great spices and flavors. They offer a variety of meals from breakfast to lunch to desserts. Really enjoyed their take on a burrito, Cuban Burrito, with tender lechon asado meat and mango salsa. Extra credit for searing their burrito as well. It's filling but not sickly so because of the well-balanced flavor profile. The Pollo Crioyo Lunch plate was also very tasty. Chicken was super soft. Veggies well-caramelized. Loved the sweetness from guava in the sauce. Only downside is I wish they give you more chicken! Other than that, it's a great meal with tostones, rice, and beans. Totally would come back for a quick breakfast/lunch. Super casual and a great spot to try out new flavors. read more

Caiman Cafe - Cuban Burrito - Cuban Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Amazing service! FOOD is DELICIOUS. I've been meaning to stop by as my job is literally a block and half away.... Today o was indecisive and Caiman Cafe was my pick. I'm so glad I did! Yummy read more

Caiman Cafe - Dining area signage - Cuban Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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The best empanadas I've EVERRR HAD. Def don't shy away from trying!!! They're on uber and DoorDash

I heard about this new spot from a friend of mine and had to try it out when I was downtown. We walked in and were immediately greeted with a bright smile and a loud hello from the owner. The menu is very straightforward and easy to read, it breaks down the different dishes but you can tell there is a focus on Cuban cuisine. My partner got the Cubano and said it was the best version he has ever had. The bread was perfectly toasted, the cheese was melted expertly, and the press was just right. I had the Lechon Azado plato and it was amazing. The pork had a crispy exterior, but remained very juicy. The rice and beans complemented the pork and perfectly carmelized plantains very well. I enjoyed a blast of flavor in every bite. I'm looking forward to coming back and trying many of the other menu items I had my eyes on! read more

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I am a cuban sandwich snob - I read about this place, and showed up at closing. She was so nice to fullfill my craving. it was the best cuban i have had , north of Florida , for many years. It is an authentic little place and i hope to cater with them, some time soon. its a great little find! read more

Brand spankin new restaurant in the building. Stopped in for lunch today and ordered the Chorizo Torta, it came out hot and fresh and was accompanied by delicious salsa. Can ask for a better place to pop in for lunch if you are looking for bold fresh flavors (its nice to get out of the ho-hum lunchtime sandwich). I am going to be back likely weekly to sample the whole menu. read more

I so wanted to like this place, but if you get it delivered, beware. Copied directly from the menu: "Croquetas de Jamon Ham. Smoke ham and parsley that is bread and fried with a side of salad and side of cuban roll." I did not get a salad or a roll, just a sad lonely croqueta. "2 Papas Rellemas 2 Mash potatoes filled with seasoned ground beef coated with a crispy layer of bread crumbs and side salad espresso hot or cold alt." I did not get my espresso and the "salad" was some dry lettuce and cabbage under the potato balls, which were quite tasty. The empanada was not good; hard, dry, ice cold and hardly any filling. Bummer. read more

Caiman Cafe - "Papas Rellemas," which were tasty; one sad and lonely croqueta; and one rock hard, almost empty, ice cold empanada. - Cuban Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Awesome! The empanadas were amazing! Everything is made fresh and the assortment of fillings was fantastic.

I walked across town for this Cubano Sandwich. I was pretty disappointed. The ingredients were fine but nothing special. The key to a great Cuban sandwich is the bread. My sandwich was made with a commercial hoagie roll that had been compressed and toasted ( sort of). The reviews I read talked about the bread being amazing, this wasn't! The Tostones were great! The sandwich was ... Meh! At best. read more

Caiman Cafe - Cuban sandwich - Cuban Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Very disappointed in the Caiman Cafe and yelp.. As I entered the restaurant I noticed a sign saying the couch in front was broken, and much untidiness.. The person taking my order was devoid of a greeting.. There were no pleasantries.. The cook did muster a smile. I ordered huevos rancheros with two over medium eggs which were overcooked and solid.. the beans were cold.. I was the only customer so the cook was not rushed.. Just a few simple pleasantries, a store cleanup and little focus could turn this restaurant around. read more

We loved our coffee and our food! My wife had a Mexican mocha and I had a horchata latte. We shared chilaquiles and it was so good we had to order the pollo criollo to go. The owners are a couple and they take pride in their food and service! read more

Caiman Cafe - Chilaquiles - Cuban Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Such a cute, authentic new spot in town. Incredible espresso options, wide range menu & the sweetest owner, clearly very dedicated to her business & hustle. Everyone should stop by!!! read more

Caiman Cafe - Tacos & horchata latte - Cuban Near Me - Portland, Oregon

We went in for take out on a whim, I'm from Miami so I'm always on the look out for some good Cuban food. I ordered a lot so here's the break down Moros: AMAZING they killed it. All the flavors were there. It wasn't dry at all. They made it perfectly. Although, we're used to sort of a big portion, the portion given was less than a cup I'd say. It was so good, we just wanted more Yuca: It was good! The flavors aren't what I'm used too. The yuca was cooked well, but Cubans usually make it with a garlic mojo, so it was different. Papa rellena: WOWOWOWOWOW!!!! Killed it. Pan con lechón: It was really good!!! Fresh & filled with flavor Chicken empanada: ahhhhhh :( I wanted to love it but it was so dry, not even eatable. I feel like maybe it wasn't fresh? Or it was midday? I'd give it another shot Pork: FIRE, I wouldn't change anything Tostones: FIREEEEEE!!!! I'd def go back. I just know the yuca and empanada is something I'd skip other than that GO!!! read more

Cuban and Mexican foods. They have all nice and fresh stuffs. The owners are best service Guys, I highly recommend to try this cafe read more

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Got breakfast here and it was delicious. Friendly staff. Recommend the breakfast burrito. read more

Caiman Cafe - Latest menu - Cuban Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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The breakfast burrito was amazing, a Cuban Coffee, and wonderful people. Definitely recommend and it was priced very well.

First timer today. Food was excellent. Had the Cuban burrito, with red and green salsa. Took a pumpkin empanada to go. I got half way through the empanada and was having an experience! Reminded me of grandma's empanada's! Highly recommend read more

Caiman Cafe - Pumpkin Empanada - Cuban Near Me - Portland, Oregon

The food is fantastic and the service is even better! It was fresh and fast. Everything was flavorful with all the right spices. I can't wait to come back in the morning for one of their specialty coffees. read more

Caiman Cafe - Papas Rellemas. - Cuban Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Delicious food I come here every time I don't bring lunch to work. Service is great, family friendly staff is friendly and welcoming. Ambiance is nice read more

Walking distance from where I was staying with excellent service. I had the breakfast sandwich and mango juice. Yummy! read more

Caiman Cafe - Walking distance from where I was staying with excellent service. I had the breakfast sandwich and mango juice. Yummy! - Cuban Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Great cubanos ($15) and empanadas ($4.50). We tried the lemon and cream cheese empanada and it was excellent, looking forward to the guava one next time. read more

I recently moved to Portland, Oregon from Miami, Florida. After a recent search for Cuban food in Portland, Caiman Cafe came up first. As both curious and a Cuban, I checked it out earlier today at 9:30am. I ordered: 1) Cafe con leche (16 oz): delicious! 2) Pastelitos: none were made 3) Empanadas: none were made 4) Croquetas de jamon (2): delicious! The staff was very friendly, conversed with me in both English and Spanish, welcomed me to return for dinner specials, and later in the day when my "none were made" attempted orders would be available. I was ensured their Cuban sandwich and moros con christianos (the latter are hard to find) are not to be missed. I'll try those next time. I do intend to return, but later in the day when all menu items are available. read more

This place is sooooo good! I come here as often as humanly possibly. The food is full of flavor and so authentic. Sometimes the wait can be a little longer than you would expect but it is not super long by any means and totally worth it. Highly recommend! read more

Family owned restaurant in Columbia Square building. They have fresh and super tasty Cuban & Mexican food. Pastries are so good. Get the sándwich cubano. read more

I work in the building where this place is located! The staff is wonderful and the food is amazing!! I love swinging down and grabbing a churro. Always fresh and warm! The gal there is a doll and is super passionate about the business. Always get there early because they sell out fast since their food is delicious! read more