The food was great, our party of 5 all got something different and we all enjoyed our food…read more Service was excellent!

First of all, the staff and service here is always impeccable. They are so nice and welcoming!…read more Pambiche is a Portland staple imo and before I get into the food I have to say that Pambiche has the best flan I've ever had in my life hands down, forever and always. I don't know what they do to make it so rich and creamy but it is heavenly. One time I ordered it and it was definitely burnt/overcooked but other than that, it has never missed. Onto the food, everything is delicious. I swear on my life the portions used to be a lot larger. I remember it got to the point where you felt sick if you ate your whole plate. I used to be able to eat a lot a lot and I'd always have leftovers from here, but I noticed that even though I can only eat 1/3 of what I used to, I could probably still finish my plate. I know it's likely inflation, but man, Portland has changed a lot.

This food was the bomb! My Union Rep Anna ordered lunch in for our team today! I had never heard…read moreof this restaurant. It was really good! I had the chicken bowl. It had brown rice, black beans, marinated shredded chicken, fresh mango and avocado. I ordered the plantations on the side. I will definitely go check out the restaurant and tell my friends about it!

Stopped in for a quick bite and cocktail. Cute little spot with indoor and outdoor seating you…read moreorder at the counter. We shared the Cuban sandwich with sweet potato fries added a margarita and a beer.. the sandwich was good a little on the dry side tho..I'd probably stop in again and try something else if I was in the area just to give it another shot.

Our first time here. Stopped in for pre-drinks before going out for the night. Drinks were yummy…read more Our server was great! The ambiance is chill, very modern 70s retro kinda vibe. I'll be back to try their food.

Came here for drinks…read more Pros Great selection of drinks and almost all of them can be made spirit free A decent selection of alcohol free drinks Enjoyed our drinks Good service Cons: Guacamole with peanuts, blue corn chips and plantain chips fell flat. The guac itself just didn't taste good to me. I'm an adventurous eater and like new things, but the peanuts on top of the guac didn't do anything for me. The Corn chips were crispy when bitten into, but very hard and chewy afterwards. I wouldn't seek coming really like to come back and try other food.

I grew up in Tampa, FL my whole life, the city where the cuban sandwich was likely created. Its the…read moreonly sandwich i'd order and after having the cuban sandwich here? Its one of the best cubans ive gotten to enjoy. The service was so amazing aswell and the Hawthorne asylum night life is awesome. i'll def be back once im moved out here.

What you get for $16 is a substantial full flavored plate of food. Well balanced with a cabbage…read moresalad, Cuban rice, a large heap of seasoned shredded beef, and 2 fried plantains. The flavors perfectly melded together....if this is Cuban food, I wanna visit Havana. The sweet fried plantains were an excellent finish to the complete meal. The portion size would have been gut-busting for one person but just right as a light lunch for me and my better half . Service was friendly & quick, even during the busy weekend lunch rush. It's in the roomy food cart pod at Mcloughlin & Holgate. This place is definitely worth a revisit to try the supposedly "best Cuban sandwich in town!"

Delicious food, uplifting and colorful tropical decor, and friendly staff in a cute neighborhood…read more I enjoyed everything about my experience at En Vida. I walked over from the Airbnb I was staying and because I was there in an in-between lunch and dinner time, I had the place to myself. I started with an arepa and maduros and a very pretty and delicious mocktail. The arepa was one of the best I ever had. The maduros were cooked perfectly though I wish they were a little more ripe to render more sweetness. I also got the pulpo special (it was the last day this dish was going to be on the menu) and it was one leg of an octopus grilled perfectly, accompanied by a salsa verde and fried puffed potatoes that all paired beautifully together. I also got a medianoche to go so I could enjoy it for breakfast the next two days. You know it's an amazing medianoche when the grilled bread is still crispy, the meat is utterly tender and flavorful - even eating it cold a day and two later. If I can make it back to En Vida again before I go back home, I absolutely will. You should, too!

Enticed by all the good reviews for this place and a hankering for Latin American food, I needed to…read morecheck them out. They're quiet on a Friday afternoon. Their space is very colorful and has a lot of fun energy. Their menu is pretty focused but the items all sound very tasty. We went with an Empanada of the day, The Cubano, and the Bandeja. Their focused menu certainly paid off when you see how fresh and well-executed their dishes were. The empanada of the day was a mushroom and cheese. It's made fresh so the cheese was nice and gooey. Their crust is different from what I'm used to. It seems to be a mix of maize and cornmeal rather than flour. I think it gave a nice crunchy crust and slightly chewy inside. A bit small for the price though. The Cubano was again made fresh. Bread was nice and crispy. Inside was filled with hearty meat and cheese. A solid sandwich, especially when paired with their pico de gallo. The start of the meal was easily the Bandeja. You can choose between chicken and flat iron steak for the Bandeja; we went with the steak and we weren't disappointed. It's cooked medium-rare, making the steak super tender. The outside crust was well-seasoned and flavorful. The Plato came with a lot of other tasty things like a perfect over-easy egg, rice and beans, avocado, and the best chicharron I've had. It's small but packed a punch. The outside was crispy all around while the fat layer was still melt-in-your-mouth soft. This dish had everything, perfect for sharing. The staff were attentive and friendly. Happy hour is from 3-5PM on weekdays. All in all, we had an amazing meal and will be spreading the word of their goodness for sure.

i came here with my friend who loves this place. she was hyping it up and i am happy to say it did…read morenot disappoint. they have a ton of outdoor and indoor spacing, and it feels very open. you bus your own table and there's a water/sauce/utensils station. you order at the counter before seating yourself. we came during happy hour. i got 2 half sandwiches for $16 and i thought this was a great deal. the flavors were delicious and i love the texture of their bread. they put a lot of meat in the sandwich too. i also love that they have a ton of side options, and the cocktails are all $8 no matter which cocktail you get. my coconut daiquiri was everything i could've asked for. it was so refreshing and the flavor was strong. i would definitely come back here and i especially recommend going during happy hour.

My daughter had been to Cubo earlier this spring and suggested we try it. She and I happened to be…read morein the area together around lunchtime a couple of weeks ago, and I'm so glad we were! There were so many dishes I wanted to try, but I decided to try their special of the day, the Vaca Fritto Bowl. This was a great decision because it had a little bit of everything-- sweet and savory. Everything in the bowl was delicious, with the flavors and textures complementing each other. I was super excited to get to try the tostones without giving up the maduros. Our family always ordered the maduros at a favorite San Francisco place in the Haight, and I've always wanted to try the tostones. With the bowl, I didn't have to decide, which was awesome because both were fabulous. The avocado was perfectly ripe, as was the mango. There was ample seating inside and outside with a colorful and festive vibe. I look forward to returning and bringing my lobster.

Lechon in Portland was a standout from start to finish. I started with the Patagonia Drift, a…read morebeautiful balanced cocktail that set the tone for the evening. The scallops were the best in class: perfectly seared with a golden crust, sweet and tender inside, and sitting in a creamy, flavorful polenta. I'd go back just for them. The rest of the meal kept up. The foraged mushrooms came with a crispy brioche toast, a runny farm egg, shaved Parmesan, and a savory onion purée. It was rich and earthy, and it took me right back to San Sebastián. The grilled octopus was overcooked, but I was still on cloud 9 with the scallop dish. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, a great setting for a relaxed dinner with creative cocktails and shareable plates. The food was excellent across the board.

Had a fantastic evening here with amazing food! The service was impeccable, ambiance perfect for a…read morewonderful date night. What we ordered and recommend: SHRIMP CEVICHE GRILLED OCTOPUS SHAVED JICAMA SALAD SNAKE RIVER FARMS FLANK STEAK w/BACON-JALAPENO JAM Everything was so delicious!

Absolutely wow'd by this place. Got in at 8pm on a Saturday w/ no reservation. We were sat in the…read morebar/lounge which had an amazing atmosphere. Soft guitar players, benches and a fireplace. We had GREAT COCKTAILS and then some things tk share from the season menu: Ceviche Ahai with avocado - to die for Goat cheese and strawberry Salad - delicious and a generous portion Chicken skewer - this was unreal - I rarely order chicken at a restaurant but I'm so glad I did Ravioli - rabbit, corn and cheese - pretty good - not the best thing we ate but it was fine. The service was great to boot Highly recommended and I look forward to coming back for the new menus.

Came here tonight while in town and it was great. Loved the cozy ambiance and the food had such…read moregreat flavors. Don't miss the ribs and the Lomo Saltado was flavorful. Ari was our server and she was great.

Got breakfast here since it was right across the street from my hotel. The menu isn't that big, but…read morestill had some good options and a variety of empanadas. I went with the Huevos Rancheros and really enjoyed them, especially the salsa molcajete on top, I would've bottled that and brought it back home if I could. The cafe had a handful of tables inside and two outside, but I opted for my food to go.

Stopped in for a quick sandwich and an espresso while we were walkin back to our hotel. Seems like…read morea 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

I tried Cuban food for the first time at Que Bola and I'm hooked! The For Beginners entree is a…read moregreat way to sample multiple dishes and figure out what you like! The For Beginners entree gives you a taste of the roasted pork (pretty great), steak (amazing), yucca (I'll pass next time), ripe plantains (YASSSSS), grilled chicken (meh), rice (buttery and delicious) and black beans (more soup y but very tasty). I'm definitely coming back and focusing on more Cuban food in general!

Excellent Cuban sandwich. Since I haven't had one in Cuba or South beach, I'm assuming this was the…read moremost authentic Cuban I've had. Just amazing. One other thing, the plantains are the best I have ever had, period! I'd drive here just to get a side of them. The person working doesn't speak much English, so be ready to order when you get there. No questions.