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LaChona

4.6 (100 reviews)
Closed • 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM
Updated 2 months ago

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Fries and 2 empanada platter
Connie C.

Do you want a quiet, casual, and lovely evening...free from loud patrons and screaming children? Then LaChona is the perfect place for a ladies happy hour! I love this place and the flaky fresh empanadas are to die for! You will find them nowhere else in Portland. It was nice that they have the empanada plate that came with fries and 2 empanadas for about $20. The wine is good, but this time I didn't have a glass. We loved the quiet space. Pro tip, make a reservation on Open Table to ensure you have your own table! In the summer they have outside seats so that will be nice for a warm evening.

Brianna H.

I went here with my partner and baby brother not too long ago: The restaurant itself is very cute and stylish. The service was slow but it was pretty busy, so understandable. The meal itself was okay, but it could very well be the dish I ordered!

Wine dispenser
Jelynda L.

This is a must try! The environment is elegant, modern yet cozy. Next, the greeter / server Anne C. Is an absolute delight! Finally, the food and wine experience is like nothing I've personally had. Nothing compares with the flavors of the Empanadas- we tried the spicy chicken (which is Not spicy!), criolla (ordered a second one after our first was scarfed down) and the special of the day- a take on the Big Mac. The dough is a perfect blend that resembles a combination of bread, pizza crust and puff pastry. The restaurant is owned by an Argentinian family who also run a vineyard there so all wines originate from there. (4 out of 5 stars because the portions do not match the prices.)

Wine flights
Dana B.

I first discovered LaChona when my husband brought home a sampling of empanadas for us to try maybe a year or two ago. Then, Yelp had an event where I was able to experience LaChona in person and I had such a good experience that I'd been looking forward to returning with my husband for a date night and this review is for that night. We arrived just after 7pm on a gray/cloudy/rainy Saturday evening (Oregon summer), which honestly just added to the ambiance and cozy vibes. We were greeted by friendly faces and promptly seated at a table upstairs on the mezzanine. There were several other tables seated both upstairs and downstairs but it wasn't crowded. We had the Papas Rústica to start which were hot, fresh and perfectly seasoned, accompanied by a glass of wine, the Grand Reserva Pinot Noir, which is so good. It's smooth, but bolder than most Pinots I've had, with a touch of smokiness & a bit of spice. It's a perfect companion to fries and empanadas. We also enjoyed the ensalada which was beautiful, bright & fresh, super refreshing. While fries, salad and wine is perfect trio, we didn't stop there. We ordered several empanadas, two of each, one for each of us and we asked for chimichurri on the side which is the perfect accompaniment. Surprisingly our favorite empanadas were the veggie ones - the spinach & broccoli - because they were so flavorful! Other highlights are the spicy chicken and the beef. I'm looking forward to my next visit and trying some of the wine flights.

Espresso martini
Kim G.

We enjoyed a lovely prefixed dinner here on NYE. When we signed up for the wine and dinner pairing, I assumed it was a group dinner but it was just a menu option for anyone dining that evening. We decided to stick with our original plan and went for it. To start, they served us a full glass of rose and brought out bruschetta. One topped with mushrooms, the other proscuitto, Brie and pear. They were both delicious and a great way to start the meal. Next came empanadas. We each ordered a different flavor - sweet beef, chorizo, spinach & cheese, corn - and then shared them so we could try them all. Honestly, they were all delicious! I'd come back just for these! The salad was basic, but had a nice balsamic vinaigrette which served as a pallette cleanser before the main course arrived. The marinated skirt steak was cooked perfectly and had a lot of flavor, even more so when topped with the fresh chimichuri. Served with mashed potatoes and asparagus, we all brought half home. Of the red wines served, I liked the Cab Franc best. My only complaint is the 2 oz pours were not enough to enjoy with the meal. Maybe for the appetizers, but for the main course, I wish they would have been more generous. The meal ended with ice cream dulce de Leche and was very good. This was paired with an delicious espresso martini. It kept me up until 3am - yikes - so I'll have to pass on that next time even though it was fantastic. Located in the new strip mall at the intersection of Cornell and Stalzman (CVS is the most visible store) LaChona is a great addition to this area. My doctor's office is nearby and I will definitely stop in for empanadas when in the area. Wait staff was so friendly and helpful.

Mary C.

Really cool relaxed vibe. Kim was delightful! Give her a raise, especially for the 20 some steps she needs to climb to serve the upstairs area. Our table enjoyed a bottle of the Grenache/Pinot Rosé (it was delicious and easy drinking). If you like your Rosè dry go with the Malbec Rosè. We loved Abuela Chona & Espinaca Empanadas. The chicken was our least favorite. For dessert we enjoyed the Alfajor, it was decent but I'd try something else on the next pass. The waffle fries - Mehh! I think the waffle fries at Chick-fil-a are better. I wouldn't order them again. I'd love to go back and try their brunch or enjoy the space during the summer and sit outside. Located in the Milltowner Shopping Center

Abuela Empanada
Nancy T.

Service was very friendly and quick. Food was decent but not amazing. We each had the soup and empanada combo. The Chicken noodle soup was pretty good, but could have used a touch more seasoning. My chorizo empanada was good but a little too salty. Husband had the chicken empanada and said it was very good. We also split an abuelo empanada which was pretty good. We finished with an alfajores (cookie sandwich with dulce de leche in the middle). First time trying, and I thought it was very good. Would go well with a nice cup of tea or coffee.

Brownie
Morgan H.

This place was so good I forgot to take photos until the end! My glass of Malbec was delicious and we got two empanadas each (I got the Albuela Chona and the Sweet Beef - the sweet beef was so good I wanted a second) and the desserts were homemade and delicious. Service was good, a little slow but there was a big party. Inside is cozy with lots of seating options. And dogs are welcome inside if they're well behaved!

Nico B.

I've had a few lovely glasses of wine here, but for me... it's all about the delicious empanadas! Oh my goodness, these empanadas are remarkable. Handmade, beautiful, and incredibly flavorful, La Chona offers a wide variety of recipes to sample. My favorite empanada to date is the chorizo, which includes pork, beef and sweet potato filling. A close second would be the spicy chicken consisting of shredded chicken and a ghost pepper sauce. I've never eaten anything with ghost pepper, but the server assured me it was a subtle heat due to the long cooking process. She was absolutely right, it was just the right amount of heat. These empanadas are works of art. Handcrafted by an employee who has worked with the company for many years, the pastry crust is buttery, flakey, and has a gorgeous sheen to the exterior shell. There are a number of tapas to choose from on the menu, but the empanadas are the star of the show. My suggestion would be to order an empanada that appeals to you, then either a charcuterie board or a fruit, cheese and cracker board. The prices are very fair, considering the quality of ingredients and portion size. I'm a fan! I'll be returning to La Chona to spend time with friends and family in the future. The restaurant is situated in a bright, open and contemporary space with lots of seating options both on the main floor and in the loft above. The space is filled with gorgeous, handmade tables and benches, as well as remarkable artwork that makes an impact in the vast space above the dining room.

Building
Tony A.

Stopped by for lunch with my family on a rainy Friday, a couple of days before Christmas. Ample parking surrounding the building. We were promptly greeted and seated by Nudy who was super friendly. Her mom is also the cook. We were the only patrons and got all the attention. First impression - great ambiance, lovely Argentinian background music to set the mood, beautiful decor and furniture. Bathrooms were super clean too. We ordered a variety of the $8.5 empanadas, I.e. the Abuela Chona (Ground Beef, egg, potato); The Chorizo ( pork, beef, sweet, potato); The Pollo Spicy (Chicken Breast, Veggies, Ghost Pepper), Lentil soup. The Abuela Chona was my favorite. It was delicious. The flavors were perfect. Even though the Pollo Spicy comes with Ghost Pepper, its spice level is mild but you get the spice kick. Loved it. You gotta try the lentil soup, it was refreshing. Overall, great visit and I'll be back for more.

Christina N.

This hidden gem (unfortunately, a little hidden from the main road) deserves way more attention! I stumbled upon Lachona while in the Cedar Mills area, and now I'm already planning my next visit--and even daydreaming about booking a flight to Argentina. The empanadas were absolutely incredible! We ordered the Criolla, Humita, Sweet Beef, Abuela Chona, and the banana/nutella wrapped in puff pastry- all were delicious! Kim was amazing, helping us choose the perfect dishes and wine/drinks. The chorizo sausage and cheese wrapped in pastry puff is a must-try!

CPT Curtin (Ret) and I relaxing away from our beautiful families. Try them all!
Todd P.

I already rated this as excellent in Google but here it goes. Bottom line, an excellent place for food and atmosphere, especially upstairs. Don't be in a hurry when you come here as at least one or two employees called out that day and the owner had to serve us. She is super friendly and knowledgeable, and obviously cares very much about her place of business as well as her customers' experience. I live in California and was here visiting a close friend and I would definitely come back.

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2 months ago

Yummy little argetine spot with fresh empanadas! I got the spicy chicken and the beef with olives. Very good.

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5 months ago

Great dessert and drinks, cozy environment and respectful service. Enjoyed spending time with family there

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9 months ago

It's interesting, good atmosphere. Pricy though, but we enjoyed lunch there. Might be also would go for wine at the evening

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1 year ago

The owner greeted us. Really nice. Then the waitress helped us choose our meals. They were delicious. I will be back.

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