Nuestra Cocina

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2135 Se Division St, Portland, OR 97202
Portland, OR 97202

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(503) 232-2135
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Nuestra Cocina - Portland, OR
Nuestra Cocina - Portland, OR
Reviews
( 37 )
( 13 )
( 10 )
( 5 )
( 2 )

Best

I love this place. The food is not just good, its imaginative and great. Drinks are excellent, too. Tequila, mango and hot chili flavored beverages compliment the food. Great p...

Worst

Tried a neighborhood recommendation last week and while it has unique fresh food you can't help but be soured by a host with no interest in really seeing where you order is as th...

Avoid anytime they tell you a 45 minute wait or more... 8/18/2006

Though I have always enjoyed my meals here, I totally agree that the hostess can be a deterrent to making one feel welcome at Nuestra Cocina. Pros: Thumbs up regarding the food. We've never had a bad meal. more
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Didn't even make it in the door. 7/21/2006

Called to see if we should even try to get in before an 8 o'clock show and the hostess was rude. She said we could probably sit at the bar but couldn't guarantee anything. It was as if she didn't even care. Too bad because I had a good meal there last week and wanted to take friends. Obviously, success has gone to her head. Pros: good food Cons: terrible attitude more
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It fails the fish test 7/18/2006

A good restaurant knows how to cook fish well. Nuestra Cocina fails the fish test. My family had had a somewhat mixed experience there a few months ago, so we decided to give it a second try. Bad idea. My shrimp was charred black, rubbery and flavorless. My son's sturgeon was overcooked and dry. Our seviche was a weird, minced mixture in which the fish, if there actually was any, was tasteless and unidentifiable. Two bright spots were the tortillas -- fresh, soft and flavorful -- and the desserts. We ate on the patio, where the music was so loud we couldn't hear ourselves talk. We all agreed this was our last visit to Nuestra Cocina. Pros: Tortillas, desserts Cons: Most of the food, ambience more
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One of the best restaurants in Portland by far! 5/24/2006

Absolutely wonderful food and an exciting place to be. We always sit at the bar and watch the food being prepared by the chefs. It's a fun place to be and the tortillas are authentic, the seafood and veggies always fresh. Love this place! Pros: flavors of food, upbeat ambience, tortillas (yum) Cons: a little expensive more
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Overpriced Yuppie Central 4/20/2006

I was shocked by how bad Nuestra Cocina was after reading the reviews on this site. It's extremely overpriced ($9 for a "main course dish" or black beans with peppers jammed between two cookie-sized tortillas), and the atmosphere is lacking. Most main course dishes here are $12-16 - which is acceptable at a fancy restaurant, but not at a low-rent bistro where the waitresses wear jean cut-off skirts and the waiters t-shirts. The floor is cement, and there is virtually no decor or vibe. The place is also filled with yuppies who are apparently willing to pay $15 for tiny, undercooked meal portions. Cons: Expensive, No Decor, Small Portions more
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Yum-o! 2/15/2006

Amazing food at reasonable price. Spicy margaritas and freshly made tortillas are to die for! Pros: food Cons: too small, no reservations more
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Disappointed 2/14/2006

WOW! Always a LONG wait to get in and still the food is average. It is a disappointment. The place has great potential, but everything does not line up. Long wait. average host service. Some food has excellent parts, but are paired with below average on the same plate. Most recently went for a b-day dinner. With 3 couples we ordered everything on the menu. No plate was 100% acceptable. Way too salty, not enough salt, too cold, no spicy. No one liked any of it. I keep wanting to like the place, but every mouth full is a worry. Cons: parking, no reservations, value more
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Bad Hostess 2/2/2006

Several of my co-workers have taken clients to Nuestra Cocina & swear by the food. I thought I would give it a try and see what the fuss was about. Pros: food Cons: hostess, management more
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Perfecto! 12/17/2005

Nuestra Cocina provides a unique experience if you sit at the kitchen bar. You can socialize with the chefs as they prepare your dinner. The food is rich and wonderfully prepared. The wait can be long - come prepared to enjoy a margarita while waiting on their outdoor patio. The menu is simple and changes slightly with the season, but each item is delicious. more
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Nuestra Clos-ina 11/20/2005

We were indeed looking forward to our well-planned evening at this restaurant, after reading so many enthusiastic reviews. Unfortunately, after battling parking and wintery wind in this urban neighborhood, we found the restaurant CLOSED. more
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Okay, but over rated 11/8/2005

After seeing Nuestra Cocina listed in Portland Monthly as one of the two best Mexican restaurants in town, we immediately went to try it out. It was prime time and we had to wait an hour for a table. But even in the autumn the covered, outside seating area with space heaters was pleasant. As others have said, the appetizers and drinks were good enough, but all six in our group agreed the main courses were bland and nothing special for the price. I also thought it was a little miserly to charge us for tortilla chips - though they were fantastic. The desserts were fabulous. Pros: Desserts, Location, Outdoor seating Cons: Over priced, Bland, Long wait more
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Best Margaritas 10/12/2005

the hot pepper margaritas are to die for! Will be back! Pros: great atmosphere Cons: over priced more
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Amazing Mexican food 8/27/2005

The food and drinks are always excellent here. Also the wait staff are great as well. Favorites are the specials, margaritas, sangria and the hot tortillas...Can be a bit pricey for what you get, you won't leave here "stuffed". But we've always been happy. Can't get enough of those home made tortillas. Pros: fresh food, drinks, service more
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Amazing Night 8/8/2005

It was a perfect place for us as we were not in a hurry, and the wait staff let us take our time. The margaritas were terrific (both the traditional and the spicy were great), as were the food (two appetizers and we split a main course) and ambience. We sat above the kitchen, watching them prepare the food, and it was a real treat. Will go back as often as time allows... Pros: Margaritas, Appetizers, Pace Cons: none more
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Amazing Appetizers 8/2/2005

Nuestra Cocina has the most amazing appetizers, margaritas and sangria I have ever had. From the Black Bean Chorizo to the Pulled Pork Tacos, everything we sampled on the menu was delicious. The Margaritas are outstanding, flavorful and fresh, and the Sangria is refreshingly complex. We ordered three desserts all of which were wonderful. Pros: Amazing Appetizers, Margaritas, Atmosphere Cons: None, None, None more
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The Best Around 7/27/2005

We couldn't ask for a better place. Although the food is upscale and absolutely delicious, the atmosphere is casual and comfortable. Nuestra has the best Mojitos in town! Very refreshing on their patio on a summer evening. The price is right as well, we had appetizers, 2 drinks each, and 2 dinners for around $50. Everything was melt in mouth fabulous. Pros: Great drinks, Yummy Food, Nice atmosphere Cons: None, None, None more
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Terrible service experience, good food 7/22/2005

The atmosphere is enjoyable, and the food is better than average, though certainly not fantastic. The service was initially friendly, but quickly soured when we were charged for a fish item more expensive than the one we had ordered. Our server told us that we had been served the more expensive one, but acknowledged that she brought us the wrong dish. Instead of charging us for our initial order, the manager refused to change the bill and essentially accused us of trying to steal a meal. The owner eventually came to our table and half-heartedly apologized, but not before suggesting that I was out of line. Needless to say, that will be my first and last visit to Nuestra Cocina. Pros: Good food, Outdoor seating Cons: Slow service, Poor management more
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My favorite Mexican restaurant in Portland 7/2/2005

We live nearby and have gone often to NC--it has subtle, authentic (for Pdx) Mexican food and friendly service. We've noticed the lines get pretty awful by 7 on Fri and Sat nights though so be warned. more
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Go for the apps & drinks 4/23/2005

We were curious why all of the tables surrounding us were only ordering appetizers and once our entrees came we knew. Don't get us wrong-the entrees were good. But the appetizers were amazing-A-MA-ZING. Try the masa cakes filled with chorizo and black beans or the shredded pork-filled (house-made) tortillas. Apps are cheaper too. Then the margaritas are great-try the chile infused tequila. You can keep your bill down and enjoy better food by coming just for appetizers and drinks. Pros: flavors, price, service more
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You're out of here 4/17/2005

We had a great meal at Nuestra Cocina from start to finish. However, our server, while pleasant and prompt, put a damper on things by being too eager to get us out the door. She took my husband's plate away while he was chewing his last bite, handed him the dessert menu while I was still eating my dinner, and put the bill on the table one second after she brought him a cup of coffee. We weren't lingerers, either: We ordered immediately and had a movie to get to, so we had no desire to stay all night. more
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Menu for Nuestra Cocina


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Owner Message

  • Nuestra Cocina, translated simply as "Our Kitchen," invites patrons to experience fresh, authentic flavors of Mexico with recipes that have been passed down through generations.

    Featuring exquisitely simple dishes from Central Mexico, with flavors from Oaxaca, Yucatan and Vera Cruz, this delightful and unique cuisine can be enjoyed in the restaurant, which features beautiful mosaic tile, or outdoors on the patio.

Editorial

  • In Short
    Red and green hues blend seamlessly with one mosaic wall. An open stainless steel kitchen features a bar where regulars watch the preparation of homemade corn tortillas. Others...

  • 3/27/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Tue-Sat: 5pm-10pm
  • Payments: Master Card, Discover, American Express, Visa
  • Neighborhoods: Hosford - Abernethy, Southeast Uplift Neighborhood Program
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