Que Pasa Cantina

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1408 Se 12th Ave (at Southeast Madison Street)
Portland, OR 97214

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(503) 230-9212
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Que Pasa Cantina - Portland, OR
Que Pasa Cantina - Portland, OR
Que Pasa Cantina - Portland, OR
Que Pasa Cantina - Portland, OR
Que Pasa Cantina - Portland, OR
Que Pasa Cantina - Portland, OR
Que Pasa Cantina - Portland, OR
Reviews
( 105 )
( 10 )
( 20 )
( 14 )
( 10 )

Best

Loved it. The person I went to dinner with also loved her meal. The chocolate dessert (perfect for two people) was to die for! It is our new favorite restaurant.

Worst

Great food and atmosphere, but I don't think they put any alcohol in their margaritas. $7.50 for a non-alcoholic margarita?

Eh. 2/28/2008

The margarita got me drunk, but everything else was just so-so. None of the people I went with have wanted to return despite the friendly service and capacity for large groups. The food is just not that good, and teeters between bland and non-authentic. Totally, eh. more
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Not dissapointed, but not too impressed 1/4/2008

Great location. Atmosphere is very cozy and rustic. Outstanding patio (with blessed heat lamps). Unless you snag the patio or one offset section I would not recommend this place for larger groups, or children for that matter. The venue is rather small and quick to feel cramp. Food was good. Very flavorful and fresh tasting. The service would most likely be better (faster and more personable) if they were properly staffed. The margaritas were awesome except for one minor detail: skimpy shots. We watched the bar tender poor partial shots the entire time we were there. Oh, and what's the deal with charging for chips and salsa? I felt offended. And P.S. ""Parking Lot"" means two spaces and a handicap spot. Pros: Good food, great atmosphere, little pieces of gum with your check Cons: Weak drinks, non-complimentary chips and salsa, mediocore service more
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Not dissapointed, but not too impressed 1/4/2008

Great location. Atmosphere is very cozy and rustic. Outstanding patio (with blessed heat lamps). Unless you snag the patio or one offset section I would not recommend this place for larger groups, or children for that matter. The venue is rather small and quick to feel cramp. Food was good. Very flavorful and fresh tasting. The service would most likely be better (faster and more personable) if they were properly staffed. The margaritas were awesome except for one minor detail: skimpy shots. We watched the bar tender poor partial shots the entire time we were there. Oh, and what's the deal with charging for chips and salsa? I felt offended. And P.S. "Parking Lot" means two spaces and a handicap spot. Pros: Good food, great atmosphere, little pieces of gum with your check Cons: Weak drinks, non-complimentary chips and salsa, mediocore service more
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Very pleasant owner and great food/drinks 12/8/2007

I love this little restaurant. I love how pleasant the owner is and how great the food tastes. I always order a drink which comes right away, and soon after your food arrives. Very tasty. Pros: Great deal and great service Cons: Sometimes you have to wait for a table because this place is great! more
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Very pleasant owner and great food/drinks 12/8/2007

I love this little restaurant. I love how pleasant the owner is and how great the food tastes. I always order a drink which comes right away, and soon after your food arrives. Very tasty. Pros: Great deal and great service Cons: Sometimes you have to wait for a table because this place is great! more
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Do not eat here 11/28/2007

I have lived in Portland for eleven years and this is the WORST Portland restaurant experience I have ever had. Horrible service, food orders incorrect, long wait, unaccomodating wait staff, and once the food finally arrived, it was lukewarm and tasted like something I could have microwaved at home. I will, however, recommend the margaritas...they were the only thing that got me through this nightmare evening. more
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Do not eat here 11/28/2007

I have lived in Portland for eleven years and this is the WORST Portland restaurant experience I have ever had. Horrible service, food orders incorrect, long wait, unaccomodating wait staff, and once the food finally arrived, it was lukewarm and tasted like something I could have microwaved at home. I will, however, recommend the margaritas...they were the only thing that got me through this nightmare evening. more
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Good, But Not Great 10/27/2007

Very cozy atmosphere.. cool ambience! Food was ok. I would definitely not say it's the best mexican in portland. Taquitos were good, but the meat with all dried out on the ends. Avocados in guac were not ripe and had a funny taste to them. Really good house salad, with the vinegarette dressing. Pros: Fast Service Cons: Very small space more
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Good, But Not Great 10/27/2007

Very cozy atmosphere.. cool ambience! Food was ok. I would definitely not say it's the best mexican in portland. Taquitos were good, but the meat with all dried out on the ends. Avocados in guac were not ripe and had a funny taste to them. Really good house salad, with the vinegarette dressing. Pros: Fast Service Cons: Very small space more
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Good Week night eat 10/19/2007

Food is really good, they have a creative menu and several tasty specials. Service is normally pretty good but had one bad experience. Normally a long wait on the weekends and they have trouble with seating well. It is a rising star and if they fix their turnover and serving problems they might win best Portland restaurant soon. Pros: really good food, average pricing, good outdoor dinging Cons: bad ambience and bad service more
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Good Week night eat 10/19/2007

Food is really good, they have a creative menu and several tasty specials. Service is normally pretty good but had one bad experience. Normally a long wait on the weekends and they have trouble with seating well. It is a rising star and if they fix their turnover and serving problems they might win best Portland restaurant soon. Pros: really good food, average pricing, good outdoor dinging Cons: bad ambience and bad service more
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Hello Cheese! 9/20/2007

I love Mexican food and am always searching out the next best Mexican restaurants, so, naturally Aqui was a place I needed to check out. Parking was a bit hard to come by... The ambience was awesome, we got to sit outside on the screened in patio- Service was a bit dodgy- one guy appeared to be serving every table in the place.. The raspberry margarita was excellent. They charge you for chips/salsa, which is annoying because most Mexican restaurants give them to you free... The enchilada casserole was excellent. I ordered the bean burrito which had great taste, but too much cheese- so, if you order it, you might want to consider asking for less cheese. I think it would have even been fine with no cheese. Pros: Outdoor seating, Margaritas Cons: Parking more
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Hello Cheese! 9/20/2007

I love Mexican food and am always searching out the next best Mexican restaurants, so, naturally Aqui was a place I needed to check out. Parking was a bit hard to come by... The ambience was awesome, we got to sit outside on the screened in patio- Service was a bit dodgy- one guy appeared to be serving every table in the place.. The raspberry margarita was excellent. They charge you for chips/salsa, which is annoying because most Mexican restaurants give them to you free... The enchilada casserole was excellent. I ordered the bean burrito which had great taste, but too much cheese- so, if you order it, you might want to consider asking for less cheese. I think it would have even been fine with no cheese. Pros: Outdoor seating, Margaritas Cons: Parking more
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So so mexi if your palette cannot do flavor 8/11/2007

The first time I had gone to Aqui was over a year ago, and I thought it was pretty good. I've been back several times since then and cannot seem to find an entre that really moves me. I went again last night and had probably the most flavorless pork tacos I've ever had in my life. The beans and rice are pretty bland, so needless to say its a disappointment compared to what I remember it being the first few times I've gone. The enchilada casserole portion size has decreased, which for me is ok, since I am not a big person. All in all the food is mediocre, a bit on the flavorless side, but the chips are good and the food is average in price compared to many other places in town. If you are going with people who don't do spicy or super flavorful food, then this is a good bet. If you are looking for that delicious, addictive mexican that makes you dream about it later, then don't bother here. Pros: Decent prices, good chips Cons: A bit bland more
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So so mexi if your palette cannot do flavor 8/11/2007

The first time I had gone to Aqui was over a year ago, and I thought it was pretty good. I've been back several times since then and cannot seem to find an entre that really moves me. I went again last night and had probably the most flavorless pork tacos I've ever had in my life. The beans and rice are pretty bland, so needless to say its a disappointment compared to what I remember it being the first few times I've gone. The enchilada casserole portion size has decreased, which for me is ok, since I am not a big person. All in all the food is mediocre, a bit on the flavorless side, but the chips are good and the food is average in price compared to many other places in town. If you are going with people who don't do spicy or super flavorful food, then this is a good bet. If you are looking for that delicious, addictive mexican that makes you dream about it later, then don't bother here. Pros: Decent prices, good chips Cons: A bit bland more
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MMMMM Taco's 8/4/2007

Atmosphere, staff, food.........everything is very tasty. Soon to be packed with the immergance of the beermuda triangle, get it while you can. more
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MMMMM Taco's 8/4/2007

Atmosphere, staff, food.........everything is very tasty. Soon to be packed with the immergance of the beermuda triangle, get it while you can. more
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Very Good 6/24/2007

It's really hard to find good mexican food in Portland. It's just not the same when you've had it in the south, and even the midwest. However, for Portland Aqui is very good and has terrific flavors. The atmosphere is adorable and the staff is very friendly. The only thing I would suggest is homemade salsa to go with their great seasoned chips. Always a pleasure, and always satisfied. more
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Very Good 6/24/2007

It's really hard to find good mexican food in Portland. It's just not the same when you've had it in the south, and even the midwest. However, for Portland Aqui is very good and has terrific flavors. The atmosphere is adorable and the staff is very friendly. The only thing I would suggest is homemade salsa to go with their great seasoned chips. Always a pleasure, and always satisfied. more
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Best Mexican Food. 4/19/2007

Best Mexican food in the city., probably one of the best Mexican restaurants in the country. Try it out everything is great, my favorite is the house burrito with carne asade. Pros: Best Mexican food in the city Cons: Only open for lunch on Thursday-Sunday more
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Menu for Que Pasa Cantina


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Homemade Mexican Cuisine with a twist ...

Editorial

  • In Short
    Wooden tables and chairs with sarape-style fabrics fill the spacious room with a red floor. An outdoor patio hosts casual diners for a cheap bite or cold beers on a warm day. The...

  • 6/7/2005 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Mon, Tues & Wed 5-10 pm Thur & Fri 4-10 pm Sat 3-10 pm
  • Payments: American Express, Visa, Discover, Master Card
  • Neighborhoods: Southeast Uplift Neighborhood Program, Buckman
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