La Bonita — Restaurant in Portland

UPDATE 12/20/24: It happened AGAIN. They forgot my coke and I had to go back to get it. The person at the counter didn't apologize. Didn't say anything actually. So I asked for my tip back (did an online order so I had to tip in advance. Never again.) And the person added it to my card and I walked out. My friend stayed back to explain how the last 4 or 5 times we'd ordered from there, something was forgotten or mixed up. The cashier said they were busy (no accountability or apology) and said we need to double check ourselves before leaving with our food. I guess this truly is the last time I will order from here. A simple acknowledgement goes a long way. They have never taken accountability any of the several times they've messed up. Who manages this place?

Full disclosure: I love the food here. I have been regularly ordering from La Bonita for years. This location and the one on Alberta. The food is consistently great at both locations and I have not had any other issues until last night.

I did an online order through their website and sent the order number and pickup time to a friend who would pick it up on their way to my place. She said she got there and they looked really confused when she asked about the order. It was obvious they had forgotten about the order and had never started it. No one apologized or acknowledged the inconvenience. She waited another 25 minutes and when the order was ready and still no one offered an apology or any kind of compensation for their flub, she asked for chips and guac. Just like another review from a month ago said, they looked at her crazy and said no. But then I guess relented and gave it to her.

She gets to my house and we then discover that the order was wrong. One of the chimichangas was supposed to be vegetarian but it had meat in it. So we went back and it took about 7 attempts between the 2 of us for the cashier to understand the mistake. At this point, they did apologize and they remade the chimichanga fairly quickly and gave us cards for 2 free burritos (which I would have asked for if it had not happened).

I would just suggest that the owner/managers retrain the current staff and instill the importance of customer service. The simple act of acknowledging the customer and apologizing for mistakes (however big or small) goes a...

La Bonita, a shining gem in the heart of Portland, is a testament to authentic, soulful Mexican cuisine. Its unpretentious charm and dedication to maintaining working class roots make it a beacon of tradition in an era increasingly defined by the transient nature of the gig economy. This is a place that stubbornly upholds the values of hands-on craftsmanship and culinary artistry, a restaurant where every dish is served with a side of heartfelt devotion.

Mexican food in Portland has long been a challenging venture, with only a handful of spots that truly capture the essence of this vibrant cuisine. Among these, La Bonita stands as the undisputed leader, transcending the ordinary with its rich and diverse menu. A particular mention has to be made for their grilled chicken, an emblem of the mastery and dedication embedded in their culinary process. The perfectly charred exterior, which gives way to tender and succulent meat, encapsulates a flavor profile that is nothing short of a joyous dance on the palate. With La Bonita, Portland can confidently claim a stake in the landscape of noteworthy...

When you arrive push to enter/ pull to exit.

Good to see that this location is in business. When I used to work at the former Greeley Adidas Employee store back in 2013 this was my go to for lunch and after work meals. Looks pretty much the same, which is wild.

I happened to be in the area today and got a chicken burrito. It was relatively good. Wet and not dry like some spots with the beans and rice. The cost was great too.

The utensils and napkins are on the left hand side of pick up area. Lots of different sauces to eat your burrito with. Some had a spicy kick to them which I'm all for.

Please discard your food and napkins in the trash. The amount of people I saw who just stacked up was quite disappointing.

Overall a good spot to grab a quick bite!

The chips and guacamole were delicious! Pricey...