Mis Tacones — Restaurant in Portland

First, there are definitely positives: the menu is extensive, the ambiance is inviting, and it's great to see a fully vegan restaurant creating a lot of buzz around town and on social media. I really appreciate what they’re bringing to the vegan food scene in Portland. However, I was let down by their “asada” seitan and as a lifelong vegetarian, the texture and flavor just didn’t quite work for me. If you enjoy meat substitutes like Impossible or Beyond, you might like it, but it wasn’t for me. The elote empanada, while fresh, was filled only with dry corn, which felt a bit one-dimensional.

On the bright side, I enjoyed the frijoles taco, cashew cheese, and their flavorful salsas. That said, having experienced some truly inventive vegan Mexican cuisine in Portland, I found this visit somewhat underwhelming. For those looking for some amazing vegan Mexican food, I would highly recommend checking out Chilango PDX just a few blocks away, or Epif for some delicious South American vegan food, including unforgettable empanadas.

Helpful items: Street parking nearby was fairly easy to find on a Sunday morning. You’ll need to order at the counter, pay ahead, bus your own tables after eating and grab/fill your own water cups. The order kiosk still includes a tipping option and we chose to tip, but it’s something that customers may want to be aware of that there isn't any traditional table service other than the food being brought...

I was in Portland for business earlier this summer and had the privilege of eating at Mis Tacones one night while I was in town. I can’t say enough good things about this place, honestly. I had one of each of the tacos, except one of them, I think the bean one, but it was a couple months ago at this point so I’m not positive. The reason I came back to write this review after all that time is because I have been recommending it to friends so much that I felt it was time to write it out here.

If you’re a lifelong carnivore like me, allow me to address the elephant in the room: this is NOTHING like the vegan food that gives vegan food a bad reputation. If everyone served vegan food like this, there would be absolutely no stigma to it and we’d all be better off for it.

I won’t claim to be an expert on this matter in any way, but my opinion here is that what probably helps make this place SO GOOD is that they don’t try (and fail, as most do) to make vegan products taste like their meaty analogs - instead, they take good ingredients that naturally pair well together but also happen to be vegan, and make amazing dishes out of them. The end result is indisputably delicious, and if I hadn’t been told upfront that it was vegan, I wouldn’t have been able to tell.

Eating at Mis Tacones is a culinary experience that any visitors to Portland should make time for. Full stop. Treat yourself - you...

Mis Tacones Review: Great Food, but Hold the Attitude

Alright, let’s cut to the chase—Mis Tacones’ food? Amazing. Like, “how did they make this taste so good?” amazing. If my taste buds had Yelp accounts, they’d give it five stars and leave a review full of exclamation points and food emojis. But alas, I’m the one typing this, and I’ve got a bit more to say.

If you’re the type who thinks good food makes up for everything else, bless your forgiving soul. But if you’re like me and think service should come with a side of politeness and a garnish of friendliness, then you might want to read on. My interaction went something like this: I asked a simple question, and I got a look that said, “Do you really need to ask questions?” It was like I was interrupting her audition for “The Most Indifferent Employee” award.

When the food arrived, and I asked for hot sauce, I thought I’d requested a handwritten apology from the chef. She handed it over like I was inconveniencing her entire day, which is impressive since all I wanted was a condiment, not the keys to the place.

So, here’s my advice: go to Mis Tacones for the food. It’s great, and your stomach will thank you. But be prepared—if you’re looking for a warm welcome and enthusiastic answers to your burning culinary questions, you’re more likely to get a tortilla...