TapTap PDX — Restaurant in Portland

I read an article about Tap Tap in the Hollywood Star and thought I'd try it out. As a vegetarian, I was curious to see what authentic Haitian food would be like without meat. My first visit was with a friend who eats vegan, so we went with all vegan options--three appetizers and one entree was more food than we needed (but it was so good we ate it all anyway).

So, the food: amazing, delicious, and clearly cooked with love. It was more like eating really good food at a friend's house than eating "restaurant food." I'm willing to bet almost nothing in that kitchen starts with pre-made anything. The appetizer portions were generous (which is good because they were so delicious--I could have just eaten more of them....). The main dish we chose, a sort of stew eaten over a rice made with beans, was the most surprising to me because I did not expect to like it. It has a decent amount of eggplant in it, and if you're a vegetarian you know eggplant is easy to cook badly. Much to my delight, the stew had a zesty flavor and the eggplant was cooked into the stew--not in big chunks but sort of pulverized?--and the texture and flavor together were perfection. The sliced dragonfruit was perfect for getting the spice off of my lips (though my dining companion did not find the food spicy, they have an iron tongue). We also enjoyed some cocktails, all made with fresh ingredients and care. My only regret is that we did not save room for dessert.

Service was attentive and with care, and with friendly cheer--the staff were thrilled to share Haitian cuisine with us. Initially we sat at a two-person table but after we ordered we were (rightfully!) encouraged to move to a four-top to accommodate the amount of food we'd ordered. When we wanted hot sauce, or a second drink, it was but a second before someone appeared to ask what they could do to help.

Finally, the art on the walls is delightful. There is a blend of Haitian culture with various styles--a cubist guitar, a particularly political poster type, religious iconography. Gorgeous!

Overall, the emphasis here is on excellent service, excellent food, and excellence in ambience. Go hungry, but don't go in a hurry--you will want to take time to savor each bite and enjoy.

Next time I'll bring more friends (so we can literally order ALL of the appetizers--the vegan version of the Pate was great, but now I want to try the one with the egg too--and...

Yesterday, I enjoyed a day trip to Portland, Oregon.

My last visit to Portland was last June 2024, for my birthday. During that trip, we visited the Tap Tap Cuisine food truck on Williams Street, where the food was exceptionally delicious.

This time, I decided to try Tap Tap Cuisine PDX on Sandy Boulevard. I was so surprised that the owner remembered me and my two friends from the previous year. While I find it hard to believe, the food tasted even better than before. Both the food and service were truly outstanding, deserving a perfect score.

I ordered my usual Griot (pork), which came with fried plantains and pikliz. Additionally, I ordered a side of rice and beans. To my delight, a container of sauce was provided on the side.

I also purchased a bottle of pikliz to enjoy when I prepare my own version of "griot" at home.

The brief wait is certainly worthwhile, as the food is freshly prepared with evident care and passion. The generous portions required three sittings to finish the entire meal.

Their consistency in the preparation of the food and customer service are two important reasons their brand is growing.

I wish you...

I love the restaurant for Tap Tap. The owners were so sweet, humble and gracious and the food was absolutely amazing and so fresh. The interior was clean, and the ambiance was calm and inviting.

I don't even know where to start. The Tap Tap cups -- we did the pork ones and it was the perfect amount of spice to give them a little kick after you bite into them. The pork was seasoned to perfection.

Our all-time favorite appetizer was the Akra Peyanm. I could have eaten these all by myself. Crispy, fried light and seasoned incredibly. There's a house made sauce that is offered for dipping but I didn't need it! So so good!

The pates were good -- a mix between an empanada and a Jamaican patty. You can't go wrong with either beef or chicken. They're super juicy and you can tell that the pastry dough is made fresh.

The fried snapper is beyond amazing. I've had a lot of fried fish in my life and from all over the world. This dish is the best I've had. Seasoned delectably, and just explodes with flavors in your mouth. Wow, wow, wow!

The baked chicken was flavorful as well and paired nicely with the diri Djohn Djohn...