[Update 3/19/24: They are now open! I drove by yesterday and saw the open sign lit up.] In late February, Three Fifty Cafe closed, taking their delicious egg coffee and banh mi sandwiches with them. Neighbors soon wondered what was going to replace it, and relatively quickly a new sign went up for Taqueria La Bamba.
From what I can gather, the folks behind Taqueria La Bamba are Leopoldo Avila Quintero and Adriana Lopez Carlos of Woodburn. They have run a Mexican market there called Alebrijes Market, offering Oaxacan products. Next door (some people consider it to be inside) to the market is the taqueria La Casa de los Machetes, also offering Oaxacan cuisine (note: Quintero and Carlos are not owners of the taqueria). My impression is that these businesses primarily serve their immigrant communities, as neither are on Yelp or really any social media.
And I am today years old when I learned that “alebrijes” are colorful depictions of mythical creatures. This artistic tradition has origins in Mexico City, and were created originally by Pedro Linares.
As far as what Taqueria La Bamba will offer, they’ve posted a sign outside the building.
Tacos, sopes, tortas, flauta, burritos, quesadillas, and more.
Update 3/21/24: on Google, this is the list of items they are offering: tacos, flautas, tortas, Camarones a la Diabla (shrimp covered in a bright red chile sauce), burritos, chile relleno jalapeño, enchiladas, mojarra frita (a fried fish dish, likely tilapia), chilaquiles verdes and rojos, quesadilla de maíz and harina (corn or flour tortillas), cmpanadas, and picaditas (minced meats).
I also like this little light-up taco sign in the window.
My hope is that they will offer some Oaxacan specialities. Also, La Oaxaqueña market is basically just around the corner. (Will we see a southern Mexican tamale showdown one day?)
The folks behind Three Fifty Cafe—who still own the property—did a lot of work and upgrades to the place when they started out, completely redoing the interior (it was unrecognizable compared to its predecessor Prescott Cafe), so Taqueria La Bamba shouldn’t have to do too much to transition over to a taqueria.
I have called the number (which was the old Three Fifty Cafe number), but there was no answer. I’ll see what else I can find out. In any case, here’s to the possibility of a great taqueria opening up in Cully.
Taqueria La Bamba [opening March 2024]
6205 NE Prescott Street, Portland
Updated March 21, 2024.
Meg Cotner
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We tried an order of Nachos at TLB and they qualified as the WORST example of this common item we’ve ever had. Room temp chicken, no frijoles, no pico de gallo, no salsa except verde on the side, a tiny sprinkle of cotija, no other queso, unlike most other versions we’ve had, a tiny squirt of crema, no guacamole/aguacate. The two bebidas we tried were watered-down tasting Jamaica and Horchata. Proportions were very small on all items. If the rest of their offerings are this bad, they won’t last long in this very competitive market.
I tried it out yesterday. The salsa for chips was very good. Had some heat, but not too much. I finished the entire small bowl of salsa.
I order a carne asada burrito. Just the right size. Ingredients were fresh and flavorful. I will certainly return and try some other dishes.