Mexican food Archives - Bridgetown Bites

June 8, 2026June 7, 2026

El Sombrero Tapatio: A Family Affair in East Portland

A version of this article about Mama Elvira and El Sombrero Tapatio entitled, “Mama Elvira’ builds loyal following” was printed in the Hollywood Star News in June 2026.

I’ve been eating at El Sombrero Tapatio since I moved to East Portland in 2019. Opened originally in 2002, it’s a mainstay of the restaurant scene in Parkrose. Mama Elvira, the matriarch of the family behind El Sombrero, is the heart and soul of the kitchen, but this restaurant is truly a team effort—relatives and close family friends all contribute to its success.

July 8, 2025August 29, 2025

Madrina Cocina Mexicana Will Open in Downtown Portland

Ceiling screens at Madrina Cocina Mexicana. — They are keeping these ceiling screens from the previous restaurant. Photo credit: Yelp.

I recently learned Madrina Cocina Mexicana, brought to us by Lucy de Leon of La Patroncita and Salsa Locas. It will be part sit-down Mexican restaurant (43 seats), part lunchtime mercadito. The aim is to open in late August 2025.

June 25, 2025June 25, 2025

Mi Familia Cafe Has Opened in Portland’s Buckman Neighborhood

Tostada at Mi Familia Cafe. — Tostada. Photo credit: Mi Familia Cafe.

A while back I saw that something called “Mi Familia Cafe” was going to open in what I knew to be Que Pasa Cantina. I set it aside because it did not make sense to me at the time. Fast forward to June and I was delighted to hear from the people behind Mi Familia Cafe—who did indeed open in the Que Pasa Cantina space!

So what’s going on? Here is, as Paul Harvey used to say, “the rest of the story.”

November 14, 2024December 7, 2024

Domingo’s Will Open in the Old Pollo Norte Space in Portland

Celebrating their new location on NE Glisan.

This is news I’ve been meaning to write about since early November: Domingo’s, a new restaurant from the Santo Domingo Taqueria folks, is arriving on NE Glisan in the space previously occupied by Pollo Norte.

June 4, 2024June 4, 2024

Ole Frijole Has Closed

A wide view of Ole Frijole, a Mexican comfort food restaurant on the northwest corner of NE Killingsworth and 42nd Ave in Portland, OR. — Photo credit: Cyd Gann via Google

Earlier this week a Bridgetown Bites tipster emailed me news that Ole Frijole, located on the northwest corner of Killingsworth and NE 42nd Ave, has closed. They wrote, “My neighbor mentioned that she just read a sweet message to customers posted on their door saying that they closed and the property has been sold.” Looks like the closure was one month ago on May 4.