Verde Cocina Reviews

Recent raves and long lines led me to hold high expectations for Verde Cocina. The upstairs indoor seating was cluttered and overly-bright and the waitress was frenetic and inappropriately loud. A tone kept going off, too. Food was okay but just not as full-flavored as Latin food should be. Highlights were the delicious guacamole and a spicy margarita. A big plus if it applies to you is their approach to food needs and preferences. All items are gluten-free, there were vegan and vegetarian options, and it's all clearly labelled.

My wife and I had dinner there last night, everything was tasty, can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. With the price of the meals, we did expect some professionalism from the wait staff. Menus were never collected, used plates weren’t removed, they started piling up on the table and then they gave us someone’s else’s check. When we left, one of the waitresses was tapping out a message on her phone in front of a half filled restaurant. Come on guys, pay attention to your customers.

This place has two locations and is worth a visit. The special of the day was chicken and butternut squash enchiladas. My sister tried it and loved it. I have the Huevos Rancheros which were also excellent. Very filling and delicious. Good service. A little on the overpriced side, but not outrageous.

I live in the neighborhood and the place always looks busy so with company in town we tried it out. We patiently had to wait for an outside table that could seat 4. They have two that seat six that they had two sitting at - so that was frustrating since there were several two tops open. (If they had placed the two tops at each end of the six table it would not have been troubling.) We ordered the guacamole which was delicious - however it came with only enough chips for 1/3 of the dip. If you wanted more chips you had to pay for them - very odd. We all enjoyed our meals, and it was vegetarian friendly. However, my paella was so bland that I could not believe it. It was loaded with delicious fish but had absolutely no spice- nada. Fish swimming in rice broth. Very pleasant service and the cocktails were excellent We will try it again - see if other options have a bit more to them next time.

I'm always looking for something new and interesting in SW, and I had a good dinner here about a month ago. Kind of Mexican inspired-meets locavore. So, I figure I'll go there for lunch today and pick up a couple of gift cards for Christmas gifts. Get the lunch menu...four items. Four. So...not only do I leave, but I take my gift business elsewhere...after all, if my gift recipients, who work close by, come by for lunch, they're going to see a four item menu and wonder what I was thinking when I bought those gift cards. The dinner specials on the board looked good, but four items for lunch? Come on. Try harder.

We had the ceveche, one of my favorite foods, that happened to be tuna that day and the kale salad. The fresh lime dressing and mixture of beans and vegetables was a wonderful blend. The ceveche was fresh and yummy. This is a non traditional American Mexican food with not even a hint of Tex Mex. I loved it!

If you are looking for the same Mexican meal with globs of cheese on top of an enchilada and a side of warmed-over refried beans, look elsewhere. If you are looking for a farm-to-fork version of an authentic Mexican meal, replete with fresh vegetables and organic ingredients, you've come to the right place. Inspired and creative dishes, delicious ingredients, and a casual laid-back atmosphere. Highly recommended, you will not be disappointed. (They also have a food cart at the PSU Farmers Market if you can't make it to Hillsdale.)

Quaint and off the beaten track - food was delicious and service was excellent. A rare find

Loved the gluten free and menu offerings. But this was in direct contrast to the lackadaisical poor attitude server we had. We were provided the bare minimum of contact, and experienced an unwelcome attitude as never before. We won't return.

This is a great Mexican restaurant and bar located in the Hillsdale's neighborhood, right next to Sasquatch Brewery. It's easy to get too by foot or by car and they are open seven days a week. The menu is pretty impressive with the different options for Mexican food, but the it does cost a bit for one meal and doesn't seem to have any flavor to it. I've been here twice and was hoping the last time I would be impressed with the food, but it was okay. The service was decent, but I wouldn't suggest getting a drink at night because the bartender seems uninterested or stressed every time I've been in there.

Went with friends to try the new Verde Cocina in the Pearl District. We were all super-impressed with the quality, freshness, and taste of the dishes we ordered. The ceviche appetizer was to die for (fresh fish, marinated in lime with greens)—yummy; also the best guacamole I've ever had, served with warm handmade corn tortillas; the chili relleno was very good, and the lentil soup as well. No goopy sauces, drippy cheese or mushy beans here! Just tasty goodness! Added bonus—gluten-free can taste really good!

I would eat lunch here every sunday afternoon if I could. The Gringas con Mole with veggies is my favorite. Tons of fresh veggies topped with mole sauce is just amazing. The food is always super fresh and the service is always friendly and accommodating. Its not traditional mexican but in my opinion a modern healthy take on mexican food. I really love sitting by the large open air door, relaxing, having a wonderful meal and sipping an ice cold beer.

VC has a great point of view on Mexican. Half authentic and half fresh Northwest but 100% delicious. I have been here twice and left very happy both times. The handmade tortillas are as good as any I have had in Mexico, as is the chunky Guacamole. The entrees are focused, without a lot of fussy ingredients to over complicate them. The huge pile of lightly cooked veggies that come with everything are fantastic! They also do a great job with cocktails, an added bonus :-)

Our group of 3 raved throughout dinner! Seasonal, fresh, good good food, a little wine, casual, quiet and.......wait for it! actual parking - street or lot, as in - no cost! Worth the trip from other parts of town. Hope they keep up the creative, yet solid, menu.

We were looking for a place with LOCAL emphasis, the food looked right out of the farmer's market. This was a healthy choice! Parking was tough- as we were driving a large vehicle, so had to park about a block and a half away.

We have eaten here several times and have never been disappointed Housemade tortillas, vegetarian entrees, fresh, fresh, fresh.

I’ve dined here a half dozen times because I fell in love with the chicken enchiladas with the incredible poblano coconut milk sauce. The third time, it was so very different, dry and just OK, I figured an inexperienced chef misinterpreted the recipe. Then I tried a breakfast entree that was pretty good. Next time I had a mole pork entree that was fabulous! Yesterday I had pork mole again, but this time it had a bland sauce partially covering unseasoned pork, apparently not simmered in the delicious multi-layered mole I was so eager to eat again. I’ve also had both delicious and unremarkable margaritas here, Yesterday it was perfect. Inconsistency in food and drink is unfavorable in a restaurant, and I don’t know if I’ll return. This is sad because the service and charm here are so attractive and the location is convenient to meeting friends to dine safely outdoors.

I was happening by, hadn't read any reviews, but was drawn in by the delicious scent. First thing is first this is NOT a Mexican restaurant in the way that most are use to....absolutely no refried beans and rice here. It's more like Vegetarian, Keto, and Paleo friendly cuisine with some Mexican flare (things like salsa and tortillas). Google their menu and you may be surprised to see that your carne asada will be served on top of potatoes and veggies, but if you're up for something new why not give it a try? I did (obviously) and I'm quite glad. I brought the hubby in with and got there around 1p for lunch and decided the Salmon Hash special and a side of Sweet Potato-Black Bean Salad would be perfect. They both looked great and the "side" salad surprisingly filled up a whole (normal size) plate. It was definitely enough for the two of us (people who eat amounts more like teenagers may need more). The salmon hash consisted of braised salmon, eggs (cooked to spec), cherry tomatoes, and potatoes. This also came out with to soft tortilla shells and small cup of green salsa. It was so delicious I wasn't sure I was willing to trade with my husband! I am glad I did thought as the Sweet Potato Black Bean Salad was a pleasant surprise! It consisted of Roasted sweet potatoes, black and white beans, corn, cucumber, and kale in a lime vinaigrette. I'm going to stop here and say I am not a fan of veggies (flavor reasons, I know they are good for you), so it should mean a lot when I say that this is the ONLY salad I have ever eaten in it's entirety (well almost I had help). My husband actually had to ask me what I did with his wife! So needless to say it was delicious. The combination of the ingredients with that lime vinaigrette just puts it over the top for me. I say if nothing else give that salad a shot or make it a side salad on top of your main entree of choice as I did. I also decided to tried out their Spicy Tamarindo Margarita (Tequila reposado, tamarind, orange juice, infierno chile, agave, and the glass is lined with salt and cayenne pepper) and as with their food it was a pleasant surprise. A delight of the taste buds! I'd say it was lightly spiced, but more in the that warming way (like a spiced cider would be). I couldn't help, but over here near by a couple ladies came in just for their margaritas and after having mine I'm can understand why! The service was quite good and the price for everything including my margarita and my husbands tea was a rather reasonable $28 plus tip. Quite a deal! Bottom Line: If you're looking for a whole new way to look at mexican food, I highly recommend you give this place a try!

I know it sounds corny but the best food is always 'made with love'. That is exactly what goes into every dish made at Verde Cocina. The incredible freshness of locally sourced ingredients and attention to detail are evident in every dish that comes from the kitchen. We loved the food so much we dined here two nights in a row and were not disappointed. Don't let the mostly vegetarian/gluten free menu scare away the carnivores in your group. The specials board included a meat, fish and chicken entrees. To top it off this was the least expensive meal we have had in Portland in a very long time.

If you like Portlandia (yes, the TV show) and fusion cuisine, then you will appreciate Verde Cocina. On the other hand, if you are seeking great traditional Mexican food then go elsewhere. Here are the high points: farm-to-table vegetables; interesting fusion of Portland farm-to-mexican table inspired cuisine; options for vegetarians; a full bar; and outside seating; a fun and accommodating staff. Here are the low points: the service was a bit slow, the menu very limited, and even basics such as chips and salsa are missing. My entire table ordered the vegetable quesadillas. I personally do not care for squash, broccoli and kale in Mexican food, so I asked to leave that out. Our meals were dry, so we asked for salsa. We ordered the gaucamole and fresh tortillas as a side. Fortunately, the extra salsa and fresh gauc made the quesadillas perfect! So go if you want the Portlandia experience. Don't go if you want hearty and traditional Mexican food.

My wife had Verde Cucina on her bucket list of restaurants to try for quite a while. We had a chance to try their Capital Highway location for lunch, and took advantage of it. Parking is available in a gravel lot across the street from the restaurant. There is limited on-street parking directly in front of the restaurant. The downstairs half of the restaurant consists of the bar and some outside seating. The main dining area is upstairs at the top of a wide steep set of stairs. I don't know if they have an elevator to this second floor, so mobility-challenged patrons should take note. But once you get upstairs, you'll find a cozy dining area with a warm ambiance. Daily specials are listed on a small chalkboard at one end of the dining room. My wife chose the gringas con mole while I opted for the chicken enchiladas off of the daily special board. Both were excellent. Service was attentive and friendly. After getting our entrees, my wife asked for some hot sauce, which the waiter brought promptly. He did warn that the sauce was spicy, and he wasn't kidding! We like spicy, but a few brushes of it with my folk on my enchiladas was my limit. The menu gives a brief background of the chef and how he melds his homeland cooking with the abundant fresh produce we are privileged to have in the Northwest. The difference shows, as instead of being very rich and somewhat heavy, the entrees at Verde Cucina are flavorful and fresh, but kept from being too heavy by integrating a hearty portion of fresh vegetables into the dishes. We left happy and fed, but not feeling stuffed. A week later, my wife stopped by their new Sylvan Hill location and got a takeout order of chili relleno (vegetarian), and it was excellent. Definitely worth a try if you want Mexican cuisine without the heaviness that is often associated with it.

We've driven past Verde Cocina many times and have noted that it seemed to be a busy place with the outdoor tables filled and the patrons looking happy and satisfied. We decided to go there for dinner and weren't disappointed. We ate early (~5:30pm) so it wasn't that busy and nobody was siting outside. That may have been at least partly due to the 106 degree temperature. We ate upstairs in air-conditioned comfort in a medium sized space which was comfortable but quite noisy. Our server, Juliana, was excellent providing friendly and helpful advice and service. We each had one of their house tequila based cocktails which were tasty and refreshing. The Gringas con Mole was very flavorful with the mole sauce being complex with a very mild amount of "heat" and it didn't overwhelm the dish as some moles tend to do. The Carne Asada Salad was a large salad portion with a nice, hearty carne asada the focus of the dish. With the combination of great service and tasty food we will certainly go back again. Perhaps, in cooler weather, the outside seating may be quieter and make conversation more pleasant.

We went with a friend a friend for happy hour. The margaritas are well priced and plain. Some might want them a little sweeter. The guacamole was served with some thick, soft corn tortillas. but would have been much better with some salty crunch in the from of crisp chips. The pulled pork tacos arrived on the same soft tortillas, with a small bit of pork inside. Perhaps the full dinners would be more satisfying.Service was very attentive and friendly.

Ate at this great local restaurant at the recommendation of where we were staying. It was cooked fresh, service was great and we loved the cider. A great meal outdoors.

Small restaurant that would be fun in the summer since they have some outdoor seating. It was a bit cold and they had the doors open so we went upstairs. We had the Carne Asada salad and it was amazing, so good, the meat was tender and yummy and the sweet potatoes amazing in it. Wish I had the recipe, I could eat paleo every day with food like this. I don't get the tofu on the menu but they substitute. Also had a white wine sangria that was good ( they were out of the red).

We were taken there for Sunday lunch by local friends who knew it well. Apparently the family got their start in the business by running a food cart, and they have branched out to two restaurants. We were seated and served quickly. We began with a shared plate of corn tortillas, guacamole and red and green salsa. We had a variety of different dishes including a beautifully cooked melt in the mouth lamb meal for one and a vegan plate of tortillas stuffed with white beans and roasted vegetables, smothered in dark chocolaty mole for me. The vegetables are fresh and tasty. Everything about the food is excellent. I would definitely return.

I ordered the Paleo Verde for $15 with shredded pork. It was amazingly delicious with fresh veggies coked in that weren't soggy or over cooked. My son got the chili releno and said it was very good also. The seeds mixed into the quinoa based stuffing were spicy. We sat upstairs with a view out the forested landscape of Hillsdale. Frank Sinatra znd other classics wereplaying. I was surprised to nice fresh veggies in a rainy city at a Mexican restaurant! Bravo, Verde Cocina!

This great little mexican bar and restaurant is the real thing..food and cocktails. It's family run, cozy house and it's located in Hillsdale not China Town (as it says on the trip advisor web site). The bartender is not only cuter than Tom Cruise but creates cocktails with even more style that TC. It's pretty serious mexican food (incredible mole) and if you are vegan or vegetarian the most options (very healthy) than any other mexican restaurant. Nice atmosphere, casual and neighborhood like. Sitting at the bar for eating and drinking is the best. Very relaxed and clean.

A nice small comfortable restaurant. The service was excellent. The food was scrumptious. They are generous with their helpings too. I had the carne asada and the steak was cooked perfectly. The veggies were really tasty. This will be on my list to eat at again when I next visit Portland.

We were visiting the area, and my brother brought us here since he had eaten here before a few times. It was a busy, small place, but we got lucky to get a table quickly. The service was good, and the food was better than average Mexican food. I don't eat meat or dairy, for medical reasons, so I was very happy with the sweet potato salad that I ordered. The guac and homemade tortillas was very good too. Everyone enjoyed the food.

A great chef making interesting and exotic tasts, best mole I had since I was in Mexico. A real Mexican authentic food

We went to the En La Perla location. We fell in love with this amazing place! The food's presentation, spices, and smells were just what we had been looking for. My husband has Celiac so we were happy to have found this place. We will definately come back next time we visit. I'm hoping to be able to go by and try the breakfast!

I had a great meal at this place. The chile rellenos was different than I've ever had. Of course we don't have many great options in Cleveland. Either way, the greens were fresh and the food was excellent. Would highly recommend this place

If I could give 10 stars I would. This is such a fantastic restaurant with mexican like you can't imagine. Everything is farm fresh and very unique and deleicious. We dine here once a week (sometimes more) and they never ever disappoint. Staff is fantastic, many are related to the owner who built this business starting with a stand in a public market. They have muliple locations now in Portland, the best is the original on Capitol Highway. Have the guacamole wraps to start and don't miss the pork mole. If you love hot sauce ask for a side of their inferno. LOVE THIS RESTAURANT. *****Tip : If you go to the Capitol Highway original, go early, parking is limited.

If you are looking for traditional Mexican food, this it not your place, but if you want vegetarian or a fun slant on your favorites, you should enjoy eating here. They make their own (delicious) tortillas and have several good options for vegetarians, but the food in general is just not that exciting. If you snag an outside table, it will seem good until the traffic noise and fumes bother you, and the service, while they try hard, needs to be amped up a little.

Great local Mexican style restaurant. Lots of vegan and vegetarian options. Focus on healthy and sustainable food. Very delicious!!

Service was horrible. Waited over 5 minutes to even get a glass of water. The food wasn't that great. I'm never going back.

I tried these guys at their mobile stand at the Lake Oswego Farmers market and it was delicious. They have wide menu and everyone’s looked fabulous and mine tasted delicious. I ordered the same dish a second time and unfortunately though it tasted fab it had mostly onions in the mixed veggies so their quality control, at least at the market, needs attention. But that said the Paleo Verde with pork belly is fantastic.

I love where this place is situated, snuggled in a neighborhood. The food was so fresh, and the restaurant so cozy that you really felt like you were eating at a relatives house who just picked the vegetables from the garden. I loved the balance of Northwest and Mexican tastes. The only thing I was disappointed with was the guacamole. It was terribly bland. Everything else was wonderful.

I just had the experience of having dinner at Verde Cucina in Portland based on some reviews and how delightful. Though a small menu, every item was simply delicious. the Cervice had large chunks of tuna, the Paleo salad with Carne Asada was very flavorful and the meat was perfectly cooked and seasons. Even the Margueritas were tasty. On a warm summer night with the walls rolled up, it was perfect. Plus the service was very friendly.

Always looking for the creativity and freshness, this place a must try great atmosphere great flavor and fresh tortillas Mimosas $3.00 on Sunday

Friends introduced us to this cozy, welcoming, family-run restaurant. We started with guacamole with freshly made tortillas. As a guacamole fan, I would rate this my best guacamole/tortilla experience ever. Then I had the Buenos Dias breakfast -- lots of fresh, locally-grown veggies cooked to perfection, with eggs and the best bacon I've ever had. Amazing!

I've posted several reviews from Mexico on TripAdvisor. The only one that compares is the food I sampled from renowned chef Ruth Alegria in Mexico City. This meal was astounding. I nearly flawlessly order chile relleno when visiting a Mexican restaurant. Theirs was the best I've had other than Ruth's. The taste and the seasoning was right on. The flavors were vivid and potent. We could see the evidence of their farm-to-table philosophy. The ingredients were fresh and amazing. They added life and depth to all of these dishes. The staff and the atmosphere were really quite remarkable as well. Our waiter was super helpful despite having to go up and down stairs for nearly every order. The tables were close, but we weren't packed in. It didn't feel crowded at all, and I especially liked the Northwest influence on the walls and the art. This should be a top destination in Portland. Amongst all the noise of Mexican restaurants in that town, this is the crown jewel.

Wait staff were friendly, unusual fish tacos presentation made for challenging eating while very tasty. Skip the Margaritas - too sour to finish. I will return to try their salad offerings.

Farm-to-fork Mexican food that is also gluten-free. What's not to love? My mom was digging it as she is gluten intolerant. It is a small restaurant in the Hillsdale neighborhood. We had a party of five, so we had to wait for a considerable amount of time to be seated. We finally gave up on a table and sat at the bar. I had the Chile Relleno, my brother had the Quesadilla of the Day, and my mom had Gringas con Mole. I also ordered an Aqua Fresca, which was water, agave, and strawberry puree. Beautifully presented and tasty food. Even the leftovers were good.

Farm to table, quality that you can taste! The food is fresh and not over seasoned, and always tastes great. Lots of veggies and high quality meats with every dish. It’s not one of Portland big names, with crazy wait times, but it should be.

This review is for the PSU Farmers Market location. Even though we'd both just shared a bagel sandwich from a previous vendor, when we saw the array of recently harvested produce on the massive griddle at Verde Cocina being served up over fresh eggs and homemade tortillas, we couldn't pass it up. We shared the Buenos Dias Breakfast--it will easily serve two people. The corn tortillas were as authentic as any I've had in South Texas. Every ingredient tastes farm fresh, and who would've thought swiss chard and white beans goes so well with what is essentially Huevos Rancheros? My only criticism is that the vegetables, while fresh and delicious, were not seasoned at all. The entire dish was in need of a little salt, but by the time we'd navigated to a spot where we could sit down with this massive plate, we didn't want to fight the crowds and go off in search of salt. Had the vegetables been seasoned, it would've been perfection on a plate.

Family of five rolling into Portland after a long day of travel. Need. Food. Fast. The catch... we want GOOD food. A friendly recommendation sends us to Verde Cocina, where 2 adults and 3 kids (two of which are teenage boys) have a much needed dinner (OK, including one margarita and one beer). No, it's not chipotle, McDonalds or the food trucks. And so, cost is $120 all in (including tip). Seems a bit pricey, eh? Yet, it's well worth it. The quality of the food was excellent. The service was attentive and friendly (thanks Stephanie), the atmosphere (upstairs dining room) was warm and the food was very good. Muchas gracias!

I was not impressed by the service or the food. Service was slow and the waiter was not attentive. Waiters spent half their time running up and down the stairs. Inside seating was limited and tables were close together. I ordered one of the specials for the night: Chorizo Quesadilla. The corn tortillas were lightly fried and greasy. I was expecting a flour tortilla and a grilled quesadilla. There were only a few pieces (maybe 4 small pieces) of chorizo on top of the cheese quesadilla and none inside. They served it on a bed of white bean and garbanzo mash-it wasn't mashed and the dish did not have any flavor. There was a light salad on top with a small amount of cheese. I will not return to this restaurant.

Deliciously healthy twist on mexican favorites. I love all the extra veggies, vegan and gf choices. A great place for groups there is something for everyone.

Very cute inside although we sat outside on a cold, rainy day but my friends were being covid cautious. But the food was delicious, fresh, inventive and large portions. The staff could not have been more charming. I really liked it a lot!

I had the grapefruit agua freca which is fresh made in house. It was perfect, not too sweet or too tart. The house made guacamole and tortillas was my entree, and I ate the entire giant mountain of guacamole all on my own! Delicious! My husband's pork dish was stuffed with a ton of fresh veggies. I was impressed, everything was well priced, and fresh.

Verde Cocina changed my opinion about Mexican Food. I do not like American Mexican food. This is far from that. I had the fish medley which was in a delicious broth with a variety of fish over rice. The eye appeal and flavor were over-the-top. My friend had the gringas con mole with all locally grown fresh ingredients. You can even sit and watch them make the soft corn tortillas. What a skill!

This is likely the smallest of the chain. Very cute. Kids menu is awesome. Healthy meal. Entire menu is gluten free. Great drinks and fresh healthy food.

Our friends said good things about this place...so we went but it was more organic, nontraditional and not the place to go if you want the enchilada, nachos, traditional food we were hoping for. The menu was so limited we never found anything we wanted on it. Was not impressed. They do make the tortillas there in front of you..they are corn...and everything is fresh and local...just don't expect the standard items you would find at an authentic Mexican restaurant.

What a huge surprise to find a Mexican restaurant that prepares authentic Mexican food (process/preparation wise) and focuses on regionalism at the same time. I love how local ingredients are used across the menu. This is what one finds when travelling across Mexico - mexican food that varies region to region and is prepared as such. Further, these folks really care about where their ingredients come from and giving back to community. These are incredibly important to me. And the food is simply wow. My fiance and I were travelling across the US and this was one of our stops. Our road trip was from Seattle to San Diego and back to Seattle. This by far has been the best restaurant we ate at. We talk about it to this day and I can tell you we shall be making a trip just to Portland to eat here :) We had the Guacamole tortillas, Gringas con Mole and I ordered off the specials board - shrimp tacos. All were amazing. I couldn't get enough of their corn tortillas. Yum. One not so great thing was that the server we had was not that great, however, we were one of the last couples in the restaurant and I believe everyone was just ready to go home. This would not deter me though...I tend to go to places to eat and great service is just icing on the cake.

We had the cerviche, which was disappointing. Contained some chunks of fish that had been lightly passed through some lime juice and apparently nothing else, and a heap of fresh veggies in a barely perceptible vinaigrette. Absolutely no spiciness. The corn tortillas are very good, if a bit overwhelming for the tasteless cerviche. Also had the lamb paleo special. Here, the shredded lamb was nicely sauced/flavored; the underlying pile of veggies benefited from this sauce. Certainly nothing mexican or central american about the dish. We sat at the bar, service was excellent. In general, Verde Cocina offers perfectly ordinary fresh (advertised as locally sourced) dishes, nothing special.

We've eaten here half a dozen times and it is consistently fresh and delicious. They have the most amazing fresh vegetables that add wonderful flavor and freshness. You never leave with that heavy, too full feeling. Specials are always creative and delicious. Last time I had chicken enchilada special with some sort of coconut in the sauce - indescribably delicious!!! Love the sangria too

Chips and salsa were great, friend loved the chicken street tacos my pork enchiladas were very bland. The coconut sauce didn’t work with the enchiladas. The slaw was good and the grapefruit ginger mocktail was very good. The outsides booths are walled in with plastic on 3 sides and have no air flow had to sit out front

A short, extraordinarily done menu. Don't drive by. These people have a wonderful touch with flavors. The blends are marvelous. Unfortunately, I couldn't talk them out of the recipe for their salad dressing, which is why I gave them only five stars.

As vegetarians, it's hard to find something that rises above the ordinary, but Verde Cocina's breakfast entrees are always made of fresh, local, farmer's market-quality ingredients. Everything is made on site by people who know what they're doing, and care about food. This is the only Mexican restaurant I've found that I like, and I like it a lot! No beans/rice/cheese/boring. The vegetables are grilled and bright with color and flavor. The beans are usually a white bean and garlic mash. Even the eggs are from happy, farm-living chickens. Nothing is doused with cheese or sauce. The flavor of each ingredient can be appreciated. We've made this our regular weekend stop.

What happened to this place ? We were kind of disappointed, we had always liked it, but recently we were not satisfied with the food/quality, specially for what they charge you for.

I LOVE the food here. Their brisket special could not have been any better; lean moist meat, perfectly seasoned, fork tender, with a big pile of fresh and perfectly cooked veggies and delicious sauce. I always order without cheese, because I don't want anything to detract from their delicious sauces. The hand-made tortillas are of a good size, texture and taste. The salad with the sweet potatoes and corn is so yummy (I forget what it is called), I try to duplicate it at home, but can never quite get that delicious taste. I love how they don't skimp on the veggies here. I've enjoyed brunch here as well. Warning: This place is busy no matter what night I visit - but then, that's a good sign.

The Verde Cocina chefs go to great lengths to use fresh local ingredients. We started with the guacamole appetizer with freshly made tortillas and we were all raving about how good it was. I had the Butternut Squash Enchiladas with a delicious mole sauce and the handmade tortillas. Many dishes are heavy on local vegetables, but one of my companions had the Carne Asada and it came with a lot of tasty beef slices. The service was great and we all look forward to dining here again.

Love this place. The food is so fresh and well prepared, and delicious. Came here with family while visiting Portland, and was so impressed. This is an interesting place, as they don't load you up with chips and salsa to start They do have chips and guac, but we did not order that. I started with a bean and sweet potato salad that was delicious. For my main course I had the Chiles Rillenos which were really fantastic. Huge portion and so fresh and flavorful. Really one of the best meals ever. Another great thing about this place is that everything is gluten-free and there are a lot of vegetarian options. Loved it, and highly recommend it.

Familiar with their Saturday PSU Farmer's Market food stand, the brick and mortar location did not disappoint. Gourmet, fresh - and yet cheap. Loved the street tacos, enchilada, queso dip all on the Happy Hour menu. Good margaritas, too. We will make this a regular haunt.

Came here with my Wife and Son early during Happy Hour on a Friday. Service was prompt and curious. Food was excellent. Drink selection was nice and prices reasonable. We tried a few options off the Happy Hour drink menu including their house margarita which was really nice. We really enjoyed the ceviche. The Mole sauce on their dishes really is superb! My Wife does the gluten free thing and she found lots of options she wanted to try and enjoy. Looks like we'll be in this area regularly for a while so hope to visit again soon!

An great place for healthy and incredibly delicious mexican food. If you're tired of mexican food with no vegetables, this is the place for you. Add in the fresh house-made corn tortillas, outstanding mole, and great ambience, and you've got a tasty Portland original.

The three of us had previously eaten at the Sasquatch Brewery located right next door to this Brewery and thought we'd try this one. There are several tables outside with the main (small) dining area located inside up a flight of stairs. There is no elevator. All of us ordered the special-chicken quesadillas with two of us getting them with Tillamook Cheese (we had visited the Cheese Factory in Tillamook previously) and my stepson got his order with goat cheese. The entree was okay but not as expected. The quesadillas were actually laden inside with vegetables including green beans, green squash, and chick peas, and had melted cheese with pieces of chicken on top. Later that night, both my husband and I had terrible cases of diarrhea which kept us up for several hours. My stepson had no stomach issues. We assumed the cheese was causing the problem as that was the only difference between the dishes. Rather than eat here again, I would go next door to Sasquatch and eat as I can highly recommend their fried chicken there.

We try to pick a new restaurant each week to try and this happened to be it. It is not at all what I expected. When we walked in there was nobody to greet us so we stood a few minutes then we just grabbed a table. It was over 10 minutes before somebody finally came and said hi and gave us water. Another 10-15 minutes and then somebody came to ask if we wanted to order drinks. I told my wife I was ready to leave at this point since there were only a few patrons in there eating. I was expecting some real authentic Mexican food but it turned out I was very wrong. This is more of a healthy hippy organic somewhat Mexican place. The menu was very limited. I had the Gringos Con Mole with pork inside.The pork and the mole had absolutely no flavor. I poured a bunch of salt on but that did not help, I was very dissapointed. My Wife had the Carne Asada Salad and the meat tasted very good but the portion was very small. My Son had the special which was Lamb and he said it was pretty good. The portion of Lamb was pretty good.I defrinately will not eat at this place again.

This restaurant has very healthy and very delicious Mexican food. Their cuisine is typical of Portland and the Pacific Northwest, in that it's all done using fresh, organic ingredients with lots of gluten free and vegetarian/vegan options. The restaurant is small with upstairs tables for dining, and also a downstairs bar and outside patio seating (which is great during the summer). Their guacamole is to die for - it's made to order, so it's super fresh and they'll do it exactly as you like. I was there for a late breakfast/early lunch, so I didn't try any of their cocktails, but they have several that sounded fabulous.

Having had many Latin/Mexican meals during 40 years in the Los Angeles area and beyond, don't go much out of the way to try yet another. However, on this occasion, after walking to the Baker & Spice bakery up the block, we dropped in to have the 'entree' part before the dessert part....very good timing. No wait was involved on a late afternoon and the fresh tortillas were being made adjacent to our outdoor table, on a beautiful day and the afternoon specials, done tapas-style were all very fresh and individually tasty. We left completely sated(perhaps overly) but wanting more. And more we've gotten as return visits haven't failed to satisfy. Small, cozy place for good food, could we recommend it more?

This is a new [3 months at this location] place in SW Portland at 6446 SW Capitol Highway. It's easily reached from Barbur Blvd off I-5, just inside the village of Hillsdale. While the location is new, the team has been working at the Farmer's Market for 3 years, they said. The food is predominantly local and all very fresh. Gluten free and vegan is a theme, but chicken, pork and prawns are available. I missed out on the prawns, but certainly will not on my next visit. Fresh tortillas. Really fresh tortillas, made on site. My friend had the chile relleno, i had chicken with veggies that was simply excellent. They are part of the 'farm to fork' movement, stressing local products. The freshness was evident and the careful cooking resulted in an exceptional meal. Served over a white bean mash, everything was flavorful. I resisted licking the plate, but just barely. A number of local beers complimented perfectly, though wines were available. This is mexican food that was unlike any you might have experienced. The folks cooking work downstairs as you enter and are friendly to talk with. Seating is upstairs. Takeout is available. I had a latte to finish and would recommend their coffee without hesitation. In a town that takes coffee seriously, theirs is notable. If you are in the Portland area and looking for a warm, friendly atmosphere with good service and excellent food at a reasonable price, this should be a first choice. Their website is verdecocinamarket.com.

Selected a variety of appetizers, small plates, and nights special. Everything is done with fresh corn tortillas. Not a flour one in sight. Chips and salsa? No, corn tortillas with mild and flavorful guacamole, and very mild green and red salsas. Deep fried? No, not sure they even had a fryer in the place. Margarita? Of course and a good one. This restaurant is not like your typical Mexican fare. It has subtle and wonderful flavors that do not overwhelm the basic foods. It also includes much more veggies that a standard Mexican place. So if that is what you are looking for, yes go and you will enjoy it. If however you are thinking fried corn chips and spicy salsa with burritos, beans and rice, probably not your place. Sat at 5, special board goes up at 5:30, by 6:00 the line is out the door.

I am glad we took our friends advice, and finally tried this Hillsdale restaurant on a sunny Sunday afternoon. It is so easy to get to, with parking in a lot across the street. The food & service were great. We got a seat outside, which was great on a sunny day. As others have stated, it is not your typical taco/burrito type of place, but if you enjoy fresh and flavorful food, you should give it a try. We enjoyed the Verde Bowl (selected quinoa, beans and the veggies...I would add candied bacon next time) and the Buenos Dias Breakfast with candied bacon. Did I mention candied bacon? It was very addictive. Serving sizes are just right. The roasted veggies they serve with everything were so good - carrot, onion, zucchini, sweet potato, kale, green beans, fresh corn, etc. We asked for additional verde sauce which really kicked up the Verde Bowl. We'll definitely be back and would like to try both happy hour and dinner as well. Drink menu looked awesome with fresh ingredients and no pre-fab mixes.

My partner and I have been reluctant to dine out during the pandemic but we decided to take a chance on Verde Cocina last week when we saw the fabulous outdoor set-up they have: basically you get your own "cabana" with a zippered enclosure and a heat lamp. We ordered and paid at the door, and the waitress delivered our food to our cabana... no other contact needed. It was great to have the experience of dining out, and the food was phenomenal: gringas con mole for me and the quesadillas with grilled salmon for my partner. Highly recommend!

We lived in San Antonio for years so are kinda hard to please, was very surprised with both food & margarita at Verde & can't wait to try the new place they just opened on Mississippi Ave!

This place has a very friendly and helpful wait staff and the chef is truly artistic in presentation! The Chile Releno was not only beautiful to look at but it's taste was AMAZING! It was vegetarian stuffed with quinoa and had an amazing favorable sauce. Other friends at our table loved their flavors too! This place is a MUST DINE and the prices were very affordable! A definate find in the Portland area👌

Truly authentic Mexican food, everything made from scratch right down to the tortillas, something for everybody. Creative menu. Lots of veg choices. Not spicy American Mexican food. It is very Flavorful .Think Veggie Healthy food with bacon on the top.. This is not a place for people who want Spicy American style Mexican Food.

This place was highly recommended. Unfortunately, while it looked great, the appetizer and two of our dishes just tasted very similar. I had the Chile Relleno. It was bland and they put quinoa in it. One of my party didn't even want to order food when they saw the menu. I think if you're a vegetarian, you'd love it, but if you have experience Hispanic cuisines or like meat--pass on this.

We planned on eating at the brewery next door, but it did't work out, and the reviews for Verde Cocina were very good, so we gave it a try.The place is pretty tiny with a bar downstairs and tables upstairs. Our waiter was very helpful and professional in helping us pick drinks and entrees. There was no problem when the sangria that was ordered, but very bitter was sent back in favor of a margarita.We ordered the beef tacos and the Gringas con Mole which was basically two rolled tortillas with pork and veggies and sauce. Both dishes were excellent with fresh ingredients and wonderful flavor. We ended with a tequila tasting that was very interesting. I'm not sure how the ratings work in the multiple locations, but the Hillsdale location was excellent. We will be back and will also try the one in the Pearl.

I knew I would love this place when I saw the lovely woman hand-making tortillas, one after another. It felt like I came to her house for supper! The delicious Margaritas may have helped.

This local restaurant is a special find. The menu is very creative. No matter your choice the vegetables are superb, the main dish exceed expectations. An great value. I love the chicken quesadilla. The plates are generous. Love to split a side salad - wow. Desserts are special as well. They are doing a great job.

The happy hour white wine was excellent, I can't remember who they use for the house wine but it was good. i had a margarita and for $7.00 happy hour price I would have expected better and it came in a rather small glass. I ordered the Chorizo Y Queso Fundido and loved it. The tortillas were thick and warm and seemed fresh made. I will try this place again. The wait staff was really friendly and very helpful, they were great!

First, the food is superb, fresh, creative, the chef is obviously paying attention to detail. We've had both breakfast and dinner there, both were excellent. Their online menu is rather limited, and heavy on the mole sauces which I do not like, but they have a wide specials menu that changes with whatever is seasonal. The waitress even suggested different ways of preparing my dinner (salmon) after I mentioned I did not care for mole (salmon grilled with fresh tomatoes). Only two items keep this from being a five, the service, while friendly, is slow. They really need to add waitstaff. The other item was the margaritas we had were really not all that tasty. Oh, and the freshly made tortilla, made right there while you watch, nice and toasty.

Out on a walk through the West Hills I happened on to this place. Intrigued by such a Portlandia idea as local product based Mexican food, which was proclaimed on the signage, and then overcome by the smell of tortillas cooking on the outdoor griddle, I took a chance on breakfast. I was greeted by the happy cooks downstairs, then a delightful waitress and then the delectable and original huevos. I was smitten. One problem is parking, so incorporate your visit with a walk in the neighborhood

Went for breakfast and the were blasting really bad music which we couldn't escape. Food was pretty tasteless. Service was prompt.

Tasty and good for you. Doesn't get any better than that. This is Mexican food that isn't American or Tex Mex. Not swimming in cheese, sour cream or fatty meats. This is very healthy, very tasty food that lets the fresh ingredients shine through the preparation. The fresh made tortillas are heavenly and the Mole is delicious. This is rapidly becoming one of our neighborhood favorites. Oh, and everything is gluten free.

Verde Cocina is a great place for vegetarians (and meat-eaters) to enjoy locally sourced, fresh and healthy Mexican food. I had a Chile Rellano (sp?) that was not at all the usual cheese stuffed, battered (and might I add extremely fattening) dish, but instead was an open chile with quinoa, and very beautifully/tasty vegetables. There was just enough of the Mexican cojita (sp?) cheese and the flavors were all married together very well. My husband had veggie enchiladas with mole sauce, again minus the usual cheese. Prices were very reasonable as well. Both outdoor and indoor seating available. I would only wish for more a/c on the hot night we were there and a bit more choices of wine/beer would be good too.

We went to the new location in the Sylvan area, and we're very disappointed.. This seems very trendy, with healthy undertones, but not tasty...everything we tried was covered in a very spicy sauce...We had asked if the sauces were spicy, and the waitress said no... One dish went back uneaten, as it was really hard to even taste, it was soo spicy.. O.k. Margaritas, but excellent guacamole...Won't be going back, as has been the responses of many friends..though some felt it was just o.k...

I used to like this place but something changed. Lots of reviews elsewhere about how bland the food is (and overpriced). I will probably never eat here again because the service is terrible.

Been going past this restaurant for years, wondering what it was like. Most of the restaurant is upstairs (and there's no elevator), with a few bar stools on the first store at the bar. There was a kid's birthday party in the center of the small upstairs room, which we were able to get away from enough to enjoy ourselves. Cozy, beautiful upstairs space. Food and drinks arrived there promptly (We ordered exclusively off the happy hour menu.) Me and my friend were having a great time, and we felt rushed a bit by the staff to finish up so they could turn the table. Food was good, but not amazing. Good for the neighborhood, but won't probably be back anytime soon.

Six of us had dinner here during a very busy dinner hour. The lamb enchiladas were a special of the night & were WONDERFUL!Also ordered a side of what I think were pork belly bits carmelized. Beautiful presentation - really into the arugula. Margaritas very spendy but good. Waiters a little slow on bringing the bill . Otherwise- great!

I was looking for a place where one of our party could have a decent vegan meal but still satisfy the carnivores. This was it. We had Georges enchilada (V), Verde enchiladas, and the street tacos. The presentation was a 10 and it tasted great. I don't know how the service could be faster or friendlier. The prices may be a little on the high side, but within the normal range of similar restaurants. The header on this listing mentions "takeout or delivery only". This is not so. We ate outside in a covered area. Fortunately the weather was nice. They seemed to be COVID sensitive. They did not want us to sit at the bar and I did not see anyone inside.

First, if you are looking for a place to grab a burrito or a taco plate, this is not your place. We stopped here on our way through town (I grew up near here when the location was called Big Red's). We were all pleasantly surprised by the food. Everything is prepared fresh and the chef definitely puts thought into both the preparation and presentation. The place bills itself as farm-to-fork Mexican and that is a good description. I had beef brisket enchiladas that were served with greens and a fried egg. My son had macaroni and cheese with grilled salmon and my father had a seafood stew that was very nicely prepared. Personally, I think the location is not the best for this type of food nor is the ambiance inside, but if you are in the area and looking for a good meal, this place is definitely worth a stop.

Sat at the bar one afternoon . Had a local pilsner and a delicious wild caught Salmon paleo style. Fresh veggies. It was awesome. Great and friendly service

We were in town visiting friends, and they suggesed we try this place as it was one of their favorites....it was easy to see why. This establishment is located in a part of town that is packed with small local businesses and other restaurants. A wonderful building with the majority of dining tables upstairs. We were promptly seated and had a heckuva time trying to decide what on teh menu we should order - simply a number of wonderful choices where you cannot go wrong. I had the chorizo quesadilla special....and I have to tell you, it was simply amazing. The chorizo was succulent and well prepared. There was plenty of cheese without being too much, and it had a smooth flavor with a very nice spicy kick. The tortillas were lightly browned. Anywhere else, this would have been a very heavy meal. Here it was a heavenly and flavorful treat that left me wanting more. Our only gripe was the service. The wait staff upstairs (there were two of them) didn't seem to pay us much attention......never got refills on water, took quite some time to get our coffee, etc. People seated well after us were served their meals long before we received ours. Was the bartender from downstairs the one who seated us, took our order and forgot to enter it into the system? The wait was quite excessive for whatever the mishap was, and they didn't so much as apologize or offfer us any sort of discount. Lucky for us, the food was so good, we didn't mind. We highly recommend this establishment.

Verde cocina offers excellent food and great service! I would recommend trying one of their specials. Definitely worth a visit!

My husband and I went in during lunch on a Sunday. It was very busy but we were seated quickly. I had the buenas dias breakfast which was scrambled eggs, veggies, cubes of bacon on a garbanzo bean mash. YUM!!! My husband had the steak and eggs which was also delicious. This a restaurant which has a great feel, and more of a restaurant where you go to enjoy your coffee and talk while waiting for your meal, not just a hop in and out. They are hustling around taking care of everyone. It's good food and worth the wait.

I am new to the area and decided to stop in to try this farm-to-fork restaurant after work. Parking is very accessible in the back of plaza. Upon walking in, you are greeted with a cute bar and stairs that lead up to the dining room. The dining room is cozy but still provides ample room for guests. Décor is very relaxed and classic. I ordered the Mole Chicken special that came with mashed potatoes and a bed of vegetables. The chicken was very moist and tender and the sauce was perfectly seasoned. The vegetables were cooked perfectly and the mashed potatoes are the best that I have experienced at a restaurant. The portions were generous and the service was great. My server was very friendly and willing to answer in questions that I had.

This place has fantastic fresh food! It never disappoints! The menu is unique and there are always tons of great veggies that somehow taste fantastic!

Delicious late lunch quick stop in. Decor is relaxed and very comfortable. Recommend giving the Mexican fare a try. Carne Asada Salad rare steak was cooked to perfection. Just the right mixture of greens, with a lime vinaigrette. Will return the next time we are in town. Thank you!

Verde Cocina is a casual and easy restaurant. There is a bar downstairs and a dining room upstairs. Not particularly quiet, but that food was well made and not fancy. The meal was exactly the right amount for an easy dinner.

Several years ago Ponch's in Hillsdale closed and took with it the Chile Relleno that was my favorite. Search was frutless for a good one anywhere but I have found it at Verde Cocina. In fact maybe it's better but too much time has passed to really pass judgement. The menu is hard to read for the specials written on a chalkboard at the top of the stairs and seemed to be a mix of breakfast and lunch/dinner items but overall good menu. Fresh vegtables are their thing and buy locally when possible.

Small, busy, neighborhoody, lively and friendly. Eat at the bar, chat with the bartender, watch the kitchen action. Not your typical slop on a plate Mexican joint. Beautiful, delicious, creative, healthful, local, freshly prepared plates. I've heard some bad service reports, but never experienced myself

Had the veggie Mexican-style mole enchilada on a bed of veggies. The taste (good) was not Tex-Mex, but not true Mexican either. The mole on the enchilada was above average, but skimpy. The veggies were pleasantly crunchy. Beer choices were excellent!

My brother and I came here for dinner one night. Parking is across the street, and the restaurant is in a converted house. The waitstaff was very nice! If you're vegan/vegetarian, paleo or gluten-free, you have plenty of options here. I ordered the gringas con mole, filled with grilled veggies and quinoa in two corn tortillas, smothered in mole sauce and set over a white bean medley (chickpeas and cannelini beans). My brother got chicken enchiladas and a shrimp ceviche (he's gotten it before and absolutely loves it). For dessert, I got a raw, cashew-based cherry and chocolate 'cheesecake'. It was perfectly portioned and deliciously smooth. I highly recommend stopping here for dinner!

Picked up my daughter from PDX & then to Verde Cocina! Everything was delicious, the drinks were good, I had a Margarita, it was fresh & tasty. We all had different dishes, I had salmon with mashed potatoes & the vegetables. My husband had the Carne Asada, the steak was tender & grilled perfectly. The others had pork quesadilla & black bean soup & Chile relenos. My grandson had the kids veggie & rice with grilled chicken, although he ate my mashed potatoes & salmon. I’ll line to back again.

I came here for dinner the the night and loved it. I recommend giving it a try. The interior is somewhat small and cozyish, having a wooden feeling or ambiance in and around the upstairs. I did not inspect the bar area much but it too looked cozyish and nice though small in size. The staff was pleasant enough and knew the menu well answering a few questions I had. Appetizer was tasty (fresh homemade guacamole and home made tortillas) and my main course of chicken enchiladas was both super tasty and a decent size portion. It looked, smelled, and tasted fresh and well made. The beer selection was small, there was not much to choose from, but what they did have were pretty good quality ones. The menu is fresh and homemade vegetarian mexican and southwest inspired creative entrees, not straight up mexican. You can also just eat dinner here and then have dessert next door at sasquatch brewing :)

We had dinner here with an extended family including two two years olds and a four year old. Wonderful service they handled the kids adroitly. Completely different take on Mexican food, from the guacamole to the mole this is fusion food using vegetables, fresh herbs and spices and of course proteins. Worth a trip but have an open mind. Good wine and cocktail list also, not just beer.

I have tried this place twice and have given up. I know the ingredients are tops, but nothing has any flavour. The worse excuse for a chile relleno I have ever been served.

We ordered the Paella which was a special and it turned out to be fish stew with little flavor. The salid was great. We have had better from this restaurant; just stick with something they are expert at.

There's something about Verde Cocina I can't quite put my finger on. It must be one of those "exceeds the sum of its parts" things. The food is unadorned and very good. The service is friendly and very prompt. From the adorable bar to the cosy, but not cramped, upstairs dining area to the rustic lighting to the art on the walls, there's something so intimate and inviting one can't help but feel good about being there. This is also a restaurant where I'm eager to hear the specials which are always changing and, thus far, always very good. They make their own tortillas (corn only, the kitchen is gluten-free) and sauces (their mole and adobo are subtle and rich), the portions feel exactly right, and their special cocktails are also very good.

This quaint place is a real boon to the Hillsdale neighborhood. The dishes are wonderful and packed with local vegetables that have been lovingly prepared so as to almost deliver flavor to the max! Cannot comment on their drinks, but the lunch and breakfast options were outstanding. Chilaquiles were a fave.

I've just moved into this area from AZ, so not truly Mexican food. It was,however, exceptionally well prepared and fresh! Tortillas were made on the spot and delivered hot,and the chili rellano was delightful with lots of grilled to perfection veggies and filled with quinoa. I can't wait to go again!

Great food, service, and drinks! The margarita and Mexican Mule were delicious. Loved the cabana seating outside. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the mood for delicious Mexican fare.

Farm to table Mexican Food filled with local vegetables. Freshly made tortillas and great selection of margaritas and other drinks. I really enjoyed the mole sauce. Outdoor seating area along with plenty of indoor seating also, both areas are nicely decorated.

Drinks overpriced, small food portions and service was the worst ! Don’t bother ! I drove a ways to find this place, will never go back

My first visit. We came for takeout on a Saturday night. Long wait for tables, but we were able to get our order in and have drinks at the bar while we waited for our order. Friendly bartender. We all had the Paleo Verde, which was really good. It was served with a nice combination of vegetables. I would definitely come back here.

We stopped by for lunch and had a wonderful meal. Each of our dishes were delicious and the service was great. It is such a cute place. Worth a visit and we will return when in the area again.

During a recent trip to visit family in Portland, we had dinner at the newly--opened Verde Cocina in Hillsdale. We're glad we did! The food was unlike anything I've ever had in a Mexican restaurant. Everything was freshly prepared from the agua fresca to the homemade tortillas. The dishes came with generous servings of the most delicious fresh vegetables. They use high-quality, local ingredients and prepare them in a way that enhances, not disguises the flavors. It's the first time I've ever left a Mexican restaurant feeling healthy. We'll definitely be back!

We dropped in after visiting the zoo lights. The service was excellent and the food was above average. Try the spicy margarita :)

Seven of us ate here tonight. Such an eclectic Mexican menu. So many choices and everything tasted fantastic! Taking a point off due to making a reservation earlier today and when we arrived our large outside table was occupied with three people finishing their meal. Not a big deal but we had been proactive in reserving for our larger group and our request had been ignored. There were no seating options available for us.

It's nice to find a restaurant that serves lunch on a Sunday afternoon. Most places serve brunch on the weekends. My husband and I had the surf and turf for two. It was fantastic. It was served on a wooden cutting board to share with rare/medium-rare carne asada, nicely seasoned grilled shrimp over a salad mix, and perfectly cooked tender and juicy salmon, their signature mixed veggies, and chunky mashed potatoes.

We spent a date night out here with another couple. We sat on the patio - very nice! We waited a little bit to be greeted by our server, but after the initial hiccup, the service was excellent. Drinks - excellent. I am picky about margaritas and feel they should be simple, fresh (no mixes or sweet and sour!), and tasty. This one was amazing. Dinner wa

The food was authentic Mexican, much closer to American or Canadian food than the Mexican served as fast food; I had “Carne Asada”, basically grilled flank steak and my Sweetie had a cheese Quesadilla. Both were very good. We both had delicous Margaritas but after dinner I had a Mexican beer drink called a “Michelada”, although I think I prefer either a straight beer or a Margarita!

Verde Cocina had a booth at the Portland Zoo. Their grills were near the front of the booth and I could see the fresh meat and veggies piled high and cooking - yum! Two of the workers at the zoo said it was their favorite food vendor so I tried it. I got the paleo bowl with pork and a side of chips and their homemade salsas. It was $21 for all of it and IT WAS GOOD! I love being able to get fresh veggies when I go out. It was a large portion and was plenty for dinner. The people working the booth were efficient and friendly. I will seek them out when I return to Portland!

Really great. Honestly - Verde Cocina Cafe is a great little casual dining spot in the Hillsdale area. The thing that surprises me most about the restaurant - why haven't we been here before last week? The location is cool (in an old depot building in Hillsdale). The concept is fantastic - fresh Mexican (true Mexican cuisine and not Tex-Mex) food at reasonable prices. And the food is all prepared with a fairly strict code to the fidelity of nuevo-Mexican food . . . with a obvious nod to "Portland" eating (i.e. gluten-free, vegan and pale-specific dishes). We had a wide variety of dishes - all of which came hot, quickly and with a friendly smile (NB: every dish needed a bit of salt to enhance the flavors). The flavors of the dishes were all a little unique - a difficult task that many restaurants in this price-point will overlook. The major complaint I have for Verde Cocina Cafe (a complaint that mirrors many of the other reviews for the restaurant) is the service. The service was inconsistent and appeared poorly coordinated. It seemed that the wait staff were all new to the server industry and lacked a clear direction on helping or enhancing the dining experience . . . or even a clear understanding of how to provide table service. In-and-of itself, this was a bit of an "annoyance" - but by no stretch of the imagination a game-changer for our experience at Verde Cocina Cafe. In fact, I enjoyed the flavors of the food so much, that I found myself making excuses for the poor service. If the management can get a better handle on how to train their front line staff, this place is going to really take off and become another Portland "must visit" restaurant.

Verde Cocina offers a terrific Pacific Northwest take on Mexican food. The emphasis is on fresh vegetables paired with updated Mexican classics. Plus the building and decor are charming. Our waitress was terrific! I had the grapefruit aqua fresca (so delicious) as well as the Buenos Dias plate. The vegetables were cooked perfectly, the scrambled eggs were light and fluffy, the salsa was rich and flavorful and the white bean/garbanzo mash was very tasty. Great Sunday breakfast for a terrific price!

We stopped here for lunch on our way through Portland and found it to be a great find. I had the Verde Bowl and my wife had Heveos Rancheros. Both of us were very happy with our meals-- they were well prepared and the seasoning was subtle and interesting. The service was very attentive but not intrusive and we loved the fact that they source their food and beverages locally. The atmosphere and decor were casual and eclectic, prices are reasonable.