Que Pasa Cantina

Aqui is a favorite and consistently has great food. Their chips and guac are the best in town. Pros: Laid back, good food, nice staff Cons: Long waits, limited seating more

Chicken enchiladas were great. The side of mash potatoes with cheese and vegetables melted in them were amazing. When they ran out of their cinnamon brownie dessert, we were given their tres leches, it was one of the best I have ever had. Nice atmosphere in a colorful Portland neighborhood that is not far from downtown. I would definitely make time for this restaurant on my next trip to Portland. Pros: fresh ingredients, friendly service, good atmosphere Cons: None really, maybe chips and salsa should be free more

Chicken enchiladas were great. The side of mash potatoes with cheese and vegetables melted in them were amazing. When they ran out of their cinnamon brownie dessert, we were given their tres leches, it was one of the best I have ever had. Nice atmosphere in a colorful Portland neighborhood that is not far from downtown. I would definitely make time for this restaurant on my next trip to Portland. Pros: fresh ingredients, friendly service, good atmosphere Cons: None really, maybe chips and salsa should be free more

The restaurant itself is cool. They have a lot of neat lights and decorations and the outdoor covered patio with warmers looked like it would be a fun place to chill with some friends over drinks when the weather is warmer. The menu seemed promising; lots of options, many of them interesting. We had the sopas to start and they were pretty good. I ordered a chicken burrito and was not impressed, although I have to give them credit for putting lots and lots and lots of chicken, rice, and beans in it...it was filled really full. The chicken was excellent...cooked well, good spices and it seemed like good quality meat. The beans and rice in the burrito were bland...but hey, it is beans and rice so I wasn't expecting much. What I was expecting however was that it would come with more than 10 chips, a tablespoon of sour cream and a little cup of pico de gallo. Now I understand that many places don't put much in their burritos, but some lettuce, cheese and sauce (without having to pay extra!) would have been nice. Overall, the burrito was pretty flavorless, although the chicken was good and the chips were excellent and the pico was fresh. My friends said that their food was alright. Now...the service. As a server myself, I know what good service is, I know what bad service is, and I definitely know what ""I don't give a f***"" bad service is and the two guys working the tables tonight fell into the last category. I had read reviews that said the service here was ""laid-back,"" and I can deal with that, especially since I am young and like talking with my friends, rather than having someone hover over my shoulder and check on me every 3 minutes. But this was not laid-back, it was just bad. The restaurant was more than half empty so they couldn't use the ""busy"" excuse. Our server kept interrupting our conversation every time he came to the table. He didn't even wait a few seconds for a break but instead just cut right in. Each and every time...never failed. Rude. The Coca-Cola I ordered was almost all ice, super watered down and had margarita salt in the bottom...gross. Unless this is some ""new-age"" thing I'm not aware about, I'm pretty sure people do not put margarita salt in Coca-Cola. And, since he filled the drinks, it is not difficult to find a clean cup or to put more pop than ice in it. The timing between the appetizer and the orders was not spaced out enough, as we were not finished and our food came. As a server, I can tell you that timing can be difficult, but ONLY when it is busy. Otherwise, it is pretty damn easy (especially with Mexican food which cooks pretty fast and can be thrown together quickly) to time stuff right (and even more so when you can see the table from where you pick up the food since the restaurant is so small). The other guy who brought our food out was constantly scowling and just looked not happy to be there; and our server never smiled and was actually kind of a d-bag. He seemed more concerned with chatting with his friends who had come in to the restaurant than actually serving his tables. The table next to us had to ask him about 3 times for water. The kicker though was when he started complaining about the tip we left him...while standing about 10 feet away. Helpful hint: if you want to complain about your patrons, do it when they are not SITTING RIGHT THERE. Mind you, I know that getting a bad tip is no fun...IF you worked for it. But bad, careless, rude service coupled with mediocre food does NOT deserve a good tip (hence why I left you a bad tip). To hear you complaining about it afterwards doesn't make me feel bad or embarrassed...it just makes me glad I didn't leave you more (which I almost did and am SO glad I didn't). Needless to say, I will not be returning. I would have given Aqui 3 stars had the service been better; it got 2 only because the food was ok. Pros: Funky atmosphere, good chips. Cons: Bad service. Bad service. Bad service. more

The restaurant itself is cool. They have a lot of neat lights and decorations and the outdoor covered patio with warmers looked like it would be a fun place to chill with some friends over drinks when the weather is warmer. The menu seemed promising; lots of options, many of them interesting. We had the sopas to start and they were pretty good. I ordered a chicken burrito and was not impressed, although I have to give them credit for putting lots and lots and lots of chicken, rice, and beans in it...it was filled really full. The chicken was excellent...cooked well, good spices and it seemed like good quality meat. The beans and rice in the burrito were bland...but hey, it is beans and rice so I wasn't expecting much. What I was expecting however was that it would come with more than 10 chips, a tablespoon of sour cream and a little cup of pico de gallo. Now I understand that many places don't put much in their burritos, but some lettuce, cheese and sauce (without having to pay extra!) would have been nice. Overall, the burrito was pretty flavorless, although the chicken was good and the chips were excellent and the pico was fresh. My friends said that their food was alright. Now...the service. As a server myself, I know what good service is, I know what bad service is, and I definitely know what "I don't give a f***" bad service is and the two guys working the tables tonight fell into the last category. I had read reviews that said the service here was "laid-back," and I can deal with that, especially since I am young and like talking with my friends, rather than having someone hover over my shoulder and check on me every 3 minutes. But this was not laid-back, it was just bad. The restaurant was more than half empty so they couldn't use the "busy" excuse. Our server kept interrupting our conversation every time he came to the table. He didn't even wait a few seconds for a break but instead just cut right in. Each and every time...never failed. Rude. The Coca-Cola I ordered was almost all ice, super watered down and had margarita salt in the bottom...gross. Unless this is some "new-age" thing I'm not aware about, I'm pretty sure people do not put margarita salt in Coca-Cola. And, since he filled the drinks, it is not difficult to find a clean cup or to put more pop than ice in it. The timing between the appetizer and the orders was not spaced out enough, as we were not finished and our food came. As a server, I can tell you that timing can be difficult, but ONLY when it is busy. Otherwise, it is pretty damn easy (especially with Mexican food which cooks pretty fast and can be thrown together quickly) to time stuff right (and even more so when you can see the table from where you pick up the food since the restaurant is so small). The other guy who brought our food out was constantly scowling and just looked not happy to be there; and our server never smiled and was actually kind of a d-bag. He seemed more concerned with chatting with his friends who had come in to the restaurant than actually serving his tables. The table next to us had to ask him about 3 times for water. The kicker though was when he started complaining about the tip we left him...while standing about 10 feet away. Helpful hint: if you want to complain about your patrons, do it when they are not SITTING RIGHT THERE. Mind you, I know that getting a bad tip is no fun...IF you worked for it. But bad, careless, rude service coupled with mediocre food does NOT deserve a good tip (hence why I left you a bad tip). To hear you complaining about it afterwards doesn't make me feel bad or embarrassed...it just makes me glad I didn't leave you more (which I almost did and am SO glad I didn't). Needless to say, I will not be returning. I would have given Aqui 3 stars had the service been better; it got 2 only because the food was ok. Pros: Funky atmosphere, good chips. Cons: Bad service. Bad service. Bad service. more

I have visited various Mexican food restaurants around Portland, and not one comes close to comparison as Aqui. Not surprised it has ranked so high on the Best of Citysearch in the past. Pros: Atmoshphere, food, service Cons: None more

I have visited various Mexican food restaurants around Portland, and not one comes close to comparison as Aqui. Not surprised it has ranked so high on the Best of Citysearch in the past. Pros: Atmoshphere, food, service more

Since moving from LA to PDX about 3 years ago, Aqui has become our collective favorite for authentic mexican food. We tried nearly every other and always come back. Their staff is very friendly and the two ladies are always "on the ball" with their menu and keeping good staff. Our favs: fish tacos, cheese fondue w/ pico, jalapeno mac/cheese and mexican casserole. Pros: Staff, Cheese Queso, Margaritas (Cadillac) Cons: Parking, Closed Sundays more

Since moving from LA to PDX about 3 years ago, Aqui has become our collective favorite for authentic mexican food. We tried nearly every other and always come back. Their staff is very friendly and the two ladies are always ""on the ball"" with their menu and keeping good staff. Pros: Staff, Cheese Queso, Margaritas (Cadillac) Cons: Parking, Closed Sundays more

Our sevice was adequate. The margaritas were weak and too sweet. The food could have been more flavorful. Both of our entres should have tasted very different but they had all the same flavors. I might try again, not a completely disatifying situation. Pros: there is a parking spot or two out front if you are lucky. Cons: if you don't get that parking spot it is more difficult more

Our sevice was adequate. The margaritas were weak and too sweet. The food could have been more flavorful. Both of our entres should have tasted very different but they had all the same flavors. I might try again, not a completely disatifying situation. Pros: there is a parking spot or two out front if you are lucky. Cons: if you don't get that parking spot it is more difficult more

Sorry to say the food is bland and the margaritas are sweet and don't have much tequila. That goes for any dish you expect to be spicy. To bad, the place is cute. Pros: cute place Cons: bad food, just bad more

Sorry to say the food is bland and the margaritas are sweet and don't have much tequila. That goes for any dish you expect to be spicy. To bad, the place is cute. Pros: cute place Cons: bad food, just bad more

We had a great experience at Aqui! Our waitress was very friendly and tenative. The food and drinks were great too. Pros: Everything! Cons: Nothing! more

We had a great experience at Aqui! Our waitress was very friendly and tenative. The food and drinks were great too. Pros: Everything! Cons: Nothing! more

I moved here in Fall '06 and needed to find Mexican food quickly. Once I found Aqui, I have been going back every few months. The seafood enchiladas have been my favorite entree, though I have tried and enjoyed other dishes. The happy hour food is well-priced and portioned. Service is always laid-back, though attentive. This is a good, local establishment to support. Pros: Very pretty decor and comfortable environment, soul-soothing meals, no frills more

I moved here in Fall '06 and needed to find Mexican food quickly. Once I found Aqui, I have been going back every few months. The seafood enchiladas have been my favorite entree, though I have tried and enjoyed other dishes. The happy hour food is well-priced and portioned. Service is always laid-back, though attentive. This is a good, local establishment to support. Pros: Very pretty decor and comfortable environment, soul-soothing meals, no frills more

Good food. Great Cadillac Margaritas. Good service. But they keep changing their hours, every time I ask someone to meet me there for a meal the times have changed. I had to just stop going. Pros: Food, Margaritas Cons: Always changing hours more

Good food. Great Cadillac Margaritas. Good service. But they keep changing their hours, every time I ask someone to meet me there for a meal the times have changed. I had to just stop going. Pros: Food, Margaritas Cons: Always changing hours more

I was on a business trip traveling from NYC and always in search of good Mexican food and boy did I find it! Pros: Food and price Cons: Bar seating could be bigger more