Jefe offers a modern and inviting space, with several seating options. The centrally located three-sided bar backs up to the kitchen. As you enter the restaurant, to the left are high-top tables and seats around a fireplace. During nice weather, garage doors open to a covered atrium, where plenty of propane-powered heat lamps keep diners warm. Large west-facing windows and the garage doors give Jefe a bright indoor/outdoor feel. TVs in the bar typically are tuned to sporting events, but the TVs are muted, providing an option to casually catch the game while pretending to pay attention to your date or family. To the right are configurable booths and some tables, separated by a screen comprised of clear glass bottles attached to vertical wires. This design feature (pictured) serves the dual purpose of softly separating the dining spaces and also acting as an earthquake alarm. Head for the exit if you hear those bottles clanking together, perhaps taking time to pause at the bar to grab a margarita on your way out if the trembler is 4.0 or less on the Richter scale. The bar is full service, featuring a variety of margaritas and other craft cocktails. The margaritas are delicious, albeit modest in size. If you're looking for a fishbowl full of rotgut, this may not be the place for you. A bonus for connoisseurs of Mexican beer: Negra Modelo on tap! Jefe's menu is aptly described as Mexican comfort food. You will find well-executed standard fare, such as enchiladas, bowls, burritos, and tacos. Specialty items include a couple of my favorites: Pollo Saute (breaded chicken breast on poblano rice, with jalapenos, braised greens, and pickled onions) and Aji Amarillo Shrimp Enchiladas (shrimp, corn, cheese, and onions with a unique mole sauce). The best value is the Tacos: ten varieties with lots of options, including quantity, add-ons, and sides. A kid menu is offered for children 12 and under. Service is professional and friendly, and take-out/delivery is available as well. read more

Jefe Mex - Kids menu and earthquake warning system - Mexican Near Me - Lake Oswego, Oregon

What a great place to have lunch on the fly. We had a morning coffee meeting at a place nearby that ran a bit over so we decided to stop in and grab a bite to eat while we were in the area. We had both never heard of this place, we perused the menu in the window and decided to give it a try. We were both pleasantly surprised. The service was amazing and attentive. Great suggestions from our server. They also have house made fresh corn tortillas!! The carnitas bowl was delicious especially with those corn tortillas that I added on after I heard they were fresh made. The burger looked huge and my friend mentally enjoyed it. read more

See all

Fantastic atmosphere from the moment we walked in. The staff delivers such a warm and welcoming vibe and the food came out fast. We will be back! read more

My wife and I were in Portland for a long weekend and my sister and brother-in-law took us here for breakfast and it was delicious. We entered the large Mexican restaurant and my sister and I split the flautas and breakfast enchilada. The flautas were brought out by our nice server and the were huge and were crispy and flavorful. I ordered a Michelada to go with my meal and it was perfect and went well with the Modelo that came with it. The enchilada was also great and we enjoyed the company of one of their friends, super funny guy. Lots of food and great atmosphere made for a fantastic breakfast with fun conversation! read more

See all

This review is for a takeout order on a Saturday night around 7pm. We placed our order through our app. Upon arrival, the restaurant was quite packed and bustling. Inside was lower lighting and well designed decor. We were helped almost immediately and our food was ready to go right on time. The items were thoughtfully packaged in appropriate containers in a paper bag. All of the food was well prepared and fresh. Hands down some of the best chips and salsa around and huge portions! However, we did not enjoy the actually tortillas at all. The charro beans were well prepared but did not have enough salt or flavor, in my opinion. Other than that, the meat for the tacos and the enchiladas were cooked and flavored well. Unfortunately, the rice was undercooked for the first enchiladas meal. It was not a bad meal and we will definitely eat here again but might try some of the other menu items to see if it is a better palate-match. Very friendly staff! Shared parking lot as this is located in a plaza with a grocery store and other businesses. read more

See all

Six of us met for dinner at 5 a couple nights ago. Very crowded loud but fun! Staff was busy but service was friendly and quick. Drink ordered were quickly brought and enjoyed prior to ordering. I got the shrimp now and others enjoyed tacos, soup, salmon bowl. All just excellent. The z5 o'clock crowd cleared out quickly so happy hour must be popular here Highly recommend. Parking is challenging. read more

Really enjoyed this restaurant! It's definitely a higher end Mexican restaurant, not your average one if that's what you're looking for. I believe their chips are made in house because they are absolutely amazing! We got the nachos and I highly recommend them. Chips and salsa are not served at the table, that is a side item you have to order and pay for. Staff was great, they were able to make room for a large party and they can rearrange tables to make room for big groups. It was absolutely wonderful. read more

See all

I don't leave reviews often, but my husband and I are both shaking our heads after a recent visit and I wanted to share. Haven't been in years, decided to stop recently for dinner to see if things had gotten better. Honestly not sure how this place stays open. Food was mediocre at best, kitchen was filthy, and our waitress (short gal with heavy lip liner) was very rude. Didn't smile once, did the bare minimum, seemed pissed off we were there, spent the whole time flirting with the kitchen staff and we watched her put her fingers in her mouth repeatedly without washing her hands before touching dishes. We are so lucky to have so many amazing restaurants nearby, no reason to stop here again. read more

Good service, great cocktails, and tasty food. Nice outdoor seating. Rarely have to wait for a table. read more

Jefe Mex - Strawberry salad. The shrimp was particularly delicious. - Mexican Near Me - Lake Oswego, Oregon

Modern, brightly-lit, and stocked with your basic modular table-and-booth layout, Jefe is not the least bit unattractive, but it's not the usual squeaky clean vibe I go for, either. Then again I've been here twice in the last few months, so they must be doing something right. Both times our group showed, it was for happy hour and let me just say ...we were lucky to get a table. The place does pack em in, but then, it's not that big. The square U-shaped bar is a fairly decent size though, with a bunch of stools to perch on, so that's an option. There's also a round gas-fire pit style table in back, and outdoor patio seating with heaters, but the latter setup doesn't exactly have a scenic backdrop --- you're in a strip mall, after all. But the drinks are good, if unremarkable (my house margarita was too sweet- probably came out of a gun? ) and the service is definitely up there in terms of attentiveness and speed. As you might've guessed, the menu is Mexican - er, can we say - inspired? As in, not totally authentic, but that's ok as it's still pretty flavorful nonetheless. I've always had their tacos on my visits - so far, the carne asada, the chicken tinga, the rockfish and the veggie versions - and all come on a flour tortilla with the same toppings: onion radish, avocado salsa, etc. They're not huge, but on happy hour are still a good deal, and I can highly recommend the tinga and rockfish versions. So basically, this is a solid neighborhood option for small groups or couples, but not exactly a destination spot. I live close enough so I'll probably be back. read more

See all

As a Latino this has to be one of the ABSOLUTELY WORST "Latin" food I've tasted in 30++ years being in Oregon!!!! Fake taste, fake everything!!! Service was mediocre as best. Prices were OUTRAGEOUS, especially since we left over 50% of our plates!! Beware of this disgusting place....FOOD is really nothing to do with Latino taste!!! Pretty restaurant ‼ read more

Have been there a couple of times lately. Service always good, really fun decor and the food does not disappoint! The last time I went, I ordered the Mole Enchiladas, with Barbados and light Mole. I like mole but sometimes restaurants drown you food in it. The plate was attractive to look at and had just the right amount of Mole. With the cheese and very generous amount of meat in the enchilada, the dinner made three meals for me! The beans delicious and the greens not overcooked. read more

See all

I enjoyed a recent dinner here with a group of 7. Service was a bit slow at times, but the food was really good! We also had some great cocktails. The interior was beautiful as well. read more

Just okay food. Had the carne asada plate for $32. The carne asada was like a small filet - not a skirt or flank steak. And it was overcooked. The ranch beans and rice were flavorless. The chips and salsa were good. Liked the atmosphere. Probably won't be back. Too many better restaurants to choose from for mediocre food. read more

The homemade tortillas in the tacos are exceptional! The guacamole is delicious and the salsa is so fresh and not too spicy. The spicy margarita is fantastic, and I recommend swapping the spicy sugar rim for tajin. Great atmosphere while also being kid friendly read more

The restaurant is cozy, but a little ithe louder side. Nice bar and fire pit counter to drink or dine at. Staff was very pleasant. Fish taco was the best I have had in I can't remember how long. I wish I ordered 2!!! My margarita was really nice. Placed filled up around 3pm on a Saturday, so I'm going to go with they have a popular happy hour. read more

See all

Amazing breakfast with family today. Server's were great and informative. Nice bar plus outdoor seating. We decided to seat in a booth which was very comfortable. read more

Jefe Mex - Bloody Mary - Mexican Near Me - Lake Oswego, Oregon

See all

I would like everyone to know the food is bland at best, absolutely no flavor at all, there were 6 of us in our party and 6 different meals and everyone had the same conclusion NO FLAVOR, and to top it off I had ordered 2 drinks that were single alcohol drink and was charged for Long Island ice teas which are a 3 alcoholic drink. The waitress said my drink Sex on the beach was not on their menu and it was the only drink they had on the menu that they could charge me for. We were also charged a gratuity because they were more than 4 people at our table, they automatically charge you and not tell you until you get the bill. We all agreed we will never be back. read more

Good food and excellent service at the bar from Hannah! She's very friendly and will take good care of you.

It breaks my heart to post this - We have been patrons and what you would call regulars even before we were married and had two children for over 7+ yrs (even hosted a bridal party here to welcome them into town), but we have to do this as we care too much about the staff and establishment that it used to be. Rewind 2-3 yrs ago on even and Wed/Thur night there might be a wait for 20-30 min, but it was worth it!! First of all, something they have always gotten right is the amazing front of the house staff (not sure how they seem to keep them, but it continues to dwindle as their hours are cut)! In addition to their standard menu, that also included lots of stellar specials. They always had a market fish and something new and interesting. Fast forward, no fresh fish, rarely a special, and inconsistency... even nachos having cheese (when noted extra cheese please). We've shared feedback at the restaurant, but sadly they don't care about the people that used to visit 2-3 times a wk (along w/ many other regulars who now go to their sister establishments or other restaurants). Cocktail options that were always available years prior, even they still could make a profit off of. We aren't asking for anything special, we are asking for the Jefe we had come to know and love. One with friendly faces (paying patrons and staff), healthy and unique menu options! read more

Jefe Mex - Over fried fries- our kids call them "garbage fries..." - Mexican Near Me - Lake Oswego, Oregon

This was one of the better meals I have had in months. I love the ambience and the food was incredible. I had the Camarones Flaco. It had roasted spaghetti squash, sauteed prawns and brussels sprouts. They give you the option of either a pico & habanero or poblano cream sauce. I opted for the habanero sauce, which had the perfect amount of heat. I think the poblano might have been too mild for my liking. My husband had the Cubano. He really enjoyed the slow-roasted pork, and I couldn't get enough of his chipotle fries.  They offer Happy  Hour everyday from 3PM to 5:30PM. I look forward to returning and checking it out. read more

Jefe Mex - Virgin Margaratia - Mexican Near Me - Lake Oswego, Oregon

See all

Don't get me wrong, Jefe is about as boujie as Mexican food comes, (and we're being pretty generous labeling this as "authentic Mexican cuisine"), but from my one experience it works. I'm pretty well versed in this camp of upscale Mexican restaurants, and most of the time, I find myself disappointed by the absorbent pricing and poor attempts at making comfort food classy food. Oftentimes, I compare those to the likes of local hole-in-the-walls and food trucks, whose portions are plenteous per price paid. Yet, Jefe worked for me against all odds and biases. Perhaps it is the fact I went against my gut of going for a traditional dish, like an enchilada, of which tends to be my barometer for Mexican cuisine. No, instead, I ordered the Cochinita, which, despite being a fairly "gentrified" take on the dish, was superb. In this dish, the sauce is boss. I've seen criticism that Jefe's solution to not seasoning and cooking the pork shoulder well is to douse it in habanero verde cream sauce, which isn't wrong per se... it just ended up working in my favor since I very much liked the sauce. The cauliflower mash resting beneath the pork shoulder is nothing too amazing on its own, but paired with the sauce, it's very good. It might be a disservice to the dish to say it's fairly one note in terms of flavor, but it is, though it is a very good single note in my eyes (and stomach). Only other thing of note would probably be the house margaritas, in that I was not particularly wowed by it. It leans more on the tequila taste than it does lime and sweetness. Jefe proved me wrong that I can really enjoy an upscale Mexican restaurant. Would I go here again? I'm sure I would. But would it become a frequent mainstay? Likely not due to the trappings of all upscale restaurants. Though, next time I do come back, I'd be curious to try a more standard traditional dish to see how it really compared. read more

Jefe Mex - Cochinita - Mexican Near Me - Lake Oswego, Oregon

See all

Had a happy birthday Happy Hour with my sis and her friends literally on the night of the great snow of Portland- biggest since the 40's. The 3 1/2 hour drive home a mile was worth it to celebrate with margaritas and snackies. I loved my grilled rockfish tacos. The fundido was fun. Didn't get the chorizo cuz someone was meatless but I still enjoyed it. All the girls loved their egg frothy margaritas although I opted for the Happy Hour classico Margarita. And the tequila was a good choice too. Endless chips and yummy salsa roja and guac--- thos it all needed salt but I had enough on my rim to lick and munch the snacks. The shrimp ceviche was perfect too read more

See all

I wouldn't call Jefe authentic by any means, it's what you'd expect for a Mexican restaurant in Lake Oswego. However, its great for what it is and the happy hour is wonderful. You can't go wrong with any of their options, though do be careful with the suggestions for adding guacamole to your chips- Its pricy, very overpriced, and many of my friends have reported feeling like it was a sneaky upcharge. The flautas are delicious, as are the chips! read more

Auto gratuity 20% for 4 adults, 2 kids and an infant. Great tasting food. Great service. Heavy poor for margarita--Wife got a Cadillac margarita. Horchatas are watered down though. Good guac too. They have long booths that can fit about 6 large adults. They actually have beers besides IPAs. Handmade corn tortillas too. Overall great! read more

Jefe Mex - Finished flautas, kids quesadilla, and chimichuri - Mexican Near Me - Lake Oswego, Oregon

I'm with the 3.5 stars. I was not wowed but it was a pleasant experience. This is more of my go to place for margaritas and chips and guacamole with my girls. I love the inside, it's a good vibe. The service and food are both good. The menu is simple. This time I had the burrito bowl and it was tasty and a generous portion (so much I had to take it home) but still spendy for what it is. I definitely recommend this place if you're just wanting to be social and have drinks and appetizers. It is worth trying for a meal and maybe you'll find that it's for you. read more

We used love this restaurant, but the food has gone down hill. The kids chicken tenders are over cooked and it seams like they need to change the fryer oil. The happy hour menu used to been amazing. But some good bites were taken off the menu. The margaritas are still tasty. Chips and salsa are solid. And the server did take back the chicken and re cook it. The mole used to be excellent but they keep changing the recipe it's either too thick or the spice level is off. It's nice inside with lighting a decor. read more

When nearby La Provence was overflowing with no place to wait we took someone's suggestion and walked over to Jefe. We were pleasantly surprised. It's head and shoulders nicer than the average Mexican place. All three of us had various salads which were excellent, so I can't report on standard Mexican food like tacos and burritos. They also have some breakfast items like omelettes. The decor is sophisticated. The noise level was low so we could easily converse. Our server was great. The prices are reasonable. I can hardly believe I'm giving a Mexican restaurant four stars but it at least comes close. This is in a busy strip mall with a large parking lot which was jammed yesterday. read more

Located in Lake Oswego, Jefe is a great neighborhood choice for happy hour with friends. With ample covered outside seating and interior seating too, you can enjoy a margarita and chips/guac/salsa for an early snack - which is exactly what we did. I would say the tortilla chips needed a tad more salt though! I ordered the rice and beans and casa ensalada off of the HH menu. The salad had so many yummy ingredients and the dressing tasty. They have several lighter fair options like enchiladas and tacos priced at $4. All items are priced well with appropriate portions and definitely hit the spot. The staff was attentive and friendly and always checked in with us. I'd say the only negative is parking as it shares it with Zupans and La Provence. Most green parking spaces have a 45 minute limit and the regular spaces are so compact that it's difficult to find parking that will fit a car larger than a sedan! read more

See all

Normally, I would give 5 stars - because I have been here many times and really enjoy their food and drinks. However, I take issue with their "new" policy (according to our server) of only allowing large group to use 4 Visa cards. That sounds like a lot of cards but when you have 12 people (8 of which are single) it gets complicated when it's time to pay. The hardest part is figuring out who ordered what (on a check 12 inches long). It sounds easier than it was. Mostly because there were drinks and food items none of us believed we ordered. Or drinks were rang up under names we did not recognize. We always come in large groups and separate checks have ever been an issue. Until this last visit. There were 12 of us at a large table. 2 couples & a single person left and settled up their tabs, gobbling up 3 our allotted 4 Visa charges. When it was time for the rest of us to pay, we were $103 short and the manager said we could not leave until it was paid. We did not know if the friends who left forgot to pay for some items or if we were mistakenly charged for items we did not order. In the end, one gal got frustrated and just paid it all, even though she was the last to arrive and only had 2 drinks (I only had two as well, so my bill was easy to figure out). I can't imagine being told we cannot leave until it was paid left a good taste in her mouth. It certainly did not mine. I feel that restaurants who are going to enforce a mandatory 18-20% tip for large groups should at least print out separate tickets so that every person knows exactly how much they owe. That way, no one walks away paying $103 more than what they should - and wondering if there the group was charged more than they should have been. read more

Stopped by for brunch because our other options were too crowded. Decent food, but service was lackluster. Their menu also does not list out the items your meal comes with. My friend and I ordered a side of potatoes with our huevos rancheros and veggie benedict, but found out these already come with potatoes (not listed on menu). Was not expecting the chorizo hash to come with spinach (pleasant surprise). Another friend ordered the huevos mexicanos, not knowing there were onions (thankfully it's just preference and not a food allergy). Recipe for disaster when it comes to food allergies, so I hope they start including these on their menus soon to avoid any mishaps! read more

Jefe Mex - Chorizo hash - Mexican Near Me - Lake Oswego, Oregon

See all

Great place! They make their own corn tortillas and chips and they are GF. Different taco options so you can mix and match; we tried the beef and chicken tinga. Tasty! Another in our party had the chicken tortilla soup which she loved, but it is on the spicier side. Server was celiac aware. Nice ambiance, but can be loud when crowded especially near the bar. They also have outdoor seating. We went at 5 PM on a Friday and were able to get in and enjoy happy hour. Park behind the building and you are more likely to find a spot. read more

¡Me encanta todo lo que hay en el menú! I love Jefe, the food is absolutely delicious. I recommend going off the traveled road and be adventurous, try their specialty dishes, it's a world of flavors. The Quéso Fundido will leave you hungry for more, but stuffed and filled! Try adding it on your other dishes. The Chips and Salsa here are delicious. Portland has a serious salsa problem, Jefe cures it. The salsa is a finely ground blend with a bit of a smokey black pepper added. Not too spicy for those sensitive to spice. I also had three different tacos: Tinga Chicken, Verduras, and Rock Fish. I will warn you, the Tinga Chicken is quite spicy, I do not recommend for those sensitive to spice. Spice lovers, devour! Verduras is a vegetarian taco, but filled with flavor. The mushroom mixed with the sauce, radish and cilantro hit very nicely. Service is great, servers are all friendly and have recommendations if you need some. The ambiance is great during the week, slammed on Fridays and weekend. Nevertheless, get there for Happy Hour and enjoy a plethora of things. ¡Jefe es el jefe! ¡Disfruta la comida! read more

See all

First time here and I must say the food was pretty darn good. We were famished so I forgot to take pictures. This review started off as a five star but I deducted a star for service because the woman manning the food distribution said she would let our server know we requested a refill on my husband's tea but she did not do that. Also, we ran out of water and no one ever offered more. The server did make great suggestions and we had a meal that we enjoyed of Barbacoa nachos and a shrimp taco and carnitas taco all for under $30. Will we go back? Definitely! read more

One of my neighborhood favorite restaurants ... have been going there for many many years ... the new manager is amazing, service always great and friendly .... But today I had a not so good experience so I decided to share ... make sure you always review your bill before you pay ... I decided to do it after I have paid and they have over charged me $2 per drink for no reason .... I do no like that or appreciate that ... just saying read more

A true fan of Mex food and theirs have never let me down! The chili relleno and carne asada are just beyond good, they're GREAT!!! Service is friendly and f-a-s-t read more

So 1st I wanna start with I had extremely high expectations when I got here because I've eaten at some pretty amazing Mexican restaurants in Palm Desert and Indio California. With that said, their carne asada plate is right up there with anything you're going to find in the finest establishments in California or Las Vegas. And the best part is it's a fraction of the cost of dining at some of those places I'm referring to. We had two entrees the Shrimp Flacco which was an amazing poblano cream reduction with huge prawns over the top of zucchini spaghetti and roasted brussel sprouts. Second dish was Carne Asada with cilantro lime rice and braised greens with a roasted jalapeño. Both were amazing at an extremely reasonable cost. The ingredients were some of the finest ingredients I've ever seen at a Mexican restaurant in Oregon. I absolutely love the policy of serving amazing chips and fire roasted salsa at a cost. That's right you have to pay three or four dollars for chips and salsa, but it's the best. It definitely helps keep the food cost down on the other amazing entrees they serve. Why should every customer have to pay $5 more per entree because inconsiderate assholes are eating six portions of chips and salsa for free. I love what this owner has done because the prices are ridiculously reasonable. This is hands down my new favorite Mexican restaurant and I can't wait to try their Saturday Sunday breakfast. Oh and their bathrooms are clean and gorgeous. read more

See all

Is this place perfect? No, but my gosh it deserves a solid 4-star review . . . if for nothing else than because of the bespoken margarita cocktails. We came on a busy Sunday night and we're relegated to indoor dining. A shame, given how nice the patio experience is for late summer eating. The place was hopping with a weekend buzz. Our server was polite and very kind, but a bit hurried with all that was going on. We ordered drinks and chips (with great guacamole) - and then waited. Not a terrible wait time - but a little awkward in the temporality. Once the food order was placed and the drinks starting flowing, the true energy of the place came alive and we all settled into a really nice dinner. The food was unique - kind of deconstructed Mexican with a Pacific Northwest twist. The cauliflower mash was amazing - and oh, my goodness. . . The boss knows how to roast pork. All and all Jefe Mex restaurant is a solid pick. They're a busy place in an area that is kind-of a 'high-end food' desert - and the place is really good. Jefe is a solid 4-star place that meets a number of weekend dining needs - including family friendly. Give it a shot, you will not be disappointed. read more

The best homemade tortillas and margaritas! A well run restaurant with a great friendly staff and great food! read more

Jefe Mex - Awesome bartender's and delicious food - Mexican Near Me - Lake Oswego, Oregon

Today was my second time visiting Jefe. I love the interior...The wall of bottles, wagon wheels turned into lights above some tables, the shelves of liquor above the bar. You can choose to eat inside or outside. During my first visit, I tried the Skillet Cake and a Coconut Rosa Margarita. The skillet cake had sweet corn, bits of bacon, and was put over the top of mangos. It was fluffy and delicious. The margarita was amazing...A mix of reposado and aperol. So good. Today we tried the Kahlua French Toast and a Breakfast Burrito. We couldn't taste the Kahlua on the French toast at all and were underwhelmed. It also needed more syrup. My burrito was pretty flavorful and had chorizo, potatoes, bacon, and eggs and came with with sour cream and salsa on the side. The chorizo was a bit burnt, and I would have liked more sour cream, but it was still pretty good. I'm sure we will come here again in the future. read more

See all