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Jefe Mex

3.5 (516 reviews)
ModerateMexican, Bars
Closed • 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

Order Jefe Mex Takeout or Delivery

Jefe Mex Mexican Restaurant Photos

Business Info

JEFE MEX ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Trendy
Dogs allowed
Happy hour specials

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Recommended Reviews - Jefe Mex

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Reviews With Photos

Michelada
Jason K.

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!

Black Beans
Ashley L.

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.

Carnitas Pork
Hannah P.

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.

Strawberry salad. The shrimp was particularly delicious.
Tim J.

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

Chips and salsa at happy hour
Andrew C.

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.

Harmony G.

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.

Ceviche
Carol Y.

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.

Bloody Mary
Kent T.

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.

Over fried fries- our kids call them "garbage fries..."

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!

Virgin Margaratia
Angela P.

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.

Cochinita
Justin R.

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.

Grilled rockfish taco and fundido

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4 months ago

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

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Ask the Community - Jefe Mex

Do you still have a Happy Hour menu and what craft beers do you have on tap?

Hi! Yes!!! We have happy hour everyday from 3:00 till 5:30. On draft we carry Pacifico, Dos Equis,… Read more

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If you're not sure if you're at the right place, you've made it there. It just looks like every…read moreother Portland house from the outside, but on the inside it's super classy speakeasy vibes. Some of the best cocktails I've ever had -and they're pretty generous with their alcohol. Overheard one of the bartenders saying they had been bartending for over 20 years, and it shows. Didn't get the chance to try any of the food. Seating looks pretty limited due to the size of the house, but I heard there's a patio out back. Definitely will be coming back soon.

Bible Club was such a fun and memorable stop during our Portland trip…read more The speakeasy vibe is spot-on -- unassuming exterior, cozy interior, moody lighting, and just the right amount of theatrical flair without feeling cheesy or try-hard. It really does feel like you've discovered something special. The cocktails were excellent. Thoughtfully crafted, well-balanced, and creative without being gimmicky. Everything we ordered tasted intentional and high quality. We also shared a charcuterie board, which was a great call. Perfectly portioned, nicely curated, and a really good pairing with cocktails. What stood out just as much as the drinks was the atmosphere. It felt intimate, warm, and conversation-friendly -- the kind of place you want to linger. It was exactly the vibe we were looking for for a relaxed evening out. If you're into speakeasy-style bars, creative cocktails, and cozy, hidden-gem energy, Bible Club is an absolute must when you're in Portland.

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