The restaurant was very cute and the service was great. However the food was just okay. We got the brisket hash and the birria grilled cheese. The brisket was good but it lacked flavor. The grilled cheese had flavor but was slightly burnt. I probably wouldn't come back again. read more

Ocotillo - Grilled Cheese - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Portland, Maine

See all

I got my sister a gift card to here for Christmas. We were really excited to try it because we loved Terlingua. We checked online to see what the weekend menu was and it was confusing. Sundays had brunch listed from 8-9, Happy Hour 3-5 and dinner 5-9. We assumed that meant brunch was served all day, not just for an hour, but we called ahead to clarify. The woman who answered the phone said brunch would be served until 3pm. Okay? My sister had her eye on the pulled pork sandwich that was listed on the brunch menu. We arrived at 2:30 and were told there would be a few minutes wait and if we wanted to be sure to order off the brunch menu, we should take the open seats outside. It was a cold rainy day, but there were space heaters installed so we decided to go along with it. Apparently the 3-5pm happy hour means they only serve chips & salsa, sliders of the day, and poutine. It wasn't a great feeling to have to rush to beat the clock, but we were up for the challenge seeing how we browsed the menu ahead of time. However, my sister's turn comes around and the waiter lets her know the pulled pork sandwich is only on the weekday brunch menu. Low and behold, she looks down and it is quite literally the only thing not listed on the menu in front of us that was shown online. Why? She was really disappointed seeing how we came for brunch solely because that's what menu that was listed on, but went ahead and got two tacos. Were they worth $8 a whack? Not really. I got the birria grilled cheese, which was by far the best meal of that day. My son got the pancakes (kinda hard to mess up). My daughter got the enchiladas suizas. This fell really flat. It had no dimension to it's texture or taste. The potatoes should have been crisped to add some crunch because the enchilada itself was just kinda of mushy. The "creamy" tomatillo sauce was foamy, flavorless, and there was way too much of it. The dish was underwhelming to say the least. Ending with churros for dessert was a good decision. Definitely give those a shot. The confusing menu hours, missing dish, outdoor seating and less than satisfying enchilada dish did not leave us with the experience we were expecting after reading so many wonderful reviews. I'd like to give it another shot, perhaps at dinner time. read more

See all

Charming neighborhood eatery in the West End. Had brunch here on Memorial Day and reservations were essential. Sort-of-a kind-of-a Mexican vibe but it overlay a standard American base. We were a large group and had a variety of dishes. Their variant on eggs Benedict won high praise as did the short stack, and my brisket hash had high quality ingredients including a perfectly poached egg and stellar homemade brisket. It wasn't rich in seasoning so you will need to adjust it for yourself at table. That had an outstanding blueberry corn bread too. Strongly recommended but book ahead! read more

Met my daughter there. I had the fish. She had an enchilada (I think). It was good. We had a drink with beet juice. That was good too. The only awkward thing is my friend Tom has been talking about going here for a year. And I did not go with him. Now my friend Jack is in the hospital. We don't have infinite time. read more

Cute spot. Very comfy. Staff was amazing. Very attentive and helpful. Also providing recommendations for other spots. Food was yummy!! read more

Ocotillo - Scramble - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Portland, Maine

See all

So happy we found this place! Food, coffee, service and setting were perfection. We enjoyed everything we ate. The masa pancakes were the best I've ever eaten. The pork shoulder taco also superb. read more

See all

We popped in for a taco Tuesday special for Maine restaurant week and the tacos did not disappoint. 2 tacos and a marg for $20 was a great deal for the quality. We also got the jalapeño dip and tiramisu. Highly recommend both. Our server was a legend. Thanks for a great Tuesday night. read more

Ocotillo - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Portland, Maine

See all

What an absolutely beautiful space! Echoing other reviewers, it's got a warm, welcoming, terracotta color palette; and, the skylights illuminate the room, making it feel even more spacious in a really lovely way. It's atmospherically unlike anything else in Portland right now! Brunch reservations? YES. So appreciate that. We need more of that in this city! The staff here is phenomenal; they were so patient with us when we were indecisive and then had loads of questions about the menu (which they checked with the bar about, then the kitchen about), they had great recommendations, they checked-in on us just the right amount, and it felt genuine when - after they dropped off the bill - they encouraged us to wrap-up in our own time (granted it was a midweek, late morning so there weren't many people there). All of that said, though, this is not a restaurant for me personally - and that's okay!; you're probably going to love it here. Eating vegan, the menu had at the time of visiting three options (according to the staff): The Salad (leaf lettuce, avocado, crispy potato, red onion, and charred corn vinaigrette), Chips & Salsa, or the Mushroom Breakfast Tacos (refried beans, crispy potato, cilantro; skip the scrambled egg). The breakfast taco I got was not particularly memorable, it was mostly just under-seasoned mushrooms; I'm glad I asked for sides of both the salsa macha and salsa borracha (you HAVE to try these!) because they were the star of the show and provided most of the flavor. The tacos are currently $8 for one (... adding avocado adds an additional $2.50, and there isn't much [check my photos]). For quality and size, there are other places in town offering similar options for $6ish as of writing this (and for me, I'd rather go to those places at this time). But, if you don't have any dietary restrictions and love being a part of the city's trendier/newer places: come here! Based off what I'm hearing and reading, you should probably get the churros which are en route to becoming a destination "must try" food when in Portland! read more

See all

This might be my new favorite brunch spot in Portland. They've taken the best aspects of other restaurants to Frankenstein together what should be a very popular brunch. It's the perfect upscale complement to the divey Ruski's across the street. -The previous tenant, Danforth, had an incredibly attractive space. Ocotillo brightened the colors but kept much of the rest. This is easily the nicest brunch dining room in the city. -As much as I love the food at Hot Suppa, it's one of the most customer-unfriendly restaurants. There's usually a long wait, and you have to stand outside and wait in person. Octotillo has followed the lead of Sinful Kitchen by taking reservations on Resy, which makes life MUCH easier. I just wish the bar seats could be reserved as well. -Terlingua (which has the same ownership) has the best brisket in the city, and Ocotillo offers it on several dishes, or as a side. The brisket hash is my single favorite brunch dish in Portland. This is not little chunks of brisket mixed with potatoes. It's a full order, and very reasonably priced. -Terlingua also has a strong cocktail program, which has carried over to Ocotillo. It's a huge menu of brunch, and traditional, creative cocktails. It's so good that you could come just for drinks. With the best dining room, drinks, and top Tex-Mex food, there's a lot to love about Ocotillo. Especially with an easy reservation system and more parking than downtown, this will be high on my rotation for Portland brunch. read more

See all

WOAH! A must try breakfast/lunch spot in Portland Maine! I am beyond pleased with my experience at Ocotillo and cannot wait to return. The food was outstanding and the drinks were out of this world. When you get the chance to visit please order as many beverages as you can, they are truly impressive. Thank you Ocotillo! read more

See all

Food was delicious with a creative menu, flavor, and texture combos but the portions were small which is why we dropped a star ($8 for 2 drinks of OJ was just a little surprising!) and my husband left hungry. My sister and I were pretty satisfied actually. Service was great and the inside is so cute and well curated. Definitely a fun, unique, tasty brunch spot! read more

See all

Finally got a chance to check this place out after rave reviews from friends. They were not wrong. The actual place is very cool and inviting. The staff were so very friendly. We had delicious drinks and the food was amazing! We will definitely be back! read more

See all

Really is a solid 4.5. Finally got to Ocotillo for tex-mex brunch. It will be a go-to going forward. Food is great, space is comfortable with large throw back booths, and everyone working there is friendly and seems happy to be there. Huevos Ocotillo was great and Terlingua brisket hash with perfect house smoked meat is probably going to be what I order every-time, henceforth. House made hot sauce was a nice touch. read more

Went for brunch on a Saturday. You can make reservations online but there were none available. We walked in with 4 people and had to wait 30 mins not too bad and got seated in the bar area. This space is in the old Danforth restaurant but the renovation of the space is amazing! They put in sky lights, painted the walls and it's so airy and light in there. Perfect for a brunch spot. I got a mimosa and the orange juice was sooo fresh. The other drinks looked amazing as well. I got the brisket hash and it was amazing. My friend got a couple tacos and they really enjoyed them. Overall a great new fun brunch spot, with a Mexican flare. read more

See all

Mexican food is not all that great across Portland but this is certainly one of the best. They have creative dishes and a fun environment. I will be back for sure. read more

Had pretty decent hopes for this place, considering the price, location, and boastful visuals- not to mention a brunch spot open and willing to serve the people on a Tuesday past 11am, they not only had my attention, but some version of my heightened expectations as well. I met with a friend for a late brunch, he ordered the juevos rancheros with a side of brisket and I got the Cowpoke Plate, figuring you can't go wrong with a simple arrangement of flavors and classic sides. The service was great, the food was prompt, but I regretted my decision as soon as I tasted my smoked shoulder. It was like head chef had challenged themselves not only to create the blandest, least flavorful cut of pork as some form of undeserved punishment upon a once lively swine, but it was also disturbingly dry. I felt like the Griswolds trying to choke down nibbles of their overcooked, twitching turkey during their Christmas supper in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Honestly, most things on my plate fell flat, besides the corn bread served warm with some delightful maple butter to accommodate. They advertised charred tomatoes, but I think they gave me 3 cherry tomatoes chopped into quarters, which would've been lovely had it not been so pathetic (this plate was nearly $20)- a small skillet of refried beans (alright as far as bean paste goes), and perfectly cooked, but utterly unseasoned eggs. Without the salt for dressing, which I had to ask for even though it seems the cooks consider its use blasphemous during their process, my experience would've been reduced to multi-textured nothingness, served with mediocre coffee and some homemade "hot sauce" that was neither tasty nor spicy. My friend's dish crept this rating to a gentler assessment, as his brisket was pretty juicy and tender. Besides that, just get your juevos at Bayou Kitchen. It's half the price without an upcharge for protein and their chef actually understands how to appropriately wield a salt shaker. Our server was pretty cool though, and the atmosphere definitely gives off an affluent impression, though velvet furniture is a bold choice for an eatery. read more

Cute little extension of Terlingua. Chips and dips are great as is the menu selections. Overpriced dishes but worth the trip to stop by. Won't be a regular Portland stop for us. read more

Walking into Ocotillo feels like stepping into a chic Cowboy saloon if that saloon had mid-century modern furniture, a warm, earthy color palette complete with various shades of terracotta, a Southwestern (yet Bohemian?) vibe, and New-Mexico-inspired accents, and an array of potted plants that would (most likely) survive in the dessert. All good things, of course. Beyond the beautiful space, Ocotillo boasts a modest-sized menu filled packed with flavor. The Lox and avocado on sourdough (with an added poached egg) was the perfect combination of flavors. Complete with pickled red onion, salsa macha (a smokey chipotle salsa), and sourdough from the local bakery next door that is ~all the rage~, it's clear that Ocotillo knows what they're doing when it comes to brunch. The Orange Julissa was the star of the show. A combo of juice, lime, vanilla, and milk, it's like a non-frozen version of an Orange Julius (duh) with a tangy kick. Their menu boasts salads, apps, breakfast tacos, hearty main dishes, sandwiches, an assortment of cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks, all Tex-Mex inspired. We had a great server who was very attentive to our various dietary restrictions, which was much appreciated. Although it was a gloomy day and we weren't able to enjoy it, Ocotillo has a beautiful outdoor patio space that looks like the perfect place to enjoy drinks and tacos on a hot summer's day. Next to try when I make my return trip are the Shortstack pancake, mushroom breakfast tacos, and any number of their drinks! read more

Ocotillo - Lox & Avocado on Sourdough with Poached Egg - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Portland, Maine

Service was great, we sat at the bar. It was around 3:30 on a weekend day and when we first got there, there was plenty of room at bar. They were only on a bar menu at this in between brunch and dinner time. But there were good choices. Everything was delicious. I honestly cannot remember what we got, which tells you it was not memorable, but I do know everything we ate was tasty. read more

Holy moly! I almost left Portland after a weekend getaway before trying Ocotillo. I'm so glad I snuck in breakfast. Listed in 2024 NY Times Best Bites was the mushroom tacos, and damn they're fabulous. From the review: "It seems simple, just a mushroom breakfast taco in a flour tortilla. But one bite reveals that it's so much more. The local shimeji mixed with maitake mushrooms are meaty and chewy, and perfumed with cumin, garlic and black pepper. The soft scrambled eggs provide a fluffy textural counterpoint to the crisp potatoes. But then the real whammy is the housemade salsa macha, a brick-red drizzle exploding with toasted chiles, nuts and seeds, and sweetened with roasted garlic -- the kind of haunting sauce you'll want to slather on everything. ($8) MELISSA CLARK" read more

Food is fresh & yummy and decor is very cheerful & comfortable. Only issue is that parking is hard to find so reserve and plan extra time if you come in a personal vehicle. I particularly like their non-alcoholic sodas made there. read more

Juevos rancheros were amazing. OJ was fresh but too small for $7 per glass. Highly recommend for food. Must do..

We loved trying this bbq brunch spot! It was so delicious my mouths watering thinking about it. The decor is western as we learned ocotillo is a cactus! everyone in there was so nice and smiling which always help. We got the churros for a dessert but advice get them first because they are so dang good! read more

See all

Always a pleasure coming here, the restaurant itself is a lovely spot, warm and friendly, while also sophisticated and elegant. The service is wonderful, everyone is so kind. The food is exceptional, I would highly recommend the masa pancakes for breakfast. 10/10 read more

Came here on a cold Sunday evening . They were doing a Sunday special with a soup, burger and dessert for 25 dollars. We didn't participate in that but it was definitely a deal. The drinks are amazing. I overindulged and had the espresso martini, the rosella rita and the verdita. They were all exceptional. I had the grilled cheese dish, and I'm still thinking about it. Hands down a great new additional to the area. Bartenders are fun, kind, knowledgeable. The decor is clean, modern and well appointed. You can see the changes they made after the Danforth left the space but kept some of the aesthetic. read more

The food, service and ambiance was great. Definitely going again to try other items on the menu.

Best corn bread I've ever had in my life! So glad I found this place on my trip to Portland. Super fun atmosphere and great service. read more

Ocotillo - Cornbread - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Portland, Maine

See all

Had lunch in person. Vibrant flavors. Nice people. Careful kind service. Will be back.

Oh my god the team at Terlingua have done it again.....went to the friends and family opening of their new Ocotillo and it didn't disappoint. Opening in the former Danforth space, the work they did gives the space such a warm cozy feel. They put in skylights in the dining room which really gives the space great light makes it warmer. Now onto the good stuff the food.... I tried the pork shoulder and brisket breakfast tacos, along with a verdita-rita, and their take on an aperol spritz. Everything was amazing. I've never tried a mezcal margarita before, and the tacos were super flavorful and the food came out wicked fast. Our server I think his name was Hunter was friendly and attentive. My friend had the chilaquiles which looked absolutely insane, she got this mexican style coffee liqueur drink. Overall I would highly recommend and I can't wait for this place to officially open....I officially have found my new brunch spot. read more

Fantastic food, service, and ambiance. We had the daily ceviche, guacamole and chips, brisket tacos, hanger steak, the Biscuit with fresh fruit, and the tiramisu. The brisket is better than most BBQ places. Its smokiness and flavor were outstanding. The ceviche was so great, we joked about saving the juices and using them as a marinade. The Hanger steak was delicious, and the sauce, corn, and potatoes that accompanied it were top-notch. The fruit and biscuit were excellent. The biscuit was delicious. The other items we had were good, but the ones I mentioned were amazing. I highly recommend this place. BTW, the service was terrific too. read more

I love this place. I've only been during the week for brunch and it was lovely and chill, I'd imagine it might be much busier on the weekend. Anyway, two words for you all: huevos ocotillo. They also have a great mezcal and tequila menu and their Rosella-rita is perfect. read more

When you observe the restaurant staff having fun, you know you're at a great spot! Food is delicious, we came here for brunch, I had salad and hubby had the corn beef hash. The salsa trio with chips is amazing had red, green and macha salsa! If you like teralingua you'll love this place too. read more

We had a private event here and every one of the ten dishes for a crowd was cooked to perfection. It was seriously impressive.

Unique barbecue experience. The variety of cocktails were well matched to the delicious menu. They kindly accommodated our 10 month old.

Ocotillo was such a cool vibe! Loved the booth seating, a little loud and service felt a bit rushed to get us out after we finished but food was great! We would still come back. read more

Hopefully we were there on an off day because while the food was decent the experience did leave some areas to be improved. First off the two bartenders that served us were awesome. Friendly, knowledgeable and attentive. Horchata was 7/10. Flavor was good but a very small amount. Brisket hash 5/10 flavor was amazing. However. Potatoes were hard and undercooked and the dish was luke warm. I understand barbecue is never served hot but you could make sure the rest of the dish was. One egg was runny one had a solid yoke. The hardest thing for me though to get over was how long it took to get our food. It was really long. Like over 45 minutes long. So again I'm assuming it was an off day and I will for sure try this place again. read more

I loved the avocado lox toast so much that I still haven't tried anything else on the menu despite going a few times. My father loved the brisket hash but my partner found it to be on the heavy side. Crispy potatoes were a delight and the short stack pancakes were light and fluffy with a unique flavor. I liked the corn flavor but it might not be everyone's cup of tea. Props to the staff for being so gracious and accommodating to our toddler! Booths are cozy and fun. read more

Everything from the service, food, and decor was on point! We tried this spot after flying into Portland and we were so happy to find this place and indulge in their professionally crafted coffee beverages, the best pancakes, tasty mushroom tacos, house-smoked meat, and more! Our server was warm and welcoming-she even shared some other Portland recs. Hoping we can make it back soon! This place is a gem! read more

We went for dinner one night and sat in a booth across from the bar. The drinks were good. The service was terrific. The ambiance is warm. The food was spot on. We liked the simple menu and the reasonable prices. A welcome addition to the neighborhood. read more

Excellent service and good selection! Highly recommend! The place was busy so make a reservation unless you are lucky to grab a chair at the bar! read more