It's wild here, so close to the Jade District, to run into a taqueria that caters to Mexican-American customers first and the rest of us just have to figure things out. But that's Taqueria Mexa. You might think it's the food cart in the front, but that's just their fruit salad and drinks bar; the taqueria is around the side, next to Nana's bakery. There's parking, but be warned that it's pretty tight. In this small garage-like storefront, they have a huge menu of Mexican fast foods, including flautas, machetes, tacos, caldos, huarche, birria, and tortas. They do have a few burritos but they kinda hide that menu. Best of all for a non-meat like me, "choice of meat" for many items includes mushrooms, shrimp, and even huitlacoche! You can order using the little tablet/console, or at the register. Depending on who you get at the register, though, you might have to work things out using your pidgin Spanish. I did, and I mostly got what I ordered. The staff was very patient with me. Really glad to have this place in the neighborhood. I've been back twice now, and I expect to go more. read more

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This is one of my favorite taquerias. I'm a big fan of the Quesabirria tacos. The Pastor is also really great as is the Tinga. I do prefer Tinga to have some dark meat in it, but it was stil quite flavorful. I only have one complaint which is the salsa bar. Though the salsas are quite good, the salsa bar is always a disgusting mess. I generally bring/ use my own salsa because of it. read more

I need to thank Yelp Elite Cheri S. for recommending Taqueria Mexa because without their review, I probably would have driven past this restaurant for years before checking it out. And what a shame that would be because this place really is something special. It takes me back to my mid-twenties when I was backpacking through central Mexico and discovering so many wonderful hole-in-the-wall taquerias full of delicious food and lively clientele. Seriously, this is the taco place you'll want to tell your friends about! Keep your eyes peeled for what looks like a small cluser of food carts Just down the street from Bag O'Crab on 82nd. It's actually two food carts with a ramshackle porch and tented dining courtyard in between. As visitors walk toward the entrance, they'll catch a glimpse of someone cooking and shaving "carne del trompo" in the courtyard. Indeed, be preprared for a treat! I don't know of many places in Portland that serve tacos al pastor using a trumba to prepare the meat! It's the same way Middle Eastern shawarma and Greek gyro are prepared, on a vertical spit. The marinated meat is cooked from the outside inward, and browns and crisps over flame before it is shaved off and served. And it's truly delicious! You'll find a number of standout dishes on the menu. Be sure to try the enchiladas (they're filled with tender chicken and covered in a mind-blowingly delicious green sauce), as well as the queso tacos, tacos al pastor, and the machete taco (big enough to serve two people!). There are a number of yummy alcoholic drinks with shaved ice and layers of deliciousness. I think "ramshackle" is the best way to describe the seating arrangements, and I'm all about it. There are a few covered picnic tables out front along 82nd Avenue, some bench seating on an L-shaped covered porch, and a covered courtyard with 5 or 6 tables in front of a large television screen. Karaoke? Music videos? This evening while I was there it was displaying a photo collection of cumbia dancers. If you're in the mood for tacos and find yourself in outer NE Portland, be sure to check out Taqueria Mexa. You'll be glad you did! read more

STILL FIRE! I brought my mom this time and she a picky eater, doesn't like just any place and she approved! She had a quesadilla de flor de calabaza and she loved! We also had menudo again cus menudo here is the best! I really wish they would do las tortillas a Mano! However you can't beat the flavor! My hubby had chilaquiles with asada and they did not disappoint. This place is a MUST!! read more

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Great quesabirria!! And the ribeye tacos... delicious!! Great value, fresh, and great flavor! Even the horchata was yummy! read more

Taqueria Mexa - Ribeye tacos (2) - Mexican Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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One of the few places I've been able to find that have machetes. And the size is enough to feed three! Appreciate the condiments bar with various sauces, radishes, cilantro & onion, and limes. read more

Taqueria Mexa - Enchiladas verdes - Mexican Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Friendly, welcoming service and a nice, small space to grab food. A bit loud to dine in with a group but good option for to-go. The food is decent but some things are better than others. The carnitas were Flavorless and very greasy but we liked the veggie burrito. The salsas were ok but also lacked flavor beyond just adding heat so didn't add much to the dishes. read more

We are from out of state and im surprised by how good this place actually was. The customer service was good, the ladies were very nice and patient. The food was brought out hot and it looked and tasted better than I thought it would, they were also big portions too which I liked for the price we paid. Everything was tasteful and authentic. The environment was good too, I loved the mexican music they played.100% recommend ! read more

Taqueria Mexa - Mexican Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Had Quesobirria for Taco Tuesday yesterday. Outstanding, although this cart nails it on the regular. Big 'ol portion WITH the consommé, $14. I'm always kind of shocked when Quesobirria is on the menu, but... the consommé is $2 extra. WHAT? It's part of the dish!! That's like ordering a taco and being told if you want it in a tortilla, that's $1 extra! Not here, not ever. El Burrito Azteca, I'm looking at YOU. WTF?!? read more

Taqueria Mexa - That's HALF of the order. - Mexican Near Me - Portland, Oregon

This is the spot, the tacos were frickin dope, the meats were so flavorful and each table had a variety of hot sauces, which did have me breaking a sweat. I ate it to damn fast to really enjoy it but that's how good it was. I miss those tacos already as I'm writing this review in their parking lot. read more

I went hear just to try it cause I needed something to eat. I got a tostada and a torta with Carnita and I have to say not only what the young lady extremely helpful and friendly. The food was amazing. The little area where you sit and wait where the tables are was very welcoming. The music was nice. The food came pretty fast. There wasn't a lot of people there, but it was getting ready to be lunch hour. I definitely will be going back. I definitely recommend this place. It has been a long time since I've had meat that tender. read more

Delicious food. We visited from Texas and were scared to come to a Mexican place in another state. The food was incredible and one of the best horchatas and birria I've ever had. I would definitely go back! Service was good. Glad I found this place on tik tok. read more

Best burrito I've had in a long time! So tasty! Kind and welcoming service! Give this place a shot you won't regret it!

I've heard good things about this place so made the trek to the always shady 82nd ave. Ordered the machete and the birria torta . Expected bigger flavors but the food was fresh and hot. Pretty good salsa bar. The music was a little loud for my liking but people seemed to enjoy it. The food came out pretty fast so that's a plus. Will I go back???? Hard to say. Good day all!! read more

Taqueria Mexa - Machete and torta - Mexican Near Me - Portland, Oregon

It is a food cart completely set up like a restaurant! It has seating with a tv and heaters. The person taking your order was nice. They bring the food to your table if you eat there. had the tinga machete and it was delicious! The pina colodas taste like a shake. The pambazos was really good too. read more

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You need to come check out these folks new digs! Same place as the old cart but they're now in the building behind. Probably the best pastor I've had outside of Mexico AND it was spinning away on the trompo just outside! Food: 10/10, Service: 10/10, just an all around killer little spot. Can't wait to come back. read more

It's a lovely family feel - 6 or 8 people wedged in front of a grill making some magic happen. Food comes out quick and with a friendly smile. The salsa bar is full of VERY flavorful and spicy salsas. Horchata is delicious. Machete - Massive. It's the size of a kindergartener. More on the bland side, but nothing that glorious salsa bar can't fix up. Chilli Relleno burrito- well seasoned and creamy. Every bite tasted the same which is a win win in my book. Very flexible with substitutions - I took out carne asada from my nachos and added shrimp. Adorable outdoor seating. It was a hot day - 95 degrees -- and somehow there was shade and a nice cool breeze. Really a fun and hospitable place to eat some tasty mexican fare. read more

it was amazing !! so so so amazing. you should all go and tip well. the meat is so flavorful and everyone was so nice read more

Taqueria Mexa - taco - Mexican Near Me - Portland, Oregon

I got the quesabirrias and it was actually really good super good on the flavor I'm a picky eater so I'm suprised I will say that there really oily and the consomé is pure oil my bf got agua de fresa and it tasted like cake batter but overall it was really good I would come back to try all the other foods !! read more

Amazing authentic Mexican food cart and good prices. Definitely will be coming here on a regular basis. Rich flavor and great food portions. They also have a help yourself sauce bar with all kinds of chili, lime, onions, cilantro and radishes. read more

Taqueria Mexa - 4 Tacos De Birria and Birria Dipping Sauce - Mexican Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Don't EVER set a reservation on this restaurant! HORRIBLE service and u might think your setting a reservation but they won't save it, when we got there the table that was supposed to be ours had another family sitting at it. The owner's response was "sorry they started sitting there we can't do anything about it" mind u we told them this was for a birthday and already had a reservation saved WE THOUGHT! Definitely would never be coming back. Don't go there if u have a big family! Restaurant is SOOOO tiny they made it look big on instagram but is terribly tiny. read more

Ordered from DoorDash. Got a Burrito supreme with carnitas. After looking for a decent Mexican food spot that has, what I remember a burrito tasting like in California, I found this place. They also make great birra tacos with melted cheese and consume dipping sauce. And perfect churros. The burrito was delicious. Wish the carnitas was cooked on the grill for a min though. I'll be a back for more. read more

I've searched for the most authentic Mexican food in Portland for a while now, and Taqueria Mexa is the best in Portland! I recommend trying their tacos de al pastor with their rice and beans. read more

When we arrived to the restaurant, nobody greeted us asked if we needed help with ordering or anything absolutely no acknowledgment. I had to order my own food on the iPad screen, and they still wanted a tip. I had to ask one of the workers to clean the tables because there was no clean tables and it's a very small place but they make it seem like it's huge and has plenty of seating fast forward to me receiving my food. I had to wait 35 minutes in order to get my food and it wasn't even busy. The food was a pretty good amount of food. I got the quesa birria tacos I never got my consume, even when I had gone up there and asked them for it. We also got a plate of enchiladas and it comes with a side of beans and rice. The rice was not cooked at all. It was super hard, and then when I went to go tell them that I wanted to switch it out, they got offended that I told them that their rice was not cooked all the way and that it was raw the music also in the restaurant is very loud. I was sitting next to my partner and was not able to hear him at all. I practically had to yell in order for him to hear me. read more

Delicious steak tacos! Really good hot sauce/bar with pickled vegetables. Friendly staff. Great place to sit down and have lunch. First time today, I'll be back to try the quesatacos. read more

We looked high and low for a Good Burrito in the PDX and when we first ordered it, it was a hit. But now they don't use regular White rice nor do they say in the menu that they put carrots, green beans, corn in with the rice. Less is more. Just stick to Meat, Cheese, Beans, Pico, Sour Cream/Guac. Which I don't think you can add?? read more

Authentic Mexican Food... Food is Very Delicious and best of All, there's lots of options.

The food was Very delicious! Definitely coming back! I had Camarones and queso tacos they were amazing.

Delicious food cart within walking distance of my house!! A cute cart with a small covered indoor area and a few outdoor seats available. I have tried the carne asada tacos, and the quesabirria with consome. So delicious!! Also both their salsas are very fresh, the orange one is hot! Very friendly and fast service. read more

Got the Machete al pastor and it was soo good and HUGE! Definitely could split it with someone and considering it's size the price is really fair. I had never tried one of these before and would recommend it! read more

Taqueria Mexa - Machete al pastor - Mexican Near Me - Portland, Oregon

The meat was good. The green sauce was way too spicy for me. I can eat hot spicy food but this was a little much for me. I was sweating for thirty minutes after eating. I feel like the sauce was habaneros due to the length of the burn. read more

Had some amazing tacos with birria dip with some fresh and tasty watermelon agua frescas to wash them down. Outdoor seating and fast service. Plenty of parking and will be going back here often. read more

Delicious food, dishes that I haven't had or seen before and new delicious ingredients (hello huitlacoche!). Food is fresh and decently priced. I will return repeatedly. read more