Prehispanica

The food was tan buena! I got the mole, and it was a good mole! They had yummy margaritas also.
The menu states that dinner is 5 – 10:30PM and lunch is 11:30−2PM. But… did you KNOW… you can order off the lunch menu for dinner! Surprise! It makes the menu seem huge when you realize that, even though the selection is actually quite small.
Sadly when we went, they did not have the lengua, so my friend had to change his order a few times. But he was still happy with his mole.
For my first meal in Portland, it was deeelicious welcome to the city!

yum!
not hipster-​Y, I thought it was very welcoming. And this was delicious food that I had never tried before, or common dishes made in ways that blew my mind. who makes a salad with Romaine lettuce? This place– and it is up there with my favorite spinach and local leafy greens salads, because they grill it to deliciousness. everything was so good.

I ate here months ago and never reviewed.
This was a one-​of-​a-​kind Mexican experience for me. It was like eating at a best friend’s Mexican grandma’s (oddly bright and sparsely decorated) house. In other words, delicious, homemade flavors that just punched you in the face and then caressed you with warm cuddles.
My dining partner and I shared the cheese empanada (sounds boring but is fantastic if you love cheese), and I had some entrée the name of which escapes me. It was like… these two personal «pizzas» on these amazing thick handmade tortilla-​things? Idk it was definitely a masa base but thicker than tortilla. Sorry for totally forgetting, but regardless, it was phenomenal. I was so full but could not stop eating.
The waiter was super friendly and when I mentioned how much I loved the salsa (super unusual salsa, btw!), he went on about how his mom was trying out this new recipe and gave me a bunch extra (w/​more chips) to take home.
After dinner, we shared this dessert of grilled maduros with some ice cream… I don’t even know. It was a special that night, and I don’t know if they make it on the regular, but if I were you, I’d request it. We were both too full to eat it but we finished every. last. bite.
I don’t know why I haven’t been back yet.

Prehispanic Mexican, (as advertised) beer, wine, and herbs.
Well herbs, but no spices. Trendy hipster feel to the decode, very clean, services was sparse, waiter spoke or did not understand English very well. (Order was incorrect)
Predinner chips are hot, fresh, and tasty but the salsa is below average. More Prehistoric than Prehispanic. Portion sizes are not too small, but they are for the price you’re are going to pay. No normal sides or starches to accompany your protein and I had to add a lot of seasoning to my food (something I never do).
Order an appetizer to complete your dinner but ask for an additional side of salsa to destroy the blandness of the food.

We came here first after hearing about the place from a friend. It took a little while to find, but once we did we were definitely glad we looked. We have since been there a couple times, and every time the food has been truly excellent. I’ve had all the types of tacos, beef and vegetarian chile relleno, and the enchiladas. After dining at many of the upscale Mexican restaurants in Portland, I can safely say that this place is at the top of my list for an authentic sit-​down Mexican dinner. Lastly, the one waiter there is very pleasant and polite (one of the best I’ve seen in my dining experiences, might I add).
If you enjoy superb Mexican cuisine –especially great salsas – , you’ll find yourself coming here again and again.

All in all very over rated. Just another trendy, overpriced and underspiced Gringo oriented joint. The green salsa had ZERO heat and when we asked for something hotter the waitress, who was very nice, brought out a tiny container of a red salsa. She gave us a warning about the salsa and told us that most people don’t like heat. The red salsa had absolutely no heat either, nada. The relleno was bland also, with underspiced beef, thick bland cheese on a bland black bean purée.
I was excited to hear about this place opening up because the concept of Pre-​hispanic Mexican cusine sounded interesting, but the menu was certainly nothing ground breaking and I would never go back. There were a few dishes on the menu that you wouldn’d see at other Mex places, but I was expecting more. You’d have to throw down some serious bank to actually leave feeling full at this place. I was wishing I had opted for my neighborhood taqueria, which incidentally actually has Mexicans eating there. The fresh tortillas were good, which is something that every single self-​respecting Mex joint should do.

Nothing short of amazing! Went here for ladies night and had a blast. Ordered a pitcher of mango margarita. YUM!
Everything is made from scratch and prepared daily. Family moved up from Mexico recently and completely authentic. Dad and Mom cook, while sister and brother wait or host. Not your American tacos and burritos place… but Pollo en Mole (chicken in black Oaxacan mole), Chile Relleno de Carne (shredded beef, potatoes & carrots stuffed in a Poblano chili with Oaxacan cheese, beans from scratch — not canned, and fresh pico de gallo & salsa verde that they made that morning!) Tortillas made by hand daily, and the chips are even made from scratch… which is sooo addicting.
One thing I found out from the mom, is she purchases the meat and fish every morning from a local butcher that has no antibiotics. She doesn’t advertise this, but she just believes that is the best way to be the best flavor! My tastebuds completely agree. She is very passionate at what she does and wants to stay true to «authentic mexican cuisine» hence, Prehispanica!
Try them… promise you will not be disappointed. Plus it supports a great family.

Damn. Good. Food.
I was conflicted about how to rate it because they were understaffed and the décor is really empty, but as a family business they’re doing their best to keep up with increasing demand.
Food is excellent (being from Texas my bar is high). Hands down best margarita in Portland.
Décor needs major work to cozy it up.
I have to say I have never had Mexican food this good and this reasonably priced. Hope it stays that way.

Service is very friendly in this family owners restaurant. Mom makes the salsas and tortillas, dad cooks in the kitchen and the siblings serve. They are all so nice!
The food is good, too. The chips and salsa while you wait are delicious — chips are warm and crispy and fresh. Salsas (one red chipotle and one green) are fresh and not overly spicy that you can’t enjoy.
We ordered the chile rellenos with beef and the daily fish taco special. Both were tasty and flavors were well balanced.
We had a margarita that was quite lovely.
It’s an unassuming place but the food and service are solid.
Families are welcome.

This is not your average Mexican restaurant. It’s better. No burritos, no refried beans. Delicious, unique, and high-​quality food.
I had the longaniza. I’m glad I did. Braised sausage on a cactus bed, topped with queso fresco and avocado. The blue corn tortillas were fresh, with a perfect texture. I don’t know of another downtown spot that serves anything like Prehispanicas menu, especially with this quality.

At lunch, one person answered phones and performed hostess, server and bussing duties.
The tortilla chips tasted like Juanita’s brand found in grocery stores, which is fine because usually they’re better than what Mexican restaurants serve. The salsa tasted fresh and not too watery or overly chunky.
My friend enjoyed his ample portion chicken enchilada, while I found the recommended shredded beef Chile Relleno delicious. The three multi-​colored homemade masa cakes that accompanied the dish were scrumptious. Lastly, the Poblano soup was excellent.
The interior space is very inviting, the outside curb appeal, not so much. Service was very good and parking in this part of Downtown is better than average. The place has the kind of menu I want to finish, so return visits are all but guaranteed.

We have been there twice and this is real Mexican food! A great place with a group of friends and enjoy the best Mexican food downtown Portland. The chiles rellenos were great! They were on the lunch menu but just ask and they serve them for dinner.
We are encouraging all our friends who live downtown to support this wonderful effort to provide the best Mexican food!

Holy Mole! The Mole is so good it’s almost decadent!
All the food we had here was amazing, they use some pretty interesting ingredients that make awesome food. The dishes are not heavy on sides SO order a salad. The fish cooked in parchment was beautifully cooked. Did I mention the mole? Oh yes another highlight was the grilled pineapple with icecream. Imagine warm pineapple upside down cake without any of the cake… delish!
Only negative about this place was the grapefruit margarita bland.

TIME WILL TELL
I’ve always had a fascination for authentic Mexican foods especially when it’s from Vera Cruz. I’ve walked by this restaurant four times every week with entrances on both Morrison and 12^th Streets. One side you would think it’s a contemporary watering hole suggestive of a Latin flair by it’s name and other side painted in passionate warm colors begging passers by to make the bold decision to try prehispanica Mexican cuisine.
It’s an all family affair. Papa and mama works the kitchen and their son the front end of the restaurant for this evening.
Tonight’s dinner we ordered lightly since it’s our first time and it goes as follows:
— Tapas Chicharrones
— Tapas Empanada
— Entrée Baked fish in paper
— Dessert Homemade ice cream with grilled pineapple
— Mexican brand coffee
Both tapas were extraordinary and not to be found elsewhere in Portland. The chicharrones I have never tasted in it’s unique process with their two zesty condiments of mildly spiced homemade guacamole and a freshly made picante. The empanada is larger than normal and topped with a creamy neutral white sauce to offset the texture of the empanada accompanied by freshly shredded mix salad and slices of avocado.
The entrée is a surprisingly tasteful experience with an earthy sampling of prehispanic natural seasoning. Of course they didn’t have paper bags back then. LoL It comes with a modest amount of mixed vegetables. A little more in vegetables would have been better with perhaps a touch of some carrots for added coloring.
Coffee is dark and bold which is how Portlanders love it. Homemade ice cream was smooth, not dense but sweeter than normal. Again the portion could have been slightly more for a fuller experience.
Forgot to mention their corn nachos are amazingly addictive. We had two baskets and could have made a meal of just nachos with their green and red salsas.
A new restaurant always has room for improvements. I think it’s well worth a few more visits to try a lunch and more of the dinner entrees. Perhaps the portions are representative of homestyle while forgetting that there isn’t a big dish on the table to share.

Unexpectedly great food. This place has been open awhile right across the street from my office, but I was never attracted to going over. The atmosphere needs something, but the food is awesome and our waitress was über friendly.
Chips/​salsa are both fresh and hot. You get served a green and a red salsa, both fantastic. Started with an empanada type appetizer which was savory and good. Then had a unique spin on a chile relleno with shredded pork and roasted to perfection. I’d like to try some other things, but not until I have another one of those.
Glad a coworker talked me into going!

We found this place while we were walking in the West End neighborhood. There was a couple eating tacos at an outside table & they said that they were delicious. We made a note to come back.
Two nights later, we came back for a late dinner. The restaurant is fairly large in a strange L shape with two entrances from either street with a small bar. We were greeted by a young man & promptly seated. There was only one other table that was occupied. Chips & salsa were brought to the table as we reviewed the menu. The chips were warm & crispy. The salsas were really good. The Red one was a smokey salsa & the Green one was a tomatillo salsa that was tart & spicy.
Here’s what we ordered:
Empanadas de Queso w/​Oaxaca cheese, Poblano chilies, & mushrooms.- Delicious!
Camarones al Ajillo with prawns cooked in garlic, olive oil, Guajillo chile served with White rice. –Tasty.
Pollo en Mole a half chicken in a Black Oaxacan mole, almonds & sesame seeds serve with White rice.- Wow! This one is a winner! It had nice spice, smokey, & tangy. The tortilla were handmade & delicious.
The service was friendly & we found out that this is a family owned business. Mom & dad are in the kitchen cooking, the young man serving us is the son & his sister helps out too.
People of Portland… please give this place a try! It’s brand new & needs for you to spread the word. Keep this place alive. We want to come back when we’re back visiting Portland.

MUY SABROSO! I lived in Tucson for 10 years and have been searching, searching, searching for Mexican food that is not covered in cheese, but is fresh and fantastic like Café Poca Cosa — hooray! I have found it!
My partner and I ate here last night and had amazing meals. She had the Veracruz fish dish and I had the Chicken Mole. From the homemade corn tortillas, the fresh salsas to the dark, rich, flavorful mole sauce on the perfectly cooked chicken, it was one of the best meals I’ve had in Portland.
I can’t wait to go back again!
Please, please eat at Prehispanica — you’ll be glad you did :)

Gave this a try on a lark — mostly by finding it here on Unilocal when looking for Mexican restaurants downtown. I agree with a number of the other posters, there’s not a lot of Mexican options on the west side compared to the east. The other ones nearby are more lunch places or very casual taquerias, and while they’re good, they’re not really nice dinner material.
Prehispanica changes all that for the better. The empanada we ate was almost like a mini chile relleno, with just the right balance of cheese, a small amount of crema, and a light shell that kept the flavors together without anything being too strong (or oily). We also enjoyed the mole greatly — like the others experienced, the richness of the mole was spot on and worth scooping up by the spoonful on the fresh masa tortillas.
In short, the only thing mildly disappointing was the smaller number of dishes — they break up their menu between lunch and dinner offerings, and there’s about 6 entrees for each. However, I tend to favor restaurants doing a few things very well instead of doing a lot of things only okay. As I was driving I could not sample the cocktails, but I’ll be making another trip there next time to give those a try.

I really hope this restaurant makes it. The mole and salsas are outstanding. The restaurant is adorable. The service is excellent. The food is good (there were some slight issues I attribute to the newness of the place that I expect will be worked out).
The house margarita is delicious and the tortillas are beautiful and very tasty. I’ll happily return to try lunch.

The close-​in West side of Portland is in need of Mexican food beyond standard truck burritos etc. Prehispanica promises to fix this, and on my first visit, they did. The menu stays away from tacos and burritos and focuses on home-​style plate dishes: whole fish, stewed tongue, chicken in mole.

They started us out with complimentary tortillas (in this case, black bean) and three salsas. The tortillas were thick, soft, and freshly handmade. Really, really good stuff. The salsas were fresh, distinct, and flavorful.
The chicharron appetizer: was also freshly made, with lots of porky lardiness. Served with more solid salsas. Good portion for $ 5, too.
My entrée was the Longaniza, which came with three (really big, really puffy, really tasty) tortillas. The sausage was flavorful and juicy, well balanced by strips of cactus and queso fresco. It made great tacos.
My entrée plus seemingly unlimited tortillas and salsa was a steal at $ 10. Friends I ate with got the alpastor tacos and sopes (both specials) and liked those as well. The restaurant is in a bright, large, slightly too fancy-​looking space. Service was super nice, fast, and attentive. I’m going back in a heartbeat.