Sandoval’s Tequila Grill

I believe the best measure of a restaurant is how close it comes to what it is trying to be, and by that measure, Sandoval’s is great. The very unfussy, unpretentious menu spans classic Mexican comfort food, to familiar Mexican inspired American staples. Tortillas are made on site which makes a huge difference, and the service, in our experience, is always outstanding. The bar also has probably the best selection of tequilas you will find in Portland. Oh, and did I mention the prices? Just fed a family of 5 with table service for under $ 40. Please please please Sandoval’s, don’t change a thing.

Wonderful little restaurant. Amazing homemade tortillas, huge tequila selection, great family run service.

Sandoval’s is such an underrated restaurant. The food is delicious, the tortillas are homemade daily, and the service is impeccable. My family has bee coming here for years not and we have the same waiter every time we are there. He is attentive and helpful. I highly recommend checking this place out. All of the burritos are like heaven and did I mention that the tortillas are homemade!

Love it. food is good service is the best. Fish tacos are so good. fresh chips and salsa… lots of smiles.

I don’t know why people are bitching about this place. Yes, it is not the best mexican place. But for five dollars, it is the best margarita drink you can get. And for five dollars, the fish taco is pretty good. Spent 17 dollars including 2 dollars for tip, me and my husband got 2 orders of fish taco, a plate of chips, a margarita. We are happy. Removing one star for the inconvience of credit card fee. But it is understandable for the price so low that they have to control cost.

I really don’t know how you can screw up Mexican, actually, I can! It’s called Sandovals. Homemade tortillas even and the food is so bad… I would rather eat at Pepino’s or any Taco truck in Portland.
I really wish it were better because it’s really conveniently located.

Used to be awesome. Changed the menu and now it sucks. Way overpriced and $ 4 for credit card transactions over $ 30. Are kidding?!? Never coming back.

THIS IS NOT A FULL MENU MEXICAN RESTAURANT. If you’re expecting that you will be disappointed. Think burritos, soft tacos, one type of salad/​soup, a chimichanga, quesadilla, but not much else (no enchiladas or tamales).
I came here today with three others. It was mine and my one friends first time; my other friends had been here half a dozen times before and have always liked the food they say. I had the pollo con arroz soup, $ 5. The size was right for the price, a regular sized bowl. It was tasty and mild. I prefer more spice and would ramp that up next time but the flavor was so spot on I’d have it either way. They MAKE THEIR OWN TORTILLAS AND THE CORN ONES WERE VERY GOOD! I did not care for the salsa finding it too bland and smooth, like tomato juice. The tortilla chips were good, a must for any Mexican restaurant. I also had their Paloma Suprema drink for $ 5 and it was different and delicious (tequila and Squirt). The service was exceptionally friendly even if mildly forgetful.

This place is vastly underrated. The mole sauce is fantastic, the food is very good and super affordable. Drinks are a great deal, $ 5 for a really big margarita! Don’t pass this place up.

The waitress who served us was extremely friendly and accommodating. She accidentally got my order wrong, so I got a free burger out of it. I really loved their chips and salsa, but the entrees didn’t stand out. Would be a good place to go for just chips and salsa + drinks for sure, though.

Nice staff, friendly service, reasonable prices, but just «OK» food. Prob 2.5 stars if .5 were allowed.

Sandoval’s had always attracted my attention because of the big tortilla making machine in their front window. I had never gone there before only because they’re located on a crowded stretch of Hawthorne Blvd where parking can be hard to find. Today, I finally stopped in because I was lucky enough to see a parking space. Right inside the front door is their glass enclosed tortilla making room (evidence that their tortillas are actually made in-​house). Their dining room is bright and cheerful and they have a full bar. I ordered two of my favorite items whenever I go to a Mexican place: a steak taco and a pastor taco. One individual taco is $ 2.75, and an ala carte plate of two tacos is $ 5.00 (I like a deal). Also, chips and salsa came with my order. The steak and pastor meats were very flavorful. Also, it was good that they were not greasy, gristly, or fatty. The only downside was that those tacos were somewhat skimpy on the meat. Yeah, I wouldn’t have minded if there was a little more filling in both of them. However, everything tasted good, and the service was friendly and efficient.

I’ve been here twice now and I’ve been happy with the food and service both times. Servings are large enough for me to split with another person, although that depends on your appetite. Plus I like to add a side of rice and beans. Being able to split the cost of one plate and a couple add ons makes it quite cheap, and they’re fine with that unlike some restaurants where the waiter gets upset with you just because everyone isn’t ordering their own plate (I know, it seems ridiculous but I’ve gotten attitude before just from asking to share one meal). Also, the manager is especially friendly and will happily discuss the truly impressive collection of tequila that they now offer. They have some really fancy tequila-​like top of the top shelf-​so make sure to check prices first if you’re concerned about cost. They also have some more reasonably priced tequilas that I haven’t ever seen before and thank goodness for that because I couldn’t afford the top shelf stuff.
I’m not sure why it’s gotten such bad reviews, but I certainly plan on going back.
Oh, and the Unilocal hours say that it’s open until midnight every night, but it’s actually open until 9pm.

Used to come here at least 3 to 5 times a month for my lunch break. Had decent food every time. Enjoyed talking to Angie. She worked hard and did a good job. Found out recently that they «restructured.» No more Angie, no more chicken enchiladas and now a 2 dollar fee for using a credit card. They did, however, offer to make the chicken enchilada, but I was so furious about the $ 2 additional charge I left. 50 or 75 cents I can deal, but 2 dollars is just too much.

I haven’t even had the food yet and this place is already amazing! Not only that servers are amazing :) very handsome man actually hah

I was hungry, I wanted to get out of the sun, and Mexican sounded good. That’s how I stumbled into Sandoval’s one day. Immediately the server brought us menus and asked if we would like to order something to drink. I saw a beer & wine list, but nothing else. My first shock was when I asked for their margarita list (I almost always order a margarita with my Mexican food) and he said they didn’t have a cocktail menu– despite the full bar behind him. According to Jon Taffer that’s a big no no ;-P I tried to ask him what the sizes, prices, and flavors were, but all I understood was «house margarita» since I’m a visual person.
So I asked for water for now (it was a hot day and I was really thirsty). Shock #2! We received half sized glasses of ice water. I drank it in 2 gulps and needed a refill. I’ve never been to a restaurant before that didn’t give you a tall glass of water, especially on a hot day like this.
After looking at the menu and seeing a $ 13 crab enchilada, I wanted to leave. It didn’t even come with rice and beans! Mexican food is usually «big portion, small price.» This place is not cheap.
Btw, I actually did get up and leave without ordering anything. I went and got pizza instead. Oh, I almost forgot to tell you about the chips and salsa that were laid down at the table when we arrived. The chips tasted store bought. Most Mexican restaurants make their own.

Went in for lunch with my two girls, 6 and 2. The service was so friendly and attentive, it made for a very easy and fun lunch with the kiddos. They doted on the kids. The food was solid. I got the Relleno and was very pleased. They brought free ice cream for the kids too.
In all, its relatively typical Mexican food, but cleanly prepared. The service made the experience.

Terrible service: Pushy, impatient waiter at the beginning. Then, when I needed a refill on the empty ketchup bottle I was given, he couldn’t be bothered to be flagged down as he was too busy chit-​chatting with his coworkers.
Terrible Food: I know what you’re going to say but, I ordered a burger at a Mexican restaurant. I specifically had their California Burger. It looked good… and that was it. I paid 10.99 for a burger and fries. The burger had two thin, from frozen, patties that were unseasoned as far as my taste buds were concerned. The bun was stale and rock hard. I couldn’t place if it was the style of bread or not but, when I picked a piece off to try on it’s own, I could conclude it was old. The meat must have been expired too because I’m sitting home right now, after having missed a day of work, due to what I believe to be food poisoning. The signs are all there.
Bad Ambiance: What looked to be the owner/​manager was making margaritas for other guests. the blender was incredibly loud, I couldn’t hear my friend talking across the table and we were the furthest table from the bar.

Good chips and salsa. But I ordered the grilled chicken street tacos and they
had an awful flavor. Like cow manure.
My husband ordered
the same thing and he did not like his either and he eats EVERYTHING. The diet coke was bad too. The ratio mix or whatever wasn’t right. People who drink diet coke know what I’m talking about.

Line was too long at Por Que No, so decided to try this place out for the 2^nd time after being disappointed the 1^st time and safe to say, I won’t be returning. Witnessed a lot of unsanitary actions by workers, rice was old, salsa tasted like tomato sauce. Even the strawberry lemonade was gross.
Save your money and DON’T eat here.