Taco Escobarr
548 Congress St, Portland, ME, 04101
Taco Escobarr Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Diabetics at Taco Bell
The biggest concern for diabetics is to find healthy food with less sugar at restaurants. The hunt for the right food becomes even more challenging for diabetics when dining at a fast food restaurant. Well, Taco Bell changes that with Fresco style. Simply ask or order an item from the Taco Bell menu in Fresco Style.
Food Suggestions for Diabetics at Taco Bell:
Crunchy Taco Supreme
Nutrition Fact: 190 calories, 11g Fat (4.5g Sat. Fat), 340mg sodium, 15g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 3g Fiber, 8g Protein
Fresco Steak Soft Taco
Nutrition Fact: 150 calories, 4g Fat (1.5g Sat. Fat), 460mg sodium, 17g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 2g Fiber, 10g Protein
Fresco Soft Taco – Shredded Chicken
Nutrition Fact: 150 calories, 6g Fat (2g Sat. Fat), 430mg sodium, 16g Carbs, 1g Sugar, 2g Fiber, 9g Protein
Fresco Soft Taco Beef
Nutrition Fact: 160 calories, 6g Fat (2.5g Sat. Fat), 480mg sodium, 18g Carbs, 1g Sugar, 3g Fiber, 8g Protein
Veggie Power Menu Bowl
Nutrition Fact: 480 calories, 19g Fat (5g Sat. Fat), 970mg sodium, 65g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 13g Fiber, 14g Protein
Bean Burrito
Nutrition Fact: 380 calories, 11g Fat (4g Sat. Fat), 1060mg sodium, 55g Carbs, 3g Sugar, 9g Fiber, 14g Protein
Mini Skillet Bowl
Nutrition Fact: 180 calories, 11g Fat (2g Sat. Fat), 430mg sodium, 16g Carbs, less than 1g Sugar, 2g Fiber, 5g Protein
Foods to Avoid at Taco Bell for Diabetics:
You must avoid all kinds of Drinks and Freezes at Taco Bell if you have diabetes. Almost every beverage offered at Taco Bell contains high sugar content.
High Cholesterol at Taco Bell
Fast food restaurants are known for serving high calorie, greasy food with lots of sugars. Taco Bell changes this trend by offering Fresco Style option where your favorite food item is prepared using pico de gallo as it will cut down 20 – 30 calories easily from the original meal.
Food Suggestions to Maintain Cholesterol Level at Taco Bell:
Mini Skillet Bowl
Nutrition Fact: 180 calories, 11g Fat (2g Sat. Fat), 430mg sodium, 16g Carbs, less than 1g Sugar, 2g Fiber, 5g Protein
Breakfast Soft Taco – Egg & Cheese
Nutrition Fact: 170 calories, 9g Fat (3g Sat. Fat), 330mg sodium, 15g Carbs, less than 1g Sugar, less than 1g Fiber, 7g Protein
Spicy Tostada
Nutrition Fact: 210 calories, 10g Fat (3g Sat. Fat), 440mg sodium, 22g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 5g Fiber, 6g Protein
Fresco Crunchy Taco – Beef
Nutrition Fact: 140 calories, 7g Fat (2.5g Sat. Fat), 300mg sodium, 14g Carbs, less than 1g Sugar, 3g Fiber, 6g Protein
Shredded Chicken Mini Quesadilla
Nutrition Fact: 200 calories, 10g Fat (3.5g Sat. Fat), 490mg sodium, 15g Carbs, less than 1g Sugar, 1g Fiber, 10g Protein
Crunchy Taco Supreme
Nutrition Fact: 190 calories, 11g Fat (4.5g Sat. Fat), 340mg sodium, 15g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 3g Fiber, 8g Protein
Spicy Potato Soft Taco
Nutrition Fact: 230 calories, 12g Fat (3g Sat. Fat), 460mg sodium, 27g Carbs, 1g Sugar, 2g Fiber, 5g Protein
Foods to Avoid at Taco Bell for High Cholesterol:
It is best to avoid Bacon or Steak dishes at Taco Bell as such dishes contain a lot of fat. Also, try to avoid all kinds of Drinks and Freezes which are full of sugars resulting in empty calories.
Visit below restaurant in Portland for healthy meals suggestion.
High Blood Pressure at Taco Bell
People with high blood pressure must avoid food with high sodium levels. You can either ask the people at Taco Bell to add less salt in your food or choose the food items with less sodium content or customize your order using Taco Bell's own nutrition calculator.
Food Suggestions to Control Blood Pressure at Taco Bell:
Fresco Chicken Soft Taco
Nutrition Fact: 150 calories, 6g Fat (2g Sat. Fat), 430mg sodium, 16g Carbs, 1g Sugar, 2g Fiber, 9g Protein
Spicy Tostada
Nutrition Fact: 210 calories, 10g Fat (3g Sat. Fat), 440mg sodium, 22g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 5g Fiber, 6g Protein
Grilled Breakfast Burrito - Sausage
Nutrition Fact: 340 calories, 17g Fat (5g Sat. Fat), 730mg sodium, 36g Carbs, 3g Sugar, 2g Fiber, 11g Protein
Veggie Power Menu Bowl
Nutrition Fact: 480 calories, 19g Fat (5g Sat. Fat), 970mg sodium, 65g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 13g Fiber, 14g Protein
Foods to Avoid at Taco Bell for High Blood Pressure:
Taco Bell offers a wide range of Grande Scrambler Burritos, Crunch wraps, and Quesadillas which are high in sodium. It is important to limit the sodium intake at Taco Bell and avoid any meal with over 750-800mg sodium.
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant blood pressure menu details.
High Cholesterol at Taco Bell
Fast food restaurants are known for serving high calorie, greasy food with lots of sugars. Taco Bell changes this trend by offering Fresco Style option where your favorite food item is prepared using pico de gallo as it will cut down 20 – 30 calories easily from the original meal.
Food Suggestions to Maintain Cholesterol Level at Taco Bell:
Mini Skillet Bowl
Nutrition Fact: 180 calories, 11g Fat (2g Sat. Fat), 430mg sodium, 16g Carbs, less than 1g Sugar, 2g Fiber, 5g Protein
Breakfast Soft Taco – Egg & Cheese
Nutrition Fact: 170 calories, 9g Fat (3g Sat. Fat), 330mg sodium, 15g Carbs, less than 1g Sugar, less than 1g Fiber, 7g Protein
Spicy Tostada
Nutrition Fact: 210 calories, 10g Fat (3g Sat. Fat), 440mg sodium, 22g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 5g Fiber, 6g Protein
Fresco Crunchy Taco – Beef
Nutrition Fact: 140 calories, 7g Fat (2.5g Sat. Fat), 300mg sodium, 14g Carbs, less than 1g Sugar, 3g Fiber, 6g Protein
Shredded Chicken Mini Quesadilla
Nutrition Fact: 200 calories, 10g Fat (3.5g Sat. Fat), 490mg sodium, 15g Carbs, less than 1g Sugar, 1g Fiber, 10g Protein
Crunchy Taco Supreme
Nutrition Fact: 190 calories, 11g Fat (4.5g Sat. Fat), 340mg sodium, 15g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 3g Fiber, 8g Protein
Spicy Potato Soft Taco
Nutrition Fact: 230 calories, 12g Fat (3g Sat. Fat), 460mg sodium, 27g Carbs, 1g Sugar, 2g Fiber, 5g Protein
Foods to Avoid at Taco Bell for High Cholesterol:
It is best to avoid Bacon or Steak dishes at Taco Bell as such dishes contain a lot of fat. Also, try to avoid all kinds of Drinks and Freezes which are full of sugars resulting in empty calories.
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.
Q&A on Taco Bell
Who owns Taco Bell?
Taco Bell is a restaurant chain subsidiary owned by Yum! Brands, Inc. which controls the restaurant division of PepsiCo.
When does Taco Bell stop serving breakfast?
Taco Bell starts serving breakfast from 6 a.m. which is one hour later than other competitors. However, the restaurant chain continues serving breakfast till 11 a.m. which is half an hour later than other competitors.
When is Taco Bell happy hour?
Happy hour at Taco Bell starts from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Are Taco Bell beans healthy?
Beans are rich in protein, fiber, and minerals like iron and phosphorous. Hence, Taco Bell beans are healthy in nature. However, there are claims that Taco Bell uses a rehydrated slew of mystery ingredients instead of beans. So, simply inquire about the beans before ordering items serving Taco Bell beans.
Which Taco Bell is closest to me?
Use our Restaurant Listings directory to find Taco Bell nearby.
Which Taco Bell sauce is hottest?
Diablo is the hottest Taco Bell sauce.
Which Taco Bell sauce is best?
In terms of popularity, the Mild sauce is undoubtedly the best Taco Bell sauce favored by Americans.
Which Taco Bell sauces are vegan?
Hot and Mild sauces are certified vegan.
Which Taco Bell has nacho fries?
Taco Bell has a habit of discontinuing and relaunching Nacho Fries. You can find the Taco Bell locations nearby to see if the Taco Bell store has Nacho Fries.
Which Taco Bell is open right now?
Taco Bell opens at 6 a.m. in the morning and stays open until 3 a.m. the next day at major locations. In New York city, the Taco Bell stores stay open till 11 p.m. or 12 midnight.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
About Taco Bell
Taco Bell is a haven for Mexican delicacies such as tacos, quesadillas, burritos, nachos, and other specialty items. Owned by Yum! Brands, Inc. Taco Bell is one of the fastest growing American chains of fast food restaurants. The restaurant operates from 7,072 different locations which are mostly run by independent franchisees and licensees.
The background story of Taco Bell is interesting and inspiring for budding entrepreneurs. The fast-food brand is the brainchild of Glen Bell, who started his first food venture as a hot dog seller in San Bernardino, California. The year was 1948. After witnessing long queues outside a Mexican restaurant called Mitla Café across the street, Bell saw the opportunity and demand for hard-shelled Tacos. He reverse-engineered the recipe and later started selling Tacos and called the venture Taco-Tia.
Later, the name changed from Taco-Tia to El Taco. Eventually, Glen Bell sold the company to his partner and opened the first Taco Bell in Downey in 1962. By 1964, the restaurant also got its first franchise in Torrance. The 100th Taco Bell restaurant was opened by 1965. PepsiCo acquired Taco Bell from Glen Bell in 1978 and the restaurant brand is currently a subsidiary of Yum! Brands which looks after the restaurant business of PepsiCo.
Healthy Food Options at Taco Bell
You may believe that a healthy lifestyle doesn't go well at a fast food restaurant. Well, that's not the case with Taco Bell. Surprisingly Taco Bell offers a variety of healthy options, thanks to the in-house registered dietician who monitors the whole menu. The dietician ensures that each item on the menu is free from additives and preservatives, colors, and artificial flavors. The dietician also ensures that the food served at Taco Bell doesn't contain high-fructose corn syrup, low sodium levels, and reduced use of partially hydrogenated oil.
More than 75% of food items served at Taco Bell falls under 500 calories. Taco Bell also features the Fresco Style option which helps the customers to maintain healthy diet plan without missing out on taste. In Fresco style option, Taco Bell switches pico de gallo with cheese, sour cream, guac, and mayo-based sauce. Taco Bell takes care of almost every health preference of its customers.
Tips for Dining at Taco Bell
Diabetics can also try other Fresco styled Taco items such as Fresco Crunchy Taco, Fresco Grilled Steak, and Fresco Soft Taco Beef. These are other healthy alternatives of Tacos for diabetics which contains an adequate amount of starch and minimum or no fat content. Switch the regular sauce or cheese with pico de gallo and you can easily reduce the sodium intake and fat content for your body. It will help maintain blood pressure levels and control high cholesterol.
Q&A on Taco Bell
Who owns Taco Bell?
Taco Bell is a restaurant chain subsidiary owned by Yum! Brands, Inc. which controls the restaurant division of PepsiCo.
When does Taco Bell stop serving breakfast?
Taco Bell starts serving breakfast from 6 a.m. which is one hour later than other competitors. However, the restaurant chain continues serving breakfast till 11 a.m. which is half an hour later than other competitors.
When is Taco Bell happy hour?
Happy hour at Taco Bell starts from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Are Taco Bell beans healthy?
Beans are rich in protein, fiber, and minerals like iron and phosphorous. Hence, Taco Bell beans are healthy in nature. However, there are claims that Taco Bell uses a rehydrated slew of mystery ingredients instead of beans. So, simply inquire about the beans before ordering items serving Taco Bell beans.
Which Taco Bell is closest to me?
Use our Restaurant Listings directory to find Taco Bell nearby.
Which Taco Bell sauce is hottest?
Diablo is the hottest Taco Bell sauce.
Which Taco Bell sauce is best?
In terms of popularity, the Mild sauce is undoubtedly the best Taco Bell sauce favored by Americans.
Which Taco Bell sauces are vegan?
Hot and Mild sauces are certified vegan.
Which Taco Bell has nacho fries?
Taco Bell has a habit of discontinuing and relaunching Nacho Fries. You can find the Taco Bell locations nearby to see if the Taco Bell store has Nacho Fries.
Which Taco Bell is open right now?
Taco Bell opens at 6 a.m. in the morning and stays open until 3 a.m. the next day at major locations. In New York city, the Taco Bell stores stay open till 11 p.m. or 12 midnight.
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Address :
548 Congress St
Portland, ME, 04101 - Phone (207) 541-9097
- Website https://www.tacoescobarr.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 1:00pm
- Mon : 11:00 am - 1:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Hipster
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
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Roxanne J.
This place has outdoor/sidewalk seating in the summer and I sat outside with my friends. It was neat drinking margaritas on the sidewalk. Good margs for sure. I got a lengua taco and a pescado taco. Pescado was okay, lengua was AMAZING. If you like lengua (tongue) tacos, try theirs. I also got a side of mexican corn which was awesome, but too 'spensive. The food is great, like real good tacos and drinks, but like most restaurants in Portland, it's not cheap. If it were less pricey and had a bit more seating, it would get ALL THE STARS.
(4)Heidi B.
Divey little Mexican place with a great menu! I ordered the enchiladas and was a little disappointed that they were so dry? Maybe it was because I made it vegetarian but no sauce or sour cream made it kind of tough. Everything was very tasty though! The nachos were delicious though and my Fiance enjoyed his meal as well! We got to eat outside on the most perfect evening.
(4)Simone D.
I've been craving a good taco since I moved to Maine (#californiaproblems), and I've been walking by this establishment for months. I finally tried it four months later and it did not disappoint. For starters the interior is crazy cool. The lighting draws you in from the street and it isn't too bright or colorful. I went on a Tuesday and it was pretty busy. If all the seats were full on a Tuesday I wonder how crazy it gets on a weekend. More crowds mean good food, right? We'll see. The restaurant was being run by one hostess who you can tell was a little flustered, but after a while things subsided. She was friendly and quick the whole time. Hard working service--I wish I remembered her name for a shoutout. I tried the pork belly tacos and they were good. The flavors of the toppings overpowered the meat a bit and that was a slight disappointment, but it still tasted good! I also loved the plantain fries. The avocado fries didn't hold up to the plantains. The price of all is this is right! Two tacos for $7 (with an upcharge if you get premier meat)? You can't go wrong. I look forward to trying some tacos with a different meat option to see how I like those flavors.
(4)Yelena S.
We come here all the time, one of our favorite spots! Their shrimp puffy tacos are my go-to, but sometimes I'm just craving hot, cheesy, delicious nachos (which they totally kill it at BTW). I love their salsa, and during happy hour it's free which is even better. Pair that with a spicy margarita and you're golden. I really like the cozy and bright atmosphere, the chili pepper lights covering the ceiling are an awesome touch, they have epic music playing, their bathroom is rad (no really, it is, check it out), and it's just got this whole cool vibe going. Great food and awesome set-up, two thumbs up here!
(5)Seth M.
Burritos are my favorite thing to eat followed closely by tacos. Taco Escobarr is hand down the best Mexican I have had. I go in hungry and, because of the large portion size, I leave quite full. The atmosphere is great and service is awesome. The staff does a great job to keep up with demand. If I could, I would eat every meal at Taco Escobarr and some weekends practically do. 5 stars hands down.
(5)Amanda R.
Before ranting and raving about this establishment, I just want to say that I am a taco fanatic. This restaurant feeds into my love for tacos. Service: It was a Tuesday night and it was very busy. When I notice that, I feel good about the place because it must be good, right? Right. Our waitress, Lauren, was the only waitstaff for the night and she was stressed out. We helped her clear the table where we sat down and she seemed to like that. Even though she was the only waitstaff, she checked in on us and that makes the experience better. Prices I am one for scanning an entire menu beforehand to make sure I can afford it and I am very pleased with the prices. Also, as a patron, I always think of why something is more expensive and how much the restaurant has to charge. The crispy and puffy tacos are 2 tacos for $7.00. Food: Taco Escobarr has specials and I LOVE specials because it makes the decision making easier for me at least. I got the fried scallop special which comes with two tacos for $8.00. I was getting full off the first one because it was very delicious. Aside from the fried scallops, there was cabbage and pico de gallo. There wasn't a time where I felt I was not getting enough scallops in one taco which is a great sign for a taco. PLATANOS (caps because I love them so freakin much) are my favorite. I fry them at home caribbean and southern style. For the table, we ordered plantain fries. I went for the plantain fries because the crunchiness gave off a sweet and sour taste. Ambience: Aside from being crowded on a weeknight, the restaurant is a bit divey and a bit loud. I don't mind it, I'm just pointing it out for people who want an honest opinion! When you look up at the ceiling, you'll notice an array of colorful lighting. I instantly thought of christmas lighting because of the red, green and yellow hues! Also, when you walk in, there is a sign that says. "Please seat yourself." If you want tacos, head to this establishment
(5)Georgia F.
I have never had a bad meal here! Their tacos, nachos, burritos and specials are all amazing. By far the best Mexican food in Maine. Great vegetarian options, seafood and a fun atmosphere. The owner is so nice, and wait staff are friendly. It's a bit small, so there is often a little wait... But it is certainly worth waiting for!
(5)Danielle H.
The people are really nice. The waitress was attentive and they have great music! Now on to the food, the chips and salsa were tasty but it sucks that you are charged for what typically comes standard at Mexican restaurants.. The fried taco is delicious, it's not greasy but is very flavorful. The chicken came in a large portion, but my fish taco had one little piece. The breakfast burrito it is huge. It has a good balance of ingredients . Not a traditional mexican restaurant but worth a try.
(3)Sunshine D.
I love this place! Ive been there several times and have received great service. The bartenders are extremely knowledgeable and friendly. The food is a bit overpriced, but it is worth it. I recommend making the tacos into the meal deal they have, you get a lot of food for your money. Good spot to catch a bite and a drink before a show at The State Theatre. Unfortunately, theres no outside seating but the lights on the ceiling, good tunes and funky paintings make a great atmosphere.
(4)Brian G.
I've walked past this place a hundred times, but it was never really the right timing. My wife and I were in the city Wednesday afternoon for an appointment, and decided to try it out for lunch. Very nicely surprised. Hadn't read any reviews here, so we went in cold with expectations tempered, but it was very good. At least, the tacos were very good. I got a soft taco with the slow-cooked beef, which was my favorite; and two grilled corn tortilla tacos, one a fish taco (which was also exceptional) and a pulled pork taco (that was OK, partially hampered by a burnt shell.) My wife got the chicken one and the slow-cooked beef; I had a bite of the chicken one and it was good, if not really memorable. I like the variety of sauces they offer on the side. As for the side dishes themselves, these were somewhat disappointing. I got the black beans and rice as part of the platter, and they were both very bland. My wife got the pinto beans with bacon, which I didn't try but she said were better than the black beans. My favorite part of the meal might have been the appetizer, which was the Queso Fundido, full of melted cheese simmered on a cast iron skillet with peppers and tomatoes. Really tasty. The inside of the place is funky and festive, colorful and inviting. The bar looks cozy and I wouldn't mind dropping in for a beer and a soft taco one night on the way to a show at Space or Port City. Service was very friendly too. Great stuff overall!
(4)Denine M.
Fresh and delicious! We are in town for a wedding, and I was concerned if the tacos in Maine would be as authentic and good as they are back home. Our Waitress/Bartender was very kind and attentive. We had two tacos each - one with the Bistek filling (shredded beef) and one with the butternut squash filling. The flavors were fantastic and the squeeze of lime really hit it out of the park! Will be back later for a churro!
(4)Hannah M.
My chicken wings were highly recommended by the waitress and came out under-sauced and raw, the bleu dressing was great though. My nachos came out sans ordered chicken and burnt. When our server, Ashley came to check on us, we informed her of the situation she proceeded to remove the food. She took the wings off of the bill and only removed the chx charge from the nachos I still would have liked to have eaten. Was excited to try this out and had a terrible experience.
(2)Kate S.
Pleasantly surprised. Later-night service, food & drinks were all above-average, particularly for Mexican in the North East. I use El Pastor tacos as a Mexican restaurant benchmark .. pretty good! Enjoyed more than El Rayo.
(4)Gema G.
I came here after experiencing the most deplorable service in my life at another restaurant around the corner. These tacos are unbelievable, the service was awesome and next time I'm in Portland, this will be my go to spot for yummy food!
(4)Tony W.
I have come to accept that Mexican food exists on wide spectrum of authenticity...and I am OK with that. I've purchased tacos out of a truck next to a construction site in Los Angeles, and I've also bought a burrito made by a 65-year old hippie using a camping stove in the parking lot outside of a Phish concert. While one version may be more authentic than the other, both have a pequeño lugar in my corazón. I view Taco Escobarr as being somewhere in the middle of the spectrum. For the purpose of this review, I see this place as an Americanized Mexican restaurant, as opposed to an authentic Mexican restaurant - my focus is more on the quality, service and atmosphere instead of how closely it reflects authenticity. From my current local dining experiences, good authentic Mexican is still sadly missing from the southern Maine scene. I came here on a Sunday night before a concert at The State. The place was still bustling, and since I was riding solo I grabbed a seat at the bar. The place is very festive, and the billions of chili pepper lights on the ceiling are certainly the focal point when you walk in. Between those lights, the infused tequilas they promote, and the wood and exposed brick facade/bar back, think the feel they are going for is a trendy, modern rustic (if that even makes sense?) The bartender seems like he was a bit overmatched because of the influx of concert-goers; it took a few extra minutes to get a beer and a menu from the brusk gentleman. They had several of the expected Mexican beers on tap, as well as a complement of local ones. As I mentioned, they also have several infused tequilas on display, and I would love to give them a shot when I feel like having a 'where's my cell phone and my right shoe?' kind of night. I ordered the enchilada, and it came out very quickly. I was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. Perhaps not as 'authentic' as I was hoping, but very tasty. I'm used to (and turned off by) more Americanized Mexican restaurants smothering enchiladas in shredded cheese and hot sauce to mask the flavor that doesn't exist, but this had very little cheese and the focus was on the beefy goodness. If you're a Mexican purist and your benchmark for good Mexican food is a mom and pop taco shack in East LA, then you'll probably hate this place. If you don't mind Americanized Mexican (accompanied by a few fancy infused tequila shots or local beers), then try it out.
(4)Jacob Y.
First time at taco escobar. What a nice little Mexican restaurant. This is a good place for a date, to hang out with friends to just kick back have a drink and some damn good tacos. I love Mexican street corn so had to get that which was good not best I've had but good, my gf is an avacado fanatic got the guac and chips was also tasty. But those fish tacos were the highlight .(crispy was better than soft but both were great). I will definitely be back. Oh how could I forget my favorite thing is spicy food they give you a 6 pack of different hot sauces I chose not to use Sriracha since I usually put it on everything wanted to try the others. They had cholulula which I've had hundreds of times as well as valentinos which I've had when I worked in Queens n.y both great with Mexican fare. My favorite from there choices was a spicy Salsa Verde with habanero, really great experience service was fast and the ambiance was great.
(5)Megan B.
So good. Terrific food, nice staff, dog-friendly outdoor seating, and tasty margaritas!
(5)Anna D.
Only stopped in with a friend before an art exibit, so this is only based on the couple of margaritas and the free basket of chips and salsa. We were there around 530 and there were a few happy hour stragglers drinkin away. Their drink menu consists of several tequila based cocktails along with a full bar and beer selection. I'm not sure exactly what's on the happy hour menu because it wasn't specified (that I could see), but I also didn't inquire. The bartender was attentive and poured us each a decent drink. I ordered the Palermo, a normal margarita, sans triple sec (thank goodness), add a splash of grapefruit soda -- very light and refreshing! But I should have ordered salt. I'm not sure what the name of my friend's drink was, but it looked delicious (not to mention she was a slightly forced to drink it in 10 minutes due to our art date). We walked out each paying around $8.50 each. The basket of chips and salsa were complimentary, and tasty! Homemade, crispy tortillas are my favorite to dip with. The salsa wasn't chunky and had lots of fresh flavor. I've heard their guacamole is fantastic, so I'm most definitely going to order that my next time around!
(4)Hailey H.
If there were a Taco club I'd wear their button all around Portland and on it would be a huge picture of the puffy taco from Taco Escobarr. I'm a repeat culprit of ordering something at a new place, liking it, and never ordering anything else there ever again. I did that for a while here with the Verdue (seasoned butternut squash) puffy taco. Once I tried it I was married to it and aside from margaritas, never strayed. Finally I decided I should try something else and got El Jefe's Nachos. YOU GUYS. Nachos are such a classic delicious thing, and as easy as they are... they are so easily made incorrectly. Taco Escobarr did me right; perfect amount of topping perfectly dispersed and so so so good! This opened the door to trying new things there, and while I often go back to my trusty Verdue puffy taco, I've never tried something there that I don't like. Keep an eye on their Margaritas, they infuse all their own tequila, so each one is unique. I'm in love with their blood orange.
(5)Kylie D.
There are lots of great reviews for Taco Escobarr so I won't bore you with another that extols the virtues of their delicious guacamole and fabulous happy hour Margaritas.. But I will tell you that I went to Taco Escobarr solo - that's right - on my own before a show at SPACE gallery. I had some work that I needed to finish and was tired of being in the office so I popped over and drank a margarita while finishing a grant proposal. I sat at the bar and my only complaint about the experience was that my bartender wasn't very friendly. He didn't check on me after delivering my drink or ask if I wanted any food. It was surprising, especially because the waitress for the table directly behind me seemed awesome. I loved the size, lighting, menu and vibe of TE and I'm sure I'll be back the next time I'm craving margaritas!
(4)Chris D.
I eat here constantly. The food is always great, and their service never fails. And they fill a really important niche in downtown Portland; not fancy or fussy, but laid back without being crappy. JUST DO IT!!
(5)Angie A.
I recently visited Portland with my husband. It was our first time visiting the city and we had a great couple of days there. Some of the service in other establishments left something to be desired, but Taco Escobarr was great! We took our seats and looked up at the ceiling at all the awesome stringed lighting covering the ceiling and were pretty excited. This visit was for lunch, so our only disappointment was in ourselves that we didn't come here the night before for drinks as it seemed like a pretty fun place. Our waitress was very bubbly and friendly and greeted us right away. We both ordered different types of enchiladas, his with salsa verde and mine with a white cream sauce. Both entrees were delicious! The atmosphere even in the middle of the day was very relaxed, but fun with cool indie rock music playing and a lot of happy people enjoying the day. You won't be disappointed in your trip to Taco Escobarr. We'll definitely be back!
(5)Matt W.
House margaritas are refreshing. The staff seemed extremely overwhelmed and kept forgetting things we had ordered and were not the friendlist. Overall, the food was okay...I would order the crispy tacos instead of the soft if you are in the mood for tacos.
(2)Megan C.
These two stars don't have anything to do with the type of food being served in an area of the country where people seem to love to claim that "the East Coast doesn't have good Mexican food." That's another rant for another day for a claim that I believe is ludicrous...but I digress. My two stars for Taco Escobarr relate to the service and the establishment itself. Don't get me wrong; I'm sure (as long as you remember your ID!) you can belly up to the bar and get a nice margarita made with house-infused tequila, but you can also sit at your booth and ponder why Nosh across the street is jam-packed and Escobarr is awkwardly empty. Ever the Mexican food aficionados, my husband and I stepped into the relative ghost town of Escobarr after a crazy-busy Nosh attempt turned us the other direction. It was oddly deserted for a Saturday, like walking into an Old Western saloon that's dark and dank, and being leered at as you enter through the creaky front door. The lone waitress was chatting up the lone bartender, as the two booths sat un-bussed. When we asked for one of the booths to be bussed so we could sit there, it was as though we were asking for something outside of the ordinary. The service, as others have mentioned in recent reviews, was a huge turnoff. I never understand why waters/beverages sit empty, tables remain dirty, and employees don't busy themselves with downtime tasks, but I'm also not in the restaurant business, so...I digress. Anyway, the menu was fine and fairly varied. Lots of good taco options, although once served, the difference between the taco al pastor and the carne asada was kind of like a mystery meat competition. They weren't expensive, and at least they were served on corn tortillas. There were some complimentary hot sauces on the tables, but they were of the preservative- and artificial color-laden Goya variety. Bright green "jalapeno" sauce? Pass. For future reference, order for carry out, get the chicken, and add your own salsa and hot sauce at home.
(2)Celeste M.
This place is amazing. First off, I'm a huge taco/burrito fan and this place has both! Obviously it specializes in Tacos but I'm definitely up for engaging in some burrito action here! I came in with a group and it's seat yourself so we waited about 2 min for a table to open up. The place was packed even though it was a Tuesday night around 9:30pm. That tells you something. The interior has a homey divey feel to it, but the main attraction is the ceiling. They string colorful lights overhead! I ordered 2 puffy tacos with bistek and al pastor and I inhaled those things! Sooooo yummy! For the table we ordered plaintain fries with garlic aioli and avocado fries with jalepeno lime aioli. I loved the plaintain fries, but the avocado fries fell a little short due to the avocado's texture. Not the restaurant's fault. I also ordered a side of rice, but the waitress had forgotten it and brought it at the end of our meal. She comp'ed it which is what I call fabulous customer service! Overall this place is great and I wouldn't mind stopping by for their weekday happy hour from 4-7pm and grabbing some chips and salsa or a burrito with my drinks!
(4)Becky M.
The bartenders here were a huge turn off. A friend and I went in for happy hour last week and the service pretty much ruined our experience. When I asked what was going on for happy hour, bartender #1 made some joke about the World Cup going on... And basically ignored my question and told me I wanted a margarita. Sorry, wasn't in the mood... "You want a margarita"...."you want a margarita"... "Actually I want a beer"... Not impressed by his "humor" if that's what you want to call it. Said free chips and salsa come with happy hour and we also asked to see a menu. Different bartender comes in stage left and then just completely ignores us. After about ten minutes we motion to him that we wanted to order food- and we thought there was some mention of free chips. He seems bothered to have to do his job. We were also 2 of about 6 people at the bar. Notice bartender #1 with the cowboy hat over at nosh by the way... A little while later bartender #2 asked us "what we ordered again" because I'm assuming he never actually put the ticket in. When the chips and salsa DID come, as well as the quesadilla we ordered, they were delicious... I gotta admit. Cowboy hat bartender then says something very inappropriate to the much younger waitress... Give me a break dude.
(2)Jim S.
Best Mexican restaurant in Portland. Great food and awesome menu. Can't wait to go back to try more stuff. Really enjoyed it.
(5)Lisa B.
This place is a cozy (nice and warm on a cold rainy day and candles on the tables) little modern Mexican place. The chili pepper lights covering the ceiling and the menu didn't quite fit the music blasting in the back in the typical way you would expect. But, I liked it. I had no problems with the service. I'm a pretty low maintenance solo diner, so the waitress checked in the right amount and she was very friendly. The guacamole was good and so were the soft tacos with carne asada. The girl that dropped off the tacos for me was a touch creepy since she was really quiet and surprised me. Lol I enjoyed my experience. They have a decent selection of margaritas and food. I will for sure come back.
(4)Brett F.
I really want to give 3.5 stars to Taco Escobarr. I hadn't been in several years but we decided to give it a shot last night after the Friday art walk. The place was bustling and we could only find seats at the bar. I ordered a spicy but mildly fruity margarita that was one of the best I've ever had. It was only marred by the terrible bartender, who showed lots of bad attitude while barely providing service. The margarita was a very reasonable $8. When a table opened up we grabbed it. The food menu is the usual mix of tacos, burritos, enchiladas, etc, but with a slightly more upscale flair and a choice of maybe 8 meats as fillings, on a separate menu. Prices are fair and my pork (of some sort) tacos were absolutely delicious. So why only 3.5 stars? Chips do not come standard. I know this is the same at Zapoteca, but that restaurant is trying to be upscale Mexican. This is not, and free chips are basically the norm. When we ran out of chips and asked for more, they charged us for the refill. Another member of my party also asked for sour cream for her tacos. Without any mention up front, that was charged to our bill as well. Taco Escobarr has really good food I thought with delicious drinks, so I wish they would stop nickel and diming customers. The 10 other local Mexicans restaurants don't. Overall, I would recommend and will be going back.
(4)Peter G.
This place is unbelievable. The food is delicious!! The owner is so much fun. This place is number 1. Number one in Maine. The crispy tacos are delicious and drinks are event better. Why would you go anywhere else.
(5)Jason B.
A snug, warm spot serving seriously legit am-mex food in a hip, comfortable environment. This is definitely a spot to hit on your cruise through the Old Port. The folks are friendly, the service is prompt and courteous, the burritos are straight up as big as your arm and of excellent provenance. The extra "R" is so that they don't get visited by any Central American family members who might or might not be eager to cash in on their name's notoriety.
(4)Camille R.
Grabbed dinner with the family before the OAR concert on a Tuesday. Place was jammed, but got a table after about 10 min. Margaritas were great; we had a variety of flavors and no one was disappointed. Ordered 3 different burritos: chicken, pork and shredded beef. All three were huge portions. I had chicken which was shredded and mildly spiced. Others also ordered crispy tacos and enchiladas. We all shared a guac and chips. Everyone agreed food was great and waitress very attentive for as busy as they were. We all agreed we would definitely come back for seconds!
(4)Scott L.
Great steak fajitas. Rice was spicy that gave the meal a extra kick. Veggies were grilled to perfection. Great selection of Mexican beers. Wish they had some local ipa's.
(4)Sandi B.
We love it here! Great drinks, service & food @ great prices! (Plus you can sit outside AND they're dog friendly!)
(4)Stephanie M.
It was a bit pricey for tacos and the casual interior. Coming from the city, I'm used to it, but for Portland it felt high. The queso fundito was solid. I had the kale shrimp salad, which was huge. Bf and fam had tacos and enchilladas. Honestly everything was fine, just not amazing and a bit pricey.
(3)Bruce D.
Taco Escobarr is a guilty pleasure, a good way to finish off an evening out. I like to drop in for a bite to eat and one last drink before calling it a night. Why? The staff are friendly and know their beer and tequila. I've had a number of pleasant conversations with them over the bar, while enjoying a glass of infused tequila or a local craft beer on tap. The menu, while not the pinnacle of Mexican food, has a variety of my favorite flavors. The atmosphere is nouveau dive, with a long bar, hundreds if not thousands of jalapeño Christmas lights on the ceiling and flat screen TVs. There are eight beer taps, including a couple of local craft offerings. The clientele cuts a wide swath and it can get crowded. I prefer to eat at the bar and have met some characters there. While the food is not overly creative or authentic, all of the basics are rendered well and I consider them a decent value. This is a place I can drop a twenty dollar bill on two drinks and something to eat without regret. The pepper infused tequila keeps me coming back. It isn't something every bar carries and makes a great foundation for a very spicy margarita or sipped neat if that's your thing. (It is mine, another guilty pleasure.) As mentioned, this is not a primary destination for me however I plan many happy returns, considering the concert or movie that brought me to the area over a drink and some tasty food. I thoroughly enjoyed the guacamole the last time I was there. It had nice chunks of avocado and was heavy on the citrus. The chips were light and crispy. I won't hesitate to drop in the next time I walk by and should have been home hours ago.
(4)Zac G.
Nate, aka the bearded bartender, is one of the best in the city. Amazing food, amazing drink deals. Anyone complaining about this place needs to just stay home and cry.
(5)Kristen M.
LOVE this place!!! Love their crispy & puffy tacos! Love their house infused tequilas... so many flavors to choose from that get turned into amazing cocktails. Their beer selections are great too Love their salsa and hot sauces Love their churros Love the atmosphere... great location, the lights are so cool and their servers are hotties Highly recommend!!!
(5)Joe W.
Here's a place that would be called a dive bar in other cities. Here, in a city of restaurants, it's just another eatery with high expectations. Ordered take out at the bar and had no issue dealing with the bartender amongst his drink-making. The place is small, maybe 12 tables plus high tops along the bar. The entire ceiling is lined with jalapeño Christmas lights. Spicy. Looks like a fun place to have a few cervezas or margaritas. We ordered a chicken quesadilla and a vegetable burrito. The quesadilla was finished before I could ask how it was, so that was well enjoyed. You get no details, only that it had flavor, chicken, and cheese. And now it is eaten. The vegetable burrito was marked on the menu as three mini burritos. That's not how it arrived...instead, one giant honking wrap of Mexican goodness. Their vegetable blend uses butternut squash as its base...yay! These were prepared like shredded chicken, strewn throughout this massive tortilla. Other vegetables made their appearance. I don't recall which, but their menu explains the fillings in detail. Alongside the beans, rice, and cheese, it was a massive undertaking. It was an ideal size to split, but we had two meals already, so, time to just eat up! I was stuffed by the end, but not disappointed. For those who know chains, it was larger than a Moe's Homewrecker, and definitely better.
(5)Puneet M.
I really enjoyed this place. It's a fun and enjoyable place that really passes the time. I was probably there for three hours for dinner and drinks and it seemed like just an hour. It had a lot to due with the engaging and fun wait staff great drinks. The margaritas came in some great choices which were all very good. The food was like any other average Mexican place but the menu was very appealing with a lot of choices and combinations to choose from. I noticed a lot of diners coming in later in the night and it didn't seem like they stopped serving food till daily late which is a huge plus. I would say the few negatives were the bizarre music selection which I am guessing the staff was choosing and the average food. I gave it three stars and I will absolutely be trying it again. I'm changing my rating from three stars after really thinking about it. It's absolutely 4 stars.
(4)Rachel D.
On our way to another restaurant tonight we saw taco escobarr from across the way and decided that this was our fate for a late night fare. Smart choice. The nachos were magical, crispy and delicious. The enchiladas were spicy and not at all soggy or dissapointing. I want nothing more then to drink and eat at this place forever and ever.
(5)Trisha C.
I'm a regular at this place and I have no issue admitting that. My partner and I always get the same thing: him nachos with carne and me carne enchiladas. We don't go in too often anymore but when we do we can always count on them remembering our order. The food literally makes me feel drunk and full by the end. There have been times when the food wasn't consistent or has taken incredibly long to come out of the kitchen. I've learned to excuse this as I go so often, but it is a common gripe I hear. All in all I still highly recommend this place.
(5)Tammy C.
For years I've avoided Mexican restaurants, thanks to an onion allergy. Nearly everything is made with the delicious vegetable that causes me a world of pain. At the assurance of my good friend that I could find something on Taco Escobarr's menu that met my dietary restrictions, I decided to give the restaurant a try. Not only was our waitress welcoming, friendly, and adorable, but she was more than understanding about my food allergy. Both she and the chef went above and beyond accommodating me (without leaving me feeling as though I had inconvenienced them). I love guacamole and theirs was (understandably, yet unfortunately) made with onion. I had decided to just go with another appetizer when our waitress returned with a bowl of onion-free guac the chef had made for me! I loved the relaxed atmosphere, and the food tasted amazing. I can not only have Mexican again, but I can have AMAZINGLY great Mexican for very reasonable prices.
(5)Dod G.
Friendly bartenders, groovy lights, and the men's room decor is a cultural experience. Fantastic burritos--in my opinion the finest pork burrito in Portland. Lots of tequila infusions. Two dollar high life.
(5)Kyle S.
Have you ever had one of those days where everything goes right? You're having a good hair day, your spouse is in a good mood, work is great, etc. Eating at Taco Escobar is like running with the wolves; At first you are unsure but when you do it, it's for life. I ate my first taco here two years ago and now, I can't go elsewhere. Do yourself a favor and go it, it's like the Matrix.... It's eye opening-ly good!
(5)Sable S.
I thought the portions were too small for the price - but I had an excellent classic margarita!
(3)Ernest I.
Beware, the red beans in the burrito have meat in them, and this was not pointed out when I specifically asked for just rice and beans in the burrito. Also, pretty noisy in the kitchen, can hear it in the restaurant.
(3)Jeffrey R.
I had some strange, unfounded negative opinions on this place... without ever trying it. Probably based on the assumed category of patrons, but still no real good reason. Then... I gave it a try. And I'm a fan. The decor/atmosphere is great. I love the thousands of lights on the ceiling (literally, thousands) and the great paintings on the walls. The layout of the place is nice; bar on one side, open room of booths and small tables all around. I prefer sitting at the two-tops by the wall. There are a couple mounted TVs, which could be nice for catching a game now and then, but it doesn't have that overwhelming sports bar feel of a couple dozen screens surrounding you on all sides. Which makes sense, since it's not a sports bar. Overall the place just seems warm and inviting, as well as clean. The food was pretty tasty. We had nachos and the enchiladas which they happily customized the ingredients of for us. It was cheesy and delicious. The pickled jalepeno slices on the dish were delicious. Washed down by a couple beers at an affordable price. More please! The staff that particular evening I visited, especially the waitress/bartender that served us (Lauren), was fantastic. Someone with an actual personality, super friendly and attentive (but not overly attentive). She rocked. I definitely plan to be back. I had originally considered starting with a 4 star and revising to a 5 later after visiting more, but the fact that I'm ready to go back so quickly earns the 5 right away for me. I recommend you give this place a try. Don't like the label of it being a "hipster" spot? Bring a group of (non-hipster? I guess?) friends and change the demographic a bit. Your mouth and spirit will be happy.
(5)Steff D.
This is going to be an exceptionally long review (TLDR, I get it) and I apologize in advance, but these folks definitely do not deserve the low ratings they've been getting. So... Why have I never been to Taco Escobarr? Probably because every time I pass by, it's overcrowded. Or because I know too many angry, annoying hipsters who "like, totally love it thurrrr". Or because I once looked at their menu for a nanosecond and made a snap judgement that they were too expensive and not vegetarian friendly enough for me to try it. All pitiful excuses, I know, but I've finally come to my senses. The first time I came it was late, like 10pm, and my friend - an actual Mexican native - and I heard Taco Escobarr served food until 11pm, so it was our lone option. They have a million chili pepper lights on their ceiling and their vibe is less kitschy Americanized-Mexican restaurant with people screaming "Ole!" and more Dia De Los Muertos-meets-dark and broody feeling. Which is suits me just fine, since I was born on Dia De Los Muertos and secretly crave sugar skull tattoos all over my body. On the suggestion of another business owner in the area we got the nachos (the "El Ninos" which comes with chips, queso chihuahua, pickled jalapeños, onions, radishes, pico de gallo, and and crema ) with no radishes and extra cheese. I am SO GLAD we got these (side note: for an app, I thought the portion size was plenty for two people who were also ordering mains), as they were unlike any other nachos I've had in Portland - they weren't greasy, they weren't soggy, and they definitely weren't pedestrian. The chips were crunchy and salty, the cheese was flavorful, fragrant, creamy, and gooey, the pico de gallo brought just enough flare, and the pickled jalapeños were stunning (I ate them all and refused to share). All in all, every component of the dish worked perfectly with and within each other in my opinion. I can see coming here late at night and ordering the bigger version ("El Jefe") with beers, or coming on a Sunday morning and ordering them with fried eggs ("Nachos De Sol"). For mains, both my partner and I ordered the enchiladas. I got mine with verude (ancho chili roasted butternut squash, black beans, kale, and queso fresco) and poblano cream sauce; my partner in crime got his with verude and roja sauce. There were three on each plate and they were positively smothered with cheese. I didn't notice any kale, but there was definitely A LOT of cabbage and butternut squash. I have been back since and they will totally make them for you with just beans (vegetarian ones) and rice. Boo yeah! Request those. They're the best! Also, I loved the poblano cream sauce, I just wish it had been a little spicier... So, if you also feel that way, just a ask for any of their hot sauces (the chipotle tobasco is my favorite)!!! My counterpart seemed to thoroughly enjoy his enchiladas because he basically licked the plate clean before finishing my plate as well, though he did mention the roja sauce was definitely not authentic (which he told the waitress) nor was there enough of it on his plate where mine was nearly drowning in cream sauce. And the guacamole? Hands down, some of the best I've ever had in New England. I LOATHE cilantro and chunks of onions in my guac, so when I asked the waitress to describe it to me she said, "It's made with avocados and LOTS of freshly squeezed lime juice." And that's exactly what I got - chunky, yet creamy guac with a serious bite of citrus. I put it on the nachos. I put it on the enchiladas. I sat there and it out of the bowl with a spoon. There's a place in Massachusetts that makes specialty guacamole like Mediterranean (sundried tomatoes, olives, feta, and olive oil), Thai (pineapple, coconut, black beans, and Sriracha), and Caribbean (papaya, mango, and roasted cashew) and I think Taco Escobarr could do something JUST like this and own it. Not only would it make them unique, but for foodies it would make them a destination spot in town. I know they sometimes have speciality guacs, but I seriously think this is something they should explore further. For the price (we ate and were painfully full all for under $30), food quantity, food quality, the different atmosphere, the knowledgeable staff (I had one of the best waitresses I've ever had in all of Portland... her name was Lauren - go in and give her some love. Tell her I said hi and that she's my favorite. Because she is. In the whole state.), and the passionate owners... you're not going to find anything else quite like it.
(5)Mariah L.
This place is under rated. The food is really good. I know it's pricey but it's the best mexican in portland. And it's all good. So glad they're here. just go there if you want good american/ mexican food!
(5)K A.
We found Taco Escobarr by accident on vacation in 2013 and were thrilled! We had Nachos and tried several different Tacos, all of which we devoured and washed down with margaritas made with the tequila infusions. We couldn't wait to get back this year and it was SO worth it! The drinks are amazing. The Strawberry Jalepeno margarita was incredible, as was the Cleanse. The Nachos are so much better than any other we've ever had -- so fresh and unique! Someone else posted about wanting more veggie choices -- try the Sweet Potato Taquitos! I'm not a vegetarian and I loved them! This is a very veggie-friendly place. We came back two weeks after our first 2014 visit and our server (Kaylee) remembered the drinks we had. That's impressive! But this time I tried the Peach Habanero -- spicy and so good! Food again was great: The Nachos Jefe, Crispy Tacos, the Enchilada and my Torta. We also tried the Churros, which were amazing to the point that we wanted to lick the pan. It was Saturday afternoon and there was only one server on duty with a full house, so the bartender also was running food. We didn't feel the service was slow. To be honest, it would be worth the 2+ hour drive to eat here once a month. It's just that good. Cannot wait to come back!!!
(4)Brit L.
I have been here twice for lunch. Both times I tried different tacos. The service is great, very friendly. The restaurant itself is really cool, with litereally thousands of chili pepper lights strung about the ceiling. The food is good but I found the the tacos a little dry. The salsas are awesome, as are the margaritas. I would go again and try something else on their menu.
(3)Alex G.
Terrific addition to the casual dining scene in Portland. Friendly service, homemade food and drinks, and a hip/chill ambience. The guacamole was absolutely top notch, and the smoky salsa was a nice addition to the crisp chips. Tacos were AMAZING. We has braised pork, tongue, butternut squash, and the braised beef. Perfectly made and super delicious. Kale salad with pulled chicken was both healthy and fresh. Drinks were also incredible, with a semi-spicy michelada and a prickly pear margarita - super yum! This is a great place to grab an authentic bite of Mexican in an über-cool environment. Check it out!
(5)Sam B.
As soon as you enter Taco Escobarr, you're bodyslammed by an oiled up waiter in a luchador mask. Once pinned to the ground in a Cangrejo Invertido hold (also known as the Boston Crab), El Camarero will ask you how many are in your party. If you are able to best him and power out of the hold, you'll be rewarded with the best table in the restaurant.
(4)Emily D.
Great drinks... Recommend the el pepino! And I like to keep it simple with good reasonably priced soft tacos. Perfection.
(4)Kate B.
I sat outside on a sunny summer day and enjoyed a the vegetarian filling option for the crispy tacos which included butternut squash and black beans. Not traditional Mexican but really really delicious. Wish they had a few more veg options but if you're a meat eater this is a great stop for you!
(4)Meghan L.
Solid "meh." Was hesitant to give it a try because I'd heard many people talk about being disappointed in the food, but finally gave in with some encouragement from a coworker. I have the soft tacos with pescado filling and they were so-so. The tortilla was a bit chewy, though it appeared to be handmade which is nice. The fish wasn't particularly flavorful and was breaded and fried and a bit dry all around, unfortunately. Was hoping for something with a little more kick. Bland Mexican food confuses me. Didn't hate it, didn't love it.
(3)Emily R.
Was almost convinced by other reviewers to skip Taco Escobarr. So glad we gave it a shot. Went for lunch on a Sunday. Loved that there was outdoor seating. Our server was attentive, gave great recommendations, and let us enjoy a leisurely lunch. We started with strawberry jalapeño margs (so good and spicy!), and chips, salsa, and guac (all fresh and delicious, with just the right amount of kick). For mains, we had the two crispy tacos (braised chicken and al pastor) and the enchiladas (loved that we could mix up the three enchiladas -- had bistek, pollo, and carne asada). We thought everything was super flavorful, fresh, and delicious. We will be back!
(5)Flora F.
I keep hearing the word "hipster" in connection with this place, but as a very average person I've always felt welcome here. The soft tacos are delicious, well-seasoned if not the spiciest (for that, you have a few choices of sauce). My favorite fillings so far are pescado and lengua. My servers have ranged from slightly mean-girlish but still efficient to incredibly friendly and attentive. The Lagunitas IPA is a reliable option on draft, and it's nice to have a choice of Jarritos as well. The seating is too limited (high tables or the bar) and uncomfortable (stools all the way) for me to give this place five stars, but there are many worse places to deal with a taco craving.
(4)David B.
One star is too many. Stopped in today during the art festival after seeing a $5 margarita special sign on the sidewalk. Sat at the bar, and got ignored for over 15 minutes by the poor excuse for a bartender. What a turd. He was incompetent, slow, and basically creating a logjam in the place. He didn't even acknowledge my presence. What a jerk. This place deserves to go out of business. Overpriced menu and non-existent service.
(1)Ted K.
Love the food, hate the atmosphere. Really decent burritos and tacos in a great downtown location. Decent fresh homemade guacamole and chips. Seems to pride itself on a fake-latino gangster image that's off-putting. and definitely not kid friendly. If you run with the 30-and under crowd, probably worth a visit. Otherwise pass.
(2)Sally B.
$13 dollars for a single shot of tequila, measured into a very small shot glass. Now that is lame. You lost my business folks. And the business of my friends.
(1)Sam U.
After spending all day seeking out Maine's most hidden waterfalls and swimming holes, I came to Portland, starving, and having missed most places' last seating. I scrambled in and out of a few places until I collapsed in a chair at Taco Escobarr. I had eaten the last of my snacks hours ago and figured anything I could muster the energy to chew and swallow would suffice. I would say "boy, was I wrong," but you were probably already expecting that. The Verdue tacos, which are supposed to have "roasted peppers, mushrooms, and braised greens," had only a soggy slop of painfully salty greens with a few pieces of diced red onion on top. No beans. The corn tortillas were, if I'm being generous, about three inches in diameter, and three of these hideous little beasties cost a whopping nine dollars. I was told the burrito of the same style offered much more girth. It did weigh a ton, but the mushy beans and rice couldn't offset the overwhelming slop-greens flavor and was salvageable only by the impressively smoky hot sauce on the table, which unfortunately made the dish even saltier. I also paid three dollars for a basket of chips and salsa that Margaritas would be embarrassed to serve for free. In an attempt to distract myself from the food, I floated my eyes and ears across the bar, hoping to catch some interesting conversations or escalating arguments. All twelve other people in the place were sitting, in pairs, across from each other, shouting drunken nonsense over the loudest sound system I have ever heard in a sit-down restaurant. I left without finishing most of the food and didn't bother taking any to go. I had slop-greens burps for an hour later. Vomited when I got home. Still thinking about how bad it was. Gonna go take some Tums and lay down now, bye.
(1)Sarah G.
I have never considered myself a fan of mexican food. Sure, the occasional burrito and taco is consumed, but usually not sought out. My roommate M and I decided that we wanted to try somewhere new in Portland, because we had a free day and wanted to explore. We decided to try Taco Escobarr, figuring it would be cheap and a fun place to experience. tacoescobarr.com The atmosphere of Taco Escobarr is so fun! Not only was the food to die for, but it was fun and relaxed. There was a digital Juke Box, and a crazy mural on the wall. Now the food, that is where we were surprised. 3 tacos for about $10 sounds like a good deal. But I was honestly blown away by my order. Crunchy shell, 1 pork, and 2 steak. The tacos came out and my mouth automatically started to water. They looked that good! I don't even know how to describe why they were so good. But each bite tasted like I had stumbled into my own personal piece of food heaven. The steak was juicy, and loaded with flavor. My favorite was the pork, which literally stopped me dead in my tracks. I took a bite and just sat there savoring it. My roommate just looked at me as if I had lost my mind, and maybe I had. It didn't matter, because this taco was amazing. So not only is it cheap, but also damn good! If you're in the area, this is one restaurant in The Old Port that you absolutely must try!
(3)Kyung R.
I might be biased since I am from the west coast and have experienced authentic and great Mexican food most of my life. However, the my recent visit to Taco Escobarr was quite a let down. The staff were friendly enough and made sure my water was filled after I asked for it... but the food was the biggest disappointment. I feel like every Mexican restaurant I visit offers free chips and salsa. However, this place charges for what most places are a complementary service. The burritos were under flavored and the ingredients themselves puzzled me. I did not realize authentic Mexican food would have white rice in it and iceberg lettuce. At least the hot sauce they had wasn't horrible, but it just didn't do it for me. The carne asada burrito was mediocre and it looked like it was full of mayo from the white rice and the pulled pork burrito was just meh. I wouldn't come back here and take my money elsewhere.
(2)Justine J.
A friend of mine visited Taco Escobarr several months ago, and we each got a variety of different tacos to try, as well as some chips & salsa. Every taco I had was incredible, and the salsa variety is delicious. I'll definitely be returning soon!
(4)Jm S.
I was skeptical about Mexican food in Maine being from Texas but ooooweeeee. I'm coming here every time we have a show in Portland.
(5)David M.
Average fair. Classic margarita has orange juice in it, which is weird. In fact all of the margaritas have orange juice, which is weird. The classic was good though, would have been better without orange juice. The mango habanero wings are pretty damn good. The puffy tacos I got were very soggy like they were cooked in oil that was not hot enough, the fillings were good though. The original gangsta margerita is gross. The cheladas are gross. They should have clamato in them. Or they should serve them the way they do (with lime) on ice. Having just a lager mixed with lime without ice is gross.
(3)S S.
The BEST Tacos, drinks && staff. My girlfriends and I love going in for an afternoon filled with laughs (usually from Alan) and yummy food & drink!
(5)Cole E.
I'm not sure what all the negative reviews are about.... This food here is extraordinarily addictive and CHEAP!!! I usually bring new people with me every time I go, and they are typically as impressed as I am. The crispy tacos are fresh, homemade and flavorful. Service is very fast and very friendly. The venue fun and hip in a up and coming food section of Congress St. My only complaint is the lack of salsa you get relative to the mound of warm tortilla chips. More Salsa! Keep up the great food guys; See you again, soon!
(4)Michelle E.
Disappointed, yet again. For a city that has a lot of really good food options, Portland lacks in quality Mexican food. Why is that? The foodie and hipster revolution has made it's way east. Why hasn't Mexican food appeared on the Portland radar? I keep trying places with hopes of finding one that sticks, but so far I've ended up wishing I didn't waste my time. It makes me endlessly sad. I survived on tacos and burritos for five years living in San Francisco. Literally. I'm trying to be adaptable but as good as lobster rolls are (and they are delicious) there is NO substitution for good Mexican. And it's not that difficult to make it good. It's really not. Please Portland and Taco Escobarr, try harder! And it's a strange name. I can't be the only one that thinks so. Sorry. I tried to like it. I wanted to like this place, but I didn't. And I think it was a one and done kind of place for me.
(1)Zachary H.
Nice menu but limited choices. More geared towards tacos and burritos. Small restaurant but nice.
(3)Liam S.
Not worth the trip.
(1)Jessica B.
I see a lot of people aren't impressed with Taco Escobar, but I'm not really sure what they were expecting, to be honest. I thought the margarita I had was delicious and strong. I had two chicken tacos with beans and rice and the price was good and the grilled chicken in the tacos was delicious as well. Fresh ingredients and good flavors. I also shared chips with guac with my girl friend and it was fresh and not over powered with onion and garlic. Sure, the atmosphere is like a sports bar, which, you can't seem to escape in Portland if you want a reasonable meal (I think expensive entrees buy you TV-less dining in this town, which is a shame). Regardless, nothing struck me as so over-the-top that I wouldn't eat the food because of the decor. Silly. I would recommend this place to people who want a quick, cheap taco or good margarita on a summer evening and don't want to fight the constant herd at Chipotle. Same caliber of Mexican in my opinion.
(4)Xiao Z.
Following my trend of going to Mexican restaurants in Maine...for some bizarre reason, I thought this place was pretty cool with decent margaritas. The tacos, while pretty chock full of flavors, was just a bit insufficient for the price. The staff is pretty friendly though and I think you'll have a good time with friends.
(3)Jenny N.
Grew up in CA around delicious Mexican food and tacos are some of my absolute favorite things to eat. I went to Taco Escobarr when they first opened because it was reminiscent of the hipster taco joints in LA. They had the palest imitation of tacos that I've had in a long time, not to mention annoyingly expensive for something that was not more than mediocre. I don't know if their tacos have improved, but they were bland and full of filler (lettuce) when I had them. The service was slow and tended to ignore my friend and me, even though there wasn't a lot of people. I didn't care too much for the decor but I'm sure many people will think it is hip, considering the hipsters we have in town.
(1)Liam S.
Terrible period. Bad service and lackluster food. There are so many wonderful restaurants in Portland, this should be the very last place on your list.
(1)Gary B.
It's exactly what it sets out to be , A hip taco bar with a sports bar feel . The service was great and the food was above my expectation. If you're downtown and want a quick taco or burrito and a beer or mixed drink try this place , I liked it , think you will too . ( If you're going for authentic Mexican and expect it here , you will be disappointed , As far as I know you can really only get authentic Mexican in ...wait for it.... MEXICO !! ) For a taco bar in MAINE , great Job Taco Escobarr ...
(4)Jacob P.
Having been on the west coast for a few years I have had damn good tacos that cost a buck a piece. These are the same tacos but they cost three times as much. The meat they use is top notch but the tortilla is your average 4" diameter corn tortilla they claimed to be fresh but I couldn't tell the difference. The burritos are HUGE and probably the best deal for 10 bucks. There was only one waitress and the place was slammed so the service was a good as it could get. It has a sport bar vibe as do most bars in portland. Beware the touch screen jukebox. I guess being in maine you take what you can get. There are better options. Taco trio in sopo or if you can find the cart Hella Good Tacos.
(3)Michelle D.
i've only been here once. my margarita was served in a hot glass, which made the drink slightly warmer than room temp. then, the bartender was rude enough that i decided i wouldn't be returning. based on the food my friend ordered, i would say i'm not gonna be missing much - other than the relatively awesome decor, too bad.
(2)J O.
Stay away. This place has gone way downhill. I don't know if there is a new management but first, they did away with puffy tacos. Secondly, we picked up a take out order the other day which included queso. Only the queso was essentially a soupy substance and was absolutely disgusting. The fact that a restaurant would have the audacity to serve something so unappetizing speaks volumes about how little the restaurant cares about their customers. Save your money and check out el Rayo or any of the other worthier restaurants in Portland.
(1)Matt C.
The decor is a little bright but the flavors in all 3 tacos were great! Best of all the the ancho pork, chicken fajita was a close second. Drinks were good and beer selection surprisingly good for a taco joint. Much more than just the corona and dos equis you find at most places like this.
(4)David Z.
I have to pretty much take the opposite point of view as Dana G. The food was good, but ambiance is anything but hip and the tool quotient is quite high. The customers at the bar were really annoying and seemed like they'd be much more at home at Bingas down the street. Not that there is anything wrong with Bingas, but everything in it's right place. The food is a million times better than El Rayo and the price is right. I'll be back.
(4)Rachel G.
First, you shouldn't have to pay for chips and salsa when you order Mexican food. The salsa tastes like it's from a jar, the margaritas were watery, and the meat was bland. Don't visit if you're in the mood for memorable and flavorful tacos, skip Taco Escobarr and drive across the bridge to Taco Trio in South Portland... YUM!
(1)Susan M.
My husband and I got take out from here the other night, so I can't comment on the atmosphere. But the food was good, and we got great customer service. We got six puffy tacos: two each of the carne asada, ancho pork and the vegetarian, which that night was portabellos and chard. The veggie filling was well-seasoned and hearty, and I liked the pork as well. The carne asada was flavorful but too tough. There was lots of lettuce and tomato on the tacos, but no cheese, which surprised me. We also ordered guacamole and chips, but they did not give them to us when we picked up our food. Because we live near by, my husband went back about a half-hour later to get the guac & chips. Without us even asking, they also gave us a $10 gift certificate for the inconvenience. They were very apologetic. Our check came to $21. I'm looking forward to using our gift certificate to go try some other fillings or a burrito. I wish they were open on Sundays.
(4)See J.
Taco Bell gives Taco Escobarr a run for its money... Steer clear if you're familiar with authentic Tacos
(2)Cammie T.
For Maine this is decent Mexican food. The chef is from Texas and I did not think it tasted like authentic Tex-Mex at all and I'm from Texas!
(2)Cody S.
I LOVE Nosh, I do not Love Taco Escobar. Which I undertand they are not the same, but I would have expected the same quality. The only thing I did love was the Decor which is awesome.
(2)brian d.
I've been three times with friends and they messed up my order all three times..The last time, the food was just slop and horrible..Bad service too.
(1)Nick G.
chips and guacamole are awesome and wash it down with a el jimador...cheap and good thats about it
(3)tasha j.
the taco craze has finally hit portland, and taco escobarr is the latest taco place to pop up in town, so i tried it out last night on my quest for the best taco. they don't win. the prices are good (3 tacos for 7.50, unless you get fish, those are more expensive). The food itself is ok. i ordered a veggie taco "meal" which came with rice and beans, and a side of pickled vegetable slaw. the taco was TINY in comparison to the beef and pork ones that my carnivorous companions ordered. i'm not sure if that's because i opted for the classic soft shell as opposed to the "puffy" shell, or if it's because the kitchen thinks vegetarian fare is for pansies. the slaw was tu casa's pupusa topping slaw's garbage pail twin- cabbage cut waaaaaaay to thick, so everything was far too much effort to chew. The cocktail menu did look great, and it appears as though they make all their margaritas the proper way (freshly squeezed lemon and limes) as opposed to store bought mixers, so that's pretty cool. be warned, also, that a serious douche fog hangs in the air. sports games (and not even futbol) playing on flat screens (barf), and a ridiculous jukebox that is being played way too loud for 6:30 in the eve. all in all, it's alright, but taco escobarr has not won my taco eating heart.
(3)Tiffany M.
I have now been to Taco Escobarr four times. My friends love it and keep dragging me there. The food is expensive for what it is and as a strict vegan they just don't understand...I have ended up with meat my in burrito three out of the four times I've ordered. I finally tried their tacos but was left feeling disappointed and hungry. I'm from Utah and Mexican food is all around a disappointment throughout Portland.
(1)Dana G.
I really wanted to like this hip new restaurant. Decor and vibe are great. But the food was....beyond average. Both the fish tacos and the fish burrito we ordered were completely flavorless, almost weirdly so. The prices were high for the portions, which I actually wouldn't have minded if the food had been tasty. Having lived for many years in Seattle where the local Taco del Mar chain makes a consistently awesome giant fish burrito for $6 (here it was $12), I really couldn't believe that it this food was so tasteless. Rarely do I feel compelled to warn folks, but I was that disappointed in the food--and it's just not that hard to make a good fish taco or burrito (I make them at home). Basically, Taco Escobarr is all flash/coolness, but as a restaurant with food, it sucks.
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