Cool place! Love, love, love that they have vegan options. The food was great, as well as the drinks! My husband and I tried the Rhueben, the carnitas, PC, and Sunday Pastime. Yum! My favourites were the Rhueben and the Sunday Pastime, but I would easily get both again. We tried the flight of house-infused liquors; BB King (blackberry bourbon), Colonel Potter (fig scotch), Black and Blue (black tea and blueberry vodka, I think the black tea was earl gray), and Zerk (peppercorn tequila, which was actually spicy). All were delicious, but I think the BB King was the best. Their happy hour prices are great and are totally worth taking advantage of and ends at 18.30, so don't be late!
(4)
Andrea P.
I love this place! Happy Hour is awesome. The tacos are fantastic with really interesting and delicious favors. The house infused vodkas, OMG! The pineapple is perfect. AND you get a fun dino in every drink. The patio is ample and the bathroom has pretty good graffiti, so ya, go there.
(5)
Kaya W.
The Cruzroom's taco lab is awesome. I'm always hunting for the best spots to get a quick bite, and as a vegan I find my options are normally limited in non-veg establishments. This was not the case here. I had the PC and the Nina's Carnitas and my boyfriend had one of each of the four vegan taco options. They were all delicious! The jackfruit carnitas was my favorite. Overall, we went in around happy hour and had a great experience with the staff and food. Our waitress was very friendly and was happy to help me make up a mocktail, a sober dining staple of mine. She recommended we build something with prickly pear! Way cooler than your average Shirley Temple.
(4)
Scott H.
Lots of choices and lots of chances. I like the variety and creativity in the taco choices that are offered. The prices aren't terrible considering what you end up getting. I love a good value. Some of my favorite tacos. Our tables favorite hands down was the Butterfly man. All of the tastes and textures just worked. It wasn't too spicy or salty, it was a really good bite. I think if I went again I would get multiples of these. I like the Green Meanie, but it can read a little salty. Bob's your Uncle is a really good piece of fish on a taco. I get the idea of the french fries on the taco, but it actually ends up subtracting rather than adding. The Red rocket was way too salty. I won't order this one again. Even though I despise the actor, the Shia LaBeef was pretty darn good. It was a great mix of flavors with plenty of meat. Probably my second favorite taco. The Tots ala cruz are really good. Just enough spicy challenge to keep you interested, but easy to finish. The pickle chips are also great. They have a nice crispy coating, not soggy. And they are not too salty. The service is ok. Nothing to write home about, but I don't feel too weird leaving 20%. I don't really care for the acoustics of the room, but I think that comes with being in Portland and hip and that stuff. That's why I live in the suburbs I guess. I'm not much of a drinker, but all of our party loved their drinks. Sorry, you may have noticed and theme in that I'm not very helpful when it comes to finding places to drink. If you like tacos and hip places give the Cruz Room a try.
(4)
Breylan D.
Came in here for a late night meal - I didn't care for it so much, but tex-mex style isn't really my thing. We ordered the chips and salsa, tacos, and cheesy tots. The tacos were pretty good, cheesy tots weren't what I expected, and the chips and salsa came with the same liquid cheese that was put on the potatoes... It's a-ok if you like tex-mex style food, which seems to err on the chipotle flavors and season salt more than anything else.
(3)
Amy L.
One of the my favorite happy hour places! Heck I'd go here even if it wasn't happy hour. Place is a bit small but they have large windows to people watch from inside. Love the interesting decor and friendly service. My favorite part is the amount of vegan and gluten free options they have. It's hard to find a place with one vegan taco let alone up to 6 varieties. One of my favorites I get all the time is the Nina's Carnitas taco very inventive to make seasoned jackfruit taste so savory and spicy. All of the tacos are made with fresh ingredients and veggies. Very inventive flavors and I love how they change up the taco offerings. Gives me something interesting to try every time I go. Drinks are always tasty with $3 happy hour beers and a special on their house infused liquor. I love the little dinosaurs in the drinks. Very well made and price is a steal. Overall I would come here again for the friendly service and food.
(5)
Jeff W.
I had the vegan taco selection which was ok. Seating us took 20 min with very busy servers. It seemed like they were kinda annoyed that we wanted to eat there. Cocktails were ok, colorful and the dinosaurs were a nice touch. Located at the end of Alberta st, this place is great to come to after walking on the strip..
(4)
Shadan A.
One of our favorite places to stop in after work. The food is excellent and on point every single time...and small plates make me happy so there's another win. Unique and creative tacos! Some of the staff are awesome, others can be a bit snobbish (welcome to hipster Portland). Nice outside terrace and nice drinks as well.
(4)
Mary B.
Came here for happy hour awhile ago. I had the following: Tacos: the siren (faux fish and chips... tofu in tempura batter and fries), rising sun (tempura zucchini wasabi mayo slaw) Drinks: black and blue (black tea and blueberry vodka), priceless (strawberry vodka) I like that they make their own infused vodkas and the tacos are super tasty and unique. It's a quality happy hour location for sure. The vibe is also cool inside. They were playing some nice old school hip hop that we were enjoying. Laid back, chill, tasty and good prices. Works for me!
(3)
Jessica B.
We were visiting Portland and some friends, who live nearby, suggested Cruzroom for early dinner/happy hour. I was sold as soon as they said "vegetarian tacos", but it kept getting better and better. Not only are there vegetarian tacos, there are SIX of them. You can piecemeal a taco plate from among their many offerings. These are no ordinary tacos either. I had the Na-Cho-Taco (basically a perfect two-bite vegetarian nacho) and the El Tio Rhueben (tempeh, saurkraut, 1000 island sauce). Tempeh is usually a gamble. It is very easy to do wrong. But this is some of the most delicious tempeh I've ever had. It's seared and just the perfect amount of chewy, making it compliment - rather than overwhelm - the toppings. We also shared the tater tot nachos and the house-made tortilla chips with cheese sauce. I probably don't need to keep saying "house made", because I'm pretty sure everything here is made in house. But I'll say it one more time to talk about the drinks: house made, infused bourbons and whiskeys... with PLASTIC DINOSAURS on the rim of the glasses. So many things left on the menu that we didn't try because we were too full. I am making Cruzroom a mandatory stop on every future trip to Portland and recommending it to everyone I know. Excellent, extremely friendly service too. And cool art on the walls, which became a topic of conversation. It feels like someone entered my brain and created the perfect restaurant/bar for me. As Fry from Futurama would say, "I forgot you can tempt me with things I like."
(5)
Stephanie W.
First time I went here, the tacos were cold and I was left underwhelmed. Second time, the tacos were warm and delicious - even though they were busy! I loved them. They're definitely 'non-traditional' as I specifically remember a tasty taco that's 'Thai Chicken' with a peanut sauce. They're certainly flavorful! (And for being inventive, non-traditional and perhaps 'trendy' tacos, they're pretty darn cheap too! Less of a hassle than Por Que No). It's worth a couple of tries, so definitely go more than once! I'm glad I did :)
(4)
Katie P.
Color me impressed, Cruzroom! Your themed tacos that are tapas in themselves. I see what you're doing there. Tacos are $2.50/ea during happy hour, which is a pretty sweet deal considering the quality of these things. I tried the Phuket, which was some peanut-y deliciousness, and the Red Rocket, which was a work of art. The pork was perfectly crisp-fried on the outside, the cilantro lime slaw was crisp and refreshing, while the chicharrones were the perfect topping. Albeit completely unauthentic, this might be one of the best tacos I've ever had. Their craft cocktails are pretty awesome too. The Bangkok was a lot like The Observatory's Tom Kha cocktail: spicy and creamy with coconut milk and lime. The thick slice of fresh ginger is a nice touch too. The Hot Mamacita was both too salty and too sweet for me, but I prefer my cocktails to be simple and bold. Cruzroom has one of the most beautiful patios I've ever seen. There's a delightful all-blue mural, patio seating and bulb string lights. Go for happy hour and spend the entire happy hour systematically going through their menu while enjoying their patio. If you need to bounce before your friends, the waitstaff were able to ring me up inside for my good choices. Cruzroom is your easy and casual, yet subtly fancy spot.
(4)
Kelle P.
A group of friends and I were so stoked to all be trying the Cruz room for the first time, and were super disappointed. I think our number one mistake was reading the menu while standing at the bar? I guess that was too annoying for our bartender, as we should have sat down for table service instead. We were definitely the only ones at the bar, there was by no means a line of people behind us waiting to order. I understand that hustle, I don't really understand the need to be rude and condescending to a group who just walked in. The bartender refused to split up our two orders and made us put down a card, leaving one of us with a $28 tab that we weren't expecting to have to shell out. (Hello broke college kids, I guess we should always carry cash) The drinks were fine. The tacos decent, but the titos? Tasted exactly like hand washing soap. I love to know that whoever made them had followed proper hygiene procedures, but still really gross to be left with a lingering taste of soap in your mouth. I don't know about you Cruz room. I wanted you to win me over with your tiny baby Dino's (which none of us got) and tacos, but I just wasn't feeling your vibes.
(2)
Dasha C.
This place needs to show up under 'Vegan' yelp searches!! And it never did, so it was pure serendipity when I entered just to sit at the bar and have a drink...and voila, many vegan options! And not just vegan options, INDICATED vegan options! Freaking jackfruit (vegan) carnitas tacos, fried zucchini vegan tacos and several other options. Ridiculously awesome!! The only downside is the drink list.. Was kind of disappointed, wanted some funky drinks to accompany this funky food. Will def drag my omnivore hubby here! Cheers!
(4)
Kristin J.
The Cruzroom came as a recommendation from a co-worker. We were more than pleased with the food. The options were great, the prices fair and the service amazing. If you're looking for something more than boring old regular tacos, you must, must try Cruzroom. We ventured to the Cruzroom for Valentine's and it was so awesome we went back the following night after skiing. My favorite taco would have to the The Sunday Pastime. It's vegan, but don't let that detract you from trying it. My meat eating husband thought it was the best one on the menu too! Beware, it's spicy, but it's good spicy.
(5)
Anna C.
Al la cart tots are always a must! Was looking forward to having the Phuket- it was replaced with Butterfly Man. I was missing the peanut butter sauce with this one; however it was still good. The Red Rocket was delicious. I can't wait to come back.
(5)
Helene K.
Creative ideas for tacos. Prices aren't too bad, $3.50 tacos. And they listed $2.50 tacos for their happy hour which isn't bad at all. The staff was very fast at acknowledging us when we walked in, quick service, but not that friendly. I read some of the recent yelp reviews and expected a lot more from this place. Creative concepts for tacos and they also serve vegan tacos if you're into that kind of thing. I'm a carnivore! We were here on a Wed night around 7ish for dinner. The place can be described close to a dive bar in appearance which is fine but the bathrooms were filthy! Ok, let me just get to the food first for all ya'll foodies. I had The Jerk taco, described as sweet and spicy braised chicken, topped with mango slaw with fresh cilantro. I was excited to try this taco but it was nothing special. Meh! The chicken was dry and lacking the "jerk" flavor it was described as having and was neither sweet or spicy. For my second taco I had The Red Rocket taco- described on the menu as Carlton Farms pork, in a spicy red curry sauce topped with cilantro/lime slaw and chicharrones. The meat was also very dry, and lacking lots of flavor. Maybe I'm in the wrong for expecting some "curry" flavor in a Tex-Mex place but I could only taste a "hint" of spice but no red curry "sauce"at all! And I'm a sucker for sauces which neither taco had. Sparse chicharrones topping because didn't have the crunch I was hoping for. Disappointed with the food to say the least. My beverage kind of made up for the food. One of the specialty cocktails on the menu, I had was the Wreckless- Stein Whiskey, bitters and Carpano Antica. Yummy! The best part of my "meal! ." I would say it's like a Manhattan. They also have a list of Infused liquors-which is different and creative but not my thing so I didn't order one. And a pairing of beers and liquors, also very different and creative. Ok back to the bathrooms. It was filthy and there weren't any cover seats so I was reluctant to use it but I had no choice left after driving so long in a car. It's my first stop in Oregon but maybe they don't believe in seat covers here but again that's no biggie. I would give this place two stars but the staff and my cocktail made up for the food lacking flavor and the gross bathroom.
(3)
William S.
Great beer, good service, very hip but casual atmosphere, inexpensive and amazing tacos. Check out the Sweet Carolina, the Red Rocket, and the Green Meanie if you don't mind meat. The waitstaff is really chill and recommended tacos and beers for me to try. The place is clean and you can sit at a table, at the bar, or outside on the patio. They also have pretty cool events like movie night on Sundays. This is the first place I took my gf when she moved to Portland.
(5)
Jessica M.
After a lovely egg sandwich at a place down the road and a great meeting with a makeup artist that I am totally going to hire for the "big day" ...we decided to walk along Alberta and see what was happening. Just about 4pm.....and I hear classic rock pouring out the doors of a place I could have sworn was something else the last time I lived up here. Alas, we decide to check it out. SO GLAD WE DID! To sum it up simply... they INFUSE VODKA ...and other things...but I do not care about those other things. I care that I was able to get a VODKA FLIGHT of HOUSE INFUSED AMAZINGNESS. Yes, I am so happy I AM YELLING AT YOU. Bartender (Travis I believe) was outstanding. Taking care of multitudes of people, including regulars. There was another guy with fun tattoos and hair (want to say Charles) ...and well, honestly, the other 3 guys whose names I sadly did not get, were all fantastic. They were in good spirits, on top of their game, quick to take orders and full of wonderful conversation. Added Bonus....they play movies on Sundays. If I lived anywhere near Alberta, I would carve my name in the bottom of a stool at that bar and call Cruzroom home at least a few nights a week.
(4)
Salwa M.
Some of the best tacos that I have eaten! Great service and super chill ambience! Definitely coming back here!
(4)
Sam K.
My new favorite tacos in Portland. Great venue, reasonable prices, nice patio. My go to is: -1 tots a la cruz -1 green meanie -1 the jerk -1 red rocket and 2-3 Bangkok cocktails. Then a nap. Keep up the good work!
(5)
Lisa H.
The short & sweet: Happy hour tacos til 6:30pm are $2.5 and draft beers are $3. Good food at a decent price. I usually get 3 tacos and a drink for less $15. Longer and more detailed: My favorite taco is the green meanie! I have had many of the others and I always have to get the green meanie because it never disappoints. The draft beers are quality and at $3 at HH you can't beat it. Some people enjoy their infused liquors. I do not. I am a bourbon fan, but not the infused way. Just my preference. If you like the infused liquor thing, give it a shot as they have many to choose from. This is my favorite non-Mexican taco place. (Or I would say to my friends, this is my favorite place for white people tacos.) Cruzroom doesn't have your standard taco and I like that. They have tasty taco lab flavors from many cultures and they do make them well. The place has a good vibe so it's fun to go with a few friends and hang to chat. There are also movies playing on flat panel TVs at the bar. Fun! The outdoor patio is nice in summer and I highly suggest it! Now, go eat a taco :)
(4)
Jordan T.
Taco purists need not apply. This place serves up really tasty, totally nontraditional tacos and accompaniments. My personal favorite is The Mac, who knew that fried pickles on a taco could be so yummy. Nice outdoor patio as well, and pretty comfy booths inside. Tacos are always a go to for me, and this is definitely my favorite twist on the taco around town.
(4)
Kimberly S.
Tasty tacos & who doesn't love tater tots? Great that the outdoor patio is good for dogs but too bad it's also allows smoking. I know this is common for portland but we pref out happy hour without second hand smoke. Waitress was friendly & fast & beers were delicious.
(4)
Kelly S.
After arriving in Portland later than anticipated, we were dying for a bite! Though we called ahead, the Thai spot down the street let us know that yes... their kitchen was open, but only for takeout. We yelped it up and found Cruzroom just down the street. We wandered down and found the late night taco stop perfect. They had cocktails, late night bites and tater tots (yes!) I ordered the Hot Mamacita (cucmber, jalapeno, tequila) and it had a great bite. My lips were burning after the first sip. Hurts so good! I love a spicy cocktail and this one delivered. We tried the green meanie (pulled pork), the phuket, the red rocket and the tots a la cruz. They've got a 3 tacos +side option that's a smidge cheaper than just ordering them a la carte. All the tacos were unique and tasty and the cook hhhhwhipped them up in record time. If I lived in the area, I'd be back to try the blackberry bourbob and double fig scotch infusions. It doesn't rival some of the more gourmet food we had in PDX but given that everything seems to stop serving after 9:30pm, it's a good find.
(4)
Rachel M.
I love tacos more than just about any food and this is such a fun place to try so many delicious varieties!
(5)
Dana M.
Soooo yummmmm. The tacos here were great, as well as the house margarita. My only regret is that I didn't get more of both. They lost my ticket so our order took a really long time to arrive but they took the tacos off of our bill so I left happy. Good customer service and delicious food and drinks. Good enough for me!
(5)
Rcola R.
Love this place!! Bartenders are awesome, tacos are awesome and happy hour is the best. Recommend the fish and chips taco and tater tots. Yummm
(5)
Thomas L.
Can't lie. When I moved to the neighborhood 3 years ago, I wasn't a fan. But living just a few doors down, I came back a few more times and I'm hooked. The tacos are non-traditional. I like the Mac taco and all of the vegan tacos. And tots? Yes, please. They have house infused liquors and serve tiny dinos in those drinks. Many people like to throw photos of that on IG (guilty!). Great patio. They have trivia on Tuesday night. They have other fun nights/events, one involving Legos and I've seen knitting and cocktailing, and some tarot card readers. I sometimes wish they played the Timbers on a TV, or other sporting event, but I get it...not a sports bar. I'm okay with the random Netflix movies and tv shows. Beth and Megan are the best staffers at Cruz, IMO.
(5)
Dani T.
Today was the first time that we went to the Cruzroom. It was fantastic! The service was great, people were really friendly, and the tacos were perfectly made. We were there for happy hour and we definitely plan on going to more happy hours in the future and non-happy hours. The Cruzroom is going to be put on our list of places to go and to take out-of-town company as well.
(5)
Jeff D.
"Do you offer a beef taco?"........ No, we're not traditional...... "Can I just get chips and salsa?" No we don't have those...we're not traditional.... Please stop saying that, please don't be overly proud of the fact that you are not traditional. My wife ordered the green meanie.....and loved them. The servers turned sour when I was "good with just water". Tots we're spicy good Bummer, looks like a fun place.
(3)
Steph W.
Taco's seem to be my kryptonite but this place just had to take tacos to the next level. They're a little pricey but their creativity more than makes up for it. A fish and chips taco?! Whaaat? Yep. Just as weirdly good as you'd expect. The Bone Thugs n Hominy...pork belly gold. The Mac though...unf...the crispy cheese goodness was everything and more. My favorite cocktail here is the BB King...comes with a little dinosaur too. I'm instantly a fan of any place that gives me booze and a toy--like an adult happy 'meal'.
(5)
Ryan S.
I've been to Cruzroom several times over the last few years, and overall the place is a worthwhile stop if you are out on Alberta looking to eat or just get drinks. The vibe is pretty cool, with a nice outdoor patio that is partially covered and has a few fire pits making it a nice spot in the winter. They are usually showing weird foreign or indie movies at the bar, I looked up once and saw some weird stuff going on and then went back to my taco. The tacos and food are pretty good, mainly consisting of fusion or non-traditional tacos and mexican fare. I'd go during happy hour if possible, which is until 6pm daily and used to be after 11pm to close but that has recently ended. During happy hour the tacos are 2.50 each. My favorite tacos are The Mac which has a melted cheese crust that coats the tortilla that is delicious. Other good options are the Green Meanie, and the fish taco. They also infuse their own liquor here, and one of the best drinks I had from them was a strawberry infused vodka with soda. It was super strawberry tasting without being sweet at all, and would be a perfect drink on a summer day to have sitting out on their back patio. Good draft selection as well to round things out. All in all, good place to get some non-traditional tacos and open late most nights as well.
(4)
Russ R.
Dropped in on a buddy who lives locally and we headed here for some drinks and a little food. Immediately I'm digging this place - little hipster dive joint. But don't be fooled - the drinks are stiff and the food, from my experience, is outstanding. I'm not one for house concoctions, but on my friend's recommendation I tried the Downward Spiral - appropriate since that's about where I'm at right now. Boom. Very tasty and deceiving, this thing packs a wallop! Just what I needed. For food I had a taco - The Mac was my choice. Damn! Full of flavor and just delicious! I'll definitely be back for more, and will have to try some of the other taco options as well - they all looked great! Hoping to return as soon as I'm back in the area.
(4)
Erin C.
We were there for last thursday and the place was packed but yet not too much since the door guy kept the place at a 'max capacity' that was still roomy that everyone had seats. I love the back balcony area with the wall art that spams the entire walls. it gives the place a very artsy and chill vibe. Inside near the bar was too hot for my liking that night so I dont think there's AC there... Tacos there are like fusion tacos with a lot of different variety. You can order 2 or 3 with some discount to make it a meal. Every taco seemed like it was delicately thought out with every ingredients counts toward a amazing flavor. High recommended,
(5)
Angela C.
Throughout the years I have discovered that you can't really go wrong when it comes to choosing a place to eat and drink especially in the Arts district. Came here for happy hour with a group of five. Service was good, but our server seemed annoyed the entire time, but the tacos made up for it and the price was great! We each had 3 tacos and a side, as well as a drink and I would say overall, it was very satisfying.
(4)
Tien D.
I rate this place a four stars mainly for the tots. If you go here, DEFINITELY get the tots. My fiance and I came here on Valentines day after all the other restaurants were reserved for Valentines Day. Surprisingly Cruzroom still has happy hour on Saturday. We were confused at first not knowing whether we should just seat ourselves or wait. We saw a clipboard on the wall and assumed we had to wait. Good thing we asked because one of the workers told us we could just sit down. After getting seated we ordered the Zerk (peppercorn tequila) made into a margarita and the Black and Blue (black tea and blueberry vodka) mixed with soda water, which was recommended by our server. We also got some tacos: two Foghorn Leghorns and a Bone Thugs n' Hominy. Honestly, the tacos were okay. I really liked the seasoning of the greens on the Foghorn Leghorn, but the fried chicken (the only reason why I chose that taco) was unseasoned. The Black and Blue with soda water was okay too. But I did enjoy the margarita that my fiance got and the tots. I wish we would have just gotten three orders of tots. They were so good! The server was super friendly and service was pretty quick. Oh yeah, and our drinks came with tiny toy dinosaurs floating in them. Very nice, quirky touch.
(4)
Olivia P.
This place is awesome. The drinks were cheap, the food was GREAT, and the service was above average. All tacos were fabulous. I love the fish and chips taco. Stay away from the TitoS. They are just tortilla chips. Meh.
(5)
Hayden N.
I am going to have to take away a star because you took the best thing off the menu! No more Green Acres tacos--in place of it, they have the Seoul. I think pork belly with kimchee is over done and does not compare in flavor to the combination of the apple slaw and cotija cheese. The new offering of the Mac is pretty delicious. The tater tots and dinosaur they put in the house infused liquor drinks are what keeps me coming back. I am still incredibly disappointed.
(4)
Liz D.
I LOVE THIS PLACE!!! (Notice I used all caps. U know I'm serious.) There are three reasons I love this place so: 1-Crazy pleasant servers who never act like you're putting them out by asking for another refill for your kids soda or ordering 3 tacos one at a time over a two hour period while you play Jenga. (Side note, they have Jenga.) 2-The weird tacos are $2.50 each during happy hour. They are hard to describe, but freaking amazing!! Get The Mac and the Green Meanie. You won't be sad with ANY of the tacos, but those two are a must. Also get the tots a la Cruz. DO IT!!! 3-They have a selection of house infused spirits that will blow your mind!!! My fave is their Colonel Potter (figgy scotch) on the rocks, but I also love their blackberry bourbon. The hubby loves that they always have Elysian on tap. This place is always such a pleasure to visit. I live two blocks away and there are many hip and delicious places to frequent within walking distance, but the bottom line is I always feel the happiest walking home from the Cruzroom.
(5)
Selena N.
I went here with a girlfriend and I loved their tacos!! Yummy! The drink/cocktail that I had was a little too sweet for me, but ok. Chris was awesome and friendly there as well. I would definitely go there again!! I live in Gladstone, so not sure how often...but for the tacos...I hope to get there again in the not so distant future! :)
(4)
Cassie H.
This is a good late night place to grab some food and drinks! The menu is kind of small, but I recommend the Asian salad and chicken taco! I also had the Bangkok cocktail, which was unique and different from anything I have had before! The combination of rum, coconut milk and habenero syrup was great!
(4)
Katie H.
Despite the fact there are numerous good Mexican restaurants this place is great for unique Northwest style tacos. The tacos are not traditional.....but more themed based. Where else can you get a taco with slaw and pork belly and another with fish and chips on it. Also 2.00 tacos on happy hour seal the deal for a go to place. Pick at least 3 off the menu and enjoy a craft cocktail to go along with it. They have infused alcohols and make great drinks. The atmosphere is super chill and despite it being a taco bar is a little more on the upscale side. Never have had trouble finding a seat here either. If you are on Alberta during happy hour this place is not to be missed.
(4)
Tony M.
Not even sure where to begin. I want to re-emphasize facts already reported by my fellow Yelpers. TACO HAPPY HOUR INFUSED ALCOHOL FLIGHTS We tried a bunch of tacos. The MAC turned out to be my favorite of the night...make that my favorite of the month...no, make it my favorite taco of the year! The Asian Salad was so good that we ordered an extra one to share. The drinks were crazy good! Kicks balls and ass!
(5)
Cool Nutz X.
Great environment and delicious food. Definitely a good stop on Alberta and the staff here is always good. Great tacos and good quality.
(4)
Katie S.
My boyfriend and I stumbled into this place after failing to find a table at Toro Bravo. It was a pretty nice evening and we sat outside, although it was busy we got seated right away and service was quick. We ordered cocktails which were good and to my surprise the cup was not full of ice. We also got the tacos, which were delicious! The outdoor area had a fire going and added to the lighting. Atmosphere was friendly and our waiter was a funny hipster guy. Would definitely recommend if you are around Alberta looking for a bar.
(4)
Weley L.
I came here to try their tacos from their "taco lab". I'm from L.A. so I usually don't even bother going out for any kind of Mexican food, but their taco creations looked so unique it was hard to pass up. Note to people looking for Mexican food: don't come here if you're looking for authentic Mexican flavors. DO come here if you're interested in a twist on tacos. I ordered three tacos and a side of Tots a la Cruz. First taco: the Phuket. It had subtle Thai (coconutty) flavors but generally just tasted like a chicken taco topped with coleslaw to me... Second taco: The Mac. I could've just eaten three of these. Or four. Or five. As a mac-n-cheese fan, I was pleased. They were somehow able to incorporate all the flavors of quality mac-n-cheese (and more) into a taco that didn't actually contain any macaroni. Third taco: Bob's Your Uncle. This is literally just fish & chips in a tortilla. Tasty, but not that special. Tots a la Cruz: packed with flavor! It'll satisfy any tater tot lover. Unfortunately, I was getting full by the time I got around to eating this one, so I feel like I couldn't enjoy it in its complete deliciousness. Minus one star because the tortillas were colder than I would've liked, and minus another star for one awesome taco and two okay tacos which should cost less for the portion size I'm getting (but then again, I'm a spoiled Angeleno who can get mind-blowing tacos for $1 from a stand in L.A. where everyone only speaks Spanish). Main takeaway from this review: get The Mac taco. NOTE: I didn't come for the alcohol, so no reviews for that part.
(3)
Kelly O.
Went here last night and I just have to say try the gonzo! It's roasted pineapple infused vodka, and it was delicious! Service, food and atmosphere was also wonderful, even on a very busy Saturday night. Can't wait to go back and try more of the infused alcohol and tacos!
(5)
Brandon B.
Before the Tin Shed started to suck donkey balls, as it were, I went there for the superb fish taco. And I've missed it ever since, damn nigh on a decade! Then I went to Cruz Room for the excellent Sunday happy hour. The BF ordered a Bob's Your Uncle. He gave me a bite and I pretty much ate the whole thing and ordered a few more. It's a fish & chips taco! It's so, so good. Oh please, oh please, don't ever rotate it off the menu! I won't last another 10 years, whimper.
(4)
Benson N.
5 brilliant and absolute luminous stars for the "tacos" at Cruzroom; which are astonishingly delectable. They bestow a sensation as if I were in a dream. I began an inquiry as to if this were real life after encountering the "tacos." How could a synthesis of these ingredients be so righteous? I did not do this review with the language and vocabulary that I would have normally used. I felt that the "tacos" deserved a much more higher form of a review because they are so damn good. This next sentence may be the most important thing you've read or learned all day. HAPPY HOUR $2 "TACOS" FROM 4:30-6:30.
(5)
Jason G.
The tacos here are ok, I'm not really a fan of things like mayo, pickles, slaw, etc. so take my review with that grain of salt. Some people love them, but I don't think they'd be good enough even if I did like the flavors though. They are pretty messy, which is nice for food sometimes, and the fried cheese is tasty. But Jason, you rated them 4 stars, what gives? They have knitting nights, a decent patio, pretty good drinks, and...TITO's. Tito's are really good chips with some decent dipping sauces. I usually love ordering french fries to go along with a beer or cider but these are a lot better. Heed my warning if you're drinking and you order some Tito's, you will not want to share. Friendships will be lost, romantic endeavors will be compromised, and family members will be left out in the cold. If say, they hypothetically ran out of tito's because you ordered the last plate, take my advice and just take it to go. You will be stabbed with a hypothetical fork. They're excellent drunk food, maybe my favorite thing in town to snack on. This might be a slightly exaggerated drunk remembrance of things consumed (In Search of Lost Titos), but do you really want to risk a shanking over this? If you see me, frickin share or prepare for Thunderdome.
(4)
Carina R.
I have been to this place many times under many different circumstances: alone, with groups, busy nights, slow nights, early in the evening, late at night, you name it. I actively crave at least one of their seasonal cocktails on a weekly basis and their vegetarian tacos typically are my favorite veg dishes in the city at any given time. Local booze? Check. Staff is always friendly and remembers what I have ordered in the past and quick to give new suggestions for seasonal dishes. One of my favorite places in the city, easily.
(5)
Anne K.
I don't rate service, ambiance, cleanliness and wait times; they are too variable. I can put up with anything if the food is good. It is all about the food- that's it. All of my ratings are based on vegan options only. Notes: I got the jackfruit tacos. I don't expect much from restaurants with vegan options, but this was a great surprise. Everything was good. I especially liked the toppings on it. However, the flavor was reeaally "smokey".. way too smokey. It needs less smokiness or more acid in there to balance it out. I definitely want to try their other stuff on the menu.
(4)
Rylee R.
Great place to bring friends and have awesome tacos. They have a deal too where you can get a pairing of beer and a shot of whiskey for $8. Worth checking out!
(4)
Christopher S.
Always delicious. Always amazing! Tacos are amazing and their house infused liquors are great!! Every time I've gone, it is always consistent!
(5)
Dan H.
Tacos are the name of the game at Cruzroom. They have a pretty good deal here. If you order 3 tacos and a side you get $2 off your bill. 2 tacos and a side gets you $1 off your bill. I was hungry so I had 3 tacos a side and a beer. Breakfast (or dinner in this case) of champions. Started out with the Asian salad which consists of jicama, carrots, cilantro, tossed in a spicy Asian dressing and topped with toasted sesame seeds. A good and what I felt like was a healthy way to start a meal. Pretty simple yes, but very good. I know I had the Phuket taco which is marinated Thai lemongrass chicken fried with a splash of coconut milk and served in a corn tortilla topped with a peanut Asian slaw. For some reason the menu is not showing me the other 2 tacos I had. One of them was nice and spicy and I was quite impressed with it. Usually places keep the spice down because most people can't seem to handle it, but this one was quite warming. Nice presentation on the food. Tacos here are more expensive than you will find on carts or divey Mexican restaurants in town, but they are very good.
(4)
Alan M.
OMG! The Jerk, Phuket, and Bob's Your Uncle blew my mind! Tots A LA Cruz were also legit. All my out of town peeps are definitely going to be brought here! Do not walk by this place, you'll be missing out!!! Price point was good to, don't believe Ben B's review!
(5)
Kristi C.
Located in one of my favorite Portland neighborhoods, I'll copy Pete B's review just a bit. Really, times infinity, really. That's how good the tacos are! Our favorite, hands down, The Green Meanie. Pulled pork, that's all you need to know! A close second, The Siren. Believe it or not we unanimously decided it was the vegan tartar sauce that put it over the top. Notable mentions include The Mac, lots of tastes and textures in this one. Phuket, very light and mild tasting. The crispy fried halloumi cheese on The Broken Bean gave an interesting taste to the taco. Great for sharing...the Tito's, loved the cheese sauce that came with these. Spicy Pickle Chips were hands down the best fried pickles I've ever had. Tots al a Cruz, well coming from the Midwest all I can say is that my momma never prepared 'em this way! Very addicting. And I can't forget t mention, they have great service too. Without drinks, also a very affordable dinner.
(5)
Jessica K.
Get your tacos! Cruzroom is a taco spectacle! Thai tacos! Eggplant tacos! Vegetarian tacos! Tacos wearing hats (j/k I made that one up). I can't pick a favorite here, but if you are into Portland's favorite meat, I would recommend the Green Meanie and the Green Acres, the first with pulled pork and the latter with pork belly. Get them even cheaper during their happy hour that runs until 6:30. Don't like tacos? Shame on you! Well their Tots a la cruz are really good too. Not only is the food great, this is just a fun place to hang out. The servers are super cool and they do regular events like knitting nights and lego competitions. Don't like legos? Shame on you! Go sit on the patio instead with a selection from their stellar drink list. The beer list is above average too. I definitely dig this place. You don't dig it? Shame on you! More tacos for me. :)
(4)
Bette M.
I took my baby down to this here cultural appropriation diner for some good ole "tacos." Seriously though I like the cruise room. Some of the weirdest cultural infusion I've ever seen.
(4)
Eric H.
I used to love this place when it first opened. Very innovative and incredibly good. I'd go once a week - to the point where it was almost like that show Cheers with the manager and waitresses knowing me. Then something changed - new employees and the food quality just completely tanked. Same recipes - horrible execution. Went again recently after not going for 5 months just to see if things had changed. Burnt chicken - it was deep fried black and the the tater tots so overcooked they literally turned to fried dust when you squeezed them. Cooks should never let food like that out and the wait staff should, I don't know, maybe take a quick look at the food they are delivering to see if it is totally overcooked. Such disappoint in what was once a great place. I hope they read this and turn it around because as a concept and with their recipes, this place could easily rock as it once did...if they had cooks and wait staff who gave a damn.
(1)
Janessa P.
I've been to this place several times, but before my last visit, it had been a few years. They seem to have fine-tuned their cocktail menu (using a lot of local booze, yay) and their taco menu had some new (to me) surprising vegan choices. When I used to come in here, it was because I accidentally found myself cruising for dinner on a Friday or Saturday night. This place was always a quiet refuge from the loud music, long wait and crowded tables of most Portland restaurants. That has apparently changed; every table was full of what I used to call 'the downtown crowd' and the music was so loud I had to yell to my friends over the dinner table. Good for them for getting busier and drawing a crowd, but boo to a quiet Friday night dinner for me. The server we had was gracious when he realized he made a mistake in telling me the chips appetizer was vegan (there is cheese ON the chips, whoops) and brought out some complimentary tots for me. Thanks, buddy. The tacos were the real standout. Two tacos are vegan as-is, and a few more are easily veganizable. I ordered The Siren (faux fish taco with shoestring potatoes and vegan tartar sauce), Na-Cho Taco (black beans, tomatoes, green onions & black olives in a crunchy shell, hold the cheese) and the Half-Baked (breaded and fried vegan mac and cheese with Sriracha slaw). Fun, creative and different than many other vegan taco options in town, I was delighted with the selection. I loved The Siren--I think the tofu fish was wrapped in nori, which gave it a distinctive ocean taste (in a good, not creepy way). The tacos are reasonably priced, the cocktail menu has the aforementioned local booze and nicely crafted drinks, and the vegan options are surprisingly nuanced. I'll definitely be back, but will aim for happy hour or an early weekday night.
(4)
Jessica T.
Fav taco here is the Phuket.
(3)
Angela S.
Grabbed the only open table adjacent to the restrooms. First thing I noticed was the overpowering smell of air-freshener or cleaner. Glad the bathrooms are clean but I don't want to taste it. The food arrived in a pretty timely manner but mine was totally cold. I'm not one to voice complaints and it tasted all right, just cold. Then there was a good sized chicken bone in my taco... Gave it a good chomp. Ow. Overall, less than pleased
(2)
Stephanie A.
I can't think of a single reason to dock them a star so they get 5. Cruz Room is awesome, I'm not sure why I waited so long to visit. The tacos are amazing, they're authentic yet creative and a great price... and during happy hour (which now includes Friday & Saturday nights) its only $2.50... I wasn't even hungry and I ate three. Beyond that, house infused alcohol offers a nice twist on the traditional cocktail and during happy hour they're only $4. I have a liking for vodka and found the house infused Strawberry Vodka (aka Priceless) rather irresistible and the Roasted Pineapple Vodka (aka Gonza) pleased my tastebuds. Service at the bar was stellar, there was a DJ playing techno-remix's of classic hits that kept the atmosphere lively. Do yourself a favor, go check out the Cruz Room and don't wait months like I did. PS - The Green Meanie (AMAZING), Bob's Your Uncle (nice twist on Fish tacos) and the Green Acres was good but not my fav. Can't wait to try more.
(5)
Jennifer Y.
Agree with most of the reviews. Def. not a quiet loungy place (unless you choose to sit outside or toward the patio), not the romantic date place, not a place for a full-sit-down-meal, but a good place for a drink and some appy food and a great place to hang out with a group late into the night. Taco happy hour, green meanie, tater tots (had a hard time finding this on the menu at first since it's got a bit of an extended name as do the other creatively named goodies). The 'deals' of 2 or 3 tacos plus a side is really great. Coming after midnight is also really great. And, ordering alcoholic infusions is also really great. Need I write more of how really great this place is? One downside would have to be the restrooms. Alright, this is a sort of divey place people -- incl. me -- I should not expect too much... OK, onto the food and drink. For the tacos, I have to say they're creative, we tried 5 different ones. The green meanie or pulled pork is by far the best. The tacos all had some sort of sauce, and some sort of theme -- fish and chips is a fish taco, slaw and some fries on the side. The fries were cold and fish pretty fishy, so I'd pass on this. The Mac was good. Since I'm not a coleslaw fan, I was surprised how much the amount of slaw on these tacos didn't deter me from trying and enjoying them for the most part. And, to top all this off, TWO orders of the tots. These are the best. Infused grapefruit, orange + pineapple vodka served with a side of a little dinosaur(?). Tasty. :D We were stuffed & happy. Thank you, Cruzroom for a lovely late night of munchie satisfaction.
(4)
Steve S.
What a great discovery. Usually we go next door to Pine State Biscuits, but decided to try something different. Wonderful selection of eclectic tacos. Nice to have another great place on NE Alberta.
(4)
Katherine H.
There is a lot of good about cruzroom. Nice location, super cute outdoor space, unique menu offerings, interesting & tasty cocktails. Most of the tacos are delicious. Trivia night here is also really fun. Unfortunately, the service here is usually pretty bad. It's not so bad it's kept me from returning, but the long waits for service and the perceived negative attitudes of many of the staff are lame.
(3)
Kari M.
The hus and I first came here a few months ago. We were kind of exploring and taking a walk around town and we were hungry. We almost walked right by, which would have been a mistake, but I saw they had the menu up in the window--TACOS!! Not just any tacos mind you, fancy tacos of all types and flavors. They have lots of options for vegetarians and meat eaters alike. The hus got one with fish and chips (yes on a taco!), one that was pretty much a Big Mac in taco form and I got a couple veggie tacos and the Phuket (definitely my fave!). All of them were pretty good, and the place was surprising large inside with tons of seating. They also have a decent sized side patio area. We are planning on heading there to meet some friends tonight and I have visions of tacos dancing in my head!
(4)
REBECCA A.
One of the easiest places for veggie folks and meat eaters to each have something imaginative and delightful. That there are fantastic cocktails and a great Happy Hour is icing on the fun-cake. Friendly, but not pandering staff. I really mean the 5-Star Review
(5)
Jeremy L.
I had a Drink Deck coupon for Cruzroom, which gave me a great excuse to go venture to a place that I probably wouldn't even know about otherwise. Interesting place, for sure. They have some unique beers on tap, and their infused liquors and mixed drinks are pretty creative. I got to sample about 6 different tacos on the visit, and most of them were very good. The vegetarian fish and chips one was great! (who would have guessed that!?) My only gripe was the service. Our server was just flat bad. I asked what beers she had on tap, and instead of just telling me the 5 or so beers on tap, she reached across me and flipped my menu to point on the back. She was no more helpful with the liquor drink order. I guess it worked out okay that we didn't really want to deal with her much more, because she was pretty much nonexistent the rest of our meal. We each would have ordered a second drink, but it was never offered. Food was great, service was lacking.
(3)
Sudipto G.
This was quite a find for late night dining options in PDX. Had some incredible and unique taco toppings which were very well prepared. They also have a drink called voldemort, which I will try next time when I am not driving!!
(5)
Lily F.
Drinks were ok, food was very disappointing, and service was awful. My friend and I stopped in on a weekend night for late night food and drinks. We ordered a small assortment of tacos, including the Red Rocket, the PC, and the Phuket. I also ordered an Asian salad which was great on color and texture, but incredibly bland as far as flavor went. The bland salad was helpful, though, in clearing the taste of the incredibly oversalted meat dishes. All of the slaws that came with the tacos tasted alike, despite the menu's descriptions (cilantro-lime, Peruvian Aji, and peanut slaw all tasted more like mayo than anything else) When my friend walked up to the bar to order another round of drinks, they were ignored for ten minutes. Then we decided to leave, tried to pay the check and couldn't even do that for awhile. With the number of other bars on Alberta I doubt we'll be coming back. Prices were reasonable for the size (but not the quality) of the tacos, and about standard for beer and cocktails.
(2)
Don B.
Everything you need to know about Cruz Room can be summed up in three words: Taco Happy Hour. Well, okay... two more: Infused alcohol. Both are the shit. Taco happy hour means $2 versions of Cruz Room' s "taco lab" tacos, which are not your usual taqueria tacos. They're mashups between Mexican and Indian, American, Thai, you name it. There are numerous variations of meat, cheese, beans, slaws, sauces, etc. And they're all bomb when served on a little corn tortilla. And at $1 a piece, you can get as full as you want for a mere pittance. Think chicken marinated in Indian green curry with a Peruvian aji slaw, or crispy Oregon bay shrimp with slaw and cocktail, or even fried cheese with black beans, corn and pico on a crispy shell. So many variations, so much deliciousness. As for the infused alcohols, they range from "hmmmm..." to "mmmmmmm". The double-fig scotch is a dandy delight, but I've had a couple others that miss my palate completely. But they get points for reaching out to try new shit. They're not just sticking with classic cocktails or anything, they're mixing things up (get it?). Anyway, come in from 4pm to ?? and score taco happy hour. You won't be disappointed. Serious.
(4)
Paul S.
Food was great. Took advantage of the Happy Hour specials ($2.50 tacos!). You've got to get the CruzTots (also their wifi password btw (O is a zero)). Have a nice selection of Elysian beers on tap (but not the seasonal Superfuzz :( ). The picture of Elton John in the men's bathroom was a treat. Highly recommended.
(5)
Amanda F.
Went there last night for a going away party and we took over part of the patio. Service was great and tolerant of our big party that all kept switching seats. The tacos I tried were all so good: The Mac, The Phuket and The Bob's Your Uncle. I also highly recommend the Tots a la Cruz. They also have gluten free and vegan options. Food is reasonably priced and they have a happy hour and a late night menu. They also do house infused vodkas and signature cocktails which I didn't try as I don't really drink. The restrooms are total dive bar style so if you're picky about restrooms that might be your only issue. I will be back again and again.
(4)
Becca S.
Friends suggested we go to the Cruzroom for some late night tacos. I went with The Mac and a Green Meanie, both of which were a great choice. I'm not a huge fan of the noise level (deafening) but the food was worth the trip, just not somewhere I'd want to hangout for any length of time after eating. The service was pretty attentive for a bustling Saturday night, overall I look forward to trying it again.
(4)
Natalie G.
Awesome drink selection and every single taco I've tried is delicious. Very affordable and in a fun area to walk your dinner off on a warm night.
(5)
Katherine C.
so good so good so good! The tacos are fantastic! Bob yer Uncle and the Green Meanies- seriously- amazing! Great staff and solid prices.
(5)
Shannon K.
This place is legit. I had 2 gourmet tacos and a quality IPA for 8 bucks. 8 bucks!!! I ordered the MAC and the Greenie Meanie. The MAC was 5 stars. So good. The GM was 4. Great people watching. Great vibe. I'll be back.
(5)
Linda C.
We had planned to go to Bollywood Theater but the line out the door was insane. So we walked further up the street and thought we'd give this place a try. Good choice! They have a good selection of vegetarian tacos so we ordered all of them: Rising Sun - Tempura zucchini, a drizzle of Japanese ponzu sauce, and wasabi mayo slaw. Broken Bean - Halloumi cheese fried extra crispy, served over citrus black beans in a crispy corn tortilla, topped with roasted corn and chipotle salsas. PC - Indian curry potatoes with Peruvian Aji slaw and pickled onions. The Siren - A faux fish and chips: marinated tofu dipped in tempura batter, shoestring fries, and their own vegan tartar sauce. Nachos - the usual nachoey ingredients ;) We also had the Curry Titos (Tortilla chips tossed in house-made curry powder with a side of Cheddar cheese sauce and our Peruvian Aji sauce.) to start. The curry titos had a nice curry flavor with a divine cheese sauce but they were a little too greasy. The Broken Bean had a good spicy kick to it. The Siren was surprisingly good and really did taste like fish (thankfully it wasn't). By far our favorite was the PC - I could have eaten three more of these! They also had a small selection of interesting craft beers and a huge selection of cocktails. I was happy to see they served Pimms and so ordered one. As the evening wore on it got quite loud and I think the patio area would have been a nicer spot to enjoy our meal. Service was great though and the food interesting and tasty.
(4)
Amy Mae G.
Extremely slow service when sitting at the bar. If you're sitting at a table, you're more likely to receive moderate service.
(2)
Phillip R.
If this review were only for the food, I would give it 4 stars. The tacos were pretty tasty. But not tasty enough for me or the 7 other people I was with last Saturday to ever go back to this place. The wait staff was so terrible, it really ruined the whole dining experience. Rather than happily chatting with friends, we spent most of the time commenting on how terrible our server was. It was like we were bothering Him with our presence. Needless to say, this guy got a giant zero dollar tip from me and at least one other person in our party. If I had to give him one now, it would be to find a job where you don't have to serve people. It's clearly not your strong suit.
(2)
Laura M.
Siiiiiiiiiigh. Cruzroom, I hate to love you so much. I mean.....the spicy Zerkpatrick drink, complete with a precious little dinosaur floating in my glass? Please. The PC taco? The Rising Sun? What the hell, Cruzroom? What are you trying to do to me? Why do you make such delicious things that make all other tacos pale in comparison? How am I going to eat other vegan tacos in the future and enjoy them? So sad. Attentive servers, great drinks, great food, plastic dinosaurs. What more could a person want?
(5)
R K.
If there was a 3.75 star rating that's what I'd give this place. Cool concept, "dive bar" setting, with a unique menu and cool drinks. I ordered the "Tots a la Cruz" which left a little to be desired. As far as tacos " The Mac" had me confused yet satisfied and smiling, the "Phuket" had a cool thai style but the chicken was dry, and the "foghorn leghorn" had a nice southern twist although the greens kind of overpowered the experience. (More chicken, bacon, and cornbread croutons please) Finished up with a "Cowboy Up" consisting of Temperance Trader Whiskey and an Elysian Immortal IPA served separately - you save some money ordering this way but I expected a mixed cocktail BUT.... I should have read the menu more carefully as I saw that it was listed as a liquor and beer pairing. I'd come back to this place but would suggest a little friendlier/interactive service and a facelift of the place (especially the restrooms) - that would rate a solid four stars in my opinion.
(3)
Teresa R.
I'm going to start off describing every taco we had... "The Mac"- it was okay, Green Meanie- it was okay, The Jerk- liked the sweetness of the mango slaw, it seemed like the only flavor component of this taco, Phuket- tasted like coconut curry served with tortilla, didn't taste much of the lemon grass, The Seoul- MY FAVORITE. YUM THUMBS UP!- Loved the fatty and crispy pork butt topped with the mild kim chi/ napa cabbage. Could definitely use a kick of heat though. our waiter seemed snobby at first, maybe because we didn't know what we wanted to order. I had the Thompson cocktail.. super strong but delish. I also tried their Gonzo shot Super strong but delish. Their shots come with dinosaurs. My friends and I had a great time taking pictures of the dinosaurs doing weird things.. LOL.. I'd definitely come back here for their drinks and Seoul tacos.
(3)
Rick S.
A great place for exotic tacos and drinks! I enjoyed the Mac taco and the curry nachos especially. Has a laid back atmosphere , a good place to catch up with a friend.
(4)
AJ D.
Make it for happy hour and you'll find great deals on some really awesome food. Overall: I'm a big fan of speedy ticket times, and good service. Cruzroom always hits the nail on the head for me. The tapas style menu is always good. Pair the food with their infusions and you can't go wrong. Pros: - Great drink and alcohol menu. (Tots a'la Cruz are my fav) - Quick ticket times. - Friendly staff. - Awesome happy hour pricing Cons: - It can get busy during peak social hours which can make finding a spot to sit tricky. - Parking not the easiest, but this is consistent along Alberta. Easy to ride the bike or walk to for what its worth.
(5)
Amanda M.
I can't say enough nice things about this place. It's our go-to when we are kidless and we never regret using our precious kid free moments here. The tacos are unbelievable. Do not miss the Phuket or the tempeh bacon one. The infused liquors are also pretty spot on. The price point is less than you'd expect for such delicious fare. If you haven't visited, go.
(5)
Amelia B.
My first review of the Cruzroom would have been a one star. Zero if that was an option. But on my second visit (chosen by friends, so despite my aversion to the place I went) I had a completely different experience, so I'm averaging it out and doing 3 stars. First visit: My partner and I went in on a weekday evening and sat at the bar. We wanted tacos and drinks. We sat there, literally at the bar trying to make eye contact with someone, for 30 minutes before we gave up and left. No hello, no water, not even a "hey, we're really busy and understaffed but I see that you are here to exchange money for tacos and booze" head nod. Second visit: Friends were meeting to celebrate an engagement and chose the place, so of course I went, despite the chosen location. We sat on the back patio and while it was chilly there was a nice fire and the decor is pretty cool. The waiter was prompt and attentive and really nice. Also patient as we spread out and took over three tables and kept changing seats with each other so the smokers could go sit back a ways from the main group. He was also really nice when we broke a glass and spilled our drinks. I didn't end up getting food, but the food others ordered looked good. All in all, I'll probably end up here again. I may not be the one to recommend it, but I won't object if someone suggests it. Maybe my third visit will be awesome.
(3)
Sara P.
We were super pleased with our experience at Cruzroom. The mini tacos are as cute as they are delicious, and since they're tiny, you have room to try them all. There are lots of interesting creations on the menu. I was especially impressed by the house-infused liquors! Black tea blueberry vodka, roasted pineapple vodka, blackberry bourbon to name just a few. We were able to taste a flight of 4 for only $10. We have already decided to make the trip up to NE to eat and drink here again. Servers were welcoming, polite, and attentive and the patio is beautifully decorated. Such a great spot to chill out on a summer evening.
(5)
Carissa T.
Mmmmm....tacos! I love that these tacos are unique and al a carte. And I definitely suggest sampling them all at some point. I love the Meanie Greenie and Phuket! Oh, and the yummy tots.
(5)
Jason S.
Two things that blew me away about this place: 1) 4 different kinds of Elysian beer on tap that I could count...an awesome Seattle brewer that you don't see poured often around Portland, and 2) Awesome taco's...my favorite being the Mac taco (bacon, cheese, pork, and coleslaw topped with some sort of special sauce that blended really well. Also located in a fun part of town I don't make it to enough (NE Alberta). 1st time here, but we will definitely be back in the near future!
(5)
Maeling D.
So it's more of a taco spot than tapas. You have to order at the bar, but the food was good, I got the nacho taco and the green chile one which was yummy. I also liked their fried pickles which are the closest thing on the west coast to how they do them in Florida. The back patio is really cool, lots of art work, fire pit and plenty of seats. It's a cool little joint.
(4)
Laura H.
Original tacos that are delicious. Infused tequila. Excellent patio. A bit spendy though but hey you get what you pay for.
(4)
Chris A.
You ever have those nights in college where you opened the fridge and decided to get creative? You found some left over meatloaf, some mac and cheese and a few tortillas and made yourself the best taco known to man. Well the Cruzrooms Taco Lab does just that, but they are much better than your 3am messy meatloaf taco. Here is the low down. Lots of taco options, including but not limited to Bahn Mi, Indian Curry, Pork Belly, Mac & Cheese... the list goes on. Most of the Tacos I have tried I have liked, with just a few exceptions. And here is the best part, get 3 tacos and a side for $10, and it should fill you up (I am not a little guy and I always find the 3 and a side to be enough). Like good drinks? Of course you do you. Lots of infused booze at this joint. Hot Tamale infused whiskey was interesting, a bit sweet (infusing with candy might do that). The cocktail menu doesn't disappoint though, some are sweet, some are spicy, some are just damn refreshing. They also play some interesting movies in the background. Do you want an interestingly good taco? Yes you do, so stop reading this and start heading down Alberta!
(4)
Sunni A.
Red Rocket taco was my favorite of the 6 I tried. Full flavored pork taco with a kick, I wanted a bag of them. Phucket taco was a close second with it's bold flavored creamy peanut sauce. Margarita was strong and tangy! Laid back friendly servers. Casual vibe, back patio, board games, no normal TV playing.
(4)
Kirsten H.
I love the inventive tacos they serve here. Really good food with fair prices. Lots of seating both indoors and outdoors. Service isn't so great but the food will keep me going back.
(3)
Duane P.
It was a beautiful Sunday morning and I'm trying a new place today and... no it's not for a Benedict or Chicken Fried Steak. I'm going to try a Breakfast Burrito and based on the reviews here at Yelp I head off to the Cruzroom. My first impression when I got there is perfect no waiting. I grab a seat outside in the sun and order a House Bloody and Green Pork Burrito. It arrives and look at the color, presentation and proceed to dig in. The combo of the pork verde, black beans, corn salsa, eggs and cheese had the right flavors and texture that played against each other perfectly. The House Bloody has the right amount of spice and heat to it. I'm glad I didn't order the Special Bloody as the server says it is even hotter. I'm happy to say that stepping out of usual breakfast box paid off.
(4)
Jeremy J.
This place is awesome. Unfortunately the sound system was down while we were there but I understand...things happen. I had their house fig bourbon and it was ridiculously good, and the dinosaur garnish absolutely cracked me up. Love it. Everything I tried was delicious and appropriately priced. The tots a la Cruz were tasty and unique...We then indulged in a slew of 6 tacos..each soooo good. The Green Acres was my favorite as I absolutely love pork belly. We also enjoyed the Green Meanie...heck everything was good. You really have to go expecting to order multiple tacos as you will see far more than one that you want. These are about 3 bite tacos so 3 seems like an average number for a meal that wont get you stuffed.
(4)
Eve K.
Tasty food and drinks. Great place for groups. Good prices and happy hour discount. The outdoor area is a great place to bring dogs.
(4)
Andrea L.
I love happy hour! This one was ok. The space itself is so nice for a sunny summer day. Half of the restaurant is outside - while still being inside - so it has a great feel as you watch Alberta folks bop down the street, The servers were nice enough. But sadly the food was very mediocre. I was excited to see fried pickles on the menu and they were so salty and dense that you couldn't even taste anything but salt. We also tried three of the small plate tacos. They were ok... one better than the rest but I cant remember which, as they all blended into one. I will try it again, if just for the vibe but I will try something different for sure
(3)
Robert S.
Wow. Anything on the menu is great. Get anything that sounds good, seriously. I got a Green Meanie, The Mac, and a Phucket. The Green Meanie is insanely good. They all were, but the pulled pork was to die for. Go here, get food, be happy. It's cheap too! My wife and I walked out after two drinks and 6 delicious gourmet tacos for an even $20!
(5)
Allen K.
Excellent place for a casual night out. Inside, the space is limited but the environment is great with art on the walls and huge windows to let natural light in. Outside, there are more tables -- I didn't venture out there but I'd probably opt for that location especially during the summer when the weather's good in Portland. FOOD: I would say Cruzroom is less of a tapas bar because there's such a focus on their specialty tacos (it consists of 3/4 of the menu). But the tacos are the main event with good reason! I ordered the 2 taco, 1 side deal for $7.50. I tried out the Green Acres, the Outsourced, and the soup of the day which was Gouda and Potato. The Green Acres was AMAZING! The pork belly was perfectly cooked and really stole the show that night; the tender, fatty, saltiness paired beautifully with the cool, citrus, crunch of the coleslaw on top. Next time I go I'd be happy with ordering nothing but the Green Acres. The Outsourced was also very good (and spicier than expected) with it's shredded chicken in green curry. The soup was fine, but paled in comparison to the flavor explosion of the tacos. DRINKS: Got myself an Olympia Tall Boy for $2.50. Cheap and gets the job done. Also got a Wookie: wasn't a huge fan due to the spiciness of it, which I think was due to an excess of cinnamon.
(5)
Rat B.
no AC explains why they were mostly empty on a friday night
(2)
Mike S.
Believe it or not, this place won't serve water to those dining at their patio tables. It was over 90F and the server told us we had to get up from our meal to go get our own water. This, after serving us all all our pricey cocktails and meals. We had the only table there, too. She had about a 10-ft walk to bring us the water. I complained to management who informed me she allows her servers to decline requests to serve water at the table. Wow, so lazy and disrespectful.....at least we're in PDX and there are so many better places to eat.
(1)
Meagan J.
YUMMY tacos and fruit infused vodka! My friend and I went for happy hour and all tacos are $2.50 during happy hour and these are not just any tacos, The Mac has bacon in it. Um hello, get to know me! We also had some strawberry vodka cocktails with a lemonade mixer, perfect for summer. The outdoor patio is a nice place to sit as well. This is my first time coming to Cruzroom and I will certainly be back!
(5)
Brandon M.
Very fun place to go! We had the infused vodka and tacos. Customer service was solid. Recommended!
(4)
Melvin T.
Cruzroom specializes in "unauthentic tacos." Yes, that is code for fusion. Fusion Tacos get a bad wrap because of how ubiquitous and faddy they are. However, Cruzroom's Tacos are still creative and tasty. The $2 Taco Happy Hour deals are the perfect price point. That stand outs that I had were the Mac Taco and Oregon Po' Boy. The Mac Taco was a caloric creature had deep fried pickles, Bacon, pan fried cheese, and slaw. This was Americana comfort food in a taco. The Oregon Po boy was filled with deep fried Oregon bay shrimp with a spicy slaw. In both cases the slaws were excellent. What sets aside a good unauthentic/fusion taco is the slaw. The slaw is what delivers the depth of flavor and textural crunch. Cruzroom hits all the culinary notes in most of their slaws. The one disappointment was the Thai taco. It had no heat or spice like anything Thai should have. It was all peanut flavor. The tacos are almost 5 star. They get a big one star ding for the tortillas they use. They weren't too warm and they were too thin. These tacos have a lot going on. Like some Mexican street tacos, sometimes you need to double tortilla it up to hold it all together and add some starchy heft. So either get thicker tortillas or double them up and make sure they are warmed enough. The house infused double fig scotch had a very unique flavor. I liked the sweet, mellowness of the scotch. The fig infusion did mute out the smokiness, though. I had two of them at the Happy Hour price of $4. What a steal. I love that they highlight and sometimes only showcase local spirits. Going through their drink menu was a who's-who of local distilleries. New Deal, House, Deco, etc. No Smirnoff or stuff like that in their drink menu. We have such a great local distillery scene that everyone should be showcasing it. Happy Hour runs from 4-6:30PM everyday and is a perfect time to sample some great unauthentic/fusion tacos and house infused liquors.
(4)
Phong D.
I came here during the Alberta Street Fair and had a really good time. I want to give this place 5 stars but removed 1 star for how long it took the food to come out. I'm hoping that the food was slow because of the fair. My friends almost finished an entire game of Battleship before our meal was served! The cajunized tots were already fantastic but what put it over-the-top was the drizzled queso. As for the tacos, they proved that big things do come in little packages. The Green Acres ($2.95) had roasted pork belly that was tender, flavorful, and not fatty. My wife had the Poco ($3.25) which was filled with delicious Oregon shrimp. These tacos were pretty tiny. One was enough to remove the hunger pains. I'm guessing 3 or so would fill me. I naturally wanted to compare Cruzroom to ?Por Que No?. They both serve amazing tacos and each have their own interpretation of the taco. It wouldn't be fair to say that one is better than the other. Perhaps it's safe to say that they're the ying and yang of the Portland taco scene.
(4)
Conrad B.
Scrabble Pub Crawl stop #4. OK, it's now dinner time, and I see this menu with lots of tacos, and I see that it's happy hour. And then it occurs to me - TACOS AND BEER YES! I asked my friend which were his favorite tacos here (Travis, he's a regular), and to my delight, two of them were the ones I wanted to get! Tacos are $2.50 at happy hour (1 drink minimum, and you have a fantastic selection) - a solid deal. Usually, they range in price from $3.00-$3.50. Green Acres (pork belly, apple-vinaigrette slaw, cotija cheese) - a very refreshing taco that's not heavy in any way, even with the nice thick strip of pork belly at the bottom! It was a perfect compliment to my other choice, the gut-busting: The Mac (Fried pickles, Applewood-smoked bacon, Cheddar cheese, onions, slaw, secret sauce) - it looks like a wonderful conglomeration of delicious ingredients, and sure enough, tastes just the same. The wild card here is the cheddar cheese crisp place above the tortilla itself that ties everything together wonderfully. We were inadvertently served the Tito's chips instead of my friend's . The waitress immediately brought his drink out and even let us keep the chips. These are spicy, spicy, spicy, and spicy is yum. I had a pint to drink, but there was a wonderful(ly delicious) looking array of cocktails, and in-house distilled spirits! Really, I wanted to try one, but wanted to just stick to beer in staving off my hangover from the night before. Speaking to that, in both the food and beverage department, there is a vast array of options, so you're bound to enjoy yourself the first time, and leave wanting to come back for more. And it's cool as a bar as well as a restaurant! So next time, liquor and more tacos. I'm sold. Favorite bar of the day, and I look forward to returning here soon.
(5)
Danni D.
Taco Fusion. Wait. Scratch that. $2 Happy Hour Taco Fusion. These ain't your abuela's tacos. They're tacos with a twist - Indian, Thai, Southern. You get the idea. I would happily slop up anything produced by their Taco Lab. The corn tortillas are so fresh, they would never dream of cracking and falling apart while you get down to business. Can't have a happy hour without drinks, right? They have that covered too. They infuse their own spirits here - blackberry bourbon, peach bourbon, pineapple vodka, fig scotch, etc. Fancy infused spirits and a mixer are just $4 during happy hour, and $6 otherwise. This place is kind of dark, kind of cozy, a little sexy, though that could be the finger food just putting' me in the mood. They got positively slammed right after we arrived, and the sole waiter worked his ass off trying to be everything to everyone. This place has a great thing going, but they need more help on the floor for times like that. They easily would have gotten another drink round out of our table, and maybe some more taco orders before the 6:30 happy hour deadline if they had more server help. That said, I'll patiently wait my turn and hang out here. Love the vibe. Love the food and drink.
(4)
Ryan S.
Crazy fast service! Delicious food! And one of the few places that knows how to fry pickles!
(5)
Sanjana P.
Unique and tasty drinks!! Friendly and fast service as well! :)
(5)
Michael W.
If you are looking for a little nicer atmosphere than Por Que No?, this is a good spot to grab tacos. I've been here a couple times and tried several of their tacos - very eclectic variety to cater to any palette. Last time I ordered the Phuket and the Jerk, the time before I ordered the Mac and the Green Meanie. I think the Jerk was my favorite, but they were all really tasty. Make sure you try some of the sides - the Curry Titos are a must and the Chavez salad is very good too. This is a great date place and they have some interesting cocktail selections to try. Service hasn't been the fastest either time I went, but I could have just had a server on an off night.
(4)
Dayna D.
Great tacos!! Excellent laid back vibe - the servers/bartenders are super nice and I can often find a tasty brew or cocktail to wash down the imaginative taco selections. Happy hour is a great way to try a bunch of different tacos too! There's a nice decent sized private patio but you can still watch the sidewalk action. Personal faves are the Green Acres, the Siren and the Green Meanie
(5)
Brooke F.
OMG best tacos everrr! I always get the cheezy potatoes and then a couple tacos. With nothing else it is under $10 and I'm always pleasantly stuffed. This place can definitely get busy! It is pretty awesome.
(5)
Michael S.
Amazing tacos great pricing and the outdoor seating is perfect! The customer service is first class!
(4)
Caitlin S.
Honestly - love this place, and literally cannot find ANYTHING wrong with it. I was about to declare that they didn't have a television (gasp! I'm a sports fan...) when my boyfriend pointed out one in the corner. DELIGHTFUL tacos, crazy good selection of interesting tacos. Super awesome customer service - our waiter was attentive, very nice but not overly chatty. The atmosphere was fun. It wasn't too loud, it was kind of like a restaurant/bar, perfect for a drink with my boyfriend. Great art on the walls, for purchase (if you have the funds). Clean bathroom. Delicious alcoholic beverages - I think I had a vodka orange cran (very unexciting...but they had tons of exciting options and infusions). OH - and how could I forget? WATER. On the table in a large glass bottle (so classy and chic and efficient) with separate water glasses...drink as much water as you want, it may take awhile to get through the whole bottle. Love it. Check it out, it's one of my new faves on Alberta St. and I hope it's here to stay :)
(4)
Melissa P.
My new favorite Portland Happy Hour. $2 tacos - in wonderful fusion flavors; The Mac - fried pickles, bacon and cheese; Green Acres - Pork Belly with apple vinaigrette slaw; PC - curried potatoes with Peruvian aji slaw.... Amazing infused alcohols including blackberry bourbon and roasted pineapple vodka. The service has been consistently abysmal the three times I have been there - but as long as you are not in a hurry, the food is worth it. They are very nice ladies, they just seem completely lost in a cloud, and I have sat there staring at my delicious tacos sitting in the kitchen windows for more than 10 minutes, thinking I could just reach over and snag that, they would never notice.
(4)
Frank Lee F.
This could turn into a regular thing. The endearing sign outside is upfront, so no surprise on the cocktails... They are over-ambitious, but the two we had were enjoyable enough. Food was tasty, fast & well presented. Smells wafting from the open kitchen all evening were another big plus. But set all that fair and good aside, because what hooked me was the service (not something I thought I'd ever get to say in pdx!) Unpretentious, welcoming, attentive & friendly without being familiar. No attitude, even when our group arrived in untimely pieces & we stayed put gabbing for hours. Well done! Until our next enchanted evening, I'll be dreaming of the golden light drifting through your windows, and the look of relaxed contentment on pretty much every person's face there. Thanks for putting the cruise (Speed Levitch style) in the Cruzroom.
(4)
Emily V.
I am in love with this place. The tacos are amazing and the prices are reasonable. The drinks are also very tasty and reasonably priced. The Red Rocket taco I crave daily, so delish, my favorite. The Mac is a second place favorite, a fried delight. The Phucket and Bob's Your Uncle also tickle my taste buds. Its hard to chose so I normally end up over eating till it hurts (hurts so good). My boyfriend and I love coming for SIN night. If your heading to Alberta, don't miss this slice of taco heaven.
(5)
Alena C.
Found this place on yelp-probably driven by it a thousands times. So happy I did! The flight of in house liquers are awesome, especially the BB King Black Bourbon. And the taco's..my god. The Cueben (Reuben Taco) was my favorite. I never thought those two things together would work, but they do. The Green Acres is also fantastic, and the tots are super tasty too. You have to pay extra for salsa...but whatareyoudonnado? Definetly will come back! Nice date spot too!
(4)
Jeff M.
I really, really hate having to update this review, but here goes: When Cruzroom first opened the food was very well done and the wait staff were awesome. Over the last 8 months both have declined, but the real loser here is the food. The quality of the tacos has gone through the floor, with very little care for the preparation and flavors. What used to be crispy bacon is replaced with barely cooked bacon, the melted cheese is now 2x the size of the taco and burnt, the chicken used to be nice slow cooked in flavorful sauce chicken and now it is just cubed and covered in watery sauce. I was taken aback by this as it was somewhere I went 2-3x per week and now I give it a shot every couple months, HOPING, to see if the quality has returned - so far it hasn't. An additional bummer about this is that I even emailed the owners twice via their website and never got a response to the cause or concern over the dip in quality. I wonder if the complaints about slowness of food coming out of the kitchen caused this shift, but I would much rather have another cocktail before good food than getting bad food faster. The venue is great, the staff is not as good, but still friendly and the deals for the volume of food are good.
(3)
Haley A.
Yum. Get the chip appetizer (soooo good). Only came here for a late evening snack so I can't wait to come back and try more of their options.
(5)
Ashley E.
The tacos are awesome!! Love the variety of tacos to choose from, truly something for everyone. We stopped in during happy hour and had great drinks and tacos for a great price. They start getting busy around 5 but we still got great service. The servers were all very friendly. We will definitely be back soon.
(5)
Brooke H.
I love their tacos and happy hour pricing. The outdoor seating is pretty awesome but usually full of smokers. Other than that this place has a great vibe.
(4)
Dani S.
SO GOOD!!!!!!! Amazing tacos and an awesome happy hour! Ate here based on yelp reviews, now I wish we lived in Portland, we would eat here weekly! PS- Any taco on the menu is amazing, I tried 6 different ones and all were great!
(5)
Rolyat E.
I love Cruzroom. They have a great environment and one of the best happy hours (unless you dislike tacos, in which case, you are not actually living life you crazy person, though maybe these tacos would turn you). All kinds of tacos, from different regional inspirations. Some of my favorites; Green Meanie, Green Acres and Broken Bean. But truly you can't go wrong here. They also have some great house cocktails! And a wonderful patio. Just go, you won't regret it.
(5)
Candice Z.
I finally stopped by Cruzroom after walking by it all the time over the past 3 months. I don't know why it was so dead on a Friday night because I learned a few things about this place: 1. They make amazing pie! 2. They make an amazing Hot Toddy! 3. They have Jenga! 4. Monday nights they host a knitting/craft night! 5. The staff is really friendly, and make great drinks! So come on people, you need to go here. I know I'll be going back really soon to hopefully drink more whiskey and lose more games of Jenga.
(4)
Pete B.
Really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really good tacos. Though one night, my waiter clocked out and got drunk at the bar, so we had to wait a while and flag down the bartender to try and pay our check and get out of there. But still, really really good tacos.
(5)
Caitlin C.
We randomly chose to eat here because we saw the large neon cocktail sign, and it looked empty-ish. Or at least not packed to the gills. We did not want to wait (and we didn't have to). I ordered the green meanie (good, if predictable), and this *delicious* taco with fried zucchini topped with wasabi cole slaw. It. Was. So. Good. I wish I'd gotten two of those. My mouth is actually watering as I type this. The asian salad was also good - tangy with just the right amount of sesame. I liked that it didn't have any lettuce in it. My last taco was the broken bean, which, honestly I did not like. It's served cold, and is just kind of plain beans/corn served with a big 'ol slab of unexciting cold fried cheese. It came on a molded hard taco, which made it awkward to eat. Anyway! Drinks were pretty good. I thought my friend's sizzurp tasted like cough syrup... but I imagine it's supposed to, and he liked it, so there you go. My downward spiral was maybe a 6 or 7 out of 10. I'd like to try more of their house infused spirits - the lady vengeance cocktail sounds delicious. Last minor complaint: I thought the music was too loud. I pretty much never want to go to a bar to listen to music (unless they also have a dance floor). I know, I'm crotchety, but there you have it. Now get off my lawn, you kids.
(4)
Erin B.
So I can only really speak for Cruzroom's happy hour (which is from 4-6 I believe), but they have a real good thing going on. $2.50 tacos, with a large and fancy-shmancy selection that's a foodie's wet dream (I'm talking thai tacos, BLT with crispy cheddah tacos, and scrumptious BBQ pork tacos... Also noticed fish n' chips tacos on the menu as well). Drink menu was outrageous. Infused liquors are a must-try. I had the roasted pineapple vodka, and the blackberry-infused bourbon. Both were delectable. Their servers are also super nice, and very attentive. We actually stopped in one afternoon because some of the staff had been to my boyfriend's work the night before, and had left him a very generous tip after watching some asshole blow up at him in his line... They'd mentioned beforehand that they worked at Cruzroom, so we wanted to check the place out (and leave a fat tip). Thanks guys, you seem like really nice people in addition to being really great servers :) The patio was great, inside was nicely decorated as well. I'll DEFINITELY be coming back!
(5)
Subeer S.
Here's my update as promised. We returned to Cruzroom and the service was exceptional. We had a different server this time and he was very attentive. He was also very easy to chat with and made us feel welcomed and appreciated as customers. The food was top notch as usual and the drinks were great. I am very happy that I can keep Cruzroom on the list of my regular neighborhood eateries. Additional shout out to Octavio for noticing my previous review and responding. Shows me that he genuinely cares about customers.
(5)
Kristen M.
Cruzroom embodies what the Alberta Arts District is all about! With awesome art, crafty cocktails and terrific (out-of-the-box) tacos, this place is a goldmine! Cruzroom is very chill vibe. I've driven by this venue so many times and finally got a chance to see what the fuss is all about! They have a bunch of artwork laid out throughout the resto as well as their outdoor patio! The artwork reminds me of a bunch of stuff that I would see back in Long Beach, CA's artsy-area. DRINKS: *Lady Vengeance ($7, 4 Stars) cucumber-infused soju + orange flavored liquor + lemon + green tea honey, over ice = a light refreshing cocktail which invigorates your taste buds! It was quite a winner that night! I didn't even taste the soju in the cocktail! I had a couple of these to enjoy my evening there. TACOS: I opted for the two taco + side combo for $7.50, where you choose any of their featured tacos and sides. *Solamente Cruz: features ground beef made into meatballs was dressed with their Oaxacan mole sauce. The sauce seemed okay. It had a hint of smokiness but I felt the meat was a bit dry. The beef is placed upon an Asiago crisp and topped with some type of gremolata. I felt the concept of this taco was great, but overall, it was just A-OK. (3 Stars) *Green Meanie: was my favorite taco out of the two. Featuring a delicious braised piece of pulled pork, which came with a tomatillo chili sauce gave the right amount of spiciness. This lovely taco was topped with roasted tomatillo Poblano chili slaw. This is worth a try! The pulled pork was glistening upon the plate as it was served in it's taco shell. Apparently this taco is a popular choice amongst the customers! (4.5 Stars) And that side? TOTS A LA CRUZ: Fried tater tots were lightly spiced with paprika, drizzled with a spicy smoked cheese sauce, topped with chopped green onions, tomatoes and their "guajillo" salsa, this side dish is worth picking over and over and over! This was a unique side dish and was quite spicy and savor-ly. I'd order this again! (4 Stars) Service is decent. Our waitress was kind, funny and helpful. But towards the end of the meal, she handed us our check without us requesting it. We weren't even through ordering our drinks! (how dare she rush us!) Eventually she apologized for her mistake and explained how she didn't mean to "rush us out". Parking for Cruzroom is on the Alberta street or nearby neighborhoods. Which shouldn't be too difficult to find. I wouldn't mind coming back here for some yummy tacos and delicious drinks! I must warn you that these aren't your traditional type of Mexican tacos. They utilize different flavor profiles from the globe, which are showcased in their tacos. They have a lovely HH for $2 tacos and that's pretty much calling my name! I'll be back for that!
(4)
Mark P.
My friend & I stopped by for the happy hour and were not disappointed. Great bar menu with really delicious tacos of all kinds. For drinks I had the scotch infused with fig juice with club soda. Heaven!!!! Service was excellent, everyone pitches in and helps each other. Our server, East was the best! Smoking allowed in the patio area, East even lit a fire for us. The place must be the bomb in the summer.
(5)
Warren C.
My girlfriend works graveyard so on the weekend we find ourselves sleeping in from anywhere from noon to as late as 3pm on Sunday. This morning however she was up and at em at 9 am. Yelling from downstairs to beckon me to get up this morning she was insistent on not wasting the day away. As I slowly crawl out of bed her smile emerges from below the steps as she looks at me and says lets do breakfast this morning! Who am I to say no?!?! My original intention was to head down to Pine State Biscuit on Belmont but unfortunately the line was too long. We pulled our trusty PDX breakfast joint book and she found a restaurant on Alberta. Unfortunately they were done serving this morning. We decided to stroll up Alberta and look for something that caught our eye and that's how we ended up at the Cruzroom. I've never heard of this place before but I was caught up with the way this restaurant was decorated much like a diner from back in the days. We came in and took a look at the menu and were satisfied enough to have breakfast there. We decided to take a seat in the patio outside and enjoyed a couple of Mojitos and shared a Green Pork Breakfast Burrito and Two Breakfast tacos one with bacon and the other with Pablono Peppers. We received our drinks and enjoyed an early afternoon conversation before our food arrived. Once the food arrived it painfully obvious that we made the right decision to share the breakfast burrito as opposed to ordering individual ones. The green pork burrito consist of Braised pork shoulder with black beans, their specially seasoned potatoes, scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese wrapped in a tortilla. Then served with a vegetarian green chili sauce over the burrito. The burrito was very good considering this is not really authentic mexican food. The pork tender the touch and the best part of the burrito is their seasoned potatoes that accentuates the flavors of this burrito so well. The bacon breakfast taco is lightly scrambled eggs, cheddar, seasoned potatoes, and bacon wrapped in a corn tortilla. Nice and light and comes with a splash of hot sauce. Our last choice was the Pablono Pepper taco once again comes with cheddar, scrambled eggs, seasoned potatoes, wrapped in a corn tortilla with a splash of hot sauce as well. Both tacos were good but to be honest with you pretty forgettable. Nothing about it really stood out to me. Overall the Cruzroom is a fairly good place to eat. The environment not too bad but the service is extremely slow. We ended up staying and waiting for a few friends to arrive as well and it seemed like it took too long order drinks. I noticed as well that the server was not very good at communicating with customers when substituting orders. I would definitely come back for the beverages and food but I would not expect too much from the service. Happy Eating Everyone!
(3)
Zachary H.
Food is great. Drinks are awesome. However, the staff act as if the customer is blessed to even have their attention. As a customer, I should not feel that it is my responsibility to convince the staff that my money is worth taking. They really are an unfortunate bunch.
(3)
Amber F.
I came here for the taco happy hour, sat out on the patio for a couple of hours, and had the Driving Miss Daisy cocktail (which was freakin' good), the taco with the zucchini in it, and the Phuket something or other. Both were fabulous. My favorite of the day, however, was the Asian salad. Jicama, carrots, sesame seeds, and loveliness. I also ate about half of my friends tots. SO GOOD. I will definitely eat here again. Another thing that I liked besides the food was the outdoor dining space. They have a great ambiance out there with an artful mural, clean seating, and enough shade/sun space for people to be able to choose without baking and/or freezing. The place itself was also very calming and chilled-out. The service staff was nice and attentive and the prices were great for happy hour. This is a place I can see myself visiting regularly. The onnnnnly thing I would knock it for is that I spent $8 on a cocktail, and as yummy and awesome it was (with its honey and lavender water and gin) was that it barely gave me a buzz. I'm kind of a light-weight and I like to have one drink and be cool for the rest of the dinner, especially when I spend $8 for it. Although I have learned that this IS Portland, and all fancy cocktails seem to run that much, and most seem to be on the weak side. Oh well. It was still super good. Just wish it got me a bit more... loopy.
(4)
Ryan H.
I tend to avoid Alberta St at night, due to the large crowds of hipsters. However, last week my wife and I had friends in town, so we did it up. After stopping at a few of the regular places, we were drunk enough to want some food. Since the Cruzroom is one of the only places in a ten block radius I had not been to (since I though it looked a bit uppity) we entered. As feared, it was packed to the gills and we had to sit at a booth that had not yet been cleared. Luckily, it was taken care of within minutes and we adjusted ourselves, ready to have a good time. After twenty minutes (no exaggeration) a waitress finally came over and asked us what we wanted. Unfortunately, we had no menus, so it was another five minutes before we were even able to put in our drink orders. The service remained horrible for the rest of the meal. As an aside, I've found that understaffing is a huge theme on Alberta St. After being talked out of leaving by my friends, we ordered some food and drink. My attitude went from ready to explode in anger to completely satisfied as soon as I sunk my teeth into a taco. The four of us each got a different kind of taco and none of them were lacking anything. The only one of us who got a drink got an infused something or other and it immediately put a smile on his face. We had an appetizer, five tacos, and a round of drinks. When we got the bill literally gasped, but in a good way. It was under $30! The only downside was the lackluster service, but I imagine this will be different during my regular drinking time of late afternoon.
(4)
Tierney C.
Tacos are ridiculously yummy, all of them. Drinks are unique and delicious. If you sit outside, expect spotty service but beautiful ambience. Life is compromise.
(4)
jonathan s.
good late night happy hour for tacos. red rocket was the favorite. spicy. cant remember the others. too much booze.
(4)
Mike R.
I came here during happy hour to meet a couple friends, we walked in and sat ourselves at a table near the back. I had read a bunch of yelp reviews before coming here and was looking forward to seeing if the service was as bad/slow as quite a few reviewers had said but no we had water and menus within 2 mins of sitting down and the waiter came back a short time later to take our order so yea yelpers be trippin' ! I ordered a couple vegan tacos one was a fried Mac & "cheese" thing with slaw and the other was a tofu fish and chips kinda deal, both were pretty good and at the happy hour price of $2.50 a pop not a bad deal but I'll be honest if it wasn't happy hour I would be eating somewhere else (but I'm a cheap bastard) I also ordered the house infused Blackberry Bourbon witch was F*ckin' great! so I ordered another I think I'm gonna try making this at home cuz I could have drank 4-5 more but like I said I'm a cheap SOB anywho I will definitely be coming here again to try some of their other vegan tacos and have some more of that blackberry bourbon.
(4)
Jerry B.
This is a great local place to hang, the staff is great, the tacos are fun and out of the ordinary. But the cocktails are 87.5% ice, so don't be tempted by their concoctions and expect to get a full drink. Order beer and you're good. I'd give it 2 stars if basing on drinks only. The iced down alcoholic beverage seems to be the norm on Alberta St.
(3)
Rachel H.
Great food, great drinks and super fun trivia! :)
(5)
Sara M.
There is a lot to like about this place, a pleasant patio, good cheap food, decent drinks. But all that is hard to focus on when the service is so consistently bad. I have been there five times now and have had the pleasure of just ok service twice and terrible service otherwise. When the bar is no more than 1/3 full and it takes twenty-five minutes to get three beers, getting "backed up" is a pretty flimsy excuse. I know it's really nifty that they put a little plastic dinosaur in your cocktail but don't be fooled, it's just to distract you from the fact that you've finished your drink and nobody seems at all concerned with finding out if you'd like another.
(2)
Cassandra S.
I walked by this place with my boyfriend and we decided to eat here on a whim, having never heard of it before. The happy hour deal was great! $2.50 tacos and a large selection of tasty drinks. Service was great, patio was sweet, and I have never had a taco more delicious than the Phuket. We will DEFINITELY be back!
(5)
Michael C.
Somehow the hype of this place was lost on me last night. The basic space is comfortable but bare. (Give it a B) The service is really solid (A+). It is the food that did not measure up to my expectations. While certainly a deal at $2.00 a taco I found the tacos dry and bland. (C). Overall for $23.00 I can not complain too much but there is much better value found in many other places in the city.
(3)
jade s.
Meh. It said it was a tapas place, but they had tacos... they were decent. Super Taco Express (on Hwy 99 and 99th street) puts it to shame, though...
(3)
Rachel M.
Don't know why this place isn't more packed on the weekends, because it's one of the best happy hours in the city! Definitely my favorite Alberta bar. The house infused liquors are delicious (the blackberry-blueberry vodka is my favorite) and the tacos are fairly cheap and filling. I really like the classic nacho taco because of the smoked cheddar sauce, and the Indian-inspired taco is great too. I come here all the time and am also always impressed by how friendly and personable the staff is. They all seem to be having a great time, and it shows!
(5)
Aaron V.
Do you like tiny tacos? Good - because that's pretty much all they do. Don't get me wrong, they are some damn fine tacos - its just a real one-trick-pony type of establishment.
(3)
Charles T.
man, their pork product tacos are delish.... reminds me if Big Star in Chicago's Wicker Park.
(4)
Reed E.
I can dig it. This is not the type of place I would usually go to, but I see myself heading back here. It's nice and cozy inside, and all modern and shit. Like white plates and cool art. The service was very friendly and informative. The food was really good, the standout was the Phuket taco. Prices were reasonable too. So, yeah, it's okay in my book.
(3)
Donna K.
We love the non authentic tacos! We have tried everything that is on the menu and the best is the Mac taco! Coleslaw big fatty bacon crispy cheese! The tito appetizer dish is also worth getting. They are deep fried puffed chips kind of tangy and salty with cheese and salsa sauce to dip! They have house infused vodka which is also necessary to try... We love going here for hh from 430 to 630 .. $2 tacos!!! One of a kind tacos flavorful and loaded with toppings. The tacos are a Fusion of Thai, Vietnamese, Indian, and Latin. Try 1 or all of them soon!!
(5)
Rosetta S.
House infused liquors, delicious cheap tacos, and an awesome ambiance. Cruzroom is my new favorite spot on Alberta. They have a late night happy hour every day of the week from 10-close. The staff is great, friendly and cute. I had Tots a la Cruz, the smoked cheddar cheese sauce is phenomenal. The Spicy Pickle Chips, which were just the prefect amount of spicy. And a great price of the portion. And a vegetarian taco I can't remember the name of, but it was delicious! I can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu!
(5)
Claire G.
I love living next door to this place. I could eat the green acres taco everyday and not get tired of it. The rotating taps are wonderful and the happy hour is a steal. Whenever people ask me where to eat along Alberta street, I always send them here first. Love you guys, keep making them crazy tacos :)
(5)
Jenny S.
Part of me doesn't want to write a review of this place because I don't want to share this little secret on Alberta and have to wait in Por Que No style lines for their ridiculous tacos. But here is my asterix- these are NOT traditional tacos. These are not what you would get on a street in Mexico, but these are absolutely delicious, mouthwatering, creative tacos. I eat them slowly so that my mouth can absorb all the flavors before I swallow. They are not super large tacos, but if you go during happy hour (opening until 6:30pm) they are only $2 each and well worth it. If you're still hungry, the Chavez salad is fantastic. Aside from tacos, they make some mean cocktails, have good beer, a great outdoor patio and a pretty cozy interior. I'm waiting for a rainy day to sit in there and play Battleship. Oh, and don't forget the Lego tournament for grown ups. For a place that may seem pretty "hipstery", I find the staff friendly, helpful and honest, which is definitely not always the case in Alberta. See, I should have said this place was awful. Now you're all going to go and take my seat.
(5)
Tiffany B.
Taco....Taco...Taco.... this is not your "normal" taco! These are like crazy ass flavors laid in a soft corn tortilla. But what else would you expect from a city that is weird and different as Portland?! The space itself screams eccentric to me. Church pews line the window with velvet cushions. The TV was playing some Madmax knockoff movie from the 80's that starred Patrick Swayze...that was hilarious to watch! They do have outdoor patio seating with fire pits that look cool on a summer night...but we were here on a night that was under 40 degrees....so we choose one of those pews to sit in! The taco lab (the menu as they call it) is crazy, crazy, crazy..... all kinds of flavors out together to make these original tacos. And cheap as hell, might I add. My favorite was the Phuket, Asian infused flavors...lemongrass, peanut sauce...oh my! The drinks look dangerous also! We didn't try any this time around (gasp! I know what a shock) but next time around we definitely will indulge in those concoctions!
(4)
Stacey D.
Great patio! Great service! Love this neighborhood bar.
(4)
Scott B.
Creative, delicious combinations with a great bar and comfy atmo. This would be a hangout of mine if only I were lucky enough to live in the Alberta district.
(4)
Anthony B.
Sometimes living in Portland is rough... I have too many favorite places and not enough meals in the day... but now I have another favorite. Thanks a lot Cruzroom! The other problem I have with Cruzroom is that it's not made for an indecisive fella like me. "They only serve tacos" I hear. So I think nice, that will make my decision about what to eat easy...WRONG! Every taco sounded awesome...lucky for me, my eating crew have acclimated to the fact that I must taste what they have ordered (sorry gang)...and they were all good. (it's not like I'm not sharing too!) My favorites were the tacos from the Pork variety. But the tough decisions don't stop at tacos...the Good Witch of NE Portland is mixing up some serious potions. I would have liked to try one of each, but I'll save that for a non-school night. The only easy decision was the Titos - they are little salty, zesty, crispy triangles of yum! My buddy says the breakfast burritos "suck balls" but luckily Portland has lots of my favorite breakfast joints.
(5)
Cruz O.
I'm biased. It's got my name in the title. It's the only reason I went. But! Lucky for me, it was great. Quite possibly the greatest/most interesting happy hour I'v ever had. Every taco is two dollars. They have five vegetarian options, and a bunch of other inventive meat-filled ones. Two dollars might be steep for a small taco if they weren't well-made and creative. Which they are. In the long run would I want a Cruzroom taco over the best street taco (meat, onion, cilantro, tortilla)? Probably not, but two bucks a taco to mix and match with some house-infused drinks at, if I remember correctly, 4 bucks a pop? That's some low risk fun, friends. Great bartender, re-poured a drink when one vodka was deemed somewhat lacking. Put out giggles for shits and skittles. Er, put out skittles for shits and giggles. It's a fun hour or two, and Alberta is a fun walk if you've had some drinks.
(4)
Michelle S.
I live in the Alberta neighborhood and somehow missed this place for three years. Finally made it there last week and was stoked to discover another restaurant "staple" to add to my list. Great casual dining choice- the tacos are all very interesting and yummy. For around 30$ my husband n I each had three tacos, a side and two cocktails. The Mac taco is a serious party in your mouth, the Phuket was Thai fusion magic. My only complaint is that The Poco Taco is misnamed- it was not "a little bit" anything.- It read "spicy" on the menu, should have read "fire in the hole." Tasty fire, but still likely to create a Johnny Cash experience later on the loo (Burn, burn, burn, my ring of fire....") Spice fearers- just stay away from the spicy stuff- the rest of the menu is plenty flavorful. Often times I will find something I love at a restaurant and then just want to order it every time I go because I am assured to have a great meal. This is especially true when the food is expensive. Who wants to spend $25+ just to wish you'd ordered the (INSERT FAVORITE DISH HERE). Cruzroom's menu looks so interesting that despite how much I enjoyed the Phuket Taco, I look forward to branching out. And, at $3-4 a taco its not like its a big gamble to try something new. Great patio, great cocktails, and definitely not the wait like you have to endure at Porque No. At least not yet anyway......
(4)
Sara N.
Love this place! It's not really my type of everyday hangout, but when I'm in the mood for fancy tacos, they're as good as it gets. Really decently priced, too. I always get the two-taco and tots deal with a blackberry-infused bourbon on the rocks to wash it down. So delicious!
(5)
Jeneva C.
I love this place. Great tacos, especially the pork belly one. I hate though that they are so understaffed the service is slow as molasses. I'm a fan but it is so unacceptable to get a ginger ale 15 minutes after I ordered it. Absolutely unacceptable.
(4)
Michelle H.
I eat here a lot. But I'm a sucker for a breakfast burrito. It just so happens they serve up my current favorite Bloody Mary and they never have a line for brunch. Ever. I didn't know it was possible on Alberta either. They cater to the the meat eaters and the veggie eaters among us. Both versions are awesome. They even have cinnamon vanilla pancakes that are massive, fluffy, and delicious. If you manage to conquer their burrito, it's a knife and fork operation and you're going to be full for most of the day. If a breakfast burrito and a Bloody Mary isn't your thing (for shame!), their dinner is just as awesome. They pair ridiculous tacos (think meatloaf, reuben, po' boy, lemongrass chicken) with awesome cocktails (blackberry laced bourbon, kthx). They don't claim to be authentic Mexican food (their hilarious sign outside says so), but it's damn good, and that's all I care about. Their service is on-point, even when they get a little busy. Sitting at the bar yields some awesome conversation. They do really cool theme nights like Movie Night on Sundays, Knit Night on Mondays, and live jazz on Fridays. I've definitely seen games of Jenga going on during breakfast. It's seriously a cool spot. One of their business values is 'giving a damn,' and it shows.
(5)
Heather H.
First of all, the ONLY reason this place isn't getting five stars is because of the service. We went on a Wednesday night around 8 p.m. The place was NOT crowded. By the time we got the extra salsa we ordered halfway through the meal, the food was cold. I find this unacceptable service. However, they seemed short-handed, so I'd give them the benefit of the doubt and try it again. Now, as for the food, HOLY AWESOMENESS, Batman! This place has amazing flavors! The menu has four categories: (1) titos (scrumdidilyumptious take on nachos), (2) tacos, (3) sides and (4) salsas. You absolutely must get the titos! They are...well, amazing. Everyone loved them. Next you get your choice of tacos. They are all unique and creative. I got a taco that was kind of like a rueben, one with fried pickles and one that was like a nacho in a bowl, just to give you an idea. The side salsas are good too, but "medium" tasted more like mild to me. The drink menu is nothing fancy. Well, let me rephrase that. It TRIES to be fancy, but we thought it was sort of...meh. Prices were about what I'd expect to pay.
(4)
Chelsea G.
I look for excuses to go here. The service has been spotty, but so nice. I was there when they were accidentally overwhelmed by...a reunion? God knows what. I've been back since- the fact that they knew they were overmanned, and still smiling & getting things out as they could?Great customer service. Also, I always tell the story of them showing Dune, while my boyfriend & I ate turkey-mashed potato-stuffing-gravy tacos. We found a Lego Storm Trooper kit nearby. Really? A seriously fun night.
(4)
Aaron K.
This place is the spot for a mid week happy hour date.... The tacos are all bad ass deliciousness.... Combine a fusion taco with their house made fusion booze and you will find yourself tingling all over with fusion goodness. Plus they toss in a little plastic dino or other creature with the house drinks during the hours of happiness. Overall great flavors, great house made booze, great service and easy on the pocketbook. Easy 5.
(5)
Laura C.
What an awesomely rad outdoor seating area this restaurant has! Mind you, not 9 months of rainy season a year...but the 3 sunshine filled months Oregon gets, this is one of the best place to have happy hour - especially during last Thursday. Of course, you have to get there early - because the secret is out. Not only do you get front row seating to watch passing freak shows, you get live music. I'm no hipster, but I love watching them. As for the food, happy hour consists of AMAZING taco's listed under "Taco Lab". I chose the "Phuket" because I was travel ling there soon after. It consisted of Thai lemongrass chicken fried with coconut milk served in a corn tortilla topped with a peanut Asian slaw. Deeee-lish! I also ordered the "Crueben" which was made with corn beef, melted asiago cheese, sour kraut, and Russian dressing. I was great, but not quite as fantabulous as the Phuket! Because the tacos are tapas sized, I also ordered the "First Mate", which is potatoes and roasted corn salsa served in a corn tortilla and topped with a blue cheese sauce. To quench my thirst, I ordered the house cocktail - which was something infused with something else. Don't ask me what it was exactly - I was preoccupied with watching a parade of castoffs from a travel ling circus going by. Alberta Street is kind of a world unto its own, so come here if you're looking for a good time. Closed minded people need not apply.
(5)
Randi B.
My BF and I ended up here during their Happy Hour. Their Happy Hour is awesome! We got 3 cocktails, 3 beers, 2 tacos, and cheese tots for $25. I had their house infused blueberry/black tea vodka, which is delicious. I also had the roasted pineapple vodka, which in my opinion wasn't as good as the blueberry/black tea but still tasty. My BF had several draft beers which were all good. We had a couple tacos which were tasty, original, and inventive. The tots with homemade cheese sauce was also good. Our bartender was super friendly and we had a good time talking with her. Really enjoyed Cruzroom and would go back!
(5)
Jeff M.
I've been a few times now and this is a different take on tacos. Try them all. Get the three and a side for ten bucks or happy hour is two bucks any taco. They look small but three and a side will do you. Four on their own also work. Cocktails are cool and delicious. On my last visit I got a beer with my tacos. I don't drink beer often, but when I do... well you can guess my choice. Service has always been good and the bartenders are attentive and talkative while the work. My next visit will be to get out to their patio before summer is gone. ps. Watch for crowds on busy weekends. Sit at the bar for quick service.
(5)
Andrea T.
Holy delicious infused alcohol! Double fig scotch on the rocks for me! And the tacos! Most are gluten-free and all can be made dairy-free (sans the pate one). All I gotta say is the Meanie Greenie is a classic pork taco and DELICIOUS! The Phuket is a thai flavored chicken taco that is so yummy! Went with 3 friends for happy hour, and all of us were super satisfied!
(5)
Tommy T.
I originally found the Cruzroom from Yelp! and I've been a fan ever since! Pineapple infused vodka & a super spice Bloody Mary started off this celebratory dinner with some friends. We had both the regular Titos and Curry Titos as a quick appetizer. I have to admit that I love the original Titos more than the Curry ones, probably because the sauce is way spicier. For my main course I got a Cheese Head taco, a Broken Bean taco (halloumi cheese & citrus black beans) & a First Mate Taco. Of course I couldn't resist the Tots-a-la-Cruz as the obligatory side. Cruzroom offers a cool and casual atmosphere with an attentive wait staff who is used to folks asking questions about the menu. To start a night on the town or top off a wonderful week check out Cruzroom.
(5)
Karina W.
I can dig it. Yummy creative Tacos. Weird ones. I recommend the Greenie Meanie - pulled pork and green tomatillo sauce. Zesty fest in my mouth! (I like many of the other tacos, but that is a must order every time I go.) Tomatillo salad. Heck yes! Movies on flat screens. Weird ones. Think "black vikings". Keeps the dinner conversation going with a bit of MST3K, if you are so inclined. Lovely patio, with artistic murals. I've yet to partake in you, but one day when I'm not trying to avoid awkward silences with my weird movie crutch.
(4)
Rachel K.
I failed to check my inbox & got a message from the owner, saying that the management and training was changing significantly, and as a neighbor who is there a few times per month, I can attest to that. The service does seem so much better than it was the few times I went a yearish ago, and the food, as always, is good. AND, they nixed all the super racist names for all their food/cocktails! Awesome! Good work, Cruz Room - I'll definitely be back.
(5)
Kate M.
First time at Cruzroom last night. Love this place! Had their house infused double-fig scotch and blackberry bourbon - so good and only $4 each at happy hour. Didn't really like their beer selection, but a pint of Rainier for cheap sufficed. Service was awesome. Though it got busy, staff was really helpful and friendly. We started out on the patio - nice! As it got cooler we moved inside - also nice. Had the rising sun taco which was yummy. Wasn't too hungry, but I'll definitely be coming back here to try their other tacos, Asian salad, and more of their infusions/cocktails. Favorite bar on Alberta for sure!
(5)
Stephanie K.
This place is the bees knees. I don't know if they do this every day, but when I first came here they were playing Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo. Granted it, there was no sound, but the music they were playing (old school rap) fit in quite perfectly. This was a perfect way to enjoy a lazy Sunday, watching Ice T dance, drinking spicy Bloody Mary's and enjoying a huge freaking tofu burrito! I've been back a couple times since then to indulge in Jenga and happy hour. Which makes for a fantastic time as well. They have awesome happy hour food for incredibly cheap. Huge plus for the sick patio that is perfect when the weather is nice.
(4)
Aaron S.
Stopped in for a drink and started looking at the menu...! So many great tacos and the few that we ordered were so good. Will defiantly be going back.
(5)
caretia F.
These folks ROCK! Their quirky movies and authentic, clever tacos are fun and their drinks and staff are too. Happy hour is terrific and it's consistently good. I live in the neighborhood and cruzroom is always a place I can go and just know I am gonna get something delicious. There is no pretense there and that is a refreshing vibe too. The art is always changing and the graffiti in the bathroom is a giant piece of art to check out if you have time. Their house infused spirits are great as well. I get that it's not the most romantic place but it is great place to go with friends, the outside seating area is super relaxed as well.
(5)
Cathie Joy Y.
Cruzroom, What happened??? I went there when they were newly opened and I really liked it. That was before they modified the menu the first time. The tacos were hot, fresh, interesting and 3 were pretty filling. The cocktails were good too. The second time I went they had added some side dishes and the tacos were still pretty good. Went there the night before last -(Lego night)- and what a let down! They were very busy with folks who were there for the Lego building contest which actually looked cool and fun but not when I want to have dinner. The service was initially a little slow because of that but I am patient and I did not really mind. Seems they changed the menu again but not in a good way. I ordered two tacos plus a side for $7.50 which seems like a good deal before you eat it - but the choice of sides is very limited - 3 small salad options or tater tots. I got the papaya salad which was a pile of shredded papaya and carrots with an asian-y dressing. It was 2 bites until boring. The tacos were tiny. One was a hard shell filled with dry black beans and fried Haulomi cheese. The latter tasted like badly fried tofu. The second was Peruvian slaw and Indian curried potatoes. I have to blame myself for ordering that International food collision. It was not terrible but it was not very good and both tacos were room temperature and - tiny. The margaritas were tasty and strong and our waitperson was nice. The final conclusion : would I go there for cocktails and assembling Legos? Probably not because it was really loud. I might drop by for a drink some other time, but I would not go there if I was hungry.
(2)
Flo J.
Weird combination of flavors. Thai peanut sauce on a chicken taco?? Not a fan! Housemade chips were extremely salty. Salsas were decent, but my biggest problem with this place---HOLY MOLY--NO GUACAMOLE! I mean, WTF?! My suggestion? Go to PQN on Mississippi. WAAAAAAAY better tacos with ingredients that are fresh and tasty and where they have guacamole!
(1)
Kara P.
I ended up at Cruzroom for a ladies night. Let me first say the staff was fantastic, there was at least 13 ladies in our group and they kept up with us even when we kept playing musical chairs on them. The drinks were amazing, their cocktail list included drinks featuring gin, which I don't see everywhere so I was a fan. The food was good, I am not a huge fan of fusion places, but I really enjoyed the unique combination of flavors and that they were small so you could try lots of them!
(4)
Cedric J.
Overambitious cocktails, non-authentic tacos. Food: 3 (Very good tacos, good vegetarian selection, and the 'Titos are a must-try) Drinks: 5 (Some of the best in town) Atmosphere: 3 (Nice, but almost trying to be divey. Kind of confusing, but that's the whole feel of this place anyway, so it works) Service: 2.5 (It really depends on the night, how well-staffed they are, and how busy they are.) Value: 4 (This is variable. For food, it is cheeeeap. For drinks, it is a bit above average. Sustainability: 2 (Local selection of booze! No other consideration in the space I know of) This has quickly become one of my favourite places to catch a drink. But since it isn't in my neighbourhood, I make a night of it. I discovered this place sort of by accident, and now I'm practically a regular. I try to make it there at least once a month. Firstly, the cocktails are a fucking work of art. If you go here, you must have a cocktail. Everything I've had is fantastic. It may cost you 9$ or 11$, but it is worth it. I promise. Get the liquor you like off the drink menu or have a house-infused flight. Whatever it is, it will be good. Promise. Secondly, however awkward it sounds as an accompaniment, the tacos here are little, tapas-sized plates with really great sides. Three tacos and a side will set you back 7.50$ (whoopitidoo) and your mouth will be happy with you. I think that the Owner (chicken/mole), the one with potatos and bacon, and the lemongrass chicken one really deliver. The bay shrimp one isn't really worth it, and the Not Your Taco veggie option is pretty good. The tots with cheese sauce are a fantastic accompaniment to anything, and the Titos (homemade tortilla chips roasted in the oven with asiago cheese, a bit of lime, and a cheese dip) are a major hit. Order one for the table and share. The digs are nice, but not too nice. The crowd is a mixed bag, but being on Alberta, it is what you may expect (a mixture of regular people and hipsters). The art on the wall is local and interesting at times... the TVs are a bit annoying, but avoidable if you sit in the westernmost section. Outdoor seating is available (but probably only recommended in the non-winter slog-months). Service, as I alluded to, is spotty; it depends on the night and how well-staffed it is to meet demand. If you're in a large party with only one bartender and you have somewhere to be, it won't work well (but where will that combo work well?). If you're a table for four and there is a waitress attending to your needs, the service is ample and totally great. All in all, this place is solid and won't break the bank. The bartenders and staff are really talented at what they cook and craft.
(4)
Alex K.
OK - so this place is a little pricey which is why i only gave 3 stars. however, the tacos were effin' amazing. Not to mention unique - like no taco I've ever had before. The drinks were pretty good too, but small. very small actually. Service was attentive and friendly
(3)
Nick D.
An old diner, turned swanky bar with rad style and ambiance. Friendly and attentive staff. The bartender is a master at his trade. The cocktails are large and delicious. This is a fun place with a lot of little, nice touches. Tacos are exquisite and creative. This is the Cruzroom, not Rico's Tacos. So don't expect or hope for anything to resemble Mexican food. At the Cruzroom, they've made non-Mexican style eats, while keeping the definition of 'taco' intact. I suggest the Green-Meanie, Why Not?
(5)
LISA S.
I had a completely wonderful experience here. The food: Awesome! I loved my veggie taco in a neat Lil taco boat and the tots I had really cannot compare to anything I have had in Portland. So cute, so delicious, good value. The atmosphere: interesting, provocative art adorning the walls, wouldn't take my grandmother there(but she only like Applebee's so I wouldn't bother in the first place)- The space was nice and dark, but not so dark that you can't read the menus. It had a nice glow where everyone looked purdy, so maybe take a date there? No wait, and not totally crowded at 9:30ish on a Saturday! The service: I felt it was very very attentive. The waitress was on top of everything, and was very charming. I was very impressed with the bartender that brought out our tasting flight- he was very informative, and even offered up ice and soda if we wanted to make any of our tasters into drinks. Even the dude bringing silverware was very nice and went the extra mile to make sure all of our needs were catered to. The drinks: LOTs of thought and creativity put into the drink menu...but I honestly thought for the premium-- they sounded better than they tasted. I just think whoever was coming up with the drink names, recipes and descriptions was a genius. The drinks were good, the presentation was just better. New favorite place on Alberta.
(5)
Miles N.
This review would have been four or even five stars if it werent for one reason. The wait is ridiculous! I love the food and drinks here. Ive come in multiple times and always had a great meal. Unfortunately though the wait to get your food is way too long. I usually come in early and the wait is still a bit too long considering there arent many customers. But I can deal considering the food is so good. Last time I brought my folks in along with a friend from out of town. I raved to them how good the place was. It was later in the evening, obviously peak, it honest to god took at least an hour to get our food after ordering. It was packed, ok, but waiting an hour is not ok. You guys obviously know the food takes awhile, why not let customers know before sitting them down. After sucking down some drinks and an hour passing we were pretty pissed and ready to leave. I even finally asked, "if the food isnt being made right now we just want our bill so we can leave", the food was being made though so we stayed. Food was good as it always was but that kind of service tarnishes the taste. I know I'll be back, for an early dinner, but its going to be some time. Please get another cook! or cut the seating back!
(3)
Danielle N.
Awesome spot -- friendly service, inventive drinks, and tasty food. Music's a little loud sometimes, so you have to shout, so I would suggest going early if you want to connect with a date. Portions are pretty small, even for "small plate" fare compared to other spots.
(4)
Alyssa M.
This is my current favorite restaurant. I am in agreement with the other high reviews. Cruzroom has the most creative menus, both food and drinks. They use fresh and local ingredients, and I have never had anything that was less than wonderful. I recommend going back many times in order to try all of the different taco creations! Also! They have fabulous breakfast burritos!!
(5)
Thomas M.
I gave Cruz Room a second try last weekend and it will be my last. This place is the replacement for Franicis and I was really excited with the "Taco Lab" bar concept. The food options are pretty much limited to unique creative tacos, like the Nacho taco, The owner, the Oregon coast... ect. Unfortunalley they don't serve about half of the options at "late night", I was there at 10 and it is a bar... The drinks are decent but pretty pricey. This and the price vs. quality would keep me from coming back alone. However the worst part is the service, I typically like to ask servers to suprise me or give me their best dish when I try out a new place. Most people seem to embrace this challenge and I end up with an awesome meal/drink. Not the case here I was treated like a child who could not make up his own mind and talked down to by my Tattoed server. Not the best expirience.... I left and went across the s
(2)
Lisa G.
I've been a loyal Porque no? fan for 3 years now but I have gotten a bit sick of the wait. Enter Cruzroom.... I really wasn't expecting much from this place as I walked up to meet a friend but I could tell something was different as soon as I sat down. 1. Both people behind the bar made sure to acknowledge me when I came in (one even said "hi" twice!) which made me feel welcome. This is pretty rare in a Portland bar so I was pleased from the start. 2. As I started to peruse their drink menu I was blown away by how many drinks were right up my ally. Luckily I didn't have to choose because the bartender came over and told me about the special he was working on: The Ben Vereen - House fig-laced Scotch, a nudge of Benedictine and Buddh's Hand Bitters with a lemon twist. I was sold instantly and when it arrived it was perfection. I am not a fan of drinking scotch with anything more than the perfect scotch glass but after this I am thinking I might branch out a bit more... 3. Their tacos are out of this world! I would like to say that Porque No has some competition but to be frank, Porque No? doesn't belong in the same class as Cruzroom when it comes to tacos. I can't even imagine standing in line now when I can have my "First Mate" in a matter of minutes. 4. They hand out comment cards with the check. All in all they seem to be very attentive to how your experience goes and they are obviously doing their best to make changes where they need to.
(5)
Lin N.
Great happy hour, creative menu, relaxing interior.. All the other good things other people said..... BUT may I add that they have a great selection of games including connect 4? I just can't think of a more fun thing to do than play a game while watching an 80's movie out of the corner of my eye, and eating tacos with ingredients like curry and buffalo chicken!
(5)
Tallia B.
Great food and drinks at affordable prices. Green Meanie taco was amazing! Laid back atmosphere - perfect for a Saturday afternoon hang out. Service was fast and friendly.
(5)
Mac M.
I was excited as the next guy when I saw this coming. I thought it was a good idea, and Alberta does need late night places. So many places open on Alberta claiming that they will be open late night, then they never hold to that, so there was hope that this one might. Anyway, my wife and I finally went in the other night and sat at the bar/counter. In short the service started off bad, and got worse, and by the end us, and the parties on both sides of us were all waving to get someone's attention. It was really, really bad. The kind of bad where you almost have to walk out without paying because there's no other real option. Here's a quick list of what happened: - After asking for a beer list the guy comes back 5 minutes later without a beer list and asks "can I get you a drink"? - Then I only received 1 of the 2 tacos I ordered. - Meanwhile the couple next to us go served the wrong order entirely. - Then we ordered 2 more tacos and a beer before the waiter literally disappeared for over 20 minutes as he laughed with other customers at the other end of the place. I got the chefs attention and he said there was no order back there. He was PO'd too, it was obvious. Finally after 20 minutes of it being obvious we weren't getting the beer or our tacos I eventually got the attention of another waitress to get the bill after which our waiter came up and said "Oh, I forgot about your beer!". Me: "Yeah, and our tacos". Him: "Oh, and your taco". Me: "Two of them." Him: "Oh, they should be coming out shortly" Me: "No, the chef says he doesn't have any orders in" Him "Oh, we are still working out kinks" Sorry, there're no "kinks" in all that. It's just horrible, unacceptable service. Though he was an awful waiter, he was nice enough, and the food that actually did come was decent. But we just wanted to get out of there as fast as we could after all that, and no, we won't be going back.
(1)
Matthew S.
This is probably my favorite bar on Alberta. They have the best mixed drinks and the tacos, tots, and fried pickles are AMAZING. They have a very good vegetarian menu, too. The staff are ridiculously good: helpful, nice, and attentive! They're always something new to discover and I'm never bored with it.
(5)
Briana S.
Love this place, have been there many times and keep returning. Something about their tacos and service just forces you to return. Mac taco has to be my favorite but haven't had a bad taco here. I have enjoyed conversations with there very nice bartender and there seems to always be a funny/off movie on but I think that is what adds to the character of this place. It is definitely a fun place to check out and order 1-3 tacos depending on hunger level don't let the size of them fool you - filling and lots of flavor..Yum!
(5)
A C.
I have been here a couple of times and I always leave this place feeling happy and satisfied. Good food, good service, good happy hour, good prices and great atmosphere. You can't go wrong with Cruz Room.
(4)
Wolf L.
The Cruzroom just opened up on Alberta Street. We were witness to the construction and anxiously awaiting a new restaurant to try. Tonight was the night. The owner beckoned us inside from the street and we were happy to oblige. We brought the whole crew with us, so I was glad to see we had arrived for happy hour. $0.50 off draft beer and a nice discount on the tacos. I really didn't know what to expect, but the friendly waitress did a very good job explaining the cuisine. Cool, artistic decor. A muralist was hard at work on the patio and it looks like the finished product will be awesome. The Cruzroom serves tapas-size tacos that cost between $2.75 and $3.50 apiece. They come in a variety of interesting flavors. We tried 'em all. My favorite was the Owner: chicken in chocolate mole sauce, served atop a little corn tortilla and topped with spicy peanut-butter Asian slaw. I also enjoyed the Green Meanie: chili verde pork with green chile sauce. That one was good and spicy. GF highly recommends the Not-Your-Taco: black beans, deep-fried sweet onion strings and jalapenos, served in a crunchy little corn tortilla shell. Good service and tasty food. It was nice to eat at a restaurant where the staff is brimming with such welcoming enthusiasm. We all left with happy, satisfied stomachs. We'll definitely be back.
(5)
lynne M.
Cocktails and tacos. Such a great idea! Drinks are inventive and tasty. The tacos are very very good too. The service was really good (friendly, knowledgeable) but got a little overwhelmed when the small restaurant became full. Good space too. Groovy and hip without pretentious.. Rockem Sockem boxing robots are a nice touch.,
(4)
Emma P.
The cocktails were interesting with awesome presentation (sage or pear slices, anyone?) and service was great! However, I found the tacos to be on the small side and pretty pricy. There aren't a lot of options besides a taco for people who don't eat cheese. It would be nice to have more side dish options such as beans and rice for a reasonable price.
(3)
kelly s.
After the shitty service we had at the Alleyway, the bf and I decided to hit up Cruzroom for a couple tacos and a drink or two. Both of the guys working greeted us right as we walked in. We a Kopstootje (kop-stow-che) which means "little head butt". A beautiful tulip glass filled to the rim with Bols Genever and a glass of Upright Kopstootje Biere on the side. Oh my...... We ordered a couple tacos - the pork was amazing. A huge punch of flavor!!! I wanted more. Artwork was really cool. Service was attentive and informative. I will wait patiently until my next visit to Cruzroom, because I will be back. I wish they were open right now...
(5)
Scott Z.
Wasn't to sure about the place at first. But after the second visit I figured out what to order and was converted. Very cheap and tasty.
(5)
Jen C.
Talk about a fun bar with great drinks, this is place my friends. We sat at the bar and the bartender took care of us right away, was super fast, friendly, and helpful in choosing which cocktail to go with. The cocktails were really well made and I had the Downward Spiral - love the name by the way -and some others. The atmosphere was great too, live music, fun patrons, I could go on and on. Would love to try their food, maybe next time.
(5)
Kilo J.
The two stars are for the awesome drinks, fabulous service, and great atmosphere. But restaurants are only as good as their food, and as a person who comes from a hometown where delicious tacos abound(ed), I was thoroughly disappointed by the tacos here. I've been looking for good tacos in Portland for years now! There are so many toppings you have to eat the "tacos" with a fork (good tacos should be easily wrapped around the filling and eaten with fingies), the pork belly was a rectangle of fat, and the fried pickles tasted - well - too fried. The biggest complaint I have, though, is that the corn tortillas came out cold and damp, like so many I experience in this fabulous city. Make 'em from scratch and heat 'em up! Then you'll really have something to work with.
(2)
Megan R.
I'm gonna go ahead and say it.... BEST TACO IN PORTLAND. Sorry Porque No fans. I'm a fan too, but these tacos take it to the next level. They're risky, they're adventurous and there's bacon on top. Need I say more?
(5)
Sarah W.
Great tacos and libations but very slow drink service even though it wasn't busy.
(3)
gregarious c.
This is a must check out destination if you are in the NE Alberta zone. The quality and service are off the chart and the vibe is welcoming and cozy. The Food: insanely great!!! The Drinks: amazingly spectacular!!! Aaron the bar manager, knowing I HAVE to drink Potato vodka, infused pineapple with Monopolwa since he knew I was DJing. C'mon!!! It doesn't get better than this!!!
(5)
Brian H.
Nice place. Good friendly service. Great food. Good beer. Vegetarian options. Been here twice and both times were great. Breakfast burritos are huge and delicious.
(4)
Laura S.
Love this place. The green meanie taco + tots a'la Cruz + grilled pineapple infused vodka with soda: you can not go wrong. Eaten on their gorgeous mural-covered patio, you have yourself a perfect summer meal.
(5)
Judi S.
I'm a big fan of Alberta Street and when I heard there was a "new taco place" to try, I knew I had to check it out. The usual Alberta street taco joint, it ain't. The decor and ambiance are upscale; but comfy/warm upscale, not snooty upscale. If you go, you really must try the Titos, made to order tortilla chips perfectly seasoned with asiago cheese and pico de gallo spices. They are served with small sides of Guajillo salsa and cheese sauce, but they are so good on their own that you don't need anything to dip them in. I'm serious . . . try the Titos. We ate an embarrassing amount of the chips, which we decided was a good thing when we realized that the tacos were tapas-sized. I ordered the two tacos and side for a very reasonable $7.50. Both the Green Meanie pork taco and the Original potato bacon tacos were delicious and satisfying . The Asian salad was crisp and crunchy and tangy. My dining companions ordered various combinations of tacos and sides and all were happy with their selections. The Potato Cake was particularly good. We thought the menu of beers and cocktails was good, but one of our party would have appreciated a choice of non-alcoholic cocktails. A dessert menu would have, literally, iced the cake. We'll definitely be back.
(5)
Alexis H.
I wish I could grant Cruzroom more than one star. I couldn't really call my visit there an "experience," it doesn't really qualify as one. Boyfriend and I wander in around 1am on a Saturday night, after months of walking past and thinking it looked like a very interesting place. It was pretty slow, no one on the patio, a few tables occupied and most of the bar open. Two bartenders, a busser, DJ, and cook. WHY did it take a full 15 minutes of sitting at the bar to be greeted? The male bartender (moustache, tattoos, perfect hair) talked with his female counterpart and casually washed some cups in the 15 minutes that we stared, waiting for assistance. I started counting to 100 until we'd walk out, but around 80 he finally brought over some water and menus, told us a special, and walked away. We knew what we wanted within 3 minutes, yet he didn't come back. Period. We waited another 10 minutes as they NO JOKE just stood there yapping. The entire time the cook kept shooting guilty looks our way, he clearly realized that we were being ignored. In the end, we walked out. My boyfriend and I have both worked in bars and restaurants for years and we had never once walked out of a place before. All in all... service is total crap. Not worth it.
(1)
Patioh P.
Great bar! The tacos are delicious and well priced at happy hour. Infused liquors are to die for. Fantastic Patio! Our full review is in our podcast of this patio at: patiohpatino.wordpress.c…
(4)
Matt K.
I was skeptical of Cruzroom when I first saw their pre-opening signs. However they've done quite well and I'm a fan. Their food and drink selection is unique and trying to be different. I get that. Usually this doesn't end up doing well, but I think they're onto something. The taco selections change frequently and the ingredients are superb. Some highlights are the greenie meanie and nacho taco. There's also one I've had with pork belly that was amazing. The drinks are unique and crafted with care. There are a few in there that are a bit to far out of my realm but I do enjoy the Stones Live '75 (a tasty twist on the French 75) as well as the "Teq-kill-ya". The patio is great in the summer and the bar is cozy in the winter. It does get packed on the weekends but you can tune out the crowds with the random selection of movies on the big screen. Mostly it's obscure kung-fu films or 70s exploitation films.
(4)
Lauren G.
Been here twice. First time: fantastic. Ate a ton of creative tacos and delicious cocktails. Second time we couldn't stay because they close at midnight. I thought it was a bar... Disappointing because I would have liked to have stayed.
(3)
Mewford K.
I came here when it first opened and have been back a little more than a hand full of times. I take my out of town friends here and some times find myself craving the tacos. The tacos are small (comparatively speaking) but they pack a huge punch of flavor. Each taco has such an intricate weaving of flavors and textures that play on your taste buds. The tacos are only $2-$3 each so don't feel guilty ordering 3 or more! The drinks are unique and creative. A little pricey but they are definitely worth it.
(5)
Alissa L.
Chill fun cool spot for cocktails and snacks! Tacos are rich but delicious. Cocktails are creative and strong, atmosphere is a perfect balance of mellow and fun.
(5)
Michael K.
late night hang with a dozen people or so. great mix of food items for both carnivore and vegetarian. interesting specialty drinks. the bartender/server that night was really attentive and super nice. odd 80s movie on the tv mesmerized you if you let it - like a train wreck, once you looked you couldnt look away without difficulty. the bill came and it was not only reasonable, but seemed like it was an error because it was so low. kudos cruzroom. ps - only one bathroom per gender is kinda iffy but didnt effect me on this particular night so i'm not going to let it effect the rating.
(5)
David G.
Stopped in for a drink...good cocktails!
(3)
Nick S.
Service and friendliness was phenomenal write off the bat. As soon as my wife and I came in, the bartender came out from behind the bar and greeted us personally (granted, it was really slow in there, but it was still great effort!) Chips are a must as an appetizer. Hand-made, cheesy, flavorful goodness...and that's just before you did them in the provided salsa or cheese sauce!! Food was incredible. Nontraditional and creative tacos full of amazing flavors. You could basically close your eyes and randomly point at the menu and you'd be picking a winner. Perfectly priced and portioned. Will definitely be going back soon.
(5)
Audrey T.
Ahhmazing tacos. The "not your taco" or nacho taco is so good with the citrus black beans, fried onions, and olives. Plus some. Also, the Mac taco with fried pickles and fried cheese is so good. The tomatillo salad is delicious. 3 tacos and a side for $10, great deal! However, I have noticed when they are busy, their tacos lose quality quickly and they never seem staffed approopriately for busy times. So if it is busy, and you are less than thrilled, I blame the busy-ness
(4)
Carla R.
Small plates, small prices. Its hard to add anything that hasn't already been said, but places like this make me miss living near Alberta even more. Its not everyday that you come across a taco fusion restaurant. On paper it doesn't sound like much, but you really have to use your imagination and take a chance. The Rising Sun is a little piece of heaven. What do you have to lose? $3.50 at the most if you don't take advantage of their $2 happy hours.
(4)
Brad D.
The taco menu is inspired--and there are several gluten-free options. The chef was also willing to work around food allergies. Pretty amazing crew as well. Huge fan, and it's become a local haunt for myself and friends.
(4)
Brandon B.
go for the tacos!
(4)
Elizabeth C.
This place is a lot of fun! The bartenders/servers are really friendly and they really care about pleasing everyone who walks through the door. They have amazing, unique cocktails and same goes with their tacos. Cocktails are anywhere from $6-$9 and tacos are @$3. I like this place more and more every time I go.
(5)
Walt R.
I love this place. Designer tacos at a great happy hour price. The atmosphere is good. Outdoor seating is a bonus.
(5)
Jenna S.
Delicious. I live down the street and have been there twice. The food is awesome. Great little bites and ideas. The drinks are creative too. You can get two tacos and a side (i recommend the salad with jicama in it) for $7.50.... pretty good deal Sometimes the service is a bit slow to take your order. That's why it gets 4 stars.
(4)
Jeremy S.
In a nutshell: Delicious food. Excellent, inventive drinks. Miserable, wretched, awful service. In fairness, it was explained to me as I was paying the bill that it was our waitress' first night on the job - and that the other waitress was also in training. However - it still took them 20 minutes to BRING OUT OUR DRINKS - and the whole time the waitress never checked in on us to tell us what was going on. My wife and I were getting to point of "umm...should we just leave"? when the drinks finally came out. Then another 15 minutes for the food! Clearly this was no fault of the wait staff, so I have no idea what went wrong, because the restaurant was maybe half full. At one point the "other" waitress (not ours) came up to our table and asked if we had gotten our food yet. We said "ummm....no". Then she said "oh, there was a mix up in the kitchen and they weren't sure what kind of tacos you wanted". I said "wow, that seems like it would have been a pretty easy thing to clear up, it would have been nice if someone had come and asked us this question 20 minutes ago". At which point she glared at me and said, I kid you not, "Do you want the food or not"? I should have said "HELL NO" and walked out the door on the spot, but I've never been very good at snappy retorts (plus I had my wife and very very hungry 4-year old with me). So, I lamely said "of course we want the food". It turned out that WE DIDN'T EVEN ORDER the mystery tacos that were supposedly confusing the kitchen staff, which made the whole thing even stranger. I complained about the other waitress's bitchiness to our waitress (is this how you treat a customer who's been waiting patiently for food for almost a half an hour?), who was very apologetic, and the food did finally come out shortly after that - but still, the damage was done. The food was, in fact, pretty damn great. It's clear that the tacos are the star here. For sides we had the Asian "salad", (which was more a jicama/carrot slaw - it was OK, but pretty bland) and their special take on Tater Tots, which was once again OK but kind of underwhelming. The tacos, on the other hand, were totally killer. I had the "po' boy" taco and the pork belly, which was quite possibly the best taco I've ever had. Seriously delicious, and devoured in the span of about 8 seconds. Succulent, tender pork mixed with a nice crunchy light slaw made for a real treat. Then, to carry on with the frustratingly poor service, my credit card sat out on the table for over 10 minutes before she finally came and picked it up. My wife had actually started home with our kid, because it was late and he needed to get to bed. When the waitress FINALLY came to get my card, I told her that I expected some consideration on the bill with regards to our negative experience with the other waitress, and the egregiously slow service all around. They did comp our food - so in the end I can't complain too much - and the fact that she admitted that it was her first day on the job also made the whole thing a little more understandable. However, it was still pretty ridiculous all around. We will probably give Cruzroom another shot, because the food WAS so damn good, and judging by the other reviews on here, the service hasn't been historically bad. I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt and put our experience off to a (very) bad night. But if they blow it on the service front the next time, there won't be a third chance.
(3)
Lisa B.
My boyfriend and I really loved this place! When we move to Portland, we hope to frequent Cruzroom often. Great infusion menu, AMAZING tacos! And the tater tots are pretty killer too. Would highly recommend to the cool kids.
(4)
Terry L.
I'd like to start my one star review with the fact that the food was great. The service however, was way less than great. In partial defense of our server, she was taking care of 27 people. We were seated in the patio section and this was a actual count of diners. I have no idea if she was also serving people on the inside. She might have been. I understand her frustration, but she had quite an attitude. When we arrived, we waited a good 15 minutes before anyone even attempted to offer a drink or a menu. Our appetizers arrived without incident. The problems started with our taco order. There were 4 in our party. Three of us received our food at the same time. Those folks were done eating before the fourth person's food showed up. It was the wrong order. Finally, the correct food showed up long after the rest of our party had finished eating. We asked it for it to go. This obviously is a management/owner problem. How could you have a restaurant of this size and have one server taking care of that many people? I don't live in Portland but I'm out here a number of times a year. I would never go back. And I can't imagine why Portlanders would tolerate this type service.
(1)
stangirl w.
Fantastic food....we sat outside and the service was not great the waitress acted like she did not even know we existed...then we moved inside by the bartender...got fantastic service even though it was a beautiful day we sat inside for better service...
(4)
h p.
man, this place is ridiculous! straight ridiculously delicious! it's been months now that i've heard great things about cruzroom and finally, did i have the chance to taste me some tacos and experience the hype... no joke- this place doesn't disappoint. the tots a la cruz are bomb. i tried the outsourced (retarded good) and the o' coast (good but not my favorite) and i can't wait to hit cruzroom up again for further exploration. just noticed they serve breakfast... holler, you know where to find me trying to cure my hangover this weekend!
(5)
Joyce G.
This place is amazing, and located in the hip Alberta neighborhood. The drinks are dangerously good - delicious so you don't realize how much alcohol you've had - many of them are made with house-infused liquers, including several bourbon liqueurs. Usually bars have either good food or good drinks - the food is absolutely delicious. We had many of the tacos (including some great fusion ones - Chinese and Mexican, Asian, etc.), and they're extremely flavorful and go great with the drinks.
(5)
Iana A.
Wow, what a lemon...The tacos were edible except the bahn mi was horribly dry and lacked seasoning. The letdown was the fact both of my taco (and all the tacos ordered in our party of 7) fell apart because the single tortilla used to wrap each one got completely soggy--They looked pretty on the plate but were messy and nearly impossible to eat without a fork and knife. They have happy hour shown on their beat up menus in a few places but no mention of what time Happy Hour takes place. We learned this after being being charged full price for everything AND we charged for a beer that was never served because Cruzroom was out of it. But that happened because the service was horrible--the waitress was sour and inattentive. I had to asked for a glass for water several times and she either didn't know the drink menu or didn't know how to explain a specialty cocktail in a way that was informative or even made the drink appealing to order. But the waitress did know how to write down orders then promptly vanished without a trace. We got food and our bill from random staff--everything was as beat up as the menus really. The look of the place is dark and dingy to me--but patio is spacious and lacked any smokers. Overall the only thing nice about my experience at was sitting outside, but the fact that it was a gorgeous Sunday evening wasn't something the Cruzroom had anything to do with so the next time I want to enjoy dinner and/or a beverage in the sun, you won't catch me here.
(2)
Karey S.
I've only ever been here for drinks and apps. We go there because they have house infused liquors and the atmosphere is usually pretty great. The other 4 times I've been there were a pretty good experience - the food okay, the drinks tasty, the service above par. Last night was an entirely different story. When my husband and I got there, there were probably 3 other couples/groups there. We sat up at the bar. The bartender approached us, got us water and said he'd be back to take our order. We proceeded to watch him serve drinks to a the other couple of tables and then start goofing around with his co-worker. Other people came in, he served them, went back to the bar, ignored us some more and started sticking his nose in the martini glasses as if he was sniffing them to see if they were clean. We continued to watch him do random - "not serving us" things until finally I was ready to walk out. By this time it had been about 20 minutes, the last 5-10 of which I was trying to get his attention. Finally he saw me wave him over - after which he sent his co-worker over to get our order. I ordered the drink special, and of course they didn't have one of the ingredients. While I'm sure that this may have not been a "usual" experience for this place, it definitely soured my taste and it will be a while until I return again.
(2)
Virginia M.
Great relaxed joint. Yummy and filling tapas and sides. Nice wine list too! Delightful wait staff. Helen is a superstar. Will go back for sure!
(4)
Jillian M.
Really... truly nothing bad to say about this place. It was comfortable, the service was speedy and friendly and the food was delicious! If I didn't have a stomach the size of a thimble I would have ordered more. I had the Green Meanie and the Super-T (both fantastic) but I was most surprised by the Asian Salad (totally random at a 'Taco Lab' but stooooopid good. We showed up on the tail end of happy hour at about 5:45 and managed to try one of their tasty infusions. I won't tell you what I got... just do it, they're $4 at HH. All in all, super fantastic experience. We will absolutely be back.
(5)
Mike D.
best mexican fusion place I have ever been to! ok confession it's the only mexican fusion place I have been to but that doesn't stop it from being great! The green acres tacos were super tasty!
(5)
Jamie B.
The food was damn good but the service was horrible. I went there on date night with my boyfriend and we had to wait 15 minutes to get a menu. After that we ordered an appetizer and one of every taco on the menu (easy, right?) about ten minutes later. We got our tacos about 20-25 minutes after that and finished our meal without seein our appetizer. Once our waiter realized it never came, he brought it out but we were too full to eat it. The drink I ordered (margarita on re rocks) was hardly alcoholic. The experience sucked so I'll never go back... But if someone is willing to order to go... I'd be there in a heartbeat.
(2)
Geanna M.
Their drinks are deliciously boozy and their tacos are amazing. The service is friendly and the atmosphere is really fun. The movies they show in the background are always...unique.
(3)
Venerable V.
Went back tonight and tried two different tacos - both very tasty. This time, I tried a fig infused scotch - neat. It was AMAZING.
(5)
Frannie h.
I went back last week with some friends who had never been here before. the food was just as good as my previous visit but the service was lacking a bit. It took quite a while for our frist round of drinks to come out. We started with the fancy mixed cocktails and the were all tasty. On the second round the server forgot my friend's beer. When our food came out both of my friends got tacos they didn't order. This was corrected and wouldn't be worth mentioning if it was the only slip up. All of these issues were minor but when you combine them...anyway, I'm taking 1 star back for now. I'll be back and hope next time the service is a little more together.
(3)
Mary M.
Went to the Cruzroom for a quick bite to eat during Last Thursday in August. I never plan on eating at any of the restaurants along Alberta during Last Thursday figuring on busy hectic service. It was busy, and hectic, but the food was Delish! I had no idea what kind of menu they had, and was surprised to see it was mexican..PNW Mexican.. I had the Po Boy taco with with deep fried Shrimp, and a potato, and slaw taco, both very good, and I'll be back for the Po Boy. oh and Tatar Tots! prices were decent, 2 tacos and a side for $7 or 3 tacos and a side for $10. 2 tacos and a slide were definitely enough for me! They have a nice outdoor patio, and I look forward to checking out more of their menu,
(4)
Phil M.
Stopped by on a Tuesday evening for an edition of ShanRock's trivia night. Had a sampling of some tacos from their "Taco Lab": one with pork and salsa verde (the Green Meanie), one with curried chicken (the Outsourced), and one with portobello mushrooms (the Fun-Guy), along with a side of tots covered in cheese and salsa (the Tots a la Cruz). A very tasty and diverse meal indeed! The tacos are on the small side but the concept and ingredients involved with each one make the choices interesting. I definitely noted other tacos that I wish to try on future visits. Also, they have some equally inventive drinks available, though I didn't try any on this visit. This place will definitely be on the list of regular spots, as long as I can get my trivia on.
(4)
Scott B.
we literally happened upon Cruzroom this week after finding Yakuza closed. and it just happened to be a night they weren't serving their normal menu. this turned out to be more than okay... they were doing a boke bowl night for--I'm assuming--a ramen noodle restaurant the owners are starting. everything was incredible. had a noodle bowl with a pork/chicken broth, mushrooms, corn, pork belly and fried chicken. seriously. sounds completely over the top to have pork belly and fried chicken in the same dish, but it worked and was completely in balance. if their tapas/tacos are anywhere near as good as the noodles, then we'll definitely be back. really friendly staff and nice atmosphere/space, too.
(4)
jenni a.
Great food, great service, great strong drinks, warm atmosphere! Unique delicious tapas style tacos.
(5)
Dani S.
Fantastic and creative. Oh, and pretty well priced, too! I think we did the happy hour deal, and we went to town!
(4)
Paul N.
Long wait to get tacos after we were seated.... long, loooooooong, really looooooooooooooooooooong. I mean it was way too long. Yes it was a busy night but an hour and a half with no chips to munch on just drinks to sip while we waited for what were good I must say but little tacos. ?? If you want to go open the door and peek in AND if there are more then 6 people seated LEAVE...... unless you have time on your hands to kill.
(1)
Julie C.
The cocktails can't be beat and the tacos, think nontraditional, are pretty good too, especially the Phuket! The service was prompt and our server (Jesse?) had a great sense of humor and handled our gaggle of girls with ease.
(4)
Willy B.
Stopped in here one night with a friend of mine, and I had a great time at the bar. Our bartender's name was Aaron I believe? Sorry I forgot! But anyways he was pretty cool and very nice.
(4)
Megan S.
Best service at any restaurant I've been to in Portland -- prompt, friendly, always greet you with a smile when you walk in the door. Really cool atmosphere (the back patio is awesome, complete with heaters and a fire pit for the cooler evenings) and these are truly my favorite tacos in Portland. They're the most unique and flavorful, and you can get 3 of them plus an awesome side of tots for ten bucks. WIN.
(5)
Fred D.
i have been here twice. food was great both times, but service differed dramatically: friday at 5:30 pm -- it took a full hour from the time of ordering until we final received our food. granted, they had more customers than they expected come in, but it was still happy hour on a friday night. you would think that they would have been prepared! i think we got the same server as mac m. while nice, he seemed really scatterbrained and not attentive. one time he came to our table to take an order with his pen and paper out about to write down what we were getting. another server came by just to drop off a drink and then our server just left our table without saying anything and went to take another table's orders. we were left confused and a little shocked. it was busy, but there's really no explanation for why he did that. while everyone agreed the food was good, the long wait time and the poor service left 4 out of the party of 5 we had agreeing that they would never come back. because i like to give the benefit of the doubt (or i'm a glutton for punishment), i decided to give the place another chance. monday at 4:30 pm -- i came in and i was the only one there. i sat at the bar. service was quick and friendly. it was a complete contrast to friday night. again, the food itself was good to great. all of the tacos i've had were tasty: the original, the poco, and the garlic chicken with blue cheese sauce (i think it was called the boom). i had the soup of the day twice and they were both exceptionally excellent. hearty, rich, and perfect for the cold weather. i also liked the potato cakes but i think they had too much breading for my tastes. conclusion: food is worth coming in for, as long as you choose a time when they're not busy. i've only been twice, so i can't fault them for just one server that they have.
(4)
D W.
This place is amazing and has THE best service in town. I went there two weekends ago for a friend's birthday. We were "that" table. A few of us show up at first and within an hour there were 20 of us. And of course, we all ordered at different times. And it was a busy Friday night. The servers did a stand up job and dealt with my crowd very well. I was once a server, so I know how annoying we probably were. They handled our needs with such ease and positive attitudes. And two tacos and a side for only $7.50?? I recommend ordering the Titos while waiting for the tacos (which arrived very quickly and tasted very fresh). This place is NOT pricey. And the food is so, so good. I will definitely go back for more soon. Thanks Cruzroom for such great service!!
(5)
Julia R.
Wow. Seriously, if you want a neighborhood joint with an excellent atmosphere, delicious food, incredible liquor selection with the best staff this is definitely the place. It feels very grown up, even though we were comfortable with our 4-year old son joining us as we sipped cocktails. The bartender took some time discussing our liquor preferences, and we both had something completely new and wonderful to drink. I'm not sure how they pull off the swanky, cozy, yet still comfortable with a little one feel. I would go here for cocktails with friends, whiskey sipping with siblings, or just dinner with our family. It feels like a real treat, and the prices are great!
(5)
Aimee L.
well, it was okay. got there at 4pm, right as they opened, no other customers. initially got great service, friendly waitress. happy hour deals are good. their homemade liquors were so-so but basically with the soda as they recommended, these really just tasted like wine coolers. the chips are freakin' great. the tacos? some good, some dull as hell. el capitan (potato bacon) - fantastic. o'coast (shrimp ceviche) - revolting. tater tot side order - imagine ketchup and nacho cheese sauce poured on top. gnarly. we each got a couple drinks, ate, plates cleared away, then it was at least 20 minutes til the waitress returned to see if we wanted our check. the place was still nearly empty - they had some little kids running around and some really bad pop music blaring near the end. i've been told it's a place teeming with 20-something hipsters in the eve, so glad to get in and out then. art on the walls was nice. temperature? FREEZING! come on, guys, make the guests comfortable, it was pretty icy in there. i applaud the idea of getting creative with tacos, but there didn't seem to be nearly anything even somewhat authentic,which would have given them a bit more street cred - show me you can make a real taco then i'll appreciate the nouveau flavors you're going for, know what i mean? the drink menu was in that 'we're so cool we're going to mix all these flavors together and write paragraph long descriptions' - but reading them? girlie drinks. and why would i want an old fashioned my "wife's older sister would drink"? how is that awesome? it's just kinda weird. so i'm not going back for one $2 taco - la bonita gets me for that. too many good options in portland to return to something mediocre with a menu that comes across too-cool-for-school.
(3)
Dave D.
Yep, I went back two days later and the tacos are still super awesome. I ate nine of them. The owner I met was super nice as well as Heather the bartender. They have extensive abilities to make specialty drinks. Get experimental. My girlfriend and I can't stop raving about Cruzroom. I think we're becoming taco stalkers.
(5)
flora m.
The service was slow but not miserable. The waiter did a fine job but made a few grumpy remarks to us and others that I overheard while we were there. The tacos and breakfast burrito were quite good but the pancake was clearly undercooked.
(3)
GaryandCathy W.
Wife and I were looking to find breakfast Sunday before catching our flight. Voodoo donuts was way too crowded and another place had to big of a line. We were sitting in front of Cruzroom trying to figure out where to eat and we saw their sign for breakfast burritos. We decided to give it a try and found they had great breakfast burritos and outstanding service. We were glad the other places were too crowded.
(5)
milk s.
i need to go back to chicago on friday. can i please get a hundred tacos to go.
(5)
Lara T.
Fuckin' yum, ok! The only reason this place isn't getting that last star from me is because the last time I went, while the drinks were super delicious- I noticed the menu changed and left off two of my favs.. Bones Thugs n' Hominy is very necessary IMO. Maybe its not possible. I also didn't love the attitude of the server. He was not that friendly to be honest. Oh well. Good spot nonetheless if just for the drinks.
(4)
Sara S.
Bar service on Sunday with limited menu after 9 was ok. We sat at the actual bar hoping to make it easier, but bartenders were a little unorganized. Food was still super fast and delicious. Took a vegetarian from out of town and got the jackfruit for the first time and it was very good. And I'm a carnivore.
(4)
Ben B.
I can't believe what they are charging for tacos here, I got two for $7! I expected a bigger taco due to the price but was surprised when they came out as tiny as could be. flavor was aiiight, but the meat was dry and I just couldn't get that bad taste of being ripped off out of my mouth. They must up charge for Alberta hipster cred.
(2)
Ladena T.
Love coming here! Especially drinking the downward spiral with blackberry tea infused vodka!
(4)
Rachel S.
Oh god, please come here and get tacos. Best, ever. You can't go wrong with a Shia LaBeef.
(5)
Brittany H.
What this restaurant lacks in food options, they make up for in flavor! Every bite was delicious, service was spot on, and it was all very reasonably priced.
(4)
Erik S.
This will be short and sweet. Great tacos, awesome movies playing, and a very friendly staff. Get the Jerk taco.
(4)
Sophie L.
This is an awesome place to hang out with your friends. We came here for happy hours before the show at Alberta theatre. The drinks are amazing, and the tacos are fabulous. They change their menu often, so you can always try new creations. The price is decent for the quality. This is my to go place whenever I drop by Alberta.
(5)
Nick A.
One of the best happy hours on Alberta, service was excellent and the tacos are delicious. 4 gourmet tacos and 2 fusion drinks for $20, I will be returning.
(5)
Jade L.
YUM! Such a great little spot in NE. Comfy atmosphere, decent prices (amazing prices during happy hour), and good, unpretentious service. Love Cruzroom!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner, Late Night Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Music : Background Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Tue, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Amber N.
Cool place! Love, love, love that they have vegan options. The food was great, as well as the drinks! My husband and I tried the Rhueben, the carnitas, PC, and Sunday Pastime. Yum! My favourites were the Rhueben and the Sunday Pastime, but I would easily get both again. We tried the flight of house-infused liquors; BB King (blackberry bourbon), Colonel Potter (fig scotch), Black and Blue (black tea and blueberry vodka, I think the black tea was earl gray), and Zerk (peppercorn tequila, which was actually spicy). All were delicious, but I think the BB King was the best. Their happy hour prices are great and are totally worth taking advantage of and ends at 18.30, so don't be late!
(4)Andrea P.
I love this place! Happy Hour is awesome. The tacos are fantastic with really interesting and delicious favors. The house infused vodkas, OMG! The pineapple is perfect. AND you get a fun dino in every drink. The patio is ample and the bathroom has pretty good graffiti, so ya, go there.
(5)Kaya W.
The Cruzroom's taco lab is awesome. I'm always hunting for the best spots to get a quick bite, and as a vegan I find my options are normally limited in non-veg establishments. This was not the case here. I had the PC and the Nina's Carnitas and my boyfriend had one of each of the four vegan taco options. They were all delicious! The jackfruit carnitas was my favorite. Overall, we went in around happy hour and had a great experience with the staff and food. Our waitress was very friendly and was happy to help me make up a mocktail, a sober dining staple of mine. She recommended we build something with prickly pear! Way cooler than your average Shirley Temple.
(4)Scott H.
Lots of choices and lots of chances. I like the variety and creativity in the taco choices that are offered. The prices aren't terrible considering what you end up getting. I love a good value. Some of my favorite tacos. Our tables favorite hands down was the Butterfly man. All of the tastes and textures just worked. It wasn't too spicy or salty, it was a really good bite. I think if I went again I would get multiples of these. I like the Green Meanie, but it can read a little salty. Bob's your Uncle is a really good piece of fish on a taco. I get the idea of the french fries on the taco, but it actually ends up subtracting rather than adding. The Red rocket was way too salty. I won't order this one again. Even though I despise the actor, the Shia LaBeef was pretty darn good. It was a great mix of flavors with plenty of meat. Probably my second favorite taco. The Tots ala cruz are really good. Just enough spicy challenge to keep you interested, but easy to finish. The pickle chips are also great. They have a nice crispy coating, not soggy. And they are not too salty. The service is ok. Nothing to write home about, but I don't feel too weird leaving 20%. I don't really care for the acoustics of the room, but I think that comes with being in Portland and hip and that stuff. That's why I live in the suburbs I guess. I'm not much of a drinker, but all of our party loved their drinks. Sorry, you may have noticed and theme in that I'm not very helpful when it comes to finding places to drink. If you like tacos and hip places give the Cruz Room a try.
(4)Breylan D.
Came in here for a late night meal - I didn't care for it so much, but tex-mex style isn't really my thing. We ordered the chips and salsa, tacos, and cheesy tots. The tacos were pretty good, cheesy tots weren't what I expected, and the chips and salsa came with the same liquid cheese that was put on the potatoes... It's a-ok if you like tex-mex style food, which seems to err on the chipotle flavors and season salt more than anything else.
(3)Amy L.
One of the my favorite happy hour places! Heck I'd go here even if it wasn't happy hour. Place is a bit small but they have large windows to people watch from inside. Love the interesting decor and friendly service. My favorite part is the amount of vegan and gluten free options they have. It's hard to find a place with one vegan taco let alone up to 6 varieties. One of my favorites I get all the time is the Nina's Carnitas taco very inventive to make seasoned jackfruit taste so savory and spicy. All of the tacos are made with fresh ingredients and veggies. Very inventive flavors and I love how they change up the taco offerings. Gives me something interesting to try every time I go. Drinks are always tasty with $3 happy hour beers and a special on their house infused liquor. I love the little dinosaurs in the drinks. Very well made and price is a steal. Overall I would come here again for the friendly service and food.
(5)Jeff W.
I had the vegan taco selection which was ok. Seating us took 20 min with very busy servers. It seemed like they were kinda annoyed that we wanted to eat there. Cocktails were ok, colorful and the dinosaurs were a nice touch. Located at the end of Alberta st, this place is great to come to after walking on the strip..
(4)Shadan A.
One of our favorite places to stop in after work. The food is excellent and on point every single time...and small plates make me happy so there's another win. Unique and creative tacos! Some of the staff are awesome, others can be a bit snobbish (welcome to hipster Portland). Nice outside terrace and nice drinks as well.
(4)Mary B.
Came here for happy hour awhile ago. I had the following: Tacos: the siren (faux fish and chips... tofu in tempura batter and fries), rising sun (tempura zucchini wasabi mayo slaw) Drinks: black and blue (black tea and blueberry vodka), priceless (strawberry vodka) I like that they make their own infused vodkas and the tacos are super tasty and unique. It's a quality happy hour location for sure. The vibe is also cool inside. They were playing some nice old school hip hop that we were enjoying. Laid back, chill, tasty and good prices. Works for me!
(3)Jessica B.
We were visiting Portland and some friends, who live nearby, suggested Cruzroom for early dinner/happy hour. I was sold as soon as they said "vegetarian tacos", but it kept getting better and better. Not only are there vegetarian tacos, there are SIX of them. You can piecemeal a taco plate from among their many offerings. These are no ordinary tacos either. I had the Na-Cho-Taco (basically a perfect two-bite vegetarian nacho) and the El Tio Rhueben (tempeh, saurkraut, 1000 island sauce). Tempeh is usually a gamble. It is very easy to do wrong. But this is some of the most delicious tempeh I've ever had. It's seared and just the perfect amount of chewy, making it compliment - rather than overwhelm - the toppings. We also shared the tater tot nachos and the house-made tortilla chips with cheese sauce. I probably don't need to keep saying "house made", because I'm pretty sure everything here is made in house. But I'll say it one more time to talk about the drinks: house made, infused bourbons and whiskeys... with PLASTIC DINOSAURS on the rim of the glasses. So many things left on the menu that we didn't try because we were too full. I am making Cruzroom a mandatory stop on every future trip to Portland and recommending it to everyone I know. Excellent, extremely friendly service too. And cool art on the walls, which became a topic of conversation. It feels like someone entered my brain and created the perfect restaurant/bar for me. As Fry from Futurama would say, "I forgot you can tempt me with things I like."
(5)Stephanie W.
First time I went here, the tacos were cold and I was left underwhelmed. Second time, the tacos were warm and delicious - even though they were busy! I loved them. They're definitely 'non-traditional' as I specifically remember a tasty taco that's 'Thai Chicken' with a peanut sauce. They're certainly flavorful! (And for being inventive, non-traditional and perhaps 'trendy' tacos, they're pretty darn cheap too! Less of a hassle than Por Que No). It's worth a couple of tries, so definitely go more than once! I'm glad I did :)
(4)Katie P.
Color me impressed, Cruzroom! Your themed tacos that are tapas in themselves. I see what you're doing there. Tacos are $2.50/ea during happy hour, which is a pretty sweet deal considering the quality of these things. I tried the Phuket, which was some peanut-y deliciousness, and the Red Rocket, which was a work of art. The pork was perfectly crisp-fried on the outside, the cilantro lime slaw was crisp and refreshing, while the chicharrones were the perfect topping. Albeit completely unauthentic, this might be one of the best tacos I've ever had. Their craft cocktails are pretty awesome too. The Bangkok was a lot like The Observatory's Tom Kha cocktail: spicy and creamy with coconut milk and lime. The thick slice of fresh ginger is a nice touch too. The Hot Mamacita was both too salty and too sweet for me, but I prefer my cocktails to be simple and bold. Cruzroom has one of the most beautiful patios I've ever seen. There's a delightful all-blue mural, patio seating and bulb string lights. Go for happy hour and spend the entire happy hour systematically going through their menu while enjoying their patio. If you need to bounce before your friends, the waitstaff were able to ring me up inside for my good choices. Cruzroom is your easy and casual, yet subtly fancy spot.
(4)Kelle P.
A group of friends and I were so stoked to all be trying the Cruz room for the first time, and were super disappointed. I think our number one mistake was reading the menu while standing at the bar? I guess that was too annoying for our bartender, as we should have sat down for table service instead. We were definitely the only ones at the bar, there was by no means a line of people behind us waiting to order. I understand that hustle, I don't really understand the need to be rude and condescending to a group who just walked in. The bartender refused to split up our two orders and made us put down a card, leaving one of us with a $28 tab that we weren't expecting to have to shell out. (Hello broke college kids, I guess we should always carry cash) The drinks were fine. The tacos decent, but the titos? Tasted exactly like hand washing soap. I love to know that whoever made them had followed proper hygiene procedures, but still really gross to be left with a lingering taste of soap in your mouth. I don't know about you Cruz room. I wanted you to win me over with your tiny baby Dino's (which none of us got) and tacos, but I just wasn't feeling your vibes.
(2)Dasha C.
This place needs to show up under 'Vegan' yelp searches!! And it never did, so it was pure serendipity when I entered just to sit at the bar and have a drink...and voila, many vegan options! And not just vegan options, INDICATED vegan options! Freaking jackfruit (vegan) carnitas tacos, fried zucchini vegan tacos and several other options. Ridiculously awesome!! The only downside is the drink list.. Was kind of disappointed, wanted some funky drinks to accompany this funky food. Will def drag my omnivore hubby here! Cheers!
(4)Kristin J.
The Cruzroom came as a recommendation from a co-worker. We were more than pleased with the food. The options were great, the prices fair and the service amazing. If you're looking for something more than boring old regular tacos, you must, must try Cruzroom. We ventured to the Cruzroom for Valentine's and it was so awesome we went back the following night after skiing. My favorite taco would have to the The Sunday Pastime. It's vegan, but don't let that detract you from trying it. My meat eating husband thought it was the best one on the menu too! Beware, it's spicy, but it's good spicy.
(5)Anna C.
Al la cart tots are always a must! Was looking forward to having the Phuket- it was replaced with Butterfly Man. I was missing the peanut butter sauce with this one; however it was still good. The Red Rocket was delicious. I can't wait to come back.
(5)Helene K.
Creative ideas for tacos. Prices aren't too bad, $3.50 tacos. And they listed $2.50 tacos for their happy hour which isn't bad at all. The staff was very fast at acknowledging us when we walked in, quick service, but not that friendly. I read some of the recent yelp reviews and expected a lot more from this place. Creative concepts for tacos and they also serve vegan tacos if you're into that kind of thing. I'm a carnivore! We were here on a Wed night around 7ish for dinner. The place can be described close to a dive bar in appearance which is fine but the bathrooms were filthy! Ok, let me just get to the food first for all ya'll foodies. I had The Jerk taco, described as sweet and spicy braised chicken, topped with mango slaw with fresh cilantro. I was excited to try this taco but it was nothing special. Meh! The chicken was dry and lacking the "jerk" flavor it was described as having and was neither sweet or spicy. For my second taco I had The Red Rocket taco- described on the menu as Carlton Farms pork, in a spicy red curry sauce topped with cilantro/lime slaw and chicharrones. The meat was also very dry, and lacking lots of flavor. Maybe I'm in the wrong for expecting some "curry" flavor in a Tex-Mex place but I could only taste a "hint" of spice but no red curry "sauce"at all! And I'm a sucker for sauces which neither taco had. Sparse chicharrones topping because didn't have the crunch I was hoping for. Disappointed with the food to say the least. My beverage kind of made up for the food. One of the specialty cocktails on the menu, I had was the Wreckless- Stein Whiskey, bitters and Carpano Antica. Yummy! The best part of my "meal! ." I would say it's like a Manhattan. They also have a list of Infused liquors-which is different and creative but not my thing so I didn't order one. And a pairing of beers and liquors, also very different and creative. Ok back to the bathrooms. It was filthy and there weren't any cover seats so I was reluctant to use it but I had no choice left after driving so long in a car. It's my first stop in Oregon but maybe they don't believe in seat covers here but again that's no biggie. I would give this place two stars but the staff and my cocktail made up for the food lacking flavor and the gross bathroom.
(3)William S.
Great beer, good service, very hip but casual atmosphere, inexpensive and amazing tacos. Check out the Sweet Carolina, the Red Rocket, and the Green Meanie if you don't mind meat. The waitstaff is really chill and recommended tacos and beers for me to try. The place is clean and you can sit at a table, at the bar, or outside on the patio. They also have pretty cool events like movie night on Sundays. This is the first place I took my gf when she moved to Portland.
(5)Jessica M.
After a lovely egg sandwich at a place down the road and a great meeting with a makeup artist that I am totally going to hire for the "big day" ...we decided to walk along Alberta and see what was happening. Just about 4pm.....and I hear classic rock pouring out the doors of a place I could have sworn was something else the last time I lived up here. Alas, we decide to check it out. SO GLAD WE DID! To sum it up simply... they INFUSE VODKA ...and other things...but I do not care about those other things. I care that I was able to get a VODKA FLIGHT of HOUSE INFUSED AMAZINGNESS. Yes, I am so happy I AM YELLING AT YOU. Bartender (Travis I believe) was outstanding. Taking care of multitudes of people, including regulars. There was another guy with fun tattoos and hair (want to say Charles) ...and well, honestly, the other 3 guys whose names I sadly did not get, were all fantastic. They were in good spirits, on top of their game, quick to take orders and full of wonderful conversation. Added Bonus....they play movies on Sundays. If I lived anywhere near Alberta, I would carve my name in the bottom of a stool at that bar and call Cruzroom home at least a few nights a week.
(4)Salwa M.
Some of the best tacos that I have eaten! Great service and super chill ambience! Definitely coming back here!
(4)Sam K.
My new favorite tacos in Portland. Great venue, reasonable prices, nice patio. My go to is: -1 tots a la cruz -1 green meanie -1 the jerk -1 red rocket and 2-3 Bangkok cocktails. Then a nap. Keep up the good work!
(5)Lisa H.
The short & sweet: Happy hour tacos til 6:30pm are $2.5 and draft beers are $3. Good food at a decent price. I usually get 3 tacos and a drink for less $15. Longer and more detailed: My favorite taco is the green meanie! I have had many of the others and I always have to get the green meanie because it never disappoints. The draft beers are quality and at $3 at HH you can't beat it. Some people enjoy their infused liquors. I do not. I am a bourbon fan, but not the infused way. Just my preference. If you like the infused liquor thing, give it a shot as they have many to choose from. This is my favorite non-Mexican taco place. (Or I would say to my friends, this is my favorite place for white people tacos.) Cruzroom doesn't have your standard taco and I like that. They have tasty taco lab flavors from many cultures and they do make them well. The place has a good vibe so it's fun to go with a few friends and hang to chat. There are also movies playing on flat panel TVs at the bar. Fun! The outdoor patio is nice in summer and I highly suggest it! Now, go eat a taco :)
(4)Jordan T.
Taco purists need not apply. This place serves up really tasty, totally nontraditional tacos and accompaniments. My personal favorite is The Mac, who knew that fried pickles on a taco could be so yummy. Nice outdoor patio as well, and pretty comfy booths inside. Tacos are always a go to for me, and this is definitely my favorite twist on the taco around town.
(4)Kimberly S.
Tasty tacos & who doesn't love tater tots? Great that the outdoor patio is good for dogs but too bad it's also allows smoking. I know this is common for portland but we pref out happy hour without second hand smoke. Waitress was friendly & fast & beers were delicious.
(4)Kelly S.
After arriving in Portland later than anticipated, we were dying for a bite! Though we called ahead, the Thai spot down the street let us know that yes... their kitchen was open, but only for takeout. We yelped it up and found Cruzroom just down the street. We wandered down and found the late night taco stop perfect. They had cocktails, late night bites and tater tots (yes!) I ordered the Hot Mamacita (cucmber, jalapeno, tequila) and it had a great bite. My lips were burning after the first sip. Hurts so good! I love a spicy cocktail and this one delivered. We tried the green meanie (pulled pork), the phuket, the red rocket and the tots a la cruz. They've got a 3 tacos +side option that's a smidge cheaper than just ordering them a la carte. All the tacos were unique and tasty and the cook hhhhwhipped them up in record time. If I lived in the area, I'd be back to try the blackberry bourbob and double fig scotch infusions. It doesn't rival some of the more gourmet food we had in PDX but given that everything seems to stop serving after 9:30pm, it's a good find.
(4)Rachel M.
I love tacos more than just about any food and this is such a fun place to try so many delicious varieties!
(5)Dana M.
Soooo yummmmm. The tacos here were great, as well as the house margarita. My only regret is that I didn't get more of both. They lost my ticket so our order took a really long time to arrive but they took the tacos off of our bill so I left happy. Good customer service and delicious food and drinks. Good enough for me!
(5)Rcola R.
Love this place!! Bartenders are awesome, tacos are awesome and happy hour is the best. Recommend the fish and chips taco and tater tots. Yummm
(5)Thomas L.
Can't lie. When I moved to the neighborhood 3 years ago, I wasn't a fan. But living just a few doors down, I came back a few more times and I'm hooked. The tacos are non-traditional. I like the Mac taco and all of the vegan tacos. And tots? Yes, please. They have house infused liquors and serve tiny dinos in those drinks. Many people like to throw photos of that on IG (guilty!). Great patio. They have trivia on Tuesday night. They have other fun nights/events, one involving Legos and I've seen knitting and cocktailing, and some tarot card readers. I sometimes wish they played the Timbers on a TV, or other sporting event, but I get it...not a sports bar. I'm okay with the random Netflix movies and tv shows. Beth and Megan are the best staffers at Cruz, IMO.
(5)Dani T.
Today was the first time that we went to the Cruzroom. It was fantastic! The service was great, people were really friendly, and the tacos were perfectly made. We were there for happy hour and we definitely plan on going to more happy hours in the future and non-happy hours. The Cruzroom is going to be put on our list of places to go and to take out-of-town company as well.
(5)Jeff D.
"Do you offer a beef taco?"........ No, we're not traditional...... "Can I just get chips and salsa?" No we don't have those...we're not traditional.... Please stop saying that, please don't be overly proud of the fact that you are not traditional. My wife ordered the green meanie.....and loved them. The servers turned sour when I was "good with just water". Tots we're spicy good Bummer, looks like a fun place.
(3)Steph W.
Taco's seem to be my kryptonite but this place just had to take tacos to the next level. They're a little pricey but their creativity more than makes up for it. A fish and chips taco?! Whaaat? Yep. Just as weirdly good as you'd expect. The Bone Thugs n Hominy...pork belly gold. The Mac though...unf...the crispy cheese goodness was everything and more. My favorite cocktail here is the BB King...comes with a little dinosaur too. I'm instantly a fan of any place that gives me booze and a toy--like an adult happy 'meal'.
(5)Ryan S.
I've been to Cruzroom several times over the last few years, and overall the place is a worthwhile stop if you are out on Alberta looking to eat or just get drinks. The vibe is pretty cool, with a nice outdoor patio that is partially covered and has a few fire pits making it a nice spot in the winter. They are usually showing weird foreign or indie movies at the bar, I looked up once and saw some weird stuff going on and then went back to my taco. The tacos and food are pretty good, mainly consisting of fusion or non-traditional tacos and mexican fare. I'd go during happy hour if possible, which is until 6pm daily and used to be after 11pm to close but that has recently ended. During happy hour the tacos are 2.50 each. My favorite tacos are The Mac which has a melted cheese crust that coats the tortilla that is delicious. Other good options are the Green Meanie, and the fish taco. They also infuse their own liquor here, and one of the best drinks I had from them was a strawberry infused vodka with soda. It was super strawberry tasting without being sweet at all, and would be a perfect drink on a summer day to have sitting out on their back patio. Good draft selection as well to round things out. All in all, good place to get some non-traditional tacos and open late most nights as well.
(4)Russ R.
Dropped in on a buddy who lives locally and we headed here for some drinks and a little food. Immediately I'm digging this place - little hipster dive joint. But don't be fooled - the drinks are stiff and the food, from my experience, is outstanding. I'm not one for house concoctions, but on my friend's recommendation I tried the Downward Spiral - appropriate since that's about where I'm at right now. Boom. Very tasty and deceiving, this thing packs a wallop! Just what I needed. For food I had a taco - The Mac was my choice. Damn! Full of flavor and just delicious! I'll definitely be back for more, and will have to try some of the other taco options as well - they all looked great! Hoping to return as soon as I'm back in the area.
(4)Erin C.
We were there for last thursday and the place was packed but yet not too much since the door guy kept the place at a 'max capacity' that was still roomy that everyone had seats. I love the back balcony area with the wall art that spams the entire walls. it gives the place a very artsy and chill vibe. Inside near the bar was too hot for my liking that night so I dont think there's AC there... Tacos there are like fusion tacos with a lot of different variety. You can order 2 or 3 with some discount to make it a meal. Every taco seemed like it was delicately thought out with every ingredients counts toward a amazing flavor. High recommended,
(5)Angela C.
Throughout the years I have discovered that you can't really go wrong when it comes to choosing a place to eat and drink especially in the Arts district. Came here for happy hour with a group of five. Service was good, but our server seemed annoyed the entire time, but the tacos made up for it and the price was great! We each had 3 tacos and a side, as well as a drink and I would say overall, it was very satisfying.
(4)Tien D.
I rate this place a four stars mainly for the tots. If you go here, DEFINITELY get the tots. My fiance and I came here on Valentines day after all the other restaurants were reserved for Valentines Day. Surprisingly Cruzroom still has happy hour on Saturday. We were confused at first not knowing whether we should just seat ourselves or wait. We saw a clipboard on the wall and assumed we had to wait. Good thing we asked because one of the workers told us we could just sit down. After getting seated we ordered the Zerk (peppercorn tequila) made into a margarita and the Black and Blue (black tea and blueberry vodka) mixed with soda water, which was recommended by our server. We also got some tacos: two Foghorn Leghorns and a Bone Thugs n' Hominy. Honestly, the tacos were okay. I really liked the seasoning of the greens on the Foghorn Leghorn, but the fried chicken (the only reason why I chose that taco) was unseasoned. The Black and Blue with soda water was okay too. But I did enjoy the margarita that my fiance got and the tots. I wish we would have just gotten three orders of tots. They were so good! The server was super friendly and service was pretty quick. Oh yeah, and our drinks came with tiny toy dinosaurs floating in them. Very nice, quirky touch.
(4)Olivia P.
This place is awesome. The drinks were cheap, the food was GREAT, and the service was above average. All tacos were fabulous. I love the fish and chips taco. Stay away from the TitoS. They are just tortilla chips. Meh.
(5)Hayden N.
I am going to have to take away a star because you took the best thing off the menu! No more Green Acres tacos--in place of it, they have the Seoul. I think pork belly with kimchee is over done and does not compare in flavor to the combination of the apple slaw and cotija cheese. The new offering of the Mac is pretty delicious. The tater tots and dinosaur they put in the house infused liquor drinks are what keeps me coming back. I am still incredibly disappointed.
(4)Liz D.
I LOVE THIS PLACE!!! (Notice I used all caps. U know I'm serious.) There are three reasons I love this place so: 1-Crazy pleasant servers who never act like you're putting them out by asking for another refill for your kids soda or ordering 3 tacos one at a time over a two hour period while you play Jenga. (Side note, they have Jenga.) 2-The weird tacos are $2.50 each during happy hour. They are hard to describe, but freaking amazing!! Get The Mac and the Green Meanie. You won't be sad with ANY of the tacos, but those two are a must. Also get the tots a la Cruz. DO IT!!! 3-They have a selection of house infused spirits that will blow your mind!!! My fave is their Colonel Potter (figgy scotch) on the rocks, but I also love their blackberry bourbon. The hubby loves that they always have Elysian on tap. This place is always such a pleasure to visit. I live two blocks away and there are many hip and delicious places to frequent within walking distance, but the bottom line is I always feel the happiest walking home from the Cruzroom.
(5)Selena N.
I went here with a girlfriend and I loved their tacos!! Yummy! The drink/cocktail that I had was a little too sweet for me, but ok. Chris was awesome and friendly there as well. I would definitely go there again!! I live in Gladstone, so not sure how often...but for the tacos...I hope to get there again in the not so distant future! :)
(4)Cassie H.
This is a good late night place to grab some food and drinks! The menu is kind of small, but I recommend the Asian salad and chicken taco! I also had the Bangkok cocktail, which was unique and different from anything I have had before! The combination of rum, coconut milk and habenero syrup was great!
(4)Katie H.
Despite the fact there are numerous good Mexican restaurants this place is great for unique Northwest style tacos. The tacos are not traditional.....but more themed based. Where else can you get a taco with slaw and pork belly and another with fish and chips on it. Also 2.00 tacos on happy hour seal the deal for a go to place. Pick at least 3 off the menu and enjoy a craft cocktail to go along with it. They have infused alcohols and make great drinks. The atmosphere is super chill and despite it being a taco bar is a little more on the upscale side. Never have had trouble finding a seat here either. If you are on Alberta during happy hour this place is not to be missed.
(4)Tony M.
Not even sure where to begin. I want to re-emphasize facts already reported by my fellow Yelpers. TACO HAPPY HOUR INFUSED ALCOHOL FLIGHTS We tried a bunch of tacos. The MAC turned out to be my favorite of the night...make that my favorite of the month...no, make it my favorite taco of the year! The Asian Salad was so good that we ordered an extra one to share. The drinks were crazy good! Kicks balls and ass!
(5)Cool Nutz X.
Great environment and delicious food. Definitely a good stop on Alberta and the staff here is always good. Great tacos and good quality.
(4)Katie S.
My boyfriend and I stumbled into this place after failing to find a table at Toro Bravo. It was a pretty nice evening and we sat outside, although it was busy we got seated right away and service was quick. We ordered cocktails which were good and to my surprise the cup was not full of ice. We also got the tacos, which were delicious! The outdoor area had a fire going and added to the lighting. Atmosphere was friendly and our waiter was a funny hipster guy. Would definitely recommend if you are around Alberta looking for a bar.
(4)Weley L.
I came here to try their tacos from their "taco lab". I'm from L.A. so I usually don't even bother going out for any kind of Mexican food, but their taco creations looked so unique it was hard to pass up. Note to people looking for Mexican food: don't come here if you're looking for authentic Mexican flavors. DO come here if you're interested in a twist on tacos. I ordered three tacos and a side of Tots a la Cruz. First taco: the Phuket. It had subtle Thai (coconutty) flavors but generally just tasted like a chicken taco topped with coleslaw to me... Second taco: The Mac. I could've just eaten three of these. Or four. Or five. As a mac-n-cheese fan, I was pleased. They were somehow able to incorporate all the flavors of quality mac-n-cheese (and more) into a taco that didn't actually contain any macaroni. Third taco: Bob's Your Uncle. This is literally just fish & chips in a tortilla. Tasty, but not that special. Tots a la Cruz: packed with flavor! It'll satisfy any tater tot lover. Unfortunately, I was getting full by the time I got around to eating this one, so I feel like I couldn't enjoy it in its complete deliciousness. Minus one star because the tortillas were colder than I would've liked, and minus another star for one awesome taco and two okay tacos which should cost less for the portion size I'm getting (but then again, I'm a spoiled Angeleno who can get mind-blowing tacos for $1 from a stand in L.A. where everyone only speaks Spanish). Main takeaway from this review: get The Mac taco. NOTE: I didn't come for the alcohol, so no reviews for that part.
(3)Kelly O.
Went here last night and I just have to say try the gonzo! It's roasted pineapple infused vodka, and it was delicious! Service, food and atmosphere was also wonderful, even on a very busy Saturday night. Can't wait to go back and try more of the infused alcohol and tacos!
(5)Brandon B.
Before the Tin Shed started to suck donkey balls, as it were, I went there for the superb fish taco. And I've missed it ever since, damn nigh on a decade! Then I went to Cruz Room for the excellent Sunday happy hour. The BF ordered a Bob's Your Uncle. He gave me a bite and I pretty much ate the whole thing and ordered a few more. It's a fish & chips taco! It's so, so good. Oh please, oh please, don't ever rotate it off the menu! I won't last another 10 years, whimper.
(4)Benson N.
5 brilliant and absolute luminous stars for the "tacos" at Cruzroom; which are astonishingly delectable. They bestow a sensation as if I were in a dream. I began an inquiry as to if this were real life after encountering the "tacos." How could a synthesis of these ingredients be so righteous? I did not do this review with the language and vocabulary that I would have normally used. I felt that the "tacos" deserved a much more higher form of a review because they are so damn good. This next sentence may be the most important thing you've read or learned all day. HAPPY HOUR $2 "TACOS" FROM 4:30-6:30.
(5)Jason G.
The tacos here are ok, I'm not really a fan of things like mayo, pickles, slaw, etc. so take my review with that grain of salt. Some people love them, but I don't think they'd be good enough even if I did like the flavors though. They are pretty messy, which is nice for food sometimes, and the fried cheese is tasty. But Jason, you rated them 4 stars, what gives? They have knitting nights, a decent patio, pretty good drinks, and...TITO's. Tito's are really good chips with some decent dipping sauces. I usually love ordering french fries to go along with a beer or cider but these are a lot better. Heed my warning if you're drinking and you order some Tito's, you will not want to share. Friendships will be lost, romantic endeavors will be compromised, and family members will be left out in the cold. If say, they hypothetically ran out of tito's because you ordered the last plate, take my advice and just take it to go. You will be stabbed with a hypothetical fork. They're excellent drunk food, maybe my favorite thing in town to snack on. This might be a slightly exaggerated drunk remembrance of things consumed (In Search of Lost Titos), but do you really want to risk a shanking over this? If you see me, frickin share or prepare for Thunderdome.
(4)Carina R.
I have been to this place many times under many different circumstances: alone, with groups, busy nights, slow nights, early in the evening, late at night, you name it. I actively crave at least one of their seasonal cocktails on a weekly basis and their vegetarian tacos typically are my favorite veg dishes in the city at any given time. Local booze? Check. Staff is always friendly and remembers what I have ordered in the past and quick to give new suggestions for seasonal dishes. One of my favorite places in the city, easily.
(5)Anne K.
I don't rate service, ambiance, cleanliness and wait times; they are too variable. I can put up with anything if the food is good. It is all about the food- that's it. All of my ratings are based on vegan options only. Notes: I got the jackfruit tacos. I don't expect much from restaurants with vegan options, but this was a great surprise. Everything was good. I especially liked the toppings on it. However, the flavor was reeaally "smokey".. way too smokey. It needs less smokiness or more acid in there to balance it out. I definitely want to try their other stuff on the menu.
(4)Rylee R.
Great place to bring friends and have awesome tacos. They have a deal too where you can get a pairing of beer and a shot of whiskey for $8. Worth checking out!
(4)Christopher S.
Always delicious. Always amazing! Tacos are amazing and their house infused liquors are great!! Every time I've gone, it is always consistent!
(5)Dan H.
Tacos are the name of the game at Cruzroom. They have a pretty good deal here. If you order 3 tacos and a side you get $2 off your bill. 2 tacos and a side gets you $1 off your bill. I was hungry so I had 3 tacos a side and a beer. Breakfast (or dinner in this case) of champions. Started out with the Asian salad which consists of jicama, carrots, cilantro, tossed in a spicy Asian dressing and topped with toasted sesame seeds. A good and what I felt like was a healthy way to start a meal. Pretty simple yes, but very good. I know I had the Phuket taco which is marinated Thai lemongrass chicken fried with a splash of coconut milk and served in a corn tortilla topped with a peanut Asian slaw. For some reason the menu is not showing me the other 2 tacos I had. One of them was nice and spicy and I was quite impressed with it. Usually places keep the spice down because most people can't seem to handle it, but this one was quite warming. Nice presentation on the food. Tacos here are more expensive than you will find on carts or divey Mexican restaurants in town, but they are very good.
(4)Alan M.
OMG! The Jerk, Phuket, and Bob's Your Uncle blew my mind! Tots A LA Cruz were also legit. All my out of town peeps are definitely going to be brought here! Do not walk by this place, you'll be missing out!!! Price point was good to, don't believe Ben B's review!
(5)Kristi C.
Located in one of my favorite Portland neighborhoods, I'll copy Pete B's review just a bit. Really, times infinity, really. That's how good the tacos are! Our favorite, hands down, The Green Meanie. Pulled pork, that's all you need to know! A close second, The Siren. Believe it or not we unanimously decided it was the vegan tartar sauce that put it over the top. Notable mentions include The Mac, lots of tastes and textures in this one. Phuket, very light and mild tasting. The crispy fried halloumi cheese on The Broken Bean gave an interesting taste to the taco. Great for sharing...the Tito's, loved the cheese sauce that came with these. Spicy Pickle Chips were hands down the best fried pickles I've ever had. Tots al a Cruz, well coming from the Midwest all I can say is that my momma never prepared 'em this way! Very addicting. And I can't forget t mention, they have great service too. Without drinks, also a very affordable dinner.
(5)Jessica K.
Get your tacos! Cruzroom is a taco spectacle! Thai tacos! Eggplant tacos! Vegetarian tacos! Tacos wearing hats (j/k I made that one up). I can't pick a favorite here, but if you are into Portland's favorite meat, I would recommend the Green Meanie and the Green Acres, the first with pulled pork and the latter with pork belly. Get them even cheaper during their happy hour that runs until 6:30. Don't like tacos? Shame on you! Well their Tots a la cruz are really good too. Not only is the food great, this is just a fun place to hang out. The servers are super cool and they do regular events like knitting nights and lego competitions. Don't like legos? Shame on you! Go sit on the patio instead with a selection from their stellar drink list. The beer list is above average too. I definitely dig this place. You don't dig it? Shame on you! More tacos for me. :)
(4)Bette M.
I took my baby down to this here cultural appropriation diner for some good ole "tacos." Seriously though I like the cruise room. Some of the weirdest cultural infusion I've ever seen.
(4)Eric H.
I used to love this place when it first opened. Very innovative and incredibly good. I'd go once a week - to the point where it was almost like that show Cheers with the manager and waitresses knowing me. Then something changed - new employees and the food quality just completely tanked. Same recipes - horrible execution. Went again recently after not going for 5 months just to see if things had changed. Burnt chicken - it was deep fried black and the the tater tots so overcooked they literally turned to fried dust when you squeezed them. Cooks should never let food like that out and the wait staff should, I don't know, maybe take a quick look at the food they are delivering to see if it is totally overcooked. Such disappoint in what was once a great place. I hope they read this and turn it around because as a concept and with their recipes, this place could easily rock as it once did...if they had cooks and wait staff who gave a damn.
(1)Janessa P.
I've been to this place several times, but before my last visit, it had been a few years. They seem to have fine-tuned their cocktail menu (using a lot of local booze, yay) and their taco menu had some new (to me) surprising vegan choices. When I used to come in here, it was because I accidentally found myself cruising for dinner on a Friday or Saturday night. This place was always a quiet refuge from the loud music, long wait and crowded tables of most Portland restaurants. That has apparently changed; every table was full of what I used to call 'the downtown crowd' and the music was so loud I had to yell to my friends over the dinner table. Good for them for getting busier and drawing a crowd, but boo to a quiet Friday night dinner for me. The server we had was gracious when he realized he made a mistake in telling me the chips appetizer was vegan (there is cheese ON the chips, whoops) and brought out some complimentary tots for me. Thanks, buddy. The tacos were the real standout. Two tacos are vegan as-is, and a few more are easily veganizable. I ordered The Siren (faux fish taco with shoestring potatoes and vegan tartar sauce), Na-Cho Taco (black beans, tomatoes, green onions & black olives in a crunchy shell, hold the cheese) and the Half-Baked (breaded and fried vegan mac and cheese with Sriracha slaw). Fun, creative and different than many other vegan taco options in town, I was delighted with the selection. I loved The Siren--I think the tofu fish was wrapped in nori, which gave it a distinctive ocean taste (in a good, not creepy way). The tacos are reasonably priced, the cocktail menu has the aforementioned local booze and nicely crafted drinks, and the vegan options are surprisingly nuanced. I'll definitely be back, but will aim for happy hour or an early weekday night.
(4)Jessica T.
Fav taco here is the Phuket.
(3)Angela S.
Grabbed the only open table adjacent to the restrooms. First thing I noticed was the overpowering smell of air-freshener or cleaner. Glad the bathrooms are clean but I don't want to taste it. The food arrived in a pretty timely manner but mine was totally cold. I'm not one to voice complaints and it tasted all right, just cold. Then there was a good sized chicken bone in my taco... Gave it a good chomp. Ow. Overall, less than pleased
(2)Stephanie A.
I can't think of a single reason to dock them a star so they get 5. Cruz Room is awesome, I'm not sure why I waited so long to visit. The tacos are amazing, they're authentic yet creative and a great price... and during happy hour (which now includes Friday & Saturday nights) its only $2.50... I wasn't even hungry and I ate three. Beyond that, house infused alcohol offers a nice twist on the traditional cocktail and during happy hour they're only $4. I have a liking for vodka and found the house infused Strawberry Vodka (aka Priceless) rather irresistible and the Roasted Pineapple Vodka (aka Gonza) pleased my tastebuds. Service at the bar was stellar, there was a DJ playing techno-remix's of classic hits that kept the atmosphere lively. Do yourself a favor, go check out the Cruz Room and don't wait months like I did. PS - The Green Meanie (AMAZING), Bob's Your Uncle (nice twist on Fish tacos) and the Green Acres was good but not my fav. Can't wait to try more.
(5)Jennifer Y.
Agree with most of the reviews. Def. not a quiet loungy place (unless you choose to sit outside or toward the patio), not the romantic date place, not a place for a full-sit-down-meal, but a good place for a drink and some appy food and a great place to hang out with a group late into the night. Taco happy hour, green meanie, tater tots (had a hard time finding this on the menu at first since it's got a bit of an extended name as do the other creatively named goodies). The 'deals' of 2 or 3 tacos plus a side is really great. Coming after midnight is also really great. And, ordering alcoholic infusions is also really great. Need I write more of how really great this place is? One downside would have to be the restrooms. Alright, this is a sort of divey place people -- incl. me -- I should not expect too much... OK, onto the food and drink. For the tacos, I have to say they're creative, we tried 5 different ones. The green meanie or pulled pork is by far the best. The tacos all had some sort of sauce, and some sort of theme -- fish and chips is a fish taco, slaw and some fries on the side. The fries were cold and fish pretty fishy, so I'd pass on this. The Mac was good. Since I'm not a coleslaw fan, I was surprised how much the amount of slaw on these tacos didn't deter me from trying and enjoying them for the most part. And, to top all this off, TWO orders of the tots. These are the best. Infused grapefruit, orange + pineapple vodka served with a side of a little dinosaur(?). Tasty. :D We were stuffed & happy. Thank you, Cruzroom for a lovely late night of munchie satisfaction.
(4)Steve S.
What a great discovery. Usually we go next door to Pine State Biscuits, but decided to try something different. Wonderful selection of eclectic tacos. Nice to have another great place on NE Alberta.
(4)Katherine H.
There is a lot of good about cruzroom. Nice location, super cute outdoor space, unique menu offerings, interesting & tasty cocktails. Most of the tacos are delicious. Trivia night here is also really fun. Unfortunately, the service here is usually pretty bad. It's not so bad it's kept me from returning, but the long waits for service and the perceived negative attitudes of many of the staff are lame.
(3)Kari M.
The hus and I first came here a few months ago. We were kind of exploring and taking a walk around town and we were hungry. We almost walked right by, which would have been a mistake, but I saw they had the menu up in the window--TACOS!! Not just any tacos mind you, fancy tacos of all types and flavors. They have lots of options for vegetarians and meat eaters alike. The hus got one with fish and chips (yes on a taco!), one that was pretty much a Big Mac in taco form and I got a couple veggie tacos and the Phuket (definitely my fave!). All of them were pretty good, and the place was surprising large inside with tons of seating. They also have a decent sized side patio area. We are planning on heading there to meet some friends tonight and I have visions of tacos dancing in my head!
(4)REBECCA A.
One of the easiest places for veggie folks and meat eaters to each have something imaginative and delightful. That there are fantastic cocktails and a great Happy Hour is icing on the fun-cake. Friendly, but not pandering staff. I really mean the 5-Star Review
(5)Jeremy L.
I had a Drink Deck coupon for Cruzroom, which gave me a great excuse to go venture to a place that I probably wouldn't even know about otherwise. Interesting place, for sure. They have some unique beers on tap, and their infused liquors and mixed drinks are pretty creative. I got to sample about 6 different tacos on the visit, and most of them were very good. The vegetarian fish and chips one was great! (who would have guessed that!?) My only gripe was the service. Our server was just flat bad. I asked what beers she had on tap, and instead of just telling me the 5 or so beers on tap, she reached across me and flipped my menu to point on the back. She was no more helpful with the liquor drink order. I guess it worked out okay that we didn't really want to deal with her much more, because she was pretty much nonexistent the rest of our meal. We each would have ordered a second drink, but it was never offered. Food was great, service was lacking.
(3)Sudipto G.
This was quite a find for late night dining options in PDX. Had some incredible and unique taco toppings which were very well prepared. They also have a drink called voldemort, which I will try next time when I am not driving!!
(5)Lily F.
Drinks were ok, food was very disappointing, and service was awful. My friend and I stopped in on a weekend night for late night food and drinks. We ordered a small assortment of tacos, including the Red Rocket, the PC, and the Phuket. I also ordered an Asian salad which was great on color and texture, but incredibly bland as far as flavor went. The bland salad was helpful, though, in clearing the taste of the incredibly oversalted meat dishes. All of the slaws that came with the tacos tasted alike, despite the menu's descriptions (cilantro-lime, Peruvian Aji, and peanut slaw all tasted more like mayo than anything else) When my friend walked up to the bar to order another round of drinks, they were ignored for ten minutes. Then we decided to leave, tried to pay the check and couldn't even do that for awhile. With the number of other bars on Alberta I doubt we'll be coming back. Prices were reasonable for the size (but not the quality) of the tacos, and about standard for beer and cocktails.
(2)Don B.
Everything you need to know about Cruz Room can be summed up in three words: Taco Happy Hour. Well, okay... two more: Infused alcohol. Both are the shit. Taco happy hour means $2 versions of Cruz Room' s "taco lab" tacos, which are not your usual taqueria tacos. They're mashups between Mexican and Indian, American, Thai, you name it. There are numerous variations of meat, cheese, beans, slaws, sauces, etc. And they're all bomb when served on a little corn tortilla. And at $1 a piece, you can get as full as you want for a mere pittance. Think chicken marinated in Indian green curry with a Peruvian aji slaw, or crispy Oregon bay shrimp with slaw and cocktail, or even fried cheese with black beans, corn and pico on a crispy shell. So many variations, so much deliciousness. As for the infused alcohols, they range from "hmmmm..." to "mmmmmmm". The double-fig scotch is a dandy delight, but I've had a couple others that miss my palate completely. But they get points for reaching out to try new shit. They're not just sticking with classic cocktails or anything, they're mixing things up (get it?). Anyway, come in from 4pm to ?? and score taco happy hour. You won't be disappointed. Serious.
(4)Paul S.
Food was great. Took advantage of the Happy Hour specials ($2.50 tacos!). You've got to get the CruzTots (also their wifi password btw (O is a zero)). Have a nice selection of Elysian beers on tap (but not the seasonal Superfuzz :( ). The picture of Elton John in the men's bathroom was a treat. Highly recommended.
(5)Amanda F.
Went there last night for a going away party and we took over part of the patio. Service was great and tolerant of our big party that all kept switching seats. The tacos I tried were all so good: The Mac, The Phuket and The Bob's Your Uncle. I also highly recommend the Tots a la Cruz. They also have gluten free and vegan options. Food is reasonably priced and they have a happy hour and a late night menu. They also do house infused vodkas and signature cocktails which I didn't try as I don't really drink. The restrooms are total dive bar style so if you're picky about restrooms that might be your only issue. I will be back again and again.
(4)Becca S.
Friends suggested we go to the Cruzroom for some late night tacos. I went with The Mac and a Green Meanie, both of which were a great choice. I'm not a huge fan of the noise level (deafening) but the food was worth the trip, just not somewhere I'd want to hangout for any length of time after eating. The service was pretty attentive for a bustling Saturday night, overall I look forward to trying it again.
(4)Natalie G.
Awesome drink selection and every single taco I've tried is delicious. Very affordable and in a fun area to walk your dinner off on a warm night.
(5)Katherine C.
so good so good so good! The tacos are fantastic! Bob yer Uncle and the Green Meanies- seriously- amazing! Great staff and solid prices.
(5)Shannon K.
This place is legit. I had 2 gourmet tacos and a quality IPA for 8 bucks. 8 bucks!!! I ordered the MAC and the Greenie Meanie. The MAC was 5 stars. So good. The GM was 4. Great people watching. Great vibe. I'll be back.
(5)Linda C.
We had planned to go to Bollywood Theater but the line out the door was insane. So we walked further up the street and thought we'd give this place a try. Good choice! They have a good selection of vegetarian tacos so we ordered all of them: Rising Sun - Tempura zucchini, a drizzle of Japanese ponzu sauce, and wasabi mayo slaw. Broken Bean - Halloumi cheese fried extra crispy, served over citrus black beans in a crispy corn tortilla, topped with roasted corn and chipotle salsas. PC - Indian curry potatoes with Peruvian Aji slaw and pickled onions. The Siren - A faux fish and chips: marinated tofu dipped in tempura batter, shoestring fries, and their own vegan tartar sauce. Nachos - the usual nachoey ingredients ;) We also had the Curry Titos (Tortilla chips tossed in house-made curry powder with a side of Cheddar cheese sauce and our Peruvian Aji sauce.) to start. The curry titos had a nice curry flavor with a divine cheese sauce but they were a little too greasy. The Broken Bean had a good spicy kick to it. The Siren was surprisingly good and really did taste like fish (thankfully it wasn't). By far our favorite was the PC - I could have eaten three more of these! They also had a small selection of interesting craft beers and a huge selection of cocktails. I was happy to see they served Pimms and so ordered one. As the evening wore on it got quite loud and I think the patio area would have been a nicer spot to enjoy our meal. Service was great though and the food interesting and tasty.
(4)Amy Mae G.
Extremely slow service when sitting at the bar. If you're sitting at a table, you're more likely to receive moderate service.
(2)Phillip R.
If this review were only for the food, I would give it 4 stars. The tacos were pretty tasty. But not tasty enough for me or the 7 other people I was with last Saturday to ever go back to this place. The wait staff was so terrible, it really ruined the whole dining experience. Rather than happily chatting with friends, we spent most of the time commenting on how terrible our server was. It was like we were bothering Him with our presence. Needless to say, this guy got a giant zero dollar tip from me and at least one other person in our party. If I had to give him one now, it would be to find a job where you don't have to serve people. It's clearly not your strong suit.
(2)Laura M.
Siiiiiiiiiigh. Cruzroom, I hate to love you so much. I mean.....the spicy Zerkpatrick drink, complete with a precious little dinosaur floating in my glass? Please. The PC taco? The Rising Sun? What the hell, Cruzroom? What are you trying to do to me? Why do you make such delicious things that make all other tacos pale in comparison? How am I going to eat other vegan tacos in the future and enjoy them? So sad. Attentive servers, great drinks, great food, plastic dinosaurs. What more could a person want?
(5)R K.
If there was a 3.75 star rating that's what I'd give this place. Cool concept, "dive bar" setting, with a unique menu and cool drinks. I ordered the "Tots a la Cruz" which left a little to be desired. As far as tacos " The Mac" had me confused yet satisfied and smiling, the "Phuket" had a cool thai style but the chicken was dry, and the "foghorn leghorn" had a nice southern twist although the greens kind of overpowered the experience. (More chicken, bacon, and cornbread croutons please) Finished up with a "Cowboy Up" consisting of Temperance Trader Whiskey and an Elysian Immortal IPA served separately - you save some money ordering this way but I expected a mixed cocktail BUT.... I should have read the menu more carefully as I saw that it was listed as a liquor and beer pairing. I'd come back to this place but would suggest a little friendlier/interactive service and a facelift of the place (especially the restrooms) - that would rate a solid four stars in my opinion.
(3)Teresa R.
I'm going to start off describing every taco we had... "The Mac"- it was okay, Green Meanie- it was okay, The Jerk- liked the sweetness of the mango slaw, it seemed like the only flavor component of this taco, Phuket- tasted like coconut curry served with tortilla, didn't taste much of the lemon grass, The Seoul- MY FAVORITE. YUM THUMBS UP!- Loved the fatty and crispy pork butt topped with the mild kim chi/ napa cabbage. Could definitely use a kick of heat though. our waiter seemed snobby at first, maybe because we didn't know what we wanted to order. I had the Thompson cocktail.. super strong but delish. I also tried their Gonzo shot Super strong but delish. Their shots come with dinosaurs. My friends and I had a great time taking pictures of the dinosaurs doing weird things.. LOL.. I'd definitely come back here for their drinks and Seoul tacos.
(3)Rick S.
A great place for exotic tacos and drinks! I enjoyed the Mac taco and the curry nachos especially. Has a laid back atmosphere , a good place to catch up with a friend.
(4)AJ D.
Make it for happy hour and you'll find great deals on some really awesome food. Overall: I'm a big fan of speedy ticket times, and good service. Cruzroom always hits the nail on the head for me. The tapas style menu is always good. Pair the food with their infusions and you can't go wrong. Pros: - Great drink and alcohol menu. (Tots a'la Cruz are my fav) - Quick ticket times. - Friendly staff. - Awesome happy hour pricing Cons: - It can get busy during peak social hours which can make finding a spot to sit tricky. - Parking not the easiest, but this is consistent along Alberta. Easy to ride the bike or walk to for what its worth.
(5)Amanda M.
I can't say enough nice things about this place. It's our go-to when we are kidless and we never regret using our precious kid free moments here. The tacos are unbelievable. Do not miss the Phuket or the tempeh bacon one. The infused liquors are also pretty spot on. The price point is less than you'd expect for such delicious fare. If you haven't visited, go.
(5)Amelia B.
My first review of the Cruzroom would have been a one star. Zero if that was an option. But on my second visit (chosen by friends, so despite my aversion to the place I went) I had a completely different experience, so I'm averaging it out and doing 3 stars. First visit: My partner and I went in on a weekday evening and sat at the bar. We wanted tacos and drinks. We sat there, literally at the bar trying to make eye contact with someone, for 30 minutes before we gave up and left. No hello, no water, not even a "hey, we're really busy and understaffed but I see that you are here to exchange money for tacos and booze" head nod. Second visit: Friends were meeting to celebrate an engagement and chose the place, so of course I went, despite the chosen location. We sat on the back patio and while it was chilly there was a nice fire and the decor is pretty cool. The waiter was prompt and attentive and really nice. Also patient as we spread out and took over three tables and kept changing seats with each other so the smokers could go sit back a ways from the main group. He was also really nice when we broke a glass and spilled our drinks. I didn't end up getting food, but the food others ordered looked good. All in all, I'll probably end up here again. I may not be the one to recommend it, but I won't object if someone suggests it. Maybe my third visit will be awesome.
(3)Sara P.
We were super pleased with our experience at Cruzroom. The mini tacos are as cute as they are delicious, and since they're tiny, you have room to try them all. There are lots of interesting creations on the menu. I was especially impressed by the house-infused liquors! Black tea blueberry vodka, roasted pineapple vodka, blackberry bourbon to name just a few. We were able to taste a flight of 4 for only $10. We have already decided to make the trip up to NE to eat and drink here again. Servers were welcoming, polite, and attentive and the patio is beautifully decorated. Such a great spot to chill out on a summer evening.
(5)Carissa T.
Mmmmm....tacos! I love that these tacos are unique and al a carte. And I definitely suggest sampling them all at some point. I love the Meanie Greenie and Phuket! Oh, and the yummy tots.
(5)Jason S.
Two things that blew me away about this place: 1) 4 different kinds of Elysian beer on tap that I could count...an awesome Seattle brewer that you don't see poured often around Portland, and 2) Awesome taco's...my favorite being the Mac taco (bacon, cheese, pork, and coleslaw topped with some sort of special sauce that blended really well. Also located in a fun part of town I don't make it to enough (NE Alberta). 1st time here, but we will definitely be back in the near future!
(5)Maeling D.
So it's more of a taco spot than tapas. You have to order at the bar, but the food was good, I got the nacho taco and the green chile one which was yummy. I also liked their fried pickles which are the closest thing on the west coast to how they do them in Florida. The back patio is really cool, lots of art work, fire pit and plenty of seats. It's a cool little joint.
(4)Laura H.
Original tacos that are delicious. Infused tequila. Excellent patio. A bit spendy though but hey you get what you pay for.
(4)Chris A.
You ever have those nights in college where you opened the fridge and decided to get creative? You found some left over meatloaf, some mac and cheese and a few tortillas and made yourself the best taco known to man. Well the Cruzrooms Taco Lab does just that, but they are much better than your 3am messy meatloaf taco. Here is the low down. Lots of taco options, including but not limited to Bahn Mi, Indian Curry, Pork Belly, Mac & Cheese... the list goes on. Most of the Tacos I have tried I have liked, with just a few exceptions. And here is the best part, get 3 tacos and a side for $10, and it should fill you up (I am not a little guy and I always find the 3 and a side to be enough). Like good drinks? Of course you do you. Lots of infused booze at this joint. Hot Tamale infused whiskey was interesting, a bit sweet (infusing with candy might do that). The cocktail menu doesn't disappoint though, some are sweet, some are spicy, some are just damn refreshing. They also play some interesting movies in the background. Do you want an interestingly good taco? Yes you do, so stop reading this and start heading down Alberta!
(4)Sunni A.
Red Rocket taco was my favorite of the 6 I tried. Full flavored pork taco with a kick, I wanted a bag of them. Phucket taco was a close second with it's bold flavored creamy peanut sauce. Margarita was strong and tangy! Laid back friendly servers. Casual vibe, back patio, board games, no normal TV playing.
(4)Kirsten H.
I love the inventive tacos they serve here. Really good food with fair prices. Lots of seating both indoors and outdoors. Service isn't so great but the food will keep me going back.
(3)Duane P.
It was a beautiful Sunday morning and I'm trying a new place today and... no it's not for a Benedict or Chicken Fried Steak. I'm going to try a Breakfast Burrito and based on the reviews here at Yelp I head off to the Cruzroom. My first impression when I got there is perfect no waiting. I grab a seat outside in the sun and order a House Bloody and Green Pork Burrito. It arrives and look at the color, presentation and proceed to dig in. The combo of the pork verde, black beans, corn salsa, eggs and cheese had the right flavors and texture that played against each other perfectly. The House Bloody has the right amount of spice and heat to it. I'm glad I didn't order the Special Bloody as the server says it is even hotter. I'm happy to say that stepping out of usual breakfast box paid off.
(4)Jeremy J.
This place is awesome. Unfortunately the sound system was down while we were there but I understand...things happen. I had their house fig bourbon and it was ridiculously good, and the dinosaur garnish absolutely cracked me up. Love it. Everything I tried was delicious and appropriately priced. The tots a la Cruz were tasty and unique...We then indulged in a slew of 6 tacos..each soooo good. The Green Acres was my favorite as I absolutely love pork belly. We also enjoyed the Green Meanie...heck everything was good. You really have to go expecting to order multiple tacos as you will see far more than one that you want. These are about 3 bite tacos so 3 seems like an average number for a meal that wont get you stuffed.
(4)Eve K.
Tasty food and drinks. Great place for groups. Good prices and happy hour discount. The outdoor area is a great place to bring dogs.
(4)Andrea L.
I love happy hour! This one was ok. The space itself is so nice for a sunny summer day. Half of the restaurant is outside - while still being inside - so it has a great feel as you watch Alberta folks bop down the street, The servers were nice enough. But sadly the food was very mediocre. I was excited to see fried pickles on the menu and they were so salty and dense that you couldn't even taste anything but salt. We also tried three of the small plate tacos. They were ok... one better than the rest but I cant remember which, as they all blended into one. I will try it again, if just for the vibe but I will try something different for sure
(3)Robert S.
Wow. Anything on the menu is great. Get anything that sounds good, seriously. I got a Green Meanie, The Mac, and a Phucket. The Green Meanie is insanely good. They all were, but the pulled pork was to die for. Go here, get food, be happy. It's cheap too! My wife and I walked out after two drinks and 6 delicious gourmet tacos for an even $20!
(5)Allen K.
Excellent place for a casual night out. Inside, the space is limited but the environment is great with art on the walls and huge windows to let natural light in. Outside, there are more tables -- I didn't venture out there but I'd probably opt for that location especially during the summer when the weather's good in Portland. FOOD: I would say Cruzroom is less of a tapas bar because there's such a focus on their specialty tacos (it consists of 3/4 of the menu). But the tacos are the main event with good reason! I ordered the 2 taco, 1 side deal for $7.50. I tried out the Green Acres, the Outsourced, and the soup of the day which was Gouda and Potato. The Green Acres was AMAZING! The pork belly was perfectly cooked and really stole the show that night; the tender, fatty, saltiness paired beautifully with the cool, citrus, crunch of the coleslaw on top. Next time I go I'd be happy with ordering nothing but the Green Acres. The Outsourced was also very good (and spicier than expected) with it's shredded chicken in green curry. The soup was fine, but paled in comparison to the flavor explosion of the tacos. DRINKS: Got myself an Olympia Tall Boy for $2.50. Cheap and gets the job done. Also got a Wookie: wasn't a huge fan due to the spiciness of it, which I think was due to an excess of cinnamon.
(5)Rat B.
no AC explains why they were mostly empty on a friday night
(2)Mike S.
Believe it or not, this place won't serve water to those dining at their patio tables. It was over 90F and the server told us we had to get up from our meal to go get our own water. This, after serving us all all our pricey cocktails and meals. We had the only table there, too. She had about a 10-ft walk to bring us the water. I complained to management who informed me she allows her servers to decline requests to serve water at the table. Wow, so lazy and disrespectful.....at least we're in PDX and there are so many better places to eat.
(1)Meagan J.
YUMMY tacos and fruit infused vodka! My friend and I went for happy hour and all tacos are $2.50 during happy hour and these are not just any tacos, The Mac has bacon in it. Um hello, get to know me! We also had some strawberry vodka cocktails with a lemonade mixer, perfect for summer. The outdoor patio is a nice place to sit as well. This is my first time coming to Cruzroom and I will certainly be back!
(5)Brandon M.
Very fun place to go! We had the infused vodka and tacos. Customer service was solid. Recommended!
(4)Melvin T.
Cruzroom specializes in "unauthentic tacos." Yes, that is code for fusion. Fusion Tacos get a bad wrap because of how ubiquitous and faddy they are. However, Cruzroom's Tacos are still creative and tasty. The $2 Taco Happy Hour deals are the perfect price point. That stand outs that I had were the Mac Taco and Oregon Po' Boy. The Mac Taco was a caloric creature had deep fried pickles, Bacon, pan fried cheese, and slaw. This was Americana comfort food in a taco. The Oregon Po boy was filled with deep fried Oregon bay shrimp with a spicy slaw. In both cases the slaws were excellent. What sets aside a good unauthentic/fusion taco is the slaw. The slaw is what delivers the depth of flavor and textural crunch. Cruzroom hits all the culinary notes in most of their slaws. The one disappointment was the Thai taco. It had no heat or spice like anything Thai should have. It was all peanut flavor. The tacos are almost 5 star. They get a big one star ding for the tortillas they use. They weren't too warm and they were too thin. These tacos have a lot going on. Like some Mexican street tacos, sometimes you need to double tortilla it up to hold it all together and add some starchy heft. So either get thicker tortillas or double them up and make sure they are warmed enough. The house infused double fig scotch had a very unique flavor. I liked the sweet, mellowness of the scotch. The fig infusion did mute out the smokiness, though. I had two of them at the Happy Hour price of $4. What a steal. I love that they highlight and sometimes only showcase local spirits. Going through their drink menu was a who's-who of local distilleries. New Deal, House, Deco, etc. No Smirnoff or stuff like that in their drink menu. We have such a great local distillery scene that everyone should be showcasing it. Happy Hour runs from 4-6:30PM everyday and is a perfect time to sample some great unauthentic/fusion tacos and house infused liquors.
(4)Phong D.
I came here during the Alberta Street Fair and had a really good time. I want to give this place 5 stars but removed 1 star for how long it took the food to come out. I'm hoping that the food was slow because of the fair. My friends almost finished an entire game of Battleship before our meal was served! The cajunized tots were already fantastic but what put it over-the-top was the drizzled queso. As for the tacos, they proved that big things do come in little packages. The Green Acres ($2.95) had roasted pork belly that was tender, flavorful, and not fatty. My wife had the Poco ($3.25) which was filled with delicious Oregon shrimp. These tacos were pretty tiny. One was enough to remove the hunger pains. I'm guessing 3 or so would fill me. I naturally wanted to compare Cruzroom to ?Por Que No?. They both serve amazing tacos and each have their own interpretation of the taco. It wouldn't be fair to say that one is better than the other. Perhaps it's safe to say that they're the ying and yang of the Portland taco scene.
(4)Conrad B.
Scrabble Pub Crawl stop #4. OK, it's now dinner time, and I see this menu with lots of tacos, and I see that it's happy hour. And then it occurs to me - TACOS AND BEER YES! I asked my friend which were his favorite tacos here (Travis, he's a regular), and to my delight, two of them were the ones I wanted to get! Tacos are $2.50 at happy hour (1 drink minimum, and you have a fantastic selection) - a solid deal. Usually, they range in price from $3.00-$3.50. Green Acres (pork belly, apple-vinaigrette slaw, cotija cheese) - a very refreshing taco that's not heavy in any way, even with the nice thick strip of pork belly at the bottom! It was a perfect compliment to my other choice, the gut-busting: The Mac (Fried pickles, Applewood-smoked bacon, Cheddar cheese, onions, slaw, secret sauce) - it looks like a wonderful conglomeration of delicious ingredients, and sure enough, tastes just the same. The wild card here is the cheddar cheese crisp place above the tortilla itself that ties everything together wonderfully. We were inadvertently served the Tito's chips instead of my friend's . The waitress immediately brought his drink out and even let us keep the chips. These are spicy, spicy, spicy, and spicy is yum. I had a pint to drink, but there was a wonderful(ly delicious) looking array of cocktails, and in-house distilled spirits! Really, I wanted to try one, but wanted to just stick to beer in staving off my hangover from the night before. Speaking to that, in both the food and beverage department, there is a vast array of options, so you're bound to enjoy yourself the first time, and leave wanting to come back for more. And it's cool as a bar as well as a restaurant! So next time, liquor and more tacos. I'm sold. Favorite bar of the day, and I look forward to returning here soon.
(5)Danni D.
Taco Fusion. Wait. Scratch that. $2 Happy Hour Taco Fusion. These ain't your abuela's tacos. They're tacos with a twist - Indian, Thai, Southern. You get the idea. I would happily slop up anything produced by their Taco Lab. The corn tortillas are so fresh, they would never dream of cracking and falling apart while you get down to business. Can't have a happy hour without drinks, right? They have that covered too. They infuse their own spirits here - blackberry bourbon, peach bourbon, pineapple vodka, fig scotch, etc. Fancy infused spirits and a mixer are just $4 during happy hour, and $6 otherwise. This place is kind of dark, kind of cozy, a little sexy, though that could be the finger food just putting' me in the mood. They got positively slammed right after we arrived, and the sole waiter worked his ass off trying to be everything to everyone. This place has a great thing going, but they need more help on the floor for times like that. They easily would have gotten another drink round out of our table, and maybe some more taco orders before the 6:30 happy hour deadline if they had more server help. That said, I'll patiently wait my turn and hang out here. Love the vibe. Love the food and drink.
(4)Ryan S.
Crazy fast service! Delicious food! And one of the few places that knows how to fry pickles!
(5)Sanjana P.
Unique and tasty drinks!! Friendly and fast service as well! :)
(5)Michael W.
If you are looking for a little nicer atmosphere than Por Que No?, this is a good spot to grab tacos. I've been here a couple times and tried several of their tacos - very eclectic variety to cater to any palette. Last time I ordered the Phuket and the Jerk, the time before I ordered the Mac and the Green Meanie. I think the Jerk was my favorite, but they were all really tasty. Make sure you try some of the sides - the Curry Titos are a must and the Chavez salad is very good too. This is a great date place and they have some interesting cocktail selections to try. Service hasn't been the fastest either time I went, but I could have just had a server on an off night.
(4)Dayna D.
Great tacos!! Excellent laid back vibe - the servers/bartenders are super nice and I can often find a tasty brew or cocktail to wash down the imaginative taco selections. Happy hour is a great way to try a bunch of different tacos too! There's a nice decent sized private patio but you can still watch the sidewalk action. Personal faves are the Green Acres, the Siren and the Green Meanie
(5)Brooke F.
OMG best tacos everrr! I always get the cheezy potatoes and then a couple tacos. With nothing else it is under $10 and I'm always pleasantly stuffed. This place can definitely get busy! It is pretty awesome.
(5)Michael S.
Amazing tacos great pricing and the outdoor seating is perfect! The customer service is first class!
(4)Caitlin S.
Honestly - love this place, and literally cannot find ANYTHING wrong with it. I was about to declare that they didn't have a television (gasp! I'm a sports fan...) when my boyfriend pointed out one in the corner. DELIGHTFUL tacos, crazy good selection of interesting tacos. Super awesome customer service - our waiter was attentive, very nice but not overly chatty. The atmosphere was fun. It wasn't too loud, it was kind of like a restaurant/bar, perfect for a drink with my boyfriend. Great art on the walls, for purchase (if you have the funds). Clean bathroom. Delicious alcoholic beverages - I think I had a vodka orange cran (very unexciting...but they had tons of exciting options and infusions). OH - and how could I forget? WATER. On the table in a large glass bottle (so classy and chic and efficient) with separate water glasses...drink as much water as you want, it may take awhile to get through the whole bottle. Love it. Check it out, it's one of my new faves on Alberta St. and I hope it's here to stay :)
(4)Melissa P.
My new favorite Portland Happy Hour. $2 tacos - in wonderful fusion flavors; The Mac - fried pickles, bacon and cheese; Green Acres - Pork Belly with apple vinaigrette slaw; PC - curried potatoes with Peruvian aji slaw.... Amazing infused alcohols including blackberry bourbon and roasted pineapple vodka. The service has been consistently abysmal the three times I have been there - but as long as you are not in a hurry, the food is worth it. They are very nice ladies, they just seem completely lost in a cloud, and I have sat there staring at my delicious tacos sitting in the kitchen windows for more than 10 minutes, thinking I could just reach over and snag that, they would never notice.
(4)Frank Lee F.
This could turn into a regular thing. The endearing sign outside is upfront, so no surprise on the cocktails... They are over-ambitious, but the two we had were enjoyable enough. Food was tasty, fast & well presented. Smells wafting from the open kitchen all evening were another big plus. But set all that fair and good aside, because what hooked me was the service (not something I thought I'd ever get to say in pdx!) Unpretentious, welcoming, attentive & friendly without being familiar. No attitude, even when our group arrived in untimely pieces & we stayed put gabbing for hours. Well done! Until our next enchanted evening, I'll be dreaming of the golden light drifting through your windows, and the look of relaxed contentment on pretty much every person's face there. Thanks for putting the cruise (Speed Levitch style) in the Cruzroom.
(4)Emily V.
I am in love with this place. The tacos are amazing and the prices are reasonable. The drinks are also very tasty and reasonably priced. The Red Rocket taco I crave daily, so delish, my favorite. The Mac is a second place favorite, a fried delight. The Phucket and Bob's Your Uncle also tickle my taste buds. Its hard to chose so I normally end up over eating till it hurts (hurts so good). My boyfriend and I love coming for SIN night. If your heading to Alberta, don't miss this slice of taco heaven.
(5)Alena C.
Found this place on yelp-probably driven by it a thousands times. So happy I did! The flight of in house liquers are awesome, especially the BB King Black Bourbon. And the taco's..my god. The Cueben (Reuben Taco) was my favorite. I never thought those two things together would work, but they do. The Green Acres is also fantastic, and the tots are super tasty too. You have to pay extra for salsa...but whatareyoudonnado? Definetly will come back! Nice date spot too!
(4)Jeff M.
I really, really hate having to update this review, but here goes: When Cruzroom first opened the food was very well done and the wait staff were awesome. Over the last 8 months both have declined, but the real loser here is the food. The quality of the tacos has gone through the floor, with very little care for the preparation and flavors. What used to be crispy bacon is replaced with barely cooked bacon, the melted cheese is now 2x the size of the taco and burnt, the chicken used to be nice slow cooked in flavorful sauce chicken and now it is just cubed and covered in watery sauce. I was taken aback by this as it was somewhere I went 2-3x per week and now I give it a shot every couple months, HOPING, to see if the quality has returned - so far it hasn't. An additional bummer about this is that I even emailed the owners twice via their website and never got a response to the cause or concern over the dip in quality. I wonder if the complaints about slowness of food coming out of the kitchen caused this shift, but I would much rather have another cocktail before good food than getting bad food faster. The venue is great, the staff is not as good, but still friendly and the deals for the volume of food are good.
(3)Haley A.
Yum. Get the chip appetizer (soooo good). Only came here for a late evening snack so I can't wait to come back and try more of their options.
(5)Ashley E.
The tacos are awesome!! Love the variety of tacos to choose from, truly something for everyone. We stopped in during happy hour and had great drinks and tacos for a great price. They start getting busy around 5 but we still got great service. The servers were all very friendly. We will definitely be back soon.
(5)Brooke H.
I love their tacos and happy hour pricing. The outdoor seating is pretty awesome but usually full of smokers. Other than that this place has a great vibe.
(4)Dani S.
SO GOOD!!!!!!! Amazing tacos and an awesome happy hour! Ate here based on yelp reviews, now I wish we lived in Portland, we would eat here weekly! PS- Any taco on the menu is amazing, I tried 6 different ones and all were great!
(5)Rolyat E.
I love Cruzroom. They have a great environment and one of the best happy hours (unless you dislike tacos, in which case, you are not actually living life you crazy person, though maybe these tacos would turn you). All kinds of tacos, from different regional inspirations. Some of my favorites; Green Meanie, Green Acres and Broken Bean. But truly you can't go wrong here. They also have some great house cocktails! And a wonderful patio. Just go, you won't regret it.
(5)Candice Z.
I finally stopped by Cruzroom after walking by it all the time over the past 3 months. I don't know why it was so dead on a Friday night because I learned a few things about this place: 1. They make amazing pie! 2. They make an amazing Hot Toddy! 3. They have Jenga! 4. Monday nights they host a knitting/craft night! 5. The staff is really friendly, and make great drinks! So come on people, you need to go here. I know I'll be going back really soon to hopefully drink more whiskey and lose more games of Jenga.
(4)Pete B.
Really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really good tacos. Though one night, my waiter clocked out and got drunk at the bar, so we had to wait a while and flag down the bartender to try and pay our check and get out of there. But still, really really good tacos.
(5)Caitlin C.
We randomly chose to eat here because we saw the large neon cocktail sign, and it looked empty-ish. Or at least not packed to the gills. We did not want to wait (and we didn't have to). I ordered the green meanie (good, if predictable), and this *delicious* taco with fried zucchini topped with wasabi cole slaw. It. Was. So. Good. I wish I'd gotten two of those. My mouth is actually watering as I type this. The asian salad was also good - tangy with just the right amount of sesame. I liked that it didn't have any lettuce in it. My last taco was the broken bean, which, honestly I did not like. It's served cold, and is just kind of plain beans/corn served with a big 'ol slab of unexciting cold fried cheese. It came on a molded hard taco, which made it awkward to eat. Anyway! Drinks were pretty good. I thought my friend's sizzurp tasted like cough syrup... but I imagine it's supposed to, and he liked it, so there you go. My downward spiral was maybe a 6 or 7 out of 10. I'd like to try more of their house infused spirits - the lady vengeance cocktail sounds delicious. Last minor complaint: I thought the music was too loud. I pretty much never want to go to a bar to listen to music (unless they also have a dance floor). I know, I'm crotchety, but there you have it. Now get off my lawn, you kids.
(4)Erin B.
So I can only really speak for Cruzroom's happy hour (which is from 4-6 I believe), but they have a real good thing going on. $2.50 tacos, with a large and fancy-shmancy selection that's a foodie's wet dream (I'm talking thai tacos, BLT with crispy cheddah tacos, and scrumptious BBQ pork tacos... Also noticed fish n' chips tacos on the menu as well). Drink menu was outrageous. Infused liquors are a must-try. I had the roasted pineapple vodka, and the blackberry-infused bourbon. Both were delectable. Their servers are also super nice, and very attentive. We actually stopped in one afternoon because some of the staff had been to my boyfriend's work the night before, and had left him a very generous tip after watching some asshole blow up at him in his line... They'd mentioned beforehand that they worked at Cruzroom, so we wanted to check the place out (and leave a fat tip). Thanks guys, you seem like really nice people in addition to being really great servers :) The patio was great, inside was nicely decorated as well. I'll DEFINITELY be coming back!
(5)Subeer S.
Here's my update as promised. We returned to Cruzroom and the service was exceptional. We had a different server this time and he was very attentive. He was also very easy to chat with and made us feel welcomed and appreciated as customers. The food was top notch as usual and the drinks were great. I am very happy that I can keep Cruzroom on the list of my regular neighborhood eateries. Additional shout out to Octavio for noticing my previous review and responding. Shows me that he genuinely cares about customers.
(5)Kristen M.
Cruzroom embodies what the Alberta Arts District is all about! With awesome art, crafty cocktails and terrific (out-of-the-box) tacos, this place is a goldmine! Cruzroom is very chill vibe. I've driven by this venue so many times and finally got a chance to see what the fuss is all about! They have a bunch of artwork laid out throughout the resto as well as their outdoor patio! The artwork reminds me of a bunch of stuff that I would see back in Long Beach, CA's artsy-area. DRINKS: *Lady Vengeance ($7, 4 Stars) cucumber-infused soju + orange flavored liquor + lemon + green tea honey, over ice = a light refreshing cocktail which invigorates your taste buds! It was quite a winner that night! I didn't even taste the soju in the cocktail! I had a couple of these to enjoy my evening there. TACOS: I opted for the two taco + side combo for $7.50, where you choose any of their featured tacos and sides. *Solamente Cruz: features ground beef made into meatballs was dressed with their Oaxacan mole sauce. The sauce seemed okay. It had a hint of smokiness but I felt the meat was a bit dry. The beef is placed upon an Asiago crisp and topped with some type of gremolata. I felt the concept of this taco was great, but overall, it was just A-OK. (3 Stars) *Green Meanie: was my favorite taco out of the two. Featuring a delicious braised piece of pulled pork, which came with a tomatillo chili sauce gave the right amount of spiciness. This lovely taco was topped with roasted tomatillo Poblano chili slaw. This is worth a try! The pulled pork was glistening upon the plate as it was served in it's taco shell. Apparently this taco is a popular choice amongst the customers! (4.5 Stars) And that side? TOTS A LA CRUZ: Fried tater tots were lightly spiced with paprika, drizzled with a spicy smoked cheese sauce, topped with chopped green onions, tomatoes and their "guajillo" salsa, this side dish is worth picking over and over and over! This was a unique side dish and was quite spicy and savor-ly. I'd order this again! (4 Stars) Service is decent. Our waitress was kind, funny and helpful. But towards the end of the meal, she handed us our check without us requesting it. We weren't even through ordering our drinks! (how dare she rush us!) Eventually she apologized for her mistake and explained how she didn't mean to "rush us out". Parking for Cruzroom is on the Alberta street or nearby neighborhoods. Which shouldn't be too difficult to find. I wouldn't mind coming back here for some yummy tacos and delicious drinks! I must warn you that these aren't your traditional type of Mexican tacos. They utilize different flavor profiles from the globe, which are showcased in their tacos. They have a lovely HH for $2 tacos and that's pretty much calling my name! I'll be back for that!
(4)Mark P.
My friend & I stopped by for the happy hour and were not disappointed. Great bar menu with really delicious tacos of all kinds. For drinks I had the scotch infused with fig juice with club soda. Heaven!!!! Service was excellent, everyone pitches in and helps each other. Our server, East was the best! Smoking allowed in the patio area, East even lit a fire for us. The place must be the bomb in the summer.
(5)Warren C.
My girlfriend works graveyard so on the weekend we find ourselves sleeping in from anywhere from noon to as late as 3pm on Sunday. This morning however she was up and at em at 9 am. Yelling from downstairs to beckon me to get up this morning she was insistent on not wasting the day away. As I slowly crawl out of bed her smile emerges from below the steps as she looks at me and says lets do breakfast this morning! Who am I to say no?!?! My original intention was to head down to Pine State Biscuit on Belmont but unfortunately the line was too long. We pulled our trusty PDX breakfast joint book and she found a restaurant on Alberta. Unfortunately they were done serving this morning. We decided to stroll up Alberta and look for something that caught our eye and that's how we ended up at the Cruzroom. I've never heard of this place before but I was caught up with the way this restaurant was decorated much like a diner from back in the days. We came in and took a look at the menu and were satisfied enough to have breakfast there. We decided to take a seat in the patio outside and enjoyed a couple of Mojitos and shared a Green Pork Breakfast Burrito and Two Breakfast tacos one with bacon and the other with Pablono Peppers. We received our drinks and enjoyed an early afternoon conversation before our food arrived. Once the food arrived it painfully obvious that we made the right decision to share the breakfast burrito as opposed to ordering individual ones. The green pork burrito consist of Braised pork shoulder with black beans, their specially seasoned potatoes, scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese wrapped in a tortilla. Then served with a vegetarian green chili sauce over the burrito. The burrito was very good considering this is not really authentic mexican food. The pork tender the touch and the best part of the burrito is their seasoned potatoes that accentuates the flavors of this burrito so well. The bacon breakfast taco is lightly scrambled eggs, cheddar, seasoned potatoes, and bacon wrapped in a corn tortilla. Nice and light and comes with a splash of hot sauce. Our last choice was the Pablono Pepper taco once again comes with cheddar, scrambled eggs, seasoned potatoes, wrapped in a corn tortilla with a splash of hot sauce as well. Both tacos were good but to be honest with you pretty forgettable. Nothing about it really stood out to me. Overall the Cruzroom is a fairly good place to eat. The environment not too bad but the service is extremely slow. We ended up staying and waiting for a few friends to arrive as well and it seemed like it took too long order drinks. I noticed as well that the server was not very good at communicating with customers when substituting orders. I would definitely come back for the beverages and food but I would not expect too much from the service. Happy Eating Everyone!
(3)Zachary H.
Food is great. Drinks are awesome. However, the staff act as if the customer is blessed to even have their attention. As a customer, I should not feel that it is my responsibility to convince the staff that my money is worth taking. They really are an unfortunate bunch.
(3)Amber F.
I came here for the taco happy hour, sat out on the patio for a couple of hours, and had the Driving Miss Daisy cocktail (which was freakin' good), the taco with the zucchini in it, and the Phuket something or other. Both were fabulous. My favorite of the day, however, was the Asian salad. Jicama, carrots, sesame seeds, and loveliness. I also ate about half of my friends tots. SO GOOD. I will definitely eat here again. Another thing that I liked besides the food was the outdoor dining space. They have a great ambiance out there with an artful mural, clean seating, and enough shade/sun space for people to be able to choose without baking and/or freezing. The place itself was also very calming and chilled-out. The service staff was nice and attentive and the prices were great for happy hour. This is a place I can see myself visiting regularly. The onnnnnly thing I would knock it for is that I spent $8 on a cocktail, and as yummy and awesome it was (with its honey and lavender water and gin) was that it barely gave me a buzz. I'm kind of a light-weight and I like to have one drink and be cool for the rest of the dinner, especially when I spend $8 for it. Although I have learned that this IS Portland, and all fancy cocktails seem to run that much, and most seem to be on the weak side. Oh well. It was still super good. Just wish it got me a bit more... loopy.
(4)Ryan H.
I tend to avoid Alberta St at night, due to the large crowds of hipsters. However, last week my wife and I had friends in town, so we did it up. After stopping at a few of the regular places, we were drunk enough to want some food. Since the Cruzroom is one of the only places in a ten block radius I had not been to (since I though it looked a bit uppity) we entered. As feared, it was packed to the gills and we had to sit at a booth that had not yet been cleared. Luckily, it was taken care of within minutes and we adjusted ourselves, ready to have a good time. After twenty minutes (no exaggeration) a waitress finally came over and asked us what we wanted. Unfortunately, we had no menus, so it was another five minutes before we were even able to put in our drink orders. The service remained horrible for the rest of the meal. As an aside, I've found that understaffing is a huge theme on Alberta St. After being talked out of leaving by my friends, we ordered some food and drink. My attitude went from ready to explode in anger to completely satisfied as soon as I sunk my teeth into a taco. The four of us each got a different kind of taco and none of them were lacking anything. The only one of us who got a drink got an infused something or other and it immediately put a smile on his face. We had an appetizer, five tacos, and a round of drinks. When we got the bill literally gasped, but in a good way. It was under $30! The only downside was the lackluster service, but I imagine this will be different during my regular drinking time of late afternoon.
(4)Tierney C.
Tacos are ridiculously yummy, all of them. Drinks are unique and delicious. If you sit outside, expect spotty service but beautiful ambience. Life is compromise.
(4)jonathan s.
good late night happy hour for tacos. red rocket was the favorite. spicy. cant remember the others. too much booze.
(4)Mike R.
I came here during happy hour to meet a couple friends, we walked in and sat ourselves at a table near the back. I had read a bunch of yelp reviews before coming here and was looking forward to seeing if the service was as bad/slow as quite a few reviewers had said but no we had water and menus within 2 mins of sitting down and the waiter came back a short time later to take our order so yea yelpers be trippin' ! I ordered a couple vegan tacos one was a fried Mac & "cheese" thing with slaw and the other was a tofu fish and chips kinda deal, both were pretty good and at the happy hour price of $2.50 a pop not a bad deal but I'll be honest if it wasn't happy hour I would be eating somewhere else (but I'm a cheap bastard) I also ordered the house infused Blackberry Bourbon witch was F*ckin' great! so I ordered another I think I'm gonna try making this at home cuz I could have drank 4-5 more but like I said I'm a cheap SOB anywho I will definitely be coming here again to try some of their other vegan tacos and have some more of that blackberry bourbon.
(4)Jerry B.
This is a great local place to hang, the staff is great, the tacos are fun and out of the ordinary. But the cocktails are 87.5% ice, so don't be tempted by their concoctions and expect to get a full drink. Order beer and you're good. I'd give it 2 stars if basing on drinks only. The iced down alcoholic beverage seems to be the norm on Alberta St.
(3)Rachel H.
Great food, great drinks and super fun trivia! :)
(5)Sara M.
There is a lot to like about this place, a pleasant patio, good cheap food, decent drinks. But all that is hard to focus on when the service is so consistently bad. I have been there five times now and have had the pleasure of just ok service twice and terrible service otherwise. When the bar is no more than 1/3 full and it takes twenty-five minutes to get three beers, getting "backed up" is a pretty flimsy excuse. I know it's really nifty that they put a little plastic dinosaur in your cocktail but don't be fooled, it's just to distract you from the fact that you've finished your drink and nobody seems at all concerned with finding out if you'd like another.
(2)Cassandra S.
I walked by this place with my boyfriend and we decided to eat here on a whim, having never heard of it before. The happy hour deal was great! $2.50 tacos and a large selection of tasty drinks. Service was great, patio was sweet, and I have never had a taco more delicious than the Phuket. We will DEFINITELY be back!
(5)Michael C.
Somehow the hype of this place was lost on me last night. The basic space is comfortable but bare. (Give it a B) The service is really solid (A+). It is the food that did not measure up to my expectations. While certainly a deal at $2.00 a taco I found the tacos dry and bland. (C). Overall for $23.00 I can not complain too much but there is much better value found in many other places in the city.
(3)jade s.
Meh. It said it was a tapas place, but they had tacos... they were decent. Super Taco Express (on Hwy 99 and 99th street) puts it to shame, though...
(3)Rachel M.
Don't know why this place isn't more packed on the weekends, because it's one of the best happy hours in the city! Definitely my favorite Alberta bar. The house infused liquors are delicious (the blackberry-blueberry vodka is my favorite) and the tacos are fairly cheap and filling. I really like the classic nacho taco because of the smoked cheddar sauce, and the Indian-inspired taco is great too. I come here all the time and am also always impressed by how friendly and personable the staff is. They all seem to be having a great time, and it shows!
(5)Aaron V.
Do you like tiny tacos? Good - because that's pretty much all they do. Don't get me wrong, they are some damn fine tacos - its just a real one-trick-pony type of establishment.
(3)Charles T.
man, their pork product tacos are delish.... reminds me if Big Star in Chicago's Wicker Park.
(4)Reed E.
I can dig it. This is not the type of place I would usually go to, but I see myself heading back here. It's nice and cozy inside, and all modern and shit. Like white plates and cool art. The service was very friendly and informative. The food was really good, the standout was the Phuket taco. Prices were reasonable too. So, yeah, it's okay in my book.
(3)Donna K.
We love the non authentic tacos! We have tried everything that is on the menu and the best is the Mac taco! Coleslaw big fatty bacon crispy cheese! The tito appetizer dish is also worth getting. They are deep fried puffed chips kind of tangy and salty with cheese and salsa sauce to dip! They have house infused vodka which is also necessary to try... We love going here for hh from 430 to 630 .. $2 tacos!!! One of a kind tacos flavorful and loaded with toppings. The tacos are a Fusion of Thai, Vietnamese, Indian, and Latin. Try 1 or all of them soon!!
(5)Rosetta S.
House infused liquors, delicious cheap tacos, and an awesome ambiance. Cruzroom is my new favorite spot on Alberta. They have a late night happy hour every day of the week from 10-close. The staff is great, friendly and cute. I had Tots a la Cruz, the smoked cheddar cheese sauce is phenomenal. The Spicy Pickle Chips, which were just the prefect amount of spicy. And a great price of the portion. And a vegetarian taco I can't remember the name of, but it was delicious! I can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu!
(5)Claire G.
I love living next door to this place. I could eat the green acres taco everyday and not get tired of it. The rotating taps are wonderful and the happy hour is a steal. Whenever people ask me where to eat along Alberta street, I always send them here first. Love you guys, keep making them crazy tacos :)
(5)Jenny S.
Part of me doesn't want to write a review of this place because I don't want to share this little secret on Alberta and have to wait in Por Que No style lines for their ridiculous tacos. But here is my asterix- these are NOT traditional tacos. These are not what you would get on a street in Mexico, but these are absolutely delicious, mouthwatering, creative tacos. I eat them slowly so that my mouth can absorb all the flavors before I swallow. They are not super large tacos, but if you go during happy hour (opening until 6:30pm) they are only $2 each and well worth it. If you're still hungry, the Chavez salad is fantastic. Aside from tacos, they make some mean cocktails, have good beer, a great outdoor patio and a pretty cozy interior. I'm waiting for a rainy day to sit in there and play Battleship. Oh, and don't forget the Lego tournament for grown ups. For a place that may seem pretty "hipstery", I find the staff friendly, helpful and honest, which is definitely not always the case in Alberta. See, I should have said this place was awful. Now you're all going to go and take my seat.
(5)Tiffany B.
Taco....Taco...Taco.... this is not your "normal" taco! These are like crazy ass flavors laid in a soft corn tortilla. But what else would you expect from a city that is weird and different as Portland?! The space itself screams eccentric to me. Church pews line the window with velvet cushions. The TV was playing some Madmax knockoff movie from the 80's that starred Patrick Swayze...that was hilarious to watch! They do have outdoor patio seating with fire pits that look cool on a summer night...but we were here on a night that was under 40 degrees....so we choose one of those pews to sit in! The taco lab (the menu as they call it) is crazy, crazy, crazy..... all kinds of flavors out together to make these original tacos. And cheap as hell, might I add. My favorite was the Phuket, Asian infused flavors...lemongrass, peanut sauce...oh my! The drinks look dangerous also! We didn't try any this time around (gasp! I know what a shock) but next time around we definitely will indulge in those concoctions!
(4)Stacey D.
Great patio! Great service! Love this neighborhood bar.
(4)Scott B.
Creative, delicious combinations with a great bar and comfy atmo. This would be a hangout of mine if only I were lucky enough to live in the Alberta district.
(4)Anthony B.
Sometimes living in Portland is rough... I have too many favorite places and not enough meals in the day... but now I have another favorite. Thanks a lot Cruzroom! The other problem I have with Cruzroom is that it's not made for an indecisive fella like me. "They only serve tacos" I hear. So I think nice, that will make my decision about what to eat easy...WRONG! Every taco sounded awesome...lucky for me, my eating crew have acclimated to the fact that I must taste what they have ordered (sorry gang)...and they were all good. (it's not like I'm not sharing too!) My favorites were the tacos from the Pork variety. But the tough decisions don't stop at tacos...the Good Witch of NE Portland is mixing up some serious potions. I would have liked to try one of each, but I'll save that for a non-school night. The only easy decision was the Titos - they are little salty, zesty, crispy triangles of yum! My buddy says the breakfast burritos "suck balls" but luckily Portland has lots of my favorite breakfast joints.
(5)Cruz O.
I'm biased. It's got my name in the title. It's the only reason I went. But! Lucky for me, it was great. Quite possibly the greatest/most interesting happy hour I'v ever had. Every taco is two dollars. They have five vegetarian options, and a bunch of other inventive meat-filled ones. Two dollars might be steep for a small taco if they weren't well-made and creative. Which they are. In the long run would I want a Cruzroom taco over the best street taco (meat, onion, cilantro, tortilla)? Probably not, but two bucks a taco to mix and match with some house-infused drinks at, if I remember correctly, 4 bucks a pop? That's some low risk fun, friends. Great bartender, re-poured a drink when one vodka was deemed somewhat lacking. Put out giggles for shits and skittles. Er, put out skittles for shits and giggles. It's a fun hour or two, and Alberta is a fun walk if you've had some drinks.
(4)Michelle S.
I live in the Alberta neighborhood and somehow missed this place for three years. Finally made it there last week and was stoked to discover another restaurant "staple" to add to my list. Great casual dining choice- the tacos are all very interesting and yummy. For around 30$ my husband n I each had three tacos, a side and two cocktails. The Mac taco is a serious party in your mouth, the Phuket was Thai fusion magic. My only complaint is that The Poco Taco is misnamed- it was not "a little bit" anything.- It read "spicy" on the menu, should have read "fire in the hole." Tasty fire, but still likely to create a Johnny Cash experience later on the loo (Burn, burn, burn, my ring of fire....") Spice fearers- just stay away from the spicy stuff- the rest of the menu is plenty flavorful. Often times I will find something I love at a restaurant and then just want to order it every time I go because I am assured to have a great meal. This is especially true when the food is expensive. Who wants to spend $25+ just to wish you'd ordered the (INSERT FAVORITE DISH HERE). Cruzroom's menu looks so interesting that despite how much I enjoyed the Phuket Taco, I look forward to branching out. And, at $3-4 a taco its not like its a big gamble to try something new. Great patio, great cocktails, and definitely not the wait like you have to endure at Porque No. At least not yet anyway......
(4)Sara N.
Love this place! It's not really my type of everyday hangout, but when I'm in the mood for fancy tacos, they're as good as it gets. Really decently priced, too. I always get the two-taco and tots deal with a blackberry-infused bourbon on the rocks to wash it down. So delicious!
(5)Jeneva C.
I love this place. Great tacos, especially the pork belly one. I hate though that they are so understaffed the service is slow as molasses. I'm a fan but it is so unacceptable to get a ginger ale 15 minutes after I ordered it. Absolutely unacceptable.
(4)Michelle H.
I eat here a lot. But I'm a sucker for a breakfast burrito. It just so happens they serve up my current favorite Bloody Mary and they never have a line for brunch. Ever. I didn't know it was possible on Alberta either. They cater to the the meat eaters and the veggie eaters among us. Both versions are awesome. They even have cinnamon vanilla pancakes that are massive, fluffy, and delicious. If you manage to conquer their burrito, it's a knife and fork operation and you're going to be full for most of the day. If a breakfast burrito and a Bloody Mary isn't your thing (for shame!), their dinner is just as awesome. They pair ridiculous tacos (think meatloaf, reuben, po' boy, lemongrass chicken) with awesome cocktails (blackberry laced bourbon, kthx). They don't claim to be authentic Mexican food (their hilarious sign outside says so), but it's damn good, and that's all I care about. Their service is on-point, even when they get a little busy. Sitting at the bar yields some awesome conversation. They do really cool theme nights like Movie Night on Sundays, Knit Night on Mondays, and live jazz on Fridays. I've definitely seen games of Jenga going on during breakfast. It's seriously a cool spot. One of their business values is 'giving a damn,' and it shows.
(5)Heather H.
First of all, the ONLY reason this place isn't getting five stars is because of the service. We went on a Wednesday night around 8 p.m. The place was NOT crowded. By the time we got the extra salsa we ordered halfway through the meal, the food was cold. I find this unacceptable service. However, they seemed short-handed, so I'd give them the benefit of the doubt and try it again. Now, as for the food, HOLY AWESOMENESS, Batman! This place has amazing flavors! The menu has four categories: (1) titos (scrumdidilyumptious take on nachos), (2) tacos, (3) sides and (4) salsas. You absolutely must get the titos! They are...well, amazing. Everyone loved them. Next you get your choice of tacos. They are all unique and creative. I got a taco that was kind of like a rueben, one with fried pickles and one that was like a nacho in a bowl, just to give you an idea. The side salsas are good too, but "medium" tasted more like mild to me. The drink menu is nothing fancy. Well, let me rephrase that. It TRIES to be fancy, but we thought it was sort of...meh. Prices were about what I'd expect to pay.
(4)Chelsea G.
I look for excuses to go here. The service has been spotty, but so nice. I was there when they were accidentally overwhelmed by...a reunion? God knows what. I've been back since- the fact that they knew they were overmanned, and still smiling & getting things out as they could?Great customer service. Also, I always tell the story of them showing Dune, while my boyfriend & I ate turkey-mashed potato-stuffing-gravy tacos. We found a Lego Storm Trooper kit nearby. Really? A seriously fun night.
(4)Aaron K.
This place is the spot for a mid week happy hour date.... The tacos are all bad ass deliciousness.... Combine a fusion taco with their house made fusion booze and you will find yourself tingling all over with fusion goodness. Plus they toss in a little plastic dino or other creature with the house drinks during the hours of happiness. Overall great flavors, great house made booze, great service and easy on the pocketbook. Easy 5.
(5)Laura C.
What an awesomely rad outdoor seating area this restaurant has! Mind you, not 9 months of rainy season a year...but the 3 sunshine filled months Oregon gets, this is one of the best place to have happy hour - especially during last Thursday. Of course, you have to get there early - because the secret is out. Not only do you get front row seating to watch passing freak shows, you get live music. I'm no hipster, but I love watching them. As for the food, happy hour consists of AMAZING taco's listed under "Taco Lab". I chose the "Phuket" because I was travel ling there soon after. It consisted of Thai lemongrass chicken fried with coconut milk served in a corn tortilla topped with a peanut Asian slaw. Deeee-lish! I also ordered the "Crueben" which was made with corn beef, melted asiago cheese, sour kraut, and Russian dressing. I was great, but not quite as fantabulous as the Phuket! Because the tacos are tapas sized, I also ordered the "First Mate", which is potatoes and roasted corn salsa served in a corn tortilla and topped with a blue cheese sauce. To quench my thirst, I ordered the house cocktail - which was something infused with something else. Don't ask me what it was exactly - I was preoccupied with watching a parade of castoffs from a travel ling circus going by. Alberta Street is kind of a world unto its own, so come here if you're looking for a good time. Closed minded people need not apply.
(5)Randi B.
My BF and I ended up here during their Happy Hour. Their Happy Hour is awesome! We got 3 cocktails, 3 beers, 2 tacos, and cheese tots for $25. I had their house infused blueberry/black tea vodka, which is delicious. I also had the roasted pineapple vodka, which in my opinion wasn't as good as the blueberry/black tea but still tasty. My BF had several draft beers which were all good. We had a couple tacos which were tasty, original, and inventive. The tots with homemade cheese sauce was also good. Our bartender was super friendly and we had a good time talking with her. Really enjoyed Cruzroom and would go back!
(5)Jeff M.
I've been a few times now and this is a different take on tacos. Try them all. Get the three and a side for ten bucks or happy hour is two bucks any taco. They look small but three and a side will do you. Four on their own also work. Cocktails are cool and delicious. On my last visit I got a beer with my tacos. I don't drink beer often, but when I do... well you can guess my choice. Service has always been good and the bartenders are attentive and talkative while the work. My next visit will be to get out to their patio before summer is gone. ps. Watch for crowds on busy weekends. Sit at the bar for quick service.
(5)Andrea T.
Holy delicious infused alcohol! Double fig scotch on the rocks for me! And the tacos! Most are gluten-free and all can be made dairy-free (sans the pate one). All I gotta say is the Meanie Greenie is a classic pork taco and DELICIOUS! The Phuket is a thai flavored chicken taco that is so yummy! Went with 3 friends for happy hour, and all of us were super satisfied!
(5)Tommy T.
I originally found the Cruzroom from Yelp! and I've been a fan ever since! Pineapple infused vodka & a super spice Bloody Mary started off this celebratory dinner with some friends. We had both the regular Titos and Curry Titos as a quick appetizer. I have to admit that I love the original Titos more than the Curry ones, probably because the sauce is way spicier. For my main course I got a Cheese Head taco, a Broken Bean taco (halloumi cheese & citrus black beans) & a First Mate Taco. Of course I couldn't resist the Tots-a-la-Cruz as the obligatory side. Cruzroom offers a cool and casual atmosphere with an attentive wait staff who is used to folks asking questions about the menu. To start a night on the town or top off a wonderful week check out Cruzroom.
(5)Karina W.
I can dig it. Yummy creative Tacos. Weird ones. I recommend the Greenie Meanie - pulled pork and green tomatillo sauce. Zesty fest in my mouth! (I like many of the other tacos, but that is a must order every time I go.) Tomatillo salad. Heck yes! Movies on flat screens. Weird ones. Think "black vikings". Keeps the dinner conversation going with a bit of MST3K, if you are so inclined. Lovely patio, with artistic murals. I've yet to partake in you, but one day when I'm not trying to avoid awkward silences with my weird movie crutch.
(4)Rachel K.
I failed to check my inbox & got a message from the owner, saying that the management and training was changing significantly, and as a neighbor who is there a few times per month, I can attest to that. The service does seem so much better than it was the few times I went a yearish ago, and the food, as always, is good. AND, they nixed all the super racist names for all their food/cocktails! Awesome! Good work, Cruz Room - I'll definitely be back.
(5)Kate M.
First time at Cruzroom last night. Love this place! Had their house infused double-fig scotch and blackberry bourbon - so good and only $4 each at happy hour. Didn't really like their beer selection, but a pint of Rainier for cheap sufficed. Service was awesome. Though it got busy, staff was really helpful and friendly. We started out on the patio - nice! As it got cooler we moved inside - also nice. Had the rising sun taco which was yummy. Wasn't too hungry, but I'll definitely be coming back here to try their other tacos, Asian salad, and more of their infusions/cocktails. Favorite bar on Alberta for sure!
(5)Stephanie K.
This place is the bees knees. I don't know if they do this every day, but when I first came here they were playing Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo. Granted it, there was no sound, but the music they were playing (old school rap) fit in quite perfectly. This was a perfect way to enjoy a lazy Sunday, watching Ice T dance, drinking spicy Bloody Mary's and enjoying a huge freaking tofu burrito! I've been back a couple times since then to indulge in Jenga and happy hour. Which makes for a fantastic time as well. They have awesome happy hour food for incredibly cheap. Huge plus for the sick patio that is perfect when the weather is nice.
(4)Aaron S.
Stopped in for a drink and started looking at the menu...! So many great tacos and the few that we ordered were so good. Will defiantly be going back.
(5)caretia F.
These folks ROCK! Their quirky movies and authentic, clever tacos are fun and their drinks and staff are too. Happy hour is terrific and it's consistently good. I live in the neighborhood and cruzroom is always a place I can go and just know I am gonna get something delicious. There is no pretense there and that is a refreshing vibe too. The art is always changing and the graffiti in the bathroom is a giant piece of art to check out if you have time. Their house infused spirits are great as well. I get that it's not the most romantic place but it is great place to go with friends, the outside seating area is super relaxed as well.
(5)Cathie Joy Y.
Cruzroom, What happened??? I went there when they were newly opened and I really liked it. That was before they modified the menu the first time. The tacos were hot, fresh, interesting and 3 were pretty filling. The cocktails were good too. The second time I went they had added some side dishes and the tacos were still pretty good. Went there the night before last -(Lego night)- and what a let down! They were very busy with folks who were there for the Lego building contest which actually looked cool and fun but not when I want to have dinner. The service was initially a little slow because of that but I am patient and I did not really mind. Seems they changed the menu again but not in a good way. I ordered two tacos plus a side for $7.50 which seems like a good deal before you eat it - but the choice of sides is very limited - 3 small salad options or tater tots. I got the papaya salad which was a pile of shredded papaya and carrots with an asian-y dressing. It was 2 bites until boring. The tacos were tiny. One was a hard shell filled with dry black beans and fried Haulomi cheese. The latter tasted like badly fried tofu. The second was Peruvian slaw and Indian curried potatoes. I have to blame myself for ordering that International food collision. It was not terrible but it was not very good and both tacos were room temperature and - tiny. The margaritas were tasty and strong and our waitperson was nice. The final conclusion : would I go there for cocktails and assembling Legos? Probably not because it was really loud. I might drop by for a drink some other time, but I would not go there if I was hungry.
(2)Flo J.
Weird combination of flavors. Thai peanut sauce on a chicken taco?? Not a fan! Housemade chips were extremely salty. Salsas were decent, but my biggest problem with this place---HOLY MOLY--NO GUACAMOLE! I mean, WTF?! My suggestion? Go to PQN on Mississippi. WAAAAAAAY better tacos with ingredients that are fresh and tasty and where they have guacamole!
(1)Kara P.
I ended up at Cruzroom for a ladies night. Let me first say the staff was fantastic, there was at least 13 ladies in our group and they kept up with us even when we kept playing musical chairs on them. The drinks were amazing, their cocktail list included drinks featuring gin, which I don't see everywhere so I was a fan. The food was good, I am not a huge fan of fusion places, but I really enjoyed the unique combination of flavors and that they were small so you could try lots of them!
(4)Cedric J.
Overambitious cocktails, non-authentic tacos. Food: 3 (Very good tacos, good vegetarian selection, and the 'Titos are a must-try) Drinks: 5 (Some of the best in town) Atmosphere: 3 (Nice, but almost trying to be divey. Kind of confusing, but that's the whole feel of this place anyway, so it works) Service: 2.5 (It really depends on the night, how well-staffed they are, and how busy they are.) Value: 4 (This is variable. For food, it is cheeeeap. For drinks, it is a bit above average. Sustainability: 2 (Local selection of booze! No other consideration in the space I know of) This has quickly become one of my favourite places to catch a drink. But since it isn't in my neighbourhood, I make a night of it. I discovered this place sort of by accident, and now I'm practically a regular. I try to make it there at least once a month. Firstly, the cocktails are a fucking work of art. If you go here, you must have a cocktail. Everything I've had is fantastic. It may cost you 9$ or 11$, but it is worth it. I promise. Get the liquor you like off the drink menu or have a house-infused flight. Whatever it is, it will be good. Promise. Secondly, however awkward it sounds as an accompaniment, the tacos here are little, tapas-sized plates with really great sides. Three tacos and a side will set you back 7.50$ (whoopitidoo) and your mouth will be happy with you. I think that the Owner (chicken/mole), the one with potatos and bacon, and the lemongrass chicken one really deliver. The bay shrimp one isn't really worth it, and the Not Your Taco veggie option is pretty good. The tots with cheese sauce are a fantastic accompaniment to anything, and the Titos (homemade tortilla chips roasted in the oven with asiago cheese, a bit of lime, and a cheese dip) are a major hit. Order one for the table and share. The digs are nice, but not too nice. The crowd is a mixed bag, but being on Alberta, it is what you may expect (a mixture of regular people and hipsters). The art on the wall is local and interesting at times... the TVs are a bit annoying, but avoidable if you sit in the westernmost section. Outdoor seating is available (but probably only recommended in the non-winter slog-months). Service, as I alluded to, is spotty; it depends on the night and how well-staffed it is to meet demand. If you're in a large party with only one bartender and you have somewhere to be, it won't work well (but where will that combo work well?). If you're a table for four and there is a waitress attending to your needs, the service is ample and totally great. All in all, this place is solid and won't break the bank. The bartenders and staff are really talented at what they cook and craft.
(4)Alex K.
OK - so this place is a little pricey which is why i only gave 3 stars. however, the tacos were effin' amazing. Not to mention unique - like no taco I've ever had before. The drinks were pretty good too, but small. very small actually. Service was attentive and friendly
(3)Nick D.
An old diner, turned swanky bar with rad style and ambiance. Friendly and attentive staff. The bartender is a master at his trade. The cocktails are large and delicious. This is a fun place with a lot of little, nice touches. Tacos are exquisite and creative. This is the Cruzroom, not Rico's Tacos. So don't expect or hope for anything to resemble Mexican food. At the Cruzroom, they've made non-Mexican style eats, while keeping the definition of 'taco' intact. I suggest the Green-Meanie, Why Not?
(5)LISA S.
I had a completely wonderful experience here. The food: Awesome! I loved my veggie taco in a neat Lil taco boat and the tots I had really cannot compare to anything I have had in Portland. So cute, so delicious, good value. The atmosphere: interesting, provocative art adorning the walls, wouldn't take my grandmother there(but she only like Applebee's so I wouldn't bother in the first place)- The space was nice and dark, but not so dark that you can't read the menus. It had a nice glow where everyone looked purdy, so maybe take a date there? No wait, and not totally crowded at 9:30ish on a Saturday! The service: I felt it was very very attentive. The waitress was on top of everything, and was very charming. I was very impressed with the bartender that brought out our tasting flight- he was very informative, and even offered up ice and soda if we wanted to make any of our tasters into drinks. Even the dude bringing silverware was very nice and went the extra mile to make sure all of our needs were catered to. The drinks: LOTs of thought and creativity put into the drink menu...but I honestly thought for the premium-- they sounded better than they tasted. I just think whoever was coming up with the drink names, recipes and descriptions was a genius. The drinks were good, the presentation was just better. New favorite place on Alberta.
(5)Miles N.
This review would have been four or even five stars if it werent for one reason. The wait is ridiculous! I love the food and drinks here. Ive come in multiple times and always had a great meal. Unfortunately though the wait to get your food is way too long. I usually come in early and the wait is still a bit too long considering there arent many customers. But I can deal considering the food is so good. Last time I brought my folks in along with a friend from out of town. I raved to them how good the place was. It was later in the evening, obviously peak, it honest to god took at least an hour to get our food after ordering. It was packed, ok, but waiting an hour is not ok. You guys obviously know the food takes awhile, why not let customers know before sitting them down. After sucking down some drinks and an hour passing we were pretty pissed and ready to leave. I even finally asked, "if the food isnt being made right now we just want our bill so we can leave", the food was being made though so we stayed. Food was good as it always was but that kind of service tarnishes the taste. I know I'll be back, for an early dinner, but its going to be some time. Please get another cook! or cut the seating back!
(3)Danielle N.
Awesome spot -- friendly service, inventive drinks, and tasty food. Music's a little loud sometimes, so you have to shout, so I would suggest going early if you want to connect with a date. Portions are pretty small, even for "small plate" fare compared to other spots.
(4)Alyssa M.
This is my current favorite restaurant. I am in agreement with the other high reviews. Cruzroom has the most creative menus, both food and drinks. They use fresh and local ingredients, and I have never had anything that was less than wonderful. I recommend going back many times in order to try all of the different taco creations! Also! They have fabulous breakfast burritos!!
(5)Thomas M.
I gave Cruz Room a second try last weekend and it will be my last. This place is the replacement for Franicis and I was really excited with the "Taco Lab" bar concept. The food options are pretty much limited to unique creative tacos, like the Nacho taco, The owner, the Oregon coast... ect. Unfortunalley they don't serve about half of the options at "late night", I was there at 10 and it is a bar... The drinks are decent but pretty pricey. This and the price vs. quality would keep me from coming back alone. However the worst part is the service, I typically like to ask servers to suprise me or give me their best dish when I try out a new place. Most people seem to embrace this challenge and I end up with an awesome meal/drink. Not the case here I was treated like a child who could not make up his own mind and talked down to by my Tattoed server. Not the best expirience.... I left and went across the s
(2)Lisa G.
I've been a loyal Porque no? fan for 3 years now but I have gotten a bit sick of the wait. Enter Cruzroom.... I really wasn't expecting much from this place as I walked up to meet a friend but I could tell something was different as soon as I sat down. 1. Both people behind the bar made sure to acknowledge me when I came in (one even said "hi" twice!) which made me feel welcome. This is pretty rare in a Portland bar so I was pleased from the start. 2. As I started to peruse their drink menu I was blown away by how many drinks were right up my ally. Luckily I didn't have to choose because the bartender came over and told me about the special he was working on: The Ben Vereen - House fig-laced Scotch, a nudge of Benedictine and Buddh's Hand Bitters with a lemon twist. I was sold instantly and when it arrived it was perfection. I am not a fan of drinking scotch with anything more than the perfect scotch glass but after this I am thinking I might branch out a bit more... 3. Their tacos are out of this world! I would like to say that Porque No has some competition but to be frank, Porque No? doesn't belong in the same class as Cruzroom when it comes to tacos. I can't even imagine standing in line now when I can have my "First Mate" in a matter of minutes. 4. They hand out comment cards with the check. All in all they seem to be very attentive to how your experience goes and they are obviously doing their best to make changes where they need to.
(5)Lin N.
Great happy hour, creative menu, relaxing interior.. All the other good things other people said..... BUT may I add that they have a great selection of games including connect 4? I just can't think of a more fun thing to do than play a game while watching an 80's movie out of the corner of my eye, and eating tacos with ingredients like curry and buffalo chicken!
(5)Tallia B.
Great food and drinks at affordable prices. Green Meanie taco was amazing! Laid back atmosphere - perfect for a Saturday afternoon hang out. Service was fast and friendly.
(5)Mac M.
I was excited as the next guy when I saw this coming. I thought it was a good idea, and Alberta does need late night places. So many places open on Alberta claiming that they will be open late night, then they never hold to that, so there was hope that this one might. Anyway, my wife and I finally went in the other night and sat at the bar/counter. In short the service started off bad, and got worse, and by the end us, and the parties on both sides of us were all waving to get someone's attention. It was really, really bad. The kind of bad where you almost have to walk out without paying because there's no other real option. Here's a quick list of what happened: - After asking for a beer list the guy comes back 5 minutes later without a beer list and asks "can I get you a drink"? - Then I only received 1 of the 2 tacos I ordered. - Meanwhile the couple next to us go served the wrong order entirely. - Then we ordered 2 more tacos and a beer before the waiter literally disappeared for over 20 minutes as he laughed with other customers at the other end of the place. I got the chefs attention and he said there was no order back there. He was PO'd too, it was obvious. Finally after 20 minutes of it being obvious we weren't getting the beer or our tacos I eventually got the attention of another waitress to get the bill after which our waiter came up and said "Oh, I forgot about your beer!". Me: "Yeah, and our tacos". Him: "Oh, and your taco". Me: "Two of them." Him: "Oh, they should be coming out shortly" Me: "No, the chef says he doesn't have any orders in" Him "Oh, we are still working out kinks" Sorry, there're no "kinks" in all that. It's just horrible, unacceptable service. Though he was an awful waiter, he was nice enough, and the food that actually did come was decent. But we just wanted to get out of there as fast as we could after all that, and no, we won't be going back.
(1)Matthew S.
This is probably my favorite bar on Alberta. They have the best mixed drinks and the tacos, tots, and fried pickles are AMAZING. They have a very good vegetarian menu, too. The staff are ridiculously good: helpful, nice, and attentive! They're always something new to discover and I'm never bored with it.
(5)Briana S.
Love this place, have been there many times and keep returning. Something about their tacos and service just forces you to return. Mac taco has to be my favorite but haven't had a bad taco here. I have enjoyed conversations with there very nice bartender and there seems to always be a funny/off movie on but I think that is what adds to the character of this place. It is definitely a fun place to check out and order 1-3 tacos depending on hunger level don't let the size of them fool you - filling and lots of flavor..Yum!
(5)A C.
I have been here a couple of times and I always leave this place feeling happy and satisfied. Good food, good service, good happy hour, good prices and great atmosphere. You can't go wrong with Cruz Room.
(4)Wolf L.
The Cruzroom just opened up on Alberta Street. We were witness to the construction and anxiously awaiting a new restaurant to try. Tonight was the night. The owner beckoned us inside from the street and we were happy to oblige. We brought the whole crew with us, so I was glad to see we had arrived for happy hour. $0.50 off draft beer and a nice discount on the tacos. I really didn't know what to expect, but the friendly waitress did a very good job explaining the cuisine. Cool, artistic decor. A muralist was hard at work on the patio and it looks like the finished product will be awesome. The Cruzroom serves tapas-size tacos that cost between $2.75 and $3.50 apiece. They come in a variety of interesting flavors. We tried 'em all. My favorite was the Owner: chicken in chocolate mole sauce, served atop a little corn tortilla and topped with spicy peanut-butter Asian slaw. I also enjoyed the Green Meanie: chili verde pork with green chile sauce. That one was good and spicy. GF highly recommends the Not-Your-Taco: black beans, deep-fried sweet onion strings and jalapenos, served in a crunchy little corn tortilla shell. Good service and tasty food. It was nice to eat at a restaurant where the staff is brimming with such welcoming enthusiasm. We all left with happy, satisfied stomachs. We'll definitely be back.
(5)lynne M.
Cocktails and tacos. Such a great idea! Drinks are inventive and tasty. The tacos are very very good too. The service was really good (friendly, knowledgeable) but got a little overwhelmed when the small restaurant became full. Good space too. Groovy and hip without pretentious.. Rockem Sockem boxing robots are a nice touch.,
(4)Emma P.
The cocktails were interesting with awesome presentation (sage or pear slices, anyone?) and service was great! However, I found the tacos to be on the small side and pretty pricy. There aren't a lot of options besides a taco for people who don't eat cheese. It would be nice to have more side dish options such as beans and rice for a reasonable price.
(3)kelly s.
After the shitty service we had at the Alleyway, the bf and I decided to hit up Cruzroom for a couple tacos and a drink or two. Both of the guys working greeted us right as we walked in. We a Kopstootje (kop-stow-che) which means "little head butt". A beautiful tulip glass filled to the rim with Bols Genever and a glass of Upright Kopstootje Biere on the side. Oh my...... We ordered a couple tacos - the pork was amazing. A huge punch of flavor!!! I wanted more. Artwork was really cool. Service was attentive and informative. I will wait patiently until my next visit to Cruzroom, because I will be back. I wish they were open right now...
(5)Scott Z.
Wasn't to sure about the place at first. But after the second visit I figured out what to order and was converted. Very cheap and tasty.
(5)Jen C.
Talk about a fun bar with great drinks, this is place my friends. We sat at the bar and the bartender took care of us right away, was super fast, friendly, and helpful in choosing which cocktail to go with. The cocktails were really well made and I had the Downward Spiral - love the name by the way -and some others. The atmosphere was great too, live music, fun patrons, I could go on and on. Would love to try their food, maybe next time.
(5)Kilo J.
The two stars are for the awesome drinks, fabulous service, and great atmosphere. But restaurants are only as good as their food, and as a person who comes from a hometown where delicious tacos abound(ed), I was thoroughly disappointed by the tacos here. I've been looking for good tacos in Portland for years now! There are so many toppings you have to eat the "tacos" with a fork (good tacos should be easily wrapped around the filling and eaten with fingies), the pork belly was a rectangle of fat, and the fried pickles tasted - well - too fried. The biggest complaint I have, though, is that the corn tortillas came out cold and damp, like so many I experience in this fabulous city. Make 'em from scratch and heat 'em up! Then you'll really have something to work with.
(2)Megan R.
I'm gonna go ahead and say it.... BEST TACO IN PORTLAND. Sorry Porque No fans. I'm a fan too, but these tacos take it to the next level. They're risky, they're adventurous and there's bacon on top. Need I say more?
(5)Sarah W.
Great tacos and libations but very slow drink service even though it wasn't busy.
(3)gregarious c.
This is a must check out destination if you are in the NE Alberta zone. The quality and service are off the chart and the vibe is welcoming and cozy. The Food: insanely great!!! The Drinks: amazingly spectacular!!! Aaron the bar manager, knowing I HAVE to drink Potato vodka, infused pineapple with Monopolwa since he knew I was DJing. C'mon!!! It doesn't get better than this!!!
(5)Brian H.
Nice place. Good friendly service. Great food. Good beer. Vegetarian options. Been here twice and both times were great. Breakfast burritos are huge and delicious.
(4)Laura S.
Love this place. The green meanie taco + tots a'la Cruz + grilled pineapple infused vodka with soda: you can not go wrong. Eaten on their gorgeous mural-covered patio, you have yourself a perfect summer meal.
(5)Judi S.
I'm a big fan of Alberta Street and when I heard there was a "new taco place" to try, I knew I had to check it out. The usual Alberta street taco joint, it ain't. The decor and ambiance are upscale; but comfy/warm upscale, not snooty upscale. If you go, you really must try the Titos, made to order tortilla chips perfectly seasoned with asiago cheese and pico de gallo spices. They are served with small sides of Guajillo salsa and cheese sauce, but they are so good on their own that you don't need anything to dip them in. I'm serious . . . try the Titos. We ate an embarrassing amount of the chips, which we decided was a good thing when we realized that the tacos were tapas-sized. I ordered the two tacos and side for a very reasonable $7.50. Both the Green Meanie pork taco and the Original potato bacon tacos were delicious and satisfying . The Asian salad was crisp and crunchy and tangy. My dining companions ordered various combinations of tacos and sides and all were happy with their selections. The Potato Cake was particularly good. We thought the menu of beers and cocktails was good, but one of our party would have appreciated a choice of non-alcoholic cocktails. A dessert menu would have, literally, iced the cake. We'll definitely be back.
(5)Alexis H.
I wish I could grant Cruzroom more than one star. I couldn't really call my visit there an "experience," it doesn't really qualify as one. Boyfriend and I wander in around 1am on a Saturday night, after months of walking past and thinking it looked like a very interesting place. It was pretty slow, no one on the patio, a few tables occupied and most of the bar open. Two bartenders, a busser, DJ, and cook. WHY did it take a full 15 minutes of sitting at the bar to be greeted? The male bartender (moustache, tattoos, perfect hair) talked with his female counterpart and casually washed some cups in the 15 minutes that we stared, waiting for assistance. I started counting to 100 until we'd walk out, but around 80 he finally brought over some water and menus, told us a special, and walked away. We knew what we wanted within 3 minutes, yet he didn't come back. Period. We waited another 10 minutes as they NO JOKE just stood there yapping. The entire time the cook kept shooting guilty looks our way, he clearly realized that we were being ignored. In the end, we walked out. My boyfriend and I have both worked in bars and restaurants for years and we had never once walked out of a place before. All in all... service is total crap. Not worth it.
(1)Patioh P.
Great bar! The tacos are delicious and well priced at happy hour. Infused liquors are to die for. Fantastic Patio! Our full review is in our podcast of this patio at: patiohpatino.wordpress.c…
(4)Matt K.
I was skeptical of Cruzroom when I first saw their pre-opening signs. However they've done quite well and I'm a fan. Their food and drink selection is unique and trying to be different. I get that. Usually this doesn't end up doing well, but I think they're onto something. The taco selections change frequently and the ingredients are superb. Some highlights are the greenie meanie and nacho taco. There's also one I've had with pork belly that was amazing. The drinks are unique and crafted with care. There are a few in there that are a bit to far out of my realm but I do enjoy the Stones Live '75 (a tasty twist on the French 75) as well as the "Teq-kill-ya". The patio is great in the summer and the bar is cozy in the winter. It does get packed on the weekends but you can tune out the crowds with the random selection of movies on the big screen. Mostly it's obscure kung-fu films or 70s exploitation films.
(4)Lauren G.
Been here twice. First time: fantastic. Ate a ton of creative tacos and delicious cocktails. Second time we couldn't stay because they close at midnight. I thought it was a bar... Disappointing because I would have liked to have stayed.
(3)Mewford K.
I came here when it first opened and have been back a little more than a hand full of times. I take my out of town friends here and some times find myself craving the tacos. The tacos are small (comparatively speaking) but they pack a huge punch of flavor. Each taco has such an intricate weaving of flavors and textures that play on your taste buds. The tacos are only $2-$3 each so don't feel guilty ordering 3 or more! The drinks are unique and creative. A little pricey but they are definitely worth it.
(5)Alissa L.
Chill fun cool spot for cocktails and snacks! Tacos are rich but delicious. Cocktails are creative and strong, atmosphere is a perfect balance of mellow and fun.
(5)Michael K.
late night hang with a dozen people or so. great mix of food items for both carnivore and vegetarian. interesting specialty drinks. the bartender/server that night was really attentive and super nice. odd 80s movie on the tv mesmerized you if you let it - like a train wreck, once you looked you couldnt look away without difficulty. the bill came and it was not only reasonable, but seemed like it was an error because it was so low. kudos cruzroom. ps - only one bathroom per gender is kinda iffy but didnt effect me on this particular night so i'm not going to let it effect the rating.
(5)David G.
Stopped in for a drink...good cocktails!
(3)Nick S.
Service and friendliness was phenomenal write off the bat. As soon as my wife and I came in, the bartender came out from behind the bar and greeted us personally (granted, it was really slow in there, but it was still great effort!) Chips are a must as an appetizer. Hand-made, cheesy, flavorful goodness...and that's just before you did them in the provided salsa or cheese sauce!! Food was incredible. Nontraditional and creative tacos full of amazing flavors. You could basically close your eyes and randomly point at the menu and you'd be picking a winner. Perfectly priced and portioned. Will definitely be going back soon.
(5)Audrey T.
Ahhmazing tacos. The "not your taco" or nacho taco is so good with the citrus black beans, fried onions, and olives. Plus some. Also, the Mac taco with fried pickles and fried cheese is so good. The tomatillo salad is delicious. 3 tacos and a side for $10, great deal! However, I have noticed when they are busy, their tacos lose quality quickly and they never seem staffed approopriately for busy times. So if it is busy, and you are less than thrilled, I blame the busy-ness
(4)Carla R.
Small plates, small prices. Its hard to add anything that hasn't already been said, but places like this make me miss living near Alberta even more. Its not everyday that you come across a taco fusion restaurant. On paper it doesn't sound like much, but you really have to use your imagination and take a chance. The Rising Sun is a little piece of heaven. What do you have to lose? $3.50 at the most if you don't take advantage of their $2 happy hours.
(4)Brad D.
The taco menu is inspired--and there are several gluten-free options. The chef was also willing to work around food allergies. Pretty amazing crew as well. Huge fan, and it's become a local haunt for myself and friends.
(4)Brandon B.
go for the tacos!
(4)Elizabeth C.
This place is a lot of fun! The bartenders/servers are really friendly and they really care about pleasing everyone who walks through the door. They have amazing, unique cocktails and same goes with their tacos. Cocktails are anywhere from $6-$9 and tacos are @$3. I like this place more and more every time I go.
(5)Walt R.
I love this place. Designer tacos at a great happy hour price. The atmosphere is good. Outdoor seating is a bonus.
(5)Jenna S.
Delicious. I live down the street and have been there twice. The food is awesome. Great little bites and ideas. The drinks are creative too. You can get two tacos and a side (i recommend the salad with jicama in it) for $7.50.... pretty good deal Sometimes the service is a bit slow to take your order. That's why it gets 4 stars.
(4)Jeremy S.
In a nutshell: Delicious food. Excellent, inventive drinks. Miserable, wretched, awful service. In fairness, it was explained to me as I was paying the bill that it was our waitress' first night on the job - and that the other waitress was also in training. However - it still took them 20 minutes to BRING OUT OUR DRINKS - and the whole time the waitress never checked in on us to tell us what was going on. My wife and I were getting to point of "umm...should we just leave"? when the drinks finally came out. Then another 15 minutes for the food! Clearly this was no fault of the wait staff, so I have no idea what went wrong, because the restaurant was maybe half full. At one point the "other" waitress (not ours) came up to our table and asked if we had gotten our food yet. We said "ummm....no". Then she said "oh, there was a mix up in the kitchen and they weren't sure what kind of tacos you wanted". I said "wow, that seems like it would have been a pretty easy thing to clear up, it would have been nice if someone had come and asked us this question 20 minutes ago". At which point she glared at me and said, I kid you not, "Do you want the food or not"? I should have said "HELL NO" and walked out the door on the spot, but I've never been very good at snappy retorts (plus I had my wife and very very hungry 4-year old with me). So, I lamely said "of course we want the food". It turned out that WE DIDN'T EVEN ORDER the mystery tacos that were supposedly confusing the kitchen staff, which made the whole thing even stranger. I complained about the other waitress's bitchiness to our waitress (is this how you treat a customer who's been waiting patiently for food for almost a half an hour?), who was very apologetic, and the food did finally come out shortly after that - but still, the damage was done. The food was, in fact, pretty damn great. It's clear that the tacos are the star here. For sides we had the Asian "salad", (which was more a jicama/carrot slaw - it was OK, but pretty bland) and their special take on Tater Tots, which was once again OK but kind of underwhelming. The tacos, on the other hand, were totally killer. I had the "po' boy" taco and the pork belly, which was quite possibly the best taco I've ever had. Seriously delicious, and devoured in the span of about 8 seconds. Succulent, tender pork mixed with a nice crunchy light slaw made for a real treat. Then, to carry on with the frustratingly poor service, my credit card sat out on the table for over 10 minutes before she finally came and picked it up. My wife had actually started home with our kid, because it was late and he needed to get to bed. When the waitress FINALLY came to get my card, I told her that I expected some consideration on the bill with regards to our negative experience with the other waitress, and the egregiously slow service all around. They did comp our food - so in the end I can't complain too much - and the fact that she admitted that it was her first day on the job also made the whole thing a little more understandable. However, it was still pretty ridiculous all around. We will probably give Cruzroom another shot, because the food WAS so damn good, and judging by the other reviews on here, the service hasn't been historically bad. I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt and put our experience off to a (very) bad night. But if they blow it on the service front the next time, there won't be a third chance.
(3)Lisa B.
My boyfriend and I really loved this place! When we move to Portland, we hope to frequent Cruzroom often. Great infusion menu, AMAZING tacos! And the tater tots are pretty killer too. Would highly recommend to the cool kids.
(4)Terry L.
I'd like to start my one star review with the fact that the food was great. The service however, was way less than great. In partial defense of our server, she was taking care of 27 people. We were seated in the patio section and this was a actual count of diners. I have no idea if she was also serving people on the inside. She might have been. I understand her frustration, but she had quite an attitude. When we arrived, we waited a good 15 minutes before anyone even attempted to offer a drink or a menu. Our appetizers arrived without incident. The problems started with our taco order. There were 4 in our party. Three of us received our food at the same time. Those folks were done eating before the fourth person's food showed up. It was the wrong order. Finally, the correct food showed up long after the rest of our party had finished eating. We asked it for it to go. This obviously is a management/owner problem. How could you have a restaurant of this size and have one server taking care of that many people? I don't live in Portland but I'm out here a number of times a year. I would never go back. And I can't imagine why Portlanders would tolerate this type service.
(1)stangirl w.
Fantastic food....we sat outside and the service was not great the waitress acted like she did not even know we existed...then we moved inside by the bartender...got fantastic service even though it was a beautiful day we sat inside for better service...
(4)h p.
man, this place is ridiculous! straight ridiculously delicious! it's been months now that i've heard great things about cruzroom and finally, did i have the chance to taste me some tacos and experience the hype... no joke- this place doesn't disappoint. the tots a la cruz are bomb. i tried the outsourced (retarded good) and the o' coast (good but not my favorite) and i can't wait to hit cruzroom up again for further exploration. just noticed they serve breakfast... holler, you know where to find me trying to cure my hangover this weekend!
(5)Joyce G.
This place is amazing, and located in the hip Alberta neighborhood. The drinks are dangerously good - delicious so you don't realize how much alcohol you've had - many of them are made with house-infused liquers, including several bourbon liqueurs. Usually bars have either good food or good drinks - the food is absolutely delicious. We had many of the tacos (including some great fusion ones - Chinese and Mexican, Asian, etc.), and they're extremely flavorful and go great with the drinks.
(5)Iana A.
Wow, what a lemon...The tacos were edible except the bahn mi was horribly dry and lacked seasoning. The letdown was the fact both of my taco (and all the tacos ordered in our party of 7) fell apart because the single tortilla used to wrap each one got completely soggy--They looked pretty on the plate but were messy and nearly impossible to eat without a fork and knife. They have happy hour shown on their beat up menus in a few places but no mention of what time Happy Hour takes place. We learned this after being being charged full price for everything AND we charged for a beer that was never served because Cruzroom was out of it. But that happened because the service was horrible--the waitress was sour and inattentive. I had to asked for a glass for water several times and she either didn't know the drink menu or didn't know how to explain a specialty cocktail in a way that was informative or even made the drink appealing to order. But the waitress did know how to write down orders then promptly vanished without a trace. We got food and our bill from random staff--everything was as beat up as the menus really. The look of the place is dark and dingy to me--but patio is spacious and lacked any smokers. Overall the only thing nice about my experience at was sitting outside, but the fact that it was a gorgeous Sunday evening wasn't something the Cruzroom had anything to do with so the next time I want to enjoy dinner and/or a beverage in the sun, you won't catch me here.
(2)Karey S.
I've only ever been here for drinks and apps. We go there because they have house infused liquors and the atmosphere is usually pretty great. The other 4 times I've been there were a pretty good experience - the food okay, the drinks tasty, the service above par. Last night was an entirely different story. When my husband and I got there, there were probably 3 other couples/groups there. We sat up at the bar. The bartender approached us, got us water and said he'd be back to take our order. We proceeded to watch him serve drinks to a the other couple of tables and then start goofing around with his co-worker. Other people came in, he served them, went back to the bar, ignored us some more and started sticking his nose in the martini glasses as if he was sniffing them to see if they were clean. We continued to watch him do random - "not serving us" things until finally I was ready to walk out. By this time it had been about 20 minutes, the last 5-10 of which I was trying to get his attention. Finally he saw me wave him over - after which he sent his co-worker over to get our order. I ordered the drink special, and of course they didn't have one of the ingredients. While I'm sure that this may have not been a "usual" experience for this place, it definitely soured my taste and it will be a while until I return again.
(2)Virginia M.
Great relaxed joint. Yummy and filling tapas and sides. Nice wine list too! Delightful wait staff. Helen is a superstar. Will go back for sure!
(4)Jillian M.
Really... truly nothing bad to say about this place. It was comfortable, the service was speedy and friendly and the food was delicious! If I didn't have a stomach the size of a thimble I would have ordered more. I had the Green Meanie and the Super-T (both fantastic) but I was most surprised by the Asian Salad (totally random at a 'Taco Lab' but stooooopid good. We showed up on the tail end of happy hour at about 5:45 and managed to try one of their tasty infusions. I won't tell you what I got... just do it, they're $4 at HH. All in all, super fantastic experience. We will absolutely be back.
(5)Mike D.
best mexican fusion place I have ever been to! ok confession it's the only mexican fusion place I have been to but that doesn't stop it from being great! The green acres tacos were super tasty!
(5)Jamie B.
The food was damn good but the service was horrible. I went there on date night with my boyfriend and we had to wait 15 minutes to get a menu. After that we ordered an appetizer and one of every taco on the menu (easy, right?) about ten minutes later. We got our tacos about 20-25 minutes after that and finished our meal without seein our appetizer. Once our waiter realized it never came, he brought it out but we were too full to eat it. The drink I ordered (margarita on re rocks) was hardly alcoholic. The experience sucked so I'll never go back... But if someone is willing to order to go... I'd be there in a heartbeat.
(2)Geanna M.
Their drinks are deliciously boozy and their tacos are amazing. The service is friendly and the atmosphere is really fun. The movies they show in the background are always...unique.
(3)Venerable V.
Went back tonight and tried two different tacos - both very tasty. This time, I tried a fig infused scotch - neat. It was AMAZING.
(5)Frannie h.
I went back last week with some friends who had never been here before. the food was just as good as my previous visit but the service was lacking a bit. It took quite a while for our frist round of drinks to come out. We started with the fancy mixed cocktails and the were all tasty. On the second round the server forgot my friend's beer. When our food came out both of my friends got tacos they didn't order. This was corrected and wouldn't be worth mentioning if it was the only slip up. All of these issues were minor but when you combine them...anyway, I'm taking 1 star back for now. I'll be back and hope next time the service is a little more together.
(3)Mary M.
Went to the Cruzroom for a quick bite to eat during Last Thursday in August. I never plan on eating at any of the restaurants along Alberta during Last Thursday figuring on busy hectic service. It was busy, and hectic, but the food was Delish! I had no idea what kind of menu they had, and was surprised to see it was mexican..PNW Mexican.. I had the Po Boy taco with with deep fried Shrimp, and a potato, and slaw taco, both very good, and I'll be back for the Po Boy. oh and Tatar Tots! prices were decent, 2 tacos and a side for $7 or 3 tacos and a side for $10. 2 tacos and a slide were definitely enough for me! They have a nice outdoor patio, and I look forward to checking out more of their menu,
(4)Phil M.
Stopped by on a Tuesday evening for an edition of ShanRock's trivia night. Had a sampling of some tacos from their "Taco Lab": one with pork and salsa verde (the Green Meanie), one with curried chicken (the Outsourced), and one with portobello mushrooms (the Fun-Guy), along with a side of tots covered in cheese and salsa (the Tots a la Cruz). A very tasty and diverse meal indeed! The tacos are on the small side but the concept and ingredients involved with each one make the choices interesting. I definitely noted other tacos that I wish to try on future visits. Also, they have some equally inventive drinks available, though I didn't try any on this visit. This place will definitely be on the list of regular spots, as long as I can get my trivia on.
(4)Scott B.
we literally happened upon Cruzroom this week after finding Yakuza closed. and it just happened to be a night they weren't serving their normal menu. this turned out to be more than okay... they were doing a boke bowl night for--I'm assuming--a ramen noodle restaurant the owners are starting. everything was incredible. had a noodle bowl with a pork/chicken broth, mushrooms, corn, pork belly and fried chicken. seriously. sounds completely over the top to have pork belly and fried chicken in the same dish, but it worked and was completely in balance. if their tapas/tacos are anywhere near as good as the noodles, then we'll definitely be back. really friendly staff and nice atmosphere/space, too.
(4)jenni a.
Great food, great service, great strong drinks, warm atmosphere! Unique delicious tapas style tacos.
(5)Dani S.
Fantastic and creative. Oh, and pretty well priced, too! I think we did the happy hour deal, and we went to town!
(4)Paul N.
Long wait to get tacos after we were seated.... long, loooooooong, really looooooooooooooooooooong. I mean it was way too long. Yes it was a busy night but an hour and a half with no chips to munch on just drinks to sip while we waited for what were good I must say but little tacos. ?? If you want to go open the door and peek in AND if there are more then 6 people seated LEAVE...... unless you have time on your hands to kill.
(1)Julie C.
The cocktails can't be beat and the tacos, think nontraditional, are pretty good too, especially the Phuket! The service was prompt and our server (Jesse?) had a great sense of humor and handled our gaggle of girls with ease.
(4)Willy B.
Stopped in here one night with a friend of mine, and I had a great time at the bar. Our bartender's name was Aaron I believe? Sorry I forgot! But anyways he was pretty cool and very nice.
(4)Megan S.
Best service at any restaurant I've been to in Portland -- prompt, friendly, always greet you with a smile when you walk in the door. Really cool atmosphere (the back patio is awesome, complete with heaters and a fire pit for the cooler evenings) and these are truly my favorite tacos in Portland. They're the most unique and flavorful, and you can get 3 of them plus an awesome side of tots for ten bucks. WIN.
(5)Fred D.
i have been here twice. food was great both times, but service differed dramatically: friday at 5:30 pm -- it took a full hour from the time of ordering until we final received our food. granted, they had more customers than they expected come in, but it was still happy hour on a friday night. you would think that they would have been prepared! i think we got the same server as mac m. while nice, he seemed really scatterbrained and not attentive. one time he came to our table to take an order with his pen and paper out about to write down what we were getting. another server came by just to drop off a drink and then our server just left our table without saying anything and went to take another table's orders. we were left confused and a little shocked. it was busy, but there's really no explanation for why he did that. while everyone agreed the food was good, the long wait time and the poor service left 4 out of the party of 5 we had agreeing that they would never come back. because i like to give the benefit of the doubt (or i'm a glutton for punishment), i decided to give the place another chance. monday at 4:30 pm -- i came in and i was the only one there. i sat at the bar. service was quick and friendly. it was a complete contrast to friday night. again, the food itself was good to great. all of the tacos i've had were tasty: the original, the poco, and the garlic chicken with blue cheese sauce (i think it was called the boom). i had the soup of the day twice and they were both exceptionally excellent. hearty, rich, and perfect for the cold weather. i also liked the potato cakes but i think they had too much breading for my tastes. conclusion: food is worth coming in for, as long as you choose a time when they're not busy. i've only been twice, so i can't fault them for just one server that they have.
(4)D W.
This place is amazing and has THE best service in town. I went there two weekends ago for a friend's birthday. We were "that" table. A few of us show up at first and within an hour there were 20 of us. And of course, we all ordered at different times. And it was a busy Friday night. The servers did a stand up job and dealt with my crowd very well. I was once a server, so I know how annoying we probably were. They handled our needs with such ease and positive attitudes. And two tacos and a side for only $7.50?? I recommend ordering the Titos while waiting for the tacos (which arrived very quickly and tasted very fresh). This place is NOT pricey. And the food is so, so good. I will definitely go back for more soon. Thanks Cruzroom for such great service!!
(5)Julia R.
Wow. Seriously, if you want a neighborhood joint with an excellent atmosphere, delicious food, incredible liquor selection with the best staff this is definitely the place. It feels very grown up, even though we were comfortable with our 4-year old son joining us as we sipped cocktails. The bartender took some time discussing our liquor preferences, and we both had something completely new and wonderful to drink. I'm not sure how they pull off the swanky, cozy, yet still comfortable with a little one feel. I would go here for cocktails with friends, whiskey sipping with siblings, or just dinner with our family. It feels like a real treat, and the prices are great!
(5)Aimee L.
well, it was okay. got there at 4pm, right as they opened, no other customers. initially got great service, friendly waitress. happy hour deals are good. their homemade liquors were so-so but basically with the soda as they recommended, these really just tasted like wine coolers. the chips are freakin' great. the tacos? some good, some dull as hell. el capitan (potato bacon) - fantastic. o'coast (shrimp ceviche) - revolting. tater tot side order - imagine ketchup and nacho cheese sauce poured on top. gnarly. we each got a couple drinks, ate, plates cleared away, then it was at least 20 minutes til the waitress returned to see if we wanted our check. the place was still nearly empty - they had some little kids running around and some really bad pop music blaring near the end. i've been told it's a place teeming with 20-something hipsters in the eve, so glad to get in and out then. art on the walls was nice. temperature? FREEZING! come on, guys, make the guests comfortable, it was pretty icy in there. i applaud the idea of getting creative with tacos, but there didn't seem to be nearly anything even somewhat authentic,which would have given them a bit more street cred - show me you can make a real taco then i'll appreciate the nouveau flavors you're going for, know what i mean? the drink menu was in that 'we're so cool we're going to mix all these flavors together and write paragraph long descriptions' - but reading them? girlie drinks. and why would i want an old fashioned my "wife's older sister would drink"? how is that awesome? it's just kinda weird. so i'm not going back for one $2 taco - la bonita gets me for that. too many good options in portland to return to something mediocre with a menu that comes across too-cool-for-school.
(3)Dave D.
Yep, I went back two days later and the tacos are still super awesome. I ate nine of them. The owner I met was super nice as well as Heather the bartender. They have extensive abilities to make specialty drinks. Get experimental. My girlfriend and I can't stop raving about Cruzroom. I think we're becoming taco stalkers.
(5)flora m.
The service was slow but not miserable. The waiter did a fine job but made a few grumpy remarks to us and others that I overheard while we were there. The tacos and breakfast burrito were quite good but the pancake was clearly undercooked.
(3)GaryandCathy W.
Wife and I were looking to find breakfast Sunday before catching our flight. Voodoo donuts was way too crowded and another place had to big of a line. We were sitting in front of Cruzroom trying to figure out where to eat and we saw their sign for breakfast burritos. We decided to give it a try and found they had great breakfast burritos and outstanding service. We were glad the other places were too crowded.
(5)milk s.
i need to go back to chicago on friday. can i please get a hundred tacos to go.
(5)Lara T.
Fuckin' yum, ok! The only reason this place isn't getting that last star from me is because the last time I went, while the drinks were super delicious- I noticed the menu changed and left off two of my favs.. Bones Thugs n' Hominy is very necessary IMO. Maybe its not possible. I also didn't love the attitude of the server. He was not that friendly to be honest. Oh well. Good spot nonetheless if just for the drinks.
(4)Sara S.
Bar service on Sunday with limited menu after 9 was ok. We sat at the actual bar hoping to make it easier, but bartenders were a little unorganized. Food was still super fast and delicious. Took a vegetarian from out of town and got the jackfruit for the first time and it was very good. And I'm a carnivore.
(4)Ben B.
I can't believe what they are charging for tacos here, I got two for $7! I expected a bigger taco due to the price but was surprised when they came out as tiny as could be. flavor was aiiight, but the meat was dry and I just couldn't get that bad taste of being ripped off out of my mouth. They must up charge for Alberta hipster cred.
(2)Ladena T.
Love coming here! Especially drinking the downward spiral with blackberry tea infused vodka!
(4)Rachel S.
Oh god, please come here and get tacos. Best, ever. You can't go wrong with a Shia LaBeef.
(5)Brittany H.
What this restaurant lacks in food options, they make up for in flavor! Every bite was delicious, service was spot on, and it was all very reasonably priced.
(4)Erik S.
This will be short and sweet. Great tacos, awesome movies playing, and a very friendly staff. Get the Jerk taco.
(4)Sophie L.
This is an awesome place to hang out with your friends. We came here for happy hours before the show at Alberta theatre. The drinks are amazing, and the tacos are fabulous. They change their menu often, so you can always try new creations. The price is decent for the quality. This is my to go place whenever I drop by Alberta.
(5)Nick A.
One of the best happy hours on Alberta, service was excellent and the tacos are delicious. 4 gourmet tacos and 2 fusion drinks for $20, I will be returning.
(5)Jade L.
YUM! Such a great little spot in NE. Comfy atmosphere, decent prices (amazing prices during happy hour), and good, unpretentious service. Love Cruzroom!
(5)