photo courtesy of Robby Russell ^[1]

I think I am beginning to figure out the food situation here in Portland. See, my wife and I come from the Midwest, specifically Oklahoma. Food is different there. I am going take the high road and not use words like “better” or “higher quality” because I think that is all relative and personal. In the South, butter is a main ingredient, portions are huge, and the service is bend over backwards. Things seem to be a little different up here. We have been struggling to find dinner that makes us feel good about it. Again, I am going to avoid starting an argument, so let’s move on to one of our new favorite restaurants.

Chez Jose ^[2]. Funny name, great food. Reading the reviews actually got me excited when I read someone from Dallas saying this was the place they have been looking for in Portland. We found it too. Large portions of inventive “tex-mex” style platters are paired with a great selection of beers, wines and the best salsa we have had since leaving Oklahoma. The service was on fire as well. Really friendly folk always with a smile. It felt a little like home. Now if a place like Autentica is what you look for in Mexican food, this may not be your place. But for us who found Autentica to be a super hyped waste of time and money, you might give this place a try.

Special Bonus – Monday nights starting at 8:00pm they hold a trivia contest in the bar. Tables team up for a fun informal trivia slugfest. The woman who runs it is very entertaining and well researched. I do have to brag and say that our team, Team TinyMeat&#0153 ^[3], tied for second place. We received a gift certificate for our next visit, as if we needed that to bring us back. Meet us there Monday nights?