Güero

KernsThis casual, colorful spot is all about the torta, including a killer Mexican street burger and a juicy pollo pibil with achiote-marinated roasted chicken. One draw is the incredibly messy ahogada -- the shop’s version of the Jalisco classic with pork, habanero slaw, and cilantro on a grilled bun. The beast gets drenched in a spicy achiote tomato sauce, which means it’s not available for delivery, only takeout.

One of the most beloved restaurants in the city, Güero is a dreamily decorated, plant-filled torta restaurant ideal for anything from a casual lunch to a mezcal-fueled date night. Why we love it: Everything on the menu hits, but a few main course highlights include the Masa y Papa Torta, Hamburguesa and the Cart Bowl. We’d also recommend the pozole, if it’s available during your visit (winter months only).

Güero is all about the torta – a classic Mexican street food sandwich made with crusty, white bread. From the handmade tortillas to the bold Yucatan flavors, Güero is not to be underestimated. Go for the cochinita pibil torta – slow-roasted, shredded pork with cilantro aioli, cabbage, avocado, and cheese.

Portland Mercury contributor Heather Arndt Anderson writes of Megan Sanchez's restaurant, "There are so many beautiful components to Güero's tortas: creaminess provided by the beans, avocado, and crema; crispness brought by the bread's toasted interior and bed of shaved cabbage; the tangy hot sauce and pickled onions with cooling crema and cotija. It's a balancing act of textural contrasts, flawlessly performed by one sandwich. The omnivorous options are no slouches, either; pollo pibil is tender hunks of Draper Valley chicken cooked in a citrus-achiote slurry with banana leaf for herbal backdrop, and the carnitas is similarly well sourced and well-executed.

This trendy little Airstream trailer is parked in what's easily the highest-quality food cart pod in the city (Pod 28), and they make some of the best tortas around. The crowd favorite carnitas torta ($8) is a stellar sandwich, with layers of tender shredded pork shoulder, cotija, avocado, cabbage and zingy pickled red onions crammed into a light yet sturdy torta roll from Vancouver, Washington's Veracruz Bakery. You can understand why the folks at Güero go out of their way for these rolls—the perfectly crisp crust gives way easily to a soft, slightly chewy interior that makes the ideal base for a torta.

At many taquerias, tortas are an afterthought—not at Guëro, the bright and cheery sandwich shop on East 28th Avenue’s “Restaurant Row.” Here, they’re the focus. Newcomers should start with the carnitas—juicy, slow-cooked pork, peak-ripe avocado, pink pickled onions, and chile mayo with a whisper of smoke and heat, all loaded onto a fluffy, fresh baked telera bun. Meanwhile, the hamburguesa—two beef patties stacked up along with avocado, ham, gooey American cheese and queso botanero, grilled onions, peppers, and chile mayo— ranks among the best burgers in the city.

Operating out of an Airstream trailer dotted with surf-shack signage, Güero has narrowed its output almost exclusively to tortas—roughly speaking, the submarine sandwiches of Mexican cuisine. These are fat two-handers piling mounds of avocado, cabbage and pickled onions atop Veracruz Bay Bakery bread. The meat selection rotates and doesn't lend itself to memory quite as much as those copious veggies—which gain additional kick from the cart's signature sauce, a carrot-habanero salsa available by the squeeze or the jar.

Güero is renowned for its torta ahogada — a carnitas pork sandwich smothered in peppery red sauce — from Mexico's city full of food, Guadalajara. Pambiche offers Cuban cuisine made from scratch, and Friendship Kitchen does imaginative takes on Vietnamese food. For high-end, communal farm-to-table eating, try Nomad PDX. Then, there's Screen Door Eastside, one of the best places in the city for Southern-style food, including biscuits and gravy, catfish, and fried chicken and waffles.

Most Mexican restaurants have tacos, burritos, and enchiladas, but Güero focuses on the torta. These traditional Mexican sandwiches feature meat or vegetables piled high on toasted bolillo buns, and they're craftily constructed to include creamy, crunchy, savory, and tangy elements. The end result is a perfect bite, whether you choose the meaty pork ahogado, eggy breakfast desayuno, or the vegetarian masa y papa that was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

After starting as a Silver Streak trailer parked on Southeast 28th Avenue, Güero moved just across Burnside to the former Tabla space, expanding its menu of tortas and bowls with a full bar and a seasonal pop-up venue out back. Russell’s favorite sandwich is the masa y papa, a starch-on-starch vegetarian number that somehow ends up juicier than the carnitas.

Güero is known for its Mexican sandwiches, serving tortas from a handful of regions across Mexico. “I’ve heard this is the best place in all of Portland to get tortas,” says Martínez. Whether you’re planning to grab a bite on the go or to stay and graze for a while, the fast-casual eatery provides flavorful experiences for all occasions.

Güero, a sandwich shop that quickly gained popularity, burst onto the scene in February 2017. Its vibrant and spacious setting offers a cocktail menu featuring agave-based drinks. While the standard margarita is satisfying, the mezcal margarita steals the show, boasting a refreshing hint of grapefruit and a chile salt rim.

Güero is one of the few restaurants in Portland that has authenticity. They serve classic torta sandwiches with Mexican flavors like chorizo, ham, and other meats served on their own freshly baked bread. If you’re not familiar with torta (Mexican sandwich), it’s sort of like a flauta but without the fried aspect.

Güero makes the best version of the Mexican sandwich that I’ve had outside of Mexico. My favorite is the hamburguesa that’s made with Painted Hills beef, American cheese, chicharron de queso, tamarind, tomato, jalapeño, habanero slaw, and guacamole. It’s better than any Mexican street burger that I’ve ever had.

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (36 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5)- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 200 NE 28th Ave, Portland, OR 97232-3148- Read more on Tripadvisor. You may also like:Highest-paying jobs in Portland, Oregon that don't require a college degree

Although they’re known more so as a sandwich shop, Güero’s margaritas should not be skipped. Pick between a mezcal margarita or classic margarita to go. Location: 200 NE 28th Avenue, PortlandPhone: 503-887-9258

They serve Mexican style tortas and bowls that are crafted to perfection (my favorite is the “Desayuno” torta!). My favorite part of the whole restaurant is the bar; the tile, the shelves, the plants!

Portland is famous for its food carts, and this is one of the best of them. Güero serves creative, quality Mexican food at fantastic prices for a college budget. This place is awesome in the summer.

You’ll find your favorite Mexican items paired with foods you didn’t think would make sense, but do. For instance, hard boiled eggs with tortilla chips and salsa. Or sandwich-style tacos.

The tortas from Guero, a new cart from the crew behind the Taco the Town bike taco delivery service, are neither small nor particularly fast. But they are delicious.

Half of the area has umbrellas, the other half is a covered pergola with heaters and lights. Bar-style seating with bar stools. Definitely saving the best for last!

I am skeptical of AND place that claims to have the best of anything. Like…how do you KNOW???. Those are pretty high claims!!