Restaurante El Corazon

Mexican restaurant · Portland

Restaurante El Corazon

Mexican restaurant · Portland

1

190 State St, Portland, ME 04101

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Restaurante El Corazon by Ben McCanna/Portland Portland Press Herald via Getty Images
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Restaurante El Corazon by null
Restaurante El Corazon by null
Restaurante El Corazon by null
Restaurante El Corazon by null
Restaurante El Corazon by null
Restaurante El Corazon by null
Restaurante El Corazon by null
Restaurante El Corazon by null
Restaurante El Corazon by null
Restaurante El Corazon by null
Restaurante El Corazon by null
Restaurante El Corazon by null
Restaurante El Corazon by null
Restaurante El Corazon by null
Restaurante El Corazon by null
Restaurante El Corazon by null
Restaurante El Corazon by null
Restaurante El Corazon by null
Restaurante El Corazon by null
Restaurante El Corazon by null
Restaurante El Corazon by null
Restaurante El Corazon by null
Restaurante El Corazon by null
Restaurante El Corazon by null
Restaurante El Corazon by null
Restaurante El Corazon by null
Restaurante El Corazon by null
Restaurante El Corazon by null
Restaurante El Corazon by null
Restaurante El Corazon by null
Restaurante El Corazon by null
Restaurante El Corazon by null
Restaurante El Corazon by null
Restaurante El Corazon by null
Restaurante El Corazon by null
Restaurante El Corazon by null
Restaurante El Corazon by null
Restaurante El Corazon by null
Restaurante El Corazon by null
Restaurante El Corazon by null
Restaurante El Corazon by null
Restaurante El Corazon by null

Highlights

Authentic Mexican plates, tacos, burritos & cocktails  

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190 State St, Portland, ME 04101 Get directions

elcorazonportland.com

$10–20 · Menu

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190 State St, Portland, ME 04101 Get directions

+1 207 536 1354
elcorazonportland.com

$10–20 · Menu

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Aug 7, 2025

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15 Essential Restaurants in Portland, Maine

"Chef Joseph Urtuzuastegui ran a lauded food truck with his step-daughter and her husband for several years before landing this stationary restaurant in Longfellow Square. Now, he runs Restaurante El Corazon (and its sibling, Casita Corazon SoPo, across the bridge in South Portland) with his wife, Laura, frying local white fish perfectly for chipotle aioli-laced tacos and burritos, topping chile rellenos with house-made hatch green chile sauce, and carrying forward recipes from his late mother, Rosa, including her enchiladas and birria de chivito slow-simmered goat." - Stasia Brewczynski

https://boston.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-portland-maine
View Postcard for Restaurante El Corazon

Beth Smith

Google
Such a cute place! We were able to call in for reservations only a couple hours before hand. The server was amazing and so friendly! Food was super flavorful but must have sat because it wasn't hot when eating it. My fish burrito was a bit lacking in the protein section. The drinks were delish. Ambiance was lovely. Definitely will go back! PS the churros are AMAZING. Make sure to go for a birthday!!

Wil Snodgrass

Google
We started coming here in 2018. Once or twice a year this Texas boy and his Korean partner make this a place a must!

Rachel Hontz

Google
Service seemed fine, ordered take out, friendly man handed me my food. I got the shrimp burrito with side of refried beans, & guacamole. Burrito was pretty good, no real complaints there but as I was eating the refried beans I noticed this large glob (see picture) that I think is lard??? Kinda grossed me out and kinda ruined the rest of the meal for me :/ also the guacamole is very clearly not made in house so that’s disappointing, really wanted to like this place.

Amaury S

Google
We were craving Mexican on a Friday and decided to finally try out El Corazon after a friend recommended it. I am so glad we did! It honestly exceeded our expectations and we cannot wait to go back soon. Pro-trip: COME HUNGRY! As soon as you walk inside El Corazon, you can tell it's an authentic Mexican spot, which is so refreshing to find here in Maine. The menu is not your typical Mexican-American menu -- they really go all out by not only having your Mexican staples (tacos, burritos, etc) but also some very unique dishes that I wasn't expecting to find in Portland. I was also impressed with their cocktail menu. It was very nice to see most cocktails priced between $8-$11; you don't often see any anymore in a city's downtown area. 5 stars for keeping it affordable, El Corazon! After stuffing our faces with the free chips & salsa, we were ready to order. I went for the Birria de Chivito and it was delicious. This dish from Jalisco, Mexico consisted of young tender goat slow cooked for 7 hours (!!!) in a mild red Chile sauce with Mexican spices. Everything about this dish was perfect. It was so full of flavor and aromas that transcended what my palate was expecting. It came with a side of rice, beans, and tortillas aka way too much food, so I had leftovers which made for a nice dinner the next day. I also tried the pork pozole, which was a steal for under $6. So filling! The tortillas were phenomenal and they give you so many of them. The queso fundido was also a hit — it was one of the best ones I’ve ever had. My partner had the Sundevil Carne Asada plate and he said he liked it, but I found the meat to be a bit bland and chewy. I am glad I ordered the goat and not the steak, honestly. All in all, great food in a very casual setting which we actually enjoyed. Service was definitely all over the place, but you can tell they are severely understaffed at the moment, so kindness is key. Our waiter was also the bartender for the night, and in total there were only two people serving the whole restaurant.

Matthew McDonald

Google
This place is a freaking gem. I am originally from Texas so I have a high bar when eating Mexican food. I wandered across this place and saw they had Menudo. Well, that is very hard to find in New England so I had to try. It was a like I was sitting in El Paso having a bowl. It was flavorful, great ratio of tripe to hominy and spicy. Micheladas are amazing as well as the Margaritas. I am definitely coming back. Highly recommended. You want authentic Mexican food. This is your joint. Update 4/26/2025 Amazing as always. This is the BEST Mexican food in New England period. The goat birria is highly recommended.

Tara Konya

Google
Intimate Mexican restaurant is a quaint residential neighborhood in downtown Portland. Friendly staff with communal tables. The food was pretty good. We'll definitely be back. Compared to most Mexican restaurants, the food took a while, but they also had a significant number of takeaway orders. The beans and rice were excellent! The food was fresh and not processed. Thank you for a great night out.

Graham Sanders

Google
The food is amazing! The Birria is unbelievable. The staff is so courteous and goes out of their way to make you feel at home One of my favorite places in Maine for delicious tacos. Check it out!

Kelly Sandvig

Google
Very, very good. The staff and bartender were amazing. Gave us lots of tips on places to go explore in Portland.
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Deb W.

Yelp
This food is awesome!! The staff also awesome. My carnitas burrito was the best I've ever had. My husband said same about his carne asada! My margarita was delicious and strong. Great place. Highly recommend!
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Victoria C.

Yelp
Well. The description in the menu of the owners is sweet and lovely and I don't really like to give rotten reviews but... when you could kick yourself for not going next door to Pai Men Miyake and spend $45 I guess it's ok. The reviews say things like "an authentic Mexican spot". It's big, it's dirtyish, it's old and kind of ugly. Is that authentic Mexican? And another reviewer, "After stuffing our faces with the free chips & salsa"... there are no free chips and salsa, that costs $5. No chips on the table. No salsa. $5. "Out of this world" chili rellenos (2 reviews I notice) made me go here today because that is one of my favourites in life and I make them big with lots of cheese, and in a light batter with red sauce. I swear, I could not get my knife to cute that relleno on the bottom. I sawed and sawed away and it was like iron. What? There was not much cheese in it (one for $15) and there was NO SAUCE. Some cotija and crema on top yes ok, but... no sauce. Someone remarked the beans are delicious. They were tasty alright but as I walked out and two hours later, I felt like I had eaten a whole can of lard. It was the most unpleasant feeling, really whacko. Yuk. The beef in the hard taco I had was pasty and gray, I stopped eating it. The guacamole? It tasted like butter. I asked the oh so friendly (not) waiter why it tasted like butter and he said oh we put crema in our guac. Wow. Is everything different on other days? Is the waiter liking his job more? Won't be back to try. P.S. Don't eat goats, they are amazing animals.
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Drew T.

Yelp
Finally! The first place to make an authentic California burrito I've come across on the east coast, and they NAILED IT. The unfortunate part of my order was the missing chips/salsa & the churros were pretty stale. I opted for take-out on a busy night last week, and the transaction went smooth! It's a nice establishment, nestled between a few other businesses / restaurants - parking is a bit tougher on weekends, and even weekdays, as the side streets surrounding this block are all residential city streets. Best bet is to park somewhere on/off congress. 100% recommend the California burrito!
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Karley M.

Yelp
My husband and I came here on a Thursday night and it was really busy and happening! Staff was friendly and prompt and we loved the decor. The skinny margarita was delicious and we enjoyed the chips appetizer, although we didn't love the salsa. My husbands California burrito was delicious and the quesadilla was also amazing (especially with the sour cream and guacamole). Portions are large and we had leftovers. Overall great spot to check out if in the area!
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Amaury J.

Yelp
We were craving Mexican on a Friday and decided to finally try out El Corazon after a friend recommended it. I am so glad we did! It honestly exceeded our expectations and we cannot wait to go back soon. Pro-trip: COME HUNGRY! As soon as you walk inside El Corazon, you can tell it's an authentic Mexican spot, which is so refreshing to find here in Maine. The menu is not your typical Mexican-American menu -- they really go all out by not only having your Mexican staples (tacos, burritos, etc) but also some very unique dishes that I wasn't expecting to find in Portland. I was also impressed with their cocktail menu. It was very nice to see most cocktails priced between $8-$11; you don't often see any anymore in a city's downtown area. 5 stars for keeping it affordable, El Corazon! After stuffing our faces with the free chips & salsa, we were ready to order. I went for the Birria de Chivito and it was delicious. This dish from Jalisco, Mexico consisted of young tender goat slow cooked for 7 hours (!!!) in a mild red Chile sauce with Mexican spices. Everything about this dish was perfect. It was so full of flavor and aromas that transcended what my palate was expecting. It came with a side of rice, beans, and tortillas aka way too much food, so I had leftovers which made for a nice dinner the next day. I also tried the pork pozole, which was a steal for under $6. So filling! The tortillas were phenomenal and they give you so many of them. The queso fundido was also a hit -- it was one of the best ones I've ever had. My partner had the Sundevil Carne Asada plate and he said he liked it, but I found the meat to be a bit bland and chewy. I am glad I ordered the goat and not the steak, honestly. All in all, great food in a very casual setting which we actually enjoyed. Service was definitely all over the place, but you can tell they are severely understaffed at the moment, so kindness is key. Our waiter was also the bartender for the night, and in total there were only two people serving the whole restaurant.
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Janelle M.

Yelp
We were craving Mexican food & needed a place that was dog friendly. I called & they said the patio is dog friendly up until 6pm. Perfect! It was about 2:30pm so we were past the lunch rush but service still seemed a little slow. We got the variety taquitos & sundevil combination plate. The taquitos were really good, really fresh & crispy! On the combo plate we got the pork tamale, el pastor taco, pollo mole enchiladas. I don't know if it's that I've been on such a limited diet & avoiding foods like this that everything tasted really good! I would say the tamale was our least favorite, a little thick & dense. And pretty cheap too! I think our bill was $35
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Anne S.

Yelp
UPDATE: I've now had the posole and it is wonderful! You usually don't find this if you aren't in the West, so I was thrilled. El Corazon's is a savory red chili broth with beef and all the toppings--shredded cabbage, raw onions and radishes, extra tortillas--served on the side. Delicious!
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Peter D.

Yelp
Pretty amazing! I haven't had Hatch Pork Chile stew that good outside of Santa Fe! Burrito was right off the street side cafe in Oaxaca! Salsa was perfectly authentic! They have Queso Fundido!!!! Going back for mole and their Mexican parrillada!

Bella G.

Yelp
I ordered takeout and paid extra for guacamole and crema on the side, but neither was included in my order. This has happened multiple times when I've ordered takeout from here. When I initially posted my review on Google, I simply advised others to double-check their food before leaving to avoid wasting extra money for nothing. Apparently, that was enough to warrant deletion. It's incredibly sad that this business would rather hide people's negative experiences to squeeze more money out of them instead of fixing the problem itself. I really hope you guys can do better in the future.
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Anthony A.

Yelp
We celebrated my youngest daughters birthday here Saturday. Had reservations and Mae greeted us and was excellent server. We all had great drinks and apps. Looked for my buddy Joseph but he was off that night. There was seven of us and all had great meals. My self , I got the Mexican shrimp cocktail and Hatch chilies soup, both were Awesome. My wife got the Chimichanga and was great, my oldest daughter got what I had. There were all delivered hot and were great meals. We got one order of churros and split for dessert, because we were all stuffed. AWESOME SERVICE,MEAL, DRINKS,AND DESSERT. THANKS MAE AND ABBY.

Courtney D.

Yelp
The food never tastes fresh and my order is always wrong. Maybe I'm the crazy one to keep giving them second chances. I recently ordered fish tacos, while obviously in a fish taco you aren't getting a huge piece of fish, what I was not expecting was a chicken nugget size piece of fish that was 75% thick batter. The tortillas were so chewy I could hardly bite through them and their tortilla chips tasted a few days old.
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Monica L.

Yelp
My husband and I split the El Corazon Platter today to celebrate his birthday. It is a ginormous make your own tacos platter that serves 4-5, but we ordered it anyway and took the extra home. It was fantastic. We will definitely do it again.

Chris T.

Yelp
I'm surprised about the reviews for this restaurant. Our server was the only thing positive about our very first and last experience. The drinks were marginal at best It took an hour to get our food, two burritos, 1 taco plate and some enchiladas. The tacos and burritos made us wonder if they forgot to put the meat in them. Not very flavorful at all. There are so many other Mexican restaurants worth going to don't be fooled by the reviews.
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Chuck K.

Yelp
Went tonight and got treated to May as our waitress! She was full of life and you could tell she liked her job. Margaritas with salted rims plus chips & delicious salsa started us off right. Husband had the chicken burrito and kept talking about how much great tasting chicken was inside! Friend and I both had the Sundevil Combination Plate and followed May's advice and got the Mòle Enchilada, , the Carne Asada Taco and Salsa Verde Tamale! We took two pieces of the chocolate cake home, which I'm anticipating is gonna be fantastic! I highly recommend this restaurant as we are all still talking about our meals an hour later! Thanks May for being such a great person!
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S D.

Yelp
Great location and branding. Food is rough. Overall offering is uninviting. Not recommended.
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Giavanna R.

Yelp
Everything about this place is ideal for a lunch or dinner date! The meal was absolutely delish, I had a mock tail not featured on menu but the waitress was more then happy to craft me up something tasty and yummy! The service was unmatched and I had the best fried green tomatoes and yes they were in my taco ! Would go back any day and would recommend to large or small party's! Thanks for being so well priced and aesthetically pleasing x
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Doug M.

Yelp
Awesome place. We had driven by many times but never gone in. Went there for dinner. Very casual order at counter and grab a table kinda place. Seats maybe 20 people tops. Just great Mexican food. Total find. Chicken burrito was terrific. Queso Fundido was out of this world. My wife has vegetarian enchiladas and thought they were terrific. Owner is the chef - nice guy. Big thumbs up to this place.
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Veronica G.

Yelp
We moved from Texas 2 years ago & couldn't find decent Mexican food living in Augusta, ME..we drove all the way to Portland to try this restaurant and it DID NOT DISAPPOINT! Laura, the owner greeted us and kept a great conversation with us! She was very welcoming to my family We absolutely love everything we ordered! The pastor tacos are as authentic as we have had in Mexico! Ambiance was very laid back and amazing views of the street. Great location! Everything was delicious...we will be back and she mentioned a second location with patio...definitely taking a weekend trip just to come eat here again!!!
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Ben S.

Yelp
Love this restaurant. Tried it for a quick lunch before meeting at industrial park on outskirts of town. I was in a rush unfortunately, but had a huge craving for Mexican food. The server couldn't have been nicer and chicken taquitos were perfect. Had planned to do takeout but they were so quick I was able to eat them in house. I have eaten at the sister shop in South Portland several times and I love that one too. Fantastic soups, tacos, enchiladas. Everything I've tried is delicious and reminiscent of the Mexican chow I enjoyed in my former city of San Diego.
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Maggie M.

Yelp
The drinks were crazzzzy strong! Had a great night with friends over a pitcher of margaritas and chips with hot sauce.Goodnight.

Nika M.

Yelp
Best burrito in Portland! This place is humble and very generous (especially with the protein and guac). Fresh ingredients, great flavor! Can't wait to come back!
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Todd R.

Yelp
My wife and I went here for a quick dinner before a high school hockey game and were very pleased with our visit. We visited on a Wednesday evening so the restaurant was not too full (seemed to be doing a lot of take out orders though). The service was prompt and extremely friendly. My wife and I have very different tastes.... she tends to play it safe in her choices, while I am much more adventurous. The menu here was a great compromise. She got basic enchiladas suiza and I got the birrias (goat). We were both very pleased with our choices. The goat was tender, flavorful and fantastic. I should also note that the prices are quite reasonable for a Portland restaurant and the portion sizes.

Tom J.

Yelp
I have an affinity for the Bad Hombre at El Corazon. Don't get spooked by the description - it's mildly spicy. It could actually be spicer. That being said you can get hot sauce. It's great to go here in the summertime when you can sit outside by the street. It's in a busy area on Congress and can make for some good people watching. The inside is actually nice too. Good drink selection. Varied menu. Service has always been top notch when I've come no matter what time of day. Good place!

Carol J.

Yelp
Having family in New Mexico and Arizona means eating wonderful Southwestern food. Recently relocated to Maine, I was amazed to discover a restaurant that not only has great, high quality Mexican food, but the added delight of authentic Southwestern specialties like Hatch green chile and posole (a pork stew with hominy corn and red chile). I have dietary issues, and Jennifer was very patient and helpful in finding things I could eat. She even made sure I was served the vegan refried beans, though I forgot to ask. The chicken in my tacos was excellent, the tortilla chips were fresh and crisp (not greasy) and the guacamole intriguingly spiced. Kudos to the couple from Arizona who brought their family recipes with them! Parking on State St. can be a challenge, but for the full dine in experience it's worth it. An alternative is the sister El Corazon Casita (little house) in S. Portland, which is primarily for takeout.
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Rachel S.

Yelp
Sooo good!! First time trying this place and I am so impressed. I got the shrimp burrito and it's the best burrito I've ever had in my life. Real authentic Mexican food, highly recommend!

Kristina K.

Yelp
Excellent Sonoran style Mexican food! So authentic, a delight to find in Maine. The service was friendly and fast, the food was made fresh and the quac was delicious.
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Brigitta K.

Yelp
Between the background music, the drinks and the Mexican food offerings, we have had a number of "Happy Hours" at El Corazón.
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Jim S.

Yelp
Cameron a la Diablo was awesome!! If you like fiery hot spicy food this dish is for you!!! It was tempered with a delicious mayo lettuce salad that really helped soothe the burn!!! The staff accommodated my request for a skinny margarita which I sipped slowly with my spicy lunch. Our server was delightful !! While most restaurants have trouble staffing , joe is extremely lucky with his friendly staff. I will be back not once but several times!!

Lisa G.

Yelp
The food was amazing. Best shrimp cocktail I have ever tasted. Prices are good. Staff is very friendly all in all it's a good place for the whole family.
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Rodney M.

Yelp
I completely forgot to complete this review. So, I did meet that owners of the Reataurante El Corazon a few weeks prior to my visit. Mother moved from California and shared that she wanted to bring authentic west coast Mexican Food. I was excited to give it a try when I was in town. I have gone a couple of times, and have to say, she did not lie. The restaurant is located right in the center of the intersection. Parking can be a challenge, but there are many street spots and worth the walk. Varied indoor and outdoor seating is available. Good for couples and larger groups. The menu provides you with the basic options from tacos to massive burritos and everything in between. So, if you like tex-mex you will find something on the menu to your liking. The staff is friendly and the atmosphere is great for a nice intimate gathering or for a rowdy crowd. To have the ability to just relax with chips and awesome salsa, and enjoy one of the many speciality cocktails on the menu is what a great dining experience is all about. I do enjoy me some tacos, so having fish and chicken as options rock it. Combined with the rice and bean platter...yum yum.

Mason D.

Yelp
Fish burrito was alright for the money. Kind of small, packed loosely with filling, $14. Made a small change to my order and they missed it, but cashier didn't charge me extra. Quesadilla was solid. No tunes despite the speaker being on. Was a nice restaurant with nice employees.
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Sarah O.

Yelp
Really closer to a 3.5 but I'll lean into the good points. Exuberant service although the server did take my drink before I was done and she rushed the table (did not ask if we wanted dessert). Cocktail special was tasty but pricy and it is almost mandatory to have Negra Modela so good to have that on the menu. Chips were stale and tasted like store bought to boot (we were there at 415 on a Saturday) and salsa was just okay. Birria de Chivito (Young Goat) was great, really deep flavor and the flour tortilla tasted hand made. Beans and rice a bit bland but authentic, good texture. Flavor on chil relleno was perfect although it was soggy. Portions were excellent on the entrees and we had food to bring home. For Maine, pretty dang good. Have lived in TX CA CO and OK most of my life, so will still stock up on Mexican food when in any of those places. I would try this place again husband was on the fence about a repeat visit.

James G.

Yelp
Best Mexican in Portland, no contest. Staff is kind, food is delicious, service is great!
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Paul P.

Yelp
I've been coming here since they switched from a food truck to a brick and mortar restaurant and have raved about it, and sent friends here ever since. I used to use them to cater my firm's lunches and everybody was wild about it. My last visit was not great, but today, I made the choice not to return again. I ordered a Fish Burrito for take away, and was told 20 minutes by the very nice waitress/hostess. I returned 25 minutes later and was told my order wasn't ready, but "any minute." There were only 3 tables of customers (2 of whom had food) and no one at the bar. Still, I loved their fish burritos, so not in a hurry waited. Another 20 minutes. I live only steps away, so figured the burrito would still be hot. It was ice cold. And there was NO fish in it. Just rice, some beans (which aren't in a fish burrito) and cabbage. I was ravenous, so I ate it but it was not good. Cold, soggy and lacking in flavor. To say I was disappointed is an understatement. Last visit I thought was a fluke, but two times in a row now . . . I don't think I can recommend it, and I won't be back. I'm NOT happy about this as I loved this place and only half a block from home, it makes me sad. If in the future I hear it's back to snuff, I'll be back in a hurry, but for now it's addios.
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Beth C.

Yelp
Finally authentic west coast Mexican food. Massive burritos, that are fresh and flavorful. The Bad Hombre did not disappoint. Jam packed with succulent carne asada, and carnitas, rice and beans, charred jalapeños, guacamole, cheese and hot salsa!!! Amazing! Price; $11.75. An absolute flavor bomb. Great Happy Hour specials. Fresh Margaritas. Best Mexican food in all of Portland. Laura the owner is so welcoming! Thank you for the complimentary slice of Coco Loco for my Birthday! Highly Recommend!! Mucho Gusto!! Gracias.
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Steve B.

Yelp
Really delicious! I had the mole and it was excellent. Can't wait to go back and try something new. The service was great.
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Ellie W.

Yelp
Such a cute little spot in Portland, with some of the best fish tacos around. It definitely has a homey, pseudo-hipster vibe (aka very Portland), and the food is great as expected. They have real HORCHATA! I'm completely obsessed. I could live off a Camelbak full of horchata for the next 50 years. This is one of the first Mexican restaurants in the states with pozole on the menu (a really traditional soup made with pork shoulder), but it was a bit heavy and not quite the lighter fare I've had in Mexico. All in all, solid Mexican eats and can't wait to be back for some carnitas...and 5 cups of horchata.

hugh g.

Yelp
Hands down the best burrito in town. Bartender makes a great drink and service is always super nice. Can't get enough
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Kate P.

Yelp
I've driven by this place so many times but had never been in. We figured it would be packed on a Saturday night so we opted to make reservations about 45 minutes before going in. We were shocked we were able to get one! When we sat down, all most instantly we were given a bowl of chips and fresh salsa- this is always a win for me! We started with the Queso fundido (two cheeses blended together with chorizo and baked until hot and bubbly ) served with fresh flour tortillas. Delicious! For our dinner, I ordered a steak burrito, stuffed with guacamole, beans, rice, cheese. It was really delicious but did come out warm not hot. My husband got an enchilada with mole. The perfect amount of heat in the mole. Served with rice and beans. We will definitely be back!
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David l.

Yelp
This place is what an American/Mexican restaurant should be. The food is great (highly recommend the Ceviche (especially the one with lobster), tacos, chimichangas)--well executed, generous portions, and as the name suggests, served up from the heart. The owner is conscientious, attentive, and sweet as pie. Our server is a doll. We return every time we find ourselves in Portland. And, if you're on the block because you were planning to go to the disappointing Pei Men, next door--save yourselves the trouble, and about $100, and eat here, instead.
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Ashlee C.

Yelp
Such a fantastic meal. We had the house margarita, the camaron seafood cocktail (simply incredible), jalapeno poppers, bad hombre burrito, and shrimp tacos. Clearly, we ordered enough for an army. However, I have no regrets. Everything was so good. I didn't have high expectations going into the meal, but the food and the service was wonderful. Honestly, the best bang for our buck in Portland so far. There are a lot of options in this portion of town. You won't go wrong with El Corazon.
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Jonathan T.

Yelp
On our first visit, we thoroughly enjoyed our margaritas and one of the Sundevil plates. I especially enjoyed the pollo en mole enchilada and the chile relleno. Only disappointed that they ran out of menudo the day before. But, it gives a good reason to come back and try some more! The staff is just as great as the food, and we appreciate that!!!
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Mikella W.

Yelp
Fantastic food! Some of the best Mexican we've ever had! Bravo!
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Jules F.

Yelp
After months of waiting for the delicious Ocho burrito shop to relocate to the Longfellow Square location, it was announced El Corazon would be expanding from their popular food truck to a physical restaurant. Exciting! I tried the food truck once, and sadly there was not a single vegetarian option on the menu. Made sense though- little kitchen, different customer. My boyfriend, our friend and I came here last night (a Saturday night around 8:00). It was bustling, and the host was super friendly and sat us within fifteen minutes. It's cute inside- small, but nice lighting, high ceilings, intimate. However pretty loud. Our waitress brought a complimentary basket of chips and salsa- the first basket is free, and anything after that is $3.50 a refill. They were out of the beers we wanted, but we found things that would work. The server was friendly and not visibly frazzled from the busy night. The menu appeared to have a few vegetarian options, so I was thrilled. There was one burrito, titled the Vegetarian, filled with sweet potatoes, onions, salsa, rice, and beans, which I ordered. The waitress told me that though the burrito was named the Vegetarian, it is not- all of the rice is cooked in chicken stock, and all the beans are mixed in with pork. After learning this, I skimmed the menu and realized everything else I'd considered also would not be vegetarian. What a bummer. I ended up getting a plain cheese and pepper quesadilla. My friends got a steak fajita, appetizer plate, and fish burrito. After a while, the appetizer plate arrived- the taquitos were a hit. Our food came out after another twenty minutes. We had to ask for water and silverware (whatever, it's a new and busy restaurant). But I'd suggest tightening this up a bit. My quesadilla was served with a tiny dollop of cream cheese and guac, and the cheese inside was scarce. Overall a disappointment. My boyfriend liked his fish burrito. My friend said the steak was too tough to eat, and the seasonings were bland. It was all expensive for mediocre food. Our waitress didn't check on us once. She was friendly but essentially nonexistent. I hope El Corazon irons out its wrinkles in the next few months. If you're in Portland, you should know there are going to be picky vegetarians like me! Having SOMETHING on the menu that we could eat would be nice. Especially when the burrito literally named The Vegetarian is not at all vegetarian. Ocho, I miss you. I wish you'd taken this spot. It's a cute layout, all the servers were super friendly. There's a lot of potential here. I hope they tighten up and take advantage of the possibilities they have- I'd love to be a regular here, but right now I don't see it happening. Go to Escobarr instead.
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Mike -.

Yelp
Best Mexican food I have had in Portland. Good prices/portions and fast/friendly service, this place is a gem.

Jim B.

Yelp
First time was today for lunch. The food was outstanding. I ordered the shrimp fajita. The serving was huge and the tase was outstanding . Service was terrific. I was very impressed and will definitely go back soon and more than once.
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Paul S.

Yelp
Solid Mexican food with great drinks. Owner went out of her way for a great experience. You will enjoy it!

Callie M.

Yelp
So good!! Kids had Birria de Chivito and the Sonoran Hot Dog. We had the Bad Hombre and sampling of Rosa' enchiladas, carne asada taco, and un tamal. Wonderful! Beans and rice so light and tasty, staff was terrific. Highly recommend, we'll be back for more!
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Monica L.

Yelp
Had a wonderful time here. Really just wanted to drop in and have a few drinks. Didn't get the waiter's name. 20's, tatted, and had a beard. He was sooooo nice. Explained the dish I randomly ordered. Didn't find my questions silly. :P Had a margarita, beef tongue taco and fried green tomatoes taco. Came in will a full stomach and left with my gut busting. Lol! BTW! Thank you for supporting LGBTQ! Love how you creatively display the rainbow flag!
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Courtney C.

Yelp
LOVE MEXICAN FOOD! But you better have some well made cocktails to pair! El Corazon has the great food and the great drinks! Win Win! Yes it's downtown, but not right in the Old Port so it's not an absolute nightmare to get to/park at like some places in Portland. The space is small but it's not overly busy and I've never had a problem going in and getting a seat. Service has always been very friendly and accommodating. Some of my favorite meals are the chimichanga which is always fried to perfection and delicious. Also the flavors of the Pollo en Mole is sooo good and different than you can get at other Mexican places. Sometimes if I just want a snack I'll get the quesadilla which is cheap but a large portion. Drinks are great, always check out the specials on the board. They have your typical beers and wines as well. I haven't tried a cocktail I haven't liked yet. My friend ALWAYS gets the Lola, which is a fiery hot margarita.