Casa Colima Mexican Restaurant

Had a very good dinner the other night, all of us enjoyed our food. The wait staff was wonderful. I thought to walk over and got dumped on by the weather. By the time I entered the restaurant I was soaked. They ushered me in sat me next to the fire. I was the first of the party to get there, they set up the table by the fire. I had a drink and chips and salsa in seconds. We all enjoyed ourselves, thanks for the great service.

Not vegetarian friendly. This restaurant now puts chicken in all of their rice. I called ahead to see if they could accommodate our needs. Was told that they could only provide vegetarian rice for parties of fifty (yes, five-​zero!) or more. Used to love going here. Too bad that they have chosen to go in this direction.

This is our favorite restaurant in Portland!
Part of that is tradition — we’ve been bringing our kids here for a decade, and it has come to feel like home. And part of it is how graciously they accommodate our special needs kid, who feels comfortable and welcomed every time we go.
The food includes Tex Mex favorites, enchiladas and burritos and chimichangas. But they also serve an array of foods from Colima, like two kinds of ceviche, several chiles, and a wonderful seafood stew. And they have a fantastic array of tequilas. The signature jalapeño and cucumber margarita, available in a bigger-​than-​your-​head size as well, is superb.
On weekend nights, Casa Colima turns into a different place, with dancing and a DJ upstairs until the wee hours. The rest of the time, it is perfect for casual family trips, after-​work decompression, or spur-​of-​the-​moment parties with a dozen or more guests.
A disclaimer: after going there for years, the owners and staff have come to be our friends.

This is the perfect spot for a family dinner, group large or small. Amazing food, large menu-​book to look through, haven’t had a meal there I didn’t LOVE. Margs are the best, so it’s the Marga-​rona… Margarita and Corona cocktail.

I LOVE Casa Colima. The server (usually Sergio) is always friendly, they remember us. Yes, they call us, «Amigo,» but that’s part of the charm, right? It’s like if you went to Red Robin and they didn’t sing happy birthday on your birthday… you’d be a bit disappointed even though you’d be embarrassed to say so. This is the type of Mexican restaurant I recall going to growing up — I’m from Salem, where places like La Hacienda Real reign supreme. If you like those types of Mexican restaurants, Casa Colima is your place. The most amazing part is that the restaurant is so huge! There are always people there, but never have I had to wait in line for a table like so many other Portland restaurants. I recently happened upon their happy hour, in which you can get a single Enchilada meal (what I usually order) for $ 5. My Husband and I probably eat here 2 times per month… when we feel like Mexican and don’t feel like cooking, we come here!

Good, basic food and drinks. Our first visit, we honestly just came to see what this 40oz margarita was all about. I claim that there wasn’t any alcohol in it. Because there basically wasn’t. Our server Sergio was very nice and checked in on us to see how things were. They bring you a basket of chips (warm and good!), a bowl of refried beans (I’ve never seen that in any Mexican food restaurant, so that was kind of funny) and a bowl of the typical red salsa– that I like, so no complaints there. We ordered fajitas to split. We had steak and chicken and asks them to leave out the shrimp. Yum, it was plenty of food for two people. We barely finished it actually. With the margarita and a couple of baskets of chips we were set.
The decorations in the place were fun and bright! They have tv’s playing whatever games are on that day so there were a few other tables filled with people there to watch the game.
We liked this place and it’s easy to get to from our house a few minutes away. Parking is easy, there’s a parking lot around it.
The place is clean and the prices are right! They have different dining rooms, it’s a huge place! If I had kids this would be an easy place to eat out at.
We came a second time and I brought my parents, again the service was great, very friendly and accommodating. We ordered burritos– which were HUGE. I barely ate half of mine and had to save the rest for the next day.
We’ve enjoyed both of the times that we’ve been there and we plan to go back and bring some friends with us!

Amigos, gracias!! We love you I felt at home. MUY DELICIOUSO! Thank you for treating us like familia. Esta chica no sabe nada! It was my first time here celebrating with my honey. Here Ppl are real and unpretentious. You can sit with your sweetheart by the fire and they bump that mariachi music. Great relaxing atmosphere. THE FOOD IS BOMB yo! Umm. Chopped cabbage on the side is a garnish. I had the chile relleno & shredded beef enchilada! You can eat like a king/​queen with the flavor & portion size! Don’t listen to overly critical reviews:) authentic mexican food contributing to our thriving community! THaNK YOU FROM THE bottom of my heart! Feliz Navidad amigos de CASA!!! :D can’t wait to go back with my baby love :)

We’ve been here many times and keep coming back! This food is fantastic. We’ve had the enchiladas, tamale, burrito, happy hour food, nachos… a fair amount of food off the menu and it is always good. The service is not bad, but not amazing. We’ve never waited too long for service and the drinks and food come pretty quickly. The staff is kind and respectful, not too talkative (which we personally prefer). The bar does allow children in the non rail seats, but there are never many on there if you prefer an adult only area. If you order the 40oz (largest) margarita prepare to be floating when you leave. It has three shots of liquor in it, it’s sweet but you don’t taste the alcohol much, but be aware it is in there :) We will keep coming back again and again for sure!

The food here was the equivalent to a nursing home or school cafeteria. The food is so ultra basic it barely passes as better than a frozen dinner you pick up in the grocery store. I can’t believe how many people were in here eating this geriatric fare on a Friday night.
The shredded chicken on my tostada salad was stringy and chewy. The whole thing was just iceberg lettuce and a couple shreds of orange cheese. No color, no flavor, nothing delicious about this item whatsoever; it merely filled the void in my stomach. Everything feels like it’s from a giant frozen tub of crap they buy from Sysco. Really sad stuff, but I’m not surprised from a Portland «Mexican» restaurant.
Margaritas were also basic, but overall far better than the food. But there were no prices for the «house, premium, Cadillac, etc» margaritas, so for the Hillsdale wealthy this isn’t an issue I suppose.

I love class Colima! They are so friendly. The food has gotten so much better over the years. They also have the biggest margaritas in Portland!

Always wicked fast, courteous and friendly. Hot chips, bean dip and salsa within seconds of sitting down. Drinks just as fast. GREAT Mexican food. Always consistent, never a fail.
This isn’t gourmet food. It’s reasonably priced, hot, served fast and is yummy. The staff is always attentive and friendly. The restaurant is always clean as a whistle.
My wife and I have been eating here for at least 9 or 10 years every couple weeks or so. In all our meals, with guests or on our own, the service radiates, the food satisfies.
I would say one of SW’s best restaurants. The family that owns this restaurant know what they’re about. It shows in everything they do.

Closest thing I have found to the Arizona Mexican food I grew up with. I’ve taken several people here and they were impressed as well. Definitely take advantage of the $ 5 tequila shot deal when they have it! I love that they don’t mind if I come here and study for hours or bring a friend and hang out. The staff has always been very friendly and timely. I’m certainly now a regular here.

Decent but not great food. Chips are warm when they come to the table, and the margaritas are cold and salty, the way I like them.
Ask for the hot salsa in the shaker bottle. It has habaneros in it and is pretty good.
They serve Negra Modelo on tap. In 20 oz mugs, which is cool.
They do the basic dishes. No surprises. I have never had anything bad here. They also feed you enough to make your buttons burst. You won’t go away hungry.
I probably go 2X per year. It’s 3 blocks from my house, so it’s convenient.

Always friendly service. Fresh food and festive drinks. Great prices in a fun casual atmosphere.

Wow, what a lot of food. Had the chili relleno lunch. Standard Mexican-​American food. Nothing distinguished about it, but nothing wrong either. Chips, decent salsa (although refrigerated, a personal pet peeve as it kills the tomato flavor), straightforward refried beans, a chili stuffed with cheese with a starchy enchilada sauce. It is unhealthy comfort food that is exactly what it aspires to. The place itself abounds in full on kitsch in the design department. So if you want to fill your belly, have a margarita with some friends and not think about what you are eating, you will be safe. Buen apetito!

I like Casa Colima. Our office occasionally heads here for lunch and I have never been disappointed.
We are always welcomed by the friendly staff and seated promptly. Speaking of the staff, they are fun folks and very attentive. They also offer delicious adult beverages that I typically can’t accept during regular office hours.
The traditional complimentary chips and salsa also include a bean dip.
The food is tasty and they have a large number of options. The traditional combo plates are available or you can order ala carte. I typically go with the shredded beef enchilada and shredded beef chimichanga, no beans, extra rice. Yum.
This restaurant is also part of Delivered Dish. For those lazy nights when I’m at home, I can just hit up DD and my combo plate will show up on my doorstep.
Give em’ a try!

This place has all the décor and atmosphere of a local cantina in Mexico. The wait staff is entertaining. They seem to enjoy pushing the tequila. Thursday is 5 dollar Tequila shots so enjoy if you are interested.
The meals all come on gigantic playes. I have tried multiple dishes and all seem to be supersized the same way. Maybe i am getting old but i anticipate getting two meals out of each visit. They also start you off with chips and salsa and bean dip. It is a tasty treat to get you started. Maybe thats why i get full. With all this the food is well… ordinary. it seems to be missing a key ingredient… flavor. Everything is there the meat the cheese quacamole refried beans rice… it jist taste as though it could have come from my kitchen at home. I want a little identity. A little something that makes me remember the restaurant other than i was full. I cant say they provide that here. Nothing sticks out to recommend to you. However, nothing stands out to discourage you.

Casa Colima serves the best Mexican food in Portland. After my roommate went to Casa Colima for the fist time, she would not stop talking about how amazing it was. She insisted that I try it. I was not disappointed. The service is the best I have had yet while living in Portland. There is endless (free) chips, salsa, and bean dip. The food is authentic, delicious — the stuff of legends.
I have become quite the regular. I live in the area, I won’t move mainly because of Casa Colima.
Try it out. It’s an experience.

Those that know me, know that good Mexican food is almost never turned down. When I find a place that presents a product that is on-​par with the stuff that families make on a nightly basis anywhere in the country of Mexico, you better know that I’m going to let people know about it. Hence, this review of Casa Colima.
Service — excellent, with many staffers attending. They were a bit slow, which may have been part of the reason. Atmosphere — some point-​of-​sale from the beer companies, but overall fantastic with many representations of Mexican farmers, dancers, and the like on the booth-​backs. Authentic-​looking open beam construction on the inside with high ceilings. Fireplace in the corner on the first floor completed the «Hacienda» feel in Casa Colima.
Flavors were spot-​on for true Mexican, and beers were served in frozen 22oz mugs. About a dozen beers on draught, about same in bottle. Chips were commercial standard yellow corn, salsa was chunky and very flavorful with a heavy hit of garlic, but not overpowering, and not hot. Chili Verde was fantastic, good chunks with a perfectly viscous tomatillo sauce. Beans were excellent (also served with the chips to accompany the salsa :-), rice cooked and flavored just right; wow. I want to go back already.
Portland seems to have a less than expected number of well-​rated, authentic Mexican restaurants. This one is worth seeking out if you are near the area.

It’s overpriced Mexican food, but I do love a great margarita and here you’ll be wasted after two!!!
TIP:
Before your meal comes eat as many chips and salsa that you can, so it fills you up and you’ve got lunch the next day!
*The chairs are awesome!

Las albondigas mas asquerosas Que e comido en toda mi vida. La carne como de hace Años, El trato mas o menos.