Ole Frijole
4125 NE Killingsworth St, Portland, OR, 97211
Ole Frijole Menu
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Address :
4125 NE Killingsworth St
Portland, OR, 97211 - Phone (503) 282-4620
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :10:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : No
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
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Norah B.
Awesome. Carnitas tacos are amazing.
(5)Carol A.
This is a fast food joint where most of their customers get take out. Warning...it does get VERY busy around dinner time, and since it is a small place your wait can be long 30 plus. That said, I get take out here often, but I time it right so as not to get stuck waiting. Food is good and portions are large, people are nice.
(4)Dylan B.
After a long evening of searching for discarded christmas trees in NE, my lady friend and I decided to drive my pine needle spewing truck over to 42nd and Killingsworth for a burrito. At first we checked out the place across the street, but left after realizing there was not a single vegetarian option on the entire menu. Luckily this intersection has multiple burrito joints! Ordering my veggie fajita burrito was a breeze, the woman behind the counter spoke clearly, was very polite and totally skilled in order taking. My multiple substitutions were jotted down with no additional clarification necessary. Along with the burritos we had some of their horchata. I'm pretty picky about my horchata, but this one was pretty good. It had the perfect amount of cinnamon and just a hint of chalkiness- exactly how I like it. Definitely recommend trying a glass of that. The food was brought out to our table in a very reasonable amount of time. My first impression was great; the burrito was huge, the tortilla looked perfectly cooked, and I had a good assortment of salsas to choose from. Unfortunately, as I started to work my way into the burrito, things started getting a little weird. The first thing I noticed were the black olives. Nowhere on the menu were black olives listed as an ingredient. Now, I think olives are a great topping on an enchilada, but they're kinda weird in a veggie burrito, definitely not a standard ingredient. In addition to the olives there was another strange flavor throughout the entire burrito that I still can not put my finger on. The closest flavor I can come up with that resembles it is that of Daiya, but there certainly wasn't any of that visible in there. It wasn't a bad enough flavor to send it back, but I really wasn't stoked on it. The rest of the ingredients were fine, I finished the whole thing, but all in all it was pretty "meh". At $6.50 this was on the pricey side for a veggie burrito, especially one that wasn't all that great. However, based on the pleasant service I received and the other satisfied looking patrons, I'll certainly be back here to try some other menu options and update this review.
(3)Eric R.
Best Mexican food place I've been to in Portland. I have no idea how what they do, but when they deep fry their tortillas it has this amazing consistency and crunch that other places can't seem to match. For that reason I'd recommend something like a tornado or chimichanga, but it's all really good. Believe it or not they have amazing burgers too.
(5)Amarillo G.
Oh, my god if you gave this place more than 2 stars, you have no idea what Mexican food is. I went here with my novio, and we both ordered al pastor burritos, because we were in the mood for dinner the size of a volkswagen bus, ant not only was it a tasteless, grainy greasy mess with way too much lettuce and sour cream, it made my poor novio sick for the rest of the night. not only is this gringo food, its badly done gringo food.
(1)Mercedes S.
I was introduced to this place by a friend who lived in the same neighborhood, a couple years ago. It's been my favorite Hispanic restaurant, so far, since. I love the simple and traditional style, the vintage building (old burger joint) and the people who work there are friendly. Plus it's extremely affordable to get stuffed for HOURS. I drive across town to eat here all the time. Delicious.
(5)Hippie S.
Love the Tacos from here! Everything seems fresh and authentic. Believe it or not they also make a pretty decent bacon cheeseburger!
(4)Ray V.
Ole Frijole. No, that's not how you say it! Say it again with feeling! OLE FRIJOLE! Now snap your fingers and stamp your feet, twirl around and repeat. Hey the name alone make it a winner in my book. The only name better was in the old Fritos commercials with the "Frrrito Bandito"! Now on to the important stuff, or stuff importante! I wouldn't characterize this place as cheap. But if you want cheap crap go drive through Taco Smell, you get what you pay for. The portions (at least from what I've seen) can feed a small herd of village goats. I got the beans and rice with a burrito and couldn't finish it. The flavor on everything has been awesome. I love the flovor on the marinated carrots. The green and "spicy" roasted salsa have a good taste even if they could be hotter for my liking. I like the Chile Relleno Burrito or fried as a Chimichanga. Either way that is one huge munchie stopper! Flavorful too. both the black and pinto beans have a good taste. The tacos nice, guac is good too, and the food list goes on. It is nice that they do some catering to the vegetarians in the world as I'm one part time at least. All the staff has been friendly and polite and go out of their way to be helpful. The only drawback as noted in others reviews is sometimes things can be slow. But jimminy crickets have you ever gotten off your high horse and looked at the size of the kitchen????? Give em a break, allow yourself some time to chill while you wait. Your Mexican Zen will be rewarded with a happy stomach. On a serious note, Ole Frijole...excuse me. OLE FRIOLE!!! snap, stomp, snap, twirl, is truly one of the gems that we've discovered that has been a bonus since moving into N. Portland.
(5)Michael E.
What a great find! We passed many times. From the road it looked interesting, but plain. Inside was surprisingly nicer than expected, and so was the food. We are both vegetarians if that factors in. Atmosphere inside nicer than expected. Plates (real ones) were used. Service was friendly and good. Food was excellent and prices good. If only we passed this way more often at a mealtime. I could easily eat here once a week or more. So sorry it took a while to stop in. Go in! Don't make my mistake. :-)
(5)Deborah C.
Some people are saying that this place is expensive and yes, the tacos are more expensive than the ones you get at the strip club on Tuesdays but you get what you pay for. The burritos are around $7, I filled up on amazing fish tacos for less than 6. The service is friendly and crazy fast. Great salsa bar with a kick ass habeñero/cabbage mix and spicy pickled carrots.
(5)David A.
There are four things that I consider when rating a food joint. The quality of food, price of the food, and the atmosphere, and service. I give Ole Frijole 4 out of 5 stars. The food that I have tried thus far is very good and the prices are low. The atmosphere is too informal for my taste, hence the loss of 1 star. Finally, the staff provide quick and friendly service. Overall I have a positive experience for the...7 dining experiences at Ole Frijole.
(4)Barbara W.
Went here based on a recommendation for fast great Mexican. The order taker said the pork was his favorite, and I concur. I got a plate with beans, rice, pork and a couple steamed tortillas. It came out hot, fresh and best, the pork. It had a smoked BBQ flavor and not fatty. I have been back once since then, and it was equally as good. Not a place to have a cozy sit down, but great food and price is great to.
(4)Jodi N.
First time at Ole Frijole the other day. The food was really, really good. I like that you can see the kitchen and that the staff is super friendly, and that it is fast service! I will definitely be back to try more on the menu!!
(4)Nick B.
Not many of the burrito/ mexican food joints in Portland really do it for me, after having been spoiled in Austin, but I will say that Ole Frijole is solid and, even better, it's not expensive. This one rivals La Sirenita for a fast, inexpensive burrito fix.
(4)Jess K.
OLE FRIJOLE! Not only do I just love to say the name of this place, I adore eating there. It is just good. Not greasy gross food... hearty with ingredients, lots of choices, etc etc. Try the taquitos... they are so much better than any taquito I've ever had.. it's actually sort of ridiculous. *stomach rumbling* mmmmm. I like Lisa K's review... it says it all. Oh Jesus yes. Eat here.
(5)Kat N.
Man....... how have I not reviewed my favorite neighborhood Mexican?! This place is like 2 blocks from home and they are my go to when I don't want to cook, drive or spend too much on food. I've pretty much liked everything I've had there. Enchiladas are good, burritos are big and filling. Their pastor is one of my go to meats. Their guac is another one of my favorites. Even their burgers are good. To top it off, the owners are super friendly! Some of the best service around! No matter how busy they get, there's always a smile on their face. It's a small kitchen, so when it gets packed, be patient. Trust me, it's worth it.
(4)KELLY M.
Good food and cheap. But don't come within an hour of closing or you will not get friendly service.
(3)Jimmy G.
I found this place on Yelp while I was in the area. I'm really lucky I did, too! The soft tacos I had were the as pastor & lengua (Yes .. I'm a gringo & I simply LOVE tongue). The Al pastor was VERY tasty & well seasoned. The Lengua didn't have any gamey taste & was tender & flavorful. Their relish bar offered three delicious hot sauces that I assume were home-made. The hot sauce had a hint of chipotle to it that gave it a great flavor yet wasn't overly hot. Also offered were delicious hot carrots that had just the right amount of heat to them. An unusual addition was the pickled jalapeno shredded cabbage. LOVED it!! Being from SoCal, I'm really picky about my Mexican food. Ole Frijole is a worthwhile visit if you're in the area.
(4)Dana M.
SO GOOD. I wish this place didn't exist because it's taking all of my moneyyyy! He breakfast burritos are ridiculously good and cheap. The regular burritos--same as above. And the tacos, yum. I loveeee how they have the help-yourself-station with the salsa and pickled veggies. The plus: good food, cheap, delicious, good portions, lots of options. The negative: it's taking all of my money. I'm addicted.
(5)Breylan D.
Three burritos in a week is probably too many, huh? This place nails it! Their carne asada is the bee's knees. Friendly staff, everything is made to order, salsa bar is dynamite. I don't think it gets better than this.
(5)Ron S.
Killer fish tacos here good burritos too. 2nd time here both time very clean no flies an great service. Good neighborhood Mexican restaurant
(5)Miz C.
I HAVE TO COME BACK HERE TO TRY MORE THINGS! stumbled upon this place while on a grocery mission in this part of town, the line alone should have told me i was in for a treat. food is fresh, salsa selection is great, prices are SUPER low! their horchata was unique and delicious. go!
(5)Andrew H.
I lived in Texas, now I live here and you can get some amazing quality Mexican food in this town. I think I've found a little place that beats them all. Three simple and small things that won me over. #1 Char on the meat. I know the pastor, asada and lengua were all slow cooked but prior to that meat going on the soft tacos, the cook threw the meat on the grill and got it all hot and just a bit crispy. You tasted that char and it was a welcome surprise, an added dimension even. #2 The addition of extra cinnamon on my horchata. They make the horchata in house, but I was pleasantly surprised when I was asked if I wanted cinnamon on it as well. Oh geeeez was that good. #3 The pickled veggies were different and delicious. I have noticed that many Mexican places up here do that picked veggie combo of carrots, jalapenos and onions. Usually they have a sweet taste and the jalapenos have little to no zing to them. The ones at Ole Frijole were not like that. They were much more savory and had some spices to it. They were just different, and they were much better for it. The taco plate was great and the rice and beans perfect. The sauces were really good, none overly spicy or runny and I enjoyed all three. I can see why there are several reviews that rave about this place. It's worth the destination. Enjoy.
(5)Autumn S.
I really love Ole! Finding a decent Mexican joint can be really hard in a new city so I am SO thankful this one is only a 3 minute drive from our house. Everything is delicious - the burritos, the nachos, quesadillas, all fantastic. The guac is fresh and the portions are more than generous. Coming from the Bay Area, we've been pretty spoiled with our Mexican fare and I'm so glad we found a delicious spot in Portland. I highly recommend!
(5)Becky L.
I've been here many, many times and each of the many, many times that I've been here, it's been great! The girl at the register is always so friendly and I like the fact that she repeats back to you what you ordered to prevent any wrong orders. I was just here the other day and I think it was the owner who took me and my boyfriend's order. I always like to order the Bean and Cheese Burrito (comes with lettuce, pinto or black beans, sour cream, Mexican rice, and cheese) or any of the tacos. The shrimp tacos are personal favorite for my boyfriend and I. He never likes to spend too much on a burrito, but he'll shell out the $7 for a delectable Shrimp Burrito. It was really funny because my boyfriend and I both tried to pay and the owner just played along with us by taking both our cards, and then returning just only mine. The salsa bar is also right there so you can grab as much salsa verde or pickled vegetables your heart desires! Their service is quick and their smiles are friendly. Definitely a go-to spot for burritos and tacos in NE Portland!
(5)Nick R.
I've been eating here since it opens one of the best places for Mexican food in the city. From their burritos to their burgers you can not go wrong.
(5)Mike C.
I did love this place. The food is tasty and the price is right. Why a low score? Service and foreign objects in my food. Usually pretty slow. That I can deal with, except the time I brought my visiting family and we all received our food at different times across a 45 minute span. The last [and final] time I visited, what I thought was a great piece of avocado stuck at the bottom of my container was, I kid you not, a bottle cap. When I presented it to the cashier, she kind of chuckled and handed me a new container. No apology, no shock and horror or any inkling of sympathy; a chuckle and the absurd notion I'd actually want more of the stuff that was scooped from that same tainted bucket of goop. Also, their guacamole comes in a bag. So sad.
(1)Laurie C.
Burrito pastor was a terrific gut bomb! Wish the soda was easier to refill. The jalepeno carrots in the salsa bar are a must eat!
(4)Allison R.
I've been on the hunt for good Mexican food in the Portland area for over a year and a half now. So far, this place hits the spot as #1 for me. Carnitas burrito- 5 stars. Huge, good tender meat, love the fact that they put sour cream in there too. Salsa Bar- Definite 5 stars. Service- Super nice guy at the register. Probably the owner too. I was too full after I took that burrito to my neck so next time I go, I will be ordering the street tacos because the pictures of them look so damn good. And if my burrito was anything to go off of, well yeah....bomb.
(5)Paddric F.
I have been going here with the little cherubs for years. Just solid quality Mexican food. Not fancy by any means but tasty. The orders are timely and I usually am greeted with a smile. My order has never been prepared wrong so they have my trust. Positive attribute: The Spicy carrots. Freaking yum. Best I have had north of Chico California. Negative Attribute: Calling (static) to place an (static) I SAY calling to place an order can (static) be... Well, difficult. Not a language barrier thing but a poor (static) I said a poor phone system(static) . You are going to have to confirm your order two may(static)be three (static) times due (static) on the (static). Damn it just... Its better to just go in to place the order.
(4)Nate S.
Perfect little hole-in-the-wall Mexican place. Salsas are good, but be warned -- they run out of stuff on the weekend regularly. It's not the best food you're going to have, but it's great for a quick bite.
(5)Emily E.
This place is a god-send. Who knew such good burgers could come from a kitchen like this? The burritos are huge, the ingredients amazing, and the service kind and quick. Absolute favorite.
(5)Ted R.
We are from CA. and this is as close as you can get to good Mexican food. I had a pastor burrito and my wife shredded beef taco. Only thing that we would have liked better is salsa with more kick but I realize we are in OR were they don't like hot. Wet weather is killing us also.
(4)Kal C.
Good lawd, the shrimp burrito I had was amazing, and totally worth another gallbladder attack. Kind of like a forbidden love, you're better when someone tells me I shouldn't have you. I'm not sure what they marinated the shrimp in, but it was amazing. I have to say, this burrito is probably in 2nd place for the most delicious, affordable burrito I've had. Shrimp burrito with black beans and guac: you're in my dreams.
(4)Linda J.
My fish taco was completely raw. My guess is that the fish was frozen so the outside browned while the inside remained uncooked, like a baked Alaska or fried ice cream. Except it was browned breadcrumb crust encasing a chunk of cold, slimy, farmed tilapia. BUT I also ordered a cheese and vegetable tamale and that was good!
(3)Jason D.
You must try the shrimp and fish tacos! So good!! Veggie fajita burrito was good too, but those tacos..mmmmmm. They should take down the plastic barriers between the dining area and the kitchen, it seems a little ghettostyle, but maybe they have a reason for it.
(4)Jessica H.
NACHOS FOR DAYS. Let me tell you, this place is the best and makes the best to-go nachos. Their chicken is seasoned perfectly and they add all the best fixings. Their breakfast burritos make me happy, as well. Just go now.
(5)Vicki C.
for what it is, ole frijole is a solid choice for Mexican food. unpretentious and friendly, the storefront and staff are bright, clean, and comfortable. my favorite thing about the menu is they grill their carne asada after you order it & it comes out juicy, super flavorful, and piping hot. they have $1 tacos (meat and cheese) as well as a $2 option (plus lettuce and tomatoes). ordering takeout from here is quick, easy, and satisfying. comparatively non-greasy, I have no complaints about anything I have ordered. I only wish the taco salad had a choice of meat other than ground beef or chicken. I mean, they have several meat choices on the menu, I don't understand why it is impossible to put other meat on top. when I asked and offered to pay extra, they did not even consider it, just repeated that my choices were beef or chicken.
(4)Ashley F.
Loved this place until my phone calls were ignored 8 times. I was driving home and tried to call in an order and got their voice mail 7 times that says to call again if they don't pick up. By the 8th call, I was in their parking lot watching the cashier employee hang up on me. This was an hour before they closed and there was only 1 customer inside. Unacceptable. Pollo Norte is better anyway and is right across the street. They actually value their customers.
(1)Shannen M.
Every one I talk to about this place says that it's the best, and that's because it is. Amazing food, amazing employees, and amazing prices.
(5)Brooks M.
this place is authentic Mexican burrito portland style world being snotty obnoxious portland. love these people. they remember who you are and ate super helpful when you don't know what you want.
(3)Rhiannon C.
Delicious food and super friendly staff made my 1st visit here an A+ Walked in and the 1st think I noticed was the salsa bar with pickled carrots- my fav! Looked for the menu and it was taped in two places on the wall- made it kinda hard to see since I was with a crowd. I ordered the 3 sopes meal w/out meat and subbed guacamole. I also ordered chips and salsa for everyone to share- the staff brings out the chips and you grab the salsa. The sAlsa variety was good- green was the best- and the sopes were DELICIOUS! I ate 1 and a half and brought the rest home. All in all with 4 meals and 4 drinks + tip the bill came out to $35. Not bad at all considering the quality of food :)
(5)Bullwinkle J.
Ole Frijole is a classic taqueria with one important note: there are two types of tacos here. The first is over two dollars and had shredded lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, and some sour cream. These are quite large as far as tacos go and, in my opinion, are inferior to the secondary option. Below the above mentioned large tacos on the big menu on the wall are the $1 tacos. These are classic tacos with only cilantro and onions as garnish. Order these. Many of them. This place surprised me. I am on the search for the best Mexican in PDX and after having run through the usual suspects am now branching out, and a good thing I'm doing so or I wouldn't have had what could be the best al pastor taco thus far in PDX. Just terrific. The other options I sampled (pollo, carnitas, carne asada, pescado) were all sufficient and tasty but the al pastor was the most flavorful I've come across thus far. The pollo is shredded chicken (which I like less than grilled chicken) but was very tender. The chorizo was also superb and possibly the best I've had in this town. Salsa bar is well stocked and has pickled items along with multiple hot salsas. At a dollar a taco the price can't be beat. And the pastor and chorizo were so very delicious. This is easily among the best Mexican I've had in PDX.
(5)Alena C.
So glad I found this place. We use to wait in live forever at La Sirentia, but this joint is much closer and tast just as good. The carna asada and pollo burritos are both very good. but the street tacos are my favorite.
(4)Alyssa F.
Since I moved back to Portland from California I have felt like I am living in a Mexican food desert. I'm not talking about tacos. Tacos are everywhere. I'm talking about real Mexican food. If your "Mexican" food truck says it makes paella THAT'S NOT MEXICAN IT'S FROM SPAIN!!! Side note: I love paella and it is delicious but that's not what this is about. Anyway, Mexican food, at last I have found it. Oh shrimp burrito how I love you! Finally I can stop cheating on Oregon with California... Yum!
(5)Toobet L.
Wait what? The flavor of the tacos was almost entirely absent. Bland tomato sauce was pouring out of my chicken. Mexican street tacos do not have cheese or lettuce, they have cilantro and onions. Would not go here again.
(1)Kensey C.
Such consistently nice staff and relatively quick service! I love their nachos and chili rellenos the best. It's fast but it tastes fresh and flavorable every time. They also serve burgers, but I've never tried them. A good salsa bar and small dining area inside as well as outdoor seating. Parking lot. (Yaay ) kid-friendly, laid back, clean but not fancy at all...
(4)Kelsey K.
They rarely get my order right but even if they don't these burritos are amazing. Whether it's a breakfast burrito, a veggie burrito or a meat burrito they're delicious. Be patient with them - they're worth the wait and you can't beat the price.
(4)Ben W.
I've never had anything but the best time at Ole Frijole. In my experience, it can be difficult to find a decent vegetarian meal at a Mexican restaurant, but Ole Frijole offers a very vegetarian-friendly menu. The ingredients are all fresh, the menu is authentic, and the prices are more than reasonable.
(5)Rachel R.
I love ole frijole more than the taquerias on Alberta- they consistently rock the best Mexican in NE!
(5)Toni M.
Much better than some of the other taco places in the neighborhood. Love the fact you can call in your order and it's ready by the time you get there. The chimchaga is amazing.
(3)Renee Z.
Best veggie burrito in PDX! Order the veggie fajita option. Light on the dairy (and probably amazing without it), heavy on the beans, rice, and grilled veggies. Big enough to warrant leftovers, but too delicious to make that a reality. I highly recommend getting a side of guacamole and a good portion of the spicy pickled cabbage they have out by the salsas (and, yes, those are great, as well). Pairs nicely with an icy Mr. Pibb.
(5)stacey k.
Fed 3 people for around 20 bucks. Huge burritos. Everything came out as we expected. It's small inside, only a few tables. Salsa bar with the usual carrots, jalapeños etc. Chicken burrito with everything, veggi burrito hold the sautéed veggies and just do the basics and even my picky eater was happy with his meal. Will definitely be back.
(4)Megan R.
I have a thing for nachos. I would eat them everyday if society wouldn't look down on me for doing so, and I would come here for my nachos on a daily basis because a) it's close to home b) it's cheap c) it's delicious
(4)Mia N.
I love this place! The staff is always very nice. The food is awesome! I'm sure that's why this place stays busy! Thumbs up.
(4)Allisha A.
Best Mexican breakfast burritos in Portland. I used to live right by this little gem... talk about being hard to resist! I would peek my head out the window at 10...." Please be open" !!!
(5)Alister F.
This was an emergency food stop (I'm hypoglycemic) and wow what a great surprise this was. Deliciously affordable and authentic food. I got two tamales and a fish taco. Yum! However, I was drooling over the Monstrous burritos that everyone was eating around me. Seriously, under $5 could feed you for a day. I'll be back.
(4)Steph S.
OMFGASAM best burritos ever and cheap! Plus super nice people. me [on the phone]: "Hello. Can I please order a bean and cheese burrito with black beans and guacamole" them: "yes" me: when can I pick it up? them: "3 min" Me :... omg."
(5)L J.
so glad a friend brought us here! we normally get take out from the usual suspects for mexican fare on alberta street. this taco joint is a tiny bit off the radar for us. and frankly the exterior does not scream "awesome eats", but not everything needs an exterior coated in wood grain to tell us it sells delicious foods. i ate an obscene amount of chicken nachos supreme. the chicken was seasoned perfectly, to quote gordon ramsay, and it was not dry at all. i brought home 2 soft asada tacos that my husband loved and i got a bean and cheese quesadilla (huge) for the kids. everything was super tasty, not greasy or too salty. what was supposed to be soft was soft and was supposed to be crispy was crispy. all of it was only $15! some things to know: it's counter service/bus your own so, zero glamour, but that's OK i don't think i saw beer there, although they may have some seating is limited and "cozy" you can do a big party by scooching tables but don't count on it. there is outdoor seating in the front and covered outdoor seating towards the rear which is do-able in somewhat lousy weather you can feel good about yourself for being a white, middle class urban explorer as you walk past the mini coopers and audi's in the parking lot to get your authentic ethnic on in the O.F. ! *****oh, also, there is a weird, wood door that is not labeled that leads you directly into the kitchen where they are cooking. apparently one opens said door, turns right and the bathroom is there. i watched my friend (a regular) do this. so be careful and don't bump into the cooks!
(5)Scott M.
I decided to stop for a quick dinner tonight and try out the Mexican food at ole frijole. The lady at the front desk was very polite and took my order of a carnitas burrito to go. The price of $6 seemed a little steep but maybe all the other reviews were right and the food would be worth it. Unfortunately, the carnitas burrito I had was a big let down. I've never had so little meat in a burrito and the meat looked like corned beef. The tortilla was gigantic and made up about 25% of the burrito mostly made of rice, beans and sour cream, this might have been the worst burrito I've ever had. This burrito probably would be better around midnight after a few cervezas. Sorry to disagree with all the other great reviews, but this was a very poor experience. I grew up in Arizona near the border, so I'd like to think I know what I'm talking about.
(1)Steve K.
Go during the day. Good response time and you get your food quickly. Don't bother going at night. You'll wait a long time and the girl running the register seems more interested in listening to her phone and talking to her friends than taking orders. Also at night they don't bother having enough salsa for you to scoop up. Ran dry on a to go order!
(2)Albert P.
This place reminds me of the cute little line taco places we had in California. Its fast fresh and full of flavor. Don't think healthy though. Its good ole Manteca in a lot of the food. But it is delicious and cheap so have fun and enjoy.
(4)Owen D.
Family owned and operated gives this place the feel of enjoying a meal in the owners home. You can have your food authentic or with a little American "softening". Definitely worth the drive to get here. This is not my first visit but is my first review. I enjoyed the Asada burrito, while my wife had the asada nachos and my son had a chicken quesadilla. I snuck a bite of my wife's nachos and she was lucky to get anymore for herself!!! There were great!!!
(4)Jessica D.
Love, love, love this place! I am a lover of burritos and have tried many different places in Portland. This place is by far the best. It looks a little dumpy on the outside but don't let that fool you. Also, the service is wonderful. Everyone is super nice and if you call ahead they will get your order ready in time for you to arrive.
(4)Michelle H.
Fucking awesome and so cheap! Chimmichangas are incredible as well as the Flutas, Fajita Burrito, and not to mention the burgers! Can't say enough good things about my favorite mexican food in Portland. I love Ole Frijole!
(5)Nichole S.
I live nearby so I eat here quite often I do not think I would drive across town to eat here. Don't get me wrong as far as mexican food goes in portland this place is high on the list especially because it is well managed and CLEAN! The beans and rice are top on my list as well as their pickled vegetables at there salsa bar which is usually one of the cleanest I have ever seen in all my mexican food eating days. I get the small chilango tacos at a buck a piece you cant go wrong well unless you order the carnitas. Carnitas is usually my favorite but theirs is dry and its tastes over cured Im not sure but it is never good and I always forget and keep trying it. The woman working the counter is fast and friendly and I often see her step it up during busy hours and help cook. Couple of things though they never salt the guacamole not sure why and they are way overpriced for special requests like when I came in and wanted two big orders of rice and beens they measured each order with a plastic deli and charged me 20 dollars. Its rice and beans even if it is homemade, food cost is minimal. I also asked for a catering quote once and it was ridiculously high. I return to this place because it is clean and decent homemade mexican food I would love some good carnitas though.
(3)Michael M.
I drive across town to get my ole frijole on. I almost always get tacos. They are always solid. 2 hard beef, one chicken soft and the 4th I always mix it up. al pastor and carnitas are always great. My favorite hard beef taco to date. the taco shells are great. the soft tacos come with two tortillas and I make 2 smaller tacos out of each one. Contrary to other reviews they are good sized tacos not the little tijuana finger tacos so the $1.95 price IS worth it. Their beans are seasoned very well. The sauces are really good. A super mild red and med green and their hot which is really a medium/medium hot red. I usually put all three on each item in different layers. the staff is friendly and attentive. I always feel good when I fill up on their food. This is the only mexican restaurant that I have cravings for in Portland.
(4)Brad F.
Mexican food. Everyone thinks they know what it is and thinks everyone else is wrong. I can't solve that problem, but I can tell you that Ole Frijole has tasty eats that most would agree is 'Mexican food'. The thing that stands out to me most about this place is that the food is not greasy. Typically, when I think 'carne asada burrito', I'm expecting it to be hot off the grill, dripping and glistening, but that isn't the case here. And that's not a bad thing. The beans, tacos and burritos here are legit. I'm not a huge fan of their salsa, but it works. Call ahead if you're doing takeout.
(4)Pam D.
I just moved to Portland from Las Vegas. It was quite a culture shock but Ole Frijole is some really good mexican food. Their nachos are the bomb! Their burritos are huge and their soft tacos are amazing. I usually find an item on the menu at a restaurant and stick to that one item. Not here, I look forward to trying everything on the menu! Thank you for a great dinner. They have a small dining room but that doesn't seem to distract people from waiting in line for their meal and taking it "to go" if they have to. Ole Frijole is a small family owned restaurant and they treat all of their guests like family. I love just saying their name "Ole Frijole!"
(5)Nathan S.
One of two options for tacos on the corner of NE 42nd. I've been in the neighborhood for a few months now, and I have now decided that this is my go-to. In my opinion they are the better option for tacos al pastor. $1 each, tasty, and they have a handful of nice house made hot sauces. When I'm not feeling tacos, their breakfast burritos are pretty awesome as well.
(4)rick r.
Ole Frijole surprised me the other day. I had not been in years, as I was completely underwhelmed. The food was mediocre and expensive, and they were salsa nazis. But this had (somewhat) all changed. Most importantly, there's a handy salsa bar similar to Don Pancho's. They were still expensive ($1.95 for a carnitas taco) but it was good. And more importantly it wasn't greasy. For a truer taqueria experience, I would recommend heading across the street, or Don Pancho's a little further away. But for something a bit less greasy, I think I'm adding Ole Frijole to my rotation. I was surprised too. The carnitas were that nice combination of crispy and tender that is so satisfying. The salsas were rich. The limes tasted a little septic, but que sera. The tortillas were nice as well...I didn't investigate to see if they were hecha a mano but they were nice and fresh.
(4)Emily F.
Hands down favorite Mexican place in town. I find Portland's Mexican selection to be pretty dismal compared to other places I've lived, but this place (along with Muchas Gracias on Weidler) satisfy my Mexicravings. The people at Ole Frijole are super sweet (not sure if owners or employees, but I always see the same two people at the counter). The food is fantastic and cheap, and they always have the perfect avocado to mash up for me on the side.
(5)Monica S.
5 customers out of, I'd say 10, waiting for their food had ordered hamburgers at this place. That should give you an idea of what kind of joint this is right there. Contrary to some of the reviews below, I did not think it was either fast or inexpensive. $7 for a burrito? And they don't even give you those free cheap tortilla chips. Admittedly, they were somewhat busy when I was there but I still think I waited way to long for a burrito. I think it was all those hamburgers and french fries they were making. Their "hot" salsa that they keep behind the counter in a special squeeze bottle that's not in the salsa bar, was NOT HOT. Bummer. I had the chicken fajita burrito, maybe I ordered the wrong thing?........
(2)Sage S.
This place is good mexican food. I was expecting greasy good. But its just good good. Not any grease. Great ingredients. Excellent flavor. Was a little slow on service, and prices are a bit more than typical Mexican spot, but I thought it was worth what you get. Will certainly be back.
(4)Richie P.
my wife and I thought we would try out the Yelp ratings so we found Ole Frijole to have good ratings and was just off Hwy 30 on our trek over west of PDX.. The neighborhood looks like it could be a bit rough at times and the building humble.. but once inside we encountered a friendly and happy man behind the counter ready to help us, we later discovered he and his son own the place. The service was great as well was the food, I had explained to him that we found his place to have good ratings so we trusted others, I'm not sure if he really know what yelp is but he was very thankful that we told him. If your looking for good Mexican Food give them a try. We did notice that they didn't use cilantro ( not sure if it changes with the region on Mexico He told us they were from Mexico City) but it wasn't a bad thing since the food had so much flavor..
(4)Lisa K.
Oh Jesus yes. Eat here. The asada is great, as is the hot red salsa, and the sopes.
(5)Tommy T.
Ole Frijole has a few good things going for it... While it's not in my neighborhood, it's worth the drive for some inexpensive and tasty food. Ole Frijole caters to Vegetarians with a few things that other Mexican restaurants don't, which is very cool. Also, I love their "wet" sauce... For only sixty more cents you can upgrade a "normal" burrito to an extra special treat with a hearty enchilada sauce and cheese. The atmosphere is very "mom and pop" and the small eating area is very open with movable tables... but that's not why I ate there. If you want a quick and tasty bite past NE 33rd, check out Ole Frijole and you won't be disappointed.
(4)Violet B.
Super friendly staff and delicious food. Asada Burrito was big and flavorful. Kids had both hard and soft tacos and ate them all up. Tamale was good. Yummy fresh crunchy fries. Heard the burgers are great, we will try next time.
(4)Ricky M.
Ole Frijole. I wished I liked you more, you're the closest burrito joint to my house. The burritos taste Americanized, kinda like a burrito your friend's white mother made. Not horrible, but kinda bland. It gets 3 stars because they make a good torta and the Hamburger combo is good. Yep, I order the Hamburger at a Mexican joint.
(3)Steve G.
Of all the burrito places I've tried in Portland, Ole Frijole is the only place that I crave. I visit Ole Frijole once every week or two. The chile relleno burrito here is excellent, and the guacamole is the best I've had in town. The salsa is very forgettable, but everything else was really tasty. You can choose a restaurant for the place-settings, or you can choose a restaurant because they make a damn good burrito, to continue a theme here. Give me the latter.
(4)Scooter S.
Great for a quick burrito. Fast with great service.
(4)Erika E.
I type this as I phone in my order for pick up. Ole Frijole is one if the best under-rated mexican food joints in Portland! I love the beef chimichanga and how they include the guacamole and sour cream without charging extra! The chimichanga is HUGE, cheap, and delicious. Friendly staff, quick service, and a favorite among the local establishments in the area!
(5)Lydia R.
The food is great, fresh ingredients, nice employees, it's clean and prices are fair. What more could you ask for? My husband loves the burritos, I like the chimichangas, taquitos, and nachos. I've been stopping by this place for years and I've never been disappointed. Yum.
(5)Allisha M.
Ole!!! I freakin love you...breakfast burrito with bacon and jalapeño ?! Yes please ;)
(5)Charles W.
Great food, quick service, nice staff. No ambience to speak of, and they may not give you free chips but they have a great condiment bar with a variety of fresh house salsas, limes, etc. Authentic Mexican!
(4)Mike A.
This place is funny because they give you all types of decidedly gringo options. You can get a hard shell taco. You have a choice between black or pinto beans. They put lettuce and cheese on the tacos. All in all though, its really pretty good. I especially like the fish tacos and the pastor meat. Also the green sauce is some of the best in town.
(3)Mister A.
The owner is amazingly nice and his employees are always smiling. I come here weekly at times and have never been disappointed in the food. The hamburgers here are awesome and the fries are crisp. Yes it's Mexican but they know burgers
(5)Austin V.
Simply the best mexican food in portland. One of those hidden gems of a city.
(5)Jeremy S.
On my quest to try Every Taqueria in Northeast Portland, next on the list we have [drumroll please].......Ole Frijole!! OK, I lied about the quest. It's more like a quest to try every taqueria within a mile radius of my house. Anyway, I probably never would have tried Ole Frijole had my friend Chris Walla not proclaimed it "the place to go". This coupled with the fact that I've never been a fan of La Bonita, and the last burrito we had at Don Pancho was so salty it was barely edible combines to create a wide-open opportunity for Ole Frijole to be the recipient of our RBDs (Regular Burrito Dollars). ANYWAY. I came to get take out, and upon entering the place, immediately decided that that was exactly the right thing to do. I thought Don Pancho was bad, but man, this place has all the charm of a high school cafeteria in the ghetto. I mean, they have their menu affixed to the brick wall with packing tape, and an incredibly ugly plastic plant hanging from the ceiling. However, if you're getting your shrimp burrito for $5.50, you can't really complain too much about atmosphere. So, Walla was right, the burritos are damn good. Nothing fancy, just good, fresh ingredients cooked properly and rolled up in a toothsome tortilla. The burritos are not too big and not too small - big enough to finish, small enough that you don't feel ill if you do happen to finish. As a bonus, the horchata was probably the best I've had in the city. So, we will be back, but definitely just for take out!
(4)