Hispanic Heritage Month Starts Today – Celebrate with These Businesses

National Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off today, September 15, and honors the cultures, contributions, and traditions of individuals from Central and South American countries. In Portland, Hispanic and Latinx influence can be seen in neighborhood business districts citywide so Venture Portland is highlighting the Hispanic and Latinx-owned businesses that help make Portland Portland. Here’s just a few of the small businesses that are doing great things in our city:

• Alberta: La Bonita Taqueria is a family-owned and operated Mexican eatery with homemade tacos and salsas. At Blind Insect Gallery, check out the work of multicultural artists and creatives who don’t otherwise have access to traditional gallery spaces.
• Belmont: Taqueria Los Punales serves up tinga-filled, house-made tortillas in a space decked out in queer art. 
• Central Eastside: Enjoy performances that showcase the best of local and international Latinx playwrights, musicians, dancers, and actors at Milagro Theatre.
• Cully: For Yucatecan fare, try Angel’s Food and Fun, best known for their cochinita taco.
• Division/Clinton: Nuestra Cocina offers house-made tortillas and sangrias in a creative, warmly decorated Mexican restaurant and bar. Enjoy Cuban-inspired cocktails and food at Palomar.
• Foster: Portland Mercado is a colorful, open venue offering Latin American cuisine from multiple vendors plus a food market. Nayar Taqueria is a family-owned taqueria that serves Mexican classics prepared with local ingredients.
• Kerns: Tropicale is celebrating Mexican Independence Day on 9/15 and 9/16 with food and drink specials.
• Lents: If you are craving authentic and affordable Mexican food, stop by El Pato Feliz Jr. and let their talented cooks handle your lunch plans. Have you tried birria tacos yet? Birrieria PDX 82nd is well known for this Mexican street food classic.
• Montavilla: Hungry Heart is a warm, friendly, community-minded bakery and coffee shop known for their cupcakes.
• Old Town: Orox Leather Co. is a fourth-generation, family-owned business that produces handcrafted, high quality leather belts, bags, and accessories.
• St. Johns: For tacos, burritos, and quesadillas plus fresh, house-baked Mexican breads, try Tienda Santa Cruz. Get your child ready for their Quinceañera, baptism, or first communion with beautiful formal wear at Novedades Prado.
• Williams District: Dos Hermanos Bakery is open daily or you can find their treats at local markets like New Seasons. For Oaxacan cuisine try Pepe Chile Taqueria. They also do catering so leave all the cooking for your next party to them!

This list is only a snapshot of the great Hispanic and Latinx offerings in Portland. What are your favorite Hispanic or Latinx-owned businesses? Show us on Facebook and Instagram. And don’t forget to subscribe to the newsletter at Portland Through a Latinx Lens to stay up to date on local Latinx artists.