Portland Oregon, with a Latin Twist
- Astrid Peyton
- Jan 5
- 4 min read
I recently went down to Portland for a long weekend with my family. I really liked the food scene overall, but I just want to write about my favorite place from the trip: Lechon.
The restaurant was down by the water, and we didn't have a reservation so we went right when they opened and there was already a line outside. This was a good sign. When they opened the people were really nice, but it was booked solid so they sat us down at some bar seats looking into an open kitchen. I always love being able to watch people cook, so this was treat.
Looking at the menu everything sounded delicious, and so much of it is sort of small bites so we ordered a lof different things. Overall, I thought everything was really good, and the menu had things to offer for both kids and adults. I think they even had a kids menu, but we didn't look at that.
We started with the Lechon Salad. It was a beautiful mix of colors and flavors that had different flavours with every bite. The base of crisp, vibrant greens formed a refreshing canvas, with frisse and radicchio adding a slight bitterness that balanced the dish. Scattered generously were perfectly roasted and spiced chickpeas that brought a satisfying crunch and a smoky, earthy depth. Sweet-tart dried fruit was mixed in giving nice bursts of flavour, while a crumbly cheese added richness. The dressing was light yet zesty, enhancing each ingredient without overpowering. It set up the meal perfectly and left me craving more.
Rating: 9/10 Delicious!!!
Everything came out at a time, and the next they they brought us were the Brisket Empanadas which were AMAZING. They were delightfully crafted and ticked all the boxes. The brisket itself was tender and juicy and had the perfect amount of chewiness making a mouthwatering bite every time! The dough was wonderfully flaky yet soft and chewy, adding a nice texture to the dish. And let’s not forget the accompanying aioli that paired so well with the empanadas. It add even more moisture and just the right burst of flavor to elevate the experience. Together, these elements make a spectacular and unforgettable dish! This was the start of the show.
Rating: 10/10 jaw-droppingly delicious
The Fritters were a nice follow up! Fried to absolute perfection without being greasy, they boast a beautifully golden, crispy exterior that crackles gently with each bite. Inside, the fritters was a warm, savoury center with sweet corn mixing perfectly with gooey, stretchy cheesey, melt-in-your-mouth experience. To top it all off, there was a mysterious green sauce that gave a burst of zesty flavor and a bit of subtle kick. These fritters were a real indulgence but I wish I knew what the delish unknown sauce was!
Rating: 9/10
I can't resist Elotes because they are so simple, but can be so delicious. Lechon's verion had the corn cut into quarters making them a bit harder to handle, but despite that I have no complaints. There was some nice char giving the kernels a smoky, caramelized crunch that made each bite incredibly satisfying. The seasoning and sauce were spicy, but not to hot for me to eat. I'd even say the creamy sauce brought just the right amount of heat to awaken your taste buds without overpowering the natural sweetness of the corn. I was very happy eating those and would order them again.
Rating: 8.5/10 Smoky and crunchy the seasoning and sauce was made it even more flavourful!
The Peruvian chicken bites were also pure yum. I feel like I should have more to complain about, but everything at this restaurant was so good. So getting back to the chicken bites, each bite was tender, and juicy, but at the time crispy and crunchy. The seasoning packed a flavorful punch, with a perfect balance of spices that complemented the chicken beautifully. The heat level on these was a bit too intense for my palate, making them a touch spicier than I could handle so I didn't have too many - even though I could tell they were delicious.
Rating:6/10 Too spicy for me but I think people who have a high and/or medium spice intolerance would devour it!
We ended the meal with the Banana Caramel Pie. It was an absolute masterpiece of indulgence. It was a race between all of us to eat it it was so good. From the very first bite, the velvety smooth caramel melts into the sweetness of perfectly ripe bananas, creating a symphony of flavors that’s nothing short of divine. The buttery crust adds just the right amount of crunch, balancing the creamy filling with a satisfying texture. A light drizzle of caramel sauce crowns the dessert making it the perfect indulgence to end the meal. I highly recommend you have this.
Rating 9/10 sweet n’ flavourful
Overall, I can't say enough good things about Lechon. Not only was the food great, but the service was nice, and the Chef even came over to talk to us. Even though it's a Latin place, he was from South Africa and told us all about his country. If you are in Portland, don't miss Lechon. But if you don't want to eat to early, I recommend making a reservation. I am just glad we got in.
another delicious review.