Esparza's

Esparza's

Restaurant interior in 2008
Location in Portland, Oregon
Restaurant information
Established c. 1990
Closed January 2014
Food type Tex-Mex
Dress code Casual
Street address 2725 Southeast Ankeny St.
City Portland, Oregon
County Multnomah
State Oregon
Postal code/ZIP 97214
Country United States
Coordinates 45°31′20″N 122°38′15″W / 45.52225°N 122.63755°WCoordinates: 45°31′20″N 122°38′15″W / 45.52225°N 122.63755°W
Reservations No

Esparza's Tex Mex Cafe, often abridged as Esparza's, was a Tex-Mex restaurant in Portland, Oregon, in the United States. Owned by Martha and Joe Esparza, the restaurant operated for more than 24 years, before closing in January 2014. Its "interesting" menu included buffalo tostadas, ground ostrich and nopalitos, several varieties of tongue, beef brisket, and more traditional options like enchiladas, quesadillas, tacos and tamales.

Description

Esparza's was located at the intersection of Southeast 28th Avenue and Southeast Ankeny Street and served Tex-Mex cuisine. The Portland Mercury described the restaurant as a "quaint little cafe" with "interesting" menu options, including buffalo tostadas, ground ostrich and nopalitos (deep-fried cactus in cornmeal batter).[1] Esparza's served several varieties of tongue, including beef, buffalo, calf, lamb, pork and venison. The menu also included beef brisket ("Smiley Burnette") and more traditional options like enchiladas, quesadillas, tacos and tamales, with most entrees ranging from $9–11. The most expensive entree on the menu cost $12.95, making Esparza's known for reasonable pricing.[1][2]

Closing

Exterior signage in 2014

Esparza's was established c. 1990. In January 2014, the restaurant was closed temporarily for renovations, with no timeline offered for the project. The Oregonian also reported that the restaurant's phone number was disconnected and its website inactive.[3] Signage confirmed the closure, stating: "Esparza's will be temporarily closed while renovating and regrouping. Thank you for your patience. We will re-open soon."[3] However, several days later, owners Martha and Joe Esparza confirmed the restaurant's permanent closure, posting a note that said: "We have closed our business after 24 years. We would like to thank you for supporting us. We have enjoyed the friendships made over the years. We are starting a new chapter in our lives -- relaxing and enjoying life. Thank you for your support."[2][4] The Oregonian published an article of "memories" about the restaurant, submitted by its readers.[5][6]

Reception

In 1992, Esparza's was named The Oregonian‍‍ '​‍s "Restaurant of the Year". According to the paper, the restaurant played an important role in developing Northeast and Southeast 28th Avenue as a food destination.[3] Portland Monthly published a review that called the food "so-so", but said the restaurant's specialties were its menu and outdoor patio. The magazine also highlighted the jukebox, encouraging people to "bask in the indecipherable harmonies of norteño polka crackling from the vintage vinyl-and-neon Wurlitzer".[7] Yahoo! Travel described Esparza's as "fun, wild and woolly", offering food "in the true tradition of the Lone Star State".[8] Yahoo noted the restaurant's popularity and "wild" decor and recommended the chile rellenos, or the ostrich enchiladas and nopalito for a more unique dining experience.[8]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Esparza's Tex Mex Cafe". The Portland Mercury (Index Publishing). Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 DeJesus, Erin (January 27, 2014). "Esparza's Officially Shutters After 24 Years in Business". Eater Portland. Vox Media. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Russell, Michael (January 21, 2014). "S.E. Portland Tex-Mex joint Esparza's 'temporarily closed'". The Oregonian (Portland, Oregon: Advance Publications). ISSN 8750-1317. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  4. ↑ Russell, Michael (January 27, 2014). "R.I.P. Esparza's: S.E. Portland Tex-Mex joint calls it quits". The Oregonian. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  5. ↑ Russell, Michael (January 28, 2014). "Esparza's closes: Memories from S.E. Portland's departed Tex-Mex institution". The Oregonian. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  6. ↑ Binder, Melissa (January 28, 2014). "Esparza's Tex-Mex closed; man tried 'fast one' on police: SE and SW Portland news". The Oregonian. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Esparza's". Portland Monthly (Sagacity Media). December 5, 2013. ISSN 1546-2765. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Esparza's Tex Mex Cafe, Portland". Yahoo! Travel. Retrieved January 28, 2014.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Esparza's.