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It looks like the folks from contemporary Mexican restaurant Xico are expanding across the river. Signs are now posted in the windows of a NW 23rd restaurant space advertising Xica Cantina, a sister to the original contemporary Mexican restaurant serving regional Mexican food and plenty of mezcal.
Earlier this year, Normal Activity, the LLC behind Xico, has applied for a liquor license for something called “Xica Cantina” on NW 23rd. Xico owner Elizabeth Davis chose not to comment, but she filed the application for the former Pacific Pie Company location at 1668 NW 23rd. It looks like the company also applied for a permit for a sidewalk cafe at the same address, theoretically for some outside seating.
A job listing posted today said the restaurant would serve “regional Mexican cuisine made with local ingredients and house-ground masa,” and that the bar would be “dedicated to Mezcal.” That mezcal will likely appear in cocktails: a separate job listing said that the bar would “shake a lot of margaritas.” There’s still no sign of details on the restaurant’s website or social media pages.
Xico, the SE Division restaurant known for its Pacific Northwestern takes on Mexican food, has been a neighborhood favorite since 2012; it also holds spots on the Oregonian’s “40 best restaurants” list. The restaurant made the news last year after its chef, Kelly Myers, suffered a massive stroke; several local chefs and restaurants came out in support of Myers, throwing fundraising dinners and donating money to her YouCaring page. Stay tuned for more details on Xica Cantina’s possible Northwest location — hopefully.
Updated June 13, 2019, 9:35 a.m.
This story has been updated to show that signs have been posted for Xica Cantina, and to share information from the restaurant’s job listing.
• Xica Cantina liquor license (page 40) [OLCC]
• Normal Activity [business license]
• Xico [Official]
• Xico Chef Kelly Myers Suffers Massive Stroke [EPDX]
• Previous Xico coverage [EPDX]
