This New Northwest Portland Restaurant and Bar Has Serious ‘80s and ‘90s Vibes

Northwest Portland’s new California Mexican bar is finally open. Impala has started hawking house-made taquitos, chili-cheese fries, and braised beef enchiladas in the former Rae’s space.

From the folks behind the Triple Lindy in the Pearl District, Impala was designed to serve the food of owner Mike Miller’s childhood — Mexican American foods like five-layer dip and ground beef hard-shell tacos. The restaurant delivers all of the above, as well as some of those vintage cantina classics, including enchiladas, carne asada plates with rice and beans, and burritos with optional fillings like grilled chicken or seasoned tofu.

The cocktail names are something out of Mid90s, all named for professional skaters — the Tony Hawk is a classic margarita, while the Tommy Guerrero combines Vida mezcal with chocolate bitters and lime. The bar also offers shot-and-beer combinations named for skaters like Rodney Mullen and Lance Mountain.

The bar will also serve brunch, hopping on Portland’s breakfast taco train — an assortment of three comes on flour tortillas, with scrambled egg, pork verde, cheese, and hash browns. Impala is also slinging a breakfast “brunchwrap supreme,” which folds scrambled eggs, bacon, hash browns, and beans wrapped in a large flour tortilla. The rest of the brunch menu includes Impala’s versions of Mexican brunch staples — huevos rancheros, chilaquiles — as well as a french toast made with Texas toast soaked in orange, vanilla, and cinnamon custard. The restaurant serves brunch from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Scroll for a peek at the restaurant’s food, cocktail, happy hour, and brunch menus.

• Impala [Instagram]
• A California Mexican Bar Will Open in Northwest [EPDX]