¿Por Qué No?

After a fateful, unplanned trip to Morelia, Mexico, and an unforgettable meal of tacos, Bryan Steelman returned to Portland with a mission: to open a lively neighborhood taco joint that utilizes fresh ingredients and boasts an always-friendly atmosphere. Meaning ‘why not?’ in English, ¿Por Qué No? was inspired by the hole-in-the-wall eateries Steelman encountered in Mexico. The restaurant’s interiors are creatively cluttered, with shocking pink walls covered with portraits of the Virgin Mary, antique posters and colored string lights hanging from the ceiling. The no-frills eatery is known for its Mexican-style tacos (the carnitas and pollo asado varieties are favorites), but the lengthy menu also features classics like enchiladas, tamales and quesadillas. Since opening its first location in the Mississippi neighborhood in 2004, ¿Por Qué No? has expanded and now has a second restaurant located at 4635 Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard.