Located in Portland at SE Division and 29th, Mestizo is Latin-inspired cuisine featuring sustainable seafood, locally-sourced ingredients, and vegan and vegetarian options that are all 100% gluten-free and soy-free with dairy-free options as well. You’ll also find fresh tropical cocktails made from house-made juices and syrups.
Mestizo has plenty of outdoor seating and a fantastic happy hour menu with my favorite item being the fried oysters that come with a sweet chili sauce and microgreens. It’s SO exciting to be able to eat fried oysters at a restaurant again!
I first found Mestizo on the Find Me Gluten Free app while wandering around SE Division with a friend. This place is a hidden gem for the gluten-free world. Latin-American cuisine featuring local ingredients in a 100% GF setting is a fantastic find! In my first experience at Mestizo we arrived around 5:30 which gave us some time to order off the happy hour menu before it ended at 6:00. To my delight, the fried oysters are available on happy hour! The oysters are coated in coconut breading with GF breadcrumbs which in my opinion is a lighter, crispier texture than traditional breadcrumbs. They are served with Fresno chili jam for a sweet and sour flavor that pairs deliciously with the breading on the oysters.
Also on happy hour is guacamole served with both tortilla and plantain chips. Again, how exciting to be able to eat safe fried food at a restaurant!
Lastly, I ordered the fish tacos for dinner. That delicious and crispy GF breading is coating the rockfish and the tacos in tri-color tortillas are topped with slaw, orange habañero salsa and chipotle aioli. Fresh and delicious!
Other menu items include Fried Banana Flower Tacos, Mestizo Rice Bowl or Salad Bowl, elote (Mexican street corn, also delicious), Guajillo BBQ Chicken or Portobellos, meat or vegetarian empanadas, ceviche (seafood or vegan), pozole and chilaquiles. Mestizo is a must-try in Portland’s east side!
Learn more at mestizopdx.com
Mestizo
2910 SE Division St.
Portland, OR 97202
Tuesday-Saturday 12-9pm, closed Sunday & Monday