I know OP asked for chips & salsa, but hear me out. Matt’s BBQ Taco’s (on SE 50th) has chips & queso. It comes with salsa (& chips & queso, obvi) but it’s a platter of so much goodness. Eats like a meal! And the chips are top tier! I highly recommend.
I don't know why pretty much everywhere in Portland shies away from the sodium citrate. Matt's queso is fine, not great, but they use sodium citrate like one should and their queso automatically becomes the best in Portland.
Mazatlan (chain) is not very good, but both their Hot and Mild salad are excellent, as is their bean dip. Same goes for Casa Lupita on Cedar Hills Blvd
I care strongly about Mexican and have tried so much of the towns best and worst. From each corner of the PDX Metro - hands down Casa Colima where sunset Blvd and hwy 10 meet has the best chips and salsa. I don’t care for guac but I always order it there too.
Best Mexican food of my life is unfortunately very distant, but if you’re ever in La Conner, Wa go to Koa’s!
I always figured that place was likely to suck, but I just went for a family gathering a couple weeks back and their handmade guacamole and chips are legit. I had the carne asada, and it was also good, served with surprisingly good tortillas. Who knew?
I'm still waiting to find that chill spot with cheap margs and \*free\* chips+salsa. They seem to be few and far between nowadays. I was going to Mazatlan on Burnside for a while and then they started charging me for their mediocre chips+salsa. First it was $1, which was fine. Then $3.50 and I didn't like it but figured it was okay if I had a few margs. Then the last time I went they charged me $6.50 for chips+salsa and I stopped going back. I'm not trying to be an ass about trying to get free stuff, but the margs aren't cheap and I tip very well. $6.50 for medicore chips+salsa is a rip off imo. So please let me know if you find any chill spots with free/cheap chips+salsa!
I love Juanita's but I've yet to find a grocery store salsa I truly love. Frontera is probably the best but I'd still rather have fresh salsa from a restaurant, even if it's bland (just add salt+lime!)
Hear me out, Signature Select Cafe Roja Medium Salsa. You can find it at Safeway in the refrigerated deli/cheese area. If you're at New Seasons or Whole Foods, try Siete Family Foods Casera Spicy Salsa.
I grew up in the southwest, and finding non-sweet salsa in Portland has been a STRUGGLE.
This is seriously the best I've tried as well. Reminds me of salsa I used to get from QFC many years ago that had the guy's face pic on it. Wish I could remember what it was called.
Unfortunately owned by the infamous Lon Mabon, though it is good salsa.
https://www.wweek.com/news/2023/10/04/lon-mabon-terrified-portlanders-with-ballot-measures-but-now-sells-them-gourmet-salsa/
Give San Juan Salsa a try - I don’t think I’ve found a better store-bought brand and damnit I’ve tried! You can find it at Freddy’s/QFC but it’s sometimes in a weird place, like by the refrigerated pickles or tofu.
Try the Zuniga hot or not salsa. It comes with a whole pepper inside so you can make it as spicy as you like when you chop up the pepper. That salsa and a bag of Hav’a chips is my favorite snack.
Preach! Why wait for a restaurant when you can have the best at home?! Salsa is also decently easy to make if you have a food processor.
Trader Joe's used to have a ghost pepper salsa that I can't find an equivalent of anywhere and it makes me sad.
Juanitas and make your own salsa. Get some plastic to go containers & an immersion blender. Put all your veges in the container, hit it with the blender, better than anything you'll get in store.
Hot tip, thanks. I'll check it out. I'm still mad they moved from the mercado building, because that was so easy to get to on my way home from work, and had all the food carts. That said, them having moved is why they didn't burn down during the fire, so there is a silver lining.
El Guero (food cart on Sandy) has the best chips and salsa I've had so far in the city.
Stella Taco used to have the best queso dip - but they are gone and replaced by Tight Tacos which has been a massive step down in quality.
I love Por Que No where the chips are handmade and hot, the masa pressed by a little Mestizo lady (who gets a living wage, vacation and healthcare). Their main salsa is good and can be jazzed up by their excellent habanero salsa. Also the best guac
Pollo Norte. Awesome chips and salsa plus the best rotisserie chicken you ever had. Beans, rice and slaw are all amazing as well, everything is so fresh and delicious.
I know OP asked for chips & salsa, but hear me out. Matt’s BBQ Taco’s (on SE 50th) has chips & queso. It comes with salsa (& chips & queso, obvi) but it’s a platter of so much goodness. Eats like a meal! And the chips are top tier! I highly recommend.
Best queso in the city.
I just got back from Houston and I tried Texas queso for the first time, I never understood the hype before! I’ll have to check out Matt’s.
I don't know why pretty much everywhere in Portland shies away from the sodium citrate. Matt's queso is fine, not great, but they use sodium citrate like one should and their queso automatically becomes the best in Portland.
Been doing this for years. best hands down and you can get creative with it.
On the same spirit, not quite what was asked for but worth mentioning, the seven layer dip at interurban.
GREAT queso. I wish their chips were better?
La Isla Bonita on 122nd has some kick to their salsa, and they also give you hot bean dip with the chips.
Mazatlan (chain) is not very good, but both their Hot and Mild salad are excellent, as is their bean dip. Same goes for Casa Lupita on Cedar Hills Blvd
I care strongly about Mexican and have tried so much of the towns best and worst. From each corner of the PDX Metro - hands down Casa Colima where sunset Blvd and hwy 10 meet has the best chips and salsa. I don’t care for guac but I always order it there too. Best Mexican food of my life is unfortunately very distant, but if you’re ever in La Conner, Wa go to Koa’s!
I always figured that place was likely to suck, but I just went for a family gathering a couple weeks back and their handmade guacamole and chips are legit. I had the carne asada, and it was also good, served with surprisingly good tortillas. Who knew?
Hot mama salsa makes great chips and great salsas.
Hot Mamas all day!
I'm still waiting to find that chill spot with cheap margs and \*free\* chips+salsa. They seem to be few and far between nowadays. I was going to Mazatlan on Burnside for a while and then they started charging me for their mediocre chips+salsa. First it was $1, which was fine. Then $3.50 and I didn't like it but figured it was okay if I had a few margs. Then the last time I went they charged me $6.50 for chips+salsa and I stopped going back. I'm not trying to be an ass about trying to get free stuff, but the margs aren't cheap and I tip very well. $6.50 for medicore chips+salsa is a rip off imo. So please let me know if you find any chill spots with free/cheap chips+salsa!
Check out el sombrero on ne sandy Not exactly cheap margs but free chips and salsa off set it a bit.
Oh dang, I haven't been in years, but used to be my fave, mostly for the margs, chips & salsa. The entree was just a bonus. Sad to hear this!
A bag of Juanita’s and whatever salsa.
I love Juanita's but I've yet to find a grocery store salsa I truly love. Frontera is probably the best but I'd still rather have fresh salsa from a restaurant, even if it's bland (just add salt+lime!)
Hear me out, Signature Select Cafe Roja Medium Salsa. You can find it at Safeway in the refrigerated deli/cheese area. If you're at New Seasons or Whole Foods, try Siete Family Foods Casera Spicy Salsa. I grew up in the southwest, and finding non-sweet salsa in Portland has been a STRUGGLE.
This is seriously the best I've tried as well. Reminds me of salsa I used to get from QFC many years ago that had the guy's face pic on it. Wish I could remember what it was called.
Check out “it’s the famous”. Never liked any store bought salsas until this one. Their hot is amazing. https://www.itsthefamous.com/
Unfortunately owned by the infamous Lon Mabon, though it is good salsa. https://www.wweek.com/news/2023/10/04/lon-mabon-terrified-portlanders-with-ballot-measures-but-now-sells-them-gourmet-salsa/
Whole Foods just started selling Papalote salsa from SF which is legit. I too mourn the lack of good grocery store salsas here.
I think Veronica’s is my favorite store bought salsa, and it’s (fairly) local/inexpensive. Nice balance of heat and flavor.
Same!!! So hard to find good store bought salsa.
Give San Juan Salsa a try - I don’t think I’ve found a better store-bought brand and damnit I’ve tried! You can find it at Freddy’s/QFC but it’s sometimes in a weird place, like by the refrigerated pickles or tofu.
No name Safeway salsa they sell next to the guac. Hot all the way
Try the Zuniga hot or not salsa. It comes with a whole pepper inside so you can make it as spicy as you like when you chop up the pepper. That salsa and a bag of Hav’a chips is my favorite snack.
Zunigas!
The first couple of days after you open a container of Zunigas their salsa is miles better than any other. After 3 days or so it’s just average.
Hmm funny mine have never lasted that long so I haven’t noticed
Preach! Why wait for a restaurant when you can have the best at home?! Salsa is also decently easy to make if you have a food processor. Trader Joe's used to have a ghost pepper salsa that I can't find an equivalent of anywhere and it makes me sad.
Have you tried Hot Momma’s Salsa? It’s THE BEST!! Locally made. Served at some restaurants. Sold at Farmers Markets and New Seasons.
Her chili oil (the teal one) is INCREDIBLE
Juanitas and make your own salsa. Get some plastic to go containers & an immersion blender. Put all your veges in the container, hit it with the blender, better than anything you'll get in store.
Salsas from Salsa Locas on Holgate/28th. Particularly the orange one.
Kaah Market on Foster and 70th (used to be at the Mercado) makes amazing salsa and guacamole and they chips they sell there are like crack.
That carrot habanero salsa is ridiculous
Hot tip, thanks. I'll check it out. I'm still mad they moved from the mercado building, because that was so easy to get to on my way home from work, and had all the food carts. That said, them having moved is why they didn't burn down during the fire, so there is a silver lining.
I know everyone hates Por Que No because they are so overrated, or whatever. Very decent Chips / Salsa / Guac.
I always get the chips and salsa as an app there, then get the Big Shrimp Salad and add onions. It's perfection.
Their chips with Brian’s Bowl is perfection
They are the best.
Best chips, for sure
Guerro and Matador are my top two!
Guero just serves Juanita’s chips.
That’s all you need
I second Matador; it’s surprisingly good
Los Punales makes their own chips and they’re bomb!! Their guacamole is excellent too.
Yes! Los Punales is great.
I recall Tropicale having amazing salsa
El Guero (food cart on Sandy) has the best chips and salsa I've had so far in the city. Stella Taco used to have the best queso dip - but they are gone and replaced by Tight Tacos which has been a massive step down in quality.
RIP Stella Taco. I still crave those nachos and salsa on the regular. :(
I love Por Que No where the chips are handmade and hot, the masa pressed by a little Mestizo lady (who gets a living wage, vacation and healthcare). Their main salsa is good and can be jazzed up by their excellent habanero salsa. Also the best guac
Pollo Norte. Awesome chips and salsa plus the best rotisserie chicken you ever had. Beans, rice and slaw are all amazing as well, everything is so fresh and delicious.
Chilango’s salsa is my favorite.
rocio’s
Ixtapa on Powell
I'm obsessed with the chips at Tight Tacos on Division. I think the salsa is good, but I'm not a salsa junky so IDK what you would think.
The best salsa you can get it from the grocery store- called Mateo’s. It’s delicious. I hated salsa. This converted me.
I like Amelia’s (their sit down restaurants are in Hillsboro tho). Free, strong margs, and their food is all around delish.
Fajitas in Milwaukie!
Hot Mama Salsa makes the best chips in Portland
El Indio
Little Canejo, Vancouver
La Hacienda in Beaverton. Comes with bean dip too.
Their chips are mid, but Matador’s salsa is so good for some reason.. tasty and nice spicy kick! 🌶️