¿por que no? yes!

i've been to the ¿por que no? taqueria on mississippi a few times. the food is always delicious--flavorful and super-fresh. but the space is loud and crowded. there's often a wait for one of the very few tables (that are very close together). it's a perfect atmosphere for my younger, hipster friends but no so much for me. i'm not long on patience when it comes to being seated (or in general). i don't love dining on top of the people at the next table. and i prefer to be able to converse with my lunch/dinner mate without having to yell or strain. so if it's ¿por que no? for lunch or dinner-- it's take-out.

until hawthorne.

i checked out this 'new' location many months ago. it was great. lots of space, nice service staff, no waiting. as that is too good to be true in a popular portland restaurant i figured i had just gotten lucky. and i hadn't been back since.

until this afternoon. three of my friends and i decided to brave the crowd and grab some tacos for lunch. at prime lunch time we rolled in. the line was out the door, of course. sigh. just like mississippi. "we're going to be here forever," i thought.

but we weren't.

the line moved at lightening pace. the cashier took our order quickly. AND nicely. even though she was mobbed. she even asked clarifying questions ("will you all be sitting together? paying together?"). she made eye contact. and then she moved us along with a firm but friendly efficiency only seasoned service providers can pull off.

good deal, right? but it gets better.

there were available tables! we found a place in the courtyard. it was quiet and private and we had plenty of space. a lovely woman brought us our (yummy) food with a smile. as service experiences go, this one was a winner.

so perhaps it isn't too good to be true after all. ¿por que no? yes!