Mediocre Mexican at Rafael's

On Saturday, the Cart Reporter had a date night with his youngest cub reporter. Since the rest of the brood was otherwise engaged, it was one of those rare chances to be a bit more adventurous.

It was tough call. The night before, the Reporter hosted his company's Christmas party. The resulting overindulgence created a craving for something meaty, if not downright greasy. In this Reporter's mind, this left two choices (1) burger (the bigger, the better), or (2) Mexican.

Portland, sad to say, is not a burger town. Los Angeles--home to sushi bars, escarole salads, and lite eating galore--has more totally awesome burger joints per capita than any other city in the world. (The Reporter remembers fondly driving the mile or so down Pico Blvd to Mo' Better Meatty Meat Burgers for a half-pounder and fries.) So, rather than face another McMenamins or Red Robin repeat, the Reporter quickly but sadly stifled the burger option.

So, Mexican it was. The Reporter loves Mexican food--he could easily eat it every meal every day for the rest of his life. The Reporter's date is not fussy at all and tends to seek out flavorful, if not spicy, food.

Rafael's Comida Mexicana is only about three weeks old. It occupies the space left vacant by Uncle Butchy's, a very short-lived low-carb restaurant near 39th, I-84, and Sandy. We arrived a little before 6:00 pm and only two other tables were occupied. CNN Headline News was blaring out across the restaurant, so we got to hear almost two news cycles during our meal.

Our waitress was friendly and very attentive to the cub reporter. The board outside listed some specials, but the wintry weather did not encourage any lingering outside. Thus, the Reporter asked the waitress what the specials were. To which she responded that everything is special.

OK, let's try again. "What do you recommend?" this reporter asked.

"I haven't tried everything, so I don't know what is best."

OK, one more try: "How's the chili Colorado?"

"Is that what you'd like?"

"Sure, with corn tortillas. And a horchata, please."

Two rules for server success: (1) everything is not special, and (2) find two things you can recommend, one meaty and one vegetarian.

After a bit of a wait, I was greeted with a large plate of chili Colorado, pinto beans, and Spanish rice ($8.00). Everything was luke warm suggesting that there was some delay between its preparation and its arrival at my table. Since the waitress struck me a someone who'd be quite put-out with a reheat request, the Reporter greedily feasted on what was served. The meat was was very flavorful and tender. The beans were tasty and not watery. The rice was somewhat bland and seemed to come from a mix. The horchata ($2.00) was almost flavorless--more like watery skim milk with spices.

Some of the Rafael's shortcomings can be chalked up to growing pains, but three weeks should be sufficient time to ensure quick delivery of food and for a waitress to develop some recommendations.

Regardless, it was pleasure to spend some time with the littlest reporter. She was an angel the entire meal and enjoyed the chips and salsa and the tour of Christmas lights afterward.