CASA DEL MATADOR

Date of last visit:  Dec 2009
Address:  2424 SE Burnside
Phone: 503-719-5757
Hours: 11 to 2 M-F; 9 to 2 weekends
Link: Matador Restaurants

To Note --there are two of these restaurants/bars in Portland, this review refers to the one on SE Burnside

General Impressions of the place itself:  decor has sort'a an upscale theme -- Spanish more than Mexican, with weird decorative touches: like giant mounted metal femur bones along side the front door. There is a lot of  wrought iron and colored glass hanging lamps; a big fire pit in the center; big TV's --covering seasonal sporting events--hanging over the bar.  On the door it say "no minors"  -- so they must be thinking of themselves as a bar--but they have a big menu and good food.  Maybe the best thing is, in the summer all the big windows, on two side of the restaurant open --and it makes it so you feel like you are sitting outside.
What we ordered: We stopped one time for dinner and had their Dungness Crab Cakes--they are not cheap but they are worth the money, they were full of crab and nice sized. We also got their enchilada, which was delicious.  Since then we have been back many time for their HAPPY HOUR MENU (4pm to 6pm. and 10pm to 1am) which is a really good buy.  You get full-size orders of items from their regular menu at about half the cost (all items are $4 or $5).  We are fond of the Shrimp and Blackened Fish Tacos--but everything we have ever had from the Happy Hour menu has been great.  
Things we liked:  Love the Happy Hour Menu and the open windows in the summer. 
Things we disliked: Can't take our grandchildren there
Number in our party: varies
Total Bill:  not counting drinks, for dinner plan on $20 to $30 per person  --at happy hour $10 to $15 will provide a big meal 
Recommended? Sure thing
With a Five Star Scale - and Five being perfect - we rate this place? 3+