Nuestra Cocina — "Our Kitchen" — is owned and operated by husband and wife Benjamin Gonzales and Shannon Dooley-Gonzales out of a spot on SE Division Street in Southeast Portland. Chef Benjamin grew up in a large Mexican family in Los Angeles, and the menu reflects that background: old peasant-style Mexican cooking, with recipes and flavors ranging from the high desert of Zacatecas to the coastal towns of Veracruz and Tampico.
A dedicated tortilla maker hand-presses more than 30 pounds of masa each evening on a press built by the chef's grandfather, so corn tortillas arrive fresh at the table. The restaurant also has a Mole Room, decorated in deep reds and browns and named for the range of mole sauces on the menu, used for private gatherings and events.
Regulars point to consistent quality over the years, with a cocktail and margarita program and a family-friendly atmosphere as steady parts of the draw. Portland Monthly named it among the city's best in 2025.
A dedicated tortilla maker hand-presses more than 30 pounds of masa each evening on a press built by the chef's grandfather, so corn tortillas arrive fresh at the table. The restaurant also has a Mole Room, decorated in deep reds and browns and named for the range of mole sauces on the menu, used for private gatherings and events.
Regulars point to consistent quality over the years, with a cocktail and margarita program and a family-friendly atmosphere as steady parts of the draw. Portland Monthly named it among the city's best in 2025.