Hip Mexican restaurant brings another late-night spot to Southeast Portland

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Late-night Mexican eats and cocktails are on the menu for a hip Southeast Portland eatery updating its weekend hours.

Located on 2832 SE Belmont St., La Patroncita is now open from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. The business originally closed at 10 p.m. nightly.

Owner Lucy De León — whose parents founded Salsas Locas, previously known as Tortilleria Y Tienda DeLeon's — said she has wanted to extend the hours for “a while” since opening the restaurant in August 2023.

“We wanted to create a space where people can unwind and celebrate summer, especially on the weekend,” De León told KOIN 6. “We just feel like [in] Portland, you know there's always a shift of energy in summer.”

La Patroncita’s food menu will be more limited past 10 p.m., when it will only serve customers over 21. The eatery will still offer small bites like chips and guacamole, shrimp ceviche, beef or cheese-stuffed flautas and pink churros — and the owner said chefs will remain “open” to making other dishes, as long as the kitchen has the needed ingredients.

The restaurant’s dinner menu additionally includes nachos, quesabirria, tacos and even churro cheesecake.

Thirsty guests can still look forward to a full bar. The eatery’s summer cocktail menu includes beverages inspired by the flavors Mexican people “grew up with,” like hibiscus and tamarind, according to De León. Beer and wine will be available as well.

The restaurateur said the business also plans to host local talent, such as DJs and other artists, during its late-night service.

“It’s important for us to be supporting our creative community, and it's part of our mission, too. We invite everyone to come and experience, you know, our space and our flavors and music and the magic of La Patroncita,” she said.