The Goose (restaurant)
New Mexican, Southwestern, and Tex-Mex restaurant in southeast Portland.
The Goose, originally named The Blue Goose, was a New Mexican, Southwestern, and Tex-Mex restaurant in southeast Portland, Oregon. It operated in the Buckman neighborhood at the intersection of Southeast 28th Avenue and Ankeny Street.
Quick Facts
- Established
- 7 June 2014
- Current owner
- Kristine Craine
- Chef
- Matthew Stauss
- Food type
- New Mexican
- Southwestern
- Tex-Mex
- Street address
- 2725 SE Ankeny Street
- City
- Portland
- County
- Multnomah
- Country
- United States
Facts from the source article.
Description
Tucked into southeast Portland's Buckman neighborhood at Southeast 28th and Ankeny, The Goose was a 52-seat spot for New Mexican, Southwestern, and Tex-Mex fare. Its menu featured adobada, carne asada, chile con queso with chorizo, a green chile cheeseburger, chile rellenos, enchiladas, and tacos, plus house-smoked meats and handmade tortillas. Drinks ranged from margaritas and Mexican beers to a wide tequila selection, wine, and agave cocktails. The dining room was finished in turquoise.
History
The building previously housed a tavern called The Blue Goose, which served hard-boiled eggs and sold eggs by the dozen. From 1990 to 2014, it was the Tex-Mex restaurant Esparza's. Kristine Craine opened the later iteration of The Blue Goose on June 7, 2014, repurposing some of Esparza's interior features including the bar. Matthew Stauss was the first chef. The name later changed to The Goose. The restaurant closed and was replaced by Moonshot Tavern in 2024.
Reception
Ben Waterhouse of The Oregonian described the vibe as more new-West saloon than colorful cantina, with stained plywood and earth tones replacing Esparza's bright panels, and cattle skulls with lightbulbs in their eye sockets. He later called The Blue Goose's cheeseburger the best-tasting version in his guide to Portland's green chile cheeseburgers. Michael Russell included The Goose in a 2015 list of best southeast Portland restaurants. Colin Powers called the food enchanting and said the restaurant offered the best menu of flavored margaritas. Willamette Week in 2016 described the restaurant's New Mexican excess as making Guy Fieri look like Vlad Putin. Alex Frane included The Goose in Eater Portland's 2019 list of Portland's most enticing margaritas.
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