TD’s Pop Up, Tacos Al Fresco at the Waterfront

TD’s Pop Up is back! Started in 2014, this summer pop up has been returning just for the summer every year, and is found outside of the Three Degrees restaurant located behind the River Place Hotel, right along the South Waterfront with views of the the Hawthorne Bridge and Tilikum Crossing and perhaps some Dragon Boats practicing on the river. I can’t think of any other downtown location you can eat this close to the river unless you’re on a boat or pier. The premise here is simple: tacos, tequila, and dining al fresco at a small seat counter top bar or high top cocktail tables literally a few yards from the Willamette River on the esplanade or seats on the hotel restaurant patio.

They’ve had a rough start since we’ve all been having a rough summer start since it opened in May (it usually runs until October) with the rain and cold days that us with raincoats and umbrellas and layers until recently, but I think summer has finally come and to stay and not just tease us. For this fourth of July weekend, they are extending their usual hours to be open Tues-Mon noon to 9 PM and Tuesday July 4 they’ll be open until 11 PM. Still, definitely check on their social media such as their Instagram tds_popup if they really are open when there is inclement weather, but usually they are open Wednesday – Sunday, noon to close.

Part of that is because when they are open, they are cooking it up and mixing up your drinks outside at an outdoor grill open to the elements TD’s Pop Up, Tacos Al Fresco at the Waterfront

My favorite drink that I always get on my visits is their “#SpicyGuera“, a cocktail with tequila, mango, cayenne, lime, and garnished with compressed pineapple. It’s both a drink and a little snack, and I think is the best way to start your experience at TD’s Pop Up. You can also find the also excellent mezcal cocktail “Meet Me in Gollan” with mezcal, house tepache, agave, and lemon, or a Classic Margarita with tequila, agave, lime, or order from their half a dozen beers or non-alcoholic refrescos like topo chico, jarrito, or coca colas.

They offer several tacos including a Halibut + Chorizo combo, Chicken en Achiote, Grilled Nopalito (the vegetarian option), or Tequila Braised Pork Belly. I didn’t get a close up shot of the halibut and chorizo taco, but you can see the huge homemade chorizo in the group taco photo in the front along with toppings of avocado herb aioli and guava salsa.. Meanwhile, the tequila braised pork belly taco includes mango, peanut morita salsa, and chicharron as you see below. The chicken en achiote comes with cabbage curtido, de arbol chili salsa, and fresco

My favorite of the tacos was the vegetarian one, the Grilled Nopalito with avocado pico de gallo and radish, partially because its a bit more unique – and also because I would rather order a make your own taco option, which I’ll explain next!

You can order tacos a la carte, or if you are feeling like more of a dinner then taco snack or with a couple friends, consider getting the Carnes plate. This is a platter of meat (choice of Bistec Asado or 1/4 rack of Lamb Ribs) that are served with escabeche, tortillas, salsa, guacamole, nopalitos, and grilled onions so you and your group can just enjoy dining it al fresco along the waterfront and make your own tacos as you wish instead of individual tacos. Here’s the Bistec Asado

I recommend the lamb ribs!! It’s maybe not as complex as the tacos I described which are still tasty, but I just found this perfect in its simplicity and freshness.

Where is your favorite place for outdoor dining, do you know of one with a great view or atmosphere?