Salvador Molly's

It looks like the last reviewers were just mad they couldn't get cheap drinks, but our food and service were great. The drinks are cheaper and more interesting than the downtown watering holes, and they have late night happy hour, too, but it's not so late that we can't nosh there and go party after...We've been going to Salvador's since 2001, and although they've had their ups and downs over the years, we've never been treated rudely. Some people just don't know what good food tastes like when it doesn't come out of a box or a microwave!

Pros: menu items for all; great Happy Hour Food, cool specials!

Cons: No Parking! Not conducive to romance...

Posted 09/22/09

We go in here a lot for happy hour - they used to have an awesome one will 3 dollar drinks. Now, they only have 2 dollar food, and full price drinks. The food is not good. One of the people in my party had noodles that were soaked in fish sauce with no veggies (it was on the menu that it would have crispy veggies). I had some chicken skewers with watery peanut sauce - they brought out the wrong food, service was super slow and the worst part was when they brought out the wrong food, said they would fix it, then left. The waiter came back a moment later and said that is what we ordered - basically that we were idiots that don't know how to order food. They were, and have been rude in the past. Looks like we'll have to find another place for happy hour.

Pros: cheap

Cons: bad food, terrible service

Posted 09/17/09

We took a trip all the way from Vancouver, BC to check out the famous 'great-balls-of-fire. If you finish this dish of insanity (deep fried habanero cheese goodness) you get your picture taken and posted on the wall.

Make sure you look for my picture when you're there.

Pros: Great food, great athmospere

Cons: you have to like spicy

Posted 05/31/09

My in-laws saw Salvador Molly's on Man v. Food and had to take us there. I love spicy food and had to see if the hype was real. I have never eaten anything that I consider too hot, but the Great B*lls of Fire (City Search will not let me type the word b*lls) were exceptionally hot, especially the sauce. They were the second hottest food item I have ever tasted (the first being my friends home-made habanero salsa). My entree was amazing and the place was just fun, with people mixing and talking to each other. The only down-side is that since Man v. Food featured them, the waitress said that the wait times to be seated have sky-rocketed.

Pros: The flavors and food combinations were amazing

Cons: LONG wait time

Posted 04/16/09

I went here for the first time on a Friday night around 8, it was semi crowded but we were seated immediately. Our server was very friendly and everything he recommended to order was top notch. Our table was ready with a pitcher of water (which I always ask for, I drink a lot of water) and a tray of peanuts, which was a nice touch.

We tried the Great B alls of fire. I ate two, my girlfriend could barely finish one. They are delicious, but very spicy. I would recommend getting them right away if you want your mouth to recover in time to enjoy your entree. Otherwise everything is going to taste like it's on fire. (It took me about 10 minutes and a pint of beer to get my taste buds back) We also order the rasta rings, which were awesome. They're not very thick, kinda stringy but delicious nonetheless.

I had the Kahlua pork. I've eaten a lot of Kahlua pork in my short time on this earth. This was delicious. It's not as sweet as traditional Hawaiian pork, it almost has more of a latin flavor (it's cooked with onions and red peppers) than a teriyaki/hawaiian flavor, but the pork melts in your mouth and I enjoyed every bite. Get it with the garlic mojo sauce, not the BBQ. The sides were good too, I particularly liked the corn bread which was good enough to not need any butter.

All in all, I definitely plan on coming back here. The food was great, as was the service and the ambiance.

Pros: Good food, good service

Cons: None really

Posted 03/13/09

I'd heard a lot about Salvador Molly's (and their Great Bals of Fire) and finally decided to spend a bday there. We showed up at 5:30 on a Thurs with a party of 7 and were seated immediately. The service was a bit slow at first but they did everything they could to make sure we got all the Happy Hour beverages we could ask for. I had the fire-rita which was very tasty. For dinner I ate the Kalua Pork with BBQ sauce - amazing - and ordered one Bal of Fire to satisfy my curiosity. This I took only one bite of and knew I was done. The rest was divied up among my brothers and dad. For dessert I tasted the tropical Bread Pudding - also amazing - but was too full to really enjoy it. It was actually good leftovers, as was the pork. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone who enjoys spicy food. I, however, will be a little more careful next time; it was a little too much for me. :D

Pros: food, ambience, music

Cons: parking

Posted 01/22/09

Despite the reviews saying it was not great and service was slow we took a chance and found another regular spot to dine at! Very ecclectic decor and great food! Service could have been sped up a bit but we were not at all in a hurry. My husband attempted to try the "Ball of Fire" and could barely digest the one he did eat. They were so hot!

Pros: Food, Price

Cons: A Little Small

Posted 09/01/08

Salvador Molly's has the best food in the entire metro area. Period. It is a unique, Caribbean/Tex-Mex style, where most dishes can be ordered mild to knock-your-socks-off hot. Their scale is on the hot end, so spicy means just that. Habaneros are common, and their 'Great BaII's of Fire' are something to behold, if you have the stomach.

The Mojo Pork is perhaps the best thing I personally have ever had. If mixed with a Jamaican Red, and a few baIIs it is something you have to just experience. I just wish they had not discontinued the Sunset Surf, as it was the best sandwich on the planet.

There are many other options though, such as the fish taco's, jambalaya, burritos, tamales -- the list goes on. Everything I have had there is excellent.

Pros: Great food. Best.

Cons: Service marginal.

Posted 07/10/08

My husband and I went in for our 1st wedding anniversary last night, and I was thrilled by the ambiance. I felt like we were on vacation! The music, the decor and the cool surfing movie playing made us feel very relaxed. However, our server was not pleasant at all. She didn't smile at us once! In fact, a few of the people that worked there looked stressed out or annoyed with being there. It was a very weird feeling to be enjoying the best food of our entire lives and have our waitress be so cold. The drinks were good too. I will return again soon, I just hope we have someone else waiting on us!

Pros: Wonderful food, amazing atmosphere

Cons: Detached staff

Posted 06/30/08

I've eaten at Salvador Molly's a few times since they revamped their menu and I have been very impressed. I have become a fan of the African Injera Platter and (the) La Cubana; and I am not a dessert person, but the bread pudding is irresistable.

Pros: New menu items and the bread pudding

Posted 06/18/08

I met my sister at your west side location a few Fridays ago at 12:00. I arrived a bit early to get a seat in the bar. Not a problem. We orded an appitizer and two martinis. It took forever to get the drinks and they were horrible..... I tried a second and it was even worse.. I find the food for the price great and have eaten here many times, one of my favorites and suggested it to my sister, she was not impressed. When we did get our bill it was not correct. I understand that there off days but I think the bartenderess needs a bit more training on how to make your speciality drinks. She's was very pleasant and enjoyable.

Pros: Parking is limited

Cons: Love the menu

Posted 05/27/08

Absolutly the worst catering company in Portland. OVER PRICED, charge extra for everything, everything is canned. No, the staff does not get the "customary service charge".

Posted 03/22/08

I went to the location on the east side a few times before it closed down and never had any major problems. On 01/26/08 I went to the west side location and was really disappointed. It took way too long for us to get our drink order. Granted it was a busy Saturday night but it was clearing out once we sat down.

I ordered a sparkling water, not complicated at all, and I had to ask for it 3 times before I actually received it. I didn't get my water until I was halfway finished with my meal. We also ordered an appetizer that never arrived. In the end we were charged an automatic 18% gratuity for a group of 6 so I had no recourse for the bad service I received. I've heard of that policy for groups of 8, but not for groups of 6.

The food was pretty good but could have been warmer upon arrival.

Posted 02/10/08

I was going to take my husband out for Veteran's day dinner to Salvador Molly's, so called for reservation
-Hi, like to make a reservation,
-For howmany ?
-four
-we don't make reservation for four....
-Why not ?
-Too a few...
-Oh,...so how long is the wait around 6 PM
- I dunno.... (dial tone)
I guess they are so great, no need for customer service.... luckily, this town is full of great restaurants!

Posted 11/09/07

I have only been here twice but both times were fairly good. The happy hour was fab. The nachos were very original tasting and left me very satisfied with the flavor, but I had to orger another dish to fill me up. The Happy hour rum drink specials are great. The cute girl bartender that I had there poured my drinks long and strong. So not bad over-all. Great place to check out during Happy Hour, otherwise I wouldn't waste my time and money. Staff are cool to, very portland, ya know.

Pros: Happy hour, atmosphere, peanuts on the floor

Cons: Service is OK, Non-Smoking Bar, expensive when not in HH

Posted 10/11/07

My husband and I decided to give Salvador's a try based on it's happy hour rating. It was just average. Food was ok, decent flavor but small portions, even for happy hour. The drinks were not great. Fresh fruit juice makes a big difference, and theirs are made with canned or concentrate. I even bought one off of the regular drink menu (not happy hour). Our server was pleasant. Maybe if we had ordered off of the regular menu we would have liked the food better, but not worth going back when there are places out there like "Oba" with an amazing happy hour for around the same price.

Posted 09/21/07

As vegetarians, we used to like Salvador Molly's because they will substitute tofu for meat in their sandwiches. Tonight we ordered two sandwiches with tofu substituted for chicken (like we've done plenty of times in the past). Both sandwiches came with big chunks of chicken intermixed with scrambled tofu. We alerted the waitress, who took them back to "have new ones made". The replacements came back suspiciously fast (among other things, this is a slow restaurant). Sure enough, it was the same sandwiches with the chicken picked out. And they didn't even get all of it! Some chunks of chicken remained. At that point we had had it, figuring we just can't trust this place anymore and decided to leave. The manager tried to assure us it was a basic mistake, and we understand mistakes happen - it was the attempted deception with the cook picking the chicken out that disgusted us. Plus, we were still charged for the drinks we'd ordered while waiting for food we couldn't eat. We won't be going back.

Posted 08/27/07

I've been dropping by here for at least ten years. They're busier now than then, but the food is always great. Ask, and they'll prepare most dishes at your requested level of spiciness. Good homemade sauces, and good selection of bottled hot sauces. True, on busy weekend nights service can suffer. But this is true everywhere unless youre paying $20-$30 per entree. RELAX, it's casual, inexpensive, and fully flavorful!

Pros: Unique Flavors, & Super Spicy If You Want It!

Cons: None

Posted 05/05/07

well, salvador molly's isn't a place for a fancy date or super fine cuisine, but if you're looking for some great drinks, tasty tidbits and a laid-back vibe, it's the place to go! the drink menu is extensive, delicious and they make em strong. the mojarita is the BEST! (a combo of a mojito and a margarita- where could you go wrong?) since we didn't have dinner, i don't know what to say about that yet, but all of the "tasty bite" appetizers we ordered were yummy. not the best i've ever had, but definitely a great value for $2.50 a plate and were definitely satisfying with the fantastic drinks. the service was friendly, but overall average. we'll be going back to sit on the patio and enjoy happy hour all summer long!

Pros: happy hour, prices, LOTS of great drinks

Cons: nothing exceptional

Posted 04/19/07

Well, I think this is the only restaurant that can have fantastic food but still make you lose your dinner!! My husband and a few of our friends went there tonight for dinner and tried to eat their "Great Ballz of Fire". He almost succeeded. He made it to 4 of the 5 then lost it! Our advice: Do not eat dinner before hand as the waiter may suggest!! Prep yourself first then eat them and try your dinner. I only a half of one and was in tears! Luckly I had a yummy drink to wash it down with!

Posted 03/30/07

We live nearby and really enjoy sitting in the bar when we want to just grab a bit of good grub and not deal with crowds, scenes, or snooty servers. The late night happy hour dishes are really good, the drinks will take you to a tropical beach, and the barternders are always very friendly and perfectly attentive. Very relaxing for a low-key evening. We always feel like it's a short vacation. Maybe it's the caribbean bar-theme coupled with the capt. morgans, but whatever it is-it's great!

Pros: good value, relaxing, tasty food and drinks

Cons: small-but never seen it crowded

Posted 03/22/07

My wife and I have been going to Salvador Mollys for years as we live in the area. We used to really enjoy going and looked forward to the food. The last 4 times we have gone have been terrible. The servers are extremely irritable and feel they are doing you a favor by taking your order and the food has gone down hill dramatically. I once enjoyed their "volcano" sandwich almost every time I went in, as it was loaded with beef and cheese on fantastic bread and came with 3 sides. This last time, the sandwich was sprinkled with some beef and cheeses over what appeared to be a hot dog bun, and a cold scoop of mashed potatoes. It tasted horrible and the server could care less. My wife used to rave about the place but has had horrible food every time of the last 4 visits.
The only good thing is they have a nice drink menu, but it is too pricey for the tube of cocktail you receive.
They have forever lost our patronage. I warn you, don't go......

Pros: Inventive cocktail list

Cons: Service and food

Posted 01/04/07

Every chance we get, we go to Salvador Molly's. You can't beat the drinks or the food. This place is also good if you have kids with you. My kids love to toss the peanut shells on the floor.

Posted 10/27/06

Eat here frequently. Definitely a recommend, with some reservations. Drinks are great. Lively atmosphere. Tamales are great and always on the menu. J*rk chicken has a lot to be desired (you can substitute). Recommend specials if there are any. Recommend blended drinks.

Posted 08/30/06

We love the tamales at Portland Market so decided to dine in at Eastside location. Plenty of seating and good enough service, but rellenos? TOO SALTY. I've been around food service too long to send back and eat what returns so we just left it. Other items--quesadilla, nachos, mojitos--were very ordinary. Other dishes may be better but we won't return to find out.

Pros: Good for kids

Cons: Ummm....the food?

Posted 08/09/06

We went here early on a Friday night expecting to have to wait for an outside table, but the place wasn't crowded at all. We got a great table and enjoyed everything we had from the drinks (really yummy watermelon sangria, which was a special that day, and crisp, refreshing mojitos) to the appetizers (wonderful oysters!) to our entrees. Our server, Patty H., was super friendly and accommodating. We had a great time and left wondering why we don't go there more often! (We also got a 6-pack of their tamales to go, which heat up really great, even in the microwave.)

Pros: Easy parking, friendly and efficient service, yummy food

Cons: None

Posted 07/06/06

My date and I had a lot of fun throwing the complimentry peanuts at each other. The place has a nice atmosphere which kinda takes you away from the city feeling. I'd recommned this for a casual date or just a night out with some friends for food and drinks. Definitly check out their drinks!

Pros: Nice Atmoshpere, pricing, service

Cons: not good if you are alergic to peanuts

Posted 06/24/06

The food here is so well prepared, and great tasting. Service has been good in my experience. Many times they have had live music. Good drinks. Once a waiter was smoking upwind from the diners and his smoke was really irritating, but that is my only complaint.

Pros: Excellent food, live music, great atmosphere

Cons: parking lot has steep incline, waiter's smoke drifted to outdoor dining area once

Posted 06/23/06

Great service! It is definitely a different menu with unique drinks. Was not sure what to order and may have picked the wrong thing, but the place was packed so they're doing something right!

Pros: Good service

Cons: Loud

Posted 04/29/06

Fun atmosphere, great food and friendly staff. We love this place. The drinks are great, I love throwing peanut shells on the floor, and I've never been disappointed with my order. My personal favorite appetizer- Cheesy Poofs, balls of cheese, peppers and mashed potato fried into fritters... ugh, a dieter's nightmare, the ultimate comfort food. Have some lighthearted fun, great for couples or singles!

Pros: yummy food, light hearted fun, good drinks

Cons: tight parking, tiny quarters, some rude staffers

Posted 02/03/06

Fun atmosphere....great spicy food....what's not to like! Nowhere else in town like it.

Pros: yummy food, fun, spicy!

Cons: slow service

Posted 01/22/06

This is a great, fun place. The service is relaxed. I thought the food was good - not fantastic, but the atmosphere was so fun and funky we kicked back and had a beer and the kids enjoyed it.

Pros: fun atmosphere , friendly

Cons: limited parking

Posted 09/30/05

I've been going here since Salvador's first opened and I absolutly love it. The monsoon room has great happy hour specials. The whole menu is great. Be careful when selecting the spiciness on your order the scale is 1-20 but 10 is pretty much very hot. Love the bollitos.

The one thing I don't really like are the black beans, I'm 1/2 cuban and they do not even come close to my abuela's... I've yet to find a place that can.

Check it out, you won't be sorry.

Pros: atmosphere, fun drinks

Cons: a little small

Posted 09/08/05

Love the food, drinks and atmosphere. The peanuts on the table are great too.

Pros: food, drink menu, service

Cons: parking

Posted 07/25/05

Great drinks, beer list and fabulous food. Not a romantic place, peanuts on the floor, but good ole fashion fun. Try the pork dishes, calamari, burritos, it is all very good. Great for dining on a budget. Happy hour is fun and even more affordable, but don't be fooled, the food is still as good as the main menu. Great place for fun, healthy pirate food!

Pros: carribean food, sauces, service, fun!!!

Posted 01/16/05

My husband took me here for lunch just a few weeks ago and we've been back at least once a week since. I've also taken eveyrone from work here too. We all love it!
Great place for lunch and dinner, I've added it to my list of favorites!

Posted 09/11/04

Fun food. Bright cheery setting to help get you through the grey Portland winters. A great place for some snacks and drinks.

Posted 03/09/04

It isn't the salt, it is the spices. Have you ever travelled to a tropical paradise? This is the closest you will get to the Caribbean or Cuba. We love this place, yes some leave thirsty, but that is the cuisine! Wake up! People whine about every little thing and have no culture. The open minded folks will continue to go, not the whiners! We love Salvador Molly's they are the best, I would go weekly if I lived near by! What a place to take your taste buds to the tropics! One of a kind!!!!

Pros: Fabulous food, good services, unique culinary taste

Cons: there is only 1 local, small parking, crowded!

Posted 08/04/03

Stopped in for lunch in the Latin/Caribbean themed restaurant. A very diverse menu with a large array of choices. The Food was good. Definitely worth a stop.

Posted 05/19/03

I have yet to find anything on the menu I don't like. I love about 12 dishes, like 4 more and need to try the rest.
They make mean mized drinks, try the mojito (even better than what you can get in Little Havanna!).
Great staff, love them here.

Pros: food, variety, specials

Cons: parking

Posted 04/28/03

This is just a really fun place to have dinner. It's a real treat for the senses. Great food. Wonderful for the person that loves spicy foods. Colorful, eyepopping atmosphere...right down to the Velvet Elvis and all the photos of where he's been!

Pros: Inexpensive, Relaxed atmosphere, Tasty

Cons: Not enough parking, crowded

Posted 03/06/03

Salvador Molly's has great atmosphere and enthusiastic service. If you discover a great dish and you return for another treat, you may be surprised with a mediocre to hardly palatable serving of the dish you first experienced to be so delightful. It can be frustrating---maddening. Take a chance, you may visit on the day that the chef is great, or in a great mood.

Recommend you forget about take out of the lime-garlic-chicken soup.

Pros: atmosphere, novelty, fun, peanut shells

Cons: unreliable, menu-dish agreement, unreliable

Posted 01/23/03

What a great find! This place is so funky and fun. I love the tamales.....YUM YUM. Peanuts are fun too! Go in the summer and sit outside. Great beer and margaritas!

Pros: tamales

Cons: crowded

Posted 01/12/03

You can't miss the Heartbreak Pasta dish.....amazing flavor as hot or mild as you like it. If you're looking for a great seafood dish try the Thai Bali bowl......yummy!!

And lets not forget.....they may awesome martini's and have great Jamaican beers.

Love it!!!

Elena Ardantz

Pros: Great Kids Menu, Jamaican Red Beer, Hilarious Hot sauces!

Cons: Need more space, Need more parking

Posted 12/04/02

The main flaw of Mollys is there are so many opportunities for you to make a pig out of yourself and not have room for dinner. When you're waiting for a table or your drinks, or your entree, there are peanuts for you to snack on. Just throw the shells on the ground, it adds to the ambience. The rasta rings are great, but a little salty for some, and a half order is plenty for 3-4 people get a box for it before you finish it. The wings are the best I have ever had. Not overly spicy, and sweet enough that you forget that sweat is pouring down your face. All the dishes are creative and delicious. though the space is small, the service is accomodating.

Posted 11/22/02

When you really need that vacation to a warm, sunny spot and don't have nearly enough time or dinero for it, this is the place you need. Imaginative food that doesn't get too weird or overloaded; warm, friendly and GOOD waitstaff; great drinks; tropical atmosphere. Just what we need here in Portland! And this place gets it right - even when they're packed, you won't wait an iceage for your dinner - a real blessing when you've got 3 kids in tow. Oh, yeah - they're good with kids, too, with crayons and a menu to color. Toss your peanut shells on the floor and your cares away!! Have a caipirinha or a La Fresca, listen to the music, glimpse Elvis in the corner booth and you are DEFINITELY ON VACATION!!

Pros: 'pirate cookin' !!!, fast service, vacation time!

Cons: quite noisy, not enough parking, too many people know!

Posted 10/01/02