Gloria's Secret Cafe

Warning: There is no parking!
Aside from that, this place is amazing! Friend and I just got take out and the food was delicious! She loved her bowl and began talking about going back for more after the first bite! Steak was deliciously seasoned and very tender. I had the pork chili verde and it was fabulous!! Came with rice that was perfectly cooked and some delicious black beans alongside a little salad. I was so happy with my meal and plan on going back soon. This place is making it into the Regular Rotation!

Yelp says Gloria's offers many vegetarian options. That is not true at all.
I have heard that Gloria is a great cook. I've read that her Chile relleno is delicious. That may be true but great food is only part of a successful restaurant. You also need to care about your customers. A welcoming attitude helps.
When we arrived a voice from the back yelled to sit anywhere. We said we would take a table outside. A few minutes later, a woman who I believe is Gloria came out to us. She appeared totally frazzled and proceeded to rattle off three chicken dishes saying that's what she had available. Since I'm a religious vegetarian and Yelp states there are many vegetarian options, I asked her if she had anything vegetarian available. She said rice and beans, go next door they have vegetarian food.
Whoa!
I understand she runs the place all by herself and maybe it's more of a sideline hobby for her so she doesn't need to be concerned with what customers want. Her attitude today was toxic, hope her food has better vibes.

The owner is very friendly and there is a homey feel. We ordered the chili verde, enchiladas and chuletas. The chuletas were the best, tender pork with savory sauce and nice fluffy rice. The chili verde was pretty good as well with lots of flavor. The enchiladas were not my favorite however. The order came with complimentary chips and house made salsa which was nice. If you are very hungry make sure to order more than one dish, as this place focuses more on quality than quantity (which I prefer)

Let me tell you a little something about this tiny hidden gem we found; Lunch date today in Downtown Beaverton at Gloria's Secret Cafe. It literally has 3 tables inside and a couple lil tables outside. Gloria, the owner told us about her secret off menu item: "Chile Rellenos" that are made fresh daily from the Chiles she buys at the farmers market. Seriously one of the best I've ever tried. Super light , fluffy and cheesy! I personally know how much work goes into the prep of a good Chile Relleno. You can taste her love of the food she prepares in every bite! I ordered her special of the day "Sausage Pallela". It has 3 diff types of sausage (chorizo). (You have to order ahead for seafood/shrimp pallela) I tried the Hibiscus iced tea and it was very flavorful to compliment my meal. She is only open for 4 hours a day because once the food is gone~ it's gone! Gloria has been in business in Downtown Beaverton for 18 years. Can't wait to go back again and try the Popusas and another specialty item on her menu. Opposite of what Yelp and Google reports Gloria does take credit cards as well as cash. #beavertonrestaurantweek #supportlocal #smallbusiness

If you want to feel that you went home to eat, this is the place. Lovely place, lovely food, my favorite are the carne de cerdo en salsa verde.

It's cold and raining again . Between the rain and Covid , I have spent more time in the house in the last 18 mos. than I have in my whole life ( and I am pretty old!)
I need to treat myself sometimes , and today it was Gloria's paella? Now warm to my tippie toes, and full of comfort food !
Go and visit Gloria today!

The first thing you have to know about Gloria's Secret Cafe is that it runs out of food. Get here early if you want to partake.

Gloria is a charmer, with a wide smile. She presides over a teeny tiny queendom, an almost-perfect hole-in-the-wall gem of a Latin American eatery.

Even the salsa is a cut above, and that's saying something. If she can elevate the most basic of condiments, imagine what she can do with the foods of her homeland.

Get up early, get out, and hie the on over to Gloria's!

Super lunch spot. Chicken mole was amazing! So flavorful! Came with some salad, black beans and rice and plenty of sauce for every last bite. Please support this wonderful treasure In downtown Beaverton!

So glad this place survived the pandemic. We live near Gresham and often make the trek out here for Gloria's food. They slimmed down the menu since we were here last, probably because of the pandemic, but the food is still good. Everything tastes fresh. My favorites are the chileverde and pork chalutas. One Saturday we visited, they also had fresh watermelon juice. Perfectly refreshing on a warm spring afternoon.

The people are also very nice.

I've always wanted to go here, have heard such great things about the place, from the food, to the service. My wife has always wanted to make a trip too, but we never managed to find the time.

After having an interaction with the owner, Gloria Vargas, this is no longer the case.

A colleague and I had gotten sandwiches from the sandwich place next door, only to find they do not do any indoor dining, no big deal, there are open seats all along the street, as there is outdoor seating along the street, and its empty, no one sitting anywhere. Please keep in mind this seating is along the curb, not immediately in front of the establishment.

We sat at the nearest table to us, which was apparently owned by Gloria. She immediate stepped out of the store, and proceeded to tell us about how she doesn't care if we use the seats, but not to sit there again. She became very irate when I asked why she was even bringing it up if she "doesn't care". She'd mentioned that this was because she has to sterilize the table afterwards. Yes, that table, covered with dust, dirt and some bird droppings on the edge.

The entire interaction left me with a very sour experience, in a situation where the right course of action, no active customers, someone casually enjoying their lunch, was to take no action.

Amazing, without even trying, she turned me off of her business for ever.