For the record I’m not a fan of Bird & Co. a wildly popular Woodford’s Corner restaurant that purports to serve Mexican food.  I wouldn’t even deem it fusion or some other derivative.

Here are three things that I didn’t like about the restaurant:

The noise—deafening. And parking is nearly impossible.

The look—unattractive with an amalgam of high-tops, tables and rear section that’s the ultimate Siberia.

The food: an uninteresting menu, hardly Mexican.

The long and narrow room–defies a successful redo from its former space as Abilene

I could be criticized for having only a few dishes in my one and only visit to form an opinion.  But I had enough to know that I have no interest in returning because of the three traits I mentioned above.

The margarita was overly sweet, tasting more like pineapple juice.

Overly sweet margarita

Of the two tacos I tried, the pork belly was an absolute winner: taste and texture reigned here from the crunch of fried pork belly within.  The special taco, something called Hawaiian Taco with grilled pineapple, bacon, spicy mayo and scallions  was a mush of flavors overpowered by bacon. I should have gone to Terlingua where they know what they’re doing serving superb Tex-Mex food.  Witness the chimichanga,  which I had at lunch this week; it’s a glorious presentation of deep-fried tortilla filled with pork and topped with a luscious corn salsa.

The fried pork belly taco is on the right

You’re better served to go to Terlinga for great Tex-Mex fare–the chimichanga that I had at lunch earlier this week

I left and went on to Izakaya Minato to finish my dinner and a stop a Gross Confections for a superb version of carrot cake.  Now there are two respective members of our restaurant community that are worth their salt.

Brown butter carrot cake at Gross Confections

I rest my case.

A brilliant dish of sashimi at Izakaya Minato

Bird & Co., 539 Deering Ave., Portland, ME 207-747-4056

Rating: For a cheap date with a budget, go for the tacos, but that’s it

Tables: Numerous of all sizes

Ambiance: The noisiest restaurant in Portland

Parking: Virtually none nearby

$$$: Cheap, you get what you pay for