El Porvenir Family Taqueria, a family-run taco shop on Southeast 82nd Avenue, is closed for now after an early-morning fire tore through the building, badly damaging the kitchen and roof and putting the brakes on service while the owners sort out repairs.
According to KPTV, the fire broke out around 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, before the taqueria would have opened for the day. The owners were asleep at home when smoke alerted them to the emergency. Portland Fire & Rescue investigators told KPTV the blaze appears to have started on the outside of the building before moving inside and up into the roof, where crews cut a large hole to vent heat and smoke. "It's hard for me since I started here, and seeing this gone for me until I don't know when, it's just breaking me down," owner Jesus Zacarias told KPTV.
Fundraiser and family response
The Lazaro-Zacarias family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover repairs and lost income in the wake of the fire, according to GoFundMe. The fundraiser, titled "Rebuild Our Taqueria" and organized by co-owner Mariela Lazaro, notes that the cause of the fire remains under investigation and that no team members were inside when it began. As of publication, the page showed $325 raised toward a $3,000 goal, with donations and messages of support starting to roll in.
Small, affordable menu has a big following
Jesus Zacarias and his wife, Mariela Lazaro, opened El Porvenir about four years ago and turned it into a neighborhood staple known for rock-bottom prices and straightforward, made-to-order plates. The spot's cheap tacos and combo plates have earned steady praise on local listings and delivery platforms such as MapQuest. The owners told KPTV they are only just beginning conversations with insurers and contractors, and that it could be several months before they are able to reopen.
Neighborhood support
Neighbors and regulars are already voicing support, with review and delivery pages highlighting the value and flavor that made the taqueria a go-to for many along 82nd. Listings on services like DoorDash show strong ratings and recent positive reviews that mirror the grassroots backing the family says they have felt. For now, El Porvenir remains closed while officials complete their inquiry and the family maps out a plan for repairs.
