A Day at the Best Mexican Restaurant in Portland, Oregon | On The Line | Bon Appétit

República is a Mexican restaurant in Portland, Oregon with a menu based on seasonality - dishes that appear one week might soon be gone as the components change. Spend a day behind the scenes with founder and co-owner Angel Medina and see how he and the staff work to be the best "storytellers" of Mexican food they can be, innovating with modern ideas while ensuring the continuity of tradition.
Director: Gunsel Pehlivan
Editor: Robert Malone
Creative Producer: Parisa Kosari
Associate Producer: Dimitri Lazarshvili, Dana Murphy
Director of Photography: Alex Thornburg
Camera Operator: Jim Stanek
Assistant Camera: Cameron Carey
Audio: Jason Kuppig
PA: Allison Barr, Roland Dahwen
Line Producer: Jennifer McGinity
Production Manager: Janine Dispensa
Production Coordinator: Elizabeth Hymes
Post Production Supervisor: Andrea Farr
Post Production Coordinator: Scout Alter
Supervising Editor: Eduardo Araújo
Assistant Editor: Diego Rentsch
Junior Editor: JC Scruggs
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ABOUT BON APPÉTIT
Bon Appétit is a highly opinionated food brand that wants everyone to love cooking and eating as much as we do. We believe in seasonal produce, properly salted pasta water, and developing recipes that anyone can make at home.

[@coldshadow96]

I love how people are saying this isn’t Mexican food when he literally explains the parts of Mexico that inspired each dish or ingredient. There’s more to Mexican food than tacos and burritos.

[@GhostofRazgriz]

When the only option is food prepared for gringo tastes, you get ignorant comments like the ones on this video.

[@scotttenerman9191]

Oh my god this right here sums up my frustrations with explaining Mexican food to my staff

[@neoftg1589]

I mean you said it yourself “inspired” by.

[@VashtiPerry]

😂😂😂

[@securityvau1t]

@@neoftg1589 Inspiration doesn't hurt if you're transparent about it. The ingredients are often the core of the meal; how one presents may involve creative liberties. Is fusion cuisine, or modern takes in this case, invalidated?

[@llamapie24]

This series is fantastic, love the thorough explanations behind ingredient and flavour choices as well as showcasing workplace dynamics we don’t get to see as customers. Thank u BA, keep it up.

[@CufflinksAndChuckles]

I'm so happy we get to see the interactions between the staff. At my restaurant, we do a lot of experimenting and quality controlling, mostly on the fly, and with a ton of teasing/bantering. These people are just letting us into their doors, but that doesn't mean they're going to stop working/exploring new possibilities. Amazing!

[@MrKhanhZ]

this is like bite-sized chef's table episode, love it

[@zd8719]

wow, I had no idea about this place. this staff seems so passionate, informed and skilled. what a great honor to culinary history and progress!

[@emilymakescoffee1741]

Angel is also a world class coffee roaster. A genius of flavor and a wonderful human. Congrats on the recognition! We’ll deserved

[@macariosderby7327]

how drunk are you when you eat their food. It tastes of nothing. Its not mexican food at all. it may feature mexican ingredients but that doesnt make it mexican food,

[@R700Sparkles]

😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😅😊😊😊😊😊😅😊😊😊😊😊😊😊 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😅😊😊😊😊😊😊😅😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😅😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😅😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😅😊😊😊😊😊😊😅😊😊😊😊😅😊😊😅😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@R700Sparkles]

😊😊😊😊😊sen😊t just ​a 😊😊@@macariosderby7327😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😅😅😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😅😊😅😊😊😊😊😊 o😊 bb😊bb😊😊😅😊😊😊😊

[@R700Sparkles]

😊😊😊😊😊jher 😊ca😊lled ust i 😅yea😊h 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊 is y😊😊 😊😊 😊😊😅😊😊😅😊😊😅😊😊 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😅 😊😊 😊😅😅o😊your f 😊b😊😊😅😊b😊😅😊our 😊 bb 😊😊 b😊b😊😊😊😊😊😊😊 bb😊😊😊😊😊😅😊😊😊 bb😊😅

[@R700Sparkles]

😊😊😊😊😊😅😊😊😊😊😊😅😊😊😊e 😅😊😊th 😊isa ther 😊in ant in 😊her 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊is too 😊😊😊 😊 ar😊and o😊😊w na 😊d😊 😊😊😊😊😊 😊 w😊😊😊e💕😊😅 😊😊 love 😊😊😅😊😅😊😊😊😅😊😊😅😅bb

[@NC-qc7wd]

The history of Mexican cuisine is still on creation and deliciousness! I used to have a french friend(RINP) who cooked 12-course meals at her house with wine pairing, and she always said to me, "There are only three great kitchens in the world, Chinese, French, and Mexican"

[@pebb2378]

I'm native to the area and it's cool to see a different type of restaurant like this.

[@cydneyisom3120]

I received so much info in such a short time when chef was talking to the Som. Love it! This was really great 🙂

[@lazylaozlunatik901]

You can tell they wore their best apron for this show

[@neverhomepnw]

I live in the Pearl District and its crazy how much amazing food there is everywhere! Can't wait to try it.

[@fifteen_march]

don’t trip on the homeless tents on your way out of your apartment

[@neverhomepnw]

@@fifteen_marchHow about you know facts before you say something stupid. There are none where I live.

[@fifteen_march]

@@neverhomepnw used to be a ton by union station

[@paul82_]

Truly inspiring chef and restaurant. On of my favorite eps so far.

[@xXIVANROJASXx]

Great, amazing video. I hope to hear more about them in the future.

[@MrScullman123]

This is what you call mexican fine dining at its best. As a chef myself i would honestly put this place on my list of places to eat if i was ever in the area. Just wow

[@davidponce6132]

Maybe Fine dining but not full belly dining. A 5 dollar quesadilla would fill me up better than who knows what ridiculously high skyrocket prices their putting on those baby portion plates.

[@jimmybeans5879]

@@davidponce6132 I’ve been to this place and I was honestly so full by the 13th course that I could barely finish it.

[@PaytonPollard]

These are my favorite 😍❤️ I'm so addicted

[@KRayxKodessA]

Love this series.

[@DrinkinItIn]

Awesome stuff, love their vibe.

[@oregonliberal]

Lovely to see this and see you again Angel!

[@sabysanchez1885]

Espectacular! Congrats🎉

[@matthewsanchez7953]

Republica is on this years "eat at" list for me! Can't wait!

[@Mac_with_the_lsx]

Finally!!!!!!

[@elbiohernandez9353]

ART

[@luf4rall]

what a great story

[@L4UR3L]

why every restaurant in pdx gotta have their prep kitchen down a flight of stairs behind a locked door next to the bathroom for a hot lips pizza

[@VashtiPerry]

Oooo OREGON! y’all made your way out of New York. ❤ noted

[@SuperMustache555]

What an exciting and inventive restaurant!

[@natgazer]

This is fake, it's a scam

[@TonInter]

Fantastic video. Would love to try some of these dishes.

[@tahoeboii1181]

i love how he said "my favorite" then described ants. oh honey grab the wheel!

[@brendaday2365]

Best wishes. Very interesting.

[@CrystalinRose]

He reminds me of a funny Dad. Haha! Very cool episode.

[@fromnaras]

this is super creative!

[@gabelstapler19]

The only thing that would be hard for me to swallow here is the bill, as food this fantastic doesn't come cheap. Would I try ant eggs? If it was prepared by these chefs, yes!

[@pphedup]

Cheap bill? Go to MacDonald's.

[@reuploadify]

You will eat the bugs and you will like it.

[@gracielamoran7122]

This is definitely on my list of places to go next year 🫶🏽🥹

[@alittlebitgone]

"That's why we call our servers "storytellers"" nope, nope nope, nope.

[@lightinthedark33]

? In what way does this make you so off put? 😂

[@mr-vet]

Thanks for sharing.

[@beritobere82]

This is absolutely amazing!!! Mexican food in another level!!. Because Mexico is not only street tacos. I would love to go to this restaurant one day. Felicidades!!.

[@papitacriolla69]

best dining experience of my life, literally had tears in my eyes eating here

[@Sergio-pd8yk]

what a loser

[@earthstar2493]

Was it when they brought the bill or was it just super spicey?

[@batchagaloopytv5816]

oh the drama queen

[@piercer_of_heaven]

Looks like I have to go next Monday 😺

[@felm3283]

Oaxaca la pasión de la gastronomía Mexicana. Saludos

[@thekitchenvillain]

The Somm describing that wine list is the most Portland thing I ever heard.

[@josephchamberlain3681]

Excellent. Will have to visit next time I'm in Portland.

[@losprimosfajitahotdogs6789]

Amazing

[@CaseyOrozco]

amazing

[@your_huge_ego_bores_me]

Wow, that boy is not playing around.

[@debbybrady1246]

It all looks so wonderful.

[@hardw00dclassic]

Papalo with cemita , bussin!

[@healthyeatswithashley949]

That poor pastry chef was crushed you could see it in her eyes.

[@Eskey__]

She totally was. Definitely passionate and excited about telling everyone about her dessert.

[@erichaney1006]

Yeah, an "on the line" with the owner introduced a really weird power dynamic that undermined the in-the-moment vibe of the series. Even the best moments felt like an advertisement. The worst was him just stepping on her and her having to laugh nervously at it. Shame, given the restaurant and people actually on the line seem amazing.

[@The-Finisher]

@@erichaney1006 so many folks miss the subtext man.

[@eclecticexplorer7828]

I will definitely try this place next time I am in town.

[@wolf-yw9wk]

this dudes voice sounds like he was hired to narrate this video. if he ever stops cooking he can go to voice acting

[@Elias_R95]

When is an André Mack video dropping?

[@Matbakhi]

رائع حقا😍😍

[@makinmagicgal]

Other cultures won't understand how to cook Mexican food, is that what he's saying 😅

[@thetimeisrite]

This isn't a restaurant, it's an art gallery

[@josecarlosgutierrezmargain4678]

Sorry, I dissent with the Pastry Chef, Mexican food before the Spanish conquest was not mainly vegan... That's a hard ignorant fact...

[@moccaslova]

interesting

[@maxp4573]

I really wish you would also show the Service :/

[@ricklavick]

Too many people here act like they're above eating insects when its common in many places around the world and even in some of the food we eat due to factories or processes in making certain foods. Some of you seem to think it's not authentic either when all you have to do is watch a youtube travel vlogger to see that insects are eaten in Mexico daily. Baffles me how close minded and ignorant people are.

[@guilhermepicolloduarte8110]

Eat insects if you want you freak. Just because losers across the world are eating crap i doesn't mean i will. What's next? Human meat? Psychopath

[@kitcoffey7194]

Eating lead candy is common in Mexico, too, doesn't make it right or healthy. Eat less meat and grow vegetables, it's not that hard.

[@mikasasukasa4479]

Just because they're ignorant doesn't mean we're above these people either. People aren't just used to this sort of thing and you can't blame them unless that's your goal. All we can do is inform and see if people are willing to listen.

[@Jsilv934]

@@kitcoffey7194 you missed the point lol

[@jadavison]

Think about why they eat insects. They had to. Don’t act like it’s some huge meaningful cultural thing.

[@lst9701]

Little conejo is a great 'real' mexican restaurant in and around portland. I highly reccomend it for people who want good food but arent rich af

[@Brendagf]

They appear permanently closed on Google maps 🥺

[@cdb88]

I want to think I'm open minded with food so I'd like to try the insects but I'd rather just close my eyes or not be told lol

[@billeethesciencegeek]

As a life-long Portlandian, I can attest that some of our food is a little too precious.

[@DanielaPerez-yp1gb]

I am hungry now 🤩😋😋 Delicious. SUPER YUMMY👌

[@bradcoram509]

You lost me when you said you call your servers ‘story tellers’.

[@redhousepress]

Eat ze bugs.

[@eliseoramirez1691]

✌🏽

[@Uncommon5en5e]

"As that's when the ants are known to come out of the, 👑✨ASPHALT✨💎."

[@Westcoast10]

Sissy food

[@fattymcphatphat]

OAXACA

[@FroylanG]

What book are they referring to??

[@papagen00]

fine dining on dead ants and larvae. Sounds yummy.

[@hundragant]

I live in Portland! But that food is too fancy for my palate.

[@junolegend9045]

Is this place still open?

[@MrBluemanworld]

wow, i would never eat any of that

[@michaelvaladez6570]

I know that insects and larva is a cuisine of Mexico but I would not eat it..sorry,I respect that he is fullfing his direction of the regions but its my choice.

[@seanharrell5567]

No one is forcing you to eat bugs, lol. 🤣🤣

[@einundsiebenziger5488]

Insects and larvae are* a cuisine ...

[@shilobutton5485]

Normalizing eating bugs.

[@memelord3348]

How is this in business⁉️ it seems so impractical to run. Shoutout to the Team at República for doing the imposible

[@natgazer]

This is fake, it's a scam

[@joedoherty6940]

AsIhows that third irks fee now?!

[@touchofdumb]

thought they were all Fred Armisen…

[@VashtiPerry]

The comments 🤮 y’all have too many opinions and it’s weird.

[@lestudio76]

He kept giving Olivia crap

[@LECityLECLEC]

Brave to rep ants!

[@eighty9]

9:07 let her talk. I saw she wanted to speak but you just cut her off.

[@BlueNose49]

I’ll still choose street tacos

[@TheEddgreen]

Ants, larva and grasshoppers yeah not for me but you guys have a blast.

[@titahsemar]

3rd

[@pktesla]

Video is great, chef and restaurant seem cool as far as i dare watch it because insects? nope, lost appetite

[@asdisskagen6487]

There are restaurants still open in Portland?

[@CheckAvailabilityYo]

Nope, not restaurants at all. You don't need to ever come here cause there is nothing left.

[@mattnsac]

Virtue Signalling via electric ranges then adds smoke artificially LOL. Never change Portlandia!

[@thatoneguy7597]

Wow, completely surprised that someone who unironically uses the term “virtue signaling” doesn’t understand the difference between gas and wood

[@Coliflowerz]

Smoking via a smoking gun is miles different than running a gas burner

[@mattnsac]

@@Coliflowerz Its also miles worse than using a wood grill. Who'd thought you can actually buy things to cook meat over burning wood???

[@Nekomancer69]

Insects, no thank you. Great vid.

[@einundsiebenziger5488]

6:26 - They just couldn't do it without fullfilling every Portlandia cliché, could they?

[@Rosa-kd2cl]

Ikr? Of course it’s the Portland restaurant that emphasizes that and serves insects.

[@tessmoks3434]

Nice series.. but no ants or bugs thanks

[@chrispark7010]

Name is EERILY similar to Republique in LA. HMMMMMMMMM

[@titusgreatness1130]

Frùno

[@RosyRoci]

The comments stating that Mexican food shouldn't cost this much are really revealing just how much gringos undervalue ethnic cuisine. Y'all would gladly pay this much and more for French cuisines with just as small of portions.

[@MelancholicFools]

Mexican restaurants make different menus with the same five ingredients every day

[@pphedup]

6:46 I wonder how long he'll be alive with a habit like that?!

[@titusgreatness1130]

Rhye vlour

[@matbakhek_ashal767]

اللهم صل على سيدنا محمد وعلى اله واصحابه اجمعين عدد ما ذكره الذاكرون وغفل عن ذكره الغافلون

[@GroguSlayer69]

we are feed up with twezzzers ands flowers food, be real pls

[@mattfillmore6297]

wtf

[@earthstar2493]

Yeahhhhh...I think I'll stick to my cheeseburgers...