Welcome to the Matador
Come in and be enveloped by our passion for the most daring of spirits. For brave, fresh Mexican flavors, and beautiful scratch-made cocktails. For the people and the culture of Mexico, where we forge friendships with tequila makers, listen to their stories, and bring them home to share with you, as we guide you through your tequila experience.
Choose from the most diverse selection of tequilas you’ll find anywhere—in a space filled with furnishings and fittings inspired by our travels, and crafted by our founder’s own hands. Join us. We invite you to become a part of the journey.
Taste Mexico Reimagined
The Matador uses all-natural products only, and that includes our carne, pollo, carnitas and seafood. We source the freshest, in-season vegetables and fruits available. Then we take those ingredients and cook them up into creative dishes that taste a bit like Mexico, a bit like the local area, and a bit like nothing you’ve ever tasted before.
Please click Order Online to see our current takeout menu, including our NEW Take n Bake dishes, Familia meals, and beverages to go.
Please select your location to view our current dine-in menus. Due to regional COVID-19 related dining restrictions, some of your favorite offerings might not currently be available.
We Know Tequila
Drinking tequila is like drinking in the essence of Mexico.
The Matador believes there’s a perfect tequila for every person and every occasion, and we love nothing more than helping our guests discover theirs. We’ve curated a collection of more than 150 tequilas that we feel are truly excellent, from all over Mexico. Some are available exclusively at the Matador. We even serve our own Private Reserve Tequila—from barrels we select personally after tastings with the makers in Mexico.
This gives you endless ways to experience the fun of this wild and extraordinary spirit, and the nuances of the different regions of Mexico where it’s produced.
Try a margarita made with our own fresh, house-made sour mix, or one of our many other creative cocktails crafted by our in-house mixologist. Let us guide you through a flight, to discover something new and intriguing. Or just savor a beautiful shot of your all-time favorite.
Know Your Agave Spirits
If a tequila is a mezcal, why is mezcal not necessarily a tequila? What’s the difference between tequila categories? The Matador has the answers to these pressing questions, and many more.
To be called 100% de Agave tequila, a spirit must be made from the juice of the Weber Blue Agave with most tequila coming from the Mexican state of Jalisco, or in certain parts of Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas. There are several carefully regulated categories a tequila can fall into: Blanco, Joven, Reposado, Añejo, Extra Añejo, and the most recently certified category, Cristalino. To discover more about agave spirits, click here.
Blanco (Silver or White Tequila)
This is freshly distilled tequila in its purest form. It’s either completely un-aged or allowed to rest for up to 60 days in stainless steel tanks. This means a Blanco has none of the flavors that time in an oak barrel would add, and no alteration of the spirit. All you taste is the agave, and the way the distiller chose to process it.
Joven
Joven is the Spanish word for young. In tequila-speak, it means a Blanco mixed with Reposado or Añejo to add some depth and subtle character.
Reposado (Rested Tequila)
Allowed to age in oak anywhere from two months to a year, a Reposado is barreled just long enough to round out its rough edges and provide light flavoring from the spirit's interaction with the wood.
Añejo (Aged Tequila)
Aged between one and three years in oak, an Añejo emerges from the barrel in perfect sipping condition, offering up rich and intense flavors of agave and vanilla, as well as floral aromas.
Extra Añejo
This designation is reserved for tequilas that are aged three years or more—the amount of time is up to the distiller. The province of true tequila aficionados. Extra Añejos are often released as special commemorative editions or packaged in special collectible bottles.
Cristalino
The newest classification of tequila, a Cristalino is an Añejo or Extra Añejo that’s been filtered to remove the heavier compounds and colors during the barrel aging process. Essentially, this process removes the intense woody oak notes, so that smooth, concentrated flavors shine through.
Mezcal
While tequila must be made only from the Weber Blue Agave, Mezcal can be made from that plant, or any one of 49 other different agave varieties. Mezcals must be made in one of eight Mexican states—Oaxaca, Durango, Guanajuato, Guerrero, San Luis Potosí, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas, or Michoacán—and bottled at the distillery. So, just as a scotch is whiskey, but whiskey isn’t necessarily scotch, tequila is mezcal, but mezcal isn’t always tequila.
Certain tequila producers invite us to visit them in Mexico, where we take tastes from a number of select barrels and choose the one that impresses us the most to bring back to our guests at the Matador. This barrel is ours exclusively and when it’s gone, it’s gone.
Ask About Our Current Private Reserve
Fall 2018 – El Tesoro
Available in our Idaho locations. Aged 9 months. Citric and acidic, tropical with notes of oak, cinnamon, coconut and cooked agave.
Fall 2018 – El Tesoro
Available in our Washington locations. Aged 9 months. Notes of coffee, vanilla, strawberry, and citrus with a peppery, spiced finish.
Patron
Aged 12 months. Light citrus notes laced with a mild flavor of cooked agave, and a finish with hits of freshly cut hard wood.
Avion
Aged 11 months. Notes of cherry, peaches and pear, rounded out with vanilla and heavy oak on the finish.
El Mayor
Aged 9 months. Fruity notes and a cooked agave flavor at the beginning lead to a finish sparked with light oak.
Locations
The Matador may be slightly mysterious, but we’re not hard to find. To connect with a specific restaurant, please select a location.
About Us
At the Matador, tequila is more than a beverage—it’s almost a culture of its own. We immerse ourselves in it. We know the landscape and the people who make a difference within it. We love everything about tequila, and we enjoy sharing our knowledge, to help our guests appreciate it as much as we do.
We serve a menu of scratch-made dishes that complement the nuances of great blancos, reposados and añejos, with exciting preparations that re-think Mexican, always fresh ingredients and creative plate presentations. The restaurant interiors reflect the craft, heart, soul and sense of adventure that live inside every good bottle of tequila.
Step into the Matador, and gain insider access to the world of tequila, the flavorful foods that go with it and the rarified atmosphere of craft, care and pleasure it creates.
Leadership
Co-founder
Zak Melang
With experience in all facets of running restaurants, Zak has been part of the Seattle bar and restaurant community for decades. Zak oversees all operations and spearheads initiatives for the company’s growth. An artist and entertainer at heart, Zak seeks out character-rich locations, designs the interiors, including custom fixtures he commissions from Mexican artisans, and inlaid tables he makes with his own hands. Zak travels to Mexico frequently, where he's forged strong relationships with many tequila makers, who provide him with opportunities to bring back their very finest products, and give him an ongoing education in the subtleties and nuances of agave-based spirits.
Co-founder
Nathan Opper
Nathan has been a fixture on the Seattle restaurant scene since the mid-90s, having managed some of Seattle’s hottest restaurants before building and opening The Matador with Zak Melang. As part of this partnership, Nathan is a guiding force in the direction of the company. A dedicated connoisseur of Mexican cuisine, Nathan is our resident food guru. He shapes The Matador’s creative, Mexican-inspired menu with ideas motivated by his travels and his adventurous palate. He’s happiest in the kitchen, immersed in thoughts of pairing the right flavors with a new tequila, dreaming up a new marinade or sourcing local ingredients for a menu item that’s on his mind.
President
Ian Brousseau
With a background in banking and finance, Ian is the Matador’s analytical, organizational left-brain. Ian has worked with Zak and Nathan for 14 years, in which time he has proved invaluable as head of business operations. The visionary on the commerce side of the Matador, Ian takes charge of all business and related technology, as well as coaching, mentoring and training the restaurant management teams on the fundamentals of leadership and professional achievement. His guidance has created ongoing growth for The Matador.
Home Office
Ian Brousseau – President
Shane Opper - Facilities Project Manager
Hillary Wheeler - HR Coordinator
Madison Roth - Marketing Coordinator
Jessica Thornton - Marketing Specialist/Administrator
Regional Team
Brent Allison - Regional Chef WA/OR
Rory Behrends - Director of Operations
Charles Dobbins - Regional Chef WA/ID
Darren Lee - Back Of House Training Manager
Brian Livesay – Beverage Operations and Training Manager
Brad Severe – Regional Manager WA/ID
Dana Tatman - Regional Manager WA/OR
News & Events
Tacoma's 15th Anniversary
Nov 16, 2021
Dia de los Muertos Celebration Oct 31st - Nov 2nd
Oct 26, 2021
October 2021 - Top Shelf Tuesday Featured Tequila of the Month - Del Maguey Vida de Muertos
Oct 07, 2021
June 2021 – Top Shelf Tuesday Featured Tequila of the Month – Dos Primos Blanco
Jun 01, 2021
What happens when a pecan farmer and a multi-platinum singer/songwriter decide to create a tequila? You get Dos Primos. Stop by and try this tequila all month long!
Cinco De Mayo
Apr 29, 2021
Join us May 5th for food and drink specials, plus all the fun and festivities you could ever want. All Day. All Locations.
We're Celebrating National Margarita Day
Feb 12, 2021
To celebrate National Margarita Day on Monday, February 22nd, we’ve crafted a rare delicacy: the Tropical Turmeric Margarita.
Join Us for Dia De Los Muertos
Oct 22, 2020
We have two new drink specials on deck for the weekend of October 30 - November 1 to celebrate the Day of the Dead.
We're Celebrating National Taco Day with a Little Friendly Competition
Sep 25, 2020
Join us the weekend of October 2nd - 4th to try our chefs' taco specials!
National Tequila Day
Jul 22, 2020
We're celebrating our favorite spirit with our own Matador Private Reserve Reposado by El Tesoro July 24th - 26th.
West Seattle - 15 Year Anniversary
Jul 16, 2020
It's our birthday, and we're celebrating with Margaritas.
New Safety Procedures
May 25, 2020
We're working together as a team to take all necessary precautions against the spread of COVID-19. We put the well-being of our guests and team members above all else!
To Go Drinks At Home Instructions
May 22, 2020
Thank you for ordering one of our To Go Drink kits! Watch these videos to see how to assemble at home!
Matador Team in Mexico
Apr 11, 2019
Our team had the chance to visit two distilleries in Jalisco to see the tequila-making process first-hand.
Costa Verde International School Fundraiser
Feb 19, 2019
The Matador is pleased to have raised 5k in auction donations for the Costa Verde International School in Sayulita, Mexico.
The Matador Launches Loyalty Program
Dec 31, 2018
Join our loyalty program now and receive a free order of Street Tacos on your next visit. To join click here.
Avión Tequila Cocktail Party & Fundraiser
Aug 25, 2017
On Wednesday, August 23rd, we had the honor of hosting a cocktail party and fundraiser to celebrate our partnership with Avión Tequila and help raise money to support the orphanage that the Avión family is building in Jesus Maria, Mexico. It was a successful night and we were able...
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do you accept reservations?
A: We do not take reservations at any of our Matador locations. We seat all our guests on a first-come, first-served basis. We do offer private rooms for group reservations at both our Portland Matador locations, one on East Burnside and the other on NW 23rd, we also offer private rooms for group reservations at our Meridian, ID and Ballard, WA locations.
Q: Do you offer rooms for private parties?
A:We have private dining space at both of our Portland locations, our Ballard location, and our Meridian location. Private rooms must be reserved in advance with a General Manager.
Q: Are children allowed in the restaurants?
A: With the exception of our Matador Boise and Meridian locations, all Matador Restaurants only allow guests that are 21 years of age and older. The Matador Boise allows minors until 9pm. Our Meridian location allows minors until 11pm.
Q: When is Happy Hour?
A: We offer appetizers daily during our Happy Hours from 4pm to 6pm and again from 10pm to 1am.
Q: Do you have TVs in the bar? What's on?
A: All our locations have HD Plasma TV’s, which typically show various sporting events, and whenever possible we have any local teams that may be playing on the big screens!
Q: Do you have vegetarian or vegan menu items?
A: Yes. We offer several vegetarian menu items. Please ask your server or bartender for suggestions.
Q: Do you have gluten-free items on your menu?
A: We offer an extensive array of gluten-free items all of which can be found on our main menu with a little “gf” next to them!
Q: Who made the intricate metalwork and hand-carved tables in your restaurants?
A: Matador Restaurants’ founder Zak Melang hand-designed, cut, and created each individual bar and table top. Every effort is made to have the Bull Skulls in each restaurant hand painted by local artisans! And the custom metalwork was designed and forged by local artists that have been helping us create amazing metalwork since we opened our first Matador in 2004!
Catering
Click below to see our outside catering menus. Whether ordering lunch for the office, or a taco bar for a special event, we've got you covered.
Private Events
Tucked away from the crowd, the Matador offers several unique private spaces for you and your group. We’ll help you with all the details for a perfect event, whether you’re planning a gathering of friends and family, a business luncheon, a professional workshop, or even a tequila tasting seminar.
Take a look at our in-house catering menus: Buffet | Taco Bar
The Añejo Room
1438 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97210
503-228-2855
A private retreat, filled with the energy of one of Portland’s most vibrant neighborhoods.
Whether you’re planning a private dinner with friends, a surprise birthday party for your loved ones or a meeting luncheon with AV capability, NW Matador has the perfect space for you. Our room can accommodate up to 40 guests, and when the weather is right, the large garage door opens to create a beautiful indoor-outdoor experience. Choose from our many customized menus for sit-down dinners and buffet-style entertaining. We provide one or more servers for every gathering, so you can relax and enjoy the company of your guests, our delicious food and drinks, and the intimate, exciting and fun atmosphere of our NW 23rd Avenue location.
Please note that we are unable to rent out the Añejo room for dinner on Fridays and Saturdays.
The Blanco Room
2424 E Burnside St. Portland, OR 97214
503-719-5757
A comfortable, beautiful space with indoor-outdoor flexibility
Whether you’re planning a business meeting, celebration, or a surprise event, our private party room in East Portland is a comfortable venue for hosting up to 35 guests, ages 21 and over. Easily accessible for those with physical limitations, this modern, romantic space is an extension of our restaurant’s intimate, yet casual atmosphere. For an indoor-outdoor feel, the room’s large window installations can be opened like a garage door, giving your guests access to the side patio. Whether you prefer sit-down or buffet-style service, our staff is happy to help you plan every detail, from special bar items or individually ordered beverages, to appetizer, entree and dessert options curated by our house chef.
The Mezzanine
3690 E Monarch Sky Ln #140, Meridian, ID 83646
208-893-6120
Heighten the energy of your gathering in this elevated loft-style space
The Casa Del Matador in The Village at Meridian invites you to hold your gathering in a private Mezzanine space, up above the dining area and bar. Artisan-forged metal dividers, Spanish-style wallpaper, brickwork and handcrafted tables define this unique room, illuminated by flickering candlelight through hand-wrought sconces. An ideal venue for business meetings, parties, celebrations, and events of any kind, the mezzanine is above expectations, offering a very special point of view. Enjoy the openness and the view over the restaurant, or draw the curtains and revel in your privacy.
Mezcaleria
5410 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107
(206) 297-2855
Whether you’re planning a private dinner with friends, a surprise birthday party for your loved ones or a meeting luncheon with AV capability, Ballard has the perfect space for you. Our room can accommodate up to 60 guests, rain or shine. Choose from our many customized menus for sit-down dinners and buffet-style entertaining. We provide one or more servers for every gathering, so you can relax and enjoy the company of your guests, our delicious food and drinks, and the intimate, exciting and fun atmosphere of our Ballard location.
Contact Us
The Matador may be slightly mysterious, but we’re not hard to find.
To connect with a specific restaurant, please select a location from the options below.
General Inquiries
To connect with a specific restaurant, please select a location. For general inquiries, use the link below.
Join Us
We are always looking for passionate people who want to help us create an extraordinary experience for our guests. If that sounds like you, you’ll love it here, and we want to meet you.
Follow the link below to tell us something about yourself below, or just call or stop by one of our restaurants to set up an interview.
Get Rewarded
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Gift Cards
Gift Cards from the Matador are the perfect way to give your friends and family an excuse to sample new tequilas or try a new entrée from the Matador.