Celebrating 25 Years in Forest Grove
Take a look back at our journey since 2000, and how the local community has supported our family restaurant over the years.
In 2000, Felix Lopez opened a small Mexican restaurant on Pacific Avenue in Forest Grove with a simple idea. Serve authentic food made from family recipes, treat every guest like family, and let the flavors do the talking. More than 25 years later, La Sierra is still here, still family owned, and still doing exactly that. This is a look back at how we got here and the community that carried us.
How It Started
Felix spent years working in Mexican restaurants before he had one of his own. He wanted a place that felt like home, where the salsa was made fresh, the fajitas actually sizzled, and the margaritas were poured with care. The early days were long. A small staff, a big menu, and a lot of hope. Forest Grove showed up. Families came for dinner, workers came for lunch, and word spread from Forest Grove to Cornelius and out to Hillsboro.
Growing With Forest Grove
Over the years we grew, but we never lost the feeling of a family kitchen. We added the cantina and built out a drink menu that locals now drive across Washington County for. We added catering so we could be part of weddings, office lunches, birthdays and graduations. Through it all, the dining room stayed warm and loud and full of regulars who have been coming since their kids were small. Those kids now bring their own kids.
What Has Not Changed
The recipes have not changed. The chile colorado still simmers in house made red chile sauce. The carnitas are still slow cooked until golden and crispy. The guacamole is still made fresh daily. And Felix is still involved. You can read more about his story on our home page. We believe the reason we are the oldest family owned Mexican restaurant in Forest Grove is simple. We never tried to be something we are not. We just cook the food we would serve our own family.
Thank You, Forest Grove
None of this happens without you. Every taco, every margarita, every catering order is a small act of trust from this community, and we do not take it lightly. To the regulars, the first dates, the graduation dinners, the office teams, and everyone who has ever told a friend about us, thank you. The best way we know to say it is with the food. Come in, order online, or let us cater your next event. Here is to the next 25 years.
