El Portal is fabulous!! It is my must have whenever I’m in Pasadena which is around 2-3 times a year. The patio is lovely for al fresco dining and is open year around. Everything on the menu is delicious and super-authentic. Margaritas are awesome and strong and blended or on the rocks perfection. Friday and Saturday night’s feature a delightful, mariachi string trio. They’re non-intrusive but festive. I can’t say enough good things about El Portal. What are you waiting for? You won’t be disappointed.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cavalain Hawkins
Very personal service and great food!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nicole LeMaire
Our order was mixed up with the table next to us. The food was alright.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Udall
My wife and I ate at El Portal Friday night and this was our first time here. Great reception and we were immediately seated in the outdoor patio. Marciahis were playing and going from table to table for requests. This was a very pleasant surprise. Overall, good food and prices. We also enjoyed different margaritas and they were all delicious. Their staff was attentive, helpful, and friendly. We will return.
M. Arevalo
Friday nights, they have a singing group, Grupo Bella. Fantastic. They play from 6pm-9pm.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Albondigas Soup, Chips and Salsa, Enchilada
Clare Kleinedler
Finally tried El Portal - what a letdown. The food was not good at all, from the bland salsa and stale chips to my lukewarm and soggy flautas and barely-warm refried beans (cheese on top was not melted). The service was super spotty - had to ask for water three times and my friend had to wait ages for the tortillas to go with her fajitas. The only redeeming quality was the amazing mariachi band that was there (Groupo Bella, we got their name as they were so incredible). Won’t be back.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 2
Kirk Olgin
I ordered the traditional tostada. Not very interesting. 75 percent iceberg lettuce and tomatoes 20 percent chicken and 5 percent beans. All for $21. The waiter will show up eventually (I waited about ten minutes) one of the bus boys gave me the menu. The waiter came gave me a small amount of chips and salsa and took my order. I ate my chicken salad (tostada) The busboy took my dishes and I waited for the check. Eventually the waiter came with the check but never returned. I was wondering if he would ever come. I gave up and went into the bar to pay. He was at the bar and I paid him. If you are looking for a place to have Mexican food, there are many other restaurants you may want to try.
Parking: There is a parking lot in front of the restaurant
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 1
Nikola Banar
Worst Mexican food I've ever had. Bland taste…
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
Lee Lee (LeeM)
The service was good but I don’t think the food was all that great. The soft tacos of carne asada- corn tortillas were great but the pork filling had a weird spongy texture and was too salty for my preference. The chicken avocado salad was great, that’s the one exception. The ambiance is lovely with dining outdoors and live performance by a mariachi band. We asked for separate checks and it all came in one bill. Server was very busy running around.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Adam T
I received the worst service ever in this restaurant. The waitress was a rude Hispanic and barely could speak English. Their salsa is served in tiny cups and when asked for the another salsa she kind of looked aggressively and postponed bringing it. I asked for the manager and the manager was even more terrible. Not sure where these are raised but in the US you must respect the customers. Never recommend this place to anyone. This is by far the worst restaurant in the entire US.
The server was like rushing us gave me the final bill way before we finished lunch .. was not very sure what was offered in drinks was over all pushy. As a customer service rep made me feel uncomfortable ?
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
David Perez
The staff is very well aware of the customers service,very professional and the salsa is awesome!!
El Portal has long been a go-to spot for authentic and flavorful Mexican cuisine. Their outdoor seating and refreshing margaritas create a delightful ambiance. It's rare to find a dish that disappoints. However, our recent visit was a departure from the usual high standards. While the atmosphere remained charming, the food fell short of our expectations. We hope this was an isolated incident and that El Portal will soon return to its former glory.
El Portal is fabulous!! It is my must have whenever I’m in Pasadena which is around 2-3 times a year. The patio is lovely for al fresco dining and is open year around. Everything on the menu is delicious and super-authentic. Margaritas are awesome and strong and blended or on the rocks perfection. Friday and Saturday night’s feature a delightful, mariachi string trio. They’re non-intrusive but festive. I can’t say enough good things about El Portal. What are you waiting for? You won’t be disappointed.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very personal service and great food!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Our order was mixed up with the table next to us. The food was alright.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
My wife and I ate at El Portal Friday night and this was our first time here. Great reception and we were immediately seated in the outdoor patio. Marciahis were playing and going from table to table for requests. This was a very pleasant surprise. Overall, good food and prices. We also enjoyed different margaritas and they were all delicious. Their staff was attentive, helpful, and friendly. We will return.
Friday nights, they have a singing group, Grupo Bella. Fantastic. They play from 6pm-9pm.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Albondigas Soup, Chips and Salsa, Enchilada
Finally tried El Portal - what a letdown. The food was not good at all, from the bland salsa and stale chips to my lukewarm and soggy flautas and barely-warm refried beans (cheese on top was not melted). The service was super spotty - had to ask for water three times and my friend had to wait ages for the tortillas to go with her fajitas. The only redeeming quality was the amazing mariachi band that was there (Groupo Bella, we got their name as they were so incredible). Won’t be back.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 2
I ordered the traditional tostada. Not very interesting. 75 percent iceberg lettuce and tomatoes 20 percent chicken and 5 percent beans. All for $21. The waiter will show up eventually (I waited about ten minutes) one of the bus boys gave me the menu. The waiter came gave me a small amount of chips and salsa and took my order. I ate my chicken salad (tostada) The busboy took my dishes and I waited for the check. Eventually the waiter came with the check but never returned. I was wondering if he would ever come. I gave up and went into the bar to pay. He was at the bar and I paid him. If you are looking for a place to have Mexican food, there are many other restaurants you may want to try.
Parking: There is a parking lot in front of the restaurant
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 1
Worst Mexican food I've ever had. Bland taste…
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
The service was good but I don’t think the food was all that great. The soft tacos of carne asada- corn tortillas were great but the pork filling had a weird spongy texture and was too salty for my preference. The chicken avocado salad was great, that’s the one exception. The ambiance is lovely with dining outdoors and live performance by a mariachi band. We asked for separate checks and it all came in one bill. Server was very busy running around.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
I received the worst service ever in this restaurant. The waitress was a rude Hispanic and barely could speak English. Their salsa is served in tiny cups and when asked for the another salsa she kind of looked aggressively and postponed bringing it. I asked for the manager and the manager was even more terrible. Not sure where these are raised but in the US you must respect the customers. Never recommend this place to anyone. This is by far the worst restaurant in the entire US.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
The server was like rushing us gave me the final bill way before we finished lunch .. was not very sure what was offered in drinks was over all pushy. As a customer service rep made me feel uncomfortable ?
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
The staff is very well aware of the customers service,very professional and the salsa is awesome!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Tamal Taco & Enchilada
Great food, nostalgic charm, good service, great place!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bean and Cheese Burrito Plate
Good food and margaritas. Very good service. Try the panuchos, they are delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Albondigas Soup, Chicken Tamal Taco & Enchilada, Chips and Salsa, Panuchos, Cochinita Pibil Dine in: Yes Outdoor seating: Yes Takeaway: Yes Delivery: Yes Kerbside pickup: Yes
El Portal has long been a go-to spot for authentic and flavorful Mexican cuisine. Their outdoor seating and refreshing margaritas create a delightful ambiance. It's rare to find a dish that disappoints. However, our recent visit was a departure from the usual high standards. While the atmosphere remained charming, the food fell short of our expectations. We hope this was an isolated incident and that El Portal will soon return to its former glory.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
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