Intimate Mexican / Yucatán restaurant tucked behind a plaza alleyway. Love the atmosphere and mariachi ensembles that come by your tables. The food is great - get the Yucatán trio and mole enchiladas. However knocking off one star for the mediocre albondingas. Drinks are on the stronger side.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Yucatan Trio, Enchilada
Chris Kruger
A Pasadena institution.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gary Dauphin
Great service and nice location, but food was just okay. $27 tamarind margarita was watery. Outdoor area was kid
This is a really great Mexican restaurant. Very traditional recipes cooked to perfection. They always have some daily chef specialties that are delicious. And they even have them on display to make it easier to decide on what to order. They have indoor and patio seating in a very unique building. I'm hesitant to give them such a good review because I don't want them to get too busy. Just kidding they deserve all the success they can get.
S K.
I wish I could give no stars. My aunt is from Sweden and has a townhouse nearby so anytime she is town we come to this restaurant only because it's close to her place and she is up in age. We were the only one's outside and inside was also not busy. I ordered bean/cheese burrito combo and my aunt got the special some sort of fish plate. I received my plate and was half way done (eating as slow as I could) then they brought out my aunt's plate. I have never heard of this. Shouldn't we have had our food at the same time? I ate half and took the other half home. What a joke my burrito had a very thin layer of beans the rest was mostly tortilla $18.00 my aunts plate she only ate a little bit the waiter took it. I don't think she liked it her plate $27.00. I don't know how this place stay's in business? Maybe next visit we will go for Italian. Good luck!
Richard Lorentz
Food quality was good. My vegetarian tostada had a terrific array of very fresh vegetables. The beef in my wife's fajita was tender and tasty. But it's overpriced, especially the drinks. I ordered a draft IPA and the waitress was unable to tell me how big it was and seemed unwilling to find out for me. I'd guess it was about a pint: $18.00. The "large" house margarita (seemed like a normal sized drink) was $22.00.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
Nick Just Nick
Overpriced food, overcooked meat. Menu prices might not match the final bill.
Ordered Rock fish, but got tilapia. No refund or discount was suggested.
beth c.
A cute little restaurant of Pasadena! Great service, great food and ambiance!!! They have outdoor dining as well. Great restaurant for groups and parties.
Terry Busk
One of my all-time favorite restaurants.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sam Saison
Have been coming to El Portal for years....no complaints!
Recommended dishes: Sopa de Tortilla, Huevos A la Mexicana, Camarones A la Diabla Spicy, El Tesoro, Camarones Al Mojo de Ajo, Lomo Saltado, Enchilada de Camarones Ala, El Furioso Tempanillo, Camarones, Machaca Con Huevos, Mexican Tamal A la Carte, Chile Relleno Taco & Enchilada, La Fiesta, Enchiladas de Mole, El Silencio, Cazadores, Victorioso Espadin, Tacos Fritos de Alicia, Codigo, Flautas
Intimate Mexican / Yucatán restaurant tucked behind a plaza alleyway. Love the atmosphere and mariachi ensembles that come by your tables. The food is great - get the Yucatán trio and mole enchiladas. However knocking off one star for the mediocre albondingas. Drinks are on the stronger side.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Yucatan Trio, Enchilada
A Pasadena institution.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great service and nice location, but food was just okay. $27 tamarind margarita was watery. Outdoor area was kid
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 5
Conchinita pibil every time 10/10
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Guacamole, Cochinita Pibil
It's a favorite of mine.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seasonal Pumpkin Soup, Chips & Salsa, Shrimp Tostada, Tortilla Soup, Chips and Salsa, Carne Asada, Chicken Fajita, Chicken Taquitos, Black Bean, Fajitas, Chimichanga
Fun place to meet up with
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Fajitas
This is a really great Mexican restaurant. Very traditional recipes cooked to perfection. They always have some daily chef specialties that are delicious. And they even have them on display to make it easier to decide on what to order. They have indoor and patio seating in a very unique building. I'm hesitant to give them such a good review because I don't want them to get too busy. Just kidding they deserve all the success they can get.
I wish I could give no stars. My aunt is from Sweden and has a townhouse nearby so anytime she is town we come to this restaurant only because it's close to her place and she is up in age. We were the only one's outside and inside was also not busy. I ordered bean/cheese burrito combo and my aunt got the special some sort of fish plate. I received my plate and was half way done (eating as slow as I could) then they brought out my aunt's plate. I have never heard of this. Shouldn't we have had our food at the same time? I ate half and took the other half home. What a joke my burrito had a very thin layer of beans the rest was mostly tortilla $18.00 my aunts plate she only ate a little bit the waiter took it. I don't think she liked it her plate $27.00. I don't know how this place stay's in business? Maybe next visit we will go for Italian. Good luck!
Food quality was good. My vegetarian tostada had a terrific array of very fresh vegetables. The beef in my wife's fajita was tender and tasty. But it's overpriced, especially the drinks. I ordered a draft IPA and the waitress was unable to tell me how big it was and seemed unwilling to find out for me. I'd guess it was about a pint: $18.00. The "large" house margarita (seemed like a normal sized drink) was $22.00.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
Overpriced food, overcooked meat. Menu prices might not match the final bill.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 2
Restaurantji Recommends
Ordered Rock fish, but got tilapia. No refund or discount was suggested.
A cute little restaurant of Pasadena! Great service, great food and ambiance!!! They have outdoor dining as well. Great restaurant for groups and parties.
One of my all-time favorite restaurants.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Have been coming to El Portal for years....no complaints!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cochinita Pibil, Cadillac Margarita Chips and Salsa, Albondigas Soup, Chimichanga
Of the
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sopa de Tortilla, Huevos A la Mexicana, Camarones A la Diabla Spicy, El Tesoro, Camarones Al Mojo de Ajo, Lomo Saltado, Enchilada de Camarones Ala, El Furioso Tempanillo, Camarones, Machaca Con Huevos, Mexican Tamal A la Carte, Chile Relleno Taco & Enchilada, La Fiesta, Enchiladas de Mole, El Silencio, Cazadores, Victorioso Espadin, Tacos Fritos de Alicia, Codigo, Flautas