Insider Pages Reviews for El Portal Restaurant

4 Stars: El Portal Restaurant is good. (by patrick g.)

patrick g. — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 01:49:00 GMT

This is our go-to mexican place. The history is great, their work tin the community and the fajitas makes this a sure thing. My wife loves the beans and Magaritas. The p[atio is one of the best spots in Pasadena alfresco dinning

5 Stars: Amazing Tacos and quesadillas! (by Sociable)

Sociable — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 02:00:00 GMT

The Pork Quesadillas are the best in the world and try there beef or fish tacos amazingly great! Excellent taquilla selection fun environment on the weekends!

4 Stars: Enjoyable dining experience at El Portal (by Roberto J.)

Roberto J. — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 10:05:00 GMT

Great variety of tequilas. Love their chilaquiles, too. My favorite dish is the cochinita pibil. It really stands out.I recommend sitting outdoors. It really adds to the experience, expecially in the early evening. Chips and Margaritas.... ahhhh...
The owner Abel Ramirez is friendly and welcoming and service staff is quite attentive. Parking can be a challenge on weekend evenings.

1 Stars: A good restaurant gone bad (by flytba)

flytba — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 02:00:00 GMT

Very dissapointed in the new owners. The "old" restaurant had good food a very good drinks. The new owners changed the menu, increased the prices, fired the cooks and bartenders and now have a very low class, low quality restaurant. Food is not very good and the drinks are even worse, cheap alcohol and not very much of it. The worst fruit maragita I have ever had - I had to put in 6 packets of sugar in it just to make it drinkable. We really felt sorry for our waiter - he continually was apologizing for the food drinks, chips & salsa, etc. He even told us that it is not the restaurant it used to be.

4 Stars: Good Food, Reasonable Prices (by michmill813)

michmill813 — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Another nice restaurant in Pasadena. I ordered the Chile Verde burrito, asked for extra cheese, and was very happy with the results. The waitstaff was attentive and kept our drinks and chips filled. Lunch was served quickly, and the portions were exactly what i expected for the price. A reasonable choice for lunch, and definitely one I will try again soon.

4 Stars: Always Good Food (by Helene S.)

Helene S. — Tue, 31 Jan 2006 09:44:00 GMT

El Portal can always be counted on for great Mexican food and wonderful service! The food is always served piping hot. I've never been disappointed in anything I've ordered there.

5 Stars: LOVE IT! (by Nicole F.)

Nicole F. — Tue, 04 Oct 2005 07:44:00 GMT

El Portal has been our headquarters everytime our entire family is in town......we just can't pass up the margaritas and great Mexican/Yucatan inspired food! It's always busy, but we always get a table. There are several rooms, a great long bar, and seating outside as well. The staff is incredibly friendly and the band is a treat to listen to. The menu has options for all kinds of appetites including authentic dishes from the Yucatan for those who want to get away from the standard. I definitely recommend!

4 Stars: Nice restraunrant (by Luke S.)

Luke S. — Tue, 06 Sep 2005 18:59:00 GMT

El Portal is a nice place to have dinner. The menu is great. You couldn't ask for a better meal.
The drinks there are good too. Nice people there too.
Good place place to eat.

4 Stars: Sweet and mild on a sunny day (by ulycies)

ulycies — Wed, 06 Apr 2005 02:00:00 GMT

The service was quite pleasant . The location is quiet and there is lovely outdoor seating - shaded and sunny - for nature lovers. The servings were adequate, but the flavors were not particularly interesting. If anything this is a restaurant to take people who don't like spicy mexican food. The prices are a bit high considering the lack of imagination coming from the kitchen, and the food took a long time to arrive.

4 Stars: Good solid standby (by netter1)

netter1 — Thu, 24 Mar 2005 01:00:00 GMT

El Portal is not the greatest Mexican food I've ever had, but it's very good. It's a great place to have lunch with friends of fellow office workers. It's a great setting for an after-work margarita celebration. The staff is extremely friendly, the main dining room can get a little noisy when crowded but there's always the patio for some quiet.

4 Stars: Beautiful Restaurant! (by intlfoods)

intlfoods — Sat, 12 Mar 2005 01:00:00 GMT

Greatest hideaway in the city and picture perfect ambience for what it is. The food was not that exciting though. The portion served was not enough for what you pay. The thing that set this restaurant apart from other Mexican restaurants is their Yucatan influenced dish. It was a good experience of location and decor inside a courtyard, but not too fond of the food. I had much, much better food at a lower scale restaurant. This whole recommendation is for the location and feel to the restaurant.

5 Stars: (by Real E.)

Real E. — Mon, 01 Nov 2004 07:27:00 GMT

i love el portal. the food is great. it is the best mexican restaurant you could ever go to. - ca

5 Stars: (by Brian H.)

Brian H. — Wed, 27 Oct 2004 10:27:00 GMT

There's always a lot going on at El Portal, but never too busy to be seated quickly. Great Mexican food w/ a South American flair. Nice staff.

5 Stars: CHEESE ENCHILADAS!!! (by LnBn17)

LnBn17 — Fri, 26 Sep 2003 02:00:00 GMT

All I have to say is that I am in love with their cheese enchiladas and I could eat ther everyday without getting tired of it!!! I love cheese enchiladas and these are the best I have ever had, and trust me, I know a good one when I taste it.

4 Stars: Yummy (by JenBoyd_Citysearch)

JenBoyd_Citysearch — Fri, 28 Jun 2002 02:00:00 GMT

El Portal has some of the tastiest fruity margaritas around. Usually an "on the rocks with salt" gal, I tend to shy away from the fruity concoctions--the mango 'rita at this place definitely changes my mind, though! Really delicious. El Portal also offers darn-good tostados and the huevos rancheros is pretty good, as well.

5 Stars: They are missed! (by jbright)

jbright — Thu, 27 Jun 2002 02:00:00 GMT

When the office was around the corner, we used to go there at least once a week. They always had great service and good food. They also made sure to take care of us when happy hour rolled around. I would tell anyone to go there - they have a great patio on nice days too!

5 Stars: Smell that food (by Dbrait)

Dbrait — Thu, 27 Jun 2002 02:00:00 GMT

I think the thing I loved the most was when I first walked in to the restaurant and smell the food cooking. The tastes and service lived up to the aromas. Love this place

5 Stars: Great Margaritas and Food (by ili32)

ili32 — Thu, 27 Jun 2002 02:00:00 GMT

When you walk into El Portal you are greated with a smile and attended properly my the host and waiters. The Margarita's are proably one of the best drinks they have there, and the food is good Mexican cuisine. You can sit inside or out and enjoy the food as well as the Mariachi that plays there.

5 Stars: The best MEXICAN food in Pasadena (by gvasquez)

gvasquez — Tue, 25 Jun 2002 02:00:00 GMT

This place is great. The way the paintings on the walls are displayed and the smell of good tasting mexican food fresh off the grill. The slas is great and the chips are nice and fresh.

The drinks are tasty and the service is awsome. They take care off you and give you great service.

This is the place to be when you have large group meetings or gatherings.

5 Stars: Tacos, tamales, and more........oh my!!! (by yokoromo)

yokoromo — Wed, 19 Jun 2002 02:00:00 GMT

This restaurant would be my top pick if you're hungry for Mexican food. It's worth the trip to Pasadena and is close enough to "Old Town" to make a night of it. If you stop by for lunch reservations usually aren't necessary but to be safe on a weekend night I would call first. On a warm summer evening it's nice to sit outside and enjoy a cerveza or one of their special marguerita's. And if you like tamales the Tamal Yucatan is the greatest.

5 Stars: Yum Yum (by lvctysrch)

lvctysrch — Fri, 14 Jun 2002 02:00:00 GMT

This is my favorite place to get a combination plate. The Cheese enchalada and beef taco plate wih beans and rice is a classic. The salsa is fresh and the service is a 9. The Saturday night entertainment is a plus.

5 Stars: Best Bar with Great People! (by py_galore)

py_galore — Thu, 13 Jun 2002 02:00:00 GMT

I got to say the this place has the friendliest people ever. The food is great and the drinks and not watered down, their just right. They serve anything from wine to the hardest drinks they have. Their great selection of Tequila is very inpressive prices ranging anywhere from five dollars to fifteen dollars a shot, but they have the best selection ever. Going in groups of five people or more isnt a problem either, they can accomidate to any large group seatings. Come on in here and have a drink or two along with some fun with the friendly people that work there.

4 Stars: The Place to Patio (by LondonJMC)

LondonJMC — Thu, 13 Jun 2002 02:00:00 GMT

A lovely patio and yummy food that's not too pricey if you factor in the relaxing atmosphere. If you've got some extra time for lunch, bask in the sun with their excellent Cadillac margarita. Not to say that the service is slow, but once you've had one you'll want to stay for two.

4 Stars: great margaritas (by rsumner)

rsumner — Mon, 10 Jun 2002 02:00:00 GMT

Great drinks and even better patio. Close to Pasadena Playhouse and not far from Hilton and Doubletree hotels. All the traditioanl mexican entrees and a few unusual ones from the Yucatan.

4 Stars: Two words: Liquid Lunch (by Oz)

Oz — Fri, 07 Jun 2002 02:00:00 GMT

The food (and drinks) are a little pricey, but the patio is a great place to have lunch and soak up a margarita or two. Like everywhere else, you'll need to pay the extra for the cadillac if you want to get some real alcohol in it. The chicken burrito is a good choice if you're really hungry, and the service has been good each time I've eaten there.

5 Stars: Great Tacos (by Nicole)

Nicole — Thu, 23 May 2002 02:00:00 GMT

Really good food, Prices a little high but fast service so it is worth it

5 Stars: Tequila! (by Sean_S)

Sean_S — Tue, 21 May 2002 02:00:00 GMT

Great food, great people, and a wide selection of tequila. I've always had great service at El Portal, the waitstaff is friendly and attentative. Have a seat at the bar and sample some of the exotic tequilas, I never knew so many types existed. Just make sure you have a ride home by the end of the night.

4 Stars: Tender and Toothsome Carnitas (by mphillips_citysearch)

mphillips_citysearch — Mon, 20 May 2002 02:00:00 GMT

Chips and salsa outside, strong margaritas, a mariachi band singing corridas -- El Portal is happy hour. Inside, there's a fireplace that makes the restaurant a good place to huddle over a cozy meal when the wind blows and rain falls. The carnitas is pure comfort food, lean and stewed long enough to be tender but still toothsome. I also like the snapper a la Huachinango (sauteed with fresh tomatoes and onions) and the shrimp in pumpkin sauce.

5 Stars: Feels like home... (by Jojo)

Jojo — Mon, 20 May 2002 02:00:00 GMT

With a romantic patio - covered with umbrella's during the day and with heat lamps at night to keep you nice and toasty - it makes a Friday night or any night memorable. The great service and personable staff makes each return pleasant. The food is great and "Don Ramon", the bartender - knows how to make a vicious Margarita ... or any drink for that matter!

4 Stars: El Portal (by JJones)

JJones — Mon, 20 May 2002 02:00:00 GMT

One of those middle of the road Mexican restaurants. Nothing remarkable stands out about this place. But the food is good and the margaritas are tasty.

3 Stars: Cochinitalicious (by DavidStansbury)

DavidStansbury — Fri, 17 May 2002 02:00:00 GMT

An old reliable, El Portal is where you go when you don't want to guess. Quieter and less manic than Mijares, this consistently good Yucatecan restaurant makes for a great Saturday lunch or dinner after the movie. On a cool day, order the Albondigas--you'll feel warmer and happier immediately.

5 Stars: My kind of place. (by gregulate)

gregulate — Thu, 16 May 2002 02:00:00 GMT

There are a lot of places that have great food but this place also provides the atmosphere and service. I have eaten (and drank) here a number of times and the staff is quite friendly. They have a great selection of quality tequilas along with any other drinks you might want. Mariachis on Fridays help to start off the weekend right before going out on the town. I would recommend this place to anyone.

5 Stars: Fun with Friends (by SP)

SP — Thu, 16 May 2002 02:00:00 GMT

You can go here for the food or kick it and watch a game at the bar.
I've never been disappointed with the food or service here.
If you like mexican food it should be a good experience.

4 Stars: great patio (by LesleyBalla_Citysearch)

LesleyBalla_Citysearch — Tue, 14 May 2002 02:00:00 GMT

Too bad our office moved--this was one of the best places for a quick lunch or a giant margarita after work. Go on a weekend night: In the bar, a complimentary cheese plate is passed around, plus chips and salsa. The food is sometimes bland for my tastebuds, but the overall atmosphere and service can't be beat.