El Portal
| Address: | 695 E Green St, Pasadena, CA 91101, USA |
| Phone: | +1 626-795-8553 |
| Site: | elportalrestaurant.com |
| Rating: | 4.2 |
| Working: | 10:30AM–8:30PM 10:30AM–9:30PM 10:30AM–9:30PM 10:30AM–9:30PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–8:30PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 16
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Warren Walker
Was tough and chewy and hard to cut! What for? Theres a ralphs up the street, if youre completely disconnected from the business world and need fresh(er) meat! Dont freeze it and reheat it! Arrg! The environment is great! The bar had a soccer game going, the outdoors is rod iron and brickwork that any decent resteraunteur would take full advantage of by providing amazing fresh food. Sadly, no. Even the tortilla chips were stale. Maybe their margaritas are great! They dont manufacture tequilla though, any of us can do that. They make food, and theyre not that great. The shredded beef was good, but I assume they do one large roast in the morning and use it all day, which is harder to do with fish and chicken fillets. Its unfortunate. I cant give stars for tequilla or brickwork. I doubt they made their own tequilla or were involved in the construction of the building. Fresh or nothing, especially for a $12 lunch without a drink.
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Carlos Loera
El Portal will be your go to Mexican restaurant in Pasadena if you enjoy pre-mixed Margaritas poured out of large plastic barrels on a busy night, inconsistent food prep and wait service, supervisory staff that sometimes dont respond well when problems arise on the fly, and bar staff that routinely block the TV sight lines at the most inopportune times if youre trying to watch a game. I highly suggest avoiding the wine at El Portal, as it is the bartenders practice to violate California law by combining open bottles as a matter of convenience. While Pasadena is a great restaurant town, it is not a great Mexican restaurant town, with several marginal (El Cholo, Mijares) to downright awful (Ranchero, Margarita Jones) options. I would lump EP in the former, perhaps if only for their Yucatecan offerings. I found those plates to be the most flavorful during my expired patronage of EP.
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Erik Hovland
So very close to the Pasadena Playhouse. We went Saturday night, the Playhouse was open so the place was packed. We were told it would be a 15 minute wait. It ended up being over an hour. After waiting an hour the staff were very apologetic and ended up giving us a free dessert. El Portal specializes in dishes from the Yucatan. I had the Panuchos. My wife went with Fajitas (decided more convential). Both items were delicious and are the reason why my review crept up to 3 stars. The margaritas we had were weak. The XX lager I had (from draft) was just fine. We would go back, but we would make a reservation first (and we would probably go to another Mexican restaurant first).
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A Private User
My wife and I go out every week for Mexican food with 2 other couples. We have tried over 50 Mexican restaurants in the past year. This is one of the bottom of our list. Years ago we used to go here for dinner and then go to the theater and it was very good. They must have new owners, chefs and bartenders because everything was awful. The waiter was very nice and attentive but was constantly apologizing to us and the other diners around us for almost everything. This is definitely not the old El Portal and we wont be coming back. There are just too many really good Mexican restaurants around to go here and be disappointed.
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Adam Miller
I love El Portal & have been coming here for years. The food is always fresh & delicious, the drinks are good & the customer service is excellent. After youve been there a few times, they will remember your favorites. The owner is very nice and will come out to shake your hand and say hello to you. The bartenders will keep you company & chat with you. The people that left bad reviews were probably drunks that dont know what theyre talking about. Definitely the best Mexican restaurant in all of Pasadena.
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Karla Aida Arciga
Un restaurant muy mexicano, vaya que te hacen sentir como en casa; la comida está deliciosa y el lugar es muy cálido su decoración es increíble y más de noche con todas esas luces sin duda lo recomiendo para una rica cena con amigos y/o familia.
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Louis Teran
Great food and margariras but the parking is upsetting enough for me never to return. I spent almost $200 with my family but I was not allowed to leave due to $1.50 in parking fees that I could not pay with a card. Cash only is the ridiculous rule for these guys. So I had to walk almost 3 blocks to the nearest ATM to get cash. Absolutely ridiculous! These guys managed to ruin a great day over $1.50 in parking fees, cash only! Never returning again regardless of the great food.
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Linsey Haggard
Best place EVER , I live in Pasadena but every time I go to CA I have to give this place a visit. One by one Ive been taking all my family so they can get a taste . The service is awesome I love the people there, and not to mention the food is amazing especially those 12 in flautas. Their horchata is to die for and I dont like horchata but their horchata is bomb. Def. recommend anyone to go there and give it a try
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Omar Covarrubias
THERE WAS A DEAD FLY IN OUR SALSA! It was our 2nd time there and it was great until we found a fly in our Salsa while eating it and this one wasnt doing the backstroke either. The waitress was quick to snatch the plate away and offered us more from their non-insect batch. No accommodations were offered or any discount for our trouble. Only an apology.
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Sara Martinez
Food is ok but that is my personal opinion based on the fact that I am from Mexico and I grew up eating authentic mexican food. I think the food lacks the punch when it comes to bringing out authentic flavors, however, the ambient is entertain. The service is outstanding! 3 stars based on the food. 5 stars based on service.
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Christopher Abbott
This restaurant has the BEST margaritas and they serve them in pitchers. The food is also very good but I come for the margaritas first. They do the typical mexican food but they specialize in Yucatan style food which is the more gourmet style. This place is usually packed at night but the wait is never too long.
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A Private User
I had a delicious meal, and it was in no way a so-so "normal Mexican meal". My margarita was perfect, just they way I ordered it. Cant wait to go to S CA and eat there again. To.ry their chili relleno, it will not be anything like you would expect, if you are used to the plain Mexican chili relleno.
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A Private User
This place was like eating real Mexican food that I use to get at my friends house in AZ. The food was served hot and in a timely manner. I will be looking to go back in a few weeks with some of my friends when we have our night out.
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A Private User
Nice, warm and comfortable ambience. The outdoor courtyard is a great place to sample tequila and enjoy a great cocktail. The menu is well priced and the Yucatan dishes are authentic. The staff is always attentive and helpful.
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Rachel Hunter
Great restaurant tucked away but near old town. They have an excellent patio for sipping cool beverages and eating some comforting food. Nice atmosphere, parking nearby, good for groups and couples.
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A Private User
I am sure the burritos are the best here, however, I cannot eat them b/c of allergies. Overall, I would eat here again as the service is friendly and the food is reasonable.
