My friend and I were at a Convention on 7/23/2021. I said let's go to a nice restaurant rather than eating from a food truck. We asked Google to make suggestions and decided to go with El Portal. I was excited when we pulled up because I liked the ambience of a warm restaurant. Unfortunately, I was floored when the Margaritas arrived. We ordered two (2) FROZEN Margaritas. The first sip I took I asked my friend where is the alcholol? I feel like I'm drinking crushed ice with sugar, NO FLAVOR WHATSOEVER! THE WORSE MARGARITA I'VE EVER EXPERIENCED. WE ARE A MARGARITA KINDA FAMILY! He agreed and said his Margarita was exactly the same. I called the waitress over and told her I wasn't trying to be difficult but these Margaritas have absolutely no flavor, we are only drinking crushed ice with sugar. She looked at me as if I was annoying her and huffed and said I will tell the Bartender and bring you guys another round. The second round came and ABSOLUTELY NO DIFFERENCE again, it was just crushed ice with sugar flavoring... you could hardly taste the lime in it. It was pathetic! Because of Covid we are very careful in that I requested everyone have their own salsa bowl rather than just giving us one. Plus we love Salsa. Again, more annoyed people... I don't know if it was a bus boy or waiter but he clearly was pissed that we asked for another bowl of salsa. While I do profess I'm a food connoisseur and quite the cook, I've gotta talk about the food. As we walked in I noticed the plates that people were eating.. Every plate looked like it was from a can. Not even appealing to look at. Looks like they poured beans out of a can and dribbled cheese and threw into the microwave. And the food tasted just like from a can...it arrived cold, not appealling to look at... AND, my friend's pork plate was tough meat, he could hardly bite into it. $100 later including a tip that was definitely not worthy, she was the worse waitress and associates were no different. This place is deceiving, it's pretty but the Margaritas and food were terrible... I think they should fire the Bartender and their waitress. read more

We have been here a few times and I have enjoyed every one of our visits. The staff is all really nice and attentive. Not once have we ran into a bad server. This time around we ordered steak and salmon with mango sauce. The steak was cooked to perfection and the salmon was very tasty. read more

The food is good... but the customer service was not the best. It wasn't crowded, and our table was left unattended for long periods. But it could have just been one of those days Outdoor seating is very relaxing and clean. I would go back. If you like spicy ask for the chiles toreados and xtra spicy hot sauce read more

El Portal - #17 - Mexican Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Felt like fast food service. Took 35 minutes to get our food. The food was bland. Chips were stale. Fajitas were charred so we had to pick through them, and our bill was wrong after all of this. read more

Complete disapoitment, service left much to be desired, waiter went missing for more than 20 minutes. Quality of food was mediocre. And margaritas were worse than those in a premaid plastic bottle. Awful food and drinks don't make this mistake. The food is also over priced. Sad day read more

Good food. Good service spacious patio area Our favorite Mexican place in Pasadena & vicinity read more

El Portal is a fabulous place to spend a meal regardless of the food not being very good at all. This adorable little place is just a couple of blocks from my home, and I've eaten and imbibed here enough times to know that all of the margaritas are watery and all of the food is undersalted (except for the fresh pico de gallo that comes on the plate with the rice and beans, go figure). That's not to say that the enchiladas and fajitas aren't perfectly passable if you give them several heavy showers of the indispensable salt shaker provided at each table. Because besides the woeful under seasoning, the chicken is grilled just fine, the sauces thick and bubbling, and everything justly crowned with a generous layer of cheese. It is highly remarkable that the refried beans, covered with so much cheese, are still bland, but there you go...the texture is great? Just douse everything with salt, scoop it up onto the actually lovely flour tortillas, and have at it like the perfectly heavily Americanized Mexican food it is. I will say, I do take real issue with the chile rellenos, which are covered in so thick a batter that they feel like poblanos suspended in a corn muffin. Room for improvement. I haven't had a good alcoholic drink here because I keep trying the flavored frozen margaritas, bless my heart, hoping to hit upon one that doesn't come from an artificial flavoring bottle, but as they say, trying the same thing over and over and hoping for different results is madness. The slightly cinnamony coffee, on the other hand, is to die for. What's important about El Portal is that they have the most lovely patio for you to sun on whilst you enjoy your mediocre food, and the very polite service doesn't miss a step. So I'll keep expressing my madness by eating here, most likely, because let's face it--it's not like I'm missing out on world-changing Mexican food elsewhere in Pasadena. If it helps, my husband grew up on Taco Bell and he loves the food here. I also grew up eating Taco Bell and I don't, but that's because Taco Bell understands the power of sodium, and I respect that wisdom. read more

The food, atmosphere, music, and service were all excellent, convenient parking on Pasadena

Don't bother with a reservation because they seat anyone they want wherever they want. Food was ok not bad but not anything to write home about especially not other Mexicans. Their crowd seemed mostly Anglo-Saxon so I'm sure for them it was a 10 stars. Service was ok but they do want to rush you to leave. Music was great WHEN it was on. Longer break than music played. Chips nice and hot but no salt anywhere near your picnic (plastic) table. For such a high price they should have better chairs and tables. The feel is like the restaurants on the "strip" of palm springs downtown. Only there's no where else to go and you have to pay $30 for parking. Biggest let down was ambience and reservation which was like reserving a loaner car. Lol. Horchata and other drinks definitely no refills and $8. Cochinita pibil (they call it female here so not authentic) was pretty good I have to say. Went for the music and outdoor seeting and definitely will not be coming back. Here's a picture of my $25 camaron enchiladas where the tortilla was still cold and breaking apart. read more

El Portal - Enchiladas - Mexican Near Me - Pasadena, California

Our server Bello was great! Friendly, prompt, helpful. The Tamarindo Margarita is to die for. Wish the porkchop on the Yucatan trio was bigger. Seemed like it was only 2 bites! read more

This place tastes like home to me. It has become my favorite Mexican restaurant in all of Los Angeles. The Caribbean vibe has won me over. For the uninitiated, Mexican is just as regional as American or Chinese. The flavors here are the thing. Their Mole' is just different. It's made with Walnuts instead of peanuts. That makes for a savory flavor. Just the right amount of spice to give that perfect savory/spicy mix. The Cochinita Pibil is simply spectacular. These are my two favorite items on the menu. I have worked my way through the menu. The tacos dorados are delicious. Their rice and beans doesn't disappoint. Don Abel, the owner is a Prince of a man. He is always warm and jovial. Belizario is an excellent waiter. His service skills ARE IMPECCABLE. Then again, it would seem the entire staff is well trained that way. Simply put, this is a must go, do not miss dining experience. read more

A go to for us for more than a decade, we love El Portal! Great patio, margaritas, food, and service! Will continue as long as they will have us!! Thank you El Portal!! read more

This place is one of the best Mexican places I've ever gone to. Every time I come here they solidify that statement. The cheese enchilada is out of this world - the rice and beans are done just right, the steak picado rocks your world, and the margaritas hit you with a glow. When I crave Mexican, I come here. Don't know why I'd do any different - El Portal is at another level than anywhere else. Also, the COVID safety measures are definitely put into place. Plexiglass in between every table and all staff wears masks. The tables are spaced out and I've witnessed multiple sanitization of nearby tables when people leave. Any one who says any different, obviously isn't paying attention. Keep doing what you're doing El Portal. You have my heart. read more

Warning: You may be seduced by the courtyard, live table-side music and allegedly good margaritas. Do. Not. Succumb. Unless, of course, you've eaten before you came. Otherwise you'll be consuming extremely mid Mexican food. From the bland, stage prop looking guacamole to the stale chips to the Pace Picante salsa to the no sizzle/no flavor fajitas to the I Can't Believe It's Not Tamales (I've never had Trader Joe's tamales but I'd bet you anything they're better than what we were served tonight) ...yeah we seriously regret our poor judgment in giving this place another try after roughly 5 years away. We left just shaking our heads: Why is this place so packed? Must be the margaritas. read more

We were a group of 4, dinner on Friday at 7pm. Crowded, good ambience with good service. Disappointed with the food, having ordered the Cochinita Pibil. Tasted like a food chain. read more

El Portal - Cochinita Pibil - Mexican Near Me - Pasadena, California

We have been going to El Portal for many years and they never disappoint us. Friendly waiters, good food, nice atmosphere. Can accommodate many different group sizes. read more

I have never been to this restaurant before nor had I ever spotted it along the way (even though I have driven east on Green Street many times). The restaurant is in a Spanish plaza and has parking in the rear. I went to the restaurant as the guest of a man who had worked there before (as Santa Claus). He knew the family, the extended family, and many of the employees by name. Everyone I encountered spoke English and Spanish. The menu featured a variety of soups which is a great treat since I am a huge fan of soup. I often wish we were allowed to eat more than one soup before a meal! I opted for the seasonal pumpkin soup. It was a creamy soup that was presented with pumpkin seeds on the surface. It came in a Fiesta bowl which is a service I happen to love dearly. The soup was not piping hot and I am told that that is the temperature at which it is served. It required no seasoning as the pumpkin and cream themselves provide all the flavor that the dish needed. For dinner I ordered the Cochinta Pibil (a Yucatán dish) which was a flavorful pulled pork au-jus with achiote spice and lime juice. On the side were black beans with cheese, saffron rice with peas, and pickled onions. I had never had pickled onions before and they too were quite tasty. Santa had the pollo en mole (he has an insatiable hunger for mole). He also ordered a bowl of the pumpkin soup when he saw mine :) While wait staff is assigned to a table, we found that anyone who passed our table was more than happy to assist us with getting this or that (i.e., sugar for the iced tea, a dessert after the fact). We shared an order of flan and had coffee. At 7pm on a Saturday night the parking lot was quite full, but we were able to find a spot after the second time around. Because we did not make a reservation, there was a wait for a table. That, I believe, is a VERY GOOD sign for a restaurant. This restaurant is not particularly small in size so that speaks for itself! We waited outside at a small table with café chairs. We were also serenaded by pleasant guitar players who sang songs that were familiar to most Americans; Guantanamera and La Bamba, for example. The meal was exquisite, the service was friendly and knowledgeable of the cuisine, and we felt neither rushed nor ignored at any time during the meal. I would strongly recommend that a native or tourist sample this restaurant in order to experience the flavor and culture of a part of Mexico that is too often overlooked in the United States. read more

We ordered four different plates for dinner, and was sadly disappointed, for none were good. The plates lack flavor and some were really salty. The beans were stale. The sliced avocados were spoiling. The guacamole had a bad taste due to using avocados that were going bad. The rice was old and dry. The chicken tasted old and had a bad smell. The salsa was not authentic, it seemed like the kind that comes premade processed in bulk. If you do not know how fresh Mexican food taste like, then don't go there because you will be served old food that is going bad, and you might get sick. We left the plates full, we paid and gave a good tip to the waiter since his service was excellent. I blame the owners and whom ever works in the kitchen. read more

I love this restaurant! One of my favorite Yucatán Mexican restaurants. Great outdoor seating, employees are very friendly, plenty of outdoor parking. read more

Went for lunch yesterday, Saturday. The man that seated us (probably manager) was wearing his mask on his chin, not even trying to look like he was making an effort. Food was not good. The albóndiga soup we got to start was the only good thing but the special shrimp ceviche was just awful, so salty wasn't edible. The fish tacos were mediocre. Service was slow. The only good thing was it looks like a really nice outdoor patio but it was too hot to eat outside when I went. read more

This has been our family spot for a decade. The food and the staff are the best and the Cadillac Margaritas are delicious.

Food is great, service exemplary. The outdoor patio very comfortable. We will be back

This is not real Mexican food!!! Good had no flavor at all I ask for warm milk for s a a baby a the server said the microwave didn't work , we needed napkins and she was not checking on us! read more

My wife and I used to love coming to El Portal for the Yucatan specialties. Sadly something has changed in the kitchen. I ordered the Yucatan Trio. The cochinita pibil was totally lacking in flavor, the meat was stringy and dry. It was basically dry shredded pork with a few onion slices tossed on top. The poc chuc was so tough it was difficult to cut. I told the waitress about the poor food and she said she would "mention" it to the kitchen. BTW the waitress was nice, efficient, and the highlight of our visit. We were surprised when we arrived without reservations around noon, hoping we could get a table. No problem there! The place was completely empty! We were the only two people in the place! Now I see why! That's it for me, no more lunches or dinners at El Portal. read more

Recommendation: NEVER COME HERE with a party. If you do, order separately. Food was decent, but we had a party 35+ for our company. We came here hungry ready to eat and they had us wait for over an hour while they had to "get ready". We already called in advance and let them know exactly what time we were coming, but apparently the food was not ready and they needed over an hour to prepare. When the food came out, they restricted our serving size to small portions and said we couldn't get more until everyone was served. They told us only 2 tortilla per person. They only gave us 1 party size rice, 1 party size black beans, 1 party size carne asada, 1 party size chicken, 1 party size medium size bowl of guac, sour cream, salsas, etc. Party size as in 12in x 20in, and would not give us more food. They ended up charging us about $30 a person with a room fee "hidden" that was not disclosed. Also was told it would be "buffet style", but they limited our buffet to small portions. Would definitely not come back here again with a party. If we ordered to go by the party platters it would have costed 5-8x less than actually going there. read more

I recently had catering done by El Portal and we were definitely satisfied! We loved their service and quality of food. We will be definitely be hiring them again! Our guests were all excited about their food! read more

Food is not spectacular, it's just alright. The service was alright if you like being served with an attitude and the ambiance was mundane.

I don't even know where to start with the "manger/owner". Obviously everyone who is waiting to be seated could see that they were shorthanded but the guy working (owner/ manager) was just so unpleasant & unprofessional. All he did was complain to the customers for being short handed instead of being professional about it. It literally looked it was his first day on the job and just didn't know how to work. As for the other crew, they were handling the stress VERY WELL! I applaud them and felt so bad that they had to work with him. Showed no sign of leadership read more

Love this place. Great food, great service, great music (on the weekends) and one of the best patio's in Pasadena. We've been coming here for years, it's always wonderful. (And it never breaks the bank ;). Highly recommend if you're headed to the Playhouse or just looking for a nice night out and atmosphere that's tucked away and good Mexican food of course! read more

Another great meal, good drinks and fun atmosphere at El Portal. Thankful for the nice staff who are always very busy trying to accommodate everyone. read more

Our favorite Mexican restaurant in Los Angeles/Pasadena. Excellent service every time and everything on the menu is amazing

Good food and selections. I enjoy the outdoor setting with friendly waitstaff. It's within walking distance for me, so I gladly frequent the restaurant. read more

Hate to leave this review, but last night's dinner was no bueno. We've enjoyed coming here before to get margaritas and basic "Mexican" food (very Americanized, but sometimes that's okay). Last night however my wife ordered the special - lobster and shrimp enchiladas, and they were inedible. Not sure what happened, there didnt appear to be either shrimp or lobster in them. To me, the bits of unidentifiable meat tasted like anchovies. The waiter assured us he saw the cook dice up the shrimp & lobster and put them in there. Not sure why they would do that as they know people are expecting to bite into big pieces, not have them diced up beyond all recognition. Either way, it tasted like old fish in an odd gravy. No apologies were made or offers to make it right. The waiter simply took the entire plate of food away and gave us the check. It's a shame as my meal was fine. As others have said, lots of salt and pepper are needed. It would also be nice if there was hot sauce at the table. At least we were able to share my burrito between us. Anyway, it's not our concern as we wont be back. I understand that "specials" are a way for the kitchen to get rid of ingredients, but you need to make the final product palatable. A "sorry" would have gone a long way as well. Good luck! read more

We had a great time celebrating a law school graduation. The staff went out of their way to make it a special occasion. The sever, Belo brought out a dessert and staff sang to the graduate without even us asking. It was awesome. Great outdoor seating. read more

No question my favorite Mexican restaurant in the San Gabriel Valley. The owner is a generous pillar of the community. The Yucatan style cuisine is outrageously wonderful. The outdoor patio service is as pleasant as you can imagine. They even have some healthy options like salads with grilled chicken and avocado. Salsa made fresh with a family recipe. If you're in the area for lunch or dinner, you will immediately feel at home at El Portal. read more

Shoutout Abel for the hospitality. The food and drinks were bomb. We enjoyed the environment. read more

El Portal - Watermelon margarita Mango Margarita - Mexican Near Me - Pasadena, California

The food was good. BUT I ordered no pico and my friend said "he hates onion" and the server said "no pico means no onion". When I received my food there was pico with onion and the waiter said "if you would have told me in the beginning there wouldn't have been any". Service is a big part of my review. There could be a training issue I'm not sure but I shouldn't feel at fault for something that I did mention in the beginning. read more

The ambiance is really appealing and the service is good, but I can't say the food is good at all. Our boss took us there for lunch and the Steak Picado was way too salty. My co worker had the Abondiga soup was also cold, but the bowl was hot. The place looks really lovely from the outside and inside too. The food was not good at all. I hope they will work on it. read more

Delicious food! Great location. Some of the best mole, guacamole, and chips. Went here recently for my birthday!

Great restaurant! Great atmosphere inside and out! Very clean and organized. The menu was decent and competitive although a little on the high side. Service was great and quick! read more