I ordered a burrito Jailisco and a beef tostada. One Margarita which on the board said $4.95. My bill is 30.37! What the FUCK. never going here again ripped me off good. food was good but Dammn. Did not have a single choice for DIET soda. Nothing, no diet anything. read more

El portal is a different type of mexican flavor. What I definitely love from them is there soups. The beef one has sooo much flavor. They give you a lot of broth that you can use to make with your own food. The beef is tender and it's just a wonderful dish. I've also tried there burrito beef.. it was pretty tasty as well. read more

I have been coming here off and on for decades.... but less consistent over the last 10ish years.... not for any good reason. This last visit, was just as I remembered..... fondly. The chips are great, and the drinks are strong ;-). I ordered my usual crunchy beef taco (fantastic) and a shrimp quesadilla (little bland, not a usual order). Over all, this is a solid choice with families cycling through having their celebrations and family dinners. Definitely a solid choice. read more

Food was disgusting. There were ants eating crumbs on the window seal, and dirt and trash that hadn't been cleaned. There was also only one person working. I will never be back and wouldn't suggest this place to my worst enemy! I don't see how this place is still in business. read more

A quick in and out Mexican dinner is what I was going for and it was what I got. The #28 came with an enchilada, burrito, and a cheese quesadilla. The former McDonald's was showing signs of wear, and there have been recent (understandable) price increases so I included a new menu with the review. read more

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Plenty to choose from. Our group had everything from Nachos to burgers and Everyone loved it.

Great food at great prices. Best Mexican dishes in the area. Menu has great variety and there are lunch specials too.

El Portal is average Americanized Mexican food. It has some great margaritas. The food is an afterthought. It's good to fill your stomach with something while drinking alcohol. The alcohol is good because it helps cover up the tastelessness of the food. I had some guacamole with my chips. It's about $3 which was even too much. There was only a small amount in a tiny bowl, which was finished after a few chips. It also wasn't all that appetizing. This was some of the most plain looking guacamole you can get. It had no colorful peppers and looked like it was just puréed avocado. There didn't taste like there was much else in it either. Any margarita is good and makes the food seem better. One bad thing is that these aren't big either. It seems they're trying to give away as little as they can. Most margaritas are usually about $7 each. If you're looking for Mexican in Reynoldsburg there aren't many options beyond El Portal. It has good flavored margaritas and mediocre food. That means it's pretty average for area Mexican restaurants. read more

El Portal - Chips And Margarita - Vegetarian Near Me - Reynoldsburg, Ohio

We have been customers of this restaurant for years. Food and service has always been excellent. However, service has slipped drastically over our last few visits. Tonight we stopped in and ere literally the only customers. It took probably 20 minutes for the waiter to get our drinks to the table. I complained about the service and he replied that "he" was the only waiter and put the blame on the owner for not hiring more people. When I pointed out that we were the only customers he had to wait on, he mumbled something and walked away. After my complaint, service suddenly become more responsive. I think this may be the last time we go there. I think their business will soon go away. read more

I've been coming here for about 15 years. The food is always amazing including the chips and salsa. I like supporting family owned restaurants and this is one of my favorites. The service is decent with good prices. The bathrooms could use a cleaning as well as an update. read more

Pros: main dish tasted amazing (beef chimichanga). The service was great. Cons: Atmosphere felt stagnant and dark, and furniture was outdated. Some of the tortilla chips tasted off and were bland. read more

Food was dry, terrible and overpriced! There was only one person working, luckily we were the only family in there. The vibe just seemed off in there and it didn't feel like we were in a restaurant at all. Also, the waiter tried to tip himself on my card and I am currently waiting on my dispute to be settled. I will never go to this place again! read more

Food was not great... ordered nachos and got a small plate with dry chicken and half melted cheese on top. Service was alright but there seemed to only be 1 person working read more

El Portal - Ordered the nachos and got a plate of chips with half melted cheese... - Vegetarian Near Me - Reynoldsburg, Ohio

Authentic Mexican cuisine as it should be. The service was top notch as to time of placing order, to cooking and brought out promptly. I have been around the area for some time now and just now found out about the restaurant and its location, so I'll certainly be back in the future! read more

When I lived in GA I was taken in by my Mexican family/friend Gabe (Gabo) and he introduced me to true, authentic Mexican cuisine and culture. This place took me back to my first time eating a genuine torta. It took me back to that first bite and their service is PERFECTO! read more

Great Tex Mex place that is always consistent and serves great food. The chips and salsa come out as soon as you are seated and the wait staff is friendly and fast. I suggest the Chili Verde, Colorado, or the Carnitas, they are my 3 fave dishes. The margaritas are very tasty, but pace yourself, they can pack a wicked punch if you don't pace yourself. I jokingly refer to this place as McPortal, since it is in an old red roof McD's! :-) read more

El Portal - Specials! - Vegetarian Near Me - Reynoldsburg, Ohio

I sadly don't have fond memory's here. As a long time resident we do visit from time to time but never leave with huge smiles on our face. The prices I will say are really fair, and u tend to get a decent portion for the price, but the food all is on the blander side for a Mexican joint. The house salsa is really thin and doesn't have much flavor and same with the beans and rice. I'm always left a little stunned by that part. I want to love it, but there are just better options for Mexican if you're willing to drive a little further. I'm sure maybe I just haven't found my thing there yet. But apples to apples I'll find tacos and elsewhere . read more

This place WAS one of our favorite restaurants to have lunch at but recently the service has fallen off a cliff. The restaurant itself was in poor shape as well. No lights in the restroom? Yeah, had to prop open the door with a chair and use my cellphone for light. Not cool. Also don't order the "super burrito " its $10 for something you can get a taco bell for $2. It's disappointing and it might be just us and they might not like a gay couple in their restaurant. Who knows. Either way its a pity things have slipped so much. The food was good. Just not at the portions they offered for the price. read more

Our favorite " Go To " for Tex Mex ! Good food ( and plenty of it! ) in a San Antonio style. ( the The Free chips are warm, the salsa is hot and the Mexican Beer is cold!)!Releanos taste exactly like the ones we had there! read more

El Portal - a person dipping tortilla into a bowl - Vegetarian Near Me - Reynoldsburg, Ohio

Food was way over salty and the margaritas were not the greatest. Our server though was fantastic.

This place is smaller than most restaurants but always able to get a seat. The food is good and consistent quality and portion sizes are ample. They bring chips and salsa quickly. Food is pretty standard Mexican fare. Tasty and the price is good. I have always had good service. I cannot vouch for the drinks as I have never had more than a pepsi there. read more

So this is a relatively small dining establishment. Probably could squuze 50 or 60 in... may be more if they were friendly types. You will find a lot of standard items... tacos and taco salads, burritos, enchiladas, fajitas, quesodilas, Chile replenish, tostadas, tamales, and more. They also have some interesting things like the seafood soup. In our case half the group arrived an hour before the rest! They provided warm tortilla chips and a medium heat salsa... a lot of both. At least no one was bored. In my opinion, they accommodated special orders better than I imagined. I have heard others report concerns but I am generally satisfied.. and at times quite pleased, with our experiences read more

Just not what it used to be. The frozen Mexican family meals at the local grocery are better. Would have given one star but I was impressed with the older gentlemen waiting on tables, seating people, and ringing up at the cashier. He may have even been cooking. read more

Water down margaritas, nachos were cheap and terrible, main courses lacking almost any authenticity to Mexican food. The waiters were rude and ignored us almost the entire time. Go somewhere else. read more

My hubby and our 6 year old daughter went here on a Tuesday night for dinner about 6pmish. The place is very small very darkly lit and the booths were iffy at best. The salsa was just ok very runny, the chips were good though. Our daughter got a cheeseburger and fries. She ate all the fries but not the burger and this kid never turns down a burger. Our entrees were just ok. I ordered a chimichanga for take out on a different day. I live less than 5 minutes away but even so by the time I got home the chimichanga was a soggy mess due to it being smothered in sauce and the beans (that I asked not to have) If I order take out again I will ask to have the chimichanga put in a different box and the sauce on the side. read more

After living in Reynoldsburg for more than 3 years, I've driven pass this restaurant many times and never thought to stop by. I'm glad I did stop by EVENTUALLY and was satisfied with the food & service (which was quick, yet still tasty). The lunch portions are hefty with a price similiar to what you would pay for breakfast. They even have specials during the week (i.e. happy hour) that sounds promising as well. I'll be looking forward to stopping by this place again, anticipating to try their grande magaritas, for a low cost. This "in the neighborhood restaurant" has potential to allow others to enjoy good mexican food/drinks locally, versus driving to another part of town. read more

The service was great and the food and drinks were delish! Perfect outdoor seating too. Would Def be back. read more

El Portal - Yummers!!! - Vegetarian Near Me - Reynoldsburg, Ohio

I'm pretty sure they have read my review. Because I gave them another chance. Chip are hot, queso dip is perfect, and they have added enchiladas Verdes! The best Verde salsa ever! Very good pina coladas too!! read more

My family and I go here a lot. It's really good and the only area you will find better Mexican is on the west side. I'm not going to lie to you and say it's the best Mexican food I've ever had, but it is the best in Reynoldsburg. I recommend the quesadillas or fajitas! read more

Authentic Mexican fare in the heart of Reynoldsburg. The restaurant could use some updating but the atmosphere is very relaxed and casual. If you enjoy reasonably priced, genuine, tasty Mexican food and music, try this little place. read more

A great little local Mexican restaurant that we visit couple times a month. Good service friendly staff. They have lunch specials and even some happy hour specials I enjoy the margaritas. They have good food that's not spicy at reasonable prices. read more

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El Portal is basically a Reynoldsburg institution at this point. The food is good, the price is great, the service is fast.

One of my favorite restaurants since I was a freshman in HS! Always good and affordable, staff are great!

The margaritas were watered down, hard taco shells stale, rice was cold and tasted old, fish from fish tacos didn't taste done.i love Mexican food and I was highly disappointed. read more

I was looking for something good and cheap and I've driven past this place for about 5 years now! Finally pulled the trigger and went and it was absolutely amazing! Took my boy with me to and he loved it and will definitely come again! read more

i use to take out of town visitors there however; it' gone downhill (big time) past year or so. i'll just have to find a new (out of towner) restaurant read more

El Portal is the best authentic Mexican restaurant on the East side. We're probably a little partial, we've been going since they opened and always get the same friendly greeting from the owners and usually sat at the same table. The food is inexpensive- you can easily eat dinner for under $8 if you want to, or spend up to $15 if you're really, really hungry. The food is also very fresh, and each dish tastes slightly different every time you visit. We especially love the Chiles Rellenos and Burrito Jalisco. As soon as you're seated you're given warm tortilla chips and homemade salsa. They have a full bar that is also inexpensive. Their margaritas are delicious and only $2 during Happy Hour (4p-7p, Monday-Thursday). Outside of just the food, their service is fantastic. You never wait long for your food or to be seated, and your drink never gets more than half empty. The word has been spreading about this great place pretty rapidly, and they can be pretty crowded on Friday or Saturday nights. I would avoid bringing kids after about 6:30 on a Friday or Saturday, it gets a little loud and crowded with drinkers. Otherwise, it's a very kid friendly restaurant-- they even have peanut butter & jelly or a hot dog for less adventurous eaters. El Portal offers carry-out service which is also very fast (usually about 15 minutes). They do not regularly offer call-ahead seating, but I think they may offer exceptions for large parties (10+) during peak hours. read more

The food and service have been consistently good. I recommend the quesadillas, queso dip and the steak and cheese burrito. I can't vouch for the dine in experience because we usually do takeout. I believe the prices are somewhat cheaper than nearby Mexican restaurants such as El Vaquero and La Fogota. However, I believe it had the upper hand above the late Los Jalapenos in the Blacklick area as far as food quality. If it wasn't for the small dining area being somewhat cramped up in an outdated building that was once home to McDonald's, I would have scored maybe 4.5 stars. However, it still is a notch below its major competitors. But for the price, well worth it. read more

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Overtaxed staff, so so meal. The food was OK when it arrived. Quality across the meal fluctuated wildly from really good to mediocre at best. It was apparent they were short staffed, so the rotten service we got will be forgiven. If that is how it is on our next visit.....The chips, salsa and guacamole were pretty good. The hot sauce that comes with the tacos is too much for most people, not to be given to kids at all. H We will try again as we think we were just there on a bad night. read more

I honestly think the health Dept needs to inspect them. dirty tables (and only one other customer there so not too busy to clean.). entire time there last night, our server (who I think might be owner or manager) sneezed and blew his nose so loudly...right in middle of dining room and then served us our feed. Disgusting and will not be going back. read more