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    El Portal

    3.5 (64 reviews)
    InexpensiveVegetarian, Mexican
    Closed • 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

    El Portal Photos

    EL PORTAL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Happy hour specials
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - El Portal

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    Mene
    Keenan T.

    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.

    Chips And Margarita
    Steve A.

    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.

    Ordered the nachos and got a plate of chips with half melted cheese...

    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

    Specials!
    Chadran D.

    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! :-)

    a person dipping tortilla into a bowl

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    7 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    3 years ago

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

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    3 years ago

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

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    9 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    6 years ago

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

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    7 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    16 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    8 years ago

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

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    6 years ago

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

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    8 years ago

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - El Portal

    Review Highlights - El Portal

    “El Portal is the best authentic Mexican restaurant on the East side.”

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

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    Thai Paradise - Spring Rolls With Dipping Sauce

    Thai Paradise

    4.0(484 reviews)
    3.3 mi
    •$$

    Went there for lunch, friend recommended…read more I went there once before, it said open at 11am, and...is not So this is the second time, giving them a second chance. First of all, if you never been here before, you just going to keep on driving, even tho is located in a plaza , big parking lot, but if you look at all businesses in the plaza, all are signs "open", welcoming, here? Is all super dark, windows are all cover, more like a sign saying "go away" we closed When I walked in, I just stood there, no one greeted me, no host by the front. One of the server saw me and told me to take a seat anywhere. I'm only there for lunch, so I look at the lunch menu. Now here is the thing. I believe every restaurant should only serve one type of food, meaning if you want to serve Chinese food, Chinese food only, if you want to serve Steak, Steak and Lobster only, don't do Thai and so Italian or Vietnamese and Gyro, this place is Chinese and...Thai, and they got a Mexican serving me, okay, is like so what are you? Friend of mine told me they also serve Vietnamese coffee, I asked, he said only Thai coffee, okay, no big deal. Ordered a drink, asked for a a straw, nope, don't have it, asked me if I want a to go cup, a restaurant don't have straw? Thats your only one job, order everything you need for the "restaurant". To me, that's a very poor management, because when you owing a business, you do not and never wait until everything is out to reorder, when ever your products are running low, not out, you reorder Poor experience

    "The best stories begin with, 'I almost didn't go.'"…read more Turns out, the fortune cookie was right. Quick facts: Solo visit Beef Drunken Noodle Combo: $13.95 Easy parking Conversation-friendly Service: A+ I told my server, Rasamy, it was my first visit and welcomed suggestions. She immediately pointed out that some appetizer prices had recently increased and weren't yet reflected on the menu. Nobody likes surprise math at the end of a meal, and I appreciated the heads-up. What stood out most was how she separated customer favorites from what she personally enjoys and explained why. Nothing felt rehearsed. She steered me toward the Beef Drunken Noodles, and I'm glad she did. The noodles had a great texture, the vegetables weren't overcooked, and the spice level kept things interesting without taking over. I didn't order the Garlic Pepper Calamari this time, but after hearing how it's prepared, it's firmly on my list for next time. I'm glad I almost didn't go.

    Photos
    Thai Paradise
    Thai Paradise - Crispy String Beans

    Crispy String Beans

    Thai Paradise - Dining area

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    Dining area

    El Portal - vegetarian - Updated September 2026

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