Again, the food was top-of-the-line. Excellent service excellent audience. The place is definitely a cool Mexican restaurant. I still come back about every other week restaurant never changes still very good. read more

See all

Inconsistent. Food might be great or it might be average or worse so we stopped going.

Don't let the blacked out windows fool you, they are open at the stated hours. They have a cool countertop that looks like a mission wall. I love the wall murals featuring the restaurant's name. There are a couple TVs and a ton of seating but all indoors. Order at the counter and take away or dine in. The cashier was friendly and helpful to navigate the menu. We opted for the 2 fish tacos or 2 shrimp tacos daily special for $8.75 and three in an al pastor Torta and grilled chicken street taco to boot. Chips and salsa are included. Fish taco - 9 - Nice crunchy batter with fresh fish and amazing punch with the pickled onions and Chipotle Crema Shrimp taco - 8 - Fresh shrimp but lacks spice. Pickled onions and Chipotle Crema give it flavor. Super Torta with Al pastor - 7 - Sadly they gave us a very plain carne asada but the rest of the Torta was good. Street taco combination with grilled chicken - 5 - The chicken was very bland but nicely cooked. The beans were terrific and the rice was just ok Pretty cool taqueria with some tasty items and ones to avoid unless you prefer your meats bland. We saw a molcajete on one table and a sizzling plate of fajitas at another which intrigues us for another time. I'd come back for the seafood tacos and the beans though!!! read more

El Portal Taqueria - Front counter - Seafood Near Me - Auburn, California

See all

It was my first time going to this restaurant. When I arrived it did look closed but I think it's because the windows are blacked out to keep the place cool due to heat and sun blaring on the windows. The food was amazing and ambiance felt more of an open concept kinda way.. but I will certainly be back soon!! read more

See all

Not a local, just happened to be in the area and wanted some tacos. This location came up and I wasn't disappointed in the ambiance, it was clean and spacious. The service was great and timely - I was in and out. I grabbed three street tacos and it came with chips. I only ate two tacos and the chips were stale. The tortilla on the taco was amazing, the salsa was mehhh (not enough of a kick for me) but the meat was bland, as if it needs some salt. I would like to stop by again to give it another go but I do feel there's potential here. Giving it three stars because of the blandness and stale chips. read more

Food was terrible we couldn't even finish. since when does Camerones el mojo de ajo come in a creamy Alfredo sauce? our rice and beans were soaked in it. Then we ordered a carne asada quesadilla and got an enchilada. Do not recommend for anyone who wants authentic Mexican food read more

El Portal Taqueria - This is NOT camarones el mojo de ajo. - Seafood Near Me - Auburn, California

Attending a wedding in Auburn and was just looking for a good taco spot. Found this near hotel. Great tasting and good portions. Just mix and match tacos. I had the fish taco, crispy taco with ground beef and a quessabirria. All were yummy. Fish taco tasted really fresh... good discovery. read more

El Portal Taqueria - Fish taco, crispy taco with ground beef and fish taco - Seafood Near Me - Auburn, California

See all

Not much ambiance but good food. Reasonable prices. Service is adequate for a taqueria. Very consistent. read more

This was stop #4 in our evening of sampling tacos at six North Auburn spots. Nestled in a strip mall, the interior blares modern street art. I order two petite soft tacos -- Al Pastor and Carne Asada. The m met with a fresh burst of flavors expertly combined in a wow taco. All it takes is a few, good ingredients blended nicely. No cheese, no crema, no guac and I didn't miss them. Great value, easy service. Best of the six if you want an elegant removable meal. read more

El Portal Taqueria - Al pastor soft taco and a carne asada soft taco - Seafood Near Me - Auburn, California

Our favorite place for tacos and more. Their chili verde is the best I've ever had and love it on the 3 street taco plate. All of the servers are kind and attentive and the food is very consistent! read more

Food is always good tacos and quesadillas are the best the Service is good lots of choices and cheap food too

This place has great food; the service is awesome and most importantly everything in the minor is crazy good! I am sorry I forgot to take a photo but it's off the hook. read more

Came in today and got my usual street tacos for lunch. I tell the server i like my tortillas grilled more, so its more on the harder and crispier side. She acknowledges my request, but continues to give me my order with non grilled, single tortilla and not doubled tortilla tacos. Midway through my first taco, the tortillas was already breaking apart cause it was so soggy (the reason why i like it grilled more cause it holds up better). Yes, this makes me sound petty but this experience made me decide to not come back anymore... which is sad cause i love their cabeza read more

El Portal Taqueria - Single tortilla tacos instead of the doubled tortillas - Seafood Near Me - Auburn, California

Went here because sadly, Maria's was closed. Absolutely do not recommend if you are looking for quality, good tasting Mexican food. Our "Spanish" rice was supeeerrr bland and tasted like those microwaved packs from the grocery. The salsa didn't taste fresh and tasted like it was out of a plastic container, our "green sauce" tasted like the huge can of green sauce from the store. Most of our food was visibly microwaved and we could hear the microwave going off in the kitchen. Service wasn't great. Waters were empty the whole time, didn't refill or chips and gave me a dirty look and continued to give us dirty looks went I sent back the rice. All I said and I quote was "I am so so sorry to do this, but to be honest we really aren't enjoying this rice and would like to just send it back". No apologies or anything just dirty looks and back to the kitchen and ignored our table the rest of the meal despite spending a lot of money at the restaurant. The only enjoyable part of our meal was our fish taco a solid 7/10... take your money and time to literally any other Mexican food place in Auburn. The drive through Mexican place right down the street knocks this place out of the water. I usually don't do this but be warned! read more

We eat here just about every week. We love it so much, the salsa is incredible, I can't even bring myself to try another place because I know I'll be disappointed that we didn't just get El Portal read more

We live in Sparks, Nevada and go down to Sacramento quite often. We have been on a quest for excellent Mexican food located just before we hit the Sierra Nevada mountains. I read the reviews for El Portal and they were not stellar, it seems mainly because people felt the staff were not friendly. As we walked in the restaurant, there was a sign apologizing because they were short staffed and doing everything they could to provide great service. We sat down and were properly provided with a basket of chips and a bowl of salsa. We immediately noticed that the salsa and chips were pretty exceptional. My husband observed someone in the kitchen using a commercial immersion blender to make a batch of fresh salsa. After talking to our waitperson we learned the chips are made fresh each morning. She also said there are new owners as if last January. Both my husband and I ordered a Quesadilla. His was Al Pastor and mine was Carnitas. Not only were both very delicious, they had the most elaborate presentation of a quesadilla we have seen. Additionally the quesadillas are huge - we both took half of it home. That is an extra bonus because neither of us feels like cooking, or going out, after traveling all day. My husband said the Al Pastor was the best he has ever had, and I concur. As travelers we were happy to see that the restrooms were clean and well stocked. We highly recommend El Portal and look forward to returning. ¡Buen provecho! read more

See all

Out of a couple items, I used to love this place but the chicken tasted like it was boiled, even the smell of it was off setting. Customer service was friendly but no checking in on tables. Ambiance was cafeteria like. On the positive side, my husband's beer was cold! Sadly we won't be back or recommend at this time. read more

I never know what to expect. Sometimes the super burrito is $12 and sometimes the same burrito plus 3 salsa is $17!! Sometimes the asada fries are awesome and sometimes they are half cooked , oil soaked, not crispy. The food is never consistent and burritos always have a-lot of fatty meats and chunky gristles. The service is bi-polar! They actually argue with you, when they got the order wrong and charge you extra for their mistake. Unbelievable! read more

Too Salty! Use to be the best Mexican food in Auburn. The carne asada, carnival, beans were all very salty.

Love their bean and cheese burritos. Always friendly and efficient. Not a place to go for a cozy dining experience, but tasty and convenient for a meal pick up. read more

Good stuff Yumm! Great quality and quantity. Loved my taco and quesadillas. The salsa was bomb read more

Affordable, authentic, amazing food with a great staff. Can't go wrong with anything you order, and you'll be back for more! read more

El Portal Taqueria - Chili Relleno - Seafood Near Me - Auburn, California

Flavorful food!! Service is good price is also good. A great place to grab a meal it doesn't have that Mexican fiesta thing going line other places but still great food. read more

I was so disappointed with this place :(. I'm teaching myself to cook and have been trying to perfect "bistec a la mexicana". I thought I'd try theirs. Bistec a la mexicana is finely chopped steak cooked with Serrano peppers, onions, tomatoes, cilantro and spices. I was served a full flat steak with a ton of onions on top and ,mostly raw bell peppers, no tomatoes or cilantro at all and was given a butter knife to cut the steak with. it was not a bad flavor, but it was also NOT bistec a la mexicana. read more

Amazing flavors great food and atmosphere salsa was amazing as was as the carnitos platter. read more

El Portal Taqueria - Yes carnitos platter yum - Seafood Near Me - Auburn, California

Business was closed and across the way another place just closed early on us. This place said they were closed but he would go ahead and take a to go order if we were interested. Wow wow wow it smells absolutely amazing in here! Workers look happy and I can't wait to try my nachos and super burrito. Everyone that was here on time to eat here has food that looks so delicious so if your passing through come try the food. read more

Food is so so. Not what I would call authentic. The enchilada sauce is bright red tomato sauce. Better food on 49 by El Forestero and El Tapatio. read more

My son and I come here every summer after our family visits. We look forward to it all year long. Their carnitas super burritos are so well balanced and flavorful! The horchata is sweet and cinnamony to perfection. This is right off Highway 80 headed north towards Lake Tahoe. Definitely worth a stop! read more

The food is delicious! Their micheladas are so yummy. Their staff is super friendly and very attentive. I would definitely recommend this place. read more

This place has awesome Mexican food! Although it is still a taqueria, they take extra measures to step it up a notch: they greet you at your table after you sit down (and are very attentive to when customers walk in), they add a little creativity in their food that sets it apart from other taqueria's I've eaten at, the employees dress very nicely, and they keep the place very clean! The employees are very kind and accommodating! I highly recommend. read more

Authentic and delicious. Great food, courteous and attentive staff and well as clean bathrooms! Definitely will make a return visit the next time in Auburn. read more

This place isn't what it used to be. Prices significantly higher for same portions. Service not great. Guy took our order but never submitted it. 20 mins later the other wait person asked if we were ready to order!? She confessed the other waiter forgot to submit our order so we had to order again and wait. There are many other Mex places in Auburn much better in quality value and service. read more

We've been going here for years. The prices have gone up, as with everything else these days. Good food, large portions and courteous staff.

On the surface this place isn't much, but one part of my order put this place above anything I expected. Based on another reviewer's suggestion to get the quesadilla, I did. Additionally ordered chips & salsa; which were stale and meh. The former however was insane. It was basically a burrito without the beans but DAMN!! The pollo asada quesadilla was KILLER!! read more

Our favorite! We order the carnitas super burrito & grilled chicken super nachos almost every week. Our go to place for Mexican food! And takeout is super quick! read more

Great food,service and extremely clean Always clean and food quality is outstanding.Very nice waiters/waitresses.Bathrooms are spotless

5.24.2021 The food is delicious and hit the spot! They have so many great choices and great portions. It really hit the spot! They are to find, they have helpful and kind staff, and there is plenty of parking in the lot. read more

El Portal Taqueria - 5.34.2021 El Portal in Auburn - Seafood Near Me - Auburn, California

See all

I read a lot of mixed reviews before stopping by. The Burrito Banado was huge and filled with carnitas. They had a few small tvs on airing the NFL game. I would come by again if I was looking for a quick bite. Definitely need to try the Al Pastor next time. read more

El Portal Taqueria - Burrito Banado - Seafood Near Me - Auburn, California

By far the best super burrito I've ever had. The chef cares about the way he cooks. Even the salsa was extremely flavorful. Highly recommend. read more

El Portal Taqueria - A happy belly - Seafood Near Me - Auburn, California

Well, typically I'm a fan of this restaurant and eat here frequently. Today's visit was discouraging. The two girls working could not have made it more obvious that they had no concern to take my order. One brought water and then said she'd be back. She got busy, then caught sight of me (the other server had looked over at least 3 times) and still made no attempt to come back to the table. 10 minutes and several glances and no service?! Lame... read more