Cozy, friendly, small town eatery. A friend described Lena's to me as a sports bar of sorts... but it doesn't have the 20 screens you'd expect in a sports bar in a larger community. It doesn't have 20 screens... it doesn't need 20 screens... but it does have a few well placed screens (typically showing sports)... it's got a small bar, a dining area with several tables and mostly the type of food you'd expect in a sports bar... so the description works! read more

At first my golf buddies and I were told this was a good Mexican place. We walked in and there was nothing mexican about it! It was getting close to closing time when we showed up and we were greeted by the owner Lena. We felt very welcomed. Although, they did not have many mexican food choices we all ordered burgers. The mexican burger was very delicious! Small bar area and very clean resturaunt. If you're in the Portola area I would recommend this spot. Would have 5 stars but my skinny marg was lacking lime and tequila. Little watered down. read more

The place Could use a little TLC food had good flavor. Service was friendly arrive 30 minutes before closing and order a chicken sandwich with bacon was expecting a slice of chicken but got a sandwich filled with chicken bite sizes so of course picked it up and they all fell out, but managed to shove them back in and carefully ate it had a good flavor, but would have preferred it to be a slice of read more

Lena's - Chicken pieces with added bacon - American Near Me - Portola, California

So disappointed on Saturday night 5/24. We showed up at 7:15 and mind you we had gone there the night before and I wrote a raving review about the service the food everything the ambience it was great so anyway we pulled up into our parking spot at 7:15 only to have Charles come out and tell us that the restaurant was closed. Just to remind you their hours are until 8 o'clock on Saturday night according to the website so we were super confused and poor Charles I know he probably got put on the spot with a lot of customers like us, but he told us the owner had a family emergency. I don't even know if he said family he just said emergency. So we went across to Rico's, and the food was decent the service was perfect. The prices are absolutely fucking ridiculous. I paid $5.75 each for a side of rice and beans I paid $13.99 for a 4 ounce wine Margarita!! Now mind you I ordered the margarita thinking it was going to be a grande because that's what I'm used to in Chico. OH no 4 ounces and it didn't say on the menu that it was wine based anyway needless to say I'm really annoyed at Lena's because I had a friend who was in there having a glass of wine and getting ready to finish her dinner because apparently she got there early enough before the "" emergency happened and what she told me was no, the owner just decided to close she had something else to do so sadly if your name is Lena, I don't know what your owner's name is, but you kind of screwed up last night because we had such a lovely time on Friday night and were willing to come back to your establishment again for a second time for dinner and apparently you're selfishness turned us away so I don't usually post bad posts because I love to raise restaurants up but if you're gonna run a restaurant and you're gonna say you're open until 8 o'clock then when a customer gets there at 7:15 you should be there serving dinner just saying very disappointing would recommend for the server, Charles would recommend the food, it's amazing. But I definitely Would recommend a call ahead to make sure they're open. read more

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Four of us guys on a golf trip from San Diego walked into Lena's for lunch and hopefully to watch a golf tournament on TV. We were greeted by Charles the bartender and he got the tournament on the TV with Lena's help. Both Charles and Lena were kind and welcoming. We ordered the pickle fries, they were amazing and we should have gotten two orders. The other three guys had hamburgers and I ordered the taco salad. The food was handmade with care and delicious. We had a couple of drinks and hung out for two hours and watched golf. They had a nice big TV and the restaurant was beautiful and clean. We've been coming to Portola for a tournament at Grizzly Ranch for many years now and Lena's has been our best dining experience yet. Thank you to owner Lena and Charles for a great experience!! read more

This restaurant rocks! The food is amazing and the staff are always very nice and welcoming. This place has a cool layout, it has a rad bar, dining room area, and darts! I usually get the western bacon cheeseburger which hits every time read more

Great Western bacon cheese burger and crispy tasty fries. Staff was attentive! Reasonably priced

Philly Cheesesteak had few onions and fewer peppers. French fries were from frozen crinkle fries over salted. The bun was not heated. Blaring metal rock made it difficult to have conversation. One guy took orders, ran the bar and probably cooked the food so service was slow; 20 - 25 minute wait for a hamburger. read more

Came in Saturday night and was greeted promptly and was seated. The server took our order and was served in a decent amount of time. I ordered a cup of soup that was very strange. It was a tomato basil that tasted like a cup Of Italian dressing. Wow, it was weird. I ordered a burger that was very good but a very small amount of fries. The fries were in a small fry basket. Seemed a bit skimpy. My son ordered fried chicken that was horrible with mashed potatoes that seems like instant with brown gravy that seemed canned. We Sent the chicken back as it was very brown on the outside and frozen inside. They brought another order very quickly, that led me to believe it was frozen not from scratch. Very disappointing. read more

food taste great waiter was cool but we came for mexican should update the name from a cantina and google photos lol also they have canned sodas $3 each which whatever but iced tea unsweet brewed sometime this week is same price then you ask for one to go and they add 3$ more for second unsweet tea lol warn someone at least (never heard of unfree refills on tea even at high dollar restaurants) read more

Good home cooked food ! Fast friendly service And cozy as can be Looks to be a popular locals spot! We will be back read more

Lena's is a great little place in Portola Great food great ambience and Lena is great We got the 1000 island burger the cheeseburger and the garlic parmesan wing all amazing We started withe the mozzarella sticks too Come check it out You won't be disappointed! read more

Lena's - The 1000 island burger is amazing The cheeseburger is fantastic And the garlic parmesan wings hurt so good Try the mozzarella sticks too - American Near Me - Portola, California

I went for breakfast on the weekend and I ordered eggs, sausage and toast. The eggs were cooked perfectly over easy. The sausage links were juicy and done correctly. The toast which was a marble rye was scrumptious. read more

We recently "found" this local gem! We received a warm welcome and great service. Food was fresh and large portions and yummy! There is a full bar and I had the delight of having my G&T (so good) served in the cutest little glass boot you ever did see! I thoroughly enjoyed my Chef Salad and my hubby dug into his club sand!! Highly recommend stopping in! We will return soon and bring friends! read more

Lena's is amazing! The atmosphere is nice, the service is great, and the food is amazing! We both had the BBQ Bacon burger with a side of onion rings. First, the onion rings are extra and totally worth it! The bbq sauce is delightful, the burger was delicious (seasoned just right!) and you get onion rings on top of and on bottom of the burger. Lena's is a true gem of a restaurant in the small town of Portola, CA. read more

What a fabulous little restaurant in the middle of no where! The updated design is perfect! They even have super cute shirts for sale! Highly recommended! The game room in the back was fun too! read more

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We just had our wedding at River Pines Resort and when you use the venue there you are forced to use Lena's Catina for both the pool bar and weddings. The communication with Lena was nonexistent not once did she come over to check on us and the venue she never even asked if the food and service were good. The food was horrible and we ran out before all guests were served the food was cold the brisket was like jerky and the chicken looked like pregrilled frozen chicken, there were no bbq sauces to even try, and help save any flavor. My guests even complained about the food quality. read more

Lena's - This was just one of many burnt bread sticks - American Near Me - Portola, California

You'd be better off getting junk food at a gas station... Ordered out 2 orders of fish & Chips and asked for a margarita while I waited for the order to be prepared (they have a cute little bar area off to the side). I waited... and finally she (not Lena) started making my drink right as the cook brought out the to-go order. What was I supposed to do, chug the margarita while the food gets cold? I drive back to the hotel only to find there's no plastic silverware for the salad. Finally, to top it off, the fish was horribly greasy, over cooked and the chips limp and half soggy. I threw more than half of it in the trash. $19 for each order - way over priced. read more

We love Lina's Cantina! The place has a really cute farmhouse style, newly updated and clean! They are generous with their chips and salsa and the burritos are huge. The owner is there waiting tables and she's a nice gal. The service is great and the pork is delicious! read more

The newly redecorated and totally new menu is making Lena's a whole new restaurant. Ignore past negative reviews, they are no longer relevant. The fare is now traditional American, no longer Mexican and is very good. I've been twice this past week. Had the Western BBQ burger first time. It was excellent. Today I got the BBQ Pulled pork sandwich, it was the bomb. I got two meals out of it, it was stuffed with tender moist pork on a bed of creamy coleslaw served on a roll. Yum! Went with 4 friends. All our plates were both beautifully plated and delicious. We'll definitely be back. Next time we'll get pictures. read more

Love your new concept and menu. Watched football, had appetizers and dinner. Gwen makes the most awesome margaritas, plus we love her sarcasm and sassiness. She is fun and engaging - keeper for sure! read more

I've eaten here many times and continue to get different food items and they are all so good! Lots to choose from and everything I've had has been amazing! read more

Great bartender, great service, great value and good food. I was impressed with everything but, the chips. The food came fast and what a great value. I will be back for sure !!!! Thanks, James from Applegate Budget Storage, Portola read more

Love Lena's! My favorite items are the tacos and burritos. Their beans are great! I also love their shrimp enchiladas!

Extremely dissatisfied as well as disappointed... This is the last chance I had decided to give Lena's Cantina and once again failed pitifully. The portions get smaller and smaller, poor quality and the prices are high for being a third rate "Mexican food" restaurant. Each time I order "pickup to go" the cost is between $40-60 for 3-5 plates of skimpy proportions. The unethical service as well as the unprofessional behavior from staff, including the owner Lena fits well as a whole. read more

Lena's - WOW!! 3 of 1..Such a small portion for a $12.95 Chili Verde dinner; two sm. flour tortillas and not even a fork... - American Near Me - Portola, California

I am surprised that some of the reviews are less than friendly. My wife and I have been going here for 3-4 years. We do have our favorites but we have taken my sister and her husband and now its on their favorite list. I am not going to say that it is world quality but it is a good value and the food is tasty. Lena is very friendly and so is the rest of the staff. I think if you come from the flat lands you may not be accustomed to the ways of the woods. I have traveled all over the world and would rate this as a very good small town eatery read more

This was hands down the worst dining experience of my life. The food was terrible and the service was even worse. The heavy set waitress was extremely rude wouldn't even give us chips with our salsa. The entirestaff seemed high on meth and when we finally did get our food it was cold and disgusting. Save yourself from terrible food, terrible people, and terrible service and do not eat here! Left no tip and am regretting even paying for it. No one in our 7 person party ate any of their food. Negative 100 stars. read more

This place has changed for the worst, when I walked in this place I thought I was at a pulled pork barbecue house but instead with the facelift they now charged for everything that they never used to such as a basket of chips and salsa is now seven dollars at a Mexican restaurant the chips were stale and the salsa I think was pace picante blend it up. My wife's mango margarita had no tequila in it but extra salt, the guacamole came out brown and had zero flavor, I got a chimichanga that had refried beans and white rice . Whenever I have had a chimichanga at a authentic Mexican restaurant it has always been shredded with tons of flavor this one had chunks of chicken from the day before barbecue. I have asked several locals in the area and they have never heard of this place before but I wanted to try it out of stubbornness I will always listen to locals from this day forward this place is not recommended as a Mexican cantina read more

This place is horrible. Do yourself a favor and walk across the street to Rico's which has actual homemade Mexican food not disgusting crap out of frozen bags or cans. read more

This review is for the bar that Lena's Cantina runs at River Pines Resort. There were 3 instances in the two weeks that we were there that my card was either given to the wrong person, double charged, and that there was an unauthorized charge on my account. The new bartender was completely overworked and under supported, and they lacked organization of the tabs and orders. The bar was not stocked and they lacked basic essentials (co2 for the sodas). Our family loves the feature of the poolside bar at River Pines, but unfortunately since Lena's Cantina has taken it over it's not the same. It is completely disorganized and the staff is not given what they need in order to run the bar smoothly. If you are going to order, I recommend paying cash in order to avoid this headache and disappointment. read more

Great food and drinks and great service. I love the steak nachos and the chicken enchiladas.

The food used to be decent here but no more. It was quite expensive. Where do I start? First, the order was wrong, the food was so spicy that my little girl started screaming after one bite, She ordered mozzarella cheese sticks and I don't know what they were covered with but I tried one and had to spit it out as well, it was so dam spicy! I specified what I wanted and my order was completely wrong. My moms order was wrong as well. It was also overpriced. I would not recommend this cafe anymore. Sad but it's bad!!! read more

Lena's Cantina located on CA-Hwy-70 in Portola, CA prepares delicious authentic Mexican and American food. You can depend that they will be open according to their hours of operation, whereas other local Portola restaurants are way less dependable. Also, you can get handmade alcoholic beverages, as well as wine and beer. Lena's is renown for its pitchers of exotic Margaritas and pitchers of cold draft beer. Lena's offer a special menu so bring the kids and seniors. Lena also caters to large groups up to 300 people. You can rent her tables and chairs and she'll deliver food to your party anywhere in and around the county! Just give them a call. read more

Came here on New Year's Day with a group of 8 of us. With only one server who was also the bartender she rocked it. The restaurant when we got there already had a few tables. She greeted us and got us chips and salsa very promptly and came right back for our drink orders. Most of us got margaritas which were good if not extremely strong. The food didn't take too long to come out which was surprising given the amount of tables and people in the restaurant. I ordered the enchiladas a la carte and the others ordered a variety of different things ranging from the burrito bowl to soup and Chile verde. All of it was good. The silence from all of us eating was a good sign of how good the food was tasting. Even though the server was extremely busy she made it a point to check in on us and make sure we had everything we needed. I was very impressed. The food was good overall but it was the service that really made this place excellent. read more

This place is crap. It did not live up to it's generous reviews. Food was ok, but nothing special. Server was fairly rude and got most of the orders wrong, well three out of four to be fair. The margaritas were the worst ones we've ever had. When the server recommended not to get them blended she wasn't joking, I was the only one to request blended the other two were ordered on the rocks. They were all delivered blended, on contraire she didn't even know what tequila brand was being used in the house margarita. Also was charged some sort of additional check out fee? Figured it was some sort of special California tax but who knows??? I'd advise going elsewhere when stopping by beautiful Portola. read more

I'm a Latin American born and raised in California. When I came to Portola, CA with my spouse and he recommended this place I was apprehensive. I had the shrimp burrito, it was fucking amazing. Bursting at the seams with shrimp and of course most important FLAVOR! and the burrito is huge! I promise from the simple but thoughtful bean and cheese burrito to the Albondiga Soup, or even the Ribeye dinner. I promise you will not be disappointed! ..... Be sure to ask for the housemade Habanero salsa! read more

This was the first restaurant we ever visited when we first moved to Clio, CA 5 years ago. We. have ALWAYS had good food and great service, A special shout out to Chuck for his joyful attitude and happy welcome each and every time we stop in! Keep up the good work Lena and our favorite server Chuck! read more

Hands down our favorite place to eat out in Portola. There are other places in town that specialize in Mexican food, but Lena's is the one place where the service AND the food is top notch. My favorite thing on the menu is the shrimp quesadillas. They don't scrimp on the ingredients either. Big fat juicy prawns and a bold cheese flavor that never disappoints. The cool thing about Lena's menu is while the south of the border fare is their bread and butter, the chef is pretty good with a burger on the grill and they have a pretty decent fish and chips meal too. That combined with a cozy little bar that's great for an after work drink or two and the great music they always have playing, makes Lena's our favorite place in town to eat out when we want to stay close to home! We highly recommend Lena's! read more

I'm rounding up to two stars because there aren't many choices in this town but if this were in a larger city it would be one star. The "salsa?" Gawd no. It may have been watered down tomato paste. Against my better judgment, I got a combo: tamale and taco. The taco came with sliced cucumber and sliced tomatoes and sliced (rings) onions. It looked like a salad. It was pretty. I'm just not sure it was a taco. It tasted OK but the corn tortilla was really greasy/oily. The tamale was inedible. The beans didn't taste like anything. I added a bunch of tapatio, so they were like tapatio-ish slop -- an improvement. I didn't touch the rice but I will say that it looked like it might have been fresh. I wouldn't eat here again. The service was nice though. But if the food is that bad, why bother? Go to Sharon's Cafe. read more

I have since been back to Lena's for lunch and breakfast several times and I am happier each time I go. Lena is delightful and I enjoy myself every time I go in. The food is good. It is mainly mexican fare at lunch but there are a few mainstay lunch items that go off the traditional mexican route. There is a full bar and the drinks are good. read more