El Portal Restaurant
695 E Green St
Pasadena, CA 91101 (626) 795-8553
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Private Lot
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: Yes
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Good for: Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol: Full Bar
129 reviews
Neighborhood: Hollywood
"This place rocks!!! When I lived in LA, this was the place I brought all of my visiting friends/family. You can't find a cooler atmosphere…" read more »
35 Reviews for El Portal Restaurant
After getting off a 6.5 hour flight, getting bags, getting car and fighting traffic from LAX to Pasadena, El Portal was perfect.
Service was friendly, if slightly clumsy. The outdoor seating was sunny, warm and calm. The Yucatan style carnitas plate was what I needed to re-acclimate to my former life in Southern California. Muchas gracias.
I've been here twice ... I threw a Cinco de Mayo party and for a date. I LOVE IT.
Service - I'm big on service w/a smile ... seriously, when we're shelling out the dolla' bills ... and tipping ya'll -- give me great service ... AND this place delivers!
For my Cinco de Mayo party they accommodated my quickly growing party of 7 to 12. The had the mariachi come over, free appetizers for the beginning and so many Cinco de Mayo specials. Honestly, some of the best ever! For the date, it was his birthday and I brought a cake -- and I didn't even have to ask them to bring it out after dinner -- they were on top of it and were so great about bringing it out.
Food - So damn good. Chips served w/2 different kinds of salsa. I highly rec'd the yucatan tamale ... best tamale I've ever tasted in a restaurant! :-)
Ambiance - The decor and patio make the experience great. The bar area is small but cozy enough where you'll quickly be making buddies as you drink your margaritas.
Honestly, a great Mexican food place -- not traditional Mexican food, mind you ... and you'll love it!
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El Portal is easily one of my favorite restaurants in Pasadena. Its 'upscale' Mexican, but the extra few dollars/meal gets you great food, excellent service, and nice interior/ambiance. The outdoor patio is quiet and intimate for afternoon meals.
Try any and everything on the Yucatan specials part of the menu. I've had to stop myself a couple times from drivig 2.5 hours just for their cochinita pibil. And the margaritas aren't too shaby either.
Of note:
A. The owner's son owns Yahaira's cafe which is in the same alley, facing Colorado blvd. Their hours are limited (breakfast and lunch only, I think) but this is also worth a try. Really, really good salads. Really, really nice service.
B. The owner's have also invested in the coffee shop in the same complex. The woman who co-owns the place is wonderful. They also have ice cream. Food can be ordered from either El Portal or Yahaira's and delivered to the coffee shop for those long haul work/study sessions. This is probobly the greatest thing i've ever experienced.
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Best Cinco de Mayo ever at this place!!!
The service was superb and the staff was so friendly and accomodating to my friends and I. Even their bartenders were so incredibly nice! They had a mariachi band the night we came and they were all very personable - one of the waiters got in the action and danced with our party! (note: if you want to enjoy the mariachi music, make sure to get a table on the outside patio).
Now for the food: the Chile Relleno I ordered was absolutely delicious! It was stuffed with ground beef and gorgonzola cheese, on a bed on walnut sauce - wow wow wow wow wow. It was on their special Cinco de Mayo menu, but they seriously need to place it on their regular menu from now on just cause I said so. They even were giving out complimentary jalapeno poppers and mini quesadillas (AND tres leches cake), but I think that might have been a perk to being there on Cinco de Mayo.
I also highly recommend their Cadillac margarita (go for it and make it a double!). Everything is very reasonably priced - the double Cadillac margarita was only $11.25 and my incredible meal was $13. Now that I know about this place, places like Chevy's or El Torito will never compare...
I don't know what the last few reviewers were talking about...I really loved this place.
Maybe it depends on what you order...I got the tamales off the "Yucatan Specials" part of the menu, and I thought they were awesome, along with my margarita, which I enjoyed maybe a little too much.
The service was also awesome. It was a Friday night, so I had made a reservation (which didn't seem extremely necessary), and the staff was very friendly and attentive.
Best of all, though, I really liked the atmosphere here. On a warm night, the patio was very charming, and I enjoyed the live music by the mariachi trio...even though I think they played "Guantanamera" twice in under 20 minutes.
Overall, I say: Great date place.
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My mom brought home some leftovers, and being the pig I am, I opened up the box, peered at the treasure inside, and proceeded to devour everything. Mmmnmn. I thought to myself. . .it if tasted this good after a few days, WHAT MUST IT BE LIKE FRESH???
I got my answer after I clamored to mother dearest to take me there as soon as she was free. The day finally came, and it is hidden on Green street in a charming little plaza with a great ambiance to it. I got the seafood fajita with corn tortillas. . .so incredibly delicious. There was just too much food, I had to take the rest home. I'm sure my parents enjoyed what they ordered, but for sure, I think the fajitas are the best here. Mine was overflowing with shrimp, scallops, and sweet bell peppers. It was delicious, and the chips and salsa they serve on the table. . .addicting.
Wow, this place was so underwhelming. I ordered the halibut steak, which was tough and clearly tasted frozen. It came with some dried-out rice, and some bland veggies. My companion got a tamale entree which was among the toughest, most flavorless tamales we've ever tasted. The chips were greasy-tasting and not good. Overall just an extremely disappointing experience, I would not go here again. Like, ever.
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Not really a fan...
I'm torn about this place because even though I thought the service was great, the food was just meh. Actually, I guess I'm not so torn. Good service never really keeps me coming back to a place that doesn't serve great food. After reading other reviews I made sure to try one of their Yucatan specialties and I was not blown away. I would kind of rank El Portal in the same category as El Torito. Take me to a cheap hole in the wall place over this one any day.
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It's difficult not to compare this place to El Cholo. I have to say that they are both great in their own ways.
El Portal's ambiance is wonderful, hidden on Green St., in a small shopping center with upscale condos/apartments(?) upstairs. Seating is available both inside and on the patio. We went on a weekend, around dinner time, so there would've been a small wait to sit inside. Seating was available asap on the patio, so we took it. It was raining and freezing last night, but with the fireplace lamp (I really don't know what they're called), we stayed cozy. I'd be smittened if someone brought me here on a first date and it won't break your wallet. We were dismayed at the affordability when we opened the menu.
I've gotten addicted to Yelp and wanted to be a real food critic for the night, so I ordered exactly what I ordered when I went to El Cholo. I ordered the Chili Relleno/Enchilada combo place and Quesadilla.
The combo plates tastes similar at both restaurants, but the aged cheese in El Cholo's quesadilla made it better. However, El Portal's quacamole was delicious. The salsa and chips were really good. The salsa had this peppery taste to it, not like any salsa I've ever tried. My boyfriend ordered the Poc Chuc (pork steak) as reccommended by you Yelpers. He really did LOVE the mole sauce! I was kind of embrassed because he started drinking it like a soup straight from the bowl. He loved the pork steak but mentioned that the portion was small.
I have to emphasize how affordable it is to eat here.
Here's what we ordered:
Cheese Quesedilla
Beef Taquitos
Poc Chuc (entree w/ rice, tortilla, and mole sauce)
Chili Relleno/Enchilada combo plate (w/ rice and beans)
2 sodas
1 strawberry fruta margarita (size chica-it's the average size of a margarita)
1 dulce de leche ice cream from fosselman's
Total: $50 and some change
With Tip: $58 and some change
Rachel Ray would have a ball here.
We didn't order coffee, but if you do, they have their neighbors a few shops down, The Coffee Tree, prepare the coffee. I like how they help each other out.
Guys, bring your first date here. Let her order whatever she wants. When the bill comes, don't let her pay and don't let her see the check...hehe, let her think dinner was expensive. She'll worship you.
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I can't believe so many people have given this place such great reviews? Not taking into account the service or the ambiance, the food here is at best above average. I cannot comment on the authenticity of Yucatan cuisine but the Pibil (roasted pork) was quite good. The other dishes were just average. The margaritas were weak and watered down. Overall not a bad place to grab dinner, just make sure you order the Pibil or other dishes from the Yucatan part of the menu.
Senors y senoritas - I always dine at El Portal prior to attending the Pasadena Playhouse. I think the food is fine (bueno), but not exceptional. Good cheese enchiladas, a decent beef taco, very good rice, and okay beans. The chips are always great, but I'm not that enamored of their salsa. The guacamole is decent. Their Diet Coke is faboo. Service has always been good.
As a point of reference, I like Casa Vega better (mucho bueno), but I like this place better than Don Cuco and Ernie's. I don't know from mole sauce - is it made from moles? I had mole sauce once, at El Cholo, and I thought I would vomit on the table - haven't had it since. I don't eat fat heaters (fajitas), because they didn't really exist at Mexican restaurants that I frequented until about 1983. I have no interest in food invented in 1983.
All in all - I like El Portal (The Portal, for those who need a translation).
Adios.
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I love restaurants that are tucked away in obscure alleys or streets. I especially love it when it is a Mexican restaurant tucked away in an obscure alley or street! And this is because I adore Mexican food. I love how when you enter the restaurant, the bar is immediately in front of you with people enjoying their cerveza while watching whatever sport game is on that afternoon. The decor was bright but not blindingly bright, and the artwork on the wall seemed fitting. This is what I imagine a Mexican restaurant to look like if I was visiting Yucatan or Mexico City. Their fresh made guacamole was awesome...a perfect blend of seasoning! Their chips and salsa were also very tasty and satisfying. I always judge a Mexican restaurant by their chips and salsa because if they can't even get the simple essentials right, what hope would I have for their food? Well, the chips and salsa were great but the entree was just O.K. I generally always order the same thing whenever I'm at a Mexican restaurant for the first time, which is beef taquitos and Spanish rice because it's simple and I love anything deep fried. Well, the beef taquitos tasted bland and I've had better Spanish rice at the local hole-in-the-wall by my work. I resisted from pouring the cup of salsa down my throat after each bite of my taquito in order to get some flavor out of it. Maybe next time when I visit, I'll try something off their Yucatan Specials menu that many yelpers are raving about. But for now, 3 stars for chips/salsa/guacamole and ambiance.
The BEST mole sauce I have ever had.
SUPER delicious horchata.
Tamales in banana leaves or corn leaves, one of the many ways they serve up traditional Yucatan and Mexican food.
EXCELLENT service. GREAT combos.
I think I'm going to go there again and again until I've tried everything, who wants to go with?
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Seated quickly with or without reservations.
The big margs are perfect, as is anything with shrimp.
I recommend sitting inside or in the booths along the wall outside. Out on the patio in the middle is not so great for service and you're out in the walkway with no barriers. It feels like everyone's walking all over you on their way to the other shops in the plaza.
This place is one of my favorite sit-down mexican restaurants. It's hidden on Green St in a secluded neighborhood so it's very easy to miss. Parking can be bad on a busy night but it's all good. Many familes eat here as well as couples. Like what one user said...where can you find a mexican restaurant with a fireplace? My favorite dish is the "fajitas". It has great flavor and will be sure to fill you up. The margueritas are good but the draft beers are a little lacking. Ever had stale Dos Equis? Prices are good...about 8-13 dollars a person without drink. On a warm night, make sure you opt for the outside seating. Notin' better than relaxing under a warm summer moon eating mexican food with good company!
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My wife and I had lots of "goto" spots for sit-down Mexican in Pasadena over the years, from Margarita's to Nueva Posada to Mijares. But in latter days El Portal was to become my favorite. I remember going there for the first time; it was during the rainy season (for a Seattleite, one of the few bright spots in the LA lifestyle), and El Portal had the perfect antidote to the downpour outside. First, they had a fire going (how many Mexican restaurants have fireplaces?), and second, they had a Pumpkin soup on the menu. Naturally, I had to try it. And boy, did it hit the spot: creamy, spicy, hot and filling. Unfortunately it was a seasonal item and I never was able to catch it again. If only they'd had Yelp Talk in those days.
But even on a typical sunny day El Portal won't disappoint; they even have a few tables outside. The icing on the cake is that they specialize in Yucatan dishes (which I've totally been digging since my trip to Belize), so you can break out of your burrito-enchilada-fajita rut and try something new.
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Depending on your order, El Portal is either a miracle or a mystery.
Order off the combination portion of the menu and it is a miracle that it is still in business. It not only sells tired, bland burritos and tacos but it also accompanies them with 'me too' salsa, slow service and weak margaritas.
Order the pibils or any other especialites of Mexico and it is a mystery that it isn't one of SoCal's famous restaurants.
Our table ordered half and half with the pibil eaters mucho happy, fish eaters less so and the burrito and taco eaters wondering why the hell were we eating at El Portal.
If you're into adventure the pibils are worth a drive. If you want cheesy burritos et al only go if you are in the neighborhood with nowhere else to eat.
Mike
Easily some of the best service I've ever received at a restaurant.
I waited at the bar for my woman to arrive, and the bar staff was friendly and quick.
The host was very cool, had a table with the reserve sign waiting for us, how nice!
The chips and salsa were amazing, SALSA SO GOOD! The chips were great, the tortilla soup, holy cow!
Finally I got my steak fajitas and I'm in love, anytime I venture this far from the west side I must return here, not even to eat, just to hang out since these dudes are so nice.
A new favorite, thanks to checking it out after reading several positive Yelp reviews. My first test was passed (good chips and salsa) and things were looking promising. I was not disappointed. I ordered the special of the day, which was shrimp in a creamy pumpkin seed sauce. I really enjoyed the flavors, and the shrimp were large and grilled nicely. The flour tortillas that came with my meal were good too. My dining partner ordered the steak fajitas and was happy as well. I like Yucatan style Mexican food, so I am sure we will return for more.
Authentic food (Mexican pizza excepted). Excellent mole, great cochinita pibil. Very good guacamole and margaritas (for those of you who drink). Fun, festive atmosphere. A place to bring everybody. Been coming here for years.
The place is alright, but be warned. Any Mexican restaurant where they serve a "Mexican Pizza" dish should be taken with a grain of salt. That's just me.
The burrito's are passable. No big deal. The margaritas are okay. What actually gives it its charm are the mariachi, guitar players that go around serenading customers weekend nights. I dig that. They do take requests as well.
That's what I would recommend. Go in Friday-Sun have some tasty beverages, and take in the tunes. I think I'll give it an extra star just for the tunes.
" It's hidden on Green St in a secluded neighborhood so it's very easy to miss. Parking It can be bad on a busy night but it's all good. Many familes eat here as well as couples. The chips and salsa were amazing, SALSA SO GOOD! The chips were great, the tortilla soup, holy cow ! Seriously, the best Mexican food that money can buy you in the area. Wrapped rice, beans, and pork in a tortilla, and dipped into the black bean pure. ""Ooooh."" Gratuitous porno sound effects follow. They offer the traditional Mexican dishes along with some unconventional ones like Poc Chuc (Yucatan style pork steak), Cochinita Pibil (Yucatan Style slow-cooked pork wrapped in banana leaves), and Chicken Marsala. These three dishes are among their top dishes in my opinion.
"
"Wow." The little imperfections of any restaurant can be wiped away with that one little word. "Wow." Take a bite of something, chew, and ... "Wow." Understaffed on a Sunday night? "Wow." Wiretapped without a warrant? "Wow." Killed a hobo? "Wow." You're forgiven.
Upon a friend's recommendation, I ordered their Yucatan Trio.
Had a forkful of the traditional rice and beans. "Not bad. Pretty good."
Had a forkful of a chicken taco. "This is pretty good."
Had a forkful of some sort of pan-grilled pork. "Wow. WOW."
Had a spoonful of some sort of black bean pure (it took me a moment to realize the beans were liquified.) "Huh." Slurp. "Wow, this is really good!"
Wrapped rice, beans, and pork in a tortilla, and dipped into the black bean pure. "Ooooh." Gratuitous porno sound effects follow.
That was pretty much how the evening went, me making surprised yummy noises every few bites. Good pork doesn't absolve them of all sins (cue the Samuel L. Jackson / Pulp Fiction monologue here: "Pigs are filthy animals ..."), but it was pretty damn good and the meal en toto was certainly in the Above Average category. The service wasn't anything to write about, so I won't. Near every dish is between $7 and $15 per, so it's eminently reasonable for the price-conscious. I didn't have any alcohol, but they supposedly have the best margaritas in Pasadena, so it can't be all bad.
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Think YUCATAN! El Portal--located toward the rear of a pretty "arcade" across the street from Vroman's (enter the parking lot from Green)--is a comfortable place, especially in winter when the fire in the fireplace (great place for it) is going. Very cozy.
They make a real effort with the art, and the owner has been recognized for this. I even went to a special "Diego Rivera" dinner a few years back, featuring the artist's favorite foods (he had a lot of them) and an outdoors slide show--3 screens!--of his murals. "But I digress..."
I've always found the service here to be very acceptable; we usually go for lunch, on the late side.
They have all the usual things you can order in a Mexican restaurant, but what sets them apart is the Yucatan section of the menu: Cochinita Pibil (sorry if I spelled it wrong), Panuchos, and several other noteworthy dishes. I only wish they served Pollo Pibil, a longtime favorite at the lost and lamented Merida, a Yucatan restaurant that used to be in what is now Pasadena's "Old Town." (Ha! I can just picture old-timey Pasadenans shopping at Banana Republic, Crate & Barrel, or--best of all--H&M.)
So--order from the Yucatan section of the menu, and you'll probably be more than satisfied.
(Weirdly, El Portal sometimes advertises in the Star News restaurant supplement (or used to) that they DO serve Pollo Pibil. You can do it, El Portal! PLEASE!!)
They also have good albondigas soup. Guacamole--so-so. (No one makes it like I do, though: one of my few major kitchen accomplishments.) And the flan is good too.
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I like this place much better than El Cholo Mexican restaurant.
I've been to quite a few mexican restaurants and I'm not sure how REAL Mexican food is supposed to taste so I may be rating this kind of funny. I've come here a few times and my experience on this restaurant was ok. The food is usually good (they serve the whole gamut of mexican food - tacos burritos to chile relleno). My only complaint about El Portal is the service. Sometimes it takes them forever to get me some water.
This place is great family run restaurant in Pasadena. Its Yucatan style Mexican food so its not your northern mexico type fare (there is a difference). The restaurant is very nicely decorated with local art. On Friday nites the restuarant has a 'trio' strolling through the dining area. Its a definate stop, you will not go wrong, El Cholo is waaaay overated.
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El Portal is the best Mexican food restaurant I have been to! I have been here on several occasion's and I am pleased every time. The brick courtyard that surrounds you gives it a good feeling.
My favorite plate, which is not on their menu, is the Camarones a La Veracruzana. Its a bit spicy but not overwhelming. But if you really cant handle the heat, let them know and they'll hold back on the chili.
The staff is super friendly! One time, I took a cake since we were celebrating a friends birthday. I asked the host if they could hold the cake in the kitchen. When it was time to bring it out, they had it set on a beautiful dish, fully cut, and even placed birthday candles on it! Now that is going above and beyond their duties.
Seriously, the best Mexican food that money can buy you in the area. I ain't Mexican but I've had bad Mexican fare before and this ain't a place that serves that. The fajitas are great, so are the other meals. Get a Cadillac for a drink but substitute with hinger grade tequila. Go, take some friends, have some fun!
My whole office goes here pretty often for lunch, mainly because
1. It's close to the office.
2. They have something for everyone.
3. Horchata, baby!
That being said, El Portal is pretty great for lunch (never tried dinner here, but sounds like I should). Their tostadas and lunch specials have never failed me, and the service is good. Did I mention horchatas?
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We love El Portal's chilaquiles and coffee (w/ a hint of cinnamon) on Sundays for breakfast/brunch. It always hits the spot. The house margie is refreshing and the specials are always on point, but they sometimes run out of them if it's later in the evening. They don't take centerstage to the entrees, but the beans and rice are always really good. Their menu caters to gringos and real foodies alike. The family hails from the Yucatan peninsula and their recipes like the Cochinita Pibil and seafood dishes are legit and authentic. Their combos (taco, tamal & chile relleno, etc.) are reliably good as well. We have eaten here for onwards of 15 years and the food and service have always been on point and delivered with a smile. They carry a large variety of tequilas and full bar which is always great. Outdoor seating is really nice on a warm evening or sunny day; in cooler weather, you can sit fireside. Parking is free (need validation) and convenient. Enjoy!
We had lame service here.
The food is passable but we sat and waited forever to order, waited forever to be brought water. Waited longer for the bill. Never will we return.
Go to La Cabanita or El Cholo if you must.
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Great Mexican food that is always fresh!
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The food at El Portal is not going to bowl you over. I think El Chollo and Mijares win in this category. But the food at El Portal is good and the atmosphere is excellent, particularly if the weather is good. Most of the tables sit out on an outdoor cantina near the Pasadena Playhouse. On a mild evening it's a terrific experience. Sit back, eat some chips, sip one of their many fine tequilas and order the carnitas plate. Muy bien.
This is one of my favorite sit-down Mexican restaurants in Pasadena. I work around the corner and frequently walk over for lunch.
El Portal is a bit unique in their flavor indeed. They offer the traditional Mexican dishes along with some unconventional ones like Poc Chuc (Yucatan style pork steak), Cochinita Pibil (Yucatan Style slow-cooked pork wrapped in banana leaves), and Chicken Marsala. These three dishes are among their top dishes in my opinion. They do a great job with the other stuff like Fajitas, tacos, burritos and such but the real appeal with this place is sampling Mexican dishes you can't find elsewhere.
They have a delicious super-spicy sauce that they will bring out only upon request. Sometimes it's a bit salty so be careful with it. I recommend mixing with their traditional salsa for a little kick.
You really can't go wrong with this place.
just an all around great place to eat. nice atmosphere and good food.
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