Elena's Mexican Restaurant

"Verdict: Elena’s solves our need for a Big Night Out Mexican restaurant with excellent food that doesn’t cost half a month’s rent. This upscale West Portal spot is a vibrant, rowdy dinner party meant for sexy outfits and sipping on spicy margaritas under live trees and candlelight. Luckily, the food is just as good as the scene. The pozole is rich, the esquites are brightened up with kicks of lime, and the melty gobernador tacos arrive with a tangy green salsa that we’d love to pour on every dish. They’re open all day, but getting a table typically requires a wait during both lunch and dinner. Come by in the mid-afternoon or late evening for your best chance at a short wait. Otherwise, reservations are released on OpenTable three months in advance." - julia chen 1, ricky rodriguez

"Plan ahead to get a table at Elena’s—the fancy Mexican restaurant in West Portal has been SF’s hottest ticket since the Warriors crossed the bay. But once you snag a table, prepare for a feast of pozole, chicken enchiladas, and cream-laden esquites in the neighborhood’s best place for a Big Night Out. Expertly balanced margaritas are on hand while you admire the indoor trees and mirrored arches, the ideal background for photographic evidence that you left the house to celebrate. They’re open all day, but getting a table typically requires a wait during both lunch and dinner. Come by in the mid-afternoon or late evening for your best chance at a short wait. Otherwise, reservations are released on OpenTable three months in advance." - julia chen 1, patrick wong, ricky rodriguez

"There’s always a crowd at Elena’s, the restaurant that single-handedly launched West Portal’s culinary revival. And for a good reason — the gorgeous design at the recent opening from the Original Joe’s team taps into the elusive feeling of a secret Cabo resort with tiles, mirrors, arches, trees, and other greenery surrounding diners with good vibes as they tuck into the restaurants’ sizzling fajitas and strong cocktails." - Flora Tsapovsky

"The West Portal neighborhood has easily embraced Elena’s, a gorgeous Mexican restaurant from the family behind Original Joe’s. Though evening means hefty platters of enchiladas and sizzling plates of fajitas, brunch sees the addition of options such as chilaquiles with either red or green sauce and huevos rancheros divorciados. A breakfast burrito stuffed with tater tots and green chiles begs to be paired with a carajillo, seasonal spritz, or one of the restaurant’s various bloody mary riffs. It can get quite busy here, so consider making a reservation if you don’t have time to wait." - Dianne de Guzman

"Elena’s was one of the hottest openings of 2024. Diners lined up for hours in traditionally sleepy West Portal to get a taste of the first Mexican restaurant from the wildly popular Original Joe’s team. Here the pork tamales come slashed with crema, cotija, and avocado salsa, and you can get one with the combo plate, complete with rice and refried beans. It’s the kind of situation that calls for a pitcher of margaritas." - Becky Duffett, Eater Staff