Elena's Mexican Restaurant
Restaurant · West Portal
255 W Portal Ave, San Francisco, CA 94127
Highlights
Upscale Mexican restaurant with vibrant decor, strong margaritas
Upscale Mexican restaurant with vibrant decor, strong margaritas
"Elena’s is a Mexican restaurant that’s making a case for West Portal to be the next Big Night Out neighborhood. With all the hype over rich pozole and perfect margaritas, there’s also a perpetual wait. If you’re doing the walk-up thing, put your name down and head across the street to Binu Bonu. The Italian wine bar (by the La Ciccia people) fits right in with the small-town charm of West Portal Avenue, and it’s a great place to sip on a chilled red while checking your waitlist status every two minutes. 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
"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
"Even on a Monday night at 9pm, Elena’s in West Portal is packed. That’s because this upscale Mexican restaurant, filled with live trees, all-ages groups clad in their shiniest outfits, and menus the size of a placemat, is the neighborhood’s designated night-out spot. Frozen margaritas flow out of the slushie machine like tap water, platters arrive piled with carnitas or chile colorado, and birthday sparklers get carried through the space almost as often as tortilla refills. And if you’re not in a great mood, the warm, salt-kissed (and most importantly, free) chips will quickly get you there. 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, lani conway, patrick wong
"A meal at this over-the-top Mexican spot in West Portal is always a good time—especially because you get to stare lovingly at their scalloped green plates. Loopy floral designs make the ideal landing pad for all the free chips you’re about to inhale, and vats of pozole come in bowls with textured crimped edges. The beverage of choice for all this crockery appreciation: a frozen margarita. 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
"Verdict: Elena’s is single-handedly making West Portal a buzzy night out destination. The Mexican restaurant, where frozen margaritas and free chips flow all night under the cover of indoor trees and arched mirrors, is just a lot of damn fun. It’s the ideal setting for a dressed-up birthday or gatherings with a 15-person extended family. If you want a table at a time other than 3:30pm, you’ll have to put in some work, but if you plan ahead it’s worth the wait. 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
