El Portal Restaurant

I’m very surprised that this restaurant only has a 4.3 rating. I went there on Saturday (11/1/25) and had an absolutely awesome experience. Rodolfo was our server and he was excellent—SO personable, and also funny. All the other staff who interacted with us were great, too. When we walked up, I believe it was the chef who showed us the daily specials (actually dishes on display!) and seemed sooo excited to tell us about them. :) We all had delicious food. My family has enchiladas and I had some of their seasonal pumpkin soup since I wasn’t too hungry. I highly recommend El Portal and will definitely be going there next time I’m in Pasadena!

Visited El Portal Restaurant in Pasadena, and it turned out to be a solid spot for Mexican food. We had a table of seven, and I was impressed with how generous they were with the chips and salsa. Honestly, I filled up on them a little too much — probably more a reflection of my own lack of self-control than anything else. The salsa was fresh, flavorful, and hard to stop eating. They also had live music, which created a lively atmosphere. It was great to see locals dancing and enjoying themselves, even if the music style wasn’t exactly my personal favorite. We sat outside on the patio, and while the entertainment might not have been my taste, it definitely added to the restaurant’s vibrant energy. When it comes to the food, the enchiladas were a standout, packed with flavor and served with rice and beans that were just right. I paired my meal with a Modelo, which hit the spot perfectly. Overall, good food, lively vibes, and a place I’d definitely recommend if you’re in Pasadena and craving authentic Mexican flavors.

Had a Sunday Brunch at El Portal. Hostess was lovely, server was top notch explaing the various drinks and dishes. Opted for the traditional tostada which was delicious! For a beverage I selected a very tasty pineapple margarita. This was absolutely a return place for me.

This place used to be a gem 20 years ago, but a lot has changed. They’ve expanded from just a few small outdoor tables to what looks like seating for nearly a hundred people outside, and somewhere along the way the quality disappeared. We ordered a margarita that never arrived. The asada was requested well-done and came out completely pink inside; they took it back, but it shouldn’t have been served that way to begin with. The garlic shrimp plate was awful – it tasted off and looked like it had been microwaved. My spouse asked for salt and pepper, and even that never showed up. Sadly, the food and service have hit rock bottom. It’s safe to say this was our last visit. Thank you for the good years in the past, but we won’t be returning.

This place had a lot of potential. Great atmosphere, perfect location (right across from Pasadena Playhouse), and a diverse menu of foods from Mexico and the Yucatán. The food was just a little bland, and the margaritas tasted like juice. Nice staff tho, and it is a visually appealing location in a nice area.

El Portal is fabulous!! It is my must have whenever I’m in Pasadena which is around 2-3 times a year. The patio is lovely for al fresco dining and is open year around. Everything on the menu is delicious and super-authentic. Margaritas are awesome and strong and blended or on the rocks perfection. Friday and Saturday night’s feature a delightful, mariachi string trio. They’re non-intrusive but festive. I can’t say enough good things about El Portal. What are you waiting for? You won’t be disappointed.

The New York Steak was cooked to perfection, and the food was very tasty. The restaurant offers an ample menu, and everyone in our 12 people party tried something different. We all had compliments towards the food, the restaurant and the service. Even the owner passed by our table to ask if we found everything alright. I will recommend this place and definitely return to this cozy, beautiful and gem of a restaurant.

El Portal has long been a go-to spot for authentic and flavorful Mexican cuisine. Their outdoor seating and refreshing margaritas create a delightful ambiance. It's rare to find a dish that disappoints. However, our recent visit was a departure from the usual high standards. While the atmosphere remained charming, the food fell short of our expectations. We hope this was an isolated incident and that El Portal will soon return to its former glory.

I really enjoyed eating here. This restaurant is tucked away in Pasadena and really works to immerse you with the themed decor. Super immersive and cute. Such a solid spot for authentic Mexican cuisine. Charming through and through. Both the indoor and outdoor area are themed and delightful and I don't think either one is better or worse, in fact I want to come again just to spend more time inside because I was super happy with the outside alleyway seating and would love to bring others to enjoy it as well. I thought the crunchy tacos were excellent. Usually I'm not much of a chicken taco fan but I thought these ones were super good and savory. Service was spot on. Atmosphere was authentic and festive. Food was perfection. Can't ask for anything more!

Have been coming here for months. Love the service and the food. Today I was disappointed to find out that they are charging for parking if you stay over an hour. I guess I should've not ordered that extra margarita. I'm either going to park on the street or eat my food very fast and only order one margarita. Or maybe find a new place.

Meh! Hadn't heard of this place so we had no expectations. It was okay, but nothing to write home about. Our server sat us then forgot about us. The guacamole wasn't very authentic and it took forever to get the servers attention. Maybe it was an off day...

This is a pretty decent restaurant. Staff was very nice, location was clean and food was good. Portions were good size and pricing was fair. We arrived at about 5pm on a Friday night and it was fairly empty, but by about 6pm, it was pretty packed. So if you're going to go, be prepared to wait. The only issue encountered was lack of attention to the table. No one really checked on us to offer refills or if we needed anything. It may just be due to the staffing though, so it's all ok. They were great when we were able to flag them down.

We had a nice dinner in the courtyard of this beautiful Mexican restaurant. It was a very hot day but we wanted to see a Dodgers game which was shown on a big screen outside. We enjoyed the fun and friendly atmosphere, and the food was great!

Is not traditional Mexican food but wasn't bad. A nice looking place and has nice decor. Americanized Mexican food. Not bad food. The service was great!

What a hidden gem! I had to turn on my gos to figure out how to walk around the back to enter. Which makes it so charming and quiet! Amazing fresh food and plentiful size plate.

Happy hour is until 6 which is a win in my books. I noticed some places are only until 5 these days not even 5:30.. 11$ happy hour drinks (margaritas and Paloma's are strong) and 11$ for 2 large beef flautas. You can add a side of beans for 5$. The bar can get packed and busy, so be prepared to be patient especially if the one bartender is making drinks for the entire restaurant. My main squeeze got a chicken fajita burrito (which he said was better than the carne asada one, surprisingly) -- definitely check this place out and get an outside table if you come with a group. The patio is nice

8 of us were going to the Pasadena Playhouse and decided to have dinner here before going to the show and were glad we did and made reservations as outside tables were pretty full and listening to a 3 piece band playing music. My wife really enjoyed her vegetarian tostada and I enjoyed my chicken tacos. One of the interesting things on the menu, and it's on many meals, is that one taco was $19 and two tacos a total of $21. All 8 of us enjoyed our meals and although we didn't know the songs, the 3 band members came inside at one point and played. And to not forget, Raul C was a good server.

It's a fairly nice restaurant in terms of atmosphere. The service is great--the waiters are very sweet and attentive. However, a word of caution: I got the worst stomachache after eating here. Not sure what caused it, but I usually don't have this problem. Tortilla Soup (complimentary from the waiter due to me picking no beans in my taco) - Very well-seasoned and flavorful. It had tortilla strips, cheese, and guacamole in it. 2 Carne Asada Soft Tacos ($23) - Pretty good, though I'm not sure they were completely worth the price. They do come with a generous serving of rice, but these definitely weren't the best tacos I've had. I probably wouldn't come back here any time soon.

Pretty solid spot. The ambiance is very nice and their outdoor patio is *the* best on a beautiful sunny day. Food was tasty- we had 2 of their burritos (carne asada and pork). Solid 7/10. I had a mango margarita which was very yummy but definitely on the weaker side in terms of alcohol. Service was quick.

Busy lunch time spot even on a weekday! Clearly a good spot with many regulars in search of authentic Mexican food. Guacamole with chicharones made in house is a hit. The sizzling fajitas are also a win. Highly recommend for group meal, happy hour, and any special occasion. Heard there's mariachi bands too great vibes on weekends.

The pumpkin soup was hands down one of the best! A must try when available on their seasonal fall menu. Topped with infused olive oil and pepita seeds. Sooooo good! I would definitely go back just for a bowl. Chile relleno had that melty cheese spilling out with each fork full. Chicken taco for Ray and a enchilada for the mama. A la carte or in a meal. Service was great, food was substantial but the star was the pumpkin soup. After packaging up our left overs chips and salsa was our dessert of choice. Plenty to choose from on their traditional menu offerings. A beautiful venue for a small intimate dinner or for larger group gatherings. The ambiance on their patio is divine for an evening out. It's a courtyard right in front of their restaurant surrounded by little cute shops. They do have mariachi's performing table by table so it does get a little harder to have conversations. If you're into it, it'll be enjoyable. Heaters kept us nice and toasty. Free parking for dine in customers! The attendant will assist you. What an enjoyable first visit to celebrate our "cousinsgiving"

Preface- Thanks to my Yelp friends, I've been lucky in finding great eateries and establishments in the Pasadena area. And this luck did not stop here! El Portal located on Colorado Blvd. in the center of Pasadena town. it's in a strip mall or strip office building. You will have to walk into the courtyard to find it. Indoor dining and patio dining available. In the winters they fire up their heaters and lamps in the patio. Food decent. Service decent. Ambiance decent and I consider it to be as authentic as one can be in the area you are at to luck out and find a Yucatan eatery. Guacamole made fresh to order. The carne asada was seasoned well and I had it served as a taco. Mariachi band on site and table roam. Price reasonable. Go there or be square!

Great for large or small groups. Food and drinks were delicious during happy hour and you got more choices in the regular menu as well. Our service was attentive and we got our request and refills as needed. Private parking but scan the QR code inside the restaurant to register your car.

The food here was just okay in my opinion, not the greatest Mexican food. I got the Yucatan Trio and it was decent. The dishes weren't too salty and the meat was moist which was good. I wasn't the biggest fan of the tamale though, it was a bit slimy. I also found a small hair in my rice. The prices are also pretty high for Mexican food and the quality of what we had didn't justify the price. The service was great though. The servers were nice and attentive. The vibes inside and outside were nice as well. There was a musician playing outside. The bathroom wasn't the cleanest though, the floors were pretty greasy.

The restaurant has a parking lot but it may be full if it's busy. This is a great spot for group gatherings. There's comfortable outdoor seating, and the staff are very nice. You get complimentary tortilla chips for your table. The food is decently priced as you get a large portion of food. There's a lot on the menu that I would go back to try.

Lots of seating inside and out. We parked on the street but I think there's a parking lot too. Service was attentive and prompt. We shared a Yucatán sampler which was good for 2 not so hungry people. Everything was delicious esp the black bean soup. We got the Cadillac margarita. The large size which was good for two people as well.....Though I've had better margaritas. Solid dependable food is what I'd call this place.

Short Review: Really great Yucatán/Mexican restaurant with excellent tasting food, a nice indoor/outdoor option, and very friendly service - including a serenading Mariachi band. You should try it! Long Review: Not every Mexican restaurant is the same - and El Portal is proof of that. You can tell how good a place is by the number of regulars that frequent it, and that is definitely El Portal. The first smart thing they did was make the entrance off of Green Street instead of Colorado. It would just get lost on that busy street, but by having the entrance face a much less busy and prettier, tree-lined street you automatically feel welcomed in. There is plenty of ample parking in front too - a nice bonus. When you walk up, you have a generous outdoor seating area that is surrounded by several small boutiques and other shops, so you're sitting amongst an arcade of shops. It's super cute! And yes, there are outdoor heaters. You're welcomed in with friendly smiles and the service is just great. They are very attentive and the choice of food and drink is phenomenal. Case in point: there is a very high end sipping tequila called Dame Mas. Not many Mexican restaurants have it, as it's very expensive (usually $20-$40 per glass) but when I asked the bartender if they had, he pulled it right out and poured me a glass. I ordered my usual favorite at any Mexican restaurant- the enchiladas- and they were really, very good. A little better than most places, so I was thrilled. I highly recommend this spot. It's great for catching up with friends, or a group, or just date night.

This is a solid Mexican restaurant with Veracruz Mexico influence in some of their dishes. Everything is super tasty and large portions. Service is quick and friendly. Loved that they have a fun trio playing music on Sunday dinner service. Parking is free in the lot.

The outdoor patio was absolutely what we needed at the end of a busy week! We came on a Friday and they had live music, it was wonderful. The food was okay(not bad) but I think you come here for the ambiance rather than the food. Service was good, everyone very helpful.

Not too too bad, a little soso in the flavors and unfortunately very understaffed but the staff is kind and friendly. Love the vibes and decor though.

We had a family gathering in the back room at El Porto, and the service was terrible. It took over 30 minutes just for someone to take my drink order. For a big party, they only had one server working in the back, which makes no sense and left everyone waiting far too long. When I paid for my beverages, they never brought back my change which was about $10 and I shouldn't have to ask for money that's mine. The food itself was just okay, nothing special, and definitely could be better. Between the poor service, missing change, and disappointing food, this was an awful experience. I will not be coming back, and I won't be recommending El Porto to anyone.

Been coming to this restaurant for about 20 years, and it's always been top notch with excellent food, service and atmosphere. However, came here last night and it was not up to par. The outdoor atmosphere was nice, as always. The service was good. The food was marginal. I had the chicken fajita tostada salad, which I've now concluded is a bad idea to begin with: pouring hot meat and meat sauce/juices over chilled lettuce just does not turn out well. After the hot meat and juices melted the cheese and wilted the lettuce, I ended up with a soggy pile of mush that was just not very appetizing. Also , the chicken fajitas had an overwhelming bitter taste of lemon or lime, (or maybe even vinegar?) so that was not good. My husband ordered the beef fajitas which he said the meat was dry & did not have much flavor. Uncharacteristically, he did not finish his meal. I am unsure what our friend ordered, I think it was some type of pork, but he pushed his away also stating that it was not flavorful and was way too salty. None of us finished our meals; all were disappointed with the food, as it has always been good in the past for us. This time the best part of the meal was the outdoor atmosphere and the live music. The music was worth a $60 tip to us, unfortunately the food was not. The only reason I gave this a 3 star rating is because of our prior visits there. Otherwise it would've been a 4 or 5 star. Sadly, last nights visit was a 1 star.

Attended another one of PCC (my local JC, Pasadena City College, CA)., sponsored community events this year through my Windows10 Professor who apparently holds connections with City of Pasadena,'s Mayor, Mr. Victor Gordo. Well....that was some humble Mayor: he sent himself as an extra bartender for 'El Porto,' on Mexican Independence Day/2024. As you can see from my shared pics below, I even got to meet and greet the Mayor for a group photo shoot in 1 of my PCC tops. Seriously can't beat this. This is the first time I've met Any local City Mayor. Nice meeting you, Mr. Victor Gordo. It was seriously Our pleasure to have you join us for our Spanish Windows10 class dinner celebration. What an honor!!!!

This place was great and after 10 years it is still wonderful. Great food and great chef. Highly recommended.

Great spot to take a date or a group of friends! The food is great and the staff are really friendly and attentive. I recommend eating outside, they have heaters outside with lots of available seating. And the lights outside are a vibe. The Braised Pork was my absolute favorite. The pork just melted in my mouth and the veggies and the polenta was so good together.

4 stars As far as Mexican restaurants go, this one is clean, comfortable, & stylish. They have both indoor & outdoor seating with outdoors having plenty of shade & plants. My mom & I ordered the chicken enchilada plate($21?) & the chicken fajita burrito ($25). The food tasted amazing. Our favorite had to be the enchiladas because the sauce was just that good! The chicken fajita burrito was good & we liked how lean the grilled chicken was. Also, before we ordered, the servers brought out chips & salsa. The salsa was tasty, but my mom thought the salsa was too spicy for her. The servers were attentive & polite. They brought my dog a water bowl, which was really nice of them! As other parties started coming in, the place got really busy & getting the check became a challenge for us. But that was resolved when I decided to pay at the front. Overall, had a wonderful experience & will likely be back with mom & dog.

Salad anyone? This is a perfect place for a party. I met up with two of my besties! No husb this time. There's a space outside if you'd like to invitee a large party. At night with the lights out, it's perfect. The food was tasty, I had a salad, my friend had a salmon dish and the birthday girl had a combo. We got sat quickly which was nice. We were brought water and chips immediately! There is a parking lot for this restaurant, in Pasadena that's a big plus! My friend got a yummy desert for her birthday, not sure what it was, but it tasted good. I'm coming again, either with the husb or a big party, heck even a small party, I must try their other dishes. Restroom is also clean, but tight space. But overall, it's with a taste of Yucatán!

I love El Portal and have been happily dining here for over 20 years. Last Saturday I went with a group of friends. I ordered, for the first time, their chile relleno. I also ordered a Modelo especial. The server asked to I wanted the larger beer schooner not the pint. I said yes. Their pints are $9, which is the going rate in Pasadena. The chile relleno plate was absolutely delicious and I cleaned the plate. While the group of friends of mine were talking our server asked if we would want more drinks. We said yes. All of us asked for separate bills which our server happily did. When I got my bill I was taken back on how much my bill was. $19 for my chile relleno, which I had no problem with, but with my so called large beer schooners it came to $56. That meant the schooners were $18.50 each. Not worth it. It did not look like there was a noticeable amount, ounce wise, more then the 16 ounce pint. This being said I will only order the pint beer glass from now on. Two pints would have been $18.

Came to celebrate Cinco De Mayo! We were able to make a reservation since it would likely be busy on the holiday. We were seated fairly quickly and had our order taken in a few minutes. We first ordered the sampler to try a bit of everything, which was delicious. The house-made salsa and chips were another great addition. For a main course, I went for the Chicken Tamale and Taco Combo. Pretty big portions if you're not someone with a big appetite. It might be wise to go light on the appetizer or split a plate with someone! We were expecting a mariachi performance that was listed for that night, but unfortunately, they never came out! Huge bummer, but we were still able to have a good time! Overall was a great experience and I would love to come back. Great food and drinks for any occasion. I'll definitely be back when I'm craving for a spicy marg!

It has been about 8 years since I've been here. I used to go regularly but life got in the way. I always loved it. I was not disappointed upon my return. They greeted my friend and I so kindly. I think it was the owner who seated us. The blood orange margarita was so refreshing and tasty. The food was excellent-chicken enchiladas suiza. Such attentive service and a great space. I will return again soon!

The burritos.... They don't make them correctly. Bit into one and got a full mouth of guacamole and sour cream, no beans no meat. The rest of the burrito had the beans and meat but no sour cream and no guacamole. Can you guys remember how we eat burritos?

Best Mexican restaurant!! They have such a cute patio. Heather so no matter how cold it is you are warm. Waiters are so nice. They have mobile pay so once you get your check you can scan and pay. As a Previous server I can tell you this help so much the Customer as the staff. Food is amazing. they have live music as well its perfect place for a date.

I highly recommend the mole enchiladas they were some of the best enchiladas I've had at a restaurant. The service was fast. The drink were very good. I would recommend the diablito de pina. It was so refreshing and definitely a drink you can share. The outdoor space is so nice and nicely shaded

Pointless. I should have known when I saw that the "Mayan" salad featured gorgonzola cheese. You know, blue cheese, for which the Mayan's are famous. Much like how the Swedes are famous for their pizza. But weird inauthenticity aside, the food is boring. The shrimp gazpacho sounds nice, but it is basically the same taste as the free salsa that comes with the chips... and some shrimp. It isn't bad. It's just pointless. If I was starving would I happily eat it? Sure. Would I ever actually want it? No. Omalete was salted to the point of inedibility. But even it it wasn't saltier than the dead sea, it was boring. The grilled shrimp tostada salad was a bit better, as the shrimp was well seasoned and cooked nicely. But other than the shrimp being good, it was nothing better than a tostada from El Pollo Loco. Perhaps less. It was small, and insubstantial. And well over $20. Service is great. Atmosphere is mellow. Decor is well dated, but whatever, it is comfortable. There are weird posters about human trafficking all on the way to and in the bathrooms.... just kind of strange. I mean, if I was working in the area, and someone was BUYING lunch and wanted to go here, I would go. And I would not order the gazpacho. Or any egg product. If that helps. But I would not take anyone here. Anyone you take here is going to think less of you, I am pretty sure. And you will spend like $80 on lunch for two after tax and tip, and at $40 I would not be happy with it. You know? It isn't terrible, but it is just pointless.

Cinco de Mayo always reminds me of this place. It was on that day, at this classic spot, I had one of the best dates in my life. The food was delicious, the margaritas got us talking, as two artists, the strange paintings and decor gave us lots to reflect on in our playful state of mind. It surely was a portal straight to great food, strong drinks, and beautiful memories. Can't wait to come back!

Came here on a Friday night and they were able to seat us outside. There were heaters all around so you don't feel the 55 degrees. They also had a live walking band going around playing music, so that was very neat! They served us with complimentary salsa and chips and let us have refills! I love using the crispy chips to scoop up my food. The BF and I each ordered an entree. The food came out fairly quickly too considering how busy they were. The chili relleno tasted really fresh. Would definitely try this place again!

I recently went vegan and was concerned I wouldn't find something that wasn't drenched in cheese and still tasted delicious. I knew from my first bite of salsa, this was legit. We celebrated a birthday. They brought extra desert with a candle and sang. My veggie tostada without cheese was incredible! I ate every bit down to the shell. What genius put pickled onion and carrots in this salad. The patio was too loud for my guest so we sat inside and the atmosphere was so nice. We could see the band and enjoy our conversation. Highly recommend.

I grew up eating Yucatecan cuisine and this place reminds me of my childhood. Don't be afraid of trying the Yucatecan specials they are delicious. I've tried all of them and they all get a 5-star rating. The black beans and black bean soup that come with the dinners are so so good! This restaurant has been around for many years and I hope people continue to come and enjoy some of their Yucatecan Mexican food.

The other reviewers are totally correct with overpriced. What usually costs $50 check for two people and similar restaurants in the area was over $100. It tastes good, but not worth that bill. I think what's worse is over time as the prices have gone up the quality and portions have gone down. I know it's a well liked restaurant in the area but for the food and the service it's not worth the money.

Food was okay. I had liked it before but it may be the day or the choice we made. Ambiance is BEAUTIFUL. I do want to shout out Brian, he was extremely helpful, kind and generous. Outstanding service. Thanks Brian!

I was with three others for dinner and the service was friendly and fast. I ordered the grilled chicken and avocado salad and it was very fresh and tasty. I wish I could say the same about my Dulce Vida Cadillac margarita. It tasted like lemonade with absolutely no hint of tequila. A friend I was with felt the same about his sangria, no hint of wine. Overall, no one was blown away by their food or drinks, so we won't be back any time soon.

The food is great. The portions are great, but I just can't see spending $9 for a domestic beer or five dollars for a glass of iced tea

The food was delicious, the service was top notch & the vibes/ambiance was really good. Definitely coming back. A must try.

This place is like stepping through a "portal" into Mexico. That establishment was beautiful, owners interior design is The food was delicious and will definitely be coming back. Well deserved 5 Stars.

Delicious food, great atmosphere. They have live music. A bit pricey but when the food is good I don't mind. Service was a little slow considering they were closing soon but really nothing to complain about

We had a big party and wanted to find dinner close to The Blinn House for a meeting. El Portal fit the bill. It might not be easy to find. But you can get to the restaurant from Colorado or Green. It's in an Arcade. I had the shrimp & spinach enchiladas. They were delish! Everyone seemed to enjoy their meals. It was kinda expensive. $32 for one person with tax & tip.

My spouse loves the tamales . And I agree , they are tender and the black beans and rice are good as well . I'm always trying to find something else on the menu to like . I've now failed three times . First time was the shrimp ceveche that is billed as being prepared from large shrimp . The time I had it was bay shrimp . Disappointed number two. Albondigas soup . It came in a shallow shallow salad bowl with few golf ball sized meatballs . The watery broth lukewarm. No add ons such as rice , chile , cilantro , onion that I've come to expect. Today's tragedy came in the form of the classic hard shell chicken taco . It came in a premade shell that completely disintegrated on first bite . As any taco lover will tell you that the meat has to be shredded, place in the shell and the deep fried . It brings out the flavors caramelizing the corn and the meat . A large piece of dark meat fell out of the taco as it disintegrated. Our bill after tip was . a hundred plus . Two glasses of wine ( a healthy pour ) Side of guacamole, tamales ( good ) And an ice tea . Service was xlnt .