El Portal Cafe — Restaurant in Carrollton

I stopped by here due to a recommendation from a friend. I’ve been trying to explore more ethnic bakeries as an inspiration for my own baking. When I went in around 5 PM, this restaurant was about half full and I was quickly greeted by an employee. He was very helpful in explaining what each of the items at the bakery counter near the front of the restaurant were. I mainly was there for the Almojabanas, but I ended up getting about 1 of each item (Almojabanas, Empanadas, Pasteles El Portal, Roscones, Buñuelos, Mil Hojas) to try the different flavors out. I was given a brown paper bag for each of the items depending on size and that was placed into a larger plastic bag to take with me. All of these items came out to under $15, which was expected.

The Almojabanas (circular biscuit at top right of picture) were this dense and chewy biscuit that imparted something like a cheese flavor, but they were very tasty. I felt like this would go well with a meal or some coffee/tea. The empanadas (rectangular shaped) were filled with cheese and chicken. They were an interesting taste and didn’t really remind me of chicken and cheese. Each of the pasteles el portal (triangle shaped) were delicious; I grabbed one of each of a caramel & guava and figs. The roscones (ribbon-shaped) was filled with guava and that was really good as well. The pastries were all flaky and fresh. I ended up also getting these tiny cookies called Mil Hojas that were basically a cookie with powdered sugar on top and a portion of caramel in between. These would have gone great with a coffee and they were quite sweet! Lastly, the Buñuelos (brown sphere) I grabbed was basically cheese on the exterior and a dense salty bread on the interior. This made my mouth feel a little dry when eating, and I wondered if I should have paired with a drink.

I’ll likely go back again to try a meal here...

service and hospitality is great these people make you feel welcomed and as if they have known you for ever, service is great the only reason i am rating it 3 stars; is the food. yes, Colombian food yummm; but the problem i have with the food here is the following; when they first opened the food was incredible well seasoned platters and everything was delicious, but as time has gone by the quality of the food has diminished. the popularity has gone up, place has expanded but every time i go maybe i just catch them on an off day but they are slow; that only tells me one thing food quality is going down. last 2 times I've gone and ordered my favorite platter la bandeja paisa, i have been disappointed. sure enough the flavors aren't there anymore no seasoning what so ever yes packed with flavors but completely bland its like if they have forgotten how to use salt!!, i need el portal to get back on track; i love the ambient and the people there and being the fact i am Colombian its the one place i can enjoy food from my roots. other than that the place is incredible the feel is quite homey and to top it off besides being a restaurant its also a bakery with traditional bake goods from Colombia witch not to mention are baked fresh at times to order but are nostalgic to a Colombian.

if you have never tried Colombian food this is the place to go to i recommended 90% of the time but as i have mentioned they need to step up on the salt game, that's what we are known for flavor and well salted...

As a Colombian, of course you'd expect me to say nothing but great things!! But, I'm an honest Individual and I'm just not that type of person so here we go, El Portal one of the most popular Colombian restaurants in the DFW area and price wise one of the best options.Flavor, when they first opened up the flavor was there; seasoned to perfection with all the authentic flavors of the dish, as the popularity has grown the quality (when it comes to seasoning) has diminished, definitely not a fan of this. Other wise I must say the food here is great, ambient makes you feel welcomed and at home as if they have known you for years what can I say Colombians are very lively and colorful people, restaurant is quite clean quick in getting your orders out and plenty of pastries to take home after a great meal.. Love this place and would recommend it 10/10 times. If you are vegan or vegetarian, I wouldn't recommend going here. we Colombians don't know such abominations.🤣 jk.. I don't think they have options, but I could be wrong. i would suggest calling and finding out before...