El Portal Restaurant — Restaurant in Pasadena

We have been loyal customers of El Portal for the past five years and have always enjoyed adding mint, lemon, lime, and cucumber slices to our water. However, our recent visit left us shocked and disappointed. When we ordered the mint, lemon, lime and cucumber slices for our water, the server returned empty-handed and informed us that there would be a $2.00 charge per person for our usual request of condiments. When we requested to speak with the owner, Armondo, he refused to come to our table and sent the manager instead. Unfortunately, the manager supported the decision to charge us for something that had never been an issue before. We expressed our feelings of being insulted by this sudden change, as no other restaurant charges for these condiments and El Portal had never charged us for them until now.

Despite our frustration, we decided to stay because it was my friend's birthday and we didn't want to ruin the celebration. Around 10 minutes after our food arrived, someone came to our table and dropped off to-go containers and bags without us asking for them. This action felt like a clear message to us, three black women, that we were not welcome in their restaurant and they wanted us to GET OUT! We did notice that other customers who had been seated longer than us were not given to-go containers. It became evident that the issue was not just about our request for condiments, but rather our appearance. We made up our minds to finish our meal, sing happy birthday, and leave, knowing that we would never return to this low-bar, bottom-tier, 1-star alleged restaurant. The quality of the food was subpar, with bland and lukewarm dishes. Despite having a nice server, we only left a 15% tip due to the way we were treated. Looking back in retrospect we probably should’ve just left two dollars per person which would equal $6.00. It's important to note that we were the only black customers in the restaurant and the only ones given to-go containers without requesting them. Based on this treatment, one can only assume that the real issue was not our request for condiments, but rather the fact that we didn’t look like them or anyone else in the restaurant. It's disheartening to experience such discrimination in this day and age. But as the song says “THEY NOT LIKE US, THEY...

First time. Decided to try for lunch since the tempura restaurant waitlist was too long and we were hungry. This restaurant is large and had plenty of seating, and it was recommended previously by two friends.

I wanted to try Yucatán Trio but ended up getting the holiday special of seafood enchiladas with crab and shrimp, which I enjoyed very much. Came with rice and salad that was ok as a complement to the enchiladas but otherwise could’ve been more flavorful or interesting. My older kids got the chicken mole which was pretty good and a chicken tamale and taco meal thet was ok. Horchata was pricey for $6 and did not come with free refills. Waitress asked my son if he wanted guacamole to go with the chips which he did because he probably thought it was complementary, but I had to clarify the cost ($10 for a small bowl), so I had to decline.

Thought food was a bit overpriced (about $30 per person). It was good but not the best value. However we did have leftovers since portions large. To be fair I’m in general having a hard time adjusting to the higher costs of eating out these days.

Part of cost is likely location and I would go back to try in dinner atmosphere that probably is more lively. I would suggest that they offer a more budget friendly lunch special menu with smaller portions to get more customers during...

This place is always poppin! Good food, good atmosphere & live music!

I went this past weekend to pick up a order that I called in. I was disappointed this visit. At the front desk, I waited without being acknowledged for about three minutes while two staff men were having a heated conversation back & forth in ffont of me, about a customer who sat down at a table without reservations.

I finally interrupted & announced I was there to pick up an order. They went right back to their discussion as I patiently waited. Another staff person joined the conversation. I'm still waiting. I say again, I there for a phone pick up order. A staff man replied "yeah, yeah yeah!" Proceeds to continue in his conversation!!

I interject again & say, the purpose in a phone order is to have the food ready when one arrives. One man say oh, ok let me check.

he brings my food rings me up as he is still engaged in a full conversation with the men. I get my order get to the car to check it , it was wrong!! Come on!!!

El Portal your customer service is slipping!! For this, I rate them low! Good food & service go hand in hand. The left hand was slipping on the...