El Charrito Mexican Grill — Restaurant in Portage

I find it interesting that my previous 1-Star Review was removed. Nice try.

I was a Regular here for some months and enjoyed almost everything about El Cantarito's until one day. I am retired (60 years old) and disabled, and had been coming there for 6 months almost on a daily basis with my trained, certified, documented, and legitimate Medical Service Animal. One of the new Servers noticed my dog laying at my feet as he is supposed to do. He scolds me that dogs aren't allowed and when trying to explain that I am already previously cleared with the Management and Owners (personally), he would hear none of it. He just kept excitedly repeating (over and over) that I had to leave ... raising his voice louder and louder, until everyone was staring at me. Finally, he stopped yelling long enough to find the Mgr. in the back, as I had kept asking him to do. When he returned, he just nods to me as he walks past as if to let me know that my presence would be 'tolerated'. Not one word was said to me.

Having some time to absorb what had just happened, I asked him if he understood what Medical Service Animals are and why people have them. He just kept saying "Excuse me?!" over, and over. I knew then that this guy was looking for a fight ... this was not a miscommunication due to a language barrier. This kind of treatment is a GREAT EMBARRASSMENT to disabled people with legitimate Service Animals. We try our best to live a normal life and this kind of reception from people and businesses is abhorrent. Federal & State Statutes have been in place for 26 YEARS regarding the Civil Rights of the Disabled. I guess this is why people never see the Disabled ... we are hiding at Home where we should be ... out of sight and out of mind. Right?

I have not forgotten about this experience, and I strongly encourage any Veteran, or the loved-one of the Disabled to BOYCOTT this business. ...

El Charrito Mexican Grill, located on Central Avenue in Portage Indiana.

Our server was Julia and she was superb 👌!

We had the bacon wrapped stuffed jalapeños for the appetizer. All freshly prepared, the jalapeños were nice and firm, bright green as they should be when not pulled from the freezer. The dipping sauce we thought to be a spicy thousand island dressing, the pairing with the avacado wedges was delightful.

Julia recommended the Quesabirria dinner to my wife, something that she had seen on YouTube videos and had always wanted to try. Hard shell tacos soaked in the brazed beef brooth, deep fried, filled with cheese and slow cooked beef, served with more of the brooth to dip the tacos in. Turns out she chose wisely and completely enjoyed the dish.

I thought that the Aloha Fajitas sounded interesting enough to try. Basically chicken Fajitas with seared smoked ham and grilled pineapple added. The mound of food on the sizzling cast iron skillet was insane for just $15, I was only able to eat ½. It was okay, the ham by itself was very good and had excellent flavor, but together....

I have tried chimichanga cheesecake at several establishments and had always been a bit disappointed, but not theirs! It was what I always imagined it should be like,...

The ambiance is nice. As you come in you're welcomed and seated. The restaurant was a little busy so we didn't see a waitress for a few mins. We had like 4 ppl tell us someone was coming soon. The waiter finally came to take our beverage orders, and left chips and dip (also mentioned that our actual waitress would be right over). Finally she arrived, with no introduction she began to take our orders (although she looked like she spoke Spanish) when we spoke to her in Spanish she ran off without letting us know anything. If she would have told us she didn't speak Spanish we would have spoken to her in English we obviously do! Well the guy who brought our drinks came back and took our orders, in both languages. The rice water is on point guys definitely recommend you try it. The food, very good. Some a little salty but mostly was very good compared to other Mexican restaurants in the area. We would've liked to see some homemade hot and mild salsa the one they gave with the chips was NOT homemade and sweet ALTHOUGH good. The prices, reasonable for the portions on the plate. We'd like to know if there is a delivery service available? If not, that would be...