Lena's — Restaurant in Portola

Food tastes great, just as it always has. But after being a return customer for well over 20 years it has quite noticably changed in certain ways. Don't get me wrong, change is expected and often necessary.. but when prices rise and the amount of food you receive noticably lessens, it slowly becomes a hometown favorite that you choose to not visit nearly as often.. I can justify splurging on occasion, simply because the food is delicious each time without fail, and the owner Lena Bates is always a pleasure to interact with. Not to mention she has always had a great knack when it comes to making the atmosphere within her restaurant relaxing and enjoyable for adults and kids alike..

Lena has been in the business as long as I have known her, as back when she was a waitress I worked as her busser for about 2 years.. she has very obviously taken her dedication and enjoyable personality to the next level as a business owner.. because each person I've seen employed at Lena's Cantina has been a hardworking person who is a pleasure to be around.. which makes the time you spend there that much more enjoyable. And the money spent that much more worth it..

This is one of the very few local business/restaurant owners that I would stand behind and recommend time and time again..

Lena's Cantina is one place in Portola that is always worth a visit..

FYI.. my personal favorites are the Shrimp Burrito and the chicken Fajitas.. My husband would recommend a nice steak with salad, and our daughters always get chicken strips and fries..

Lena's Is A Place Everyone In The Family...

The presentation of their plates is almost as good as the food itself. Beautifully done for such a relaxed environment. They always use fresh ingredients from the fish tacos right down to the freshly blended mango margheritas. My favorite lunch spot when I roll through Portola.

I did have to come back and edit my review due to the state of the restroom. It was very clean and pleasant; however it was situated mere steps away from the bar where anyone sitting there would be subject to any smells that might escape the restroom. There was barely enough tp for one use, literally a tiny squirt worth of soap in the dispenser, and the air freshener sputtered it's last droplets of lavender scent and died there in my hand. Upon exiting, I also discovered that the door had not properly latched when I had closed it, so despite having locked it, someone could have walked right in on me at any moment. I felt sorry for the next gal who might have needed the facilities as there were no supplies left for her and I was not able to locate the waitress before leaving to let her know. So, because of my restroom experience I had to bring my review down from...

I was recently at a wedding Lena’s Cantina catered. She charged $100 per person and it was honestly the most dry, horrible meal I’ve EVER had at a wedding! I was embarrassed for the bride and groom! Burnt bread stix, frozen Tyson chicken breasts with the pre browned grill marks on them. Zero sauce! Zero juice! And the brisket was beef jerky! No aujus or mushroom soup sauce even! Truly beautiful venue at River Pines but bring your own caterer! Complete rip off! You can get a steak and lobster at Iron Door for cheaper than her catering for dry frozen chicken and brisket jerky. Truly disappointed! Thank God the dj saved the night!! And we all ate taquitos and mini tacos an hour later!! Compliments of the bride and groom,...