El Portal Awards

El Portal Restaurant Review:

One of Pasadena's most beloved Mexican restaurants, El Portal offers all the usual suspects found on most SoCal Mexican menus, served in a warm, cozy setting with a wooden bar, fireplace and worn brick walls lined with rotating gallery-quality art. There's also a pleasant covered patio with a quiet brick courtyard --- ideal for sipping potent tequila on a warm afternoon. A nice selection of Yucatan classics like cochinita pibil (achiote-marinated pork, steamed in a banana leaf) and poc-chuc (grilled achiote-rubbed pork) are available. Other specialties include spinach and shrimp enchiladas with salsa verde and avocado; and Yucatan-style tamales, stuffed with shredded chicken seasoned with epazote, and topped with tomato sauce. Warm espresso bread pudding or flan make for satisfying desserts. Several flavors of margaritas are served by the glass or pitcher.