By Jason Yassine
Resting next to the historic Pasadena Playhouse, is a quaint restaurant known as El Portal (695 E Green Street). El Portal serves Yucatan/Mexican cuisine in a very cozy dining atmosphere. The restaurant has a total of two rooms. The first room provides a sports bar and the second is the dining room. Upon entering the dining room, you immediately notice an antique theme with old–fashioned dining chairs and cultural art. The theme makes for a very comfortable environment.
When ordering the food they provide complimentary chips and salsa, which is a great way to keep you busy while you wait. The meal I decided to review was a classic, bean and cheese burrito. As simplistic as it sounds, when the burrito arrived I was visually impressed with the dish. The burrito was stuffed with wholesome refried pinto beans and rich melted cheese. Covered in a zesty red sauce, topped with even more melted cheese and accompanied with a side of rice and sour cream, the dish had an array of different flavors.
The first thing I did was slice the burrito straight down the middle. Once I did, a sea of warm refried beans and luscious cheese poured out. As I took my first bite, there was a burst of flavor from the combination of ingredients. The cheese and beans were an excellent blend of taste. What gave it the extra kick, was the zesty red sauce that covered the burrito. The sauce was slightly spicy but gave the burrito moisture and didn’t leave a dry taste in my mouth. The rice was a fairly decent, as it had a bit of spice and a mix of corn and peas. The sour cream was a nice additive, because it enhanced the very warm dish with a cool, rich, and creamy taste.
In general, the whole experience at El Portal was satisfying. I will note that the dish had an abundant amount of cheese, so if you’re a cheese lover, you’ll love this dish. The meal is heavy, so it’s advised that you eat light before coming because you will get full. The price is under $10 so you get quality for your money. Overall, when looking at taste, experience, and price I would rate El Portal four out of five stars.
Would you make a trip to El Portal and try this dish? Sound off in the comments below.
