The food was really bad. I ordered a beef burrito, chicken enchilada, and chili relleno. The burrito was a flour tortilla filled with unseasoned ground beef. No onions, no veggies, no flavor. The enchilada was a corn tortilla filled with unseasoned chicken. No onions, no cheese, no flavor. Both were topped with a red sauce with not much flavor. The chili relleno was DISGUSTING. It was a mass of brown goo. My guess was that it was really bad refried beans with a hint of ground beef, a few flakes of cheese, and a tiny strip of green chili. ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING. When I asked what it was I was told it was a chili relleno. I have had bad Mexican food before but these people take the cake. NEVER COMING BACK!!!! read more

Very nice location and no wait time. The salsa bar has a-lot of neat options which include a mango and pineapple salsa! The food came out quickly and was cooked to perfection. Love the combination of colors on the plate. read more

El Portal - the interior of a mexican restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Morganton, North Carolina

See all

Really bad food, place was Veggie Fajitasdirty. Will not come back. Veggie was a year old read more

We've been to this place twice. First visit the food was REALLY good... but there were hiccups. I ordered a drink but was told the bartender didn't know how to make it (I wanted a vodka martini, nothing complicated). I ordered something else. I still didn't have my drink halfway thru my meal. I asked about it and was told they didn't have the ingredients for it. I asked about wine, they don't have wine. I gave up. Second visit, we were seated quickly and then ignored for the next 10 mins, so we left. read more

I love this place! The chips and salsa are delicious!! Everyone is always super friendly. I am so glad I discovered this this place after moving here from CO a year ago read more

See all

Good Mexican food. Very extensive menu with all kinds of different Mexican dishes. Beer and drinks also available. Free chips and salsa for the table. Has the 12" burrito and couldn't finish it. read more

If you get to Morganton, and are craving Mexican for lunch, check this place out! Everything on the menu is GREAT, and the prices are totally reasonable. Service was great too! read more

We just had the best meal that we have eaten in Morganton in five years! Don't know why we have overlooked this delightful spot. The food was on point the atmosphere was fun and the wait staff were spectacular. Best El Pastor that we have had Anywhere. The El Diablo burrito was incredible And the smart pinto beans with bacon and jalapeños were a party in our mouth's. We will definitely be back over and over again! read more

The service isn't overwhelming with either speed of friendliness. The food is subpar despite having a very thorough menu. The house chips are really great but suffer when accompanied by possibly the worst salsa i've ever been given. The entire experience was awful. I had a margarita that tasted entirely like mix, where's the tequila? I couldn't bring myself to order more than just one taco after how bad my appetizer was along with the terrible salsa and miserable margarita. At least they were thorough in being awful, the taco was a hard shell with beef and cheese that tasted worse than what you could get for cheaper at Taco Bell. Interestingly, their menu starts with an introduction to Mexican food, but i doubt they've ever eaten any. read more

El Portal - I ordered the chile con queso with ground beef as an appetizer and was expecting a dip. Instead i got this disappointing mess. - Mexican Near Me - Morganton, North Carolina

See all

I came with a party of five and decided to eat at the bar. Service was somewhat ok. Quick at giving us chips and salsa and taking our drink orders and taking the food order as well. However when the food came out it looked awful. I ordered the beef and bean nachos. The beef had a funny taste and the beans tasted like they came out of a can. I can only complain about my food. My friends enjoyed their food. Now back to the service. Our server didn't came back to our table to check on us. My glass sat empty after drinking all my water. She brought our bill to us then took 10 mins to come back and pick it up. She wasn't very attentive to us. But was chatting with Her coworkers. Service and food needs some attention. read more

It's a pretty place! The staff is polite and helpful. The beef liver and onions is delicious! Prices are pretty cheap. There is a sauce bar. Not the best of this type in the area but worth visiting! read more

Service excellent. This used to be our favorite restaurant. Wed go sometimes twice a week when they were called los arcos. Something happened though... We arent sure if its the new employees or what but they are just slowly falling off. The salsas watery now and the foods just not the same. Tonight might be our last time going the food just isnt half of what it used to be :( I want my old restaurant back.... read more

Great food. Great friendly service. Been going here for years. Great prices and love salsa .

Probably one of the better places to get Mexican in Morganton. Food was really good and the staff is being very friendly. Well-managed

Great food at a great price! I highly recommend the Beef Tortas. Service is always excellent and the restaurant is always clean. Veggie Fajitas aren't bad either ... ?! They've added a salsa bar and the chips are always fresh and hot! read more

Friendly service and better than Chipotle! The drinks are great and reasonably priced. From Brooklyn.

Great food and service! One of my favorite restaurants in Morganton. The staff is friendly and the restaurant is clean and decorative. read more

El Portal - a plate of mexican food with rice and beans - Mexican Near Me - Morganton, North Carolina

Just okay. Vegetables are always overlooked and super oily. Go to Las Salsas down the street instead.

I am from Texas and we eat Mexican food all the time. I was craving Mexican food. El Portal really surprised me!! The food was really good!!! The waitstaff was very prompt as well!! read more

Great place and good service other people who give bad review probably aren't patient and just plain picky

Great friendly and fast service. Loved the chips and salsa. I had a chicken chimichanga with cheese sauce that was awesome. If I have time, I will return here during my two week trip... read more

Excellent service, great food! Love the cheese dip, the salsa is one of my favorites! Have to get a chicken taco, the stewed chicken is delicious! The chili conqueso with chicken is also amazing and super cheap. You can eat and be full for under $5. Can't beat that at a fast food place. Love it here. read more

One of our favorite Mexican restaurants in Morganton. The fried Chimi Changas are great.

Good food and service. Prices are average. $23.00 for two plus tip. I loved the decor. The bar is in the back which is nice because I would rather not sit by it. The restaurant in a good location in Morgantown. The serving size is smaller than what I get at another close Mexican restaurant. That is the only Reason I gave it only 4 stars. read more

Always our favorite place to get really good Mexican food! Great food, fast service and a friendly staff!! Prices are reasonable too!

It was ok. Good food, good drinks, pleasant waiters. Price was right. The chairs and tables are all made out of carved wood. I saw a lot of gringos drinking the corona margarita with an upside down bottle of beer sticking up in a glass. read more

This place sux , I just came down from chicago trust me eat at taco bell at least you know what you are getting . I got a burito and a taco well the taco was some mistry bean shit that looked like guacamole but it wasn't guacamole it was green mystery something by far the worst Mexican restaurant I've ever been to. read more