Los Portales--Info & Reviews
13717 N Mo Pac Expy # 250
Austin TX
244-7006
- Service: Waiters
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex, Breakfast, Breakfast Tacos
- Limited hours
- WiFi
Overall Rating:
About Los Portales
MoPac Frontage Road Strip Mall Tex-Mex
Staff Reviews (Your Reviews Below)
Recyled Chips?!
Reviewer: Chris
Original Review Date: 04/19/2006
Rating: -1/+3(Crap)
I walked in at about 1:00 and the place was empty. I was the only customer. That gave me pause, but the staff was friendly--"have a seat anywhere." Chips and salsa ensued. Chips were kind of bland and "dry," if that makes sense--definitely not made in-house, and not served hot. Salsa was not bad. They have several standard lunch specials, all for $5.25. I opted for the #2--cheese enchilada, crispy taco, rice & beans.
The lunch components were neatly partitioned in a rectilinear fashion on the large platter. Taco was uninspired--crappy mass-produced shell surrounding typical taco fillings. Tasted ok for what it was. Enchilada was edible, but not that great. The chili sauce was pretty greasy, and the enchilada was heavy with cheddar cheese. Rice had a few crunchy kernels. Refrieds were just there. It was obvious to me that this was not a standout tex-mex platter when I found myself, after consuming the taco and enchilada, uninterested in scooping up every last remnant of chili gravy/beans/rice with chips. I left quite a bit on the plate.
I was charged for the usual side of jalapeños and onions--30¢ I think. Nothing new there.
The most interesting and disturbing part of lunch came as I was munching a few chips towards the end of the meal. Something in the chip basket caught my eye. Something blue. I dug around and pulled out the chip of interest, and damn if I hadn't found a tortilla chip with writing on it. The blue was from the blue ink used to inscribe someone's initials and a date on the chip--"AW 4/19/06". Unbelievable! This told me two things: that the chips must have been recycled from a previous diner who had brought a tortilla chip pen with him to the restaurant (yuck!); and that the chips were at least fresh, as the date inscribed on the chip was the same date as I was dining.
Very weird. And very unappetizing. I was on track to give them a 0 rating, "ho hum," but the inked chip really left a bad impression, so unfortunately, Los Portales drops to a -1 for me.
Your Reviews (add a review)
#5 Lunch Special
Reviewer: Randy
Review Date: 06/04/2009 12:05PM
Rating: +3/+3(Great)
I just wonder if Chris ever eats at Church's Fried Chicken where a dead rat was once fried up or McDonald's where roach droppings were found in one inspection. I know I Just spoiled someone's appetite but afterall, we live in the real world and even if there are bad experiences, one should give it another try. I've been eating here for several years. And yes, maybe there has been a time when the tortillas weren't steaming hot or such but I've never had bad food. It has great taste and plenty of it. The salsa is some of the best around and the queso is unique and very good. The service is very personal and if you ever have an issue, the owner will personally see to it that you are treated with immediate service to rectify the situation. As for the chips, very few TexMex restaurants make their own chips so did it ever occur to anyone that the chip with the blue ink could have come from the supplier. As for the date, maybe it was old/maybe not! I highly recommend trying it though!
I can explain the chip
Reviewer: patita
Review Date: 06/03/2009 09:12PM
Rating: +3/+3(Great)
I'm really sorry to see that you got that chip. Did you mention it to the owner or anyone there?
I'll bet a dollar that the writing was the work of the owner's son, a young kid. It's still unfortunate, but the staff would have taken care of the problem right away.
I eat at this place regularly and have never had such a problem. Their last health department score was 93, so it's not like they are routinely unsanitary.
Fantastic Food
Reviewer: Radioguy
Review Date: 11/14/2007 10:39AM
Rating: +3/+3(Great)
I have dined at Los Portales about 50-60 times. The food every time was fantastic. I really like the queso and chips. I am a little confused at the experience Chris had - as the Los Portales staff seems to go out of the way to ensure the food is well prepared and customer request and requirements are #1. They also cater and show up with extra food to ensure everyone is well fed and happy. The chip with writing on it - NOT GOOD. If this was brought to the attention of Los Portales a complete investigation would have happened and the incident never repeated again. I will bring this up with Los Portales the next time I go in.
7UP
Reviewer: Dgeneration
Review Date: 05/02/2006 11:55PM
Rating: 0/+3(Ho hum)
I have never been there and have no plans to go after seeing that lovely picture. I think you should report them to the health board.
Freak Show
Reviewer: Stylie
Review Date: 05/02/2006 08:28PM
Rating: -1/+3(Crap)
No Way!
That chip is out of hand...That place is total freak show.
No writing on my chips, but the same uninspired drivel on my plate.
Stylie
Good local restaurant
Reviewer: Larry
Review Date: 10/10/2009 10:24PM
Rating: +2/+3(Goooood)
It's a very good Mexican restaurant. It isn't a destination restaurant (aka Chuy's) or anything, but if you're in the neighborhood it's a good choice. Their burritos (with chili sauce) are very good. Their salsa is good.
I like their sauces. I call some Mexican restaurant "cheese" restaurants and others "sauce" restaurants. This is a "sauce" restaurant.
Service is good. It's a small restaurant with a small staff, but you can usually count on getting in and out very quickly, which is handy for lunch.
There are lots of restaurants in this little strip mall. Four fast food restaurants (McD, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Subway) and an Indian restaurant and Chinese restaurant. None of them seem to be very crowded.