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The reviewers couldn't describe the restaurant itself better; it is a cozy, intimate place for after work get togethers. That being said, I've really wanted to like this place. I'm kind of bummed out that I have to write a negative review of them. Unfortunately, it was a poor experience due to the overwhelmed + frazzled staff. It would be better if the 1 x hostess / waitress took names down upon arrival. We were upset after having waited thirty minutes to find that the party behind us was seated before us by mistake. After bringing it to the waitress' attention, she offered no apology and instead lied about how the party before us called in advance: This place does not take reservations. (We tried.) Why is it ever necessary to lie? After finally landing that table, the food was only so-so and the kitchen was a complete wreck.

I ordered, waited an hour and 10 minutes and then called to inquire. They told me the order would be the next one out. It arrived 50 minutes later, so it took a full 2 hours to arrive. The food was very good, but come on!

The food is well made. Steak tacos, mole, lamb rolled in chiles, shrimp tacos, and the burritos all winners. Due to lack of space it is a little tight and at times very loud. Try the cucumber water for a delicious new taste. It is well worth a wait and although some of the waitstaff are inattentive. It's an excellent value and memorable evening. Better to try for lunch when it's not so crazy.

Good: Guacamole was fresh and delicious. Sauce verde was divine. Steak tacos were perfect. Good value Not so good: Very cramped - tables are almost on top of each other. Service is a little too hasty Withering looks from people waiting for tables is disconcerting. Overall: Great for a tasty, quick meal with buddies.

My girlfriends & I ordered a pitcher of the cucumber & jalepeno margarita, which was refreshing. We wanted to try all the tacos so we ordered the steak tacos, carnitas and the shrimp taco. The steak tacos were by far the best I've ever had in NYC. I grew up in So. Cal. so I know a good taco when I bite into one. It's super tasty and well cooked. The carnitas & shrimp tacos were good, but not outstanding. The place was crowded & we were asked to leave by an obnoxious waitress a couple of minutes after our plates were cleared out. Annoying.

although the food was fantastic, the service was so slow. The order was wrong. The food came out before our drinks. Don't get me wrong, the quality and flavor of the food was very good. Just don't have plans right after dinner if you go there because it takes forever...and plan on stopping in a neighbor bar afterwards to buy a quick beer and use the bathroom because the bathroom at this place was the most disgusting thing I've ever witnessed. It smelled, the floor was totally sopping wet and had little wads of toilet paper all over it. With all the other choices, i probably wouldn't go back.

After having a few bad experiences with a street bar i was completely turned off Mexican food, the food never seemed clean and always left an after taste and bad feeling in my tummy. Cafe al Portal is so clean and fresh and lite it was a pleasure and definitely the best Mexican in the neighborhood. Great value for money and they can never do enough for you. Delivery is always fast and i love this place!