Mezcal, tacos, and birthday cake took center stage at one of Pasadena’s favorite eateries Thursday as El Portal celebrated thirty years in business.
A jubilant Abel Ramirez, owner of the restaurant along with his family, recalled how the restaurant began a tradition of tequila tastings 21 years ago, and said, “We are beginning a new tradition with the Mezcal tastings.”
The lively evening featured a host of tequila/mezcal makers and distillers, including Casamigos, Dos Hombres, La Luna, Ojo de Tigre, Nosotros, Perro de San Juan, Koch, Burrito Fiestero, Los Javis, Madre mezcal, Catedral Mezcal, Hacienda Oponguio, Mezcal 33, Firme Mezcal, and Esfuerzo.
Ramirez, born in Yucatán, Mexico, began his restaurant career at The Huntington Hotel before becoming the general manager for Caltech’s Athenaeum before opening El Portal in April 1995.
Abel’s son, Armando, would help his father at the Athenaeum before studying at culinary school and coming to El Portal as a line cook. He can still occasionally be found in the kitchen cooking up a specialty or two when he can find the time. He also keeps himself busy creating new cocktails for the drinks menu.
El Portal has since long become a part of Pasadena’s social community, hosting thousands of birthdays, showers, graduations, receptions, and holiday celebrations over the years, as scores of Pasadena families have visited El Portal for multiple generations.
Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo even took a turn behind the El Portal bar some years ago, mixing up his own special “secret” margarita blend for a local celebration.
