Vanndy Long

I haven’t been here in years and had been craving some buenelos and guava cheese pastry. Took some to go. Staff is friendly and fast. Food is Delicious!

Harsha S

I stopped by here due to a recommendation from a friend. I’ve been trying to explore more ethnic bakeries as an inspiration for my own baking. When I went in around 5 PM, this restaurant was about half full and I was quickly greeted by an employee. He was very helpful in explaining what each of the items at the bakery counter near the front of the restaurant were. I mainly was there for the Almojabanas, but I ended up getting about 1 of each item (Almojabanas, Empanadas, Pasteles El Portal, Roscones, Buñuelos, Mil Hojas) to try the different flavors out. I was given a brown paper bag for each of the items depending on size and that was placed into a larger plastic bag to take with me. All of these items came out to under $15, which was expected. The Almojabanas (circular biscuit at top right of picture) were this dense and chewy biscuit that imparted something like a cheese flavor, but they were very tasty. I felt like this would go well with a meal or some coffee/tea. The empanadas (rectangular shaped) were filled with cheese and chicken. They were an interesting taste and didn’t really remind me of chicken and cheese. Each of the pasteles el portal (triangle shaped) were delicious; I grabbed one of each of a caramel & guava and figs. The roscones (ribbon-shaped) was filled with guava and that was really good as well. The pastries were all flaky and fresh. I ended up also getting these tiny cookies called Mil Hojas that were basically a cookie with powdered sugar on top and a portion of caramel in between. These would have gone great with a coffee and they were quite sweet! Lastly, the Buñuelos (brown sphere) I grabbed was basically cheese on the exterior and a dense salty bread on the interior. This made my mouth feel a little dry when eating, and I wondered if I should have paired with a drink. I’ll likely go back again to try a meal here in the future!

thetravelercarl

One of the best Colombian restaurants in Carrollton. They are also one of the few Colombian restaurants who are opened during Mondays. Food was authentic, ambience was warm and accommodating, and service was superb. They made you feel at home and friendly.

Cristian Zuluaga

I’m native Colombian and originally from Florida. Colombian food and Colombian bakery are my favorite spots, so believe me when I tell you you’re in for a treat. The food was authentic, great quality, great prices and you have to try the bakery! I got lucky and they had fresh out of the oven pandebonos!!! Insanely good

Moe Baker

Moved from Florida a year ago and miss all my great South American restaurants there. Drove thirty minutes to get here and was well worth it. Amazing food and definitely get a generous portion for the price. The owner is literally the nicest ever and the staff is great. Will definitely be returning here.

Jes Fisher

Friendly people. Great food. I tried couple of their pastries so far and they've been great. One has fig and caramel in it. It was so good that I had to bring one to my mom for Mother's Day 2 hours away. I also get their chicken and fried plantains.

findjoselyn

El Portal Cafe is the only place I go when I’m craving Columbian food. I drive all the way from Dallas to go here. The staff is amazing! It’s very cozy and nice, with clean rest facilities. I order the pandebono & Beef Empanadas, with Aji! So flavorful and delicious every time!

shubham jain (Shubham Jain)

A very nice Colombian restaurant, please eat the fresh bread called as “Pan” in Colombia. The menu of the day is always tasty specially the soup. Rice and beans plate is simple but good for stomach. Must have is lulo juice. Arepas 🫓 as you know must. But arepas here is kind of okaish. The staff is very jolly you would love the way they treat.

Alexandra Gonzalez

The place is nicely located. It’s on the smaller side., so it might get packed on the weekends, but it’s good for both small and larger groups. The food is really good, and tasty. The picada was a little bit dry, but it wasn’t a deal breaker. They have a bakery with buñuelos, pan de Bono, and other traditional ones. You order at the counter and wait for the food to be served. The service is fast, and very nice. Prices are very competitive compared with similar Latin American places.

+2

Exploit Your Pallet

service and hospitality is great these people make you feel welcomed and as if they have known you for ever, service is great the only reason i am rating it 3 stars; is the food. yes, Colombian food yummm; but the problem i have with the food here is the following; when they first opened the food was incredible well seasoned platters and everything was delicious, but as time has gone by the quality of the food has diminished. the popularity has gone up, place has expanded but every time i go maybe i just catch them on an off day but they are slow; that only tells me one thing food quality is going down. last 2 times I've gone and ordered my favorite platter la bandeja paisa, i have been disappointed. sure enough the flavors aren't there anymore no seasoning what so ever yes packed with flavors but completely bland its like if they have forgotten how to use salt!!, i need el portal to get back on track; i love the ambient and the people there and being the fact i am Colombian its the one place i can enjoy food from my roots. other than that the place is incredible the feel is quite homey and to top it off besides being a restaurant its also a bakery with traditional bake goods from Colombia witch not to mention are baked fresh at times to order but are nostalgic to a Colombian. if you have never tried Colombian food this is the place to go to i recommended 90% of the time but as i have mentioned they need to step up on the salt game, that's what we are known for flavor and well salted platters!!!!

Jesus Gamino

Today my wife decided to buy some Colombian food, nope not what I liked , food was bland, flavorless and expensive, services was poor, I was jumped by 2 people when my order was ready and I was there ready for payment, the chicharon was flavorless, the meat from the bandeja paisa needed more seasoning and a thicker piece of meat, the chorizo was small and cold from the inside, beans aren't Colombian (pinto beans) the empanadas were too think and chew not crispy, in my experience the best Colombian restaurant in the DFW is La Cacerola Colombiana Cuisine.