Los Portales Mexican Grocery Store

Where do I start?
For days I was craving Mexican food because friends were talking about it and how Bartaco was the best place to get Mexican food. It was not, and after leaving I was still craving authentic Mexican food. Seriously, I went to Google Images that night and looked at pictures of Mexican food.
Then I eventually Unilocaled it and found this place! The next morning, my husband and I went!
Parking was small but was worth it. The people were friendly, but the majority of the people spoke Spanish there and did not speak English. There was one man who did and translated for us. I still don’t know where we are suppose to order but we just stood there and waited until a lady came over and asked us what we wanted to eat (That was when the man came over to translate since we had no clue what she was asking at the time, we figured that but weren’t certain). No one else placed orders with her so I think she made an exception for us. Either way, it was very nice. She made some recommendations for us since they had pork skins.
When it came out… ah. It smelled amazing, and tasted delicious! It was a very large portion and we got full very quickly. Pricing was pretty good as well.
They have a counter with pickled vegetables, and different sauces. We mixed them to get a flavor that we wanted.
We paid at the counter near the entrance. It was so good and we would def recommend this place.

Really good cheap tacos and salsa. Seems sketchy but actually a really good find. Would definitely recommend this place. I gave 5 stars for the combination of cheap/​good/​SALSA BAR (they have a little counter where you can mix and match different types of salsa and jalapeño relish type toppings).

Originally from California and looking for decent food. Was very pleased with authentic Mexican much like served up in abundance in Los Angeles. Notice who eats here, landscapers, construction workers, and more. Very tiny dinning area, but as a take-​out, one would be very pleased. Owner is great and his extended family also has another restaurant down the street. Lots of items in the store that will help you prepare your own Mexican food.
Good taste just like it is in California.

I love the burritos. Plus they have limes and several salsas to choose from. Plus it’s a little market if you need to pick up anything. But I usually just come for the burritos.

If you are seeking a hipster gentrification eatery… move on to Bodega, Valencia, or Bar Taco. This place serves up some great tacos, burritos, sopa, tortas, etc. In addition, a selection of some of the best salsas in the area, coleslaw, and other fixings are not to be missed. There is one particular salsa that produces a smokey and fiery delectable mouthful. I often purchase a separate cupful for social gatherings. The only reason I did not give a 5 star rating is that it is grocery store after all. If you do not mind sitting in a bodega grocery store for some great food… This is the place to try. This is a hole in the wall that does not disappoint.

I love this place! It’s not a fancy restaurant but the food it’s delicious, fresh and the portions are huge! Prices unbeatable, they’re fast and you can taste the flavor of an authentic Mexican cuisine!
I highly recommend it! My favorite is huevos rancheros with chorizo!

Real deal carniceria and Mexican kitchen. You won’t find any margaritas here. Ambiance is like a dusty Juarez saloon

They really need more english speaking people there to support the great quality food. The last time I was in for a pick up order, I stood there for a long time with no one acknowledging or even looking at me. It was a little busy, but was disappointed that no one seemed to care. Finally, I was able to get my food at the front counter, not knowing it had been ready for a while. The parking is tough in that area, but the food is consistently delicious.

If you’re going here expecting a sit down restaurant, with waiters, you won’t find that. This place is a bodega with a counter in the back, and a few tables and counter seats.
What it’s about is the food, and they serve it well. It’s fresh made Mexican food with an awesome home cooked touch. The food is delicious. In fact they’re probably going to have to open a restaurant, as their customer base is going to keep growing. You can’t make food like that and expect it not to.
I grew up on Southern California Mexican Food, and back in Cali, it was all about the beans. I’ve been to so many «Mexican» places all over NY & CT, looking for the real deal Cali style refried beans. The ones with strong flavor. Of all the places I’ve been to, it’s amazing that it was at the back of a family bodega. I couldn’t help but smile at this gem.
As kids/​teenagers growing up in Cali, we all lived on Bean & Cheese Burrito’s, the way kids in NY live on pizza slices. The only thing I’d wish for is the shredded Jack & Cheddar Cheese, like you’d get on all the tacos and burritos in Cali. Here they only serve Mozzerella or Queso Fresca. In fact I’d never seen Mozerella with Mexican food until I came to the East Coast.
My compliments to the wonderful cook, and the Los Portales Family with their kids running around the store in their super hero outfits. But more than anything, thank you for making real refried beans, not those tasteless ones that all the other Mexican places try to make. A wonderful taste of home…
Great food !!! Will be back many times.

OMG want good mex food? Come here. Just had their platter of Res with extra avocado… no need to buy tacos unless you’re reeeealy hungry.
Parking is hit and miss so try finding it on the side. Gotta go in. Like towards the back. The lady who took our order was crabby but i get it, it’s hot and busy.
Condiments are there for the picking… i got refills of the slaw with jalapeños and chunky spicy salsa… limes green and red salsa available and pickled veg medley.
You can buy alcohol but you cant drink it in the store!

I came here under strong recommendation from friends. This is supposed to be *the* authentic Mexican spot. The spot where all the Mexicans go because they know it’s the real deal. That impression was reinforced upon arrival. Nice little Mexican deli, groceries, drinks, a few small tables, a butcher shop, and a deli counter. Lots of Mexican products inside, lots of Mexicans eating with their families. Naturally, I ordered a burrito with authentic Mexican chorizo and guacamole on the inside. The nice lady taking my order asked if I wanted everything on it which I of course obliged. I grabbed some to go containers of salsa for pouring as well. Upon consuming the burrito, I was delighted. First of all it was enormous and I couldn’t finish it. Secondly it was LOADED with yummy, spicy chorizo. Third it was delicious (on par or better than Tacos Mexico). Fourth, the salsas I grabbed went really nicely with it. Small complaints — there was no guacamole inside like I asked for, only avocado slices, but it was delicious so who cares. Also they put jalapeño slices in there which made it too spicy, but hey, I told her I wanted it with everything. Now, the real reason this place doesn’t get 5 stars? Mild food poisoning. I woke up the next day with a lot of stomach pain, had diarrhea all day, and at times felt like I was going to pass out. I think there may have been something a little bit… unfresh going on with my burrito… but hey! it was delicious! I just have to work up the stones to eat there again…

Conflicted — Very realistic decent Mexican food at reasonable prices. Friendly owner. It took me 2 trips to gather the guts to go in and eat at this place. It’s very small, very dirty overall and although the food is quite good, it is just way too scruffy for all but the most adventurous out there. Eating on the street in Mexico is more pleasant than this place. There are several other places in Norwalk with nearly as good food and prices that just don’t make this worth the discomfort. Parking is an issue and I’m surprised the health dept let’s them continue to operate. Having said that, several excellent sauces available in all degrees of hotness. You’ll be eating under the bright fluorescents, between the packaged tacos, drying chili peppers and the «Bio-​Kult» (whatever that is?) in the glassed beverage refrigerators. 4 stars if it just wasn’t so nasty inside and if it had valet parking :-).

My boyfriend took me here raving about the burritos. I was skeptical at first, but they are SO good. Most authentic burrito you will find. Can’t wait to go back!

4stars for the authentic delicious S Cali Baja Mexican food.
The interior is neither traditional or the reason people come here. It’s clean & organized & BUSY!
It’s actually a Mexican grocery w the grill/​counter in the rear.
The owner is congenial & helpful & really cool.
I am so very happy I discovered this spot. I CRAVE SCali food & find that many new spots attempt to duplicate it but fail, miserably. It always lets me down.
Not this spot. Home made tortillas. 6 offerings on the salsa bar– ALL of the items are really good. I love the shredded cabbage, lime, cilantro & sliced fresh jalapeño– is amazing– I could eat that everyday. The tomatillo salsa was particularly bright & spicy.
I ordered the «platillo” — platter of grilled chicken, rice, beans, salad, avocado & fresh cubed queso. So good!
A huge plate for $ 10– had to take it home.
The burritos are huge & tasty & full of fresh yummy things.
For those of you who eat red meat/​more adventurous they serve beef tongue, all kinds of asada style meat, pork rinds, soft tacos, soup, etc.
slightly limited menu yet very fresh & highly seasoned food.
Eat in or take out.
Mini parking area. No restrooms that I could tell. Unique Latino market w exotic retail.

Hidden gem. I got a burrito for $ 7. It was delicious.
Parking on the street my be problematic but well worth the trouble.

Probably the best authentic mexican food youre going to get in this area. No frills, nothing pretty, very affordable, very good. I had a carnitas burrito, for $ 7 it was ENORMOUS, filled with rice, beans, fresh lettuce and tomato, jalapenos and chopped onions. Their small salsa bar has a few kinds of salsa and pickled carrots and a delicious cabbage salad. Sorry no margaritas, cant drink beer inside the store (they only sell it to go) no annoying mariachi bands or loud music, at worst youll have to wait for a table as there are very few and there are a few counter seats so take-​out is a good option.

AUTHENTIC Mexican food that is second to none. It’s not tex-​mex, it’s the real deal. At the back of a small grocery store in the middle of a neighborhood is a counter with 5 stools and 2 tables. Most of the employees don’t speak much english, but a patron is usually willing to help you order your food. When you see mexican people constantly eating here, you know its good. The pork tacos are ridiculously good and the steak burritos are massive without compromising flavor. You will be happy you ate here. Trust me.

I’ve been going to Los Portales for quite a few years now, and have to say that you will not find a better burrito in CT than you’ll find here! A lot of folks here on Unilocal throw around the word «authentic» when it comes to describing ethnic food, but clearly have no clue as to what they’re talking about. This place is as authentic as it gets for quick Mexican lunch fare.
As Doug S. mentioned in his review, this place is a hidden gem. It’s «hidden» because you’d probably never go in the place if you didn’t know it’s secrets. Basically it’s a small bodega in half residential/​half commercial neighborhood. There is a small (and I mean small) lunch counter in the back where they serve up tacos, burritos and a few other lunch dishes. As mentioned there are about three booths you can sit at, and some stools at the counter, but don’t go there expecting any kind of ambiance or trendy décor.
The lunch counter has a self-​serve salsa bar with freshly made salsas. The meats and ingredients are all fresh as well. The burritos are HUGE! I mean freakin’ massive! Stuffed with meat and all sorts of stuff — jalapenos, rice, sour cream, lettuce, etc, etc. The flavor is outstanding, and if you can finish the burrito, you certainly won’t need dinner!
Personally, I would never order nachos or any other Americanized «Mexican» food here, and didn’t even know they offered that. You can get that crap at Taco Bell or Chilis. But for burritos, tacos and other truly authentic fare, this simple little lunch counter can’t be beat. Viva Los Portales!

We recently moved here from Southern California where good authentic Mexican food is abundant. We took for granted how easily we could pull into any restaurant and be completely satisfied. I was in tears over the disgusting choices that we had in Westport and the surrounding area. My step daughter (who now lives in S. Ca) told me about Los Portales. She said i wouldnt be dissapointed. Now I am in tears again. But this time, they are tears of joy!!! Finally!!! Real food!!! I found out while talking to the guys in the market there that they are originally from S. Ca. as well. This is the real deal. I will only ever eat Mexican food at Los Portales while i live her on the East Coast.

This place is a hidden gem in Fairfield County. This is the most authentic mexican take-​out food that I have experienced and it was awesome! Los Portales is a Mexican market with a counter in the back where you can order food. I ordered the nachos and 4 tacos (1 chicken and 3 pastor). The pastor meat is a unique Mexican BBQ pork! The nachos were very good — even considering that nachos are nearly impossible to do as take-​out. I did not give them 5 stars for 2 reasons. First, they were out of guacamole. I was really hoping for chips and some guacamole. I had read a review of Los Portales that said the guacamole was great. Second, they were out of their queso fundido cheese for the nachos. This was a bit disappointing as the CTBITES review also raved about the cheese sauce on the nachos. The tacos were outstanding and I will definitely give them a second chance to make up for the lack of guacamole and queso fundido cheese. I went into Los Portales prepared to use some of the Spanish that I learned in college, but I did not need to. The girl who took my order knew English and was very helpful. If you are looking for a fun dining adventure, give Los Portales a try. You will forget that you are in Fairfield County. They do have 3 – 4 booths and a counter where you can eat if you do not want to do take-​out. I am going to stick to the take-​out option. Check out this review on CT BITES: