We’ve seen so many restaurants come and go from our little strip of East State Street in the ’05 neighborhood… so many in fact, that I can’t begin to remember them all. It’s important to us to have a nice selection of restaurants within our neighborhood not only because we love food, but also because we love our neighborhood and want to see it thrive. Enter Los Portales. To be honest, I didn’t have high expectations. Several Mexican restaurants have tried to make a go of it along that corridor, and none have been successful. Los Portales is different… I so desperately want it to succeed.
Major bonus points- they have real horchata! I haven’t had a delicious horchata since we moved away from Chicago, but Los Portales delivered. I couldn’t get enough. If you love horchata as much as we do, you have to try theirs. Perfection.
And while Los Portales leans on the upper end of the price scale for Mexican restaurants in town, it’s worth it, especially if you are looking for something different (and most importantly, non-chain). The chips are made right behind the counter and come out warm. The salsa is just chunky enough with the perfect blend of seasonings- a little hot, but not too hot. Meat is seasoned just so. Service is exceptional- the owners run the whole show from greeting, to seating, to waiting tables, to cooking to busing tables.
On this trip Jon ordered flank steak served with beans and cactus. I enjoyed the green chicken tacos served with beans and rice.
Los Portales is located at 3307 East State Boulevard in Fort Wayne.
A Ginger in the Kitchen 
I’m interested — what is the difference between this horchata and the horchata you get at, say, Las Lomas or Alberto’s?
Great question, Andy. I have not had the Horchata at Alberto’s, but I have had the Horchata at Las Lomas and I found it to be too watery- not only in terms of texture, but taste as well. In my opinion, Horchata should have a little bit of a thicker consistency and be packed full of spice 🙂 I hope that helps. I will be sure to try the one at Alberto’s soon.
This looks awesome. We will definitely be checking it out one of these days.
Awesome. I think you’ll like it. I classify it as upscale Mexican.