Los Portales Offers Mix of Authentic and Tex Mex Cuisine

“The menu at Los Portales is a mixture of simple to more complicated dishes in Mexican cuisine; from good tacos to Molcajete which has a little bit of everything, steak, chicken, and shrimp in a flavorful red sauce.”

 The name of the new Mexican restaurant on Main Street, "Los Portales", or 'arches' in Spanish, reminds owner, Maricela Melendez, of her childhood and home. In Mexico, there are large gate doors when coming into the haciendas, similar to large farms and ranches in the U.S.

"As a child, I remember our big family gatherings at grandma's house, where us kids would play outside in the enclosed area behind the portales," Melendez said, "and the grownups would visit inside."

It was that feeling of safe and peaceful family gatherings that Melendez brought to Los Portales Mexican Bar & Grill, nestling on the bridge ,overlooking the Flat River in downtown Lowell. "To me, Los Portales is the equivalent of a safe gathering place for all," she said.

Having been in the restaurant business for 16 years on her own, and helping her dad as a child, Melendez chose Lowell as the perfect location for her restaurant. "For years, I have loved the atmosphere and how 'homey' Lowell has felt when I've visited," she said. "With all the festivals and activities going on, it's a great place for gathering, and the people here are so welcoming and nice. It made me want to be part of the community."

The menu at Los Portales is a mixture of simple to more complicated dishes in Mexican cuisine; from good tacos to Molcajete which has a little bit of everything, steak, chicken, and shrimp in a flavorful red sauce.

"I have a few favorites," Melendez said. "My top two are Tacos de Carne Asada and the Molcajete. Tacos are simple, yet so delicious. Who doesn't love a good taco? They remind me of home." Whenever, Melendez goes back home to Mexico, she stops at her uncle's taco stand.

Unlike authentic Mexican food, which is heavily seasoned with spices, the dishes at Los Portales are a happy medium that everyone can enjoy. "The menu is a good mix between authentic and Tex Mex," Melendez said. "We understand that not many people are fond of spicy food."

As the owner of two other restaurants, El Rancho and El Jalapeno in Greenville, Melendez wants to provide the utmost restaurant experience for everyone who comes through the main door of Los Portales. "I think all restaurants have something that can be appealing to everyone, but what sets us apart from other restaurants is our people, who work day-in day-out to ensure that we are meeting our customer's expectations," she said. "Over the years in business, I've always made it one of my goals to be the place where people love to come because they appreciate our employees as much as we do."

The drink list is quite extensive, with more seasonal items in the plans, as the restaurant continues to grow. Melendez's favorite drink is the Ultimate Margarita mixed with three different tequilas. "They are so smooth and good," she said.

The interior décor is beautifully painted by painter and friend, Jose Vera, with the help of his wife, Suzy. "We have had him paint other locations of ours but each time he outdoes himself with the amazing work he puts out for us," Melendez said.

Melendez wants to be a part of the community events, like the recent Lowell Pub Poker Run, with a good turnout for everyone. "We are continuously searching what we can get involved in and be a part of," she said. "We look forward to continue building the relationships with the community."

She adds, "I think the reason why people should come to Los Portales is because it's a place where they can feel comfortable and peaceful at," she said. "Everything we do comes from the heart, the cooking, the service. It all comes with love and that's a big thing we would love to have everyone around us spread."

Los Portales employes six full-time and two part-time employees with chef, Juan Coronado.

Melendez hopes for Los Portales to become a gathering place that let's people relax and enjoy the time they spend in the restaurant. "I would love for it to be a place that people feel at home at and enjoy being there, as much as we enjoy them being here with us," she said. "My hope is that we are successful in this location so that we can be a part of the Lowell community for years and years to come. I hope that as Lowell grows, we all grow with it."