Love of the Navy runs in local restauranteur's family Restaurants, posted by Editor, Pleasanton Weekly Online, on Sep 27, 2007 at 3:03 pm
Pleasanton's Mike Gutierrez has reason to be proud. His Emilio's El Portal restaurant on Main Street is now the oldest, continuously owner-operated restaurant in our town. This is no small accomplishment in Pleasanton given the Tri-Valley's rapid growth and competition in the dining business since Gutierrez opened El Portal in 1981. Then there's his son John-Michael, 23, from Foothill High's Class of 2001 who just graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis. The newly promoted Ensign Gutierrez will be leaving for naval flight school at Pensacola, Fla. in November to become a Navy pilot. His sister Monica, 20, a 2004 Foothill graduate and school cheerleader, starts her sophomore year at Annapolis this month. Gutierrez's other daughter Michelle, 9, is heading for the fourth grade at Alisal Elementary School, with a few years to go before deciding if she, too, wants a Naval Academy education. After finishing a year at the top of his one-year post-Foothill class at the academy's prep school in Rhode Island, John-Michael won an appointment to Annapolis from Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher (D-10th) when she still represented Pleasanton. U.S. Representative Richard Pombo (R-11th), whose district now includes Pleasanton, made the appointment for Monica Gutierrez.
Read the full story here Web Link posted Friday, August 11, 2006, 12:00 AM
Posted by Former Pleasanton Resident and FHS Alumni, a resident of the Del Prado neighborhood, on Sep 27, 2007 at 3:03 pm
I am sitting in Texas and was just thinking about Pleasanton, having left almost 6 years ago. I spent the first 32 years of my life there, having a magical childhood filled with activities, friends and family...extended family since I am an only child. Mike's restaurant played a huge part of my life there in Pleasanton, from I guess about the time he opened! I lived closer to downtown than many of my friends, as I went to Foothill but lived in Del Prado, off Hopyard and Golden. So downtown was closer than anything else. My parents would take me there for burritos - the best burritos I have ever had and even to this day, living in a predominately "Mexican" area of Texas, nothing will ever compare...though I keep looking but not hopeful - HA!! I then introduced my boyfriend's family to them, and I believe they are probably still customers. But the biggest part of El Portal is it was and still is to this day for many of them, the gathering place for all birthdays of the large group of girls I graduated with. Considering our 20th reunion is on Saturday, that is saying something! We have celebrated at least a hundred birthdays with Mike and him always being the most gracious host, but it was a staple for a few of us on a bi-weekly basis or more! I spoke to a friend who is still living in Pleasanton and has children a couple weeks ago, their favorite place is El Portal...carrying on the tradition!
Watching John-Michael and Monica grow up and hearing about these tremendous accomplishments is truly heartwarming...though not surprising!
El Portal is about fantastic food, plain and simple! No fluff needed to continue to bring you back...you come back for the food and for Mike! Such a humble man who takes care of his community and I am beyond nostalgic for a burrito...or some beans and chips...or red salsa...and while these are my favorites, I know that everything on the menu is fabulous!
Posted by Don Person, a resident of the Happy Valley neighborhood, on Nov 14, 2008 at 11:00 am
I have been eating at El Portal once or twice a week for more than twenty years. It is unpretentious, comfortable and friendly. I have never been dissatisfied with the food which is always delicious. Try the taco salad, chicken enchilada with Mike's wonderful mole sauce, chile verde or anything else on the menu. You won't be disappointed.
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