Mayor Victor Gordo, former Tournament of Roses President Laura Farber, and El Portal Restaurant owner Abel Ramirez toast with guests at “El Grito” celebration of Mexico’s Independence Day on Sept. 15, 2022 in Pasadena. [Photo by Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]
El Portal Restaurant owner Abel Ramirez, Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo, Teresa Deukmedjian, Robert Monzon at El Portal’s “El Grito” celebration of Mexico’s Independence Day on Sept. 15, 2022 in Pasadena. [Photo by Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]
Mayor Gordo mixes up his special "El Alcalde" margarita.
Former Tournament of Roses President Laura Farber, El Portal Restaurant owner Abel Ramirez, Rosalia Ramirez at El Portal Restaurant’s “El Grito” celebration of Mexico’s Independence Day on Sept. 15, 2022 in Pasadena. [Photo by Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]
Rose Bowl CEO Jens Weiden and family at El Portal Restaurant’s “El Grito” celebration of Mexico’s Independence Day on Sept. 15, 2022 in Pasadena. [Photo by Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]
El Portal owner Abel Ramirez rings the bell at “El Grito” celebration of Mexico’s Independence Day on Sept. 15, 2022 in Pasadena. [Photo by Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]
Arnold Ramirez, Rachel Ramirez, Margaret Limon, Ernie Limon at El Portal Restaurant’s “El Grito” celebration of Mexico’s Independence Day on Sept. 15, 2022 in Pasadena. [Photo by Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]
Cheryl Lewis and Beverly Lewis at El Portal Restaurant’s “El Grito” celebration of Mexico’s Independence Day on Sept. 15, 2022 in Pasadena. [Photo by Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]
Jennifer Van Dyke, Kelly Gordo, Vannia de la Cuba at El Portal Restaurant’s “El Grito” celebration of Mexico’s Independence Day on Sept. 15, 2022 in Pasadena. [Photo by Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]
Lauren and Matteo Muti at El Portal Restaurant’s “El Grito” celebration of Mexico’s Independence Day on Sept. 15, 2022 in Pasadena. [Photo by Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]
Guests were treated to live music as they dined at El Portal Restaurant’s “El Grito” celebration of Mexico’s Independence Day on Sept. 15, 2022 in Pasadena. [Photo by Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]
Zarina, Leland and Isabel Smith at El Portal Restaurant’s “El Grito” celebration of Mexico’s Independence Day on Sept. 15, 2022 in Pasadena. [Photo by Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]
Irma Perez, Silvia Romero, Rosalia Ramirez, Marisela Romero, Rosa Lupita at El Portal Restaurant’s “El Grito” celebration of Mexico’s Independence Day on Sept. 15, 2022 in Pasadena. [Photo by Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]
Gilbert and Jerri Salazar at El Portal Restaurant’s “El Grito” celebration of Mexico’s Independence Day on Sept. 15, 2022 in Pasadena. [Photo by Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]
Ryan McNary, Drew McNary, Sean McNary at El Portal Restaurant’s “El Grito” celebration of Mexico’s Independence Day on Sept. 15, 2022 in Pasadena. [Photo by Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]
El Portal owner Abel Ramirez and Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo at “El Grito” celebration of Mexico’s Independence Day on Sept. 15, 2022 in Pasadena. [Photo by Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]
Scores of customers and friends, ably assisted by Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo, helped celebrate Mexican Independence Day Thursday as they filled the patio at El Portal with “gritos” (cries) of “¡Viva México!”
The evening was led by El Portal owner Abel Ramirez and his organizing committee, who provided flags, speeches, trumpets and entertainment to honor the event.
The September 15 date is significant in Mexican history, and marked in every town and city, as it honors the day Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a Catholic priest and leader of the resistance against Spain, delivered his “El Grito de Dolores” (“the Cry of Dolores”) speech, in 1810, demanding the end of Spanish rule and calling on Mexicans to battle for independence from the Conquistadors.
But the highlight of the festive evening was clearly Mayor Victor Gordo, rolling up his sleeves—and remembering his years of working with his father, a cook at Ranchero’s Mexican restaurant—donning an apron and taking his place behind the bar, preparing and pouring his own Margarita recipe: “El Alcalde” [The Mayor].
“Tonight was a reminder of the importance for all of us to recognize how fortunate we are to live in Pasadena,” said Gordo after the celebration, “And, yes, it was fun to mix and serve one of my favorite drinks to friends and constituents. It also served as a reminder of the hard work that people do to ensure that when we go out, even just for a casual dinner, the tough work that the people behind the bar, and in the kitchen, in bringing us our food, put in every day.”
Gordo was a whirlwind behind the bar, showing off his mixologist skills, and was, after very little cajoling, ready to share his own special Margarita recipe:
Start with two parts of your favorite tequila, he instructed, (and no, he did not recommend one), add two parts margarita mix, and then he adds one part Triple Sec, followed by a very small handful of small, chopped sweet yellow peppers to the mix.
If you’re more daring, Gordo suggests that you can add Serrano peppers, which are notably more noticeable, thank you very much.
To this inviting mixture, he adds a “float,” and we don’t mean ice cream. He recommends adding a few swirls of Grand Marniér to the top of the mixture. It will float atop the drink before slowly oozing down into the concoction.
He mixed quite a number of those blends for guests, and when asked, “Salt or no salt,” on the margarita glass, he responded diplomatically, “I’ll go with whatever your doctor suggests.”
¡Viva Margaritas!
