Now that el tapatio is closed, this is my new go to for cheap 241 Margs and attractive waiters. The foods pretty good too.
(4)
Mary Jane S.
I called to order ahead since it was for take-out. The person to whom I spoke could not answer any of my questions regarding a couple of dishes about which I inquired. Frustrated, I drove there and placed my order at the restaurant. To my surprise, I was impressed with the hostess who greeted me and was able to answer my questions and make recommendations. I ordered the Mexican Guacamole Dip, Chips and Salsa, and the Beef and Bean Burrito. The Mexican Guacamole Dip was the best I have ever tasted! The guacamole was fresh as were the rest of the ingredients. Absolutely delicious!!! The chips and salsa were also very fresh and tasty. The burrito was just "okay". They piled the top of the burrito with wet lettuce and tomatoes but mostly lettuce (way too much at that), which caused the burrito to become very soggy. I would go back, but I would definitely order a different main dish!
(4)
Deborah W.
Okay, I'm not a picky eater at all. What I want is just decent food and service. Wow, this was bad. I ordered a beef chimichanga while my husband had the fajitas. The ground beef was super questionable. I'd equate it to fast food tacos meat, but even worse. Didn't know that was possible. The little salad that comes with lots of dishes was soggy lettuce, warm sour cream, and guacamole with jalapeños in it. It was too spicy to eat, and I normally love guacamole. The fajitas were so over cooked, dry, and a disappointment according to my husband. The service was horrible too, and it wasn't even busy. There were four servers sitting in a table appearing to roll silverware. 1 of them was actually doing that. Our server never refilled our drinks even though both were empty. Our chips basket was never refilled. We won't be going back.
(1)
Kerry O.
Went to el patron a Friday afternoon. The restaurant was pretty empty so the service was very fast. They brought out chips and salsa immediately. I got the 2 for 1 margaritas that they have daily. I ordered the frozen strawberry, it was a bit sweeter than I usually like but they were very strong! We ordered the chorizo queso dip and it was amazing! We devoured the whole thing between the two of us so barely got into our meals but it was just too good. A must try! I also ordered the burrito supreme lunch special it was good also but like I said I was so full from the dip I barely got into it. My friend ordered the flan to finish it off and it was a great flan, being from Miami you don't find hat good of flan often in tallahassee but it really was good! Overall great food drinks and atmosphere.
(5)
Shane M.
One of my favorite Mexican restaurants in Tallahassee. This place is kind of hidden away down a service road on Apalachee Parkway and you don't think much of it from the outside, but when you enter, the place sort of opens up and has a nice feeling to it. The food is normally always exceptional, I don't think I've ever had a bad meal here. I've had their Tacos El Pastor, California Burrito, Mole, Cheese and Bean dip, Enchiladas and it has all been top notch. They also have an excellent selection of drinks if that is your thing. They have everything from Mexican import drafts to Margaritas and even have huge fishbowl drinks and yard-sticks that you can put different flavors in. The wait time is normally not that long, even on the weekend so this is a good place to go if you don't want to wait a long time for another restaurant. The only thing that can be tedious and annoying is the chatter inside the restaurant. Whatever the building is made out of causes the talking to be really amplified and when it is busy, it can be hard to talk to the person next to you. El Patron can't really do much about this now, but it is just something to be aware of if you're going on a weekend when it is busy, expect the chatter to be a little bit louder than normal. All in All though, El Patron is a fantastic restaurant and I tell anyone who is stopping by Tallahassee to check this place out. It may not have all the bells and whistles of some of the other places being built here, but it has great prices, service and food.
(4)
Natalie O.
So happy we found a good Mexican restaurant. It's not authentic, but it's delicious. They quickly greet you with chips and salsa, both fresh. I like that the salsa has a little kick, but not too spicy. I love a good cheese enchilada, and those are on point here. Plus they have the mix and match platters which I'm a huge fan of. I got a beef soft taco as well, and it was great. The beef was tasty, and it had lots of cheese on it, which I'm all for (because having a cheese enchilada is not enough cheese apparently). The hubby got a platter with a taco, beef chile relleno (which you can get beef, chicken or cheese), and a tamale. He said the relleno was one of the best he's had.... not too spicy, lots of filling, and not heavily breaded. The tamale was the only bust. We will be back soon!
I love this little place. It is my favorite Mexican restaurant in Tallahassee. Is it super authentic? No, but they do have some authentic style dishes and use quality alcohol in their margaritas. Even though it isn't as authentic as you could get in other cities, I see a lot of Hispanic diners. Like any ethnic place, you know if they are here- it is good. I have always had really really good service, which makes it even better. The chips and salsa are quite good. The salsa is very fresh and does have a kick. You can see the fresh herbs and ingredients, which lets me know they are trying. Their margarita's are really delicious. They are not electric green, like other places in town, but they are not too sweet and not too sour, with some orange juice for balance. We love the two for one special all day every day. We usually get a large size 32oz and we are set. They are strong and they use patron in many of their varieties, after their name! I always split a dip with the BF and get a chili rellano. I always get the beef. The shrimp one just wasn't right the time I got it, I appreciate the creativity, but the cheese with the shrimp just didn't work for me. You can also get it with re-fried bean for the vegetarians out there. It is not breaded. The sauce is great. The chili is tender and flavorful. It is always perfect. One is enough for me with all the chips and salsa and dip we also get. We really like the chorizo dip. Is it "super authentic?" no. It is super yummy with gooey cheese with yummy crumbled sausage. It also comes with warm soft tortillas. You can choose between corn or flour. We usually alternate each time we go. The fajitas have great flavor and are an excellent portion. My BF often gets some of the other entrees, such as mole chicken. He likes their mole sauce. After being so many places around town, I am so glad we finally found a great place. Multiple visits have proved them consistent. It is a great spot for a girls margarita night or a fun date night. They have TVs for soccer games as well.
(4)
Jen S.
Had the chimichanga and added the carne asada taco, everything was amazing! Wish I would've of had room to try the fried ice cream, maybe next time I'm in the area!
(5)
Ashley H.
Lively atmosphere, good drink specials, and okay food. Like most other Mexican restaurants, the beans and rice were easily forgettable. Tacos, burritos, and enchiladas were run-of-the-mill. It seems like a good place to grab some drinks and food with friends. There were several TVs with football on, but the view kept being interrupted by a Direct TV message covering the screen, reminding them to pay their bill. Sheesh.
(3)
XXsweet J.
This is one of the best mexcain restaurants, I have ever been. Food was fresh and perfect. The palce was very clean and the food prices were very reasonable.
(5)
Kacie M.
El Patron is my fave Mexican place in town. The food and drinks are way better than some other places, but same prices. The service can be a little spotty, but they have a few really good servers. My go to order: chile poblano or relleno, beef flautas, and a 3 Patron margarita. They also have $2 tequila shots, if you wanna party.
(5)
Amber R.
Had dinner here with my sister last night. Food on POINT! Margaritas on POINT and buy one get one! Our server was super friendly and the atmosphere was comfortable, we don't get off work until 9pm at night so its always hard for us to find places to eat that's not McDonalds or some kind of fast food place at that hour so that was a huge plus for us, glad they were open so we could try them out cause i will definitely be back!
(5)
Really H.
I was visiting a friend in Tally and a bartender in Midtown suggested this place. We sat at the bar since we wanted to have a few drinks before we are. The staff was friendly and on a Friday night the place was really busy. The food was pretty yummy and the drinks were perfect.
(4)
Mariela A.
We eat at this place every time we are in Tallahassee. Very good food. Very flavorful.
(4)
Mari J.
In Tallahassee for a few days(pleasure for me/work for my sidekick) and was craving a good Margarita and a nibble of Mexican food(Arizona cant get here soon enough..COME ON MARCH). After looking at a few other places on Yelp that we found that had closed we settled for EL Patron. Upon entering you were greeted with wonderful smells that make your tummy smile. Sorry to say that was the last smile it would have, as the smell did not match the flavors of the food. It was lunch time, we were greeted immediately, seated, chips and salsa were there in a flash. Salsa was okay, chips fine. They had 2 4 1 Margaritas so I went with the Texas(16oz) Frozen.Very good for price and worth stopping in for if your in the area. We ordered off the lunch menu $5.49 entree/beans/rice/guacamole salad. I chose the Shredded Beef Chimichanga, (sidekick took a pic..sadly he cant find it)It was small and tasteless. There was red chili cooked into the beef but honestly NO FLAVOR; also topped with a con queso sauce that too was FLAVORLESS. I ate only a few bites(sidekick ate the rest). The beans were in need of salt and a squeeze a lime would of helped(I only tasted them). The rice was actually very flavorful and I ate it all. Law ordered the Steak Fajita Quesadilla, how can you mess that up, right? Well they didn't but it also was just a step above Taco Bell. More veggies then steak, little cheese and was more greasy then it needed to be. Our waitress was friendly, the place was clean. I would go back for some Texas Margaritas but pass on the food.
(3)
Perri O.
My friends and I love this place! There is always people there but never a wait and they are great with seating large parties! The waiters are very friendly and they have 2 for 1 margaritas all day every day!
(5)
Jennifer I.
Having lived in New Mexico, it's hard for me to eat Mexican food anywhere else. I ordered the Burrito Especial, and it was pretty disgusting. The mystery meat inside tasted a little bit like venison, and the cheese on top was extremely runny. The "salad" was wilting and the rice was dry and overcooked. The service was ok, granted, it was very busy. Also, this place turns into a club on First Friday or something? I don't know, but I had people grinding in my face, drinking watered down margaritas, and it was weird. I don't think I'll be back.
(2)
Henry C.
Typical local tex/mex place. Stopped in for lunch with a large group. Service was good and food came out quickly. Prices on the lunch specials were good, and the portions were generous. Food was good, usual mexican options like burritos, flautas, tacos, tamales, etc served with beans and rice. Solid option for lunch.
(3)
Annalisa C.
Good food and buy 2 for 1 margaritas. Definitely a spot to check out! The service was also fantastic.
(4)
Will T.
Best Mexican place I've seen so far in my year in Tallahassee, friendly staff and atmosphere is really cool. Food is tasty and drinks are always on point.
(4)
Nicholas W.
This is as close to authentic Mexican that I've had since I've lived in Tally. The homemade salsa was great and I had the chicken quesadilla which was amazing! Can't wait to go back for their lunch special!!
(5)
Liz Annette M.
My favorite place to get mexican food , so authentic and clean and very well respectful people totally recommend it
(5)
Jeffrey C.
The quality of the meat is questionable and the food doesn't taste good. The only thing I liked was the breading on the chicken wings.
(1)
AaronErin D.
Some of our friends have an FSU game tradition by coming here the Friday night before a home game, which led us to this great new spot. I know finding a great authentic Mexican restaurant can be rather difficult so we will make this extremely easy for you, check it out! This place was BUSY! Which is always a great start. Just be prepared to wait a bit for drinks to be ready. They offer a huge menu of food & drink options, something for everyone. The best deal here is their delicious margaritas, buy one get one free! They are very tasty and actually poured very well. (The sizes range, keep in mind you are getting TWO- order wisely!) The chips, salsa & queso dip were very good. I personally ordered/tried the Chicken Burrito & Quesadilla, both were excellent. Our server was very friendly, polite & efficient. We will for sure be coming back the next time we are in town to watch FSU win!
(5)
Emily P.
Favorite Mexican place in tallahassee! It's almost always happy hour (try the seminolrita) & the queso has a nice twang to it. The churros are the ultimate guilty pleasure- they come out warm with chocolate sauce, whip creme, cherries, and ice cream.
(5)
Julia D.
PASTOR TACOS! FTW! They are NOT on the menu but a must have here! Everything else we tried was your average yummy mexican food but the PASTOR tacos is what I would be coming back for. As for the Chile Reno and enchilladas verdes, I prefer El Jalisco just because they pack a little more punch in the heat department. The drinks were stronger than most which is a big plus in my department. Great friendly staff.
(3)
Tamara P.
Food was good , service was friendly but could've been more knowledgeable about menu. Drinks were strong and well priced at two fors. Salsa was the best! Will definitely eat here again
(4)
Ashley H.
The best and most authentic Mexican food I've had in Tallahassee and a long time! Much better than El Jaliscos (better taste and freshness). I had the chimichanga and it was delicious! I was extremely full. The service was good also, my waiter was nice and our food came in about 5-10 minutes. I will definitely be going back.
(5)
Joshua P.
I got the fajita for take out the other day. Never again... I ended up with food poisoning and I have never been sicker in my whole life. It took me almost two days to recover. I would avoid this place. There are better Mexican places in town.
(1)
Lakshmi R.
OMG.... Food is yuuuuuuck !!!! :O I won't go again.... Had a take out.... It's really worst Burrito I ever had..... I won't recommend...
(1)
Edward J.
This place is OK. Read a lot of Yelping about the El Pastor tacos, they are not even on the menu. I ordered them and all I can say is they're OK. I think I was overcharged but didn't feel like screwing around arguing with the guy, who had about as much personality as a dead fish.
(3)
Nick T.
I've been to Tally for business quite a few times over the last year, and I find myself going back here about twice every trip. The food is standard Mexican fare, done well. I have occasionally had better, and often worse. The chips and salsa is very good, and they are generous with it. The food is very reasonably priced. The drink prices are excellent especially considering beer, tequila and margaritas are two for the price of one. The service is excellent. The waitstaff and bartenders are courteous, prompt, and knowledgeable about both the food and the extensive margarita menu. They keep the kitchen open relatively late. El Patron is a great alternative to the many chains surrounding it.
(4)
Diane M.
Valarie is an amazing server! My last review was inspired by the excellent customer service we received on our last visit. Thank you Valarie for your attention to details and great attitude! I don't ever remember names , yet when I do... I impress myself;) When you visit El Patron ask for Valarie!
(5)
Leah G.
5 stars just isn't enough to describe this place! Not only the best Mexican food in Tally ( and I am kind of a Mexican food snob) but 2 for 1 on ALL margaritas (even top shelf) AND EXCELLENT service! Why go anywhere else! This was our first visit and we will be back many more times.
(5)
Chris H.
$.99 beers were a pleasant surprise, but the nachos were subpar for the price. Salsa and chips were good, salsa seemed fresh but the restaurant does NOT make its own tortillas. Service was ok, but the restaurant wasn't very busy.
(2)
John C.
I spent half of my adult life in downtown Chicago, so I was fortunate to have a badass authentic Mexican place seemingly on every corner, which is why I was skeptical of joints like El Patron when I moved back to Tallahassee. Let's just say I was pleasantly surprised. It's not fantastic, but it's pretty good and does the trick.
(4)
Nicole E.
Went here last night and had a lovely dinner. The staff was super friendly and attentive. They brought us our free chips and salsa and then the guacamole I asked for right away. My dinner was a veggie fajita and it was fresh and tasty. I love traveling because I get to find all these great Mexican places!
(4)
Jim D.
One of the two places I ALWAYS visit when I come to Tally. Just awesome.
(5)
Lady D.
Loved the el Pastor tacos! The chili was authentic slow roasted beef in a nice adobe sauce. I can't wait to go again! So, I've been again and again. It is very good and cheap for lunch.
(4)
Kalem H.
Best Mexican we found here.
(4)
Andrew J.
I'm familiar with most Mexican restaurants in Tallahassee. This one receives my best review, for a few reasons: 1) The food is generally authentic, and reasonably priced. I'm satisfied with every meal I've gotten thus far. The queso and salsa are better than other Tallahassee spots. 2) The drinks are usually loaded with more alcohol than competing restaurants like El Jalisco. I'm surprised--and glad--that more students haven't migrated here yet. 3) Service is always friendly and attentive. 4) The restaurant is family-owned and operated, which makes it a preference above franchises like On the Border. If you're looking for the best Mexican in town, give this place a shot. It might win my vote.
(4)
bill n.
Ever since Old Mexico on Apalachee Parkway closed, I've been searching for a new place & think I finally found one. El Patron recently opened at 1170 on the Parkway (sort of across the street from Olive Garden). We decided to eat there last night & couldn't have been happier! I had the #50, a combo of food that took two large plates to hold. Taco, enchilada, burrito, tostada, chile relleno, & of course the requisite salad with sour cream. About $10.50, & worth every cent. My wife had the chicken quesadilla, with rice & beans ($8.99). All outstanding, & good & oven-hot! We split a fried ice cream, which was better than most I've tried around Tallahassee. A lot of places don't use cinnamon on it, but this place does, & it makes a world of difference. All told, the check came to $27 & change, not unreasonable at all. Service was excellent -- seated immediately, & the servers were all attentive, whether we were their table or not. We were never without chips or salsa (which is fairly hot, BTW), & our waiter kept a close eye on whether we needed drink refills. Decor is bright & colorful -- tiled tables, the expected brick red floor, & hand-painted flower-pot hanging lamps. It's more of a "pop" atmosphere than a Mom-&-Pop, but not objectionable or plastic like a lot of chains. Highly recommend you try it if you like good Mexican!
(5)
Kurt H.
One of my favorite Mexican restaurants in Tallahassee. Every time I've been there, the service has been outstanding. It's also a great place for lunch, as everything on their lunch menu is $4.99..including the fajitas! You cannot beat that. The service was so good last time, that my buddy and I both each tipped $5 on our $4.99 meal because the server was so excellent. I've always enjoyed the food here. It's not the best Mexican food I've ever had, but it's some of the best I've found in Tallahassee.
(4)
Madisen H.
My favorite mexican resturant in town!
(5)
Kenneth C.
The taco al pastor and the service was good considering only one waitress was on duty for a Saturday afternoon. I had a couple of Dos Equis and my cousin had a beer as well so I cannot tell you about their mixed drinks. Overall I had a good time and I recommend you try El Patron's out for yourself.
(3)
Dana T.
I think I can bump this place up to 5 stars. Come here quite often and have NEVER had a bad meal. I respect that their shrimp diablo is hot as fuuuck too. As someone who LOVES spicy food, it kinda annoys me when a restaurant says something is spicy and it's just not. But this is for real.
(5)
Tara S.
Fantastic. I will save this place to my favorite places to eat. Fast service and all food was cooked to perfection. Worth the 15 min. Side trip off main road.
(4)
p d.
Excellent carnitas! I've been a few times and find their food to mostly be very good or above. It's a treat to actually have your waiter smile unlike the other Mexican restaurant on the Parkway.
(4)
David D.
Hands down best Mexican restaurant in Tallahassee. Great food and service, also reasonably priced. I split the chicken and steak fajitas for two, plenty of food and only $20. We ended up getting a to go box for all the leftovers.
(5)
Myke D.
While El Patron had a pretty standard menu for a gringo friendly establishment I found their tacos al pastor on the al a carte menu - which are highly recommended.. At a buck twenty five you can get five or six and still be eating cheaper than most of the menu.. With onion and cilantro, lime wedges, and a delicious avocado sauce, my pastor tacos were like gourmet truck tacos, with a unique and delicious flavor that sets them apart from the standard greasy street taco.. And on to the service-, which was super friendly and helpful on two separate occasions with different servers.. Genuinely friendly, these guys made me feel welcome and made sure I got everything I needed, dine in and take out.. With good chips and salsa, I would hazard a guess that the rest of the menu is pretty delicious. If all thats not enough.. They stay open late for Tallahassee so when other restaurants doors are locking you'll be at El Patron knocking!..
(5)
Troy B.
Decent food. Good prices. Smaller portions than other Mexican restaurants I've been. All lunch items were $4.00....including fajitas. Service was slow. Think they only had 1 server working.
(3)
Rodney H.
I just moved to Tallahassee about 2 weeks ago and have lived on Yelp finding new places to eat. Fortunately we only live about 2 minutes from this place and I'm gonna go ahead and say this is the best Mexican food I have ever had! The restaurant itself is laid out and decorated very well with a very "authentic" feel. The bar area has many flat panel HD TV's ready for many drinks and sports. They had an AWESOME patio outside but they just opened in November 2010 so they haven't put any furniture out there yet but when they do and it's gonna be great! The service was good and I STRONGLY SUGGEST the number 52! It's a little bit of everything and I wasn't disappointed by anything on BOTH my plates. My GF ordered the grilled fish tacos and they were so fresh and delicious... Its gonna be tough for me to eat at another Mexican restaurant in Tally again. Well done El Patron, well done!!!
(5)
LouLou J.
I'm very happy to see such a positive response from this great restaurant! My usual spot was Old Mexico (RIP), and since their untimely demise and El Patrons opening, this has been my go-to spot. The service is good, the food is great (Quesadilla Suprema!), and the atmosphere is lovely. Shout out to their salsa and black bean dip (complementary!). I have yet to see them looking like a mad house like most of the other Mexican restaurants around town where the service is , however understandably, slow. The only thing I would say needs work is the margaritas. The quality comes and goes but perhaps I shouldn't be complaining as I always get bottom shelf. The prices are very reasonable and I plan to continue to patron El Patron!
(4)
Marcia M.
Loved this place, can't wait to go back. Everything was great.
(4)
Jesse F.
I took four people there for a business meeting and some relaxation. From the moment I walked in the door I felt as though the El Patron was a private dining club. Our waiter doted on us relentlessly, yet appropriately. Moments before, I had called El Patron merely to ask for driving directions and a nearby landmark. The friendly woman who runs the place also asked, "When will you arrive and how many will be joining you?" Our table was ready when I got there 30 minutes later -- place settings, menus, chips, salsa, four bottles of different hot sauces, the works -- I felt like The Godfather. The food is very authentic Mexican. I had Chiles Rellenos -- perfecto! I love real Mexican Avocado Salad, so I ordered extra - it was made from the freshest ingredients imaginable and their guacamole is magnificent. All five of our food orders came up in just a few minutes, granted it was late afternoon on a Monday, and few other parties were there, but still impressive and everything looked amazing. Their house salsa is smoky, with the perfect amount of seasonings and cilantro, and just as freshly made as it could possibly be, and they are very generous with it, and fresh tortilla chips, too. The dining room is spotlessly clean. So are the restrooms. The full bar is in the center of the dining room, surrounded by huge LCD screen TV's (soccer was on...imagine that!). I would recommend El Patron to anyone wanting an experience that feels like a family-owned place, yet with an expansive menu with more selections than I've seen at the much larger Mexican chains. Another kind of fun, noticeable thing: You can order large sides to go, so why not order some salsa to take home? The woman owner greeted us on our way out, we shook hands with her, and she thanked us for coming in. Best time out at a Tallahassee restaurant I've had in years.
(5)
Dee B.
Knowing that this is a newly opened restaurant which had not officially had its Grand Opening announced, I was happy to be in a well ordered dining area with an attentive waiter and a manager obviously making sure that the staff was taking care of the customers who filtered in as I did. I ordered Carnitas with salad, rice, and beans. IT was excellent! Moist, hot, and seasoned perfectly for me, after I removed the whole jalapeño garnish. I also had to try a chile relleno filled with shrimp. Yum! There were many other items that looked and sounded tasty, I wish I had brought friends so we could have shared different items. I will go back!
(4)
Shane L.
The food and service are pretty good. I had the Chimichanga but it was pretty small. My mother had a burrito and it was huge. Overall, the food was good but it was not spectacular.
(3)
Robert L.
Outstanding! Enjoyed the fajitas and my wife enjoyed the huevos ranchers at this hidden jewel on the parkway! Look for it. It's worth the hunt.
(5)
Dan M.
Edgar was our waiter. He was very good, but his accent was a little hard to understand. I think I screwed up because I bought a beer with my meal then when he came back, I turned him down for an extra brew, but I came to realize later that he said, "Sure you don't want another; it's two for the price of one." Oh well. The meal was very good; not like some Mexican restaurants where each person's meal looks the same no matter what they get. I had the fajita combo dinner and it was great with shrimp, chicken and steak. The steak was not tough and the shrimp were large. This isn't an expensive place and my family was happy except that the portions of guacamole and sour cream with the dinners were kinda small.
(3)
Nicole C.
The staff is so nice. The menu options are pretty typical for Mexican food, but the quality and seasoning is a notch above. Definitely worth trying if you are in Tallahassee.
(4)
Ahole C.
great mexican food . clean and quiet dinning room . had lunch here passing through the area . service was fast and couldn't be better . there was hardly anyone in here for lunch . i don't know why ? but if your in the area definitely stop in. we had typical mexican meals tacos , burritos , rice & beans .
(4)
Tricia K.
I've eaten at El Patron several times now. The chili is very good. I wasn't so impressed by the tacos. I went there one day after work when I was craving crunchy tacos and found the shells to be a bit rubbery. When I cook tacos at home, I like to cook the shells for a little bit to make them nice and crisp. There's were like they were served cold out of the box. The first time I went to El Patron, I got an appetizer sampler as my meal and the chicken strips were so tough, they were inedible. Other than that, I've enjoyed other things I've tried there and friends I've gone with have enjoyed their food, too. Especially the mango daiquiris!
(4)
Daniela J.
Very good authentic food, we tried carnitas and flautas both really good, the place is nice and you feel like you're in Mexico, the server fausto was really nice and fast!!! Also the margaritas are very good!!!
(5)
Darrin W.
If you're in tally, do stop here. Great service and the did is good and fresh. I will stop here next time I'm in town.
(4)
Sean T.
This one was hard to review. I've been there twice. The first time made me want to go back but the 2nd time made me never want to go back again. With that said, the food is delicious and it has a nice, calm, LAX vibe. (Lax meaning the waiter doesn't care regardless of how your meal turns out). So let me explain. First time there. Great food, great service. Loved it. 2nd time. I went with 5 other friends and I ordered the El Patron Steak. I am lactose intolerant so I did not expect my steak to be smothered in cheese when it arrived 45 minutes after we got our margaritas. Before I go deeper into my experiences, I just want to say that they also made a mistake on my friend's order. Example, my friend ordered chicken soft tacos, they came in hard shells. My other friend asked for no beans, but still got them on his plate. So overall, they dealt with it and did not complain but I had to send mine back for obvious reasons... I double checked the menu with the waiter and we both agreed that the description for El Patron Steak did not say anything about cheese. So I asked for the manager who never came but always looked at me from far away as he looked pissed at the waiter for wasting a steak. Oh and btw, who the hell puts cheese on a steak? So the waiter puts in the order again. 30 minutes after I sent the plate back I told the waiter to cancel the order cause my friends were almost done eating. When I told the waiter that, he said I could still have the first steak if I wanted, for free. That's what pissed me off, like he totally forgot that I told him I was lactose intolerant, and the fact that they haven't even started cooking my next steak!!!! The main reason why I'm so angry and disappointed is because I enjoyed my first visit so much that I recommended and brought 5 of my friends there to only have me leave hungry, angry, and embarrassed. So my conclusion is, the food is good but there is a high risk that you'll have an unpleasant experience from the service. In the end I told the waiter about the menu discrepancy and he just said "ok" and walked away.
(2)
Carolyn L.
The food...at least the part of the order they gave me...was bad. I can honestly say Taco Bell tastes better and is probably the same quality, which is bad. That being said, I picked up my order and when I got home they had forgot to put in the taco I ordered. Additionally, they charged me for lettuce, cheese, tomato, and sour cream. They gave me NONE of these things. I ended up paying 15 dollars for 7 dollars worth of food. AND I tipped them even though it was takeout. Bad move on my part. I called back to ask them to refund my credit card for everything they didn't give me and they pretty much said too bad I could either drive back and get the taco or nothing. Thanks but no thanks.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
Jordan C.
Now that el tapatio is closed, this is my new go to for cheap 241 Margs and attractive waiters. The foods pretty good too.
(4)Mary Jane S.
I called to order ahead since it was for take-out. The person to whom I spoke could not answer any of my questions regarding a couple of dishes about which I inquired. Frustrated, I drove there and placed my order at the restaurant. To my surprise, I was impressed with the hostess who greeted me and was able to answer my questions and make recommendations. I ordered the Mexican Guacamole Dip, Chips and Salsa, and the Beef and Bean Burrito. The Mexican Guacamole Dip was the best I have ever tasted! The guacamole was fresh as were the rest of the ingredients. Absolutely delicious!!! The chips and salsa were also very fresh and tasty. The burrito was just "okay". They piled the top of the burrito with wet lettuce and tomatoes but mostly lettuce (way too much at that), which caused the burrito to become very soggy. I would go back, but I would definitely order a different main dish!
(4)Deborah W.
Okay, I'm not a picky eater at all. What I want is just decent food and service. Wow, this was bad. I ordered a beef chimichanga while my husband had the fajitas. The ground beef was super questionable. I'd equate it to fast food tacos meat, but even worse. Didn't know that was possible. The little salad that comes with lots of dishes was soggy lettuce, warm sour cream, and guacamole with jalapeños in it. It was too spicy to eat, and I normally love guacamole. The fajitas were so over cooked, dry, and a disappointment according to my husband. The service was horrible too, and it wasn't even busy. There were four servers sitting in a table appearing to roll silverware. 1 of them was actually doing that. Our server never refilled our drinks even though both were empty. Our chips basket was never refilled. We won't be going back.
(1)Kerry O.
Went to el patron a Friday afternoon. The restaurant was pretty empty so the service was very fast. They brought out chips and salsa immediately. I got the 2 for 1 margaritas that they have daily. I ordered the frozen strawberry, it was a bit sweeter than I usually like but they were very strong! We ordered the chorizo queso dip and it was amazing! We devoured the whole thing between the two of us so barely got into our meals but it was just too good. A must try! I also ordered the burrito supreme lunch special it was good also but like I said I was so full from the dip I barely got into it. My friend ordered the flan to finish it off and it was a great flan, being from Miami you don't find hat good of flan often in tallahassee but it really was good! Overall great food drinks and atmosphere.
(5)Shane M.
One of my favorite Mexican restaurants in Tallahassee. This place is kind of hidden away down a service road on Apalachee Parkway and you don't think much of it from the outside, but when you enter, the place sort of opens up and has a nice feeling to it. The food is normally always exceptional, I don't think I've ever had a bad meal here. I've had their Tacos El Pastor, California Burrito, Mole, Cheese and Bean dip, Enchiladas and it has all been top notch. They also have an excellent selection of drinks if that is your thing. They have everything from Mexican import drafts to Margaritas and even have huge fishbowl drinks and yard-sticks that you can put different flavors in. The wait time is normally not that long, even on the weekend so this is a good place to go if you don't want to wait a long time for another restaurant. The only thing that can be tedious and annoying is the chatter inside the restaurant. Whatever the building is made out of causes the talking to be really amplified and when it is busy, it can be hard to talk to the person next to you. El Patron can't really do much about this now, but it is just something to be aware of if you're going on a weekend when it is busy, expect the chatter to be a little bit louder than normal. All in All though, El Patron is a fantastic restaurant and I tell anyone who is stopping by Tallahassee to check this place out. It may not have all the bells and whistles of some of the other places being built here, but it has great prices, service and food.
(4)Natalie O.
So happy we found a good Mexican restaurant. It's not authentic, but it's delicious. They quickly greet you with chips and salsa, both fresh. I like that the salsa has a little kick, but not too spicy. I love a good cheese enchilada, and those are on point here. Plus they have the mix and match platters which I'm a huge fan of. I got a beef soft taco as well, and it was great. The beef was tasty, and it had lots of cheese on it, which I'm all for (because having a cheese enchilada is not enough cheese apparently). The hubby got a platter with a taco, beef chile relleno (which you can get beef, chicken or cheese), and a tamale. He said the relleno was one of the best he's had.... not too spicy, lots of filling, and not heavily breaded. The tamale was the only bust. We will be back soon!
(4)Lauryn M.
Such good authentic Mexican food. The service is prompt and friendly and the prices are really reasonable. The molé is to dye for.
(5)Ann Y.
I love this little place. It is my favorite Mexican restaurant in Tallahassee. Is it super authentic? No, but they do have some authentic style dishes and use quality alcohol in their margaritas. Even though it isn't as authentic as you could get in other cities, I see a lot of Hispanic diners. Like any ethnic place, you know if they are here- it is good. I have always had really really good service, which makes it even better. The chips and salsa are quite good. The salsa is very fresh and does have a kick. You can see the fresh herbs and ingredients, which lets me know they are trying. Their margarita's are really delicious. They are not electric green, like other places in town, but they are not too sweet and not too sour, with some orange juice for balance. We love the two for one special all day every day. We usually get a large size 32oz and we are set. They are strong and they use patron in many of their varieties, after their name! I always split a dip with the BF and get a chili rellano. I always get the beef. The shrimp one just wasn't right the time I got it, I appreciate the creativity, but the cheese with the shrimp just didn't work for me. You can also get it with re-fried bean for the vegetarians out there. It is not breaded. The sauce is great. The chili is tender and flavorful. It is always perfect. One is enough for me with all the chips and salsa and dip we also get. We really like the chorizo dip. Is it "super authentic?" no. It is super yummy with gooey cheese with yummy crumbled sausage. It also comes with warm soft tortillas. You can choose between corn or flour. We usually alternate each time we go. The fajitas have great flavor and are an excellent portion. My BF often gets some of the other entrees, such as mole chicken. He likes their mole sauce. After being so many places around town, I am so glad we finally found a great place. Multiple visits have proved them consistent. It is a great spot for a girls margarita night or a fun date night. They have TVs for soccer games as well.
(4)Jen S.
Had the chimichanga and added the carne asada taco, everything was amazing! Wish I would've of had room to try the fried ice cream, maybe next time I'm in the area!
(5)Ashley H.
Lively atmosphere, good drink specials, and okay food. Like most other Mexican restaurants, the beans and rice were easily forgettable. Tacos, burritos, and enchiladas were run-of-the-mill. It seems like a good place to grab some drinks and food with friends. There were several TVs with football on, but the view kept being interrupted by a Direct TV message covering the screen, reminding them to pay their bill. Sheesh.
(3)XXsweet J.
This is one of the best mexcain restaurants, I have ever been. Food was fresh and perfect. The palce was very clean and the food prices were very reasonable.
(5)Kacie M.
El Patron is my fave Mexican place in town. The food and drinks are way better than some other places, but same prices. The service can be a little spotty, but they have a few really good servers. My go to order: chile poblano or relleno, beef flautas, and a 3 Patron margarita. They also have $2 tequila shots, if you wanna party.
(5)Amber R.
Had dinner here with my sister last night. Food on POINT! Margaritas on POINT and buy one get one! Our server was super friendly and the atmosphere was comfortable, we don't get off work until 9pm at night so its always hard for us to find places to eat that's not McDonalds or some kind of fast food place at that hour so that was a huge plus for us, glad they were open so we could try them out cause i will definitely be back!
(5)Really H.
I was visiting a friend in Tally and a bartender in Midtown suggested this place. We sat at the bar since we wanted to have a few drinks before we are. The staff was friendly and on a Friday night the place was really busy. The food was pretty yummy and the drinks were perfect.
(4)Mariela A.
We eat at this place every time we are in Tallahassee. Very good food. Very flavorful.
(4)Mari J.
In Tallahassee for a few days(pleasure for me/work for my sidekick) and was craving a good Margarita and a nibble of Mexican food(Arizona cant get here soon enough..COME ON MARCH). After looking at a few other places on Yelp that we found that had closed we settled for EL Patron. Upon entering you were greeted with wonderful smells that make your tummy smile. Sorry to say that was the last smile it would have, as the smell did not match the flavors of the food. It was lunch time, we were greeted immediately, seated, chips and salsa were there in a flash. Salsa was okay, chips fine. They had 2 4 1 Margaritas so I went with the Texas(16oz) Frozen.Very good for price and worth stopping in for if your in the area. We ordered off the lunch menu $5.49 entree/beans/rice/guacamole salad. I chose the Shredded Beef Chimichanga, (sidekick took a pic..sadly he cant find it)It was small and tasteless. There was red chili cooked into the beef but honestly NO FLAVOR; also topped with a con queso sauce that too was FLAVORLESS. I ate only a few bites(sidekick ate the rest). The beans were in need of salt and a squeeze a lime would of helped(I only tasted them). The rice was actually very flavorful and I ate it all. Law ordered the Steak Fajita Quesadilla, how can you mess that up, right? Well they didn't but it also was just a step above Taco Bell. More veggies then steak, little cheese and was more greasy then it needed to be. Our waitress was friendly, the place was clean. I would go back for some Texas Margaritas but pass on the food.
(3)Perri O.
My friends and I love this place! There is always people there but never a wait and they are great with seating large parties! The waiters are very friendly and they have 2 for 1 margaritas all day every day!
(5)Jennifer I.
Having lived in New Mexico, it's hard for me to eat Mexican food anywhere else. I ordered the Burrito Especial, and it was pretty disgusting. The mystery meat inside tasted a little bit like venison, and the cheese on top was extremely runny. The "salad" was wilting and the rice was dry and overcooked. The service was ok, granted, it was very busy. Also, this place turns into a club on First Friday or something? I don't know, but I had people grinding in my face, drinking watered down margaritas, and it was weird. I don't think I'll be back.
(2)Henry C.
Typical local tex/mex place. Stopped in for lunch with a large group. Service was good and food came out quickly. Prices on the lunch specials were good, and the portions were generous. Food was good, usual mexican options like burritos, flautas, tacos, tamales, etc served with beans and rice. Solid option for lunch.
(3)Annalisa C.
Good food and buy 2 for 1 margaritas. Definitely a spot to check out! The service was also fantastic.
(4)Will T.
Best Mexican place I've seen so far in my year in Tallahassee, friendly staff and atmosphere is really cool. Food is tasty and drinks are always on point.
(4)Nicholas W.
This is as close to authentic Mexican that I've had since I've lived in Tally. The homemade salsa was great and I had the chicken quesadilla which was amazing! Can't wait to go back for their lunch special!!
(5)Liz Annette M.
My favorite place to get mexican food , so authentic and clean and very well respectful people totally recommend it
(5)Jeffrey C.
The quality of the meat is questionable and the food doesn't taste good. The only thing I liked was the breading on the chicken wings.
(1)AaronErin D.
Some of our friends have an FSU game tradition by coming here the Friday night before a home game, which led us to this great new spot. I know finding a great authentic Mexican restaurant can be rather difficult so we will make this extremely easy for you, check it out! This place was BUSY! Which is always a great start. Just be prepared to wait a bit for drinks to be ready. They offer a huge menu of food & drink options, something for everyone. The best deal here is their delicious margaritas, buy one get one free! They are very tasty and actually poured very well. (The sizes range, keep in mind you are getting TWO- order wisely!) The chips, salsa & queso dip were very good. I personally ordered/tried the Chicken Burrito & Quesadilla, both were excellent. Our server was very friendly, polite & efficient. We will for sure be coming back the next time we are in town to watch FSU win!
(5)Emily P.
Favorite Mexican place in tallahassee! It's almost always happy hour (try the seminolrita) & the queso has a nice twang to it. The churros are the ultimate guilty pleasure- they come out warm with chocolate sauce, whip creme, cherries, and ice cream.
(5)Julia D.
PASTOR TACOS! FTW! They are NOT on the menu but a must have here! Everything else we tried was your average yummy mexican food but the PASTOR tacos is what I would be coming back for. As for the Chile Reno and enchilladas verdes, I prefer El Jalisco just because they pack a little more punch in the heat department. The drinks were stronger than most which is a big plus in my department. Great friendly staff.
(3)Tamara P.
Food was good , service was friendly but could've been more knowledgeable about menu. Drinks were strong and well priced at two fors. Salsa was the best! Will definitely eat here again
(4)Ashley H.
The best and most authentic Mexican food I've had in Tallahassee and a long time! Much better than El Jaliscos (better taste and freshness). I had the chimichanga and it was delicious! I was extremely full. The service was good also, my waiter was nice and our food came in about 5-10 minutes. I will definitely be going back.
(5)Joshua P.
I got the fajita for take out the other day. Never again... I ended up with food poisoning and I have never been sicker in my whole life. It took me almost two days to recover. I would avoid this place. There are better Mexican places in town.
(1)Lakshmi R.
OMG.... Food is yuuuuuuck !!!! :O I won't go again.... Had a take out.... It's really worst Burrito I ever had..... I won't recommend...
(1)Edward J.
This place is OK. Read a lot of Yelping about the El Pastor tacos, they are not even on the menu. I ordered them and all I can say is they're OK. I think I was overcharged but didn't feel like screwing around arguing with the guy, who had about as much personality as a dead fish.
(3)Nick T.
I've been to Tally for business quite a few times over the last year, and I find myself going back here about twice every trip. The food is standard Mexican fare, done well. I have occasionally had better, and often worse. The chips and salsa is very good, and they are generous with it. The food is very reasonably priced. The drink prices are excellent especially considering beer, tequila and margaritas are two for the price of one. The service is excellent. The waitstaff and bartenders are courteous, prompt, and knowledgeable about both the food and the extensive margarita menu. They keep the kitchen open relatively late. El Patron is a great alternative to the many chains surrounding it.
(4)Diane M.
Valarie is an amazing server! My last review was inspired by the excellent customer service we received on our last visit. Thank you Valarie for your attention to details and great attitude! I don't ever remember names , yet when I do... I impress myself;) When you visit El Patron ask for Valarie!
(5)Leah G.
5 stars just isn't enough to describe this place! Not only the best Mexican food in Tally ( and I am kind of a Mexican food snob) but 2 for 1 on ALL margaritas (even top shelf) AND EXCELLENT service! Why go anywhere else! This was our first visit and we will be back many more times.
(5)Chris H.
$.99 beers were a pleasant surprise, but the nachos were subpar for the price. Salsa and chips were good, salsa seemed fresh but the restaurant does NOT make its own tortillas. Service was ok, but the restaurant wasn't very busy.
(2)John C.
I spent half of my adult life in downtown Chicago, so I was fortunate to have a badass authentic Mexican place seemingly on every corner, which is why I was skeptical of joints like El Patron when I moved back to Tallahassee. Let's just say I was pleasantly surprised. It's not fantastic, but it's pretty good and does the trick.
(4)Nicole E.
Went here last night and had a lovely dinner. The staff was super friendly and attentive. They brought us our free chips and salsa and then the guacamole I asked for right away. My dinner was a veggie fajita and it was fresh and tasty. I love traveling because I get to find all these great Mexican places!
(4)Jim D.
One of the two places I ALWAYS visit when I come to Tally. Just awesome.
(5)Lady D.
Loved the el Pastor tacos! The chili was authentic slow roasted beef in a nice adobe sauce. I can't wait to go again! So, I've been again and again. It is very good and cheap for lunch.
(4)Kalem H.
Best Mexican we found here.
(4)Andrew J.
I'm familiar with most Mexican restaurants in Tallahassee. This one receives my best review, for a few reasons: 1) The food is generally authentic, and reasonably priced. I'm satisfied with every meal I've gotten thus far. The queso and salsa are better than other Tallahassee spots. 2) The drinks are usually loaded with more alcohol than competing restaurants like El Jalisco. I'm surprised--and glad--that more students haven't migrated here yet. 3) Service is always friendly and attentive. 4) The restaurant is family-owned and operated, which makes it a preference above franchises like On the Border. If you're looking for the best Mexican in town, give this place a shot. It might win my vote.
(4)bill n.
Ever since Old Mexico on Apalachee Parkway closed, I've been searching for a new place & think I finally found one. El Patron recently opened at 1170 on the Parkway (sort of across the street from Olive Garden). We decided to eat there last night & couldn't have been happier! I had the #50, a combo of food that took two large plates to hold. Taco, enchilada, burrito, tostada, chile relleno, & of course the requisite salad with sour cream. About $10.50, & worth every cent. My wife had the chicken quesadilla, with rice & beans ($8.99). All outstanding, & good & oven-hot! We split a fried ice cream, which was better than most I've tried around Tallahassee. A lot of places don't use cinnamon on it, but this place does, & it makes a world of difference. All told, the check came to $27 & change, not unreasonable at all. Service was excellent -- seated immediately, & the servers were all attentive, whether we were their table or not. We were never without chips or salsa (which is fairly hot, BTW), & our waiter kept a close eye on whether we needed drink refills. Decor is bright & colorful -- tiled tables, the expected brick red floor, & hand-painted flower-pot hanging lamps. It's more of a "pop" atmosphere than a Mom-&-Pop, but not objectionable or plastic like a lot of chains. Highly recommend you try it if you like good Mexican!
(5)Kurt H.
One of my favorite Mexican restaurants in Tallahassee. Every time I've been there, the service has been outstanding. It's also a great place for lunch, as everything on their lunch menu is $4.99..including the fajitas! You cannot beat that. The service was so good last time, that my buddy and I both each tipped $5 on our $4.99 meal because the server was so excellent. I've always enjoyed the food here. It's not the best Mexican food I've ever had, but it's some of the best I've found in Tallahassee.
(4)Madisen H.
My favorite mexican resturant in town!
(5)Kenneth C.
The taco al pastor and the service was good considering only one waitress was on duty for a Saturday afternoon. I had a couple of Dos Equis and my cousin had a beer as well so I cannot tell you about their mixed drinks. Overall I had a good time and I recommend you try El Patron's out for yourself.
(3)Dana T.
I think I can bump this place up to 5 stars. Come here quite often and have NEVER had a bad meal. I respect that their shrimp diablo is hot as fuuuck too. As someone who LOVES spicy food, it kinda annoys me when a restaurant says something is spicy and it's just not. But this is for real.
(5)Tara S.
Fantastic. I will save this place to my favorite places to eat. Fast service and all food was cooked to perfection. Worth the 15 min. Side trip off main road.
(4)p d.
Excellent carnitas! I've been a few times and find their food to mostly be very good or above. It's a treat to actually have your waiter smile unlike the other Mexican restaurant on the Parkway.
(4)David D.
Hands down best Mexican restaurant in Tallahassee. Great food and service, also reasonably priced. I split the chicken and steak fajitas for two, plenty of food and only $20. We ended up getting a to go box for all the leftovers.
(5)Myke D.
While El Patron had a pretty standard menu for a gringo friendly establishment I found their tacos al pastor on the al a carte menu - which are highly recommended.. At a buck twenty five you can get five or six and still be eating cheaper than most of the menu.. With onion and cilantro, lime wedges, and a delicious avocado sauce, my pastor tacos were like gourmet truck tacos, with a unique and delicious flavor that sets them apart from the standard greasy street taco.. And on to the service-, which was super friendly and helpful on two separate occasions with different servers.. Genuinely friendly, these guys made me feel welcome and made sure I got everything I needed, dine in and take out.. With good chips and salsa, I would hazard a guess that the rest of the menu is pretty delicious. If all thats not enough.. They stay open late for Tallahassee so when other restaurants doors are locking you'll be at El Patron knocking!..
(5)Troy B.
Decent food. Good prices. Smaller portions than other Mexican restaurants I've been. All lunch items were $4.00....including fajitas. Service was slow. Think they only had 1 server working.
(3)Rodney H.
I just moved to Tallahassee about 2 weeks ago and have lived on Yelp finding new places to eat. Fortunately we only live about 2 minutes from this place and I'm gonna go ahead and say this is the best Mexican food I have ever had! The restaurant itself is laid out and decorated very well with a very "authentic" feel. The bar area has many flat panel HD TV's ready for many drinks and sports. They had an AWESOME patio outside but they just opened in November 2010 so they haven't put any furniture out there yet but when they do and it's gonna be great! The service was good and I STRONGLY SUGGEST the number 52! It's a little bit of everything and I wasn't disappointed by anything on BOTH my plates. My GF ordered the grilled fish tacos and they were so fresh and delicious... Its gonna be tough for me to eat at another Mexican restaurant in Tally again. Well done El Patron, well done!!!
(5)LouLou J.
I'm very happy to see such a positive response from this great restaurant! My usual spot was Old Mexico (RIP), and since their untimely demise and El Patrons opening, this has been my go-to spot. The service is good, the food is great (Quesadilla Suprema!), and the atmosphere is lovely. Shout out to their salsa and black bean dip (complementary!). I have yet to see them looking like a mad house like most of the other Mexican restaurants around town where the service is , however understandably, slow. The only thing I would say needs work is the margaritas. The quality comes and goes but perhaps I shouldn't be complaining as I always get bottom shelf. The prices are very reasonable and I plan to continue to patron El Patron!
(4)Marcia M.
Loved this place, can't wait to go back. Everything was great.
(4)Jesse F.
I took four people there for a business meeting and some relaxation. From the moment I walked in the door I felt as though the El Patron was a private dining club. Our waiter doted on us relentlessly, yet appropriately. Moments before, I had called El Patron merely to ask for driving directions and a nearby landmark. The friendly woman who runs the place also asked, "When will you arrive and how many will be joining you?" Our table was ready when I got there 30 minutes later -- place settings, menus, chips, salsa, four bottles of different hot sauces, the works -- I felt like The Godfather. The food is very authentic Mexican. I had Chiles Rellenos -- perfecto! I love real Mexican Avocado Salad, so I ordered extra - it was made from the freshest ingredients imaginable and their guacamole is magnificent. All five of our food orders came up in just a few minutes, granted it was late afternoon on a Monday, and few other parties were there, but still impressive and everything looked amazing. Their house salsa is smoky, with the perfect amount of seasonings and cilantro, and just as freshly made as it could possibly be, and they are very generous with it, and fresh tortilla chips, too. The dining room is spotlessly clean. So are the restrooms. The full bar is in the center of the dining room, surrounded by huge LCD screen TV's (soccer was on...imagine that!). I would recommend El Patron to anyone wanting an experience that feels like a family-owned place, yet with an expansive menu with more selections than I've seen at the much larger Mexican chains. Another kind of fun, noticeable thing: You can order large sides to go, so why not order some salsa to take home? The woman owner greeted us on our way out, we shook hands with her, and she thanked us for coming in. Best time out at a Tallahassee restaurant I've had in years.
(5)Dee B.
Knowing that this is a newly opened restaurant which had not officially had its Grand Opening announced, I was happy to be in a well ordered dining area with an attentive waiter and a manager obviously making sure that the staff was taking care of the customers who filtered in as I did. I ordered Carnitas with salad, rice, and beans. IT was excellent! Moist, hot, and seasoned perfectly for me, after I removed the whole jalapeño garnish. I also had to try a chile relleno filled with shrimp. Yum! There were many other items that looked and sounded tasty, I wish I had brought friends so we could have shared different items. I will go back!
(4)Shane L.
The food and service are pretty good. I had the Chimichanga but it was pretty small. My mother had a burrito and it was huge. Overall, the food was good but it was not spectacular.
(3)Robert L.
Outstanding! Enjoyed the fajitas and my wife enjoyed the huevos ranchers at this hidden jewel on the parkway! Look for it. It's worth the hunt.
(5)Dan M.
Edgar was our waiter. He was very good, but his accent was a little hard to understand. I think I screwed up because I bought a beer with my meal then when he came back, I turned him down for an extra brew, but I came to realize later that he said, "Sure you don't want another; it's two for the price of one." Oh well. The meal was very good; not like some Mexican restaurants where each person's meal looks the same no matter what they get. I had the fajita combo dinner and it was great with shrimp, chicken and steak. The steak was not tough and the shrimp were large. This isn't an expensive place and my family was happy except that the portions of guacamole and sour cream with the dinners were kinda small.
(3)Nicole C.
The staff is so nice. The menu options are pretty typical for Mexican food, but the quality and seasoning is a notch above. Definitely worth trying if you are in Tallahassee.
(4)Ahole C.
great mexican food . clean and quiet dinning room . had lunch here passing through the area . service was fast and couldn't be better . there was hardly anyone in here for lunch . i don't know why ? but if your in the area definitely stop in. we had typical mexican meals tacos , burritos , rice & beans .
(4)Tricia K.
I've eaten at El Patron several times now. The chili is very good. I wasn't so impressed by the tacos. I went there one day after work when I was craving crunchy tacos and found the shells to be a bit rubbery. When I cook tacos at home, I like to cook the shells for a little bit to make them nice and crisp. There's were like they were served cold out of the box. The first time I went to El Patron, I got an appetizer sampler as my meal and the chicken strips were so tough, they were inedible. Other than that, I've enjoyed other things I've tried there and friends I've gone with have enjoyed their food, too. Especially the mango daiquiris!
(4)Daniela J.
Very good authentic food, we tried carnitas and flautas both really good, the place is nice and you feel like you're in Mexico, the server fausto was really nice and fast!!! Also the margaritas are very good!!!
(5)Darrin W.
If you're in tally, do stop here. Great service and the did is good and fresh. I will stop here next time I'm in town.
(4)Sean T.
This one was hard to review. I've been there twice. The first time made me want to go back but the 2nd time made me never want to go back again. With that said, the food is delicious and it has a nice, calm, LAX vibe. (Lax meaning the waiter doesn't care regardless of how your meal turns out). So let me explain. First time there. Great food, great service. Loved it. 2nd time. I went with 5 other friends and I ordered the El Patron Steak. I am lactose intolerant so I did not expect my steak to be smothered in cheese when it arrived 45 minutes after we got our margaritas. Before I go deeper into my experiences, I just want to say that they also made a mistake on my friend's order. Example, my friend ordered chicken soft tacos, they came in hard shells. My other friend asked for no beans, but still got them on his plate. So overall, they dealt with it and did not complain but I had to send mine back for obvious reasons... I double checked the menu with the waiter and we both agreed that the description for El Patron Steak did not say anything about cheese. So I asked for the manager who never came but always looked at me from far away as he looked pissed at the waiter for wasting a steak. Oh and btw, who the hell puts cheese on a steak? So the waiter puts in the order again. 30 minutes after I sent the plate back I told the waiter to cancel the order cause my friends were almost done eating. When I told the waiter that, he said I could still have the first steak if I wanted, for free. That's what pissed me off, like he totally forgot that I told him I was lactose intolerant, and the fact that they haven't even started cooking my next steak!!!! The main reason why I'm so angry and disappointed is because I enjoyed my first visit so much that I recommended and brought 5 of my friends there to only have me leave hungry, angry, and embarrassed. So my conclusion is, the food is good but there is a high risk that you'll have an unpleasant experience from the service. In the end I told the waiter about the menu discrepancy and he just said "ok" and walked away.
(2)Carolyn L.
The food...at least the part of the order they gave me...was bad. I can honestly say Taco Bell tastes better and is probably the same quality, which is bad. That being said, I picked up my order and when I got home they had forgot to put in the taco I ordered. Additionally, they charged me for lettuce, cheese, tomato, and sour cream. They gave me NONE of these things. I ended up paying 15 dollars for 7 dollars worth of food. AND I tipped them even though it was takeout. Bad move on my part. I called back to ask them to refund my credit card for everything they didn't give me and they pretty much said too bad I could either drive back and get the taco or nothing. Thanks but no thanks.
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