El Palenque
2210 Crestmoor Rd, Nashville, TN, 37215
El Palenque Menu
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Nachos And Other Appetizers
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Soups And Salads
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El Palenque Authentic Specialties
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El Palenque Authentic Specialties - Fajitas
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Seafood
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Vegetarian Specials
Healthy Meal suggestions for El Palenque
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Nachos And Other Appetizers
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Soups And Salads
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El Palenque Authentic Specialties
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El Palenque Authentic Specialties - Fajitas
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Seafood
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Vegetarian Specials
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Address :
2210 Crestmoor Rd
Nashville, TN, 37215 - Phone (615) 383-6142
- Website https://www.elpalenqueofnashville.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 2:00pm
- Mon : 11:00 am - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
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.
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Tamara S.
This is the closest Mexican restaurant to our home so we go there if we don't feel like driving to Cinco De Mayo where the food is better. The first time we went here we thought we would never go back because the waiter was so grumpy we actually nicknamed the place "Grumpy Mexican". We ended up giving it another try since again it was close. Today I ordered a Chimicanga and asked for them to put my guacamole that came with it in a bowl on the side. The waiter was young and spoke fluent English so he didn't question it and I always ordered it and never had a problem before. When we went to pay they charged us an extra $4.50 for something that came with the meal that I didn't even end up touching. They were very rude about it so it's our last time to "Grumpy Mexican".
(1)Kletia G.
no no no no no... this is just not right! If you like Mexican food, don't eat here. I will start with my review of the food, although I also had qualms with the service. The chips and salsa gave me hope. The salsa was flavorful and spicy and the chips were warm... then we got the guacamole. It was terrible. It tasted like cucumbers and was gross. I love guacamole with a passion and never leave any leftover... not so with this version. I barely ate any! I think they must use a guacamole seasoning mix...how sad! Then our meals came out. The carne asada was thin, dry, flavorless, stringy and had a strange musty flavor. It came with rice, beans and guacamole. The beans were not bad, the rice was bland and I already told you about the guac. We also got spinach enchiladas which were void of flavor, as well as cheese enchiladas, which again, were bland and blah. Now on to the service... NOT GOOD! We got there almost 10 min. after they had supposedly opened for the evening, only to find locked doors and no one in sight. A girl finally showed up and seemed annoyed that there were people waiting to be let in. She gave no apology that we had to wait or that she was late, just an irritated face. Throughout the meal, she just seemed bothered to be there, and bothered that we were there. I understand we have bad days, I've worked in customer service my whole life...but you can't make customers feel like a burden! I would have given this place 2 stars if the service had been better, but the combo of the food AND service led to this 1 star rating. I won't be back!!
(1)Janet S.
The boys love this place but the boys are not picky. The usual sloppy mess so many of these places call food. Unacceptable to a few but a delicious lunch for many. Budget friendly and fast.
(2)Jessica S.
Love this place. Cheap, delicious food, and quick service. So good!
(5)Al J.
Apparently they've just remodeled because several patrons complimented the owner on the work. There are several tables outside as well overlooking the parking lot to Green Hills. Good food, reasonable prices. Service was a little slow but not inattentive. Glad we saw the YELP reviews! We'll be back.
(4)Adam V.
I love El Palenque! This is my go-to Mexican lunch spot. I work right around the corner from this restaurant and it is a very easy way to grab a good lunch and still make it back to work in a timely manner. The service is prompt and I can't remember ever having a problem with my food. Everything is very good. The cheese dip is great and I've enjoyed fajitas, burritos, tacos, and several other items on the menu. They also have a soup that is amazing if you want to stay light. This place is family owned and I know several of them very well. They are great folks and will do everything possible to make sure that you enjoy your experience. The parking can be a bit iffy at times, but I always seem to find a spot. Their neighbors are usually slow and that keeps the small lot open for the most part. If you are looking for a quick Mexican dish with caring service, El Palenque is an excellent choice in the Green Hills areas.
(5)Sheena T.
Cheap cheesy Americanized Mexican food. Yup. A friend and I stopped in for a lateish dinner and we got we asked for. A run of the mill Mexican place. We had to ask for salsa a few times, and it wasn't my favorite, but it did the trick ok. For entrees, I had a combo dinner (bean burrito and chicken enchilada with rice and beans) and it was good. A good amount of delicious cheese on top, so just what the doctor ordered. My friend had the green enchiladas and they were good as well. Really liked the green verde sauce that they used. Good food but not great. I have definitely had better run of the mill Mexican places but I've had far worse as well. Overall, not bad. Don't see any reason to rush back but would stop in if the time was right and I needed another cheap option in Green Hills!
(3)Tamera P.
Good service, decent & cheap mexican food in Green Hills.
(3)Julie S.
I love these folks...been going for 15 years...always good and consistent and if you live in the neighborhood (Green Hills or Belle Meade) it is tough to go in there and not see someone you know. Great Maragaritas. The people who have run it for years continue to get better and better at their English, but a real Mexican experience in the middle of Green Hills!
(5)Kristina L.
Meh. Just meh. My work bunch wanted to go here for lunch. I tagged along for the heck of it. Big mistake on my behalf.... Lesson learned! Service was efficient. I certainly won't deny that. It was worthy of three stars but I will not round up because the food was bland and uninspired. The salsa was just so-so. The chips were warm but a little too thick for my taste. I ordered the lunch portion of the carne asada. The beef was so thin and tough. It lacked flavor and seasoning. A sprinkle of salt would have gone a long way as would have a few minutes less cooking time. The guac was also lackluster - it would have benefited tremendously with a bit more salt and some acidity. I left some behind; a rarity for me. The beans and rice were also unremarkable. Basically it was just nondescript food on a plate. Quite the disappointment. I definitely will not be returning
(2)Diana S.
Bland. Very, very bland, and I tried several things before writing a view just to be sure I hadn't ordered the one weak link. The ground beef in the taco wasn't seasoned; the chicken in the enchilada was just barely seasoned - I did detect a bit of tomato, or perhaps red pepper in it. I do have to say that the amount of beef and chicken in each was generous. The tamale was not good. You can get better tamales in Mississippi or Arkansas grocery stores than they serve here. One of those interchangeable "Mexican" restaurants you see everywhere that takes chicken, ground beef, pork and shrimp and creates 40 dishes using different starch vehicles (taco shell, flour tortilla, corn tortilla) and a rotation of the same 6 ingredients (cheese, sour cream, lettuce, tomato, peppers and guacamole) in different combinations. There are a few pluses to El Palenque, and they are not to be discounted, depending on your situation: the price is right, the margaritas and cheese dip are good (not stellar - good), and their to-go service is almost as fast as a fast food drive-thru.
(2)Rebecca M.
This place is a cheap Mexican restaurant. That's really all I can say. The food is bland, parking is terrible and the margaritas taste overly mix-ish. If you need a quick mex-fix then go for it, but if you are looking for something more, this isn't the place to do it.
(2)Kara R.
This restaurant deserves five stars for being exactly what it is presented to be - a neighborhood Mexican restaurant that is fast, good, and cheap. As a group of four on New Year's Eve around lunch hour, we were seated right away. Our service was extremely quick, food was great, margaritas were strong, and the bill was inexpensive.
(5)Marcia M.
How many times have I driven past El Palenque and not noticed this wallflower of a spot? Too many to count. The location is nestled near the Mall of Green Hills parking lot but due to to unremarkable signage and bland exterior, I have a feeling that I am not the only person who hasn't taken notice. However, you can't always judge a book but it's cover, right? Food was not on the agenda for our little happy happy excursion but the pitcher of margaritas most certainly was! At a budget-friendly $17, my cronies and I were able to indulge without any guilt. The basket after basket of chips and salsa are a whole other story.... no willpower whatsoever. Totally worth an extra trip to the gym. My only real gripe is that service was exactly doting or friendly for that matter. When we walked in at around 5pm on a Saturday afternoon, it was fairly empty and the host/server seemed to be in an annoyed mood throughout our visit. We had to constantly ask for refills of soda and chips/salsa as well. I am curious to come back to try a meal but just hope that the staff will be awake and in good spirits on the next go-round.
(3)Nickie G.
So my parents came over to bring my dining room table to me and we decided to go eat. There are some mixed reviews on here so I was a little worried but it actually wasn't bad at all. First off, it is in the same parking lot as F. Scott's. I was confused at first and we missed the entrance. Whoops. This lot is also small, so if you drive a big truck like my dad you may want to park in the side spots or somewhere else altogether. Walked in and it was a bit early so it was dead and the place is pretty small so it made me feel like everyone could hear me talking. Our waiter was pretty friendly, not particularly perky but not surly either. He brought me the Texas margarita - that being their "top shelf" margarita. Not sure how it compares to the usual margarita but it was waaaaaay too sweet and margarita-mix-syrupy to be considered a good margarita. But whatever, I drank it anyway. At least I could tell there was some booze in it. For dinner I got the chicken mole burrito that is just chicken wrapped in a tortilla and covered in mole sauce. So really it is an enchilada because I thought burritos almost always had beans? Anyway, this one didn't thank God, but it does come with beans if you don't ask them not to give them to you. I was excited because chicken mole is my FAVE! And it was not bad, not bad at all. Nice rich sauce, not too sweet. Could have used spice though. I like my mole sauce to be a bit more spicy to give it some complexity and not just be dark brown goop. Pretty solid though. Chips were also good and thick like I like. But the salsa was pretty uninspired and I couldn't get any heat from it. I realize spicy is more Tex-Mex than actual Mex but I still wish there was SOME spice in anything around here other than in hot chicken! Come on man! Overall experience was pretty good. Food was decent, waitstaff were decent, prices were decent. So I think I'll be back again when I'm craving chicken mole close to home!
(3)Sandy T.
Love their chicken soup!!! Very authentic and filling! :)
(5)Sarah H.
This isn't your greasy, cheap Mexican food! This is your authentic, delicious, cheap Mexican food! I spent a summer in Mexico and was born in El Paso, so I know legit Mexican, and this is it! The fajitas are to die for. The meat and vegetables are fresh and there's plenty to go around! It's not a fancy place, but if you want some good, filling, authentic Mexican food full of meat and veggies- go to El P! (as we call it!) Also, the service and drinks are great too!
(5)Bret D.
Parking is a nightmare and the food is not even average. Tasteless fajitas. Sounds almost impossible but they were like eating rubber. With all the good Mexican restaurants in town, don't waste your time here.
(1)Chad R.
Man, has this place gone downhill over the years. El Palenque was originally located on Nolensville Road back in the 1980's. It was the first real Mexican restaurant I had ever visited. Before that, I thought Taco Bell was a legit Mexican restaurant. Hey, I was just a kid! Back then, the food was very good and I used to go there quite a lot in the 1990's. At some point, they relocated to Green Hills, right next to F. Scott's, and they are the only Mexican place near the Green Hills Mall. Last night, my family and I were going to see a movie at the Green Hills Cinemas so we decided to grab a quick dinner at El Palenque. The service was decent and our server as ok. He totally messed up my sister-in-law's order for a marguerita but we let that pass. The rest of the staff had the stone face thing going on and they were just going through the motions. They did not even attempt to make our visit more pleasant or make us feel welcome. The food was just mediocre. To be honest, the last few times I have eaten there the food has been just ok. I don't think I will be going back. I used to really like El Palenque back in the day but back then there were not many places like that here in town. Now Mexican restaurants are all over the place. Maybe El Palenque was always mediocre and I just had never had a better alternative. They had better change a lot of things fast if they want to survive in this town which has a glut of the same kind of restaurants.
(3)Patrick R.
After reading the reviews we were mixed and wanted to give this place a try. However, the bad reviews are correct. The service was horrible. Our waiter never came by after the food got there to see if we needed refills and when we called him over, he was unbelievably rude to us for the remainder of our time. The margaritas taste very mix-ish and almost undrinkable and the food is average. The only positive thing was their fresh avocado.
(1)Ruiqiu K.
I've been craving Mexican/Mexican American since I moved here. And I don't mean the Moe's / Chipotle variety. Thanks to the 1.5 hour wait at Cheesecake Factory, I happened to spy this place from across the parking lot. Getting here by foot was interesting because we ended up scaling a low wall. We were too lazy to find another entrance here, since this restaurant and its parking lot is not in a very accessible spot visible from the main part of the mall. I admit that I don't have much patience for places where the staff is overly friendly. I can play the game and exchange the usual pleasantries expected in our society. But deep down inside, I just want people to take my order and not bother me again until I need my check. I especially hate it when staff come back and ask me mid-bite how everything was. So, I found the surly staff here highly amusing and a nice change of pace. When I asked if they offer horchata, he barked a "No" that told me I was expecting too much from their type of restaurant. (I was laughing inside.) No horchata means they probably don't offer any of the aguas frescas I was craving (hibiscus, watermelon, strawberry etc.) that I'm used to from Mexican restaurants back home. We were given a basket of thick, yellow tortillas. They were warm, but I don't know if they were under a heat lamp or homemade (probably the former, given the quality of the rest of the food.) The accompanying salsa (the cooked kind) was okay. Because it wasn't pico de gallo, I had a feeling the rest of the food was going to be just okay, too. I had the enchilada and tamale combo with Spanish rice. I was disappointed that there was no side of lettuce/tomato that I'm used to seeing back home. I didn't finish the salsa that came with the chips -- I poured the rest of it on my dish since it was severely lacking flavor. Since I have been craving Mexican, I wolfed most of my dish down, regardless. I'm probably giving this place one more star than I ought to because of my craving. The food overall was just okay. The quality reminds me of the first time I ever had Mexican food, before I learned where better food was located. Scratch that -- the quality reminded me of school lunch cafeteria-style Mexican food, where everything came from cans and boxes. And honestly, I don't mind that type of food. Yes, I've had much better, but after not having Mexican-ish style food in half a year, this hit the spot. Place was busy, which makes me think the locals like the food here a lot.
(2)Yappy M.
How hard is it to screw up Mexican food? It basically sells itself. El Palenque finds a way. The wait staff is just a downer. Nobody smiles. They seem like they're mad at you for eating there. It's really bizarre--like something from a Seinfeld episode. The margaritas are watered down, mostly mix. Overall, the restaurant is your typical $8-11 per meal Mexican joint, albeit with shoddy service. There are better options out there.
(1)Lucy M.
Nashville has it's fair share of tasty Mexican/TexMex, but if I'm near the Hillsboro area, it's without El Palenque. The things that really gets me going about this place is that they have the choice of grilled or shredded chicken and they really load you down with cheese. That's pretty much all I need in a Mexican restaurant. The staff can be slow to recognize if you need a refill, but they maintain positive attitudes. Just raise your hand and they'll rush over for your any need.
(5)Alexander T.
I do not know any Spanish and was embarassed that the waiter had to correct me when I placed my order. The waiter did not seem very friendly and took a while to check my identification. In the end, we just asked me for my birthday. I ordered the El Palenque which I think is a sampler plate of a variety of the items they offer. I know I had a stuffed pepper which was okay and I am not really sure what the other things I got were with the exception of the rice, lettuce, and beans, all of which were tasted fine. I was surprised to be served two large plates AND a small plate with a crunchy taco. The flavor of their food was a little different than other authentic Mexican restaurants I have been too but it wasn't bad. El Palenque is not the best Mexican Restaurant in Nashville but is a safe choice for authentic Mexican in Green Hills.
(3)Sara S.
Why had I not tried this place before? I've been living in Green Hills for a year, and working here for two, but just NOW came upon El Palenque. The food was very tasty, and the margaritas were great. Everything I would expect from a Mexican restaurant. The service, however, was WAY better! I felt very welcomed and not rushed, which is unusual for some of the Mexican places in the area. I will definitely be returning!!!
(4)Julia C.
El Palenque is my go-to spot for authentic Mexican food in Nashville. Jesus (the owner) and his staff (most of whom are members of his family) make sure that every visit is a good one with fast, tasty and relatively cheap eats. The green enchiladas are one of my favorites, as is the shrimp quesadilla. The standard margarita is always a good accompaniment. Located within walking distance of the Green Hills mall and movie theater in an unassuming strip, El Palenque is a reliable choice that I highly recommend.
(5)Priya P.
If you like cheese, this is the place for you. Be prepared for your entire order to be covered in cheese! El P is really affordable especially for the amount of food you get. For about $8.50, I got ample beans, rice, a burrito, and an enchilada. There are plenty of combo-type platters that make a great combination and a filling meal! The wait staff was really nice. My favorite part was the Mexican candy for sale by the register.
(4)Kyla A.
I must have ordered the wrong thing on the menu because the other reviewers seem to have had a vastly different experience than I. I order a spinach enchilada and the spinach inside tasted very much like the frozen kind - defrosted - and lumped into a tortilla with minimal care or effort. I picked at it for a bit, but was unable to eat much. Perhaps if I had read these reviews before I would have known it to be atypical and sent it back for another dish. Since I didn't, however, that nasty taste is my only memory of El Palenque, and I have no desire to try again to replace it. The only things worse than that dish was the date I was with when I ate it.
(1)Em I.
The worst thing about this restaurant is definitely the service. Our waiter was pissed from the moment we sat down and scowled at us while ordering our food. He also gave my ID a two-minute inspection, front and back, before tossing it back to me unceremoniously. I'm a margarita person, but I couldn't drink more than a sip of mine. It was way too sugary-sweet and tasted like syrup. Definitely not more than a hint of tequila in the drink. I didn't think I should be paying $6.25 for a sugared-up margarita with virtually no alcohol in it, so I sent it back as nicely as I could. (My first time ever sending a drink back to the bar). The waiter rolled his eyes at me and shook his head, muttered an obscenity in Spanish, and told me that he just brought me just what I ordered. Then he rudely asked me, "What do you want?" I opted for water--a safer option. He ended the exchange by grabbing the margarita from me and slamming it down on the table next to us so hard that it spilled over the sides. He didn't talk to me for the rest of the meal. The food itself wasn't bad (I ordered some kind of chicken dish), but it didn't have any "Mexican" flavors and was something I could make myself at home from a packet of dry rice, a frozen chicken breast, and some frozen broccoli. The one star is for the rude service and the disgusting drinks. Not going here again. I'm gonna stick to Cinco de Mayo.
(1)Mimi T.
I'm completely surprised we would find such a great Mexican restaurant in Nashville. This place is really good. We started off with their chips and a side of white melted cheese (queso)- it's soo good!! I just wanted to eat it all. I ordered tamales. One of THE BEST tamales I have ever had! (The best one I've had was from an old lady that was selling her tamales at a park in Los Angeles.) I think El Palenque's tamales is rated #2 in my book. I can't even find any tamales in Texas that tastes just as good. For dessert, I ordered their flan. It tasted really dense, and I like mine light like jello. Overall, I had a great meal here.
(4)Catherine W.
I've been going here off and on for 13 years or so, and to their original location before that (on Nolensville road). It's not as good as it used to be, and in fact, this evening it was disappointing. The chips are good. The salsa, eh, weird but not bad. The cheese dip was ok-good. I ordered beef tacos and a chicken taco. Beef was soo salty, I couldn't eat them. The chicken was better, but boring. 3 tacos were $8- no rice or anything else. My husbands #20 had enchilada/taco and something else. It was salty and boring. Less salty than my tacos though. We won't be going back there. It was such a waste of money (and calories). The ingredients are cheap.
(1)Will G.
I've been a fan of El Palenque since the 80's, before they were even in their current location. My all-time favorite is the Nachos with Beef off the appetizer menu. I have dreams of this stuff. Sadly I've moved out of state, but make it a point to eat here whenever I'm back in Nashville.
(5)Chris D.
If you like food with no salt or other seasoning this is your place. If you like food with actual taste find somewhere else.
(1)F Reid S.
el palenque used to be a decent mexican joint- no longer, alas. currently, it's an unfortunate combination of surly wait staff and bland, unappetizing food redeemed solely by one dish- the chicken soup. come here for the soup and the soup alone- everything else is between mediocre and terrible- and order a beer as the margaritas are mostly watered-down mix. to add insult to gastrointestinal injury, the wait staff is definitely pissed at something- probably the food- and they're not shy about showing it. granted- nashville is not san diego, and the food should be judged accordingly, but with that caveat firmly in mind, my opinion still stands. there is no care here. chicken soup & Negro Modelo- 4 stars. everything else- 1 star. demerits for attitude... 2 stars total.
(2)Shana K.
Somehow I ended up here twice in one week for lunch. Timing makes a considerable difference in the service, so I'd suggest waiting til just after the lunch hour if possible. Same dish both times, Huevos Rancheros, served with a spicy picante, rice, beans, tortillas and slightly underdone eggs. Deliciousness! Portions are hearty and perhaps only finish-able when wearing "buffet pants". I'm looking forward to going back soon for fish tacos, which IMHO beat the Baja Burrito fish tacos (ala Captain D's fish chunks!?) manos down! If you want authentic fishy goodness, you MUST try the fish at El Palenque. Makes me drool all over my keyboard just thinking about it. Mmmmmmmmmm
(4)Eli C.
Solid cheap mexican food.
(4)Benjamen B.
The food is like all mexican restaurant out there. Too bad the servers are all bummed out your there eating. They need a little spirit in them.
(2)John W.
This family-run restaurante is much more authentic than the tex-mex at La Paz next door. El Palenque is where you can enjoy muy delicioso food in a casual environment. I recommended the spinach enchiladas.
(4)kristen p.
If you are in the Green Hills area this is *the* Mexican restaurant to go to. It's definitely on my top 10 list for best Mexican in Nashville and I will tell you why. They have green enchilada sauce! You will have to forgive me but I do prefer tomatillos'. They also have a better Vegetarian selection than most Mexican restaurants. Which is saying a lot. It's also clean and centrally located.
(5)Scott H.
El Palenque is a favorite since the late 80's. Love the salsa, cheese dip. As a regular, it's always fun to see the same friendly faces - some of them the same since I first started going. Very reasonable prices. Favorites Chicken Q's, Burrita Pancha. Some current finds: Carne Asada - (although they started making them a different way and I don't like as much) and the CHICKEN SOUP! CHicken soup is really good and great for lunc on a winter day. Check them out!
(5)