Decent food, though a bit bland, good service, reasonable price. Don't get the queso, it's a bit runny.

Great happy hour spot. Good drinks. Food is just okay. I would definitely return though! When you go, don't expect anything fancy. Seems very casual yet authentic. read more

I have eaten here for years and still love it. The food is very good (although the prices have gotten almost too steep). I love, love, love their Sangria Margarita though. read more

If Alfredo Sanchez is your manager, you need to reconsider your staffing. I went with my daughter for dinner and immediately notified the front desk there was no toilet paper in the ladies restroom, and 2 of the 3 stalls were locked (no one inside). An hour later there was still no toilet paper and the other stalls were still locked. I went to the front again and told them. There was a basket of napkin wrapped silverware there. I took a few to the bathroom with me, and told them it was for the napkins (until they could provide toilet paper). Apparently I was reported to the manager. Instead of apologizing for the situation he came to my table and began loudly interrogating me for "taking the silverware", in a very hostile manner. He was extremely rude and caused a scene. I have lived in this area since 1995 and have enjoyed many meals at this restaurant. The behavior of this manager is unacceptable. In addition, we need access to clean bathrooms, especially during this pandemic. I do hope to hear from someone (owner) to explain this situation to me and why it is acceptable to treat patrons in this manner. read more

Food was bland no flavor , to many fly's, asked for a house salad they didn't know what that was. Not going there again

The ambiance here is pretty nice. I was actually surprised how big the place is on the inside from how it looks from the outside. Our waitress was pretty awesome and very attentive. We ordered fresh squeezed lemonade to start out that was delicious and came with free refills. The chips did not taste freshly made and the salsa was pretty generic. We ordered the ribeye fajita plate for 2-3 people. I was surprised as to how massive the plate was. I think truly it was more for like 3-4 people. It came with 2 dipping sauces, neither of which we cared for. The meat itself was a bit dry even though we asked for medium rare. I was pretty disappointed with the bacon wrapped shrimp. The bacon was super dry and almost burnt. On the menu it says the tortillas are homemade, but neither the corn nor flour tasted home made. Over all this place seemed a lot more Tex-Mex than Mexican and we were left a bit disappointed. read more

The food and service here is top notch. Everything is fresh and delicious, from the queso, chunky guacamole to the enormous entrees. You won't leave unsatisfied. Free ice cream is an added bonus. I highly recommend this restaurant. read more

I give this place a C+. Margaritas were great. And strong. The food was not too bad. The staff just seemed over worked in my opinion.

Yeah, we may as well live here. Sometimes there's a quite a bit of a wait but the good food and fast service is always worth it. Their enchiladas are great and the margaritas are on point. read more

Happy hour is 11-7 everyday!!!! Ritas and food are DELISH. Had a yummy Chkn Ceasar Salad and several ritas. Chips and salsa are yum too....I would drive from Katy to dine and drink here! read more

Excellent Tex-Mex. Pork fajitas are outstanding and seldom seen in other Mexican restaurants. Very good refried beans and excellent house margaritas. Has become our go-to when we are the Spring/Woodlands area. read more

The food isn't very good and my stomach is always in bad shape after eating here. The drinks are good though. I think the drinks and location are what keep them busy. read more

The garden fajitas are the best. And you can barely walk out if you have two of their large margaritas. We have been coming here for years and love it. The salsa is home made and served warm. read more

Fajitas have a good flavor the flour tortillas are home made... micheladas

I've been dining here for 10+ years, the food is great but what brings me back is the salsa. I haven't found another salsa that can beat it

It's a fabulous place! Love to go there for lunch and dinner. My favorite plate is Poblano al Nogado!! Hard to find anywhere else! Always served the same way! Not to mention; We are blessed to have The best seever in town; Alfredo you make our visit pleasant each and every time! Thank you! read more

My favorite place. It gets really busy so I order to go most of the time. When we do dine in the food and service is great.

We go here often and love it. Their salsa is served warm, loaded with onions and flavor. Fajitas and cheese enchiladas are really good. Everyone is friendly and service is good. read more

The sitting could be better it was closed outside due to rain. Now we are by the restrooms :(. We ordered Queso Flamiado, a parrillada for one and that was enough for two people, a margarita best thing ever!! The small one is too small order the big one ;), an extra order of rice and beans (charro beans). The food is awesome our waitress was great. The salsa is the best and warm yummy!! read more

We've been coming here for years. However, recently the quality of the food seems to be suffering. Also, they still allow smoking inside the restaurant. They've relocated their best waiter to the smoking section as well. This is be location on hwy 249. We're going to give his place a rest for awhile. read more

Food is great, service is great, best micheladas in Spring. Margaritas taste awesome but beware, made from really cheap tequila....you will get a headache from just 1 the next day. read more

Me and my friend decided to check this place out based on the good reviews. Unfortunately now we regret ever stepping foot in this place. Once we arrived, we were seated and ordered our drinks, and our food which was great. But the a/c was either not on or broken so we asked if they could make it cooler. No one tried to help and acted like they didn't understand us. About 20 minutes later, me and my friend decided to pack up and leave because by this time we were dripping with sweat. Like why is the temperature the same as outside especially on a Hot Houston day??? As we walk out we see floor fans in the section where customers weren't allowed to be seated and I put 2 and 2 together that the a/c was broken. BUT THATS NOT ALL.....I get home a few hours and start feeling sick to my stomach. I ended up throwing up everything and the drinks and food was the only thing I had that day. Shortly after, my friend texts me and says she threw up as well. I do not play that throwing up shenanigans from restaurants and it clearly wasn't a coincidence since my friend threw up as well. I have NO IDEA what made us sick whether it was the food or the drinks but I definitely will NEVER be going back. read more

I have not been to El Palenque in years and was asked by two friends to accompany them. The bean soup was watery, bland and cold. I had to ask for sour cream for my Tacos al Carbon three times which they charged me extra for (in the past it was always free). My friend ordered some fresh jalapeños for his dinner and they charged him extra also. Mediocre food, poor service and charging extra for items that should have been included free accounts for my poor review. My two friends who dined with me this evening read this review and are in total agreement. We will NEVER go back!! read more

My husband and I ordered the South of the Border Beef Fajitas for 1-2. The fajitas were tender and delicious, the rice was good, salsa and chips were ok, and we weren't impressed with the charro beans. You don't get a lot of food but it's enough for 2. If you're a big eater, then this is for 1 person. I'd definitely go back. read more

I have been going to this place for 25 years - at least. The food is amazing and the ritas will knock you on your @ss. The service can be good or bad just like anywhere you go. Weekends are packed but if you're looking for some good tex-mex then this is the place. Try a sangria or strawberry Rita and I love the queso. If you want the green sauce with your chips and salsa then you have to request it. Most people don't even know they have it. Pricing average around 8$ a plate but my husband and I usually split something bc there is so much food! read more

Smells like pee and food tastes like s--t..... What was I thinking, food poisoning is probably next....

I've been going to this place since they were located across the street (SpringCypress Rd). The margaritas were the best and the salsa tasted different (better). I could feel a buzz after 1 small margarita. It really use to be a great place to eat and drink. Now....the worst margaritas ever! They taste like you're drinking margarita mix with no alcohol. Had 2 jumbos and absolutely no buzz when I left. The food is good but over priced. What happened to this? read more

It's not often that you find a crappy Mexican restaurant in Texas, but this is certainly one of them. The place is a total rip off and everything is way overpriced. Take iced tea for example - $2.85 per glass! Queso $8.25 for a regular order and (get this) $7.25 for a HALF order. The food was so so and service was ok, but no worth what they charge. And the hot sauce... It is just plain weird - it's watery and has chunks of onions floating in it. read more

I finally found a great Mexican restaurant in Houston! The food, drinks, service and prices are excellent. If you're in the area, or just want to try a different Mexican restaurant, this is the one. read more

I judge all other Mexican restaurants against this. I have been going here for about 15 years. Great customer service, all of the staff remembers you and your drink orders. They are all super nice and fast. I have never had a bad meal, or had my order be wrong. I would highly recommend this place! Garden fajitas are my favorite thing on the menu, super tender and juicy. read more

First time group of 6 of us. Poor service, we had to waive down the server for refills, take our order etc. He was informed that we had to be gone at a certain time (we had hour 1/2 plenty of time). We waited and waited and one of us finally had to go find a manager told him the situation and he had the personality of I don't care. Finally got our food ate so fast can't judge the food.. Sorry! Would we go back, most likely not. read more

I love coming to this place! Especially in the Cantina! It is a great environment and the staff is FANTASTIC! Food is fantastic! My one and only complaint is the bathrooms! The cantina bathrooms need fixed and remodeled. I have mentioned this multiple times without regard. read more

love this place... eat there weekly. everything is fantastic and the prices are great! try it... you will like it.

I don't think I have ever written a review on a restaurant before and I just had to write this one. I ordered the Baja chicken on my Waitr App and had it delivered. So it was the chicken, charro beans, rice, and chips and salsa. Hands down the best tasting Mexican food I've ever had. There's got to be a magical ingredient. Everything was so full of flavor. I even LOVED the salsa and I'm very picky about salsa. Thank you El Palenque read more

Very disappointed that they charged me for a few more tortillas - they lost my business being greedy- my $$ will be going elsewhere. Their food is not good enough to charge for more than 6 tortillas when you get fajitas for two!! read more

The Tex - Mex is great and the margaritas are excellent. Good prices and fun waiters. Highly recommend.

Always a good time here, just wish they weren't always on a wait. We went for National Margarita Day and were not disappointed.

Drinks and food were fabulous! Even waiting for a table was not bad and server was spot on and super attentive!

Very slow service, watered down drinks, food order incorrect and arrived cold. Manager named Ceasar refused to credit my bill for the food that I could not eat. He stated he could do whatever he wanted cause the restaurant was family owned. read more

Been coming here every since I can remember...20+ years! They still have some of the same staff which is amazing.. Best thing to order here is their avocado salad , cheese enchiladas, and of course their frozen margaritas! They are super strong and delish. Fajitas are great too. read more