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Place is. Lean and nice. The patio out back is a nice respite from the street. Ordered a beer and three tacos. The shells were filled with generous portions. Taste was good; found the asada and El Pastor a bit less tender than o was expecting. Almost a crunchy-ness to them. Service was friendly (order at the counter).
My wife and I stopped by for an early dinner on a Tuesday evening and there weren't many people in the restaurant -- only two other parties ahead of us waiting to place their order. However, after placing our order at the counter, it took around 30 minutes before food arrived at our table. The wait times must be upwards of an hour if the place gets busy, so definitely don't come here hungry or else you're going to easily get hangry. The food itself here is quite good. We shared a super burrito with carne asada, a fried chicken arepa, and a side of the corn ribs. The corn ribs were sweet, not overcooked, smothered with elote, tajin, and served with a large wedge of lime. The chicken arepa was a lot -- so much guac mixed in with the chicken! At first glance, the arepa doesn't look like much next to a super burrito. However, once you make it through a few bites, you know this thing is going to put you into a food coma. Last but not least, the super burrito is well-balanced with its ratio of meat to non-meat ingredients. I wish the burrito was on the grill for a few minutes longer and wrapped more tightly, as the whole thing fell apart as we were eating it. For the food we ordered above, our meal came out to about $50. Certainly not as cheap as a food truck, but the food was tasty.
My daughters and I went to try out the food as the ratings were very complimentary. We are sure glad we did! The food was amazing . Top quality ingredients are used. Everything is cooked up fresh and is flavorful and yummy. . We got the steak burrito the hand cut fries, homemade tortilla chips with a homemade guacamole, all some of the best food that we have had for a long while. It's beautiful inside and has great vibes I highly recommend this place . Bon appétit
El Patio's their namesake and yes you can find a plant filled patio but so much more! This is a trendy spot dishing up Latin American cuisine with a pleasurable flare. My companion took me here since it's close to home. I wouldn't have discovered if he hadn't suggested it. It seems like a popular spot for people around our age--Gen Z and Millenial Cal students and Berkeley dwellers. The atmosphere is loud and happening! Colorful Latin American decor dances around the room adding a pop of color to the dimly lit interior. Seating is ample and spacious inside and outside making it perfect for small groups. We chose to snag a cozy corner spot inside which is much louder than the airy patio. Food will be brought to your table after ordering but drinks need to be fetched on their own. Found service to be okay but not as efficient. Ordering is done at the register up front so can take a bit, food is on the slower end to come out, but the workers are friendly. Now for the food, plenty of it ranging from appetizers, entrees, and arepas! We'd never heard of an arepa before and chose to share the Reina Pepiada. They're made fresh so take more time. The arepa was mild in flavor with the cornmeal slightly crisp but also dense and soft. Inside was jam packed with a creamy avocado forward filling with shredded chicken. It was rich yet light but we wish it was more seasoned. I'd come back to try another arepa or something else. For those living in Berkeley, El Patio is a casual but hip spot to check out for food and drinks. The restaurant is easy to pass by off San Pablo Ave. but plenty of street parking around and a lot in the back. Customers were having a great time, food and drinks were good, and service was decent--what more can you expect. Honestly surprised I hadn't known of it before, but I'm happy we came.
Cute spot located in Berkeley that serves up some bomb ass duck fries, great chicken arepas and elote riblets that are straight fire. El Patio also has a cute, you guessed it, patio in the back to hang out. They also have a full bar and a huge tequila selection. Definitely worth checking out.
I had this place saved on my list for quite some time and finally had the time to stop by. I wanted to get an arepa since I never really get them and the reina pepiada looked really unique. Even though I ordered one to go, it held up well until I got home. There is a lot of filling relative to the size of the arepa, so it is definitely a good value. The arepa was toasted well and there's definitely plenty of avocado. I would say I was a little disappointed by it overall though. The chicken was dry and for me, it was a bit bland. I ended up adding hot sauce after a couple bites, but it was still off. I'm not sure if it had too much mayo/mustard or maybe just needed more bread/less sauce? The menu had other items that looked appealing so I think I would come back for those if I had the chance (duck fat fries and pabellon plate). But I probably wouldn't get the reina pepiada arepa again.
Cool restaurants with a full bar in Berkeley Not sure why I kept passing it .... But I finally found it!! Street parking only/no garage This place has a photo booth inside !! Cute idea Love the decor ..... especially the statue of Jesus in the corner of the bar over the liquor Super vibe LOL Prices are very reasonable Staff is friendly Venue is clean Bar is well stocked Store sells their own merchandise I order a margarita..... margaritas was good I also had a beef empanada Empanada was made fresh Food was ok .... Menu has the trendy birria ramen I definitely want to come back and try it !!
Cool place, great vibe, good food made with love. fresh & good drinks. We sat out on the patio that's nice & shady. Very casual bougie & fun. Our server was really nice & friendly. Parking can be challenging but that's to be expected in Berkeley.. they have a photo booth but it was out of order.
Super tasty food and kind, relaxed staff. Was recommended to us by a local business owner down the road and we're glad she shared this spot. Laid-back vibe and cute decor, too. There's a Photo Booth in the back that's super fun. I think the corn riblets were our favorite! Super flavorful. Good vegetarian options too, for both appetizers and entrees.
We really enjoyed El Patio! I loved my arepa, it was delicious and had great flavor. The chips and guacamole were also really good, but as you can see the portion of guac was not super generous. The salsa was pretty mid, but the chips were good and crisp. The vibes were fun at El Patio, would recommend checking it out!
Some of the best times are unplanned date nights! Hubby texted me, "Berkeley?" and I said "Say no more, we're going to El Patio!" We ordered 3 arepas! I'm not sure if I had arepas before but they are like pocket tacos to me and are absolutely delicious. 1. Reina Pepiada Arepa = shredded chicken, avocado, mayo, and mustard This one is jam packed! It was good but I felt like it was missing something... maybe needed some hot sauce to kick it up a notch. 2. Al Pastor Arepa= pork, cheese, cilantro, onion This one was both of our favs because it was so flavorful. Everything complemented each other so well. 3. Pabellon Arepa = shredded beef, black beans, plantains, and cotija cheese This one was tasty! I'm a sucker for sweet + savory mixed food. The plantains were so good. I also got a Michelada with a tamarind straw. One of the best I've ever had!! Love the vibes of the outdoor patio. I'm happy I got to eat good food and spend intentional time with my hubby. Shoutout to Megan H. (@sayimafoodie) for introducing me to this place!!
Can't say enough about this spot as it was our first time after getting settled in the Bay. Lots of places we had in mind closed early (pandemic & staffing) but thanx to all my Yelpers out there, we found this Latin Fusion place. The front counter /bar area was lively with people and the bartender was engaging. Great welcome and we initially sat inside. With menus on deck, we ordered at the bar and grabbed some cocktails. It was loud when we first walked in but then learned they had a patio area towards the back. The hallway has lots of cool decor & the patio was a big surprise. Luckily we were able to secure a table with ease. For food, the Super Burrito was on deck, and man that joker is SUPER... Duck Fat Fries, Chips & Guac, a mix of Empanada's & Patacones. All of the food was good. We did wait a bit but I like how everything came out when ready. Ideal spot if you're looking to change up your vibe whether it's for happy hour with old (and new) friends or dinner.
Had the 3 Tacos, a Pabellon Arepa and an Al Pastor Super Burrito. The meat for all was on the dry side. The flavors were different from the Mexican style, which was a interesting change of pace, seemingly absent of picante sauce. But this Venezuelan alternative take was not superior by any means. What made the experience distasteful was the attitude of the waitress/bartender. She seemed friendly enough at first, but seemed to get irritated simply because we wanted to relocate away from the open door and chilly air. And then she got flustered when I gently pointed out a mis-charge for an item and asked that it be changed. After she corrected it, she actually slammed down the receipt in front of my face! True, it wasn't a big upcharge, but it's the principle. And, obviously, I'm not cheap because we had paid her a 25% tip. (You gotta pay first before you see the receipt). Really, I wanted to demand the tip back, but just let it go.
5/5: The elote ribs stole the show. Highly recommend them as an appetizer or get two and make it a meal. Every bite was a burst of sweet corn, sour lime, and spicy chili. So so good. 3/5: The empanada was piping hot and stuffed with melted cheese. I just wish they had more creative fillings as the only options were cheese or beef. 4/5: The reina pepiada arepa was overflowing with creamy avocado, mustard, mayo and shredded chicken. Like other reviewers, I found it to be a little bland. Their indoor decorations for Halloween were so fun. I imagine that it's a great vibe during other times of the year too. Great music and super friendly staff. There's a big covered patio out back, but it was being used for an event. I would definitely come back to sit outside and try other items on their menu. read more
3 years ago
Al pastor tacos here are top tier! So many places ruin Al Pastor, but this spot has got them down. Flavorful, juicy, and stacked with meat! Gabachos beware: there is a lot of flavor here. read more
4 years ago
3 years ago
I called ahead on a Monday night and the gentleman who answered the phone was SO nice and inviting. I asked if they did anything for birthdays and he said they absolutely do and told me to come on down. The restaurant is limited service; you order food at the bar and a runner brings it out to you and picks up plates but you get your own plates, silverware and water. Street parking is pretty easy, after 6 the meters are free. Outside dining is available in the patio of el patio. It is well lit, well spaced and there are heaters. Food: Elote Riblets - tasty but a little difficult to eat. Presented well with lots of colors and flavors. Tacos - good flavor, comes in an order of three and you can mix and match. We got two chicken and one beef and liked them equally. Empanadas - the cheese empanada was super good. Definitely among the better empanadas I've had. Tejadas (plantains) - super good. Perfectly friend with the right about of softness inside to crunchiness outside without being rubbery. Tequenos (fried cheese sticks) - these were very good, a fun twist on mozzarella sticks; larger and better I'd say. They came with a good dipping sauce also. A little on the heavy side but worth it. Quesadilla (special off menu order for picky eater) - my nephew is picky and wanted a chicken and cheese quesadilla and el patio was kind enough to accommodate him. The quesadilla was huge and yummy, he ate his leftovers as soon as he got home! Margaritas - very tasty, strong. Birthday - for my sisters birthday they clapped and helped us sing. They were totally fine with us bringing our own cake and let us use their matches for our candles. They also brought out a bottle and poured a birthday shot in her mouth which was super fun and festive! Definitely made it an exciting and special experience. Staff - the folks at the bar and the food runners were all VERY nice. They were helpful and accommodating and made us feel very much at home. We will absolutely return here to have more food and drinks at el patio! Thank you!! read more
3 years ago
Came here to visit Berkeley Marina as well as the hiking trail way up above UC berkeley. It's pretty dim here and the least happening mexican restaurant on the strip which tells u something. My friend wanted to come here bc he said he had been before and it was good. Ordered carne asada tacos and it was very salty. The margaritas were okay. The service was subpar. Would not come back. read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
I've been hearing about this vegan-friendly gem for a while, and finally made it out on a Sunday evening. It was smaller and darker than I expected, but their back patio has some iron tables and strong heaters (once you get them started) to help keep you warm. You order at the counter. I tried the Cadillac margarita ($12), which was alright but not the best I've had. You could taste the syrup, which is always a strike in my book. However, the Soy Vey arepa made up for it! The thick corn exterior melts in your mouth, and it came with a healthy loading of black beans and sweet plantains. I would have liked a little more avocado, but I'll have to go for the creamy Reina Pepiada (avo + shredded chicken) next time. read more
3 years ago
This is a lovely restaurant with a good amount of seating and a nice patio out back. The service was really fast and the quantity of food you get is large (check out the size of the chips and guac in my photo). My friend ordered a burrito, which was huge as well. I tried the vegetarian Arepa Soy Vey - it can be made vegan if you ask for it without cheese. It was delicious. This is a good place for small to medium size groups since there is counter service. read more
5 years ago
Venezuelan food establishment. Take-out order review. First time trying Arepa. 4th order last week. Arepa Reina Pepiada: shredded chicken, avocado, mayo, mustard- bun has a crispy outer shell, moist fluffy &silky on the inside, & texture of bun combined with meat, creamy chicken is almost heaven in your mouth. Almost mochi-like consistency. Comes with dipping sauce. Must Try. Arepa Al Pastor: Pork, chz, Cilantro, onion- Same bun texture as the Reina pepiada, pork moist and tender, good portion, absolutely Bomb Dot Com, except this order comes with No sauce. Still Must try. Elote Riblets: Corned cut in quarters and dabbed in pesto like marinade. SatisfactioN. Must try. House made chips & salsa- are very fresh, you can taste & smell the deep fry tortilla made to order. The salsa is mild and invigorating. Michelada's- To-Go is a Plus+++ Shout-out to the guy who took my order via phone & hand me my order once arrived. Was Superfragilistic Alidociously friendly, helpful and took customer service to a level un-compromised. Sorry I forgot your name but you kept me smilin' all week looooong. read more
2 years ago
Okay so since my last review, the Chef has changed! No need for concern, in my opinion the food is even better now! The new Chef is creative and amazing! If you've had a hard time finding Mexican food that you love in Berkeley, look no further, this is the spot! The super burrito is HUGE and ridiculously affordable. Definitely try the al pastor if you eat meat. I don't regularly eat pork but I was impressed! The empanadas here are also to die for. They're like fluffy fried blessings. There is currently an elote appetizer. I'd never seen elote riblets but besides being extremely delicious, they are super fun to eat. They specialize in arepas, which I cannot wait to try but have been hung up on the burrito. I have thought about them nonstop since I tried them. Bonus- they have a bar and delicious mescal flights. I have fallen head over heels in love with the micheladas here. Super addicting. Beware. They come with the candy straw :D To top all of that off, everyone who works here is so sweet and accommodating. Very home away from home vibes. read more
The beef nachos were tasty and filling. Food was fresh and hot albeit took quite a while to get out. The restaurant is nicely decorated and clean with a dog friendly patio and friendly staff. I would order the arepas and the nachos again (and skip the taco trio). read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
It was nice place to sit outside and enjoy some good food! We got the chicken tacos and the el pastor arepas, which we decided was our favorite. The meat had lots of flavor and everything was at a great price. You had to go order up at the bar and then they would bring you your food at the table and then at the end of meal you'd bus your plate. read more
5 years ago
Stopped by here for late night vegan eats and was NOT disappointed at all! I got the mango margarita ($10) it was good not great needed more mango and margarita flavor. The tequila was strong I will admit so that was nice! Nopales tacos trio and the Nopales burrito: Sooooooo good!!!! Like delicious times 10. To make it vegan make sure you: -Ask for it to be vegan and can emphasize it to be dairy free and not cooked in butter on the grill when the tortillas are being prepared. The nopales were PERFECT juicy chunks and great flavor all around. Would bring all my friends here for drinks with vegan options for late night meet ups! Perfect for groups with their gorgeous back patio too! read more
5 years ago
El patio is a cute casual Latin fusion spot. Arrive through the front door and order your arepas at the front counter. Grab a number and while you wait for your food to be brought over to you, walk through the colorful hallway into their cute patio. The arepas are made to order, they are served warm and completely stuffed with whatever you choose. My friend enjoyed her arepa soyvey and I had the arepa al pastor. Both looked and tasted great! This is not the type of restaurant you receive full service, however, the meal was very much worth the stop. Thanks el patio! read more
4 years ago
Everything was delicious. The service was even more amazing than the food and just a super cool spot. There was a reserved party in the back open area, so clearly this place is a fave for many, considering we were there on a Saturday afternoon after lunch hour and before dinner. Drinks were yummy too! An awesome find on our way home to Tri-City area after a morning and early afternoon of soccer games in Pinole and San Pablo with our boys. read more
3 years ago
2 years ago
3 years ago
4 years ago
Wow. Just wow!!! Ive been craving good food for a while and found this place. The drinks are great, the food is fast and filling, and the service is amazing! I loved the bar tender she was super sweet and cute! Definitely recommend coming back here. The place has an intimate vibe but its clean and nice. Like a mix between a bar and a hole in the wall restaurant. The music was a vibe, the place was decorated beautifully. As a latina i felt this place was a celebration of our culture. 10/10, will be returning!! I parked on the street and it wasnt bad parking was free after 6pm read more
2 years ago
5 years ago
Casual place with a nice patio out back to relax and chill with family or friends. The food is delicious! The Arepa Reina Pepiada was a giant pile of shredded chicken in avocado goodness, wrapped in a fresh, handmade arepa, which tasted a bit like pita or a pancake made from corn. My first time trying it, and so good! The burritos were a hit and massive enough to fill our teenage son. Great cocktail and beer selection including a half dozen beers on tap. Friendly staff too. We'll be coming back! read more
6 years ago
El Patio was a pleasant discovery to my sudden craving for Mexican food on a Sunday night after doing laundry. I got the Reina Pepiada Arepas and Steak Flaco Bowl, which both tasted pretty solid and held well in to go containers. The shredded chicken, avocado, and mayo combo in the arepas definitely hit the spot, but I found the portion a little small for how much it costed ($11). The flaco bowl had a standard assortment of items (beans, cream, rice, avocado, cheese, and steak), and I enjoyed eating some as leftover the next day. Bonus point to this place for letting me pay with Apple Pay when I ordered online. read more
3 years ago
2 years ago
6 years ago
I like El Patio, because they have other food from Latin America (like arepas and empanadas) besides Mexican food. If you want to try something different, I recommend the arepas or the patacones. The patacones are fried green plantains with an odd mix and oddly delicious mix of toppings: pork, shredded cheese, aioli, and coleslaw. That said, there are plenty of Mexican options, including the super burrito. It's a little skinnier than some super burritos, but it's length makes up foe the girth! Finally, I also like their creative cocktails, and that's usually why I keep going back for to go orders. I will say though, they seem to have gotten weaker, but I get it- gotta save $ during the pandemic! read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
This venue needs to make the world a better place and close its doors for good. The food is SO flavorless I couldn't believe it, especially for the price. Traditional ingredients like ketchup and mustard adorn the plantains. This whole experience was shockingly bad. read more
3 years ago
Don't miss out on this gem Been coming here since 2016 when my bestfriend first took me here to eat for my birthday and its one of my go to spots . Kinda sad that they stopped serving tequeños but it's all good cus the pabellón and yuca frita along with their menu of arepas really make up for it this place is perfect for every occasion you can think of and the drinks are fucking awesome *chefs kiss* . This is now me and my man's favorite spot together and it's actually the first place I took him on a date . Krista is my favorite person there she really knows how to make you feel at home every time I visit . Also the Photo Booth is my favorite part while waiting for food anybody has anything negative to say about this place definitely doesn't have a great taste pallet. Its always the ones that only leave shitty reviews but never give credit where it's due when they visit and get to try amazing food @sparky j . Anyways ----with that being said this place makes very great Venezuelan dishes so if you're looking for something close to home come by and get you some arepas and try their pabellón read more
5 years ago
OMG! The appetizers are the bomb! The elote rib Keyes were super yummy all smothered in garlic butter. The yuca fries are the best I've ever had! The salsa is tangy with a hint of citrus. Will be coming back! Yum!! read more
More info about El Patio
2056 San Pablo Ave
Berkeley, CA 94702
West Berkeley
Directions
(510) 548-2222
Call Now
Visit Website
https://elpatio510.com
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Ask the Community - El Patio
Do you have happy hour?
How do I figure out who owns this place?
You can email on their website to get in contact with someone.
Do you provide catering service?
Yes we do! You can call us or email us from our website Www.elpatio510.com
Is the patio seating in the back available during sheltering in place conditions?
Yes it is. Temperature check upon entering and sanitation mat at entrance. Mask on when walking a
Is this the same place as Cafe V?
Yes! You'll still see the V atop our restaurant front :) Just rebranded to showcase that we do…
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