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El Patio Mexican Restaurant

3.2 (92 reviews)
ModerateMexican
Closed • Closed

El Patio Mexican Restaurant Mexican Restaurant Photos

EL PATIO MEXICAN RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Very loud
Outdoor seating
Good for kids

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Recommended Reviews - El Patio Mexican Restaurant

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Chicken Fajita Salad

Here's a small local business you need to try! El Patio on 37th and Ingersoll! I am a teacher and one of my students wrote on an assignment in my class that she spends a lot of free time at her dad's restaurant. So, today after class I asked her what restaurant her dad owns. She said El patio and that she works there sometimes. I asked her if she was working there tonight and she said yes. So, I told my husband that we should have a dinner date there tonight. The restaurant is in a converted house, and we chose to sit on the back patio. Normally, I'm not a huge fan of Mexican restaurants because it seems like places will just put a big slab of refried beans and rice covering 3/4 of your plate and then the remaining fourth is the tacos or burrito or whatever you ordered. It never looks appealing or fresh. Plus I don't like it when a Mexican restaurant has a giant menu with 120 mediocre options). Thankfully this place has a small restaurant and does them well! Tonight I ordered their chicken fajita salad and boy, was it flavorful! The marinade that they used on the chicken and the veggies was outstanding! The ingredients all tasted very fresh. Even the fried flour tortilla bowl was so fresh and delicious! The salsa that came with the chips is some of the best that I've had! I put the remaining salsa on my salad as it was so fresh and tasty! My husband had tacos and some rice and said it was good and fresh. The best part was that my student got to be our server! She was so sweet and fun to chat with and at the end of our meal, she surprised us with a complementary slice of chocolate cake with ice cream and whipped cream! Now, you have to understand that I rarely eat dessert! My body just doesn't feel good when I eat very much sugar and if I had to think of my top 25 favorite desserts, chocolate cake would not be on that list. However, when I found out that my student helped make the cake (a recipe she has been making with her grandma since she was little), I of course, had to try it and let me tell you, it was one of the best chocolate cakes I've ever had in my entire life! It had authentic chocolate frosting that was so rich and flavorful and authentic. The cake was absolutely scrumptious! Thankfully, the owner came out and introduced himself and we were able to chat with him for a few minutes. He said his dad owned the restaurant for many years and that he just took it over within the past year. It is the oldest operating Mexican restaurant in Des Moines! The total cost before tip was $29 which I thought was very reasonable. Overall, it was a wonderful dining experience, and I highly recommend it!

Kahuna burrito.
Eric H.

This is old school Des Moines. For some people that's good and for some that's bad. The menu which hasn't changed in 20 years even says this is inspire by people who liked to travel but they did not bring back anything authentic or even well seasoned. People must love it for nostalgia. Both my wife and I described it as if our grandmothers had heard about Mexican food but had never made it before. Unsalted, unseasoned, and very overcooked. The margaritas are somewhere between sub par and bad. We tried a variety. The chips are grocery store from a bag and same with basically every ingredient. The service was kind but slow even on a slow Tuesday night. Honestly, the best part. But it's a Mexican restaurant run by a bunch of 70+ year old white people. The menus is basic but not in a good way. And the restaurant is in an old house where all the ceiling tiles are discolored, the floor is carpet and gross, the walls are dated, and there's broken glass and in four different places in the parking lot and up to the door. The table salsa was decent & hot, the service was nice, and the location with a patio are what saved it from fewer stars.

a plate of food

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8 months ago

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1 year ago

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1 year ago

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3 months ago

Soooooo good! New ownership, third generation has really tried and turned El Patio around. Please give it a chance.

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1 year ago

Disappointed in their "Pitcher" of margaritas. Weak and served in a carafe instead of a pitcher!

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9 months ago

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10 months ago

Such a cute place and vibe! The queso was amazing. Wonderful waitress.I plan on coming back soon!

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11 months ago

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1 year ago

Always a great place. Love the history as well and the food. Thanks you!! The House(music)is unique as well. Great drinks

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1 year ago

The food was great! The service was fantastic! Meagan was the best! Just a wonderful all around experience! Can't wait to come back!

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4 years ago

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2 years ago

Food, service (Meagan) and ambiance was lovely! Chips and salsa had nice heat... water was cold. Patio was comfortable!

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

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3 years ago

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2 years ago

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3 years ago

Terrible chips and salsa, terrible margs, bad food. Seems like a horror house that serves below average Mexican food. Save your money!

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3 years ago

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2 years ago

I love the food at El Patio and the service is great. Becky Smith makes the best chocolate cake ever. You have to try it!

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4 years ago

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4 years ago

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5 years ago

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4 years ago

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3 years ago

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3 years ago

Took over 30 minutes to get our order and the taste was pretty bland

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6 years ago

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7 years ago

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3 years ago

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4 years ago

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3 years ago

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7 years ago

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6 years ago

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8 years ago

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8 years ago

just a really yummy good local restaurant. The pulled pork, the fried Ice cream, cheese sauce and Choc. Cake. Oh just go and enjoy

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6 years ago

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6 years ago

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Photo of John H.
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6 years ago

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6 years ago

The place feels like home from the moment you walk in. Fantastic find with great food and service. We'll be back again.

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7 years ago

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6 years ago

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El Patio Mexican Restaurant - mexican - Updated May 2026

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