I sat down and ordered a taco salad. I know not really Mexican food but I enjoy the edible shell. so it's basically chicken in a bowl. Well if you've ever seen Bar Rescue where the food is frozen and out of a freezer. unfortunately that was my experience. The chicken was cold like out of the freezer. I let the owner know , and she brought me some heated chicken, my experience by then was already done. if I am not important to the proprietor then I am not interested in spending my money here read more

Thank goodness they survived the fire. It may take a while for them to get back running but go and support them as soon as they do! Their tamales are the bomb! Light, fluffy with just right amount of filling. Muy Bueno! read more

Great location and outside seating area, cute restaurant, decent service, but unfortunately, none of the food was good. I think my favorite thing was the rice on my plate. The salsa served with the chips was super bland. The potato taco tasted like straight up canola oil. I had to spit it out. The beef crunchy tacos were just okay. Sadly, I would not return. read more

Great food! Great service! Accommodating to food preferences! Enjoy visiting here for lunch. read more

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Great food. Nice servers. A little pricey at times for me but I still come all the time anyways. Love the bean and cheese burritos. Glad they didn't burn down in the Altadena fires despite the park next to it being on fire on January 7th. read more

Waitress lovely. Chips and salsa fine. Beer cold. carnitas just dreadful. Boiled pork maybe. Full of fat with ugh flavor. Beans and rice are better at del taco. Maybe something else is good but, gentleman I chatted with said his was really bad as well. It's southern California. Mexican food should not taste like it was made in Ohio. read more

Food was unfortunately not to my standard. It was missing flavor and had very little meat. It was more of a rice and bean burrito than an Asada burrito. The service was terrible. I literally had to wave the waitress down twice just to get a refill on my coffee and also some more tortillas for the table. Our whole party kept wait for refills which never came. I shouldn't have to flag down a waitress every time I need something. The guacamole was not mashed properly and it was displayed in tostada bowl on a bed of lettuce. It was seriously missing flavor. Their pico de gallo salsa was 80% tomato chunks. Ambiance was super crowded and loud. I wouldn't recommend this place if you are looking for authentic Mexican food. The service was literally the worse. It was my first time here and unfortunately it will be my last. I hope they can improve on their service. read more

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I haven't been there since the fires and was happy to see them open but totally unsatisfied with the service I was expecting a new New and didn't get it , the young lady working Saturday did not seam as excited as I was to see its open read more

Excellent Mexican food. The ambience is amazing and the service is next to none. I highly recommend the tamales.

We have been coming to El Patron since it opened and have always enjoyed it. The staff was as always, very nice and we were served in a timely manner. The outdoor seating is enjoyable. However, the food was very bland and heavy on sauce. read more

The food is so authentic and very tasty. The service is top-notch customer friendly and welcoming. The ambiance is so beautiful and amazing feels like home. Maggie the owner is so awesome! On the weekends they have Menudo. They also have happy hour Monday through Thursday. Please give this place a try, you will not regret it! read more

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This spot in the Alta Dena hillside area is legit! Chill vibes & authentic Mexican food, but the star of the show? A killer creamy spicy sauce they serve with everything. It's next level--adds just the right amount of heat & flavor to whatever you're eating. I'd like to describe it as like a spicy mayo but I can tell it doesn't come from mayo. It's more like a dip-like cream. If you're in the area, don't sleep on this place. That sauce is a game changer. read more

The one star is for the cold fresh water, the chips and the nice chunky salsa. Oh, the rice was OK. But that's where the star stopped. I love Chile rellenos but i was somewhat hesitant about ordering one because of their mixed reviews, half one star and have five stars. We ordered a bowl of albondigas soup. I made it clear that we wanted the soup well before the dinner plates and the server repeated my request. When our dinner arrived, the waitress told us the soup would be up shortly. I told her to forget it that we no longer wanted it because we wanted it as an appetizer soup which I made very clear to the server. She took it off the bill. My Chile relleno was not a chile relleno at all. It was a tough, undercooked poblano chili with a sprinkling of tough cheese on the top. There was absolutely no egg breading around it. I even looked underneath the chili, but there was absolutely none. I could not even cut through it even using a knife. I needed a steak knife. I moved on to eat the crispy taco. Another disaster. The "Crispy" taco tortilla was a half-cooked, mushy and still tough shell. The meat had little seasoning, and the whole taco was an edible mess just like the Chile relleno. The refried beans were tasteless and covered with a layer of melted tough cheese that almost had to be cut with a knife and fork. When the waitress came back to ask how the food was, I told her it was inedible and please take it back. She gladly took it back and offered to bring me another plate of something. I told her no thank you I was afraid to eat anything else in the restaurant. Having just about lost my appetite, we left and drove further and ate a delicious fried fish taco at Tacos Ensenada. (See review). I REPEAT: NEVER, NEVER EAT AT EL PATRON. YOU WILL BE SORRY!! read more

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I've been to El Patron many times over the years and loooove the food and friendly service! So glad it wasn't one of the buildings that went down in the fires this winter!!! read more

Ate here after they reopened in March. The steak fajitas provided plenty of food and the corn tortillas were amazing! Great service, excellent food, reasonably priced and a bit of Altadena that survived. I will definitely return as I want to try the chile rellenos among other dishes. And the breakfast menu looks interesting. read more

The staff is so nice and everyone is always happy at El Patron! We are proud to support a local business that cares about the community of Altadena. We enjoy the margaritas. read more

Great food. Great people. A neighborhood treasure. Check it out! You won't be disappointed.

What happened here? I've been a fan and regular customer since El Patron opened. Love the people that run the place, but today my food was just awful. The carnitas taco was a chunk of pork with no flavor and chopped lettuce, Al pastor wasn't any better, little meat and tasteless. Beans and rice could have come from a can, again tasteless. The only good thing is the salsa, which hasn't changed since they opened. Uggghhh, too bad. Hope they can get a new chef. read more

We tired this place 3 times. So disappointing. Terrible food. I wish they'd improve or change owners because this restaurant is within walking distance from our house. I don't understand how people like this place. It's either people love it our hate jt (and I get the latter). Sad! read more

Located on the corner of the street with a little park behind it, it's hard to decide whether to dine in or take out. However, whatever choice you make, the food is AMAZING! The owner is a young lady that really loves her family and the community. All of this is evident with the pictures and several letters of appreciation on the walls. Although the menu is filled with delicious options and choices, I'd highly recommend asking for recommendations from the owner. She'll ask you some basic questions about what you're craving, then provide you suggestions. I just said, "I'll take whatever you recommend." I couldn't have been more delighted with my meal. The fresh chips and salsa are so good, but be sure to save room for your meal. Thankfully the owner graciously offered to pack my leftovers, as well as a bag of chips and salsa for me to enjoy later. The dining room is very family friendly and clean. Just sit back and enjoy the food and atmosphere. read more

I really wanted to give this neighborhood restaurant a good review but I just can't. There's not a single thing I can say was good. The chips and salsa were not bad but not good either. The service was awful (hello! We're here!!) and the food was utterly blan. I got fish tacos. They seemed store bought not fresh made and were severely over cooked. Think burned fish sticks covered in cabbage. My companions food was blan as well. So sad I can't give this place a good review. It's my hood. read more

The chicken mole is absolutely fantastic! Enough said. Quaint little place and sat outside which was really nice last time.

Was around the area so went in to this place because of the nostalgics atmosphere. The food was mediocre. We ordered the lengua gorditas and the goat chili Colorado. The goat dish was good and the gorditas was very bland. The salsas had no flavor at all. Just a bunch of diced onions, tomatoes and cilantros mixed together and that was it. Added hot sauce on the table to spruce it up but didn't improve the taste at all. read more

I'm here and they totally botched the strawberry margaritas. First its soooo strong it doesn't taste of strawberry at all. I asked them to fix it and now it's soooo sour!! I ordered two chili relleno and they came back with one. I couldn't eat the rice so they brought salad. The other waitress was so confused telling me I "ordered a different combo" and I told her I did not. I ordered the 2 chili rellenos! I just couldn't eat the rice because they stupidly soak it in chicken sauce. I can't believe they have horrible tasting margaritas here! God awful!! Then she adds "Normally we would charge if the person has already sipped the drink". Normally I'd FIRE YOUR ASS if I was your boss for talking to customers that way. The margaritas was UNDRINKABLE and I tasted it to KNOW that. The rellenos are nothing to come back for (they don't taste the way they used to) so this ends my frequenting to this low level crap establishment! P.S. Just added before I leave: another rude rule they have here. I asked for more chips to drown out the disgusting taste of the SOUR margarita (cleanse the palate as they say) and she said "normally" they replenish the chips after they've all been eaten!!! How f**king abnormally RUDE!! YOU'VE ALREADY ruined my experience here! How insensitive and what a lack of hospitality!! They'll probably kick me out next since I'm still here reporting this horrible dining experience!!!! read more

El Patron - Shit - Mexican Near Me - Altadena, California

We were in the mood for Mexican food, and since we had already been here once before and had a good experience, we decided to come back a 2nd time. Wow!! What a disappointment. We asked for our order to go, when we got home 1/2 our older was missing, we also asked for a PORK meat green wet burrito and when we started eating it we discovered it was BEEF we love their food, but what happened to customer service? When we went back and talked to the little gir that took our order, she didn't even apologized for our inconvenience she wast rude, obnoxious and thinks she's doing us a favor. I am leaving 2 starts because their food IS VERY good. read more

Honestly a bad experience, i came for lunch to get a grilled shrimp taco and horchata. I asked for chips also so i can sit down and enjoy my lunch but this was terrible. I sent the drink back cause it was bad. They brought out some sort of fish taco but bagged everything including cold chips as i was ORDERING FOR HERE. I sent back the taco and they brought me this shrimp taco. Ive never had a shrimp taco come like this ever.. i never will come back. Thx read more

El Patron - Shrimp taco? - Mexican Near Me - Altadena, California

Delicious little gem of a place. Go there for fajitas and bottomless chips after a hike just north at the Cobb Estate.

This is the 3rd time I've eaten here in the month since I moved here. Everyone that I know dislikes the food and the service. But, I like their Chile verde. Tonight, I ordered a Chardonnay (no choices of brands) and the Chile verde. My wine arrived with two fat dead fruit flies. I got my food and asked where my replacement wine was. They reluctantly brought it out. They do not have an attentive staff here - nor do they care about the right thing to do. When I was charged with the wine, I protested it. Any good restaurant would give you the glass as an apology. She threw the bill at me and said "Never again". Well, I will not eat there ever again. And I will tell everyone I know. Hire a staff that knows customer service. ‍ read more

First time visiting El Patron but have been wanting to try this place for years! located on N. Lake Ave in Altadena, this is a very cozy, homey restaurant with several comfy booths. We got there on a Fri night, around 5:30pm and were the only diners there. Welcomed by a friendly staff person, chose our booth and got served warm, crispy tortilla chips with delicious spicy salsa. Great start! We ordered the mushroom quesadilla and chicken fajitas. Delicious! The place started filling up by the time we got our dinner served and I really enjoyed the staff--very accommodating, friendly and helpful. I also thought the prices were fair for the food quality and amount we got. Had to take home the leftovers. Highly recommend! read more

Worst customer service ever. Who makes nachos and doesn't melt the cheese?? Why did they put beans on top of the meat?? They dumped my nachos together and blamed me for ordering them wrong. Never again..... and give me my money back!!!!! Garbage! read more

El Patron - Beans on top of the meat?? Who does that!! - Mexican Near Me - Altadena, California

Maggie and her crew are the best! The service is great and food wonderful. You won't be disappointed. read more

El Patron - Me on the patio with my dog. - Mexican Near Me - Altadena, California

Great fast service, solid food reasonably priced. Limited on time for lunch, this is your place. read more

I am so disappointed in this place. This place used to be really good 10 years ago. And I was really happy to have authentic Mexican food and when I ordered something to drink, I ordered an agua fresca and that was not even authentic!!! The salsa was terrible! So i ended up just getting a beer and leaving bc i was afraid to taste the food. read more

we wanted to support the altadena restaurant so we went not knowing what to expect, but upon entering the smells of good food cooking was instant. we decided on eating on the outside patio and the service was very good and our server was very polite, and the food outstanding and overflowing, just delecious./ will definitely be back, very affordable. read more

Nice looking place and good location and that's the only positive thing I have to say. My wife and I ordered a carnitas and lengua burrito and we both maybe got a tablespoon of meat. I thought it was a joke. Beans and rice tasted ok but we ordered burritos with meat. I am really curious as to why such praise for this place. We have gone there at least 3-4 times giving the benefit of doubt but it didn't make a difference. Unfortunately I do not recommend this place unless you want flavorless Mexican food. I hope the owners read this review and respond. Yes I am picky especially when I grew up eating good Mexican food and have standards. Honestly you are better off buying carnitas from Vallarta and making your own burritos. I will be giving this place a call to hear what they say about my experience. Almost forgot, the chips were oily and stale. read more

We LOVE El Patron. Maggie the owner is a huge supporter of the community and we love their food. Give them a try, you'll be glad you did.

I can only provide the highest possible recommendation for this restaurant. I take all my visitors there, some on a repeated basis. The service is superlative, the prices are very reasonable, the menu is top notch. I refer to El Patron among my local neighbors and friends. Those who have gone to El Patron were equally as satisfied along the lines I identified above. I will continue to highly recommend El Patron to anyone who is interested in knowing about an excellent restaurant within Altadena. Peter read more

The chips were perfect and the salsa that came with it was kick ass. It was actually a more chunky pico de gallo, but it defintiely had a nice spiciness to it. I ordered a tamale enchilada combo. The tamale was perfect, very fluffy and fresh with tasty chicken inside, and covered with a nice green sauce with some cheese. Cheese enchilada was perfect. I asked for NO sour cream and they got it right. RIce and beans were perfect. My friend had two enchiladas and he was happy too. The service was excellent and the patio felt great. Folding chairs weren't that comfy but acceptable. The wine margarita.....well, let's just say I prefer tequila. But all in all it was a very pleasant lunch and better than the other Mexican restaurants we've been going to in the area. And we were able to split checks with absolutely no problem. She brought the POS terminal to the table. read more

Great way to start a Sunday morning. Great service by Margarita. Sat inside in a very nice booth. The Chile Verde was delicious and the Chile Relleno-Al La Carte was outstanding. read more

Solid. Not spectacular. Solid. Consistent product coming out--not a lot of variation which is important to a neighborhood staple--just deliver what you deliver well. Decent Mexican food. Isn't going to change your life but, sure beats Jack In the Box. read more