1. El Patron

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Palm Springs, CA

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El Patron

4.0 (1.2k reviews)
ModerateTacos, Cocktail Bars
Open • 11:00 am - 10:30 pm
Updated a few days ago

Order El Patron Takeout or Delivery

El Patron Photos

Business Info

EL PATRON ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Touristy
Moderate noise
Outdoor seating

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Recommended Reviews - El Patron

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Chips and guac
Arthur T.

Was in the area for lunch! I ordered: el patron burrito $16.95 add $3.95 for steak $7 mango cart $21 burrito, a bit mushy. Not ideal. Also, not the biggest fan of sitting, then standing up to order again, then sitting back down. The misters (when we went was super hot), and the umbrellas were set up in a way to block most of it which wasn't the best.

Nijole T.

This is such a great restaurant right downtown, Palm Springs! They have an excellent happy hour, very affordable! Beautiful restaurant with plenty of indoor as well as outdoor seating. Service was friendly and fast, and the food was plated and presented beautifully. The drinks were also delicious, you simply can't go along with anything on the menu you're here. I recommended if you are looking for authentic and flavorful Mexican food.

3 KIDS TACO PLATE
Crystal B.

What a great spot! Right in the heart of downtown. Outside seating to enjoy the weather & people watch. Got here at 11:30 on a Wednesday afternoon. No crowds, no wait. Seated immediately & went inside to order. Make sure you ask about their special of the day. We got the 3 hard shell tacos , rice & beans with a drink for $13.99 & the 2 flour tacos, beans & rice for $13.99. You can tell a good Mexican restaurant by the rice & beans (imo) Everything was delicious! Staff was friendly & helpful, will definitely be back.

Frozen Margaritas with sugar rim
Jessica M.

Love love love this place! I brought my Mom here and she absolutely loved it. She could only drink 1/2 a frozen margarita... she said they were too good and strong, lol. We both got the taco Tuesday special. I did chicken and carne asada tacos, my Mom did the carne asada and pork carnitas taco special. It comes with rice, beans and homemade chips, plus either a frozen margarita or beer. Gina, one of the owners, was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! SO patient explaining everything to my Mom. She was incredible! Customer service in Palm Springs has been amazing since we have been here. Love supporting Latino businesses, and I will always be back to El Patron!

Sonj H.

Amazing service, vibe, tacos and margaritas. Also, Gina is incredibly cool. So much love in this place.

Miriam P.

The restaurant was super close to our hotel so why not! We saw they had 4 shots for $30 so we had to visit. The Mexican candy shots were delicious. The asada tacos were flavorful. I would recommend the flan it was delicious . You order and pay at the counter so service was very fast. I got the patron salad nothing to rave about. They have handmade corn tortillas which were very tasty! We went in a Saturday and it wasn't crazy busy so that was nice. The outside patio was perfect to sit eat and people watch!

Margarita flights

I love the Drinks , very delicious . Great hospitality ! The ambiance is awesome . Also they have wonderful staff . Gina was very ni

Arthur C.

Went to El Patron in Palm Springs and overall had a really good experience. We ordered the shrimp ceviche with avocado, a loaded hot dog, and a huge tray of nachos. The ceviche was very fresh, light, and flavorful, and the avocado on top made it even better. The nachos were massive and loaded with meat, cheese, sour cream, guacamole, and pico de gallo, perfect for sharing. The only thing that surprised me was the hot dog. The toppings on it were almost the same as the toppings used on the nachos, like pico de gallo, avocado, and sauces, so it looked a little weird and unexpected on a hot dog at first. But the flavors actually worked together better than I expected. The atmosphere was lively, portions were generous, and the food came out fresh. Definitely a fun place to eat with friends.

FRIED MINI TACOS (3)  , happy hour wings, happy hour taquitos
Ryan C.

Centrally located spot right in downtown Palm Springs offering a solid happy hour and lots of patio seating for ample people watching! Staff all very friendly, and attentive; they did let us know after being seated you go up / in and order at the counter inside and they give you a number for your table. Happy hour menu consists of mini nachos and tacos, etc. offerings and a few cocktails. Some beers on tap too here. Cool fun spot to stop if walking around.

yummy
Aidan S.

delicious food especially the el pastor and bean and cheese burrito. The service was great and the room is very cozzy. defenetly will be getting the five star treatment.

Sign out front
Doug B.

We were walking around downtown and needed a little snack so we stopped by El Patron. The inside dining area is very small and was full, so we were seated out on the patio right next to the sidewalk on Palm Canyon drive. It was nice and cool under an umbrella and the overhead light water mist felt great on a hot day. This was also a great spot to people watch. We were saving room for dinner later that evening so we just ordered chips and salsa with guacamole. You have to go inside to place your order and then they bring it out to you. The chips were some of the best we have ever had and the salsa was good also. The star was the guacamole, very fresh and creamy and a very good sized portion. Before we left, I did a search for "best chips & salsa in Palm Springs" and El Patron was on two of the lists I read. We would definitely like to return for a regular meal.

Delta C.

Service was a solid 10/10 everyone was incredibly accommodating. We came in with a group of 20+ and they had a table set up for the boys before we even arrived, which was such a thoughtful touch. Ordering is done at the counter, but the process was seamless and well-organized. There's both indoor and outdoor seating, making it a great spot for group gatherings. The vibes were on point, and everyone loved their food from the taquitos to the pozole, with the tacos being a definite standout

EL PATRON SALAD and prickly pear margarita
Brielle O.

Got the el patron salad and prickly pear margarita. Wasn't wowed by the food. For $14 for a salad not a bad price. Drink was $14 which I don't think it should have been since it was not mixed well. I would come back for food here but not to drink I would rather go to a high end place for a cocktail price. You place your order yourself at the front so there is no dining experience.

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Solid lunch taco special. Tacos, chips and guac were great. Good service and friendly staff.

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El Patron Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - El Patron

How do I get in contact with manager for refund?

Your review indicates you ate your meal. Why should you get a refund for food you "scarfed down"? Ridiculous.

Do you take reservations?

I apologize we do not..

Can we bring dog for outside dining?

Yes, I've brought my baby and have met other pups while dining on the patio =]

Are you open today 9/29/2020?

We are not today, I apologize! Tomorrow :)

Are they open for dine-in today? I called twice and no answer.

I’m sorry Danny we are not! We will be back tomorrow :)

Hello, do you cater? If so, what is the average cost per person and food options available? Thanks…

Hi! Thank you for reaching out. We’re not quite ready yet for a catering gig.. but I will speak with chef.… 

Anyone know if they have happy hour? Food/ drinks?

They should have happy hour in the near future.

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The Front Porch - Lemon Ricotta Cake

The Front Porch

4.7(359 reviews)
0.1 mi
•$$

SHORT ANSWER: Yes in many ways…read more LOCATION: on the corner next to FARM, so a fall back if you do not have FARM reservations and hate disappointment of being turned away. FACILITY: Small, limited seating indoors with very nice, fun, outdoor seating areas. Love this place. MENU: Simple, easy to understand, great photos online if you have any questions. FOOD PREP: Very well done, like professional in just how it looks. FOOD QUALITY: Professional in how it also tastes... Watermelon Gazpacho was perfect with drinks prior to main. LIBATIONS: drinks and bartender were excellent, fun, and the photo print was very cool. WAITSTAFF: just so nice, and fun making the experience all that much better. We have been enjoying The Plaza Theater so spending a little more time in Palm Springs and this will be one of our favorites places to relax prior to an event. OVERALL VALUE: Good, but it is Palm Springs, outdoors, great locations, classy.. no, not inexpensive but well worth it. TIP: I'd say be nice, be patient, and you will get a table. Don't be an angry rude touron, we don't need that vibe and we see some of that in PS.. You can try for reservations, not sure if they take off season.

Had lunch at The Front Porch in Palm Springs. We had the Italian sandwich, ahi tacos, and the…read moremelted Brie with nuts on top served with fig jam and pears. Food was really good - the Brie with fig jam and pears was delicious and the ahi tacos were fresh and flavorful. Italian sandwich was solid too. Giving 4 stars because service wasn't top notch. Overall great spot downtown at 117 La Plaza, would come back for the food and cocktails.

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The Front Porch - Indoor sitting area.

Indoor sitting area.

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The Front Porch - Italian on gluten free bread, very yummy !

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Clandestino - Taco

Clandestino

4.6(894 reviews)
0.1 mi
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In downtown Palm Springs is an absolute standout if you are looking for an upscale, modern twist on…read moreMexican cuisine. Known affectionately as the "moody sister" to the incredibly popular local spot Tac/Quila, it delivers a chic, vibrant cocktail-lounge atmosphere right near the base of the San Jacinto Mountains. The hospitality here is excellent--the servers are incredibly fast, friendly, and highly knowledgeable about the menu details. They are also dog friendly!

I rarely leave negative reviews, but unfortunately, our experience at Clandestino was…read moredisappointing, especially considering we were celebrating my birthday. My partner took me here for my birthday weekend, and the evening started off wonderfully. We ordered an appetizer and drinks, enjoyed the atmosphere, and were looking forward to a great dinner. Unfortunately, the service took a noticeable turn after we ordered our entrees. After finishing my first drink, approximately 20 minutes passed without anyone checking on our table. We were seated outside, and there wasn't a server nearby to flag down. When our entrees finally arrived, they were quickly dropped off by someone other than our server, without anyone checking whether we needed anything else. I specifically asked that person to send our server over because I wanted another drink, and another five minutes passed before someone, possibly a manager or lead, finally approached us. By that point, I had been waiting approximately 25-30 minutes just to order another drink. There were two cocktails on the menu I wanted to try, so I asked for both. His response was curt and surprisingly uncomfortable: "We don't usually do two drinks because it looks like we're overserving." I completely understand and respect a restaurant's responsibility to serve alcohol responsibly. My issue wasn't necessarily with the policy itself, but with how it was communicated. His tone felt dismissive and almost reprimanding, as though I'd done something inappropriate simply by asking to order two cocktails. I'd only had one drink up to that point, was enjoying a full meal, and had given no indication that I was intoxicated. What made the interaction particularly frustrating was that the restaurant's lack of attentiveness had created the situation in the first place. Had someone checked on our table regularly, I likely would have ordered another cocktail much earlier. Instead, after nearly half an hour of waiting, I was made to feel uncomfortable for requesting two drinks when someone finally appeared. It was also a little confusing considering the restaurant offers a margarita flight on its own menu. While I understand that's not necessarily equivalent to two full cocktails, it does make the response feel somewhat inconsistent with the experience the restaurant promotes. A more hospitality-focused response could have been as simple as, "Absolutely, let's start with one and I'll check back shortly to see if you're ready for the second." That would have respected the restaurant's policy while still making me feel like a valued guest. We spent approximately 2.5 hours at the restaurant, and I don't think wanting to enjoy two or three cocktails over the course of a birthday dinner is particularly unreasonable. Ultimately, this was disappointing because the evening started so positively. The food and atmosphere were enjoyable, and I genuinely wanted to love this restaurant. Unfortunately, the extended gaps in service and the unnecessarily uncomfortable interaction overshadowed what should have been a special occasion. Hospitality is about more than serving good food. It's also about making guests feel welcomed, comfortable, and taken care of. Unfortunately, that wasn't our experience, and I don't see us returning.

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Clandestino - The Bar Area

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Bootlegger Tiki - Outside patio

Bootlegger Tiki

4.1(817 reviews)
1.0 mi
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We came here at 8:30pm on a Monday. It wasn't too busy luckily and we got a table right away. There…read moreis not a parking lot though but there is street parking. We sat outside with our dogs but we did check out the inside. It was very small but it was decorated very nicely. There were maybe 3 tables and maybe 8 bar seats. There is clearly attention to detail when decorating. The inside had red lighting, bamboo, and tiki memorabilia. The drink menu was well put together and had a wide variety of tiki cocktails from the standard tiki drinks to unique house made creations. We ordered the painkiller and a virgin painkiller. They were both very delicious and well crafted. We did have a little mishap with our drinks being forgotten. We arrived at 8:35pm, we were greeted promptly and had our order taken with 10 minutes but we didn't receive our drinks until 9:10. We understand mistakes happen but it was unfortunate to have to sit there for 30 minutes without our drinks because we didn't want to be out super late. Overall, the place has delicious cocktails and lovely decor.

Reservations are a must at Bootlegger Tiki whose slight square footage affords them only a handful…read moreof booths & a dozen bar seats. Glowing red & decked out in typical tiki bar decor, Bootlegger Tiki's drink menu, like many of its kind, is rum heavy. The two drinks I tried -- Blackbeard's Booty with coconut cream & citrus notes, as well as Donn Beach 1934 Zombie with warming spices -- felt like they were lighting my esophagus on fire. Not enjoyable to drink, but perhaps I've always been biased against cocktails that are both too sweet & too strong on the liquor taste. Chill bartenders who did their best to recommend things we would like, but in the end, this spot is one-and-done in my book.

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Bootlegger Tiki - Cobra bite

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Bootlegger Tiki - Dealer's Choice. 10/10.

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Bar Cecil - Our dessert, yummy

Bar Cecil

4.4(589 reviews)
1.2 mi
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Bar Cecil absolutely lived up to the hype…read more The ambiance was exactly what you'd expect - busy, lively, and filled with excited chatter with upbeat music playing in the background. It has that effortlessly cool Palm Springs energy where the room feels like part of the experience. It's definitely a scene, but in the best possible way. Obviously, I started with cocktails. I tried the Lychee Star Martini, made with Haku Vodka, Lichi-Li liqueur, jasmine green tea, and passion fruit, served with a little sidecar of rosé champagne because apparently regular champagne just wasn't fabulous enough. I also had the French 75 Regal, made with The Botanist dry gin, fresh lemon, grapefruit oil, and topped with Moët & Chandon champagne. Both were excellent. We clearly believe in easing into dinner gently... so we ordered three starters. The Beef Tartare with BC aioli seasoning, truffle aioli, cured egg yolk, potato chips, and chives was delicious. We also had the Grilled California Artichokes with Bar Cecil aioli, brown butter, and lemon, and the Deviled Eggs with pickled mustard seed. Not a bad bite on the table. For dinner, I went with the Beaton Burger -- prime beef, Gruyère, bacon-onion jam, and aioli on a brioche bun with fresh-cut fries. And because this is Bar Cecil, naturally your burger arrives in its own monogrammed box. Completely unnecessary. Completely adorable. I loved it. The food was fantastic, the cocktails were beautiful, the atmosphere was fun and energetic, and the entire experience felt quintessentially Palm Springs. Bar Cecil is one of those places that actually manages to live up to its reputation. We'll absolutely be back.

One of the best dining experiences we've had in Palm Springs!…read more Bar Cecil completely exceeded our expectations from beginning to end. Everything about the evening felt thoughtful, sophisticated, and incredibly well done -- from the food and cocktails to the service and overall atmosphere. We started with the fresh bread with date butter, which was absolutely delicious and the perfect way to begin the meal. For our main courses, we ordered the roasted chicken and the ratatouille, and both were outstanding. Everything tasted incredibly fresh, beautifully prepared, and full of flavor. And then came dessert... absolutely incredible. We tried the passion fruit pavlova, lemon tart with pistachios, and warm cookies, and honestly, it was hard to choose a favorite. Every dessert was beautifully done and a perfect ending to an amazing meal. The craft cocktails deserve a special mention as well. Every cocktail we tried was delicious and so thoughtfully created. You could tell there was a lot of creativity and care put into the flavors and combinations. Nothing felt ordinary or like an afterthought. This is one of those restaurants where every detail feels intentional, and the entire experience comes together beautifully. We absolutely loved our visit and will 100% be back the next time we're in Palm Springs. If you're visiting Palm Springs, Bar Cecil absolutely belongs on your list. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for incredible food, creative cocktails, and a truly special dining experience. We can't wait to go back!

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The Evening Citizen - Mai tai and consenting adulterer

The Evening Citizen

3.9(96 reviews)
0.2 mi

We hadn't been back since the summer. The last time was the day before they were closing for their…read moresummer break and then it was great. This time, we brought some friends that couldn't find it when they had visited a while back. Of course they enjoyed it. Also with the rainy weather that was happening in the desert, the moody vibe and the dark lighting inside was the perfect combo. It was pretty busy when we walked in. Really wanted the bar seating but the place was pretty busy and it was occupied. They actually had a table left for four which was great. The gal working Saturday night was the sweatiest. Didn't get her name but she was a doll. Menu, they had a really nice selection of specialty cocktails. As it's a full bar, I'm sure whatever you're craving they could create. The selections of cocktails that was coming out was quite impressive. The place is very moody with the dim lighting and dark wallpaper. A nice long bar along one side with hi top tables along the side and back. The cool speakeasy feel. I believe with the construction that's going on, small bites will be offered soon. And I believe they're expanding. Chad took over after our sweet waitress and he was great as well. The service was great the whole time we were there. Drinks were good and the experience was nice. Until next time.

We stopped at Evening Citizen after dinner for a girls' night drink and absolutely loved it! First…read moreof all, finding the place is part of the experience. We wandered around for a bit looking completely confused until someone finally took pity on us and pointed out the unmarked dark door. Apparently, if you know, you know! Once inside, it has such a fun Prohibition-era speakeasy feel. The atmosphere is dark, intimate, and very cool, and our bartender was fabulous and completely played along with the vibe. When I pulled out my phone to take a picture, he looked at me very seriously and said, "No pictures, please." I immediately put my phone away! Later, when our drinks arrived, I cautiously asked, "Am I allowed to take a picture of these?" He laughed and said, "Of course! I was just giving you the vibe!" We had just come from a slightly odd service experience at Workshop Kitchen (see that review!), so for a second I thought, "Oh no, here we go again!" Thankfully, not at all. The drinks were great, the atmosphere was fun, and the bartender made the experience even better. Such a fun hidden little speakeasy and definitely a place I would recommend. We'll absolutely be back!

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The Evening Citizen - Mary Pickford and Backstabber

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The Evening Citizen - There are 2 rules for this bar. Rule #1 involves the bar lamps. Rule #2 refers to the picture on the bar.

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El Patron - tacos - Updated October 2026

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