Sometimes the best discoveries come from plans that fall apart…read more
Our Houston trip unexpectedly evaporated, and rather than sit around frustrated, we decided to head north and see where the road took us. That decision paid off when we ended up at El Patio in Zwolle.
The restaurant was a nice surprise. The decor had a festive Mexican feel with colorful streamers, flags, and bright colors. Everything was neatly painted, clean, and cool, which was a welcome retreat from the oppressive summer heat outside. We arrived in the early afternoon, so we missed whatever lunch crowd might have been there.
The first thing they bring out is a basket of hot tortilla chips. They were fresh and tasted like they had just come out of the fryer. They offer guacamole and other extras, but don't overlook the homemade salsa. It's cooked, served chilled, not too spicy, and not overloaded with cilantro. Really good.
The pineapple margaritas were another highlight. They came in heavy crockery mugs that kept them ice cold. They were so good we bought a pair of the mugs to take home as souvenirs from our little road trip. The funny thing is, after the hour drive home, those mugs were still cool to the touch. They really hold the cold.
We both ordered the Speedy Gonzalez. The enchilada came covered in a rich mole-based chili sauce, and the plate included a hard-shell taco plus your choice of rice or beans. We chose both.
The refried beans were flavorful, the Spanish rice was light and fluffy, and the taco was excellent. The beef was just a little salty for our taste, but the Monterey Jack cheese was a nice touch and everything came together well.
We finished with sopapillas, which came out hot, covered with cinnamon and sugar, with honey on the side. They were delicious.
Our only disappointment? No coffee. Those warm sopapillas were begging for a cup of coffee afterward.
That's a small complaint, though. Great service, great chips, homemade salsa, excellent margaritas, good food, and even a souvenir to remember the trip by. El Patio turned an unexpected change of plans into a very enjoyable afternoon.
