If you think malls are only for memories, you clearly haven't tasted what's sizzling at La Patrona Authentic Mexican in Bloomington! From humble food truck roots to the very heart of Eastland Mall, Ruby, Raymundo, and Gloria Flores have cooked up a story--and a menu--that you just can't quit. Atmosphere Walking into Eastland Mall, it's easy to spot La Patrona: the oasis of flavor in a food court that's seen busier days. In an era when storefronts blink out and even COVID tried to close the kitchen, La Patrona dug in its heels--and thank goodness for everyone craving real Mexican food! Drinks Begin with the Pineapple Aghast Frescas. Bright, tropical, and impossibly refreshing, it's the perfect partner for what's to come. Appetizer Don't miss the Nachos with Chorizo! Scoop after scoop, the thick homemade chips never buckle under fresh, melty cheese and spicy sausage. Every bite is a reminder: this is how nachos were meant to be! Main Dishes * Birria Taco: The MVP of the menu, these savory, juicy tacos could draw a crowd in any city--lucky for you, they're right here. * Steak Gordita: Stuffed with tender steak, this gem balances texture and taste, making each bite an event. * Chicken Enchiladas: Rolled to perfection, topped in a signature sauce, with black beans, fluffy Mexican rice, and a bonus side of diced potatoes that warm the heart. The Heartbeat of the Community La Patrona stands tall as the last restaurant in the Eastland Mall food court--a beacon of flavor and resilience. It's not just about surviving but thriving, serving community with every plate. If you love them, let them know: like, comment, share, and review for a chance to win a gift card! It's just another way to support this local hero. Drawing ends 10-3-1025 Keep showing La Patrona the love they've shown you--because every visit is a taste of true hometown spirit! read more

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So I guess this place started as a food truck, and now has sorta graduated, to the food court. Neither incarnation was one I ever really sought out. I'm sure I've come across the truck a time or three but don't recall having ever ordered anything. With a taste for birria tacos and an IG reminder that they now have a food stall in Eastland mall, i zipped over at the tail end of lunch hour. Found a great parking spot quickly, had no wait to place the order...and then noticed the menu said birria was only offered on the weekends. D'OH! In all fairness, this was referenced in a previous IG post as well if I bothered to look. As a quick fallback plan I asked if the could make combination tacos with both steak and chorizo on each taco...they said 'Sure'. And even though I wasn't terribly impressed by the seasoning in the steak itself, when combined with the chorizo (and a good smattering of green sauce and a squeeze of lime) it was tasty as hell! A tad pricey ($9) for 2 tacos - which I assume prices for both meats - but they were healthy and it certainly filled me up. I'd also point out that the food court, along with the mall in general, is a predictably depressing and mostly bare bones place these days, with only a Kobe Express stir-fry food stall also still there. It's also apparently a frequent target for vandals, which is even sadder. Perhaps these negatives explain why the business has all but stopped with the social media posts. If you scroll through that history you'll note that they used to try new items (churros/churro bites, elotes, flan), something I thought I might find here around Xmas week, but alas I am thankful that they still offer birria Friday thru Sunday as I should be able to talk the better half into a weekend visit. We'll see if the review needs an update thereafter! read more

La Patrona - Taco stand in our mostly abandoned food court - Tacos Near Me - Bloomington, Illinois

The food and service is just so good! I had to update my review to 5 stars because we have had lunch here 3 times in 3 weeks! Our food today was outstanding! We ordered a 2 chorizo ( corn tortilla) tacos combo with rice and beans and a water! We also ordered the birria tacos with cheese! The chorizo today was so flavorful and moist! The shredded beef in the birria tacos was melt in your mouth good!!! The meat was so tender and flavorful! This restaurant is a gem and a treasure to have in a food court in a mall!!! We will be back very soon! read more

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You roll up to what looks like an abandoned mall and walk into the old food court, thinking "man, is this for real?" I've always said that the best takeout comes from the sketchiest places and this is no exception. These are some awesome m'fing tacos. As is the rice and beans - the beans are black beans. Hit them with a little of that green sauce. You'll thank me later. Guac so fresh, you'll think you mashed the avocado yourself. If you're looking for ambiance, you'll fulfill many of your 80s mall fantasies coming here. You certainly don't need to dress up. But who wears a suit to eat tacos, amirite? Tacos. The way God intended. Run right now and get you some. read more

If there's any reason to go to Eastland Mall in 2023, it's this place. Yeah, the food court is a bit depressing once you realize there are only two restaurants, but that just means there's more seating. About the food. I had the cheesy birria tacos with everything on them. Now, I usually expect birria tacos to be amazing but these were stellar. The beef was tender, and the supporting flavors of cheese, onion and cilantro brought it full circle. They had a great juiciness to them, especially with the consommé on the side. I also had the chocolate tres leches cake. I did not plan on getting it, but caught my eye while I was paying at the cash register. It was... Solid, but not as good as I'd hoped based on how the icing and chocolate swirl looked from the top. It had a subtle coffee/caramel flavor to it that made it less one-dimensional than a regular chocolate cake. Overall, I'd recommend this place. Definitely try it out if you haven't already. 9.3/10 read more

I have been eating La Patrona since they were a food truck. Good to see they are in a more brick-and-mortar location. The food at La Patrona is great Tex Mex. Very nicely done. I have had the Tacos, Burrito's and all the tortas on the Menu. Every one of them as authentic as you can dream. Fresh ingredients and temps perfect. and not reheated BS! You get great portions but take my advise and order the Tres Letches Cake take it home it is Out of this worlds. Keep it up La Patrona. read more

Mercy! The Mexican style (meat, onion, cilantro) tacos here are absolute perfection and come with lime plus choice of red or green salsa! Large, meaty and mouthwateringly delish. The filling choices: *steak *chicken *chorizo *chorizo/potato *chicharron *veggie *al pastor (YES is your answer to 'Do you want a slice of pineapple on it?') I had a steak and al pastor and also tried the Patrona corn which is sprinkled with hot Cheeto dust (apparently this is an amazing Mexican fairy dust) if you can even imagine! Their chipotle and green salsas are delish. The chipotle is NOT playing games - brings the heat! I cannot wait to try a Pambazo - a sandwich dipped in red sauce and fried. They also have birria tacos on weekends only. And I also peeped reasonably priced desserts: tres leches cake and flan which I have to try next time. La Patrona started up a few years ago as a food truck and moved into the Eastland Mall Food court in April 2022. The mall better get some additional tables/chairs for this place!!!! read more

This place is amazing. Honestly one of my favorite spots to eat ever! Maybe it's single handedly keeping this mall alive? read more

La Patrona - Tacos Near Me - Bloomington, Illinois

Easily the best tacos I've had in Bloomington/Normal. The mall may be a ghost town but this place is a diamond in the rough. Run, don't walk, and get yourself the best Mexican food around! Friendly service and everything we ate was quick and hot (temperature) and delicious! read more

La Patrona - a table full of mexican food - Tacos Near Me - Bloomington, Illinois

Trying to call or Facebook but no way of getting hold of anyone for catering. They do have great food but they need get a way for us to call. Haven't been to the location ins a long time but may have to to talk with someone. read more

A bit hard to find if you haven't spent much time at this dying, liminal space of a mall but once you do find it the food is fantastic. I'm a sucker for food that's only offered certain days of the week at a restaurant so I had the birria tacos which were flavorful -- always say yes to the cheese. We also got the large nachos which were tasty and maybe a bit huge. We finished with the churros which came with Nutella, a great end to a great meal. Everyone working here was nice and friendly, we'll definitely be back. read more

The best steak nachos, shrimp tacos and cakes in town! Food is always delicious and the service is fast and excellent The tres Leche cakes are sooo gooood read more

La Patrona - Tacos Near Me - Bloomington, Illinois

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I feel like if they had a standstill location more traction! Location is in the mall so it has the vibes of the mall. I never went into the mall before I relocate until now. I wish I would've came sooner!!! Food is amazing and the best i've had in town. Recommend this place first for sure. Kind staff as well!!! read more

Best tacos Al pastor I've had since leaving SoCal. Definitely pop in on the weekends and try the Birria read more

Our favorite place for tacos on the weekend! Absolutely no complaints, everything is amazing.

First time here and I'll say there will certainly be more. I got the Birria tacos and it was everything I hoped it to be. Nice heft to the tacos, great crunch on the tortillas, and the full experience can't be matched when you dip them into the juice with some lime! Only thing I will say for first timers is that it's location is in the food court of the mall. I used both the yelp and google location and it just took me to the middle of the mall. read more

One of the best places for food in town. Consistently delicious. The tacos are top notch, the nachos are excellent and a large one if enough to feed two people. The cheesy barria tacos on Saturdays and sundays are an absolute must. Homemade corn tortillas for their quesadillas are exceptional, especially with the al pastor. The steak is seasoned well and the chorizo might be the best in town. Seriously consistently delicious food at fair prices. You can't beat this place, 10/10 and I will always recommend. The short walk from your car to their counter in the mall is well worth it. read more

This is the best quality and truly authentic Mexican food in a food desert town. Bloomington is saturated with chain restaurants and when an awesome place like this opens up, people need to frequent it so they can move to their own stand-alone location outside the mall. The service is great; the food is incredible. Cannot beat their birria tacos!! yum. read more

Their burrito is a contender for some of the best burritos I've had, absolutely quality fillings, lightly crisped on the outside, a real thing to behold. I didn't even expect the side potatoes but they're such a good filling side, with a lil' cheese and cilantro cooked soft and crispy. Can't recommend this place enough. read more

Amazing authentic Mexican food and desserts! Love this place will continue to give to give them my business.

This is some of the best food in BN period. Sopes and homemade corn tortillas in the quesadillas are the best. Highly recommend. I can't eat at any other Mexican restaurants because of this place. read more