El Patio
39241 Grand River Ave, Farmington, MI, 48335
El Patio Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Farmington for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Farmington for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Farmington for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
39241 Grand River Ave
Farmington, MI, 48335 - Phone (248) 471-9590
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
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Dan C.
For the money their lunch specials are a good value but $2.75 for a 3oz serving of sour cream deluted guacamole is by far not worth the money.
(3)Steven A.
Came here the 5th of May and yes it was crowded and very busy. The service was still out standing. They continued to work very hard to server everyone. They keep the sauces coming along with the water great deal. I have traveled the world over and married to a Latin women doing know Mexican food and Gerri's on of the best sauces I have ever eaten. We ordered our food waited 30 min and food was great.
(5)Akash K.
I like Mexican food but did not want to try in any place I find. But el patio is different. It was decent ambience, immediately when you come , you have nachos and salsa waiting to eat. Salsa is awesomely delicious. Refill of nachos happens automatically. The chicken and veggie fajitas are delicious and would be a great heavy lunch. Burritos are also spicy as you request them. Ambience 7/10 Serving staff 8/10 Food 8/10 Price 8/10
(4)Luke R.
It has been over 10yrs at least since my wife and I have visited El Patio. We used to frequent them when we both worked in Farmington Hills. Not sure why we went there this afternoon, but it was close by and at least I had a hankering for mexican food. The decor is atrocious. It also smells of cleaning products. the area they sat us, to me smelled like bleach. Not palatable by a long shot. It's dark in the front end, and overly light in the back. It's gone downhill. definitely a Dive type of eatery. I have no idea who decorated the place but its clashing and ugly. They've expanded a bit since I was there last. We arrived in after 330pm. There might of been 3 or 4 other customers, so they were not busy at all. I don't know how many servers they have but it seemed like every one of them visited our table in the 1st 5 mins. I wanted a Jarrito, which is a classic Mexican soda pop - they don't have any. Pffft, what kind of Mexican diner doesn't serve Jarritos?? The complimentary chips and salsa were plentiful, albeit not 100% fresh. The salsa medium spicy and flooded with cilantro, not a good mix. Some one different came to table asked us if we were ready, we weren't - the menu is 4 or 5 pages long and there's way too many options. We asked for time. And they took us seriously, it was at least 8 mins before a server came back to take our order. My wife ordered the chicken fajita's with out sour cream. I ordered the bistec ranchero - allegedly 2 ribeye steaks cook with peppers, onions, served with rice & refried beans. There was this very loud obnoxious mexican rock music. I asked them to turn it down and they did only a little. I tried not to stare at the ugly orange splattered walls and christmas lights on the back wall. the low budget tableware, skimpy napkins, and bad flickering fluorescent lights. Someone completely different came to give us our food. The Server told my wife her plate was hot and set her fajitas down. For me, he essentially plopped my food on the table and walked away without so much as a word. Quite Rude in my opinion. My wife usually doesn't eat a lot at once, I knew she would have leftovers. She gave me a taste of her chicken - it was tasteless. Bland. dry even. the guacamole that came with her order on the side was so creamy it looked like it had been squirted from a toothpaste tube and it was greasy or oily. It was bland too, barely any avocado flavor. She gave it to me to eat, I tried to eat it but I didn't finish it. Gross. My Bistec Ranchero wasn't much better. there was refried beans with a plop of cheese. the beans were runny and oily. gross. the rice was actually palatable but no more than a few tablespoons on the plate. The onions & peppers had flavor and were piled over the ribeye steak. the onions & peppers were only things on the plate that tasted like they had been seasoned and cooked properly. My ribeye steak was very fatty, cooked overdone, and hard to chew. Beef Jerky from the local 7-11 would of been easier to chew. A server did come over maybe once and asked how everything was, My said she liked her food ( I know she was lying and trying to be nice)... I said the steak was fatty and tasteless. He didn't say a single word to me and walked away. I had given up on my food and we both asked for boxes. We packed up most of the leftovers for later I guess. Although I will really have to do some seasoning and saucing up to make my so called Bistec Ranchero taste anything close to decent. Believe me I've had worst food in other eateries. What I couldn't care for was the complete Rudeness of the servers, the long wait times, the tacky decor, and the bleh lackluster food. When I left a 10% tip, one of the servers looked at it, then looked at me and I swear they growled. I don't EFFING Care... THEY were lucky I left them anything! It will be a LOOOOONG time or never before I set foot at El Patio. They really really need help! (My advice... for really high quality Mexican food with excellent service, head over to El Mariachi in Novi, on Novi Rd. they are 100x better than El Patio.)
(2)Lauren N.
This hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant is definitely my favorite in the area! Ridiculously fast & attentive service! Immediately served with fresh, hot tortilla chips & spicy salsa. My favorite meal is the skillet "El Pollo Loco". Grilled chicken and veggies with a creamy white cheese sauce... to say I crave it is an understatement. I can assume all the skillet meals are crazy good. The beans & rice are great here, too. The only thing I don't care for is their guac - it's a bit too stirred & not-fresh looking, but to be honest I don't remember if it was good. I just like chunkier guac. This place actually beats a lot of my favorite Mexican restaurants from California, and my family who comes to visit here agrees! Plus, when you're super hangry you only have a quick wait to divulge!
(5)Ryan T.
I've eaten here before, it wasn't bad. This time was not good at all. I ordered the #10 dinner combo, two tacos with rice. I also ordered refried beans and an extra taco. The meal came with chips and salsa. Starting with the tacos: The shells were stale. The ground beef was very dry, overly seasoned, and quite salty. The chips were okay, no salt on those so they must have used the salt for the chips on the taco meat. The salsa was so spicy that it had no flavor. 10 minutes after eating it my mouth is still burning. On to the refried beans.... Apparently, though the menu does not say so, the meal comes with beans. Why the waitress wouldn't have told me that when I ordered the beans? I don't know... Now I have enough beans for 3 days. Also, when people order carryout food it should be automatic that plasticware and napkins be placed in the bag.
(1)Alexandria C.
This place is pretty standard tex-mex, which for me is always a safe bet. The salsa was easily my favorite part of the meal. The salsa was fresh with just a tad of heat (may be hotter for non-spicy eaters). We had a very large group or us and it was a last minute change of location. Thankfully they were very accommodating. They decided to put is in the back room. It felt like our party was a bit big (roughly 12 people) and we were bothering other guests in the same room. I felt like the other diners would have preferred to be sat in the main room, which was empty. There was one waitress for our whole room and even though she was probably overwhelmed she was very professional and prompt. The portions, pricing, and flavor is what you would expect from your local joint. But unfortunately nothing in particular really stands out aside from the freshness of the salsa and the accommodating staff.
(3)Darcy W.
Nice find!! I was on my way to my appointment and had an hour for lunch, plus a craving for Mexican... El Patio is located in a strip mall, so don't get excited there is NO patio seating. The decor is bright yellow walls with the typical Mexican hats hanging up. It's clean (even the bathrooms). Bottom line... It's a no frills place, but El Patio has really good inexpensive food with fast and attentive service. I ordered a chicken taco and enchilada, diet coke, and you are served fresh chips and salsa. My total bill was $6.31! What a bargin!!! Only thing I might complain about was the dish my food was served on... It had 2 major chips out of it?
(4)Adam S.
I'm a regular customer here. My family loves Mexican food and we stop in at least once a week. This is a must-go for anybody who likes good food and great service at reasonable prices. Location: From the outside, the restaurant leaves something to be desired. In the back corner of a strip mall. Lot is spacious, but you may have to park far out during the busy lunch hours. Interior: Not that visually appealing, but it gets the job done. Ample seating, which is required because their is a heavy heavy local lunch crowd. Come between 11-1 M-F and the line will be out the door. They move tables in and out quick, so don't let the line turn you away. Restrooms are usually clean as well. Food: Tasty Mexican cuisine. Baskets of hot tortilla chips and house-made salsa are brought to every table for starters. The spicy salsa is a bit too hot for me, so I always ask for the mild (no pepper seeds). You can taste the freshness of the salsa, and it's consistent in texture from day to day. The best entree in my opinion is the chicken fajitas (beef is an option as well, btw). The combination of burnt onions, green peppers, and meat just blends nicely with the Mexican spices. A fajita meal comes with steamed foil-wrapped tortillas, refried beans with queso drizzled over the top, a dollop of sour cream, and a scoop of guac (garnished with pico de gallo and lettuce). The lunch portion of fajitas fills me up, and the dinner portion leaves me stuffed (if you've read my other reviews, you know I'm a big eater haha). The pricing is very good for the amount and quality of food you get. An $7.99 lunch that is fresh and keeps me full??? Count me in. One negative note, however, is that the pop is always flat, but the fresh-brewed ice tea makes up for the deficit. Also, avoid anything that is simple ground beef (like tacos or burritos). The ground beef seems to lack seasoning and is kind of dry. Service: Excellent waitstaff who is very attentive and tries to make every customer feel welcomed. These people obviously take pride in their establishment, and are always courteous to customers. Very very rare to have to ask for a refill on a drink or for more chips/salsa... The waitstaff is always on top of it before you even have to inquire. If it wasn't for the service that is through the roof, this would be like any other Mexican restaurant. The excellent work ethic and promptness of the staff is what sets this restaurant apart more than anything. Bottom line: Good food, great prices, and amazing service. The value of this restaurant and overall dining experience is what keeps me going back. 5/5 /
(5)James B.
It was my first time going to el patio, my daughter has been there and she loves it, i ordered fajitas Mexicans the food was great and the service fast and very friendly, i will certainly be going again.
(5)Steve W.
Muy autentico. Good food and good service. Try the carnitas. Fair prices too. Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxc
(4)Gary A.
So it is fast and inexpensive Mexican food. It beats Taco Bell by a mile and the service is so quick it might even be faster. Hugh menu, lots of focus on the combination plates - lots of variety - but it seems like the same stuff. That said, the food is bland, you need to add hot sauce to your meal - which they provide a good selection - 3-4 bottles on each table. The servers are good - fast and friendly - and they move - get you in and out in under 30 minutes. Go for lunch.
(3)Jes P.
Strip mall + Farmington Hills = ??? The combination (for a location) doesn't scream good Mexican food but after I poked my head in El Patio and saw the large crowd, I knew I wanted to join them. I visited on a Friday at noon and the place was completely packed! But believe it or not, the wait was only 5 to 10 minutes (without the waitstaff being pushy for other customers to finish). Why such a short wait? The workers are quick on their feet and can carry many plates at the same time (saw one waiter carrying SEVEN heavy plates up his arm. See my picture to believe!). The first thing you'll get is chips and salsa which is pretty typical at Mexican restaurants but the salsa is anything but that. El Patio completely nails the salsa with fresh tomatoes, nice chunks of onion, cilantro, and just the right heat. No vinegar taste like at other places. I've only been there for lunch and their selection is good with the typical burritos and tacos to the less popular (but by NO means less delicious) chiles rellenos. The food holds some good tastes but goes heavy on the cheese which isn't really my thing. It would be great to see some more variety in their cheeses like queso fresco. The serving size hits the spot for lunch and most plates will only run you $5.99 So, some may find the 'lack of English' a point of concern but I see it as a way to be creative with your communication skills AND a sure sign that you're about to get some good Mexican food! I've been here 3 times for lunch and all 3 times, the waitstaff spoke English just fine. All in all, this is a nice 'sorpresa' for a little strip mall in Farmington Hills. I'll be going back soon.
(4)Karen W.
Food here is excellent and quick, i have been to other mexican places that take forever, and staff is not friendly, however that is not,El Patio at all, they are quick, friendly, and food is fabulous, and my new mexican hangout!!!!
(5)Amanda L.
Tried this place via carry out today and I wasn't impressed. The food was terribly bland, lacking any depth or flavor. I was surprised as the salsa had a nice kick to it, even with the cilantro in there and I usually don't like cilantro salsa. So I was excited to dig into my chicken fajitas but was sadly disappointed. I didn't really like that they put my rice inside the same container as the meat as it made the rice soggy. But I will say the staff was friendly with our interaction. Decent portions and pricing but I don't know that this will be my first pick for Mexican.
(2)Melissa K.
My family and I come to this hole-in-the-wall restaurant frequently. They are always fast, friendly, and attentive. Large selection of meals at very reasonable prices, and I've never had a bad meal. Very quick with drink and chips/salsa refills.
(5)Jeff M.
Great local place. Kinda hidden in a strip mall, but definitely worth seeking out. Authentic Mexican cuisine, decent prices and a fun, authentic atmosphere. If you like Mexican, then go check this place out.
(4)Dave F.
So the reviews convinced us to ditch Azteca (Oakland Mall location) and come out here to get our Mexican fix tonight. Son & I would have preferred the awesome Tienda Mexicana but the wife seems to think its preferable eat at a place that doesn't have card table chairs. Other reviews have mentioned the salsa - it is indeed a cut above the average MexAmerican fare. Fresh onion, real cilantro and not vinegary. Decided to also get the cheese dip. Not awesome but it does its job proficiently. Others have noted the guac is substandard. This also is true. Did not get a side order but a small amount came with my parillada and it ain't good. The parillada was respectable though not awesome. Chicken was blah. The other proteins were pretty decent. Wife & son liked but not loved their entrees. What makes this place is the honest and infectious enthusiasm from the staff. They are darned likeable. The banter between my 7th grader in his first year of Spanish and our waiter made the occasion. Minus the atmosphere this is a 3-star place. They give you largely what you expect for a fair price. For the money its right in line with the usual suspects you are familiar with, and a step down from great values like Tienda Mexicana. But people do make a difference. At places like Azteca you can get the idea there is often plenty of griping about fat & stupid gringos going on in the back. The staff at El Patio likes their fellow man and it really shows.
(4)Ani B.
best mex food i've eaten in probably a couple years. seems what use to be favorites have gone down hill in quality. salsa good with a little kick to make it better. chile rellanos just a pepper stuffed with cheese or whatever you choose. not battered and fried. beans taste lardy but work well with other items. cheese enchiladas good. rice ok. service quick. will return.
(4)Katherine A.
First of all this place has a great location. You start with chips and salsa like any Mexican restaurant. There is only one type of salsa though and it's mild. If you wanted spicy you would be disappointed. All in all the chips and salsa were good. We started with a botana which was yummy. Then I got a dish which had chicken in flour tortillas with cheese and sour cream on top. The sides were rice and guacamole salad. Weird that there wasn't beans and I wanted to try them so I got a side. The meal was good. Loved the beans and rice. The chicken in the tortillas was okay. It was shredded and marinated and mixed with some veggies like peppers, tomatoes, and onions. That I didn't like because I don't like them and the menu didn't state that. Just had water to drink and they were constantly refilling it which I love. I hate not having a drink. Overall it was pretty good. I would try a different dish next time though. I will be back.
(4)Chad L.
I had their lunch special #4 burrito with one taco rice or beans I choose beans. I am very full. Everything tasted great. Their refried beans were probably the best I've ever had.
(4)Magnus L.
I was recommend to try this place and it was better than I expected! It's a strip mall and the decor doesn't blow you away, not in a good way anyway. The salsa is actually good and they serve their tortilla chips warm which is the way I like it. We ordered their cheese dip and it was good with lots of nice flavor and thick enough to make it stick to the chips. I ordered one of their burrito fajitas with steak and smothered in their cheese sauce. It was good, I really liked their steak, the flavors came together nicely. The menu said cooked to order but they never asked how I wanted it cooked and I didn't want to take any chances by pushing it and it was well done but still quite good. We also ordered the beef chimichanga which also came smothered in their cheese sauce. What can I say they apparently like to smother everything in their cheese sauce but at least it's a good cheese sauce! The chimichanga was good as well, same type of meat which was tasty. We didn't have any leftovers which is telling because the portions were not small. The service was not what I expected, the drink refills were quick but we had to point out that we needed more chips and more salsa and didn't come and check on us what we thought about their food. Come to think of it, one of the rare times the waiter didn't ask if we wanted dessert. It's well worth it because of their food though.
(4)Fahad T.
My friend and I visited this restaurant. Our experience about it was very bad. I found a hair in the food. When I told them, they didn't apologize well, and they didn't give me the food free. They cut a half price.
(1)Gina V.
I thought it would be easier to order carry out on a Friday night than wait for 20+ mins to eat. The front counter was very busy and servers were dropping off credit cards with their tickets. I thought it was odd they didn't have a POS system to keep track or the pay for anything. I didn't like the idea of that credit cards were lined up by the machine. I can clearly see everyone's name and number. After getting my order and driving away I didn't feel like my order was right so I pulled over and checked. My order was missing the tortillas. I was only a block away but turned around found another parking spot which isn't near the restaurant. Told them that they forgot the tortillas and he said he was sorry and gave me guacamole. Which sure that is fine for me having to come back but I probably won't be coming back. The food is mediocre American-style at best for Mexican food but beats Taco Bell. I think maybe a few tweaks and how it's run it might be a smoother experience.
(2)Jay R.
Fantastic! Hot, fresh, quick, and authentic. I had the taco, burrito, and enchilada plate which was fantastic with tremendous sauce! The salsa is special and it is small with a great feel inside! Please try it
(5)Jack J.
Where is the patio? As a Novi resident, I think I have tried just about every local place that serves Mexican, and El Patio is without question our favorite place to go. The atmosphere leaves much to be desired, it is in a strip mall and has very little décor that would cause you to think that you were in an establishment that was worth your time. You are immediately greeted with multiple baskets of warm chips and good salsa on the table. These baskets will never go empty as they are filled the moment they start going low. The drinks are the same as no one in my party ever has to ask for a refill. I enjoy the deep fried burritos, but most everything we have gotten there has been solid. The enchiladas are good - and the kids meals prices are very good and come with a lot of food. For the price and quality, it is tough to beat El Patio for Mexican in this area.
(4)Carole H.
Ever eat something and it's so delicious you find yourself thinking about it days, even weeks, after the fact? Well despite their super tacky interior and ironic lack of a patio, I have been kind of drooling thinking back on the super tasty Shrimp Fajita Quesadilla I had at El Patio on Saturday. I mean, I knew it was good while I was eating it, but I didn't realize it would linger on my mind like it has. It was just such a perfect blend of cheeses...with the soft grilled enough to have a little crunch to it...and plentiful amounts of shrimp & grilled peppers & onions. It was served with garnishes of guacamole, sour cream, lettuce and tomato, all of which I stirred together and used as a sort of chunky dip. Just really, really good. Example of taking a totally simple dish that you can get anywhere, and making it excellent. I reread that it and it sounds like I am waxing nostalgic over a lost romance....but nope, just the quesadilla I ate this weekend. #fatkidproblems Add to that, the complimentary chips and salsa were on point (perfect levels of salty & hot, respectively), and the large sized margarita went down smooth & had me feeling no pain by meal's end. Unfortunately, though, the strip mall store front, "we took over a failing diner, threw some sombreros on the wall and called it good" look of the place leaves a lot to be desired. Also, although we had a reservation, they were not prepared when we arrived and we were left standing around while they scrambled to push tables together for us. The kitchen is divided by a half wall, and at one point during the meal, something was burning back there causing huge billows of spicy smelling smoke to blow straight over and around our table for a good 20 seconds. And due to the fact that not every staff member speaks English, I had some difficulty getting a few questions answered about some menu items. I was originally going to give El Patio 3 stars (and really, what kind of a name is that? for a store in a strip mall none the less)...but now that it's been days and my quesadilla is still haunting my lunchtime cravings, I gotta bump it to 4.
(4)K M.
Great inexpensive Mexican food! Service is always great and fast. You can find authentic dishes that most Mexican places don't have. Prices are on point and the margaritas are good! We only come every couple months but they remember us.
(5)Marcia H.
We have eaten here many times before and appreciated the good food and fast service. Today, however, we got unprovoked rudeness and anger! When our server came to take our order, I asked the difference between two menu items. The response was mumbled, so I said, what? The next response was loud and irritated. When my husband tried to calm him down, the server started to leave. We called him back to continue ordering, but were met with such anger that we decided to leave. To top it off, our server was the boss! Can't see that we will be back -- ever!
(1)Linda M.
Total hole in the wall - but If you're looking for cheap yummy Mexican food, this is the place. I absolutely love their salsa, and literally salivate at the thought of it! You pretty much get a refill of chips and salsa instantly, it's awesome. Certain items on the menu are hit or miss, so I always end up getting their enchilada with rice and beans. Oh, and if you order a side or sour cream, beware of the mini bowl you get... they do not skimp on this stuff! I come here at least once a week for my Mexican craving, even if Taco Bell is right around the corner.
(4)Gary S.
El Patio is good for a quick lunch, at a great price. You can get in and out in 45 minutes without a problem, and only drop $8 for a filling meal. The chips and salsa are fresh and flavorful. The entrees are average. Oftentimes the meat doesn't have much flavor, and there isn't enough sauce. Overall, it's a bit bland for Mexican food. However, a few spoonfuls of salsa does the trick. The quantities are just right and I always leave full. Service is fast, but rude. The interior of the restaurant isn't very nice, it's cheap and horribly decorated. But who cares, that's not why you go to El Patio. Stop by for a quick, filling lunch but don't expect any more.
(3)Jeff S.
Alright people, so the place isn't the most beautiful...Get over it. It is what it is... Real good food at a real good price with great service. Since I love cilantro, I love the fresh tasting salsa and chips they start you with. I'm totally forgetting the name of the dish I usually order,(something like fajitas amerigos). It's a sizzling plate with chorizo, chicken, pork, shrimp, zuchinni and maybe a couple other things. I usually make 3 fajitas out of it and take a bunch home for a midnight snack. I don't know what they do with the refried beans, but they're great. Last time there I tried a shrimp burrito and couldn't believe how loaded it was with shrimp. And the queso cheese sauce on top was great... Give this place try.
(5)Jenna A.
El Patio is great! Their service is super fast and top notch. The restaurant is much bigger than it looks from the outside and is very clean. I usually get the steak fajitas which comes with guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo, beans, and three flour tortillas. Their margaritas are amazing. I also love their gauc - it's smooth and there are no onions like other restaurants' guac. Their salsa and chips are delish too.
(5)Jake S.
El Patio is the best mexican food in Detroit... they also have another restaurant in Waterford. way better than mexican village or any tex-mex you will find in Royal Oak. If you have a better Mexican restaurant in metro Detroit, you let me know, i seriously doubt it. If your chips get low, they will steal them from you. if you blink you may not even see it happen, then within 30 seconds a new bowl of chips are thrown in front of you so fast that a few chips fall off the top of the pile! this place rocks
(5)Daniel S.
Fast service. Blink and your half-eaten chips are gone. Blink again and they're filled. Empty plates sit for 5 seconds max. Water and coke refill before your half done... you get the idea. This is our post-mountain biking ritual... EL PATIO!!! (mexican for "the patio") We love it because we can come in muddy, feel at home, the food is fast, priced right and pretty d*&% good. This is not a fancy joint folks. They also have no patio (which makes their name even more awesome)
(4)Steve S.
This place is the closest thing to Mexican town as Oakland County can get. Great food and very fast service.
(5)C P.
You don't have to be hoity toity to get get five stars. Love this place! Authentic food, great prices, fast service . . . and it's clean! Tried lots of items over multiple visits and it's always been good.
(5)S N.
Fast service, inexpensive menu and staff is very friendly. Every time I come here they treat you nice and the food arrives extremely fast. Margaritas are a bargain. Not sure what the complaints are for - this place is a great little place for authentic Mexican food.
(5)Kaylei S.
Love this place!! Great food and very affordable! The best part is their service. Your food is always served piping hot! They are on point with refills, I won't even be half way through a drink and they will bring me another one without me even having to ask!
(5)Amber M.
I was a little skeptical about eating at this restaurant seeing as it is in a less than impressive strip mall. However, as soon as we sat down we had our drinks and chips/salsa almost instantly. The chips were warm, which was definitely a plus! We ordered and our food came out super fast and was incredibly tasty. I was so impressed! I literally couldn't stop eating. Also, (huge plus) the prices are very reasonable. This place is definitely worth checking out.
(5)Traveling D.
I simply would not go here again, for numerous reasons: 1. Terrible atmosphere - fluorescent lighting and white suspended ceilings, combined with stark white tile floors (and black grout). Cafeterias quality tables and skimpy silverware tightly wrapped in a tiny paper napkin. Bathroom was a dark space with only one fluorescent bulb working. 2. Service was as stark as the lighting, rushed and lacking in personality and no menu description. No follow up to find our satisfaction with meal. Never asked if a second drink or desert desired. Literally grabbed our empty plates on the fly and returned with a check - zero questions. 3. Food was well below average. Soupy, bland re-fried beans (nearly puréed), rice a bit crunchy from heating and both our entrées were rather small portions. And all food was poorly presented. 4. Finally my margarita tasted like a mix and had a browning lime slice that looked like it had sat out all day. In fairness, server and service was quick (if not hurried) and flavor of beef and chicken was good in our burritos, as well as being tender. (Again, portions very small - barely 1/3 the size of a Chipotle Burrito, but more expensive) and I can not recommend this place, and certainly will not return.
(1)Crystal L.
This is definitely not a fancy place but they are a gem for their strengths - fast cheap food with friendly service. The service is ridiculously attentive - they will not let you soda get past half full without offering a refill. The salsa must be homemade because it tastes a little different every time we go - it is my favorite of all time. The menu is quite big so pretty much any favorite you are looking for should be there. The vegetarian fajitas is a particularly nice spread. The portions are very generous for the price - especially during the lunch time specials.
(4)J M.
Love this place. Salsa is medium hot and lots of cilantro. Chips are bottomless and quickly refilled without having to ask. Food comes out FAST and it is always piping hot & fresh. Guac has nice flavor, chicken taquitos are my current fave but it shifts around. Cheap prices, fast service, hot food..great if you like the above! It is also clean. If you are a snob about mexican decor in a strip mall plaza restaurant. .you will be disappointed. If you prefer food to be tasty and served fast...and OMG delicious margaritas too. Yes they have the usual cliche mexican decor but SO WHAT? I am shocked anyone is expecting frills and pizzazz at a mexican joint. Get over yourselves
(5)Deep A.
Found this place while grocery shopping next door at Indian store. We have always carried out, but the quality of food is really good and authentic flavors. I think it is family owned. Try the Fajitas Mexicanas as it tastes delicious.
(5)Bryan M.
Love this place! Great authentic Mexican restaurant. Good food and reasonably priced. Plus this is the only restaurant I've ever been to with stronger drinks than the ones you would make for yourself at home. I suggest the large Texas Maragrita. You won't be disappointed... Or sober.
(4)Jennifer B.
Chips and salas ok. Price point low but u get what u pay for. Rude server. Won't go back.
(1)Christina K.
We've been here a few times and this is our go to place when we want some Mexican food. The service is quick, they bring out salsa and chips before you even put in a drink order, which I personally like! I've gone vegetarian so I always order the veggie fajitas which are always caramelized and delicious. It also looks like they make their own flour tortillas because they're not evenly shaped. It also comes with a guacamole salad (lettuce, guac, sour cream and pico de gallo), beans and rice. My hubs usually tries something different every single time but it always ends up tasting like what he ordered the last time he was here. Overall we like this place but I wouldn't necessarily say that this place is truly authentic it's definitely been Americanized.
(3)Mike A.
My wife and I typically prefer to head out to Canton or Dearborn for Mexican Fiesta whenever we have a craving for Mexican. However, it's not always convenient to make the trip from Livonia. Thankfully, we have discovered El Patio. It makes for a great substitute, offering delicious food at a fair price. For starters, try the white queso dip, it's the best I've had at a restaurant. The margaritas and also delicious (not to mention strong.) I ordered a quesadilla during my first visit and ended up with what appeared to be a giant taco. While I probably won't order one again, the fajitas I ate during my second visit more than made up for it. Nothing showy, simply tasty, reliable Mexican cuisine. In an area deficient in non-Tex Mex Mexican restaurants (I'm looking at you, Border Cantina and On the Border), El Patio is a welcome addition.
(4)Mish M.
A great Mexican restaurant! Its good food, cheap and fast - with a similar taste of mexicantown food and.comparable to Mexican fiesta 2 in Canton. I agree with another reviewer that said the margaritas were NOT good. But the food was good and the service was decent but not bad. Takeout experience is good too.
(4)Mark S.
We've been going to El a Patio for a long time and the food is good and fast. We have, however, stopped going there due to one waiter. He's been there since the beginning and might be related to the owner, BUT....he's fast and efficient, but has "0" personality. In fact, he has a negative rating. Never smiles, gruff, brusk never looks you in the face. The last time we went ( in the winter) this guy told my wife to "hand him our finished plates". Not nicely, not friendly. I asked for the owners, but they were in Mexico. I said I would be back to talk to them, but figured that this server is their problem. I won't spend my money that continues to employ an guy with as few people skills as this one. Too bad.
(2)C P.
Great option for mexican food. This place is better than the mexican restaurants situated in so called famous Mexican town of Detroit. Fast service and reasonable prices.... also very good salsa... better than what I expected...
(4)Grace L.
The food was alright - big portions and pretty authentic from what I could tell. The best thing about this place was the service. We had three to four people waiting on us the entire time we were there - refilling our chips and water before we even finished what we had. The staff was very friendly and made the environment enjoyable.
(5)Gordo P.
This place has the best Mexican food in Farmington. The food comes out fast, is reasonably priced and tastes delicious. the menu is huge - you can pretty much get any combination you like. And the Margaritas are also the best around. get there early at lunch time - it gets packed for good reason!
(5)Kris C.
Just finished my carryout order of Enchilada Verde with a side order of chips and salsa. The verdict is in.... pretty darn good food. I especially like how the put all the fresh ingredients into another container to avoid a typical Mexican restaurant tray-o-slop, carryout container. The Verde sauce was nice and hot just as advertised and tasted very nice. The place was clean and the well kept. I was there just to pick up a carryout order and had contact with three employes, I mention this because all there were very nice people that made you feel welcome. I will most likely be dining at the restaurant in the future. This place will see future business from me. Oh yeah the chips and salsa were good too, the salsa is hot.
(4)Brendan H.
This is the best Mexican food in the area. Have had the steak fajitas many times, the chorizo queso dip is excellent also. Service here even when extremely busy is excellent, always have a full glass and full basket of chips and salsa.
(5)Tim K.
Headed to El Patio in Farmington to give it a try. It is located in a strip mall and a little hard to find since it's in the corner of the mall. The inside is nothing fancy and the typical Mexican Décor... over decorated, bright, and cheesy! Pun intended! We walked in and were greeted immediately. Sat down and bam... chips were there quickly. Chips were warm and good but nothing to be amazed about. The salsa was a little hot with a lot of cilantro. We were not offered any mild salsa so not sure if they have it. We ordered a side of guac and it was good but so smooth I don't believe it was home made. Reminded me a lot of store bought Wholly-Guacamole again not bad but not very impressive either. Wife ordered the steak taco with rice and beans. She liked the taco and the crispy shell it came in. Steak was good and she didn't find any mystery meat in it. Whew! I ordered the chicken fajita burrito which came covered in melted white cheese which was a bonus. Chicken was all white meat strips and I also didn't find any mystery meat. Veggies were cooked good with still a little crunch but a little greasier than I like. Burrito was pretty large and definitely filled me up. (I'm sure the basket of chips and salsa didn't hurt). Rice was so so and a little dry. I give the burrito 4 stars but overall food a 3 star. I will be back if in the area but won't go out of my way to drive there. We didn't have any margaritas or beers but the selection of adult drinks looked very good. Some quality Mexican Beers on the menu. Prices are pretty cheap and I'm sure that has some effect on the quality of the food. Overall price vs. quality was GOOD! (we did see the waiter cleaning all the menus when we were leaving and that is a good sign of a restaurant that wants to keep us all from getting sick! Menus are gross!!) I can see why the mixed reviews. Everyone has their own style of Mexican food liking and this was just my opinion.
(3)Robyn T.
Um, yeah. It took me a while to warm up to El Patio but now that I have, I can't stop!!! It's so close to my office and I find myself thinking about it everyday for lunch. I've been able to discipline myself to once or twice a week though. I have both eaten in and carried out and there really is no difference in the food EXCEPT when you carry out, you better get there quick because the food goes out immediately and the cheese will get cold. Of the things I've ordered are the Speedy Gonzales, The #7 (1 burrito and 1 enchilada) and a taco salad. I generally will go for the burriot/enchilada plate because I can eat the whole thing with a fork, where the taco's tend to dissolve a little. They let you mix meats in your combo plate which is HUGE for me since I tend to tire of the same taste easily. So I will go for ground beef in something and then chicken for the enchilada. I also opt for both rice and beans since that's simply tradition. Everything tastes fabulous. And their food is CHEAP!! The servers look like Energizer bunnies scurrying around the restaurant refilling chips and salsa (which is also awesome) drinks or food. And they are frighteningly happy. Even during the busiest times they have smiles on their faces. Great place.
(5)Betty B.
The food is good and great prices. Service is fast. My only issue is, the waiters all hover. I feel like I am being stared at all the time (probably to see if you need anything) and there is one Gentleman there who is always cranky, I feel like I am bothering him when I get take out. Otherwise. I like the place.
(3)Mary S.
Service is excellent. Chips are bad, salsa is good. We ordered the plate that has everything on it and steak fajitas. The fajitas were, by far, the worst that I have ever had. Just terrible. I would be concerned about where they get their meat from. Chicken was dried out. The tamale was good but salty. The Chalupa was way, way too greasy.The ground beef was flavorful. Also, the food is very cheap and they serve huge portions, so if you are hungry and financially challenged, this isn't a bad place to go. Also, I didn't have a Marguerita but I understand that they are "terrrific" and I highly recommend ordering a carafe before eating dinner.
(1)Joseph S.
Best Mexican food in town! All of my friends who are from out of town look forward to their biyearly el patio experience. I think that says it all... But in case it didn't, food is cheap and if you want a big plate you just have to know what to order. Lunch fajitas for 7$ is more food than you will receive at chipotle or pancheros. I eat them for two meals. Their dinner burritos are also extremely large, but in the ten dollar range. Salsa is homemade and amazing! But if you're not a fan of cilantro then stay away. Service is the fastest I've ever seen. They are not rude, some of them seem to not speak english very well. But they will just be your food bringer or drink refiller. The wait staff works as a team and the person who takes your order is who you should request special items from. So basically if you want a fancy sit down romantic meal stay away, if you want a quick delicious way to get food in your stomach go to el patio.
(5)Russell H.
After reading reviews on Yelp, I decided to give this place a try. I must say, this is the first time that the reviewers on Yelp have disappointed me. While the food is plentiful, it quite simply is bland, and unexciting. I should have realized what I was in for the moment we entered the place, though we were encouraged that they were quite busy, usually a good sign; the interior looked uninspired, as it turned out so was the food. First of all, how do you name a place "El Patio," and have no outdoor seating? This should have thrown up a red flag immediately. If that did not do the trick the sombreros, and Ponchos, stapled to the wall should have had us turning back towards the exit. However, there are places that don't look impressive, but nonetheless serve excellent food; this is not such an establishment. The next red flag shot up on ordering drinks. I was disappointed that they had no top shelf Margarita options on the menu, and should have ordered a beer instead. While the Margarita I ordered was large, it was obviously a premix, and overly sweet. The fruit flies seemed to like it though, as a number of them enjoyed a swim in the neon green concoction. The chips and salsa were acceptable, but nothing great. Looking at the menu, everything read as stale as the decor. It includes your usual fare of options, and nothing really stood out. I ordered the enchilada supremas , and my date ordered the chicken quesadilla. When my food arrived, it looked like a simple ice berg salad with tomatoes and radishes on top. Upon a little digging adventure, I located the enchiladas buried on the plate. To put it simply the food was bland. You could barely discern the varied meats, over the flavor of the corn tortillas. And when I say bland, I mean that Taco Bell offers more flavor. While the prices were reasonable, I have had much better food at this price point. If you wish to save money, go to Taco Bell instead, you won't be as disappointed, because you know what you are in for.
(1)Caroline S.
Treated my colleagues to dinner...this place was close, convenient and affordable :) (They're working late because of me!!!)
(3)Sarah C.
Love love LOVE THIS PLACE!!! Great food and great prices!!! The staff is also very nice!!
(5)Bill M.
El Patio is by far one of the best Mexican restaurants I have ever had! At first glance, it seems like this hole-in-the-wall joint with not the most appealing sign/outside decor. However, I looked at reviews of El Patio before venturing in there and was pleasantly surprised to see how great everyone was saying it was - and I definitely agree with everyone! It definitely encompasses what Guy Fieri does on "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives" by finding hidden gems that everyone always passes by. I am always seated promptly, and of course greeted with chips and fantastic home made salsa. As for the food, I am never waiting for longer than 10 minutes before piping hot food hits the table -- Here, I would HIGHLY recommend the chicken enchiladas; they are to die for! All around, this is a great restaurant that has everything I am always looking for - good service, pleasant atmosphere, fair prices, and always fantastic food!
(5)Jess T.
El Patio has a really great chicken taco. The meat is braised and shredded, and oh so delicious. That is about the best thing I can say about El Patio. I know, I know - you are all sick of me comparing Michigan Mexican food to my Californian Mexican food. But come on! The cheese enchilada I got had a very weird sauce on it, and the cheese wasn't even melted inside. We also went to the new Troy location, and Dustin ordered the chicken mole. That was a disaster. The mole had no chiles or chocolate, and I'm pretty sure it was the same sauce as the enchilada. But by this time I knew better, and just got chicken tacos - which were pretty damn fantastic, even by my standards. The funny thing is that when Dustin confronted the waiter on the fake-ole (fake mole), the waiter totally agreed that it wasn't mole, and that its not good and he wouldn't eat it. . . . SO WHY SELL IT?!!?!? Oh El Patio. You still get 3 stars because the chicken taco was ermahgerd delicious!
(3)Abigail S.
Cheese dip is addictive and delicious! The portions are large the good is fast and fresh and the prices are cheep! Best Mexican in metro Detroit! Get the chicken chimichanga.
(5)Jim C.
We both had the fajita burrito it was good, the service was good, and the chips and salsa was good there. It wasn't anything special but around here we haven't found anything outstanding when it comes to Mexican food. It's worth trying, we will go back and try other stuff for sure. And the prices were really good.
(3)Nathan J.
We've been to El Patio several times more. The food is still good (although not incredible). The service is amazing though. If you want quick, cheap, and decent Mexican, this place is hard to beat.
(4)Riordan R.
Don't let the simple outside look fool you. This place is worth the visit ! Service is fast and efficient. Seconds after you sit down the chips are served if not there already. The entire crew are very attentive to the customers. The food is as good as the other restaurants around, but this is my first option now, as they have the best price and service I've seen among the Mexican places here. I had a very good burrito with rice and beans, and chips with salsa plus water for 6.00. If you have limited time for lunch and it is in a mood for Mexican food, this is the place to go.
(3)Joshua K.
There's a concept of "good slumming" my friend introduced me to some time ago. It generally applies to Chinese and Mexican food - find something decent at a good price. This is that. Ton of food here. I ordered the Special plate, with shredded chicken everything. It was darned tasty. There was no language barrier that I noticed - I understood the wait staff and they understood me perfectly. I've been to Chicago, and sampled the delights of taquerias there. Yeah, they're better than El Patio. But until you can get out there again, eat here and enjoy!
(5)Mike I.
Fast, friendly service. Food was fresh and tasty. I lived in Texas for many years so I know the difference between Mexican vs TexMex. This is a good blend, and very affordable.
(4)tony a.
El Patio- Isn't that "the Patio"? But there is no patio. Anyway- Not worried about a patio in February. My associates and I went first to Rojo in Novi, walked in and there was like nobody there and it looked like it would take hours to get our food. Sooooo we moseyed over to El Patio, we walk in here and it is full of happy people joyfully eating their lunch. I love this place, I had not been since they opened when the did not have a liquor license. That has been fixed and their large 27oz margarita was only 6.75. As others have mentioned the chips and salsa landed on the table before my butt hit the seat. I got the number 6 which was the eggs with chorizo and some nice hot flour tortillas. We also had the appetizer Guacamole and by time we walked out it was about $35 for four of us with tip. I was so happy with this place, they are so attentive, your chips start getting low in the basket and bam there is another basket of hot chips. Water getting low, bam, more water. Go there, do not let the strip mall scare you. Best regards, tony
(4)K South A.
Previous experiences with Mexican food in Michigan was not good. This place is good. Salsa had a little kick to it, really good. Chicken in chimichanga had a good flavor. Pollo loco dish was also good.
(4)Brian M.
The goods: Place was busy, but we were seated right away. Chips were warm, salsa was ok, waitstaff was very attentive. Lots of combos to choose from. Portions were large, they use that amazing white cheese, prices were more than fair. Margaritas were good (slightly on the sweet side). Nice, clean, bright dining room( didn't visit the bathroom) The bads: Slight language barrier with the wait staff. Saying anything but the menu items creates a problem. You can have anything you want in your entrees, as long as it's chicken or beef! Food quality, although not the worst I've had, could be better. A little too greasy for me. The verdict: Not, my favorite mexican joint on the west side, but if I'm in the area, I would probably try them again. I would like to see a little more variety in meat department,and a little less grease on my plate, but good service and cheap margaritas are enough for this guy!
(3)Rebecca B.
My favorite place to go with my amigos! The staff always calls us amigos and they are our amigos! My amigos and I love their chips and salsa. The servers are very nice and the food is delicious. They get right down to business on taking the order and bringing the food out. My love and I come here as our food cheat day and we always leave satisfied and stuffed.
(5)Rick M.
I thought this was a good little Mexican place. It was pretty busy but not completely packed when we went which was a Friday night so we were seated right away. The chips and salsa were quite tasty and our waiter made sure to keep them coming. Everyone got something differnet and it was all quite good. The portions were generous and they had plenty of combos to pick from. The price was really reasonable and service was pretty good. So I recommend El Patio for some good Mexican for a good value.
(4)John G.
Janelle P. reviewed El Patio and I thought, "if Janelle likes it, I should go." I dragged Erynn (daughter and inventor of the language Tofastfordadtounderstand) with me. With no other dinner plans sounding better, why not? Off we went. Everything was as Janelle described. If not for Yelp! I would have never stopped here. Maybe strip malls have a redeeming quality after all. On to the food. The Pollo Loco-four star and under $10.00. Erynn's Enchilada Supremus-four star, huge, and under $10.00. Add a Coke and tax, $20.00. Oops, I forgot to mention the Chili Rellenos I added on. So good. So very good. Did I mention that we took leftovers? I didn't? Sorry. We took enough leftovers for lunch tomorrow. And that was after eating a ton of food. Thanks Janelle and everyone else reviewing El Patio!
(5)Sue S.
One of our favorite local restaurants! Service is friendly & fast and the food is delicious. The beef fajitas are my favorite. It's one of the only places I know that a glass of wine costs less than a beer ~ Woohoo!
(4)Michael D.
Hands down the best Mexican food in all of Detroit, even better than Mexican Village. Home made salsa is amazing, you can buy some and take some home. The service is as good as the food. Love this place and I'm a Mexican food snob being from Texas :-)
(5)John W.
This is based on only 1 visit to this restaurant and I really loved the food! The salsa is some of the best I've ever had. I was here for lunch and the service was very good and the food came out fast. They look like they are doing quite well because both "sides" of this restaurant were pretty full. The inside is pretty interesting because it looks like they bought out two existing businesses when they moved in and then knocked a few doorways in between the walls. The setup works well though and it looks like they have quite good business going on here. For my lunch I had the "Special Number 4" which was a burrito, taco, and rice (could get beans in place of rice). It was very tasty and they have some unique sauce that comes on top of the burrito that I really liked. There are about a dozen different specials for lunch and they're all running right around $5. A great deal for some fresh food! I learned that Farmington Hills is their 3rd location in the area so business must really be good! Their other two locations are in Highland and Waterford. More information is at elpatiomexicanrestaurant… Highly recommended!
(5)Sue W.
Chicken chimichanga is great. The refried beans and salsa are delish! I'll be back!
(5)Dallas P.
Excellent service. Fresh, real food for an affordable price. Two meals, two beers, and a margarita for $30. Not bad. I will definitely be back.
(5)Justin A.
This little restaurant packs a big mexican flavor that is hard to find out here in the suburbs. The staff is attentive and greet you with a "Hola amigos!" at the door. I've been here for lunch and dinner and both are very affordable. There are dozens of lunch combinations mostly under 7 bucks and they are pretty large portions. Plus, the chips and salsa (which are free) were delicious! If mexican is on your mind, El Patio will definitely send your taste buds to mexico.
(4)Joe B.
We hit up this location last night for a birthday dinner. It's brightly painted inside and a little bigger than the Livonia location. We tried the chips and salsa, the queso (which was the jam while not piping hot), the flauta, tamale, tostada, taco and enchilada. It was all really really good! Maybe not as good as the Livonia location's lunch I yelped about previously but still really great. Go check it out. I haven't ever had mexican that had such a tasty gravy type sauce on it. It's usually that red tomato based sauce but El Patio's is much deeper and loaded with flavor. I only wish I had some queso and a flauta in my hand right now. BTW you get a ton of food.
(4)Mike W.
The food is great and fast. Great place to go for a lunch type setting since its quick great food. Its also fairly cheap too! The salsa always is fresh and the chips appear to be made in house. Never been there for dinner but would go there for lunch anytime.
(4)Eric G.
This place is a nice surprise to find in the little crap shopping plaza while out working today. As another reviewer said, before I even got to my seat, they had chips and salsa on the table. The salsa was very fresh and tasty. I got taco's which were nice, fresh and great with the homemade shells. My buddy got a Steak Fajita burrito which looked incredible. All in all, this place is a very good mexican joint and if you are in Farmington HIlls, give it a shot.
(3)Christina H.
I've gotten food from here either Dine in or Carry Out about every 2 weeks for almost 6 years... I have NO complaints on the food.. And the service is always top notch, you'll never be thirsty or run out of fresh chips and salsa. I do however notice that sometimes when I go in the place smells very strongly of some sort of cleaning solution, it almost takes your breathe away. Also lately within the past 2 months or so, I've noticed the staff becoming VERY rude, when I order something over the phone they tell me they dont have it, I tell them they do because I've ordered it before then they snap at me and ask for the number on the menu (which I dont have in front of me) this has happened twice.. Also the last time I went in to eat, with a friend of mine and her 1 1/2 year old son, our server was VERY rushed all over, didn't speak ANY words to us at all, made us wait a long while for our drinks, we asked for milk for my friends son and we were given COKE... and had to wait 20 more mins to explain that we asked for MILK not coke... still no words spoken to us... When our food came out it literally slid off our servers arm onto the table and he ran away.. no napkins no drink refills... I was NOT pleased... I may have to start considering another place :(
(2)Casey V.
The place was really busy so I was hoping this place would be really really good. we were seated fast, but I felt rushed because the guy was basically running to our table, we were way behind him. The chips and salsa were good, but you can't really go wrong with that. It was botomless too, so we got free refills. I ordered a beef fajita, and my boyfriend ordered enchiladas I think. I can't remember. Anyway, the beef was so bland. Neither of us were impressed. It wasn't seasoned AT ALL. So I put hot sauce on my fajita and I was surprised, that at a Mexican restaurant, the "hot sauce" was hardly even spicey... and I'm sensitive to hot sauce, something that is spicey to me probably isn't even really all that spicey. But, it was alright and we were full so we went home. I woke up in the middle of the night... I had food poisoning. I've been sick all weekend, and it's my birthday weekend, so this totally sucks!!!!!!! I have NEVER seen my face so pale before, even my lips were white! I spent all night crying in the bathroom, I thought I was going to die!!!!
(1)Brenda M.
Because Dave loves this place so much, I decided to indulge him and meet up for lunch. Both times I had the taco salad (I know, I know) it was awful. The shell was old, cold, and chewy. There was about 1/3 cup of water in the bottom of the shell beneath the huge mound of lettuce. The protein was flavorless (both beef and chicken) and there were probably 3 shreds of cheese on top. We asked for mild salsa for me, and it tasted like just onions and water. Not yummy at all. The service was awesome one time, and horrible the next. I think I'm going to have to go back (it's the wifely thing to do) and try something else with more flavor. You're probably thinking that I got what I deserved because I ordered a taco salad, right? Wrong. If a place is THAT good, then everything should be good, including the more pedestrian items on the menu.
(3)Ewan K.
unfortunately, I had to order carry out, but the staffs were very friendly. really busy during the lunch time, portion size and price are very reasonable.
(4)Vania M.
On a recent trip to MI, I stopped in with the in-laws and was pleasantly surprised. Way better than any Mexican food I'd had in NYC. The chips and salsa were fresh. I ordered the mole poblano, and while I've had better, theirs is pretty good. The sauce was rich and had a bit of a kick, and they used all white-meat chicken. The rice it came with was a really nice texture and well-seasoned, not greasy, mushy or too salty. It came with a salad of lettuce and tomato topped with guacamole, which was also pretty good. My father-in-law's chile verde was amazing! It had tender chunks of pork in a rich, spicy green sauce. I'm looking forward to our next trip out so we can come back.
(3)Ms.Brie C.
I found the food at El Patio to be relatively good. Sure, it tasted yummy. However, it was the little things that bothered me. For instance I didn't realize my vegetarian burritos would be completely full of beans. Otherwise I would have chosen the side of rice- not the beans. I feel it's the job of the waiter to offer his knowledge in that regard. Additionally, my friend was charged for a complete side of lettuce and tomato when she merely asked for a little bit of lettuce/tomato to top her dish with (as others had it included on their dishes). This could have been a misunderstanding, a mere failure to communicate, but perhaps if the waiters were more versed in English (even terms like silverware phased them) any misunderstandings would cease. That aside, the food did taste good and the fried ice cream was delic (and well presented on the dish as well). Likewise it was a relief to visit an ethnic restaurant that actually played ethnic music. Additionally the prices were reasonable and it was a decent (though not fancy in any means) atmosphere for my friends and I. While not necessarily a destination restaurant for me, I can understand why it was so crowded.
(3)Christine R.
I am very torn between the 2 and 3 star rating, but I will explain. Much like John G, I figured "if Janelle likes it, its worth a shot." I was very excited to see such great reviews of a Mexican place so close to my house. I crave GOOD Mexican food more than any other kind of ethnic cuisine. I am disappointed to say that I think El Patio missed the mark. I would honestly rather spend my money at On the Border, or drive the 30 miles to Detroit for some REAL Mexican food. Pros: -interesting menu with a lot of great choices, some that I have never seen before -big portions -low prices Cons: -OMG THE SMELL WAS AWFUL. There is NO WAY I could have eaten here. I actually would have left and not even gotten my take out if there had been ANYONE else in there to distract the staff -The food was not good enough to deter me from the horrid smell -The sopapilla was probably the worst I have ever had Overall, if I was REALLY craving Mexican food I might go back, but I would probably wouldn't recommend this place to my friends or go out of my way to get it. Did I mention how bad it smells?
(2)Chris T.
Is everyone reviewing the same place? For full disclosure, I must say that I recently moved here from Chicago and have been apparently spoiled by amazing and abundant taquerias. The decorum and service are fine, nothing to complain about. I found my horchata tasty and cinnamon-y (someone else's review said it was not. I can only assume different days = different flavors). We get the chips and salsa which people here in Michigan are just beside themselves for. People get over it. It's a "Mexican restaurant," they're supposed to serve complimentary chips and salsa. That being said, the chips where old and cold and the salsa was extremely disappointing. My wife ordered guacamole and we were surprised to be served some type of white-almost-green dip substance. Last time I checked, guacamole contains avocado. I could be wrong. Our waiter took our order and this is where things got very interesting. My wife ordered chile relleno to which our waiter asked, "chicken or beef?" My wife replied "no thanks" to which our waiter asked, "chicken or beef?" My wife said, "neither. I'd like vegetarian chile relleno." "But it comes with chicken or beef" and so on until my wife asked for beef on the side. I then order some combination platter to which the waiter asks "chicken or beef?" and here's where I need to provide some clarification. I have been to hundreds of taquerias (yes, I know that I'm not pluralizing that correctly). At every single one I have ever been to, there are countless meat options for the staples like burritos, enchiladas and tacos. Now these range from the boring (beef, chicken) to the interesting (chorizo, chicharones) to the fairly exotic for a European American (lengua, tripe). That being said, I asked for chorizo on my burrito. Now I would have been pissed if he told me that they didn't offer chorizo on the burritos, but I was downright livid when he looked at me like I had just insulted his family. He didn't know what chorizo even was! Seeing that this place was an utter waste of time, I ordered some beef tacos. Our entrees were simply unacceptable. My wife's chile rellenos was unseeded, steamed and floating in brownish-red goo/oil. My tacos were store-bought taco shells filled with the most disgusting ground beef mix I've ever tasted. It was ground beef with no typical Mexican spice, and sweet heavens was it salty. On top of that was a layer of brown lettuce, white tomato and mozzarella. That's right: Italian cheese on a Mexican dish. You guys can't pick up some queso Chiuaua? My wife could only eat two bites and I managed to choke down half a taco. Our waiter came back a few times asking us if we needed anything else. We asked for our check three times before he gave it to us. I went up to pay at the register. The gentleman kept calling me "amigo" for some odd reason. He asked how my meal was and I told him that it was one of the worst things I've ever eaten. "Oh that's good, amigo" he replied after obviously not listening to me. To summarize: -worst Mexican food I've ever eaten. Scratch that. Worst food in general that I've ever eaten. Please take it from me and do not eat here. I thought I would never say this, but Taco Bell has better more authentic Mexican cuisine than this place. I have to go now. I swear to you that my wife is vomiting from this swill.
(1)Bri A.
I'm giving this place one star,, mainly because I didn't vomit after eating. Lets me start by saying my first visit was my last. The chips and salsa tasted like something from Walmart. The chips were hard and had no flavor, none at all. Our waiter was rude and God forbid you have a question on the menu....just stick with "I want this" while your sticking your finger on the menu item. I won't go into ever detail, but if you ever had good Mexican food in either Pontiac or southwest Detroit, you can't eat this crap and be happy. Some here think this place is acceptable, but you only know what you know. I drive to Pontiac on a regular basis, the prices are the same as El Patio, but the food is 10 times better. El Patio is El Crapio. Save your money and keep driving. I really wanted to like this place, its so close to my house. I tried it...but you don't have to.
(1)Galen C.
Small place. Fast with the food. Nice staff.
(4)Rachel C.
The service in El Patio is always so nice. Food is decent, not mind-blowing but OK. I have only been here for lunch, and quite a few times....never any complaints about what I've ordered. They put some strange brown gravy on the enchiladas but it's grown on me. You can eat here for under $5 at lunch depending on what you order. Don't forget the propina though, the staff deserves it. I think that's what keeps me going back - I've always been treated so nicely in there and they way service sucks big time these days, that goes pretty far with me. They're usually gracious and happy to have you there. I also like going to restaurants where you have people native to that country "representing". It seems to make the experience feel more authentic. It gets busy sometimes though, it's not very big so at meal times there can be a line. The only thing missing here is a bar.
(4)Jess R.
I had heard many good things about El Patio, but somehow didn't think to check Yelp. Wish I would have! The service was good and the people were really nice which is why I'm giving it 2 stars. I guess it really is nearly impossible to get good authentic Mexican food in the metro Detroit area. El Patio claims " Authentic Mexican Cuisine"; me thinks not. The warm chips and salsa were the only highlight of the meal. The horchata tasted like lucky charms infused milk -- way too sweet, not a trace of cinnamon. The vegetarian special #1 was okay until I got to the cheese enchilada which was literally filled with a processed cheese substance (I'm guessing Velveeta) drowned in a "blah" sauce. Kinda feel like I need to detox. Probably won't be back...
(2)Joe T.
You have to try the Lunch special # 5...the white cheese sauce that smothers the Chimi is heavenly! Thank you to all "Mis Amigos del Patio!"...you ROCK!
(5)Jenny J.
What a tasty little place tucked away in a strip mall. If you know where Alfoccino's is located, just pull into their lot and look for El Patio's sign. My husband took me here for lunch earlier this week. There was a line to get in during the lunch time rush. Once we put our name in for a table it was only a 10 minute wait. We were served warm corn tortilla chips and some very flavorful fresh salsa which had a bit of a kick! I love spicy, but really downed my water too. The lunch specials were an incredible deal. I had a chicken burrito, rice and beans and my husband had the taco and burrito meal. We thought the food was really tasty and served quickly - a bonus when it's a packed place. With tip, our lunch for the two of us came to just a little over $13. As far as the smell goes, I believe what the other reviewer is complaining about is the cleaning solution they use on the tables. It does have a strong citronella scent, but fades pretty quickly. When we were at the register getting ready to leave, I asked if they would be serving margaritas any time soon. We were told they just received their liquor license from Lansing and would be setting up their bar this upcoming week! (first week of June.) I'm definitely looking forward to coming back to try one out!
(4)Patrick C.
The meal I got, the meat sampler, or whatever, was pretty dang good. The waitstaff was nice. However, here's a news flash for that azz. SOUR CREAM BLOWS. ALL DAY LONG. And that weird, white grody cheese sauce b.s. that resembles sour cream? I don't want to even think about what's in that stuff. You guys should go on a fact finding mission to to California to figger out-- ah screw it, I'll save you the trip. SOUR CREAM BLOWS. Especially considering that it's always fake, never real. I don't even want to think about where you source your food. And that's an issue. I've seen other complaints about your mystery sauce. Mystery solved! It's B.S.
(3)David P.
My coworker and I eat at El Patio twice a week every week. Everyone's reviews are pretty much spot on, it is a cheap eats place in a strip mall. The menu is extensive, but not over priced. Lunch for 2 for $12-15 with tip, yes please! We can't get enough of the chips and salsa which are almost flung at you rapid fire. Your hard pressed to get your coat off before they hit the table. The mole is good the chile verde is awesome. Tender slow cooked pork doused in spicy perfect green sauce. Everything seems like it's cooked in lava, do not touch your plate.
(4)Christy C.
Fast, friendly, and cheap. Certainly not the BEST Mexican in the area but it's still a terrific lunch stop. I get the huevos con chirizo or chicken taco salad. They're basic and good.
(4)Jon R.
My wife and I ordered dinner from here with mid to high hopes. We were severely disappointed. The meat in our quesadilla was suspect and smelled pretty bad. The second dish looked like it had been haphazardly thrown together but edible. We also ordered some horchata which I'm convinced came from a packet. This place is on par with Taco Bell. I think I have to give a slight edge to Taco Bell due to the smell.
(1)Steven S.
My wife and I travel a lot and love Mexican food. El Patio is by far the best we have ever eaten hands down! The service is impecable and the portions are very hearty. If you like salsa you came to the right spot. Prices are very reasonable. Try the fajitas! At this point they don't have a alcohol license but my understanding is it's coming soon.
(5)Kristin R.
We have been getting take out regularly from El Patio for the past 3 or 4 months. What a find! The lunch specials are extremely well-priced, and they give you a TON of food no matter what the time of day. The salsa tastes fresh and we always end up throwing away a bunch of leftover chips (sad, because they are delicious!) because they provide a gigantic bag with take out orders. I've had the shrimp burrito with queso, the chicken fajitas and the chicken taco salad in the past. Everything is great! I am already thinking about a taco salad for dinner tonight. The combination platters are also a great idea if you want to try lots of things. My husband is partial to those. I've heard the chiles rellenos are gross, but I don't have any experience there, so don't quote me on that! I can't speak at all about the service or interior of the restaurant, because I've never actually been in the place. Sorry!
(4)Rita M.
I love El Patio! It's my favorite Mexican joint in the area. I stumbled upon it when I was at another local business in the ame strip mall and tried it on a whim. It's affordable, tasty food and is oftentimes very busy (especially at dinnertime). I love the shrimp quesadilla fajita SO much. I go there whenever I'm back in town. The salsa tastes very fresh and flavorful, just as salsa should be. I love El Patio and have converted some of my friends too!
(5)Dean E.
Coming from the Southwest, I've had a lot of Mexican food in my day, and I am not easy to please. El Patio just barely makes the grade. Their tamales were a terrible disappointment, barely edible. Their food, well-presented and generous, is a little on the bland side for decent Mexican. Service was friendly but they seem to make a policy of having everyone on staff call you "amigo" at least once per sentence, which starts to sound patronizing after a while. All that said, it's decent Mexican, certainly the best I've found in Novi so far.
(3)Lorene B.
I worked in Novi and we would go to lunch at this place. Waiters are in a rush..go go go... but they bring you great tasting food fast and it is really inexpensive! I love everything including the chips and salsa. Try the Speedy Gonzolas!!!
(4)Nancy R.
Being from Southern California I'm always in search of good Mexican food. I had high hopes for El Patio. But after our 3rd visit, I've given up. The salsa is weak, and tastes like canned tomatoes. No bar. And the last time we were there our chili rellenos had some sort of brown gravy poured over them. Que? Mama Mia!
(2)Erin W.
I really like this place - the service is incredibly fast, food is pretty decent and the atmosphere is classic - kitschy mexican. Chips are great, free refills and it's perfect for when you've only got an hour for lunch.
(4)