Don Patron Mexican Grill
1653 N Atherton St, State College, PA, 16803
Don Patron Mexican Grill Menu
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Diabetics at McDonald's
Most burgers served at McDonald's are low in sugar but there are several burgers which are high in sodium. You must choose burger options which are low in sugar and moderate in sodium content. You can also avoid extra dressings or cheese over your burger to control diabetes at McDonald's.
Foods to Avoid for Diabetics at McDonald's
Diabetics will find many tempting food items at McDonald's but most of these food items are also high in sugar or sodium. Diabetics must skip desserts and shakes at McDonald's to avoid sugar spike. You should also skip all McCafe drinks except a few containing low sugar and fat-free options. Besides the drinks and beverages, you should also avoid bacon-based and sausage-based burgers and sandwiches to limit your sodium intake. Diabetics should also skip the sausage-based salad options available at McDonald's.
Food Suggestions for Diabetics at McDonald's
Southwest Grilled Chicken Salad
Nutritional Facts: 350 calories, 12g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 4.5g), 1070mg sodium, 27g carbs, 6g sugar, 6g fiber, 37g Protein
Egg McMuffin®
Nutritional Facts: 300 calories, 11g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 6g), 760mg sodium, 30g carbs, 3g sugar, 2g fiber, 17g Protein
4-piece Chicken McNuggets®
Nutritional Facts: 180 calories, 11g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 2g), 340mg sodium, 11g carbs, 0g sugar, 1g fiber, 17g Protein
Kiddie Cone
Nutritional Facts: 45 calories, 1g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0.5g), 20mg sodium, 8g carbs, 6g sugar, 0g fiber, 1g Protein
4-piece Chicken McNuggets® Happy Meal
Nutritional Facts: 180 calories, 11g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 2g), 340mg sodium, 11g carbs, 0g sugar, 1g fiber, 10g Protein
Iced Latte
Nutritional Facts: 90 calories, 4.5g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 2.5g), 65mg sodium, 7g carbs, 7g sugar, 0g fiber, 4g Protein
World Famous Fries®
Nutritional Facts: 230 calories, 11g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 1.5g), 160mg sodium, 29g carbs, 0g sugar, 3g fiber, 3g Protein
Visit below restaurant in State College for healthy meals suggestion.
High Blood Pressure at McDonald's
Most burgers at fast food joints contain a high amount of sodium. You must keep your sodium intake in check if you are suffering from high blood pressure. McDonald's offers a wide range of burgers based on your diet preferences. Choose the right burger and avoid French fries at all cost while dining at McDonald's.
Foods to Avoid at McDonald's for High Blood Pressure
Avoid Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit Burger and Bacon, Egg & Cheese McGriddles at McDonald's as both these burgers are high in sodium. Skip extra cheese and avoid French fries if possible as they are too greasy and can add to your sodium intake. Also, avoid all types of sausage-based burgers or sandwiches at McDonald's to limit your sodium levels.
Food Suggestions for High Blood Pressure at McDonald's
Side Salad
Nutritional Facts: 15 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 15mg sodium, 3g carbs, 1g sugar, 1g fiber, 10g Protein
Filet-O-Fish®
Nutritional Facts: 390 calories, 19g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 4g), 560mg sodium, 38g carbs, 5g sugar, 2g fiber, 17g Protein
Baked Apple Pie
Nutritional Facts: 240 calories, 11g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 6g), 95mg sodium, 35g carbs, 16g sugar, 4g fiber, 2g Protein
Vanilla Cone
Nutritional Facts: 200 calories, 5g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 3.5g), 95mg sodium, 32g carbs, 16g sugar, 4g fiber, 2g Protein
Americano
Nutritional Facts: 0 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 10mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Coffee
Nutritional Facts: 0 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 20mg sodium, 1g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 2g Protein
Apple Slices
Nutritional Facts: 15 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0 g), 0mg sodium, 4g carbs, 3g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Visit below restaurant in State College for healthy meals suggestion.
High Cholesterol at MCDONALD'S
Cholesterol is the biggest concern for people visiting McDonald's, especially people suffering from high cholesterol. You can order chicken or egg burgers instead of ham or cheeseburgers to maintain your cholesterol levels at McDonald's. In addition, you can also try the salads and opt for drinks that low in sugar.
Foods to Avoid at MCDONALD'S for High Cholesterol
Bacon-based items are often too greasy and high in bad cholesterol. If you are concerned about high cholesterol, then you must avoid all bacon-based burgers and salads. Also, skip the Buttermilk Crispy Chicken Tenders to keep your cholesterol levels in check. You must also keep sausage-based items at bay when dining at McDonald's.
Food Suggestions to Maintain Cholesterol Level at MCDONALD'S
Side Salad
Nutritional Facts: 15 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 15mg sodium, 3g carbs, 1g sugar, 1g fiber, 1g Protein
Egg White Delight McMuffin®
Nutritional Facts: 260 calories, 8g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 4.5g), 780mg sodium, 29g carbs, 3g sugar, 2g fiber, 16g Protein
McChicken®
Nutritional Facts: 410 calories, 22g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 4g), 590mg sodium, 39g carbs, 5g sugar, 2g fiber, 15g Protein
Oatmeal Raisin Cookie
Nutritional Facts: 140 calories, 5g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 2.5g), 125mg sodium, 22g carbs, 12g sugar, 1g fiber, 2g Protein
Hamburger Happy Meal
Nutritional Facts: 480 calories, 16g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 5g), 680mg sodium, 62g carbs, 21g sugar, 3g fiber, 22g Protein
Cappuccino
Nutritional Facts: 120 calories, 6g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 3.5g), 80mg sodium, 9g carbs, 9g sugar, 0g fiber, 6g Protein
Yoplait® GO-GURT® Low Fat Strawberry Yogurt
Nutritional Facts: 45 calories, 0.5g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 30mg sodium, 9g carbs, 5g sugar, 0g fiber, 2g Protein
Visit below restaurant in State College for healthy meals suggestion.
Q & A for McDonald's
When McDonald's first opened?
McDonald's began its operations by converting food and drinks stand called "The Airdrome" into first McDonald's restaurant.
When does McDonald's open?
McDonald's opens daily at 5:30 AM and stays open until 11:00 PM.
Which McDonald's is open 24 hours?
Unfortunately, there are not a single McDonald's which operates 24/7.
Where's McDonald's near me?
There are over 13,905 McDonald's outlets in the United States itself. You can find a McDonald's nearby with the help of our Restaurant Listings directory.
When McDonald's start and stop serving breakfast?
McDonald's starts serving breakfast at 5:30 AM daily until 10:30 AM.
When McDonald's start and stop serving lunch?
McDonald's starts serving lunch at 10:30 AM from Monday to Friday and 11:00 AM on Saturdays and Sundays. Happy Meals are also served during lunch hours.
Will McDonald's bring back the McRib?
McRib is back at McDonald's since October 2018.
Will McDonald's bring back spicy McChicken?
McDonald's in the United States has no plans currently to bring back the Spicy McChicken.
Will McDonald's bring back the Grand Mac?
McDonald's doesn't serve Grand Mac currently and there are no plans to bring it back anytime sooner. You can always try the Big Mac if you have a large appetite for burgers.
Are McDonald's milkshakes gluten free?
Yes, all flavors of McDonald's milkshakes are gluten-free. Nearly all beverages served at McDonald's are gluten-free.
Are McDonald's burgers gluten-free?
Unfortunately, McDonald's does not serve gluten-free burgers. All the buns and other ingredients such as fried chicken patties, grilled chicken patties, beef patties, sauces, condiments, etc. contain gluten.
Are McDonald's Apple Pies vegan?
Generally, Apple Pies are prepared using shortcrust pastry which contains eggs. However, McDonald's Apple Pie pocket is vegan-friendly as it is both dairy and egg free.
Are McDonald's Veggie Burgers vegan?
Veggie Burgers served at McDonald's are purely vegan. Just remember to skip the sauce as the sandwich sauce contains egg.
Are McDonald's Milkshakes vegetarian?
Yes, McDonald's milkshakes are 100% vegetarian and don't contain any meat product.
When did McDonald's introduce McCafe?
McDonald's McCafe was introduced by McDonald's as a separate coffee chain in 1993. The café also served great bakery and pastry besides offering a great variety of coffee beverages.
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About McDonald's
McDonald's is the largest American fast food company with over 37,855 outlets spread across 100 countries. Primarily known for hamburgers, cheeseburgers, and French fries, McDonald's menu also serves chicken dishes, breakfast products, soft drinks, wraps, milkshakes, and desserts today. The restaurant chain introduced smoothies, salads, fish, and fruits on the menu to offer healthy food options at McDonald's.
The restaurant began its operations in 1940 in San Bernardino, California, United States. The name of the restaurant comes from its founders Richard and Maurice McDonald. The siblings started the food business as a hamburger stand which was later converted into a restaurant franchise in 1953. The first Golden Arches logo was also introduced in the same year.
Healthy Food Options at McDonald's
McDonald's was highly criticized for its unhealthy food options. Being a renowned brand and a popular fast food chain, McDonald's decided to revamp its image and decided to serve healthy food options. Most of these healthy food choices were salads, smoothies, fruits, and fish items.
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Address :
1653 N Atherton St
State College, PA, 16803 - Phone (814) 861-8700
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : 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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Lauren M.
Okay wow. SO glad we decided to give this place another shot. We'd been here when they first opened, had a rather unfortunate experience, and decided not to come back. But here we are. And what a beautiful thing that is. I tried a margarita, and really enjoyed this one. I upgraded to patron, which is not my fault because my husband makes amazing margaritas and has left me with ridiculous standards. They were met with this margarita. Excellent, and for ONCE, not too sweet. Nearly every non-husband-made margarita is way too sweet for me. Well done, Don Patron. And the food? We both loved it. I got pollo Adobe, which is always a fave for me at Mexican restaurants. I figured this would make it a good benchmark to see how Patron is doing. It was EXCELLENT. Flavorful, moist, and savory. Again, high standard met. The chips, salsa, and sides (rice, refried beans) were also excellent. Server's suggestion for husband's meal (I forget the name but it was served in a pineapple- beautiful) was spot-on, and our server was great- helpful and knowledgable. Our first impression of this place was not good at all, but I'm absolutely thrilled to be able to update with a much-improved experience!
(4)Andrew H.
This is one of only a few places in State College that I go regularly. It has a passable interpretation of what Mexican food is and has a full bar. The preparations are fairly authentic and the menu is huge. The Authentic Chilli Relleno is worth trying. Overall an OK place if you need a fix of Mexican food but are stuck in so-called happy valley. The major drawback here is that the food usually seems like it has been microwaved from frozen leftovers, especially the chicken dishes. One suggestion for the restaurant is to include both rice and beans with the combination platters. Quite a few of them come with only beans.
(3)Paul R.
Always good food when we come to eat. Had the Steak Fajitas Burrito and it was very good, very big and very filling.
(4)Benjamin M.
If you're in State College and happen to be craving some Mexican food, Don Patron's isn't too shabby. Located in the corner of a shopping strip mall, the restaurant is decent sized with a small bar area in the back. You get the standard chips and salsa to start, which I always love. Orders are taken promptly and meals delivered in no time flat. I ordered one of the lunch combos, consisting of one cheese and one chicken enchilada with a side of rice, which was a satisfying and somewhat affordable mid-afternoon meal.
(3)Michele P.
Had lunch today for the 5th time. I'm from California, so used to authentic Mexican food. This is fantastic.. for our area to have authentic, GOOD, Mexican food... what a treat. Usually have the chimmychangas (sp?), but today decided to have the chicken fajitas. First time I've ever had fajitas where there's more chicken than veggies. The peppers and onions were cooked perfectly, as was the chicken which was seasoned in spices. Definitely order again. I'm ready to go tomorrow!! Fresh chips at the table are a treat. If you're like me, ask them for the spicy, hot salsa and they will bring you some in addition to the milder sauce. If you want good Mexican food, this is the place to go. Only been there for lunch, so I can't attest to dinner or take out. Service has always been wonderful. I would eat here 2-3 times a week if I didn't live a half hour away. But worth the trip. Excellent food! If you like mexican, you'll be happy!
(5)Karen B.
If you went to this restaurant when it first opened like we did, make sure you go back! I don't know why, but they are different than when they frst opened. Their prices are reasonable, but that's not the most amazing part. Their FOOD....it's absolutely wonderful. Their margaritas are not just good. They're FUN!!! They will mix all kinds of flavors for you and make it an adventure. Make sure you get Juan for a waiter. He is incredible. I have to tell you that it's not just customer service. It's way beyond that. He really cares about his visitors. One of us left our wallet there, and he went on Facebook to try and find us so that we could get our wallet back! Who does that? You can't leave there without a smile on your face. Make sure next time you go to dinner you give Don Patrons a try, and ask for Juan. He'll make your night special!!!
(5)Tameeka S.
While the customer service is good, the food is terrible. I can't imagine who is giving good reviews. Perhaps is the local college students providing reviews after long nights. I wouldn't serve this food to a famished German Shepard! Oh, and there are more menu choices than Cheesecake Factory. Gimme a break. It's Mexican food; it's not brain surgery.
(2)Rose B.
Tasty food and nice atmosphere. The menu is very extensive and lots of good drink options. It's apparent that they put care into creating their menu, and they have a sweet and amusing page inside that recommends a particular dish if you are unfamiliar with Mexican food, and they also have a page that describes the Mexican food items in case you're confused about what to order. A nice touch! The staff was very attentive and nice. There was some confusion with our orders but the food was great and they were very quick about trying to correct our enchilada mix-up. Definitely recommend trying Don Patron.
(4)Carla M.
Amazing food at incredible prices, very friendly staff serving most authentic Mexican cuisine State College has to offer. In all my years of living here, hands down my favorite restaurant.
(5)TJ R.
This place is a pretty decent restaurant to have dinner at. I like how the waiters are quite friendly.
(5)Linda H.
y husband and I were at Don Patron's for dinner last evening. The service was slow, the food was slow in being served, our waiter was nowhere to be found. To top it off, I just sat to have the leftovers for lunch and before I took my first bite (thank God) I found a long hair in the tamale. I'll think long and hard before going back.
(2)J R.
Summary: Great Tex-Mex restaurant to meet your friends at for a quick bite before heading out to the movies. Positive: 1) Menu was HUGE. Great selection. 2) Fully stocked bar. 3) Dining room is wide and spacious. 4) Relaxed atmosphere. Flatscreen TVs hung on opposite ends of the room. 5) Friendly waiting staff. 6) Food from the kitchen was shockingly fast. 7) Quality of food was excellent. Negative: 1) Prices slightly on the high end, but not absurdly high. 2) Floors were a little slick. 3) Took a while to get the check. We were instantly seated the moment we walked in. For a Saturday evening, this was a nice surprise. The floors were noticeably slick, possibly due to whatever solvent they used to mop with. The dining area consisted of a large room with comfortably spaced seating. Flatscreen TVs hung on opposite sides of the room. Artwork covered most of the surface of the walls, and any spot that wasn't covered exposed painted images of traditional adobe architecture. A quick scan and you notice most of the patrons with mixed drinks. Our waitress was pleasant and checked on us later on to make sure we were ok. We were given a basket of complementary chips and salsa, which you'd expect from a Tex-Mex restaurant. Menu selection had your typical Tex-Mex items, a few more authentic Mexican dishes and an a' la carte section where you can order your favorites separately. From the time we gave our orders to the time food was delivered was 4 MINUTES! Quality of the food was nothing short of excellent. However, it took slightly less than 10 minutes to receive our check from the time we finished our meal. Prices were slightly higher than expected for most items, but not enough to be a deterrent from ordering anything on the menu. This is the perfect restaurant to meet your friends at for a quick bite before heading out to the movies or for that spontaneous stop-in after shopping at the Walmart from across the parking lot.
(4)Kim D.
What a fantastic meal!! The new shrimp and crab burrito is huge. The Chimichangas could have been a little bigger, but they tasted great. The staff is very friendly. Prices are not bad either.
(5)Angela J.
Food came out fast but not tasty at all. Service...not so good. Sauces for all dishes tasted the same. Margaritas made from mix. Not a fan.
(2)Denisse J.
PRO: -Margarita deal on pointttt -Food is the closest to authentic Mexican I have found in State College for sure -The resturant itself is beautiful, great decor, great style, makes me feel like I am at my Mexican grandma's house, and I'm not even Mexican ;) CON: -They need to ease up a little on the grease -The presentation is key to me, but since I always order to go, they food looks like crap when I open it. My beans are all over the place, and mis tortillas calientes are in another place. Verdict: I'm a fan, I would go more for drinks than the food, but hey if youre craving real Mexican food (none of the Quodoba crap) then this is your spot. Check itttt.
(4)Craig F.
Solid Fresh mexican food in State College! We stopped in for lunch because we were craving mexican food and having had a subpar experience at another restaurant in the area decided to give Don Patrons a try. First, they sell adult beverages!! There is just something about having an ice cold beverage while eating mexican food! The food was flavorful and the portions were very satisfying. I had the lunch fajitas, which were cooked perfectly. My wife had the lunch enchillada sampler, which was also a hit. The complementary chips and spicy salsa were welcomed on this chlly winter day! The location in the corner of a strip mall off of North Atherton street may turn some people away, but the interior is nicely decorated, clean and spacious!
(4)S D.
Okay, definitely the only and the best Mexican food in the area. Full bar, great atmosphere, great service and did I mention great bar? No but seriously if you really really want great Mexican food with great margaritas then you have to try Don Patrons out. I love it! :)
(5)Samantha B.
The staff was courteous and friendly. They are always so welcoming. Food is very good and priced well. You get a lot of food for your money. Every time I eat here it's a great experience. They have drinks here which the other Mexican restaurants in town don't offer. Great place!
(5)Rob P.
We decided to try Don Patron on a Friday evening. We arrived at approximately 6:30pm. The restaurant was busy--every table was full and there were people in the lobby area waiting. After we entered it was unclear where the hostess stand was located as there were several other parties standing looking confused. Finally, a worker came by (after a gentleman complained to what appeared to be a manager that he was standing there 10 minutes without a greeting) and had each group of people put their own name and party size on a tablet. Because of this, I'm sure there were people that waited longer than they should have. We waited about 10-15 minutes until we were seated. The menu has many different options and a description of the various mexican fare on the back of the menu. We were promptly greeted with chips and salsa. The chips lacked flavor and tasted like they were prepackaged as opposed to fresh. The salsa tasted the same way and was quite watery. Overall, buying a bag of Tostitos with some salsa at a grocery store tastes much better. We then waited another 5-10 min for our waiter to arrive. I ordered a 12oz draft and my wife a glass of water. The waiter came back in another 5-7 min and gave me 25oz draft and left too quickly for me to question it. The draft was a bit too warm for my taste. Finally, we were able to order. My wife ordered a burrito and I the Special #7. The food took a while to arrive and was a disappointment. The rice and beans lacked flavor--extremely bland. The beans had a bitter flavor and tasted nothing like beans. The tortilla in the burrito tasted old and my chile relleno was extremely greasy and didn't taste like anything. I realize we're not going to have true authentic mexican in State College, but a little taste/spice is needed. Overall, the service and food were below average. The food itself was extremely bland and tasted as if it were frozen or canned products. As many other reviewers have noted, Rey Azteca on the other side of town is lightyears better. I will not be frequenting this establishment and instead taking the extra time to drive across down to dine at Rey Azteca when I'm craving Mexican fare. The restaurant would be a perfect candidate for Chef Robert Irvine and the Restaurant Impossible team. On a side note, there is another Mexican restaurant opening on North Atherton street that is owned by the same individuals who own Rey Azteca. Here's hoping that restaurant is much better!
(1)Carolyn M.
I'm pretty pleased with this place. I have gotten a few different things and the boyfriend and I come in at least once a month. I refuse to go to Rey Azteca after getting food poisoning that put me in the hospital after eating there, so this is my only option for Mexican food. They have awesome lunch specials $4-7 and $2 margaritas at certain times. Even without the specials, not too many entrees break the $10 marker - the combination dinners are mostly $8.50, which is pretty awesome. Waiters are friendly and the bar is always playing telemundo. We like it, give it a shot.
(4)Michael W.
Another Mexican restaurant in State College has miraculously popped up. Prior to Don Patron, there was really only Rey Azteca that could provide "authentic" Mexican cuisine. Rey Azteca is pretty much like Taco Bell on a plate, so I had some high hopes that Don Patron was going to be much better. Sadly, I was disappointed yet again. Don Patron is located right in the same shopping center as Walmart. Specifically, it is next to Dollar Tree and Game Stop. Once you step inside, you're transported into what you'd expect; a restaurant that serves up Americanized Mexican food to people who don't know how real Mexican food tastes or looks like. The decor here is Aztec-like, but done in a way that seems like they're trying to hard to give an "authentic" look. There are sun-dials and a bunch of random "Mexican" paintings on the wall. Towards the back, there is a small bar with a TV, so if you really want to make this place your drinking spot, I guess you can do that as well. As far as layout, this place is very similar to Don Patron. There are a bunch of tables and booths, and you pay up front once you're done with your meal. I decided to order their "deluxe" burrito, stuffed with all the regular burrito fixings and all the meats that they have. The meat was pretty depressing. The pieces were chopped up into minuscule pieces, and each meat was indistinguishable from the other. The burrito itself came lathered with some enchilada sauce on top, but I decided to slap on some hot sauce to give it that extra kick. For a $10 burrito, I felt kind of jipped, considering that it wasn't incredibly large, or that good tasting. I understand that we're not in California, and that burritos aren't going to be epic and $7, but still, Don Patron should at least try to make something delicious. Instead, they created a sub-par burrito that makes Qdoba and Chipotle's burritos look like they're straight out of Mexico City. The fajitas were not any better. With fajitas, you expect slices of meat, but here at Don Patron, they were again little pieces of meat. If I wanted small pieces of meat, I would have just spent $5 and gotten a full meal at Taco Bell. I really wanted this place to be a decent Mexican spot that I could go to to grab a burrito. Sadly, this place failed at all fronts, and couldn't even beat Taco Bell. Don Patron is a little better than Rey Azteca, but that's not really saying much either. Until there is some decent Mexican food here, I will defer my burrito purchases strictly to taquerias in California.
(2)Asya P.
We have been here repeatedly, and I think it gets better every time. My favorite dish is probably the vegetarian fajitas. We don't eat meat, so I can't speak to their quality of meat cooking, but we love all of the veggie and fish dishes. It's maybe not the most exciting mexican food in terms of the spices, but it's hearty and tasty and fresh. Huge portions. The atmosphere is great- one of the friendliest and most pleasant eateries in the area.
(5)Sean M.
This is definitely like the typical suburban neighborhood strip center Mexican restaurants we had back home so it's not awful. You can pretty much take everything I said about Rey Azteca and apply it Don Patron EXCEPT they have a bar so 2 Stars.
(2)Rochelle J.
I love Mexican, coming from California, and was super excited to hear we were getting a new restaurant in town, but this place is a huge disappointment. The decor is tacky and in your face. I was excited that they have a liquor license, both my friend and I ordered basic flavored margaritas. My strawberry margarita had a bitter taste, and was clearly just some sort of pre mix, it was so off I almost sent it back, and I wasn't even able to finish it. I ordered fajitas, and the chicken was bland with no spices. The beans and rice were dried out and flavorless. My friends enchilada was also not spiced well. My plate was too hot to touch, it was clear all of the food had been sitting for awhile, and reheated before it was brought out. I was disappointed that they failed to deliver on some very basic Mexican dishes that I use as a bench mark. For now I'm going to stick with Rey Azteca across town!
(2)David B.
Pretty good Mexican. Full bar. Best Mexican in state college but that isn't saying a whole lot. Decent for the price.
(4)Xiaomin Z.
food is awesome. decor is amazing. lots of vegetarian choices. servers are friendly. my only concern is that every time I eat there, I feel hyper afterwards. I'm not sure what kind of drugs they put in the food, but it's good.
(4)Nittany Vegetarian A.
Been to this restaurant twice. First time had a margarita. Nice place. They seemed more organized the second time around. I have a chimichanga with lots of vegetables. They are pretty good about holding the sour cream and rice. The mushroom filled one was extremely yummy. They are very friendly and bring lots of chips and the spicy salsa if you ask. The kitchen is getting more stream lined. It is a fun restaurant. I mean it is not Carnegie House for it to be quiet. I like all the people around me to be happy and talking to each other and over each other. Everybody who has come with me loves the place.
(4)Myron S.
Been there twice for lunch. Both times food was under seasoned and bland, slow service.
(2)Carol K.
We were greeted as soon as we walked in the door and seated immediately. Initially, it was a nice place. The decor is fresh and bright and the staff is dressed well. After sitting down, we noticed the place was not very clean. I put my hand on my seat and realized I stuck my hand in a mess of goop. The floors were dirty as well. Oh well. I can look past that. The restaurant was not very busy but service was only okay. We ordered drinks and my boyfriend immediately chugged his down. When he asked for a refill the server brought a cup full of Pepsi to us and dumped it in the original cup. I'm not sure this was bad, just odd. The food was terrible at best. His plate was too salty to eat and my Guadalajara Special was so smothered in sour cream that I only had a few bites. Neither of us finished our meals because they were so bad. The tab was over $30 so it was a big waste of money. Throughout our meal the service went from bad to worse and we sat for a while waiting for the server to bring our check. Rey Azteca has a nearly identical menu. The downfall to Rey Azteca is they do not have a liquor license. However, it's cleaner with better food.
(2)Patricia G.
We went here on Valentine's Day, excited by the prospect of a margarita. The restaurant was packed, although we didn't have to wait for a table. We did, however, have to wait for just about everything else. Our waitress didn't take our order until twenty or thirty minutes after we were seated. Our drinks arrived probably fifteen minutes later, and our food took around forty-five minutes to hit the table. I can't help but wonder how the staff would handle a crowd the size of an average weekend night at Rey Azteca. The food was fine; the chips and salsa were a bit bland, but my pork chile verde was tasty. Our Texas margaritas were decent, but price-y. I will give this place another try once it's been open a bit longer, but I wasn't impressed. If I'm going to pay more than I would at Rey Azteca, the food needs to be better.
(3)Krissy K.
Best Mexican food in State College, hands down. I'm surprised every review isn't 5 stars! Everyone I take here falls in love with it, if you don't try it you're missing out on amazing food.
(5)Mary M.
This review is based on my two take-out visits - a friend and I plan to eat in at some point, just in case it's the to go portion of the restaurant that is the problem, so will update the review at that time. My first take out was a dinner special - taco, chili rellano & I think the last thing was supposed to be an enchilada. I've had better at Taco Bell and the chili rellano looked nothing like the ones I've had in the past (bits of pepper chopped up in ground beef, sitting like a scoop of ice cream, covered in cheese), although it was the tastiest thing in the dish. My second take out order was a week later - shrimp fajitas and another order of chili rellanos. This time the chili rellanos looked like the normal peppers stuffed with ground beef & covered with cheese, but unfortunately they tasted awful. Thankfully, the shrimp fajitas were pretty decent - lots of peppers (although barely heated) & a good amount of shrimp, although you may want to order more tortillas as the 3 tiny ones that came with it barely held half the shrimp. The chips & salsa were ok (I've had better at Wegman's nacho bar). Vastly disappointed, so far.
(2)Nitish U.
The food served was bland and stale. Very disappointed. My friend surprisingly had a better experience earlier. I am definitely not visiting this place ever again.
(1)Charlie J.
Okay I've been meaning to update this forever. I must have gotten lucky that day because I went 2 more times afterwards and it was not that good at all. Food was bland and some of the orders got messed up when we ate inside. Also their beer selection is terrible.
(2)Andrew P.
I think we may have a new winner for best Mexican in State College! Good food and a full bar puts this over Rey Azteca in my book. Having grown up in the Southwest as a Tucson foodie, I've resigned myself to the fact that Mexican in State College is "meh" at its best. Considering that even the best restaurants in the area are pretty lackluster, I initially approached Don Patron with cautious optimism. I scouted the menu a few months ago, when the restaurant was still under construction. My litmus test for "authentic mexican food" is whether both red and green chile are available, and Don Patron cleared that initial hurdle just fine. The second thing I noticed was that they had beer and liquor on the menu, so obviously they had a license. To me, that's golden, because I can hardly imagine eating a taco without a beer in hand (which is part of why I hardly ever visit Rey Azteca). To top it off, the lunch specials looked like a reasonable deal. So, back in November, I already knew I'd be giving this place a try. Fast forward to today. My girlfriend and I met a friend who lived for a few years in Cali to put this place through its paces. The ambience felt about right. Obviously, many of the traditional mexican decorations are just painted on or mimic'd in paper mache, but I'll cut them some slack because they're in the middle of a strip mall and real pottery is expensive to ship. The restaurant was nearly empty, but it was Monday night and the place just opened with little fanfare, so I can't say I'm surprised. On to the fare. We were initially brought chips. Classic restaurant style chips, thin and crispy, served with tiny carafes of salsa and bowls. Just what you would expect. For $3, I picked up the Queso Blanco dip. While I can't say I was impressed, since it seemed highly manufactured, my girlfriend thought it was tasty, and it hit that sweet spot between just having the chips and salsa and ordering a full-on appetizer. I also order a Jumbo "Texas Margarita," which is a margarita made with Grand Marnier and your choice of tequila. I picked Cazadores, and I'd say it was a wonderful drink, as good as most any margarita I've had before. To top it off, the bartender came over and offered an extra shot of tequila to amp it up, on the house! For dinner, I ordered the Pork Chile Verde, with seared chunks of pork simmered in a tomatillo salsa, served with tortillas, beans and rice. I was VERY impressed with this dish. The meat was perfectly seared with a rich brown crust, but was still fork tender (a difficult balance to reach). It was appropriately spicy, but still had a lot of good flavor. The flour tortillas were obviously not handmade, but only had a bit of "pull" to them: serviceable. My friend had a pair of Carne Asada Tacos. Personally, I was happy just to see carne asada on the menu, and it came out looking quite good. By the time I got a taste, my taste buds were shot from the chile, but it looked good and I would at least give it a nod that it's better than Mad Mex and probably Rey Azteca as well. The white corn tortillas were pretty good, tender and not chalky. I appreciate that the tacos were served with pico de gallo, though I think a squirt of lime would have been good (they'd probably bring you a wedge if you asked). My girlfriend's Chicken Crema was quite tender and subtle, unexpected for a strip-mall mexican joint. Each dish came with a side of rice and beans. The rice was fluffy, not too wet, but not undercooked. The beans were rich and flavorful, no doubt from a healthy dose of cheese added in for flavor. None of us were too surprised by the check: about $10 a person before tip. The jumbo cocktail came in with a hefty price tag, but I'd say it was a good deal for something that'd be happily labeled "top shelf" at any other bar in town. I'll be sure to be back to see if happy hour cuts the price at all. Overall, I think this was a good choice. If I were in the Southwest, I'd give them a harder time about the tortillas and sides being only "pretty good," and knock them down a star level. But we're in the middle of Pennsylvania, and I'd say that right now I'd give them the crown for best Mexican in State College. Expect to see me here a lot! *EDIT: I've now been here many times, and I'd like to make a few additions to my review. Since enjoying the very tasty Pork Chile Verde I've tried many more meals that have been much more hit-or-miss. Here are the hits so far: Beef Tri-tip Burrito, Pork Green Chile, anything with Carnitas, Chips/Salsa, Chicken Crema, Texas Margaritas, Happy-hour Margaritas (price is good). Here are the misses: Enchiladas, Tacos, most things in the combination platters. I'm keeping my rating the same though, because so long as you pick the right meals, this place is still the best in town.*
(5)Rachel Z.
Best mexican food in state college. Get the lunch chicken fajitas-- 6.99. My favorite thing on the menu. Huge portion that comes with plenty of chicken, peppers & onions, lettuce, pico, guacomole, sour cream, rice & beans.
(5)Eric A.
Been three times. Had stomach issues the first two times. Got my order wrong twice the third time.
(2)Vickie H.
My son and I both enjoyed our lunch here one weekday. The service was great and the waiter was very polite and attentive. The food came quickly and was very good. The menu was extensive, although I'd love to see some more fish and a few dishes that are more upscale. The salsa and chips were very good. Overall I'd rate this restaurant an 8.5 out of 10.
(4)