El Patio Restaurant maintains a long tradition started by Paul C. Joseph in 1954 who was one of Austin's early pioneers in the Mexican food business. His policy "merely to serve the best" is still carried on today by family and their loyal staff who have worked at El Patio for over 30 years. At El Patio, we take pride in the quality of our service and ingredients.
Our ingredients are fresh, never frozen. Every dish is made at the time of order, and whether it is one of our appetizers or your favorite entre, only the finest and choicest ingredients are used. We strongly believe our commitment to quality and service is the reason El Patio is one of Austin's favorite and most loved Tex-Mex restaurants for nearly 70 years and counting.
Our ingredients are fresh, never frozen. Every dish is made at the time of order, and whether it is one of our appetizers or your favorite entre, only the finest and choicest ingredients are used. We strongly believe our commitment to quality and service is the reason El Patio is one of Austin's favorite and most loved Tex-Mex restaurants for nearly 70 years and counting.
Reviews (27)
Donald R.
Feb 02, 2022
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Don F.
Dec 24, 2021
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Love this place normally but drove all the way into Austin as is our tradition only to find they closed their dining room during this holiday period and an hour wait. Will have to find another holiday tradition as this feels like poor management. Waited since we had already committed and we're excited about eating here. Very disappointed
Louise Donnell
Dec 23, 2021
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Rebecca T.
Dec 19, 2021
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Husband and I went to El Patio for lunch today. We shared an order of bean, cheese and jalapeño nachos. I had a margarita and one crispy beef taco. Husband had an enchilada plate with rice and beans. Our waiter was super nice. Food was great, as usual. Love this old school place. Been coming here since I was a kid.
Victoria M.
Dec 12, 2021
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THIS WAS AMAZING!!!!!!
I've been dieting, eating plant based and i've missed the queso, BBQ and wonderful delights that Austin offers. But a friend asked me to go to an early dinner after work and i couldn't say no. I'd never been here and looked forward to it all week until today (saturday 12/11) and boy was it worth the wait! Walking in, you can definitely tell it's an ATX relic. No gentrification, no upselling to out of towners. It's just down home US. We were seated quickly but right off I could tell service was going to be a bit slow. It wasn't crowded,
I've been dieting, eating plant based and i've missed the queso, BBQ and wonderful delights that Austin offers. But a friend asked me to go to an early dinner after work and i couldn't say no. I'd never been here and looked forward to it all week until today (saturday 12/11) and boy was it worth the wait! Walking in, you can definitely tell it's an ATX relic. No gentrification, no upselling to out of towners. It's just down home US. We were seated quickly but right off I could tell service was going to be a bit slow. It wasn't crowded,
Carol I.
Dec 02, 2021
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Bucket List Check!
I lived in Austin for 10 years, mostly in the 80s. I never stopped into El Patio although I always wanted to. I even worked a couple of blocks away at a Bed & Breakfast that last year I was in Austin 93, and never stopped in there. Well, old Austin is soon disappearing, so I have a list of places that I want to hit up again or maybe even for the first time, like El Patio.
Remember El Patio frozen dinners?
I did my research for this review... not the same company.
Although for the record, it was a San Antonio man that first decided to make frozen dinners in the 60s after
I lived in Austin for 10 years, mostly in the 80s. I never stopped into El Patio although I always wanted to. I even worked a couple of blocks away at a Bed & Breakfast that last year I was in Austin 93, and never stopped in there. Well, old Austin is soon disappearing, so I have a list of places that I want to hit up again or maybe even for the first time, like El Patio.
Remember El Patio frozen dinners?
I did my research for this review... not the same company.
Although for the record, it was a San Antonio man that first decided to make frozen dinners in the 60s after
Roy McCoy
Nov 21, 2021
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Major Donkey
Nov 15, 2021
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Laurie Rector McCowan
Oct 04, 2021
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We stopped in here a while back and figured it was time for another visit this afternoon. Thank goodness we did because it was just what we were looking for! The hubbs and I enjoyed margaritas (well, rocks, salt), which were $6 each and excellent. We decided to try the "Crispy Tacos", which are served open faced, like a chalupa, on shells that are homemade daily. We opted for the Taco Supreme version - beef, lettuce, tomato, & guacamole. We got a full order of 3 at $11.50 and added cheese for 50 cents more. Following a basket of the best tortilla chips in Austin (the salsa was up there on the scale
Kathy Pride
Sep 29, 2021
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I have been eating at El Patio since I was a little girl and I'm in my early 60's. The tradition and food at this restaurant is the same as it was 10, 20, 30, 40, even 50 years ago! No matter what Mexican restaurant you go to, the food is a little different and it is really a matter of taste. To me El Patio IS the TexMex I grew up with and I still love it today! I can remember when they served crackers instead of chips before your meal.
I suppose that is one tradition that has changed, but I love that you still get a side of warm tortillas with your meal. Most TexMex restaurants stopped doing
I suppose that is one tradition that has changed, but I love that you still get a side of warm tortillas with your meal. Most TexMex restaurants stopped doing
Kel B.
Sep 25, 2021
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Jessica S.
Sep 05, 2021
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Mily Santos
Aug 30, 2021
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Alexa S.
Aug 28, 2021
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I love the look and atmosphere of this restaurant but everything else is really mediocre. Their rice seems to just be white rice coated in tomato sauce with no actual flavor whatsoever. The enchiladas were edible but not really good. It tastes like they just put velveeta inside of them. And the queso is pretty much the same. It's good because it's melted cheese but it's definitely some of the worst queso i've ever had. No spice or flavor and really just tastes like velveeta. Would not recommend going here. I gave it two stars just because it's edible food but its not good
Rachel R.
Aug 08, 2021
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Marcela O.
Jul 28, 2021
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My first time eating at El Patio. No one near the front when I walked in. Servers didn't seem interested in customers. Food took longer than expected; half of my order came out in 10 mins, the rest came out 15 mins later. My rating is on Tex-Mex food because this is not a true Mexican Restaurant. Food was bland with limited menu choices. It's an older building so be prepared for an uneven floor and doors that don't work.
L. A. P.
Jul 19, 2021
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Madison M.
Jul 10, 2021
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Matt T.
Jun 26, 2021
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I will start by saying I downloaded this app for the first time just to leave this review.
I do not say this lightly, this is one of the worst restaurants I have been to. Food was tolerable at best. Margaritas were what I would expect from a bucket at a high school party, and our server seemed irritated every time we ordered something.
I'm 6'2" and 230 and have never left an empty plate at a restaurant. Did not get halfway through this meal.
Host was a pleasure though, good job to him!
I do not say this lightly, this is one of the worst restaurants I have been to. Food was tolerable at best. Margaritas were what I would expect from a bucket at a high school party, and our server seemed irritated every time we ordered something.
I'm 6'2" and 230 and have never left an empty plate at a restaurant. Did not get halfway through this meal.
Host was a pleasure though, good job to him!
Jonathan M.
Apr 25, 2021
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Janet S.
Apr 23, 2021
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Sharon O.
Jan 29, 2021
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Not only was there a lack of sanitizing throughout the restaurant, but the staff was also lackadaisical about hygiene.
While it used to be a decent place to grab a quick bite, those days are long gone.
My food was at best room temperature and lacked seasoning to taste any better than your neighborhood Taco Bell.
Sorry folks, but for the price and lack of cleanliness I would have been better off at the local burger joint.
While it used to be a decent place to grab a quick bite, those days are long gone.
My food was at best room temperature and lacked seasoning to taste any better than your neighborhood Taco Bell.
Sorry folks, but for the price and lack of cleanliness I would have been better off at the local burger joint.
Mark G.
Dec 16, 2020
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El Patio is far from the best Tex Mex to be found in Austin, in my estimation. So, why does it get five stars? Because it is an icon, a museum/time machine, and just plain charming as heck.
Tex Mex has evolved a lot since I fell in love with it as a kid, and it has mostly changed for the better. To me, having a reference point I can literally sink my teeth into, that goes back far before my time, is nothing short of priceless. If one truly loves Tex Mex, I should think the value in understanding and being able to access its past in a real and direct way would be seen as an appealing opportunity
Tex Mex has evolved a lot since I fell in love with it as a kid, and it has mostly changed for the better. To me, having a reference point I can literally sink my teeth into, that goes back far before my time, is nothing short of priceless. If one truly loves Tex Mex, I should think the value in understanding and being able to access its past in a real and direct way would be seen as an appealing opportunity
Bracin K.
Jul 06, 2020
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Katie S.
Nov 23, 2019
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Says family friendly but Thursday night at 8 it was def a college spot. Young hip people surrounded me while I stuffed my face with the most air-y crispy chips I've ever had in my life. Our waiter brought us more fresh salsa IN A PITCHER. That would have been enough, but out came our combo plate - David's special: two enchiladas & two tacos. My mom & I split it and it was still a huge amount of food. It's 100% Tex Mex - and 100% delicious. I'm not from Austin but it's a mighty fine stop to fill up.
Wes O.
Oct 22, 2019
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I went here last Friday night with a friend who's relatively new to Austin and loves Tex-Mex. I was a bit concerned for the "new" El Patio having reopened with different family members owning it. We all know that reboots can change things, even if they say nothing is changing.
Ok, two things have changed. One. Different hours. (Now closed Monday and Tuesday, but open until 10 other nights, except until 11 on Friday and Saturday.) Two. The waiters now have handheld devices to take your order - AND handle payment. So, no more waiting at the cash register.
Otherwise, it&apos
Ok, two things have changed. One. Different hours. (Now closed Monday and Tuesday, but open until 10 other nights, except until 11 on Friday and Saturday.) Two. The waiters now have handheld devices to take your order - AND handle payment. So, no more waiting at the cash register.
Otherwise, it&apos
Anderson England
Jan 29, 2019
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We all decided we had not been here in 20 years and it was high time to come back. Nostalgia aside the food is still pretty good. Even better, in this age of food trends and corporate chains El Patio remains stable and local. Thankfully the menu was familiar. It reminded us all of Tex-Mex in the 70's. The portions are huge. Not pictured but recommended are the chicken enchiladas with guacamole on top. Drinks were powerful and the atmosphere just perfect. So glad we made it back and this time no waiting 20 years.
