Food was good, house hot sauce was meh, had a weird starting taste and didn't have the heat I was expecting. Plus, it had a strange muted white orange color and a smoky burnt finish. Granted the server could have been like it's a white boy they don't know heat or flavor. Meal was a little pricy, it was dinner after all and let's face it everything has gone up in price. Staff seemed nice with what little interaction there was. Four people at the front desk and no one wanted to help us. Place was dead and we had a party of 8, do you want to take our money??? Never saw our server after we gave our orders and got our food. Had to flag people down for help and refills. We did have fun watching our server sitting in a booth playing on their phone. Then we noticed most of the servers weren't paying attention to the diners and were either standing at a work station talking to other employees or on their phones. Completely ignoring patrons... that was amazing fun 2 thumbs up, great watch for the whole family. read more

Love the new establishment, beautiful decor, the service was amazing as always, but food was short. Come quite often to establishment when Im in the area, because of the service, environment and overall food. Today, hopefully due it being a new establishment on opening day there may have been a few details missed out. They won't have liquor until next week but that's ok. Food looked great but taste was just not the usual. Server was truly awesome and made sure to advise the kitchen that there were a few missed items but definitely looking forward to be here in the future when they are firing off on all cylinders. read more

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Disappointed with the service. The entire lunch no one came to ask if we needed any refills or anything. The establishment was not busy and a lot of employees standing around chatting. Honestly even entering to be seated the gentleman seemed like we were inconveniencing him. Food was decent but pricey for lunch. read more

What a disaster! If there was an option for zero stars this is what I would have given. I should have been more savvy to try and head to a resto ahead of the holiday weekend and with the World Cup soccer on. We waited 45 mins for a table and the restaurant was packed. Would have been worth the wait if the food lived up to our basic expectations.... But it did not! We were seated at 8pm and despite being successful in getting our drink order fairly quickly after chasing the waitress a further 15 minutes in, we then waited 90 minutes for the food. By the time it arrived, the desire to eat after being in a hot stuffy packed space with no further contact from our waitress or water top ups, had gone. The food looked unappetizing. My guests were given wheat tortillas (when they should have had white flour ones) which were dry and tasteless. It appeared that they ran out of key ingredients for our meals and improvised thinking it would be ok. It was absolutely not! We left the unappetizing food, disappointed and resound never to return. Management did not plan well for this influx of customers tonight. They greedily continued fill take out orders which had the kitchen backed up and diners frustrated and waiting for their food. This was not smart and ultimately I am sure has lost them some customers. I will never return! read more

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This place is wonderful. The food is always great. They are relocating to a bigger spot within the same plaza in a couple months and I look forward to eating there. It looks really nice and it's a new building. We got Mojara frita, fajitas texanas, and burrito "pony". We've also gotten the Hawaiian burger and beer battered fries as well as the quesadilla patron. The drink was a mango chile margarita. I love margaritas and like to try new or different flavors. The horchatas are always good but it would be nice if there was a larger serving of the drink. I've been here several times and the waiter, Camilo (sp?) seems to be the best one. There's another guy that seems pretty good too. They're always hustling and making sure everything is good. I've only had Camilo twice and regret not asking for him every time. It can make a big difference as you may expect. Today, the margaritas weren't as good but I'm not sure why. They usually are pretty good. Don't forget, there is a new location about to open up about a 1/4 mile from here and I can't wait to eat in it when they move over. The current one is getting a bit run down and is dark inside. Some of the tables are chipped and the bathrooms need a remodel and a bit more attendance. I prefer better lit areas and a chill ambiance. I will definitely come to the new location. read more

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Food is always pretty good. Service is top notch. Only thing I hate is that the handicap parking is so far from the door.

We have been here many times as we live close by in Spotsylvania Courthouse. There are some dishes that are good and some that are simply terrible (ceviche). The bartender, as another reviewer said, is always staring at his phone and does sit in a booth ignoring customers. The last time we were there an ant was in my food so we will not return. It's ashame as the new building is really nice. They seriously need to improve. read more

This place is authentic and have huge drinks. It's very clean and the staff is super friendly. read more

El Gran Patron - Playa Dip. Perfect. - Mexican Near Me - Spotsylvania, Virginia

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What happened to this place? The new spot looks great, but the same problems are still here. When they first opened, the food was excellent and the staff was always friendly. It was one of those places you could count on for a good dinner or a drink after work. Ever since the owner left to focus on the Lake Anna location, the quality has slipped. I was hoping the move into the new building would bring things back around, but it has not. The Food The food tastes good, but it rarely comes out the way it should. The plates are always hot, yet the food itself is cold or barely warm. It has improved a little over the last few months, but it is still hit or miss. The Staff The servers are still friendly, but the bar is a mess. The bartender spends more time on his phone than behind the bar. Most of the time he is sitting in a booth scrolling on his phone while customers are left waiting. You should not have to wave someone down just to get a drink refill. If you sit in the bar area, get everything you want up front, because once he walks away you may not see him again. Management allowing this kind of service tells me they either do not notice or they do not care. The fact that I see the managers around, tells me they condone this behavior. This place could be so much better. The new building is beautiful, but until management takes real pride and accountability in what they provide, it will continue to fall short. When Manny was running it, he cared. He knew what was on the line, and he delivered. The place had energy, consistency, and quality. Once he left, that drive went with him, and the restaurant has been coasting ever since. They need to do better. read more

good food, everyone elses came out in a timely manner exept mine. they had seemed to forget about it until we asked, and then they had to cook it and by the time everyone else was done with their food it came out. it was nice, not too crowded, needs bigger parking lot. read more

We went here on a Sunday afternoon around 5 and it was kind of empty when we arrived but by the time we left at 630 it was packed!! Our food was delicious! We had three classic chicken dishes, arroz con pollo, pollo asado, and one more that had chicken and shrimp covered in cheese sauce. All 3 were cooked to perfection. One of the better Mexican restaurants in the area for sure! read more

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El patron is usually my go to but I ordered Tres Leches cake and it was gross because I could taste that it was in the freezer for a while. It was giving freezer burn and it made my stomach hurt off one bite. read more

El Gran Patron - Mexican Near Me - Spotsylvania, Virginia

El Patron is our favorite local Mexican restaurant. The food is always consistent and delicious, and we love Tomato, one of the managers there, and his incredible energy-#HELLYEAH! The margaritas are a must, and I really enjoy the Skinny Lime Marg or the El Patron-they are definitely mega-sized! I always order the cheese enchiladas and vegetarian fajitas, which never disappoint. Chips and salsa will always come in abundance throughout your meal, and the queso dip is also a great complement to your meal. The prices are also reasonable (well, maybe not if you're buying alcohol). We done here often and have yet to have a bad meal! read more

It's a tiny place. The food was delicious!!! The house made salsa is fantastic! The skinny margarita - fantastic! I ordered shrimp quesadillas- every single component of it was perfect. The gauc was good but with a bit of added lime and salt amazing. read more

I ordered some food and the ground beef and refried beans was watery. You really couldn't tell the ground beef from the refried beans.

Always great food and wonderful ,attentive staff. Margaritas are delicious great size and great price!

This is our go to spot for great food! The staff is always friendly, the food is always delicious, and the place just looks great and is always clean! I've had multiple items off the menu & everything is always great! read more

These guys knocked it out of the park when we were looking for a local place to have a family lunch following a funeral. I had called ahead to make sure they could even handle a party of 20 for lunch on a rainy Thursday. They assured me they could and that we could have a separate section of the restaurant. When we arrived, they seemed surprised, but quickly adjusted and found room for our group (25 total!). The service was friendly and quick. The waitress seemed unperturbed by our multiple checks and questions about ingredients and drinks. The margaritas were delicious and potent. The orders came out in a reasonable time and the food was delicious! They had something for every taste and budget in our group, and the staff worked around our milling, socializing, table-hopping family with professionalism and good humor. Thanks! El Patron 2 for facilitating our mini, impromptu reunion. read more

Wow! 10 minutes before closing I placed a pickup order to go and they fulfilled it. 5 Stars!!! Thank you! read more

The food here is always great. Carrying out or dining in the food is always fresh and delicious. The staff is always nice and attentive and the place is always clean. Nice place to eat with the family. read more

Came here after my sister said she had tried the food with her family and recommended it. Came in and was immediately seated. Our waitress came right over, got our drink orders, and took our food orders as well. We tried the playa dip, it was very tasty. We also got the fajitas and the azteca pollo. The only downside was they were out of rice when we came in for lunch and I don't eat beans so I basically just ate the chicken and veggies by itself. Food was all fresh. Will be back! read more

My husband and I go here a lot because it is closest to house. Never really had a bad experience. Hubby loves the shredded beef and I love the skinny margaritas. Only reason we give 4 stars: salsa could be a bit spicier and chips a bit more fresh. Also bathrooms could use more attention. They are moving to larger, brand new building and I can't wait! It is taking forever it seems! read more

I'm pretty sure we found our Mexican restaurant in the Lake Anna area! We each ordered our favorites at our Mexican restaurant in Maryland so that we could compare. I ordered the Arroz Con Pollo and the hubby ordered the Carnitas. The ACP also had finely ground chorizo... yum! It added a whole new layer of taste. I do wish however it would've had a bit more cheese sauce on top. I may ask next time. The hubby loved his carnitas with corn tortillas! The food here is authentic. And who knew they have Happy Hour everyday from 3-7pm! Draft beers are $2 and amazing margaritas (I got a frozen lime with salt) are $5! The customer service is so great...very friendly and willing to make you feel at home. We will definitely be back. read more

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This place is usually really good but today it really missed the mark. Service was awful to say the least, the chips and salsa were old and hard. The manager explained it was a new vendor that gave them to them for free and offered to replace them but did with the same. Carnitas were crunchy and dry. read more

I'm not one to write a complaint when it comes to food, but this restaurant does NOT care whatsoever... I paid $72 for my corn tortillas (which they only gave me 3 even though I ordered 6) to be soggy and burnt all at the same time... who knew that was possible... It's also $15 now for a thing guacamole. We called and told them what we got and they didn't care to apologize or anything. Customer service? Non-existent.. we order from there regularly (once a week) and now we will NOT order from there again.. read more

El Gran Patron - My burnt, soggy, ripped apart corn tortillas. - Mexican Near Me - Spotsylvania, Virginia

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Good Mexican food! The people are friendly and the service is great! Sometimes the food is overcooked, which the norm for most of our local Mexican restaurants! However, I recommend this restaurant to everyone! read more

The food is really great and the location on the Lake is great. Not only is there lots of food but the margaritas are equally good. I'm not much of consumer of alcohol, but the lime margarita was really good. read more

While on vacation for the holidays with family. I visited this restaurant. I have to admit once I leave California it is very hard for me to find a quality Mexican restaurant that is good and has authentic Mexican food. I got the chimichanga and another family member got a ranch quesadilla. They both were pretty good. I will be returning to eat here again the next time I visit this area. The people was very nice and accommodating. The vibe of the restaurant was very chill and had a nice decor to it. read more

Been coming here for years, the original in Massaponox. This location since it opened , it was horrible. I ordered a super burrito with chicken. All I could find was rice and beans. I literally took it apart with my knife and found 6 pieces of chicken. I wanted to cry . This was my first dinner out in 3 weeks. I complained and they took it off my check which was a lame consolidation for a starving women who had to come home to a Tuna sandwich. I will however try the original location again. Never again Battlefield, never again. read more

Very bland food. After many trips here I can honestly say I've never eaten anything that was memorable nor would I order again. The food is one step up from the that very bad chain On the Border. It doesn't look like they maintain the facility very well. For example the towel dispenser in the men's room wasn't working for more than a few months. Instead of fixing it or possibly just changing the battery, they just left a paper towel roll next to sink. Their beer taps weren't working either. The bartender said it's been a long time since they were functioning. You would think if you have five draft beers you would put a little emphasis on being able to dispense them. I think the only reason this place is still open is it's one of the few restaurants in immediate area read more

The easiest way to determine if a restaurant is an "authentic" Mexican restaurant is very easy. If there are mashed potatoes (and seeds, lol) in your Chile Rellenos, it's not authentic. If your Molcajete does not have cactus and pineapple in the dish, it's not authentic. If your burritos have rice in them it's not authentic. This is just high priced Taco Bell. No respectable Mexican puts rice in a burrito, ever. Chipotle does, but again, McDonalds owns Chipotle. The "beef tongue" in the BURRITO JAROCHO is just beef. Not tongue. Just regular beef. Same exact beef as in the BURRITOS VERDES which are $9.75 compared to $14.95 for the tongue. (I got both to verify). Yep. True. I felt stupid. But, not my issue. A lot of places do this exact thing. The Mexican Restaurant in Mineral is a lot better, and 1/2 the price of this place. Growing up in Arizona and California, being able to actually drive into Mexico to get real Mexican food, you can even find better Mexican food from street vendors. I think white people must run this place. It's not Mexican. It's "White Boy" Mexican at best, and overpriced for even that. The "salsa". Looks and tastes like it came from a jar with a little sprig of cilantro on top. Nice try. A few fresh onions in there, stuck together. Just horrible on the prep side, and delivery. No flavor at all, just tastes like tomato paste with cilantro on top. Very bland, and very overpriced. Nothing about this place separates it from Taco Bell, except the price. $20.00 for Molcajete which at this place, is just Fajitas? In a bowl........ just everything wrong. Drive down the road a bit. There is real, authentic Mexican food in Mineral. read more

If I could give this location 0 stars I would. It took this place 50 mins for my pickup order. 50! For a quesadilla and chips. The easiest thing anyone could ever make. This place has no clue what they're doing. read more

The service here is awesome. You really feel welcomed and part of a local's spot every time. I love their authentic Mexican tacos (corn tortillas are way better than flour and HELLO??? Authentic. Just like in the name) and ICE. COLD. BEER. Seriously. This is such a hard find in Spotsylvania (don't ask me why but it's a problem lol). But I love the ice that forms as soon as it's poured into a frosted mug. Perfection. Even if the food wasn't good, I'd come for the beer. read more

Everything was so yummy! The restaurant was packed but our food came out quick. Huge portion sizes! Everyone was so sweet. read more

El Gran Patron - Mexican Near Me - Spotsylvania, Virginia

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Food is amazing, staff is amazing and the atmosphere is welcoming. Every time we visit the Manager greets us with a big hello and an excited welcome. Food is quick and delicious, my favorite Mexican restaurant by far! read more

My entire family loves El Patron! We'd eat here weekly if we could. The food is on point and their service is great. They're attentive and incredibly helpful. We highly recommend their tacos but all of their food is delicious. Even my 6 year old likes coming here! read more

This is the best! Call in order by phone or they come right out to take your order. They are being so flexible and easy to work with. Great food, good portions. Please make this place a go to. We must support our food establishments during this suckie time. read more

Where we live, there is a severe lack of any restaurants, unless we want to venture out to Central Park (we don't). When El Patron opened their Spotsylvania CH location, we were happy to have a new, near-ish option. This place is super clean, with cozy seating, nice soft lighting, a generously sized bar and my favorite: the friendliest, smiliest, most helpful staff (seriously friendly and smiley)! Now the food. Hmmmm... not the top 5 in my book. The food is fresh, nicely presented and generously portioned for the price, but each time we go, we always think the food tastes a bit underwhelming. It just seems to miss a tiny something. Is it good? Yes! Is it amazing? No. But it is consistent. I always add a crunchy beef taco to my order at any Mexican restaurant and, sadly, after trying the taco here twice, I no longer order the taco. It is simply not very good. Kinda dry and bland. However, the salsa, warm, perfectly low salted chips, tableside fresh guac, margaritas, fajitas, burritos and enchiladas always satisfy us. We will continue to eat at this location, as long the great service, warm atmosphere, cleanliness and food consistency stays the same. Note: They have seasonal outdoor seating and a full bar! read more

My go to for Mexican food. Their chimichangas are ahhmazing and the service is even better.

This place is amazing. I can't wait for my next trip on 95 to come here. The happy hour margarita is just right. I liked my enchiladas but I also saw fajitas come out that looked and smelled great. Very friendly staff! read more