We love it at El Palenque!! One of the best Mexican restaurants in SM. The service is warm and welcoming. Immediately sat down with warm chips and salsa. I always get the Burrito Supremo, it's flavorful and massive. Don't forget to get a margarita also!! read more

Great food and service El Palenque tostada recommended Beans are delicious Vegetables are fresh read more

The device was friendly and the chips were fresh. In my opinion, things are significantly overpriced. I did not think the food tasted great. The interior also is very outdated. read more

See all

This was some of the best Mexican food I've had in a long time. I really enjoyed it. Ordered some food the other day for lunch and had the chili Ranchos, which were out of this world. Service was great. I will definitely be back. read more

El Palenque Mexican Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Santa Maria, California

Went for dinner on Saturday. We got there early & we're glad we did. Lots more people followed us in I had the Palenque burrito. . I had the carnitas burrito & it was delicious, so full of beef. But be warned, it's Hugh. I brought at least 1/2 home. Several meals for me. My partner ordered and a carne asada taco and a beef flaunta. He really enjoyed both. He would have licked the plate clean,if he could have. This was the first time we had been here and it definitely won't be the last. Treat yourselves. read more

From the salsa to their chile verde burrito, everything was tasty. You can tell that the sauce/salsa was homemade. First time here after living in town for 21 one years. Glad I took a chance. Wish I would have come here sooner read more

El Palenque Mexican Restaurant - #8 dinner combo. Chili verde burrito, cheese enchilada and rice and beans - Mexican Near Me - Santa Maria, California

Excellent! Ground beef burrito. Ground beef crunchy tacos. Also available in shredded of course. Fast service and very nice. Clean restaurant. read more

See all

Food: 3.75. Came by for an early Monday dinner. We were greeted promptly and seated. A basket of tortilla chips and salsa were brought to our table. The salsa provided is spicy. They also offer a mild version. We ordered the beef fajitas and #5 chili relleno and beef enchilada. My beef fajitas came with a choice of salad or soup, a plate of beans, rice, sour cream, and guac, and a choice of corn or flour tortillas. Food came out timely and at the right temperature. Portions were large. All of the food was good. Service was very friendly and efficient. Service: 4.5 Value: 4 read more

See all

Had not been here in few yrs so thought to try again as it used to be really good. But the Chile Verde burrito with cheese enchilada entrée was SO SALTY...I only had couple bites and said hell no. The beans were very dry and bland in flavor, rice was OK. Definitely a 1 and done for us. Presentation was good but it was really bad in flavor. Definitely a shame as they used to be pretty good. But definitely wont go here again. read more

Fajitas are fantastic. Comes with a bunch of rice and beans.yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy read more

El Palenque Mexican Restaurant - Fajita beef - Mexican Near Me - Santa Maria, California

Food is always delicious I'm in a food coma it's a lot of food . Waitress is very friendly and the environment is very comfortable read more

See all

Stopped in on a rainy day after a wrestling tournament and since this was right next to the school we stopped in. The space was large with no wait. Staff were friendly and welcoming with smiles galore. In the rear a large birthday party taking place so a great spot for groups. Since it was raining the Pazole was the call and I loved the fact you could order a small or large bowl. I went with the small bowl accompanied by 2 flour tostada with a smear of beans, onion and cabbage to top the soup with. The small was the perfect size to fill up warm up and not feel sluggish. read more

El Palenque Mexican Restaurant - Asada fries - Mexican Near Me - Santa Maria, California

See all

It is amazing how location matters when you are recommending a restaurant to friends. With plenty of seating, clean bathrooms, and seasonal music playing in the background. The food is amazing and every time that I purchase food at this place is consistent quality. The service was fast in the meal arrived within reasonable time around 10 to 15 minutes after ordering. read more

It's been a very long time since I've tasted authentic Mexican food and this place surpasses all restaurant! Amazing customer service, started off with a sherry temple. Perfect start and a side salad they offered soup but passed it up. Delicious freshly made ranch on top of fresh Romain lettuce. Next I ordered the Enchiladas de Cameron! Wow, I was shocked at how homemade everything is, so cheesy and the sauce they use is definitely homemade! Fresh and authentic. Excellent food & customer service. To end my birthday dinner I had some beautifully presented fried ice cream, definitely homemade whipped cream and wow just wow amazing! Definitely coming back!! read more

El Palenque Mexican Restaurant - Fried Ice Cream! It was so fresh and to good to not quickly take a bite! Fresh whipped cream! - Mexican Near Me - Santa Maria, California

See all

Food was DELICIOUS!!! Free homemade Chips & Salsa and even free refills on their homemade Horchata!! The portions are huge! This is now my favorite Mexican restaurant!!! The food is authentic and the music is nice and definitely adds to the ambiance! The service is great; the food did not take too long to arrive and the Ladies are always checking on us to see how they can help. Shoutout to Basila & Graciela for working hard and being positive & upbeat!! read more

See all

This i is a place to go when i want real Mexican food however i only been there for lunch and I always get some of those soecial it's always been good and delicious but today was amazing , my chile verde burrito was a bomb . Super good and delicious . Yeah the restaurant decor is outdated but who cares when you sell the best food . The same lady is been there all the time I had gone she's very helpful and polite . If you go there expecting to be a 5 dollar burrito don't go . read more

Don't judge a book by its cover ! This restaurant is authentic. My favorite dish is the albóndigas! It's a little pricey but I think worth it because the ingredients are fresh and plentiful Thanks read more

So up in Lompoc visiting family.. first time visiting this restaurant. We were greeted immediately and seated.. Staff was friendly and professional and the restaurant very clean. It has a very Mom and Pop feeling inside.. decorated nicely with Adobe walls. The food was amazing.. the portions were all huge and everything tasted amazing. Food was delivered quickly and the servers were constantly asking us if we needed anything else. I'm not exaggerating when I say.. this was the best fajitas that I've ever had. It was like they used an entire red pepper and green pepper.. So fresh and yummy!! The chimichanga was overflowing with meat and the nacho plate was huge. The chips and salsa (hot) were excellent. My only disappointment is that I don't live near this restaurant! If you live nearby you must try this place as it was amazing!! read more

See all

Stopped in and had lunch. The food was OK, the chips and salsa were OK and that's all I really have to say about this place. The service was good but nothing else really was bad or good. This is nit a restaurant I can recommend and or will I tell you to avoid, this just don't really have anything to report. 5 STARS just because! read more

El Palenque Mexican Restaurant - Mucho Caliente - Mexican Near Me - Santa Maria, California

Food and service were good. I was surprised when I asked for a margarita in a Mexican restaurant and was told they don't have tequila and the margaritas are wine based. We thought about getting up and trying a different place but we stayed. We would come back for the food but a Mexican restaurant not having tequila is odd. read more

I'd give 5 stars if it wasn't for their prices. Outrageous, over $80 for 2 meals, a kids mall, 1 dessert and 3 drinks. But we'll still go back, just not very often. The food was AMAZING. read more

So when it comes to Mexican food our criteria is very simple on knowing right away whether it's going to be a one and done stop, or a return again and again restaurant. 1. Chips and Salsa have to be spot on, and 2. They need to absolutely kill it on the beans and rice. We will be back to this place again and again! The beans and rice were so good, I could make a meal out of them. Based on the price of the Ala Carte items I expected them to be small, so just got 2 items Ala carte and shared my husband's sides. Well, the bean and cheese (super basic right?) Burrito arrived and it was so big, I immediately regretted ordering two items. I ate my single chile relleno and took the burrito home. Everything here was so delicious, just good home cooked food that hit the spot. I can't wait to go back! Note: they don't have a liquor license so the margaritas are made with wine. I decided to try the Tamarindo, and it was really good! I expected it to be overly sweet, but it was actually really good and I would get it again. They dusted the rim with Tajin. My mouth is actually watering a little typing this. read more

The table service salsa tasted like a weak marinara mixed with Tabasco. Noticed a...stench when we walked in, like the sewer was backed up, or so I hope. Service was quick, but there also wasn't really anyone in the place. Food didn't meet expectations. Very plain, little flavor. Probably won't be coming back, wouldn't recommend. read more

What can l say about this place. I love authentic Mexican food just as much as the next person. This establishment doesn't quite hit the mark on it. The food was bland and with no flavor. I ordered a simple Mexican dish of enchiladas with rice and beans. So disappointed that it was prepared the way it was. I even ordered a dessert which was fried rice cream. Thinking that it would be their best because who destroys a perfect fried ice cream right? Unfortunately it was even worse. The taste was old and stale. I would choose wisely to eat at this place. The decor was unappealing as too the staff were not attentive to the patrons needs. Definitely not going again. read more

Six of us came here for dinner. Three meals were good. Three were mediocre to say the least. My Taquitos were crisp outside, cold and tasteless inside. The taco was not the best. The Chile Verde was the worst. The meat was burnt and very chewy, as though it had been left over from lunch, reheated and covered in sauce. Our cousin ate some of the rice and beans then left the rest. When the bill came and he complained, the server took it back, then returned to say "the cook says it's good and the customer had eaten some of it". End of conversation. Felt sorry for the waitress being in the middle. Not the best service. read more

Bad sewage smell Too much to sit in there Absolutely sickening 6/13/24 I'm a regular and that's enough read more

I have been going to this restaurant for over 40 years when it started as Quittos. Now they charge $3 if you want extra chips with your meal. They gave us a half a basket of crumbs. I did not eat there and never will be back. After years!!!! Ta ta read more

The food is delicious! Prices are high! Waitress and hostess are very rude, they even stand in the kitchen and talk about you. Ambiance is nice. They don't listen to your order and something is usually incorrect whether it be food or drinks. They try not to smile? Customers are a bother. read more

Our first time at a Mexican restaurant in California!!! OMG the size of the food is crazy! I love how they do Americanize the Mexican food out here! The food is more spicy than back in Alabama. But so so good! read more

El Palenque Mexican Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Santa Maria, California

Good bean rice and salsa burrito. Got the green salsa it was delicious. Love there booths

I wish I could give 1star!! I'm visiting family from the Bay Area and wanted to order some food for dinner. I asked what they put in their burritos. Lady who answered phone told me to call back because they are very busy. I said ok well can I least put in my order & she told me no to call back in 15 minutes. I said well we really would like to order dinner we have kids who are hungry. She told me well it's going to be at least a hour or 2 before your food is done so call back. Super rude!! I'm not going to beg you to give me business. I will go somewhere else. Too bad , I had a large order !! read more

Authentic real Mexican food specializing in dishes from the north central state of Aguascalientes. Very clean restaurant with very efficient and friendly staff. Expect your order to come up quick and the portions huge. Highly recommend the Carne Asada dinner and tostadas, the latter loaded up like a taco salad. read more

El Palenque Mexican Restaurant - Street signage - Mexican Near Me - Santa Maria, California

See all

Delicious, authentic, Mexican food. Quick service, friendly staff and short wait times. Everything was delicious and I'm honestly surprised by the fact that the restaurant wasn't packed. 5 stars all day. Just to be clear, I come here regularly and everything has always been fantastic (try the Chile rellenos!). read more

I came in for an early dinner. There were only a few other diners in the restaurant. I tried to order a Margarita but the server didn't seem to know what I was saying. I then pointed to a Margarita on their table display which had all the drinks they offer. She still didn't seem to understand. I flagged down another server who promptly brought me a Margarita. It was super sweet with no hint of Tequila. Still I thought I'd see if a 2nd one was better. It wasn't. Disappointed, I asked the server if I could have a tequila shot. She said they don't have tequila and that the Margarita was made with wine. Wine? What the heck? By that time my food had arrived. The chicken enchilada was dry but the taco was pretty good. All in all an ok meal but I wasn't impressed. Then...I waited...and waited...and waited. No one ever came to ask if I needed anything. No one came with my check. After 25 minutes I literally walked into the kitchen to find someone who could get my check so I could leave. He motioned over to the host booth and said something I couldn't understand. The lady in the host station was the server that brought my food. I waited behind a few customers and finally got my check ( I watched several other tables have their checks brought to their tables). Zero apology or even an acknowledgement about the wait, the horrible service...nothing. I guess the "wine-erita" should have been enough of a clue - but everyone in there was Hispanic so I figured they'd have decent food. But it was disappointing at best. The service was absolutely horrific and inexcusable. I would absolutely avoid this place. read more

Horrible horrible ... gave me a completely wrong order then didn't want to refund me AT ALL... plus I had to drive all the way back over there to get the right food annoying .... read more

Came here for a quick bite on a Sunday. Was surprised there wasn't a wait. The food portions were generous and everything was tastey. The chips were on point! I had 2 tacos, and it was a perfect blend of pastor and cheese on a hand made tortilla. Service was friendly and attentive. The only reason this is not a 5 star, the albondigas soup was not near fresh, hut still good. Also my buddy ordered an steak plate expecting a steak, and it ended up being cut up pieces of asada. It was good and nice portion though. I would recommend this place. read more

Service was great, food was bland and drinks seemed watered down. Won't be coming back

Food was good, service ok but they used same thing for different dishes Carne asada plate is just the asada meat from the tacos I ordered a fish fillet and got the fish meat from the soup read more

Ambience is a bit dated but the food is very good. The albondigas soup is amazing comfort food. We enjoyed our Fajitas and the staff were real pros. read more

Me and my kids have been going here for years and have always loved the food and amazing service. Unfortunately we won't be going back due to the prices. Food is good but absolutely overpriced in my opinion. Me and my kids used to go here every Friday to celebrate making it through the week and me not wanting to cook. We would all get drinks, dinners, and dessert. Prices started increasing so we stopped getting drinks and just waters. Then skipping the dessert. Then cut it down from going weekly to going every other week. Then down to once a month. I understand inflation is a whole thing right now. But way too expensive here in my book. Andddd the fact that you have to pay for to go boxes and $3 extra if you want more chips than the tiny basket they bring you for 4 people... just outrageous. We had been super supportive of this establishment for yearssss... but unfortunately I think it's time to part ways unless they want to hire me to work part time to pay for our dinner . read more