Service was great! Food was good, too. I ordered the potato taco and beef taco plate. Wasn't totally impressed with the potato taco. Was a little bland. The shredded beef taco in the flour tortilla was supposed to be what they are known for. Wasn't really impressed with that either. But the service was just awesome and the beer was cold! Was definitely a locals place. When we walked in, the front area was very busy and there were others waiting. We wondered if this was all the seating and one of the locals to the back patio. Very friendly people... guests and workers! read more

The people are super nice and the food is plentiful. The servings are huge! But for the price I ask for a little faster service, a little more flavor, and a litttle more authentic mexican flavor. It was a little too cheesy and bland, although my hubby ordered the halibut tacos and they were more on point. Could have used more fresh flavors like a pico de gallo or fresh salsa. read more

I hadn't been here in a while and it's not a place I would usually pick as a first or even second choice to eat out. Circumstances beyond our control lead us there. Here is my opinion. This place has always had a rabid local following. It is crowded on certain days and evenings and a great place to grab a bite that is reasonably priced. But is it a " good or great" restaurant? I would rate it fair. Foods OK. Service can be hit or miss. Last night we had excellent service but there was hardly anyone there and parties were leaving and it was 30 minutes before closing time. I have been there when service was poor. If your not a rabid local who loves this place and your looking for really good food, I would find another restaurant. read more

Stopped in for lunch and enjoyed everything about it! Comfortable surroundings, a great breakfast burrito, excellent chips and salsa and super tasty guacamole. Can't wait to come back and try something else. It's easy to see why the El Patio Cafe has been in existence for as long as it has been-it's that good! read more

Good chips and salsa. Good cheese enchilada. Good but bland burrito. Amazing, homey atmosphere with the best waitresses in the world. The chile relleno is awful. Having said all that, I probably eat here more often than any other place. read more

Excellent service and excellent food. They even gave us a free sample of their wine margaritas, I will certainly come back in the future!

BLAND OVER PRICED FOOD. Took a chance on this place based on its 4 star rating. We were very underwhelmed. Halibut tacos were very bland and overpriced. Chips were bland and salsa was like tomato sauce. The draft beers were $4.25 and in a tiny glass that was definitely not even 12 oz. We feel like we got ripped off. read more

Amazing Amazing Amazing food!!! A local gem to be cherished and I will be back every time I'm in town!

Staff was fairly nice, they were pretty busy. But I wasn't WOWed by this place, I wouldn't come back here. We came for taco Tuesday but their special is only for the carne asada steak tacos. 2 out of the 4 of us that came don't eat red meat so we were pretty disappointed. The only other meat offered is chicken. They only service fish on Fridays and Sundays... Anyways, overall it was ok. But I will not be back read more

Great service but food was not great. It was very bland. I'm not big for spicy food, but they could add more seasoning. We were a large party and ordered a variety of food from tacos, enchiladas and carne asada all with rice and beans. All of us pretty much agreed it was flavorless. We won't be coming back. Not sure why this had so many 5 stars, maybe since it's a local place they have loyal customers. read more

Mexican food is not my first choice. But this place is quickly changing my mind. Their tacos are un freaking believeable. I had one shrimp taco and one chicken and one wahoo. What can I say but every one was better than the next. Fresh and authentic. The rice and beans are spot on. They served us a cup of chicken tequilla soup that was so good I got weak in the knees. The wait staff are so sweet and friendly. Its a cool vibe in there. You can tell they love what they do. pThis place makes me happy Because you dont have to go to chipolte to get mexican food. BTW Mcdonalds corp owns chipolte. so that should scare anyone. read more

Been going here about 4 years now. Love the staff! Love the food! Everyone treats you like family. Super fun to hang out at. Great live music on the patio. TVs and jukebox inside. Go there whenever I am in the OC. read more

Food is awesome. Everything is reasonably priced. The portions are huge. The building looks run down, but it is clean and well kept inside.

Killer taco Tuesday special!! The food is awesome!! Service is Moms kitchen style!! I love this place!!

It is what it is, and if you take it for what it is is is awesome! You have to try the chicken tacos in the flour shell. Not authentic, not fine dining, but great food at good prices, and whole it can get busy you usually get good service. It is kid friendly and did I mention the flour shell chicken tacos? read more

Stopped here unexpectedly on a recent trip to the area. LOVED the vibe, and Teresa, our server, was an absolute delight. My husband and I are both vegetarians and Teresa graciously walked us through menu items that were veggie approved. Cute spot for a quick bite, or a laid back date. We will go back next time we are in the area. read more

The quintessential awesome restaurant that all the locals know and love. Great food and fantastic service. A family-owned restaurant that is not only family-friendly, but makes you feel like a part of the family. read more

Used to come every Friday. Haven't been in awhile but the fish taco dinner is the best around. The chips are sold locally (Las Golandrinas) and its got a funky little enclosed patio thats good for big dinner parties. read more

Charming experience ... elbow to elbow with local Dana Point people ... enjoyed chicken and bean burritos and Friday night special tacos ( one Mahi Mahi & one Schrimp). Cashiers (Joyce) made us feel very welcome as we paid. -- debit cards, cash or checks - no credit cards. Will stop back again. read more

Fantastic service. Welcoming waitress. Everyone enjoyed their meals. Tacos and cheese enchiladas were wonderful.

We have so many wonderful family memories at this restaurant It's a family operation, and everyone is very friendly. We love the Mexican food. My kids love the fried tacos. Enchiladas are great also. They have a nice indoor section and an outdoor section. try it you'll like it. read more

Very rude waitress that completely ruined the experience of a seemingly authentic and thriving Mexican restaurant. Poor experience overall.

The food is amazing. Real, homemade, Mexican food. The staff are amazing. Our waitress had my 5 year old daughter dancing around the patio after she ate. This is one of my favorite places to eat. read more

Best Mexican food in Dana Point! And the staff is amazing.

El Patio Cafe made our date night very special. The food is great and service is fantastic. The patio is perfect for summertime dining. It has that off-the-beaten-track feeling and transforms you back to simpler times. read more

if there was a 0 star review, that's what they would have gotten. service is poor, we were treated as if we were an inconvenience to them, our server acted as if she never worked here before and said she didn't know anything. it took 10 minutes just to get our menus, no one asked what we wanted to drink for awhile after that. the lady got mad because we called the "beef" tacos carne asada then dropped the plate in front of us laughing. we asked for 1 salsa and received 2 and they never told us it cost money, and also asked for 1 chicken plate of tacos and received too. I will not be returning. read more

WOW!!!! If I never came back here... I wouldn't care! Food was good but came out so hot that it burned my tongue. I guess you can see that as a plus but a warning would have been nice. We had made a reservation on Taco Tuesday for 7 and when we got there, they told us nobody had made a reservation for 7 and that we needed to wait. Well what's funny is after we talked to a different lady, the lady who told us to wait copped to it saying she did get the call. I was more than beyond pissed off. We went out back and saw a table for 6 and I suggested that they put us there and pull a chair over. They refused! Then after 10 more minutes of waiting, they did exactly like I told them to do earlier! What! The best part of this was that we rarely got checked on and that when the group wanted to split the bill 2 ways. They asked ME to divide it by 2. My phone had just died so I asked for a piece of paper. They got rude and ended up just doing it. GET A CALCULATOR!!! Customers should not be dividing things for you! Go to Olamendi's or La Siesta in San Clemente... you'll have a better experience! read more

Cute place, very friendly staff. The food was good, big portions, guacamole was soo good. We'll be eating there again on our trip back.

My family has been eating here for 28 years and until this evening it has been a top pick for south Orange County Mexican food for us. My wife and I ordered; 2 potato tacos for her and a potato taco and shrimp taco for me. I tried to order something that is not on the menu but for all these years they were happy to make. A shrimp burrito. They have tortillas and shrimp so what was the big deal this evening?..... Well the owner this evening was waiting our table! When she put the tortillas and hot sauce down there was a left over piece of onion on the rim of the hot sauce from another meal. When I asked for another, well that put us in the dog house. She was perturbed and let me know it. Each time she filled a soda it was evident she was doing us a favor! Although they appears "normal" for a Saturday night the owner seemed like the wheels were coming off. As for the food; damn nasty! The potato tacos usually to die for had a funky flavor and the shrimp tacos were terrible. There was a spoiled odor coming off the plate and shredded lettuce and we never saw the owner for the last 15 minutes of the meal while trying to get the bill. Advice; run. It will be a long time if ever we return. After without exaggeration over a hundred visits the past 28 years what a shame. Bad food is one thing. Poor service on top of it double no no. From the owner, no way!!! read more

My experience here is an odd one. I am a san clemente native so I have eaten here several times before the food always being good and a bit overpriced. I was craving some of their chicken tortilla soup so I looked up their menu and called in to order some soup which said it was 4.45 and then a wet bean and cheese burrito which stated it was about 6 bucks. When I went to pick it up the lady told me 18.80! I was taken aback like nearly 20 bucks for some soup and a burrito?! I would feel terrible leaving the food I ordered without paying so I felt I had no choice, I paid. The wet bean and cheese burrito was really yummy and I was craving another one so I called and ordered this time I asked how much the total would be over the phone and she said (same lady as before) 6.75! OOOkay so why was it 18.80 last time? When I questioned her at the first purchase she told me the soup was 6...okay not as advertised...and the bean and cheese burrito was 6 plus 3.50 for enchilada sauce...but somehow the second time it was 6.75? I am pretty sure she just pocketed the extra as a tip which is very sketchy and I will not be returning read more

Great food. Chips and salsa were good I thought. Middle aged woman was the best server I had in some time. Dinners were delicious. Most expensive meal was 13. I was very happy with our food. read more

While the waitress was nice, the price for average Mexican food was a bit high. Also beware that it is cash or debit card only. Was a bit surprised. read more

The one and only Lucy's El Patio Café is a small local restaurant with great service and food that keeps customers coming back time after time. The restaurant, painted bright pink and electric blue, sits on a street corner with a giant neon 50's sign out front saying, "El Patio Café Mexican Food." This local landmark attracts hundreds of locals every week and catches the eyes of anyone who drives down Doheny Park Road in Capistrano Beach, CA. El Patio is the place for anyone wanting to sit down and have a casual and classic meal served with a smile. The restaurant offers inside seating at booths, bar, or tables as well as seating on the famous outdoor patio (do not worry, it has heaters and an overhead canopy for those cold and windy nights). Inside the jukebox and vintage pictures take you on a journey to when the locals in their Woodies with 10ft long boards strapped to the top lined up at Lucy's after a day at Killer Dana. I myself have been a local and therefore a regular at El Patio for as long as I could remember. The pink walls filled with an eclectic assortment of décor forever accompany the memories of the smiles every time you are served your meal. I went into this restaurant with fresh eyes and for the first time in my life I actually opened a menu. The well arranged menu offers simple but classic options to choose from. Appetizers, soup, a la carte meals, full meals, sides, drink, desserts, and of course the specials. But first of all, the Lucy's experience is always started off with an addicting bowl of tortilla chips and a dish of spicy salsa, or a choice of mild salsa for any of those who cannot handle it. From years of experience I more than recommend that you order a cup of their daily soup. Never in my life has an El Patio soup special let me down. To accompany the daily soup, there is a daily special menu. I recommend that you visit on a Friday so you can experience the hallowed Halibut taco. The Lucy's tradition is the absolute favorite of all costumers. It includes fresh halibut topped with the most complementing ingredients, like refreshing lettuce and an amazing taco sauce. A crispy flour tortilla shell gives the taco a delicate texture as a symphony of crunch emits from the flour tortilla every time you take a bite. El Patio Café has made this taco popular for almost 50 years. You have not truly visited Dana Point until you have had one of these tacos. For years I have always ordered the same cheese quesadilla al la carte. I decided to mix it up and try a tropical quesadilla this time. Never would I have ever thought that a quesadilla with pineapple sandwiched in between the gobs of stringy cheese would have tasted as good as it did. The sweet pineapple complemented the saltiness of the cheese and created such a unique and unexpected flavor. It was almost indescribable except for the explanation that it is how El Patio does a Hawaiian pizza! I would try it again some time when I get the chance! I shared my tropical quesadilla with my dad that night for only one reason- he shared with soup with me and I couldn't help but eat most of it! The unforgettable tortilla soup was good enough to order two just for myself if I was planning on eating only that for the whole night. Once the steam stopped billowing from the cup I immediately asked my dad for a small taste. A small taste soon turned into, "Can I have the rest?" The soup wasn't just good for its flavor. The vegetables were soft and give a great overall flavor and flair to the soup. The soup's texture was mainly given by the stringy chicken that was mixed in among the veggies. The array of flavors makes it one of the best appetizers at El Patio by far. My favorite part is crunching chips into the soup to give it the ultimate texture. I always let them soften a little bit in the creamy broth before I dig in, it gives it that final touch making the soup complete. It is one of those things that can make a good meal great! Lucy's keeps it classy. It is a one of a kind restaurant that is unforgettable for its, atmosphere, service, and of course its food. So what else can I tell you about Lucy's? Many things but if you really want to know what it is like, you have to experience it for yourself! read more

Service was excellent, very friendly and attentive. Food could use a little more seasoning, rice and beans were both a little dry/overcooked. We love Mexican food and were hoping to find a great joint, but this place was just ok. read more

A Capo Beach landmark serving great food forever. Kid friendly--especially on the patio.

I stopped in to have dinner on a whim. I had never heard of the place, just saw it driving by. I am rather picky when it comes to food. Although I am not a professional cook I am a very good cook and love complex flavors. Of course the first thing I notice is the flavor of the salsa. Salsa here was very basic and not much heat. The flavor was ok and at least it wasnt watered down so you could at least pick up some favor. The chips were standard,cold, pre cooked fare.I almost always try the standard beef taco and cheese enchilada combo plate on my first trip. The beans were nicley done and the mexican rice wasnt bad. The taco was fair to good, however the shell was not crispy. The shredded beef was ok but didnt have really a whole lot a flavor. The thing that stood out for me was the enchilada sauce. I really like a traditional style enchilada sauce made with chilies, chicken broth and lard. (Much like you get in Arizona, some call it Sonoran style) This was the closest Ive found in Southern Ca. to this type of flavor. I dont like the usual tomato based fare most CA based restarants serve. My guess is I will try this restarant again just for the enchilada sauce. Place is a little on the high price side for what you get. My thought is if there is something that you really like here its ok, I just dont think its good enough to be your goto Mexican restarant on a weekly basis. read more

It is sad seeing all the negative reviews on this place. This place is a nice place to visit. Has a lot of history as well its Been there forever and has an awesome outside area to eat in the back.. Food is great. Service is great. They will have my business. read more

This place rocks, 50+ years same location, same family owners, same recipes. As a local and I have been going here for years an LOVE the food. Yes, they do not take credit cards, bring some money. Friday is Halibut fish Tacos, Thursday is Carnitas (the best). The owner is Jack, say hello the guy has worked there since his mother ran the place 40 plus years ago. I go a lot and love it! read more

Best Mexican food around! Been coming here for over 25 years. Always welcoming and a pleasure to eat here. Everything on the menu is amazing. Joyce is a great waitress and has gotten to know my family after all of these years. I highly recommend El Patio! read more

This is a tradition in Capo Beach. The service is great and the food is great. Home cooked Mexican food. Been coming here for 25+ years.