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    El Patio Del Rio

    3.1 (50 reviews)
    ModerateBuffets, Mexican
    Open 6:00 am - 8:00 pm

    El Patio Del Rio Photos

    EL PATIO DEL RIO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - El Patio Del Rio

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    My favorite: tostadas!
    D G.

    Everything was great! Authentic freshly made food and tortillas. Staff was super friendly. I have nothing regrets except to say that I wish I could've eaten more! Make sure to go with a big appetite there is so much to choose from.. and the price is super reasonable. Will definitely come back!

    Buffet Stop #1: refried beans, rice, enchilada, french fries (don't judge), open taco and a big ol' grilled jalapeno.
    Paul J.

    What is there to eat on a Sunday night in Del Rio, Texas? Luckily we found El Patio Del Rio. The staff were friendly and we all decided to go with the buffet because we were starving and wanted something quick. Decent, well-cooked Tex-Mex food. I had rice, beans, refried beans, enchiladas, open-faced tacos, french fries, corn bread, a grilled jalapeno, and fideo (vermicelli noodles in broth). El Patio Del Rio takes safety seriously, so the staff serve the buffet items onto your place. The portions are generous, and they encourage you to step up to the buffet as many times as you'd like. I probably would've eaten more, but I was stuffed halfway through the second plate. They had a nice little salad buffet and an ice cream nook, but I just didn't have the room. So, when everything else is closed on Sunday, stop by El Patio Del Rio for a good, filling buffet.

    Chorizo and bean is what I ordered. NOT what I received as my order. If I wanted a bean taco, I would've ORDERED a bean taco.
    Susan A.

    It's a shame that the local community has to accept this kind of quality as their standard where local restaurants set high high prices for very low quality product and service.

    Front
    Cliff B.

    This was my first time to El Patio Del Rio, and most likely my last. I chose this restaurant at random because their parking lot was packed which is usually a good sign. However I was disappointed with what was offered on the buffet. They offered traditional ox tail soup, noodle soup (sopa de fideos) which had nothing in it except for noodles and was quite salty (and I like salty!); bean and cheese tostadas, chicken flautas, charro beans, refried beans, Mexican rice, Texan style enchiladas (gross), chicken fried steak with gravy (no mashed potatoes), ribs, fried chicken strips, a Mexican style chicken in salsa (very soupy), and some fruit and salad. I was expecting more authentic Mexican food. If I had wanted chicken fried steak, BBQ ribs or chicken strips I could've gone to the Sirloin Stockade. I was expecting mole, chiles rellenos, and other Mexican dishes more than tostadas, flautas (mostly fried rolled tortillas), and soupy chicken. What they had was subpar in comparison to other Americanized "Mexican" restaurants I've been to. Even San Antonio's La Cabana is way better. I also felt that the buffet was way overpriced for what you get. One redeeming factor was that my server was friendly, did her job well and kept my ice tea filled. The decor was nice, but it was quite loud and a television in the corner was playing Mexican soap operas. I would not bring my wife for a date here even if the food was better. In spite of my less than satisfactory experience the locals seem to love it. If you go just don't expect all Mexican food nor authenticity.

    Chicken enchiladas

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    2 years ago

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    12 days ago

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    4 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

    Staff was so welcoming! The food was amazing and they really take care of you i'm glad we picked this place

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    1 year ago

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    5 years ago

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    2 years ago

    It was ok I didn't expect a buffet so I was a bit surprised and it's a bit limited with food options

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    4 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Good food good service happy faces My husband loves it too. Also nice and clean will definitely go back

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    5 years ago

    1st time here. They had a little bit of everything. Looking for a home cooked meal, this is the place.

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    8 years ago

    Decent buffet at an affordable price. Selection is minimal. Food is fresh but nothing spectacular. Service was good. Very Tex Mex.

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    8 years ago

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    6 years ago

    We ordered Menudo, but our order had uncooked meat with chunks of fat. It was disgusting. We were VERY disappointed!

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    11 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    13 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    16 years ago

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    11 years ago

    Made a Valentine's Day reservation. When I got there they had put candy and two roses on the table for my date with out being asked.

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    14 years ago

    Great Mexican buffet. Friendly service. Convenient location. Will return if in the area again.

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    7 years ago

    Best food in town and their caldo In the buffet hit the spot.very nice atmosphere and staff

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    7 years ago

    The food was good. Small portions. They don't offer free chips and salsa with your meal. Service extremely slow

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - El Patio Del Rio

    Is it buffet only or do they offer a menu?

    Buffet!

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    Review Highlights - El Patio Del Rio

    I had beef and cheese enchiladas (okay) and chicken enchiladas suizas (muy delisioso!) Rice and beans (refried and charro) were great.

    $6.99 Enchiladas Suizas

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    Molcajetes

    Molcajetes

    3.8
    (61 reviews)
    0.7 mi

    First time I came was a few months ago, when they were still at the other location. Today I…read morereturned with some friends in their new place. Better located on Veterans Blvd. in the view of many that drive by. The parking is a big improvement as the restaurant is too. A spacious dining area and a separate area with a bar. They are still getting 2 other rooms ready, but this move is a big upgrade for sure. The food is delicious, and the service by Alexis superb. I had a great time again here. Before we left we received a quick tour of the part that is still under construction. Wish them all the best with this move.

    From the moment I walked in I had a great dining experience - the staff, the drinks, and…read moreespecially the food! I like to order the specialty dish, in this case the Molcajete. It came out with that delightful sizzling sound with steam coming off the top. I had the small Molcajete since I was by myself. There was more than enough food, and I took the rest back to my room. The charro beans were the best I've had. The flour tortillas were really good also. The red and green salsas that came the the chips were both legit. The red is very hot, but really good. The chips were a toss up because I was an early customer, I think was given a mix of fresh and day old chips. I wasn't feeling my inner Karen so I didn't say anything. I didn't want them filling me up before the Molcajete anyway. Overall, Amazing! I highly recommend.

    Photos
    Fresh Tortillas made
    Fresh Tortillas made
    Eggs & Chicharrón
    Eggs & Chicharrón
    Menudo

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    Menudo

    El Patio Del Rio - buffets - Updated July 2026

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