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    El Patio - Elgin

    4.0 (81 reviews)
    ModerateBars, Mexican, Empanadas
    Closed 12:00 pm - 9:00 PM

    El Patio - Elgin Photos

    EL PATIO - ELGIN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating

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    Enchiladas rojas
    Marta M.

    Definitely delicious! First time here so I wanted to try a few different taco options. Had a taste of the quesabirria and the meat was very tender, melt in your mouth for sure. The flavor of the consomme was great. I ordered the cachetada (steak) taco, fish taco, and grilled shrimp taco with rice and beans. Everything was very flavorful and tasty. The tortillas were soft and perfect temp. The chimichurri on the steak taco had a good kick and the sauce paired nicely on breaded fish taco with mango pico. The caramelized and pickled onions were also perfectly matched with each of the dishes. It all tasted very fresh, which I love! My BF ordered the enchiladas and he said the Rojas with the chicken was excellent. The interior had a very chill vibe and it wasn't too busy for a Tues around 7pm. Our server was nice and service was prompt. Didn't try any of the drinks but the menu looked like it had several different margarita and specialty cocktail options. We will be back!

    3 tacos
    Dan N.

    We have had this place on our radar for some time, they had the farmers market in the back along the river and it looked like a fun place. It was a rainy wednesday and my wife wanted to go here for her Birthday. There were only one or 2 other tables full when we got there, the inside is smaller then I expected and they have some cool murals painted on the walls. The table salas are very good, the waitress told us the creamy Verde is very hot...it's really not but I did really love it. It's cool that they served a red, a more traditional verde and I assume a creamy avocado salsa. We also got Margaritas my wife got a classic and I got Coco/Pineapple...it didn't dawn on me at the time that Coco was coconut, with i'm not the biggest fan of, but it was very good, my wife was not as impressed with the classic, it was good but nothing special. On to our entrees my wife got 3 tacos Mushroom, Octopus and Steak and I got enchiladas verdes, they only come in chicken again, not my favourite but no big deal. My wife's tacos came and we waited and waited and finally i had to get up and ask about my food and then she finally brought it. The service was slow and inattentive at best. My enchiladas were flat out COLD....but amazing. I didn't care that they were cold or chicken or had way too much pickled onion, they were amazing. Even the beans and rice were separated by a big mound of pickled onions. I like pickled onions and maybe they were trying to use tham upm or something, but everything had just too much. My wife liked all her tacos until she got to the steak, its was the best taco she ever ate. I had a small taste and the meat had huge flavor, so we will be back for Tacos. Again trying to get the check took too much time and then I just paid on Toast and there was no one to be found, so we just left. The service was not good, but the food was pretty great.

    Rachel A.

    The first time here, we came from Chicago because we saw them on TikTok. Parking nearby and close to the casino and the river. The restaurant is very pretty and seemed to have a pretty big space, but I didn't see the upstairs or patio. We were seated right away. They seemed busy even though it was still pretty early in the day, and what we ordered came out quickly, and everything was pretty good. The only things to mention were that we were seated in a high-top table, near the window, and it wasn't very comfortable because the space was small, wish we could have had a booth with more room for us but seemed like most were full. Also, we were celebrating a birthday, but there was no way to let anyone know since no reservations can be made or any notice given on the website. Also, our server was nice, and he did check both our IDs when we ordered our drinks first but never said anything about my birthday or anything, and I had to keep asking a few times just to get ice water and didn't get it (only 1 for 2 people) until we asked for the check. Might come back, if ever in the area.

    Menu
    Michelle D.

    Amazing food & atmosphere. Gets busy at dinner time in the weekends so expect a wait. We've been here twice and ordered tacos, fajitas and burritos; everything has been so good! Highly recommend!

    pig grill with meats on top and quesadillas inside!!
    Lisa B.

    Drinks are inconsistent, but the Food is delicious. It got chilly whenever someone walked into the restaurant (due to the seating layout) Service is good and can handle parties well. Fun spot for parties (they serve this huge pig shaped grill with all the meats on top).

    Fresh guacamole and complementary salsas.
    Rich M.

    Excellent service, margaritas from scratch and food extremely good. Give it it shot, I don't think k you will be disappointed.

    Chips and salsa were good. Only ate one bite though.
    Kathleen L.

    The restaurant is very nicely decorated. When we sat down the waitress brought us chips and salsa and it was really good. She gave us water glasses and they had lipstick stains on them. We asked for a pitcher of water and it was all sticky... so we just got up and left. So sad we won't be back.

    Kim M.

    We went back again today and while the food was still fantastic, our second round of tequila shots was a pineapple color. When we inquired about why our tequila wasn't the same color as the first round we were told that because the tequila had been chilled, it had turned that color. Yes, it's magic tequila that changes colors! We have been avid tequila drinkers for several years and did not feel like pushing further on it because honestly that's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. $60 for 2 actual tequila shots and 2 whatever the heck those were. Give me a break.

    Outside seating

    Qusabirria tacos were amazing, I went with my family who was visiting and they were impressed. The green avocado salsa is fire. I saw they had a mariachi today and went back and it was magical. What a gem in Elgin, we are lucky to have. The music from the mariachi was the most amazing and the servers were attentive and kind.

    Salsa(s) tray.
    Mark D.

    We'd only been on the outside patio until now but last night we finally sat in the recently opened dining room. It's a small restaurant and was plenty busy on a Monday night. Table service was impeccable. We had a few different tacos, all excellent. The cocktails were long poured, not pre-made. We'll definitely be back; great experience.

    Shrimp Taco
    Lindsay J.

    Love! El Patio is legit!!! Went to the Elgin farmer's market and got introduced to El Patio, so glad we stopped. I ordered the fish taco, got shrimp, it was fine, still delicious! So many great toppings! My friend got the special steak tacos, the shells were cooked with cheese on the outside. She loved them, she actually said they were the best tacos she can remember ever eating. They bring you chips and a salsa trio, gratis!!! We were so excited! That happens less and less these days. The salads were full with of flavor, we loved them, and the chips were nicely cooked. We both got the original margarita, not the best ever, but great! The servers are awesome, everyone was very friendly, and we really enjoyed our experience. I believe El Patio is now open regular hours, and although our outdoor dining experience was awesome, the inside looked cool as well. The bathroom was open inside, and it was clearly remodeled. I took a peak at everything inside, and they did a nice job remodeling this location. Great addition to downtown Elgin! Go support them!

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    11 months ago

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    2 years ago

    What a pleasant surprise! My Goddaughter and I went there and had a fun experience! Food was great and the atmosphere was such a cool vibe!

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    2 years ago

    Great food and fun atmosphere. Definitely will be going back again. Julie was our waitress and she was super nice.

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

    I had the taco dinner and it was delicious! The ambiance was also great, so much energy and good music. Service is friendly and attentive.

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Great food and service. Plus the owners are super nice too! Our drinks were good and everything on their menu sounds so good.

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Had a fabulous time. Great food, drinks and atmosphere! The Marranada presentation is so fun! Recommend this restaurant wholeheartedly!!

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    3 years ago

    Food is great!!! Service fantastic!! View was great. I will recommend this restaurant!!!

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    3 years ago

    Karen hace las mejores bebidas y las cervezas bien frias y ella es muy hamable y la camida muy rica !

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    El Patio - Elgin - bars - Updated September 2026

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