Don't let the outside deter you from experiencing the best authentic Mexican cuisine in the area. You walk away hungry i would be surprised.

I've lived in Mexico in Columbia and I still love Latino food and culture. Growing up and Iowa City we played against West liberty and I always love that. This community had diversity opposed to every other adjacent redneck towns. Maybe I ordered the wrong thing but the enchilada rice and other things was nothing special or was the piña colada that felt no alcoholic. With all that being said, I thought it would at least be cheap but the prices were the same as Iowa City the drinks eight dollars in the meal about 15. read more

El Patio Restaurant - Complementary chips and salsa - Latin American Near Me - West Liberty, Iowa

Located just off Main Street in downtown West liberty El Patio offers free parking and easy access. We were able to call ahead and reserve a table because we had a large group and we are pleasantly greeted and seated. Restaurant is clean and festive. There seemed to be a challenge with service the night we were there, and looks like they may have been shorthanded. Their salsa is excellent and chips were pretty standard. The menu we were offered different from what was showing online, but most of the standards were the same and we had no problem getting what we wanted. Food was standard Mexican fare without anything exceptionally memorable. This location offers beer and margaritas, which were perhaps just a little too sweet and very little alcohol. We struggled to get water, despite ordering several times, and went dry with our tasty and fiery salsa! I noticed that a majority of the positive reviews are dated a few years back and wonder what has changed. I am always trying to be optimistic and might try this location again if there were no other options but probably would not go out of my way to come back here again. read more

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The food is super yummy, and the staff are delightful. They can accommodate large groups, which is a plus for my big family.

One of the best Mexican restaurants I've been to. The food was delicious, the service was decent and the price was good. The family and I will definitely stop again when we are in the area. I suggest the chorizo and egg burrito if you like chorizo. read more

The food here is great! I grew up not too far away, and every Wednesday night we got there chips and salsa to go. We always loved it. The service is great, and everyone is nice. It's always pretty quiet and nice in there. Sometimes the food takes awhile, but that comes with great food. read more

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Best Mexican food!! My favorite is their tortas!! Grew up in town so I've been fortunate to have them around. Share this spot to all my friends when they come by the area! read more

These adults (more not pictured) pretty much jumped my friends last night for no reason. And the owner was aware but did nothing But sat at the register. my friends and I are all under 130 pounds and no taller than 5'5 these women were doubling up to hit and drag My friends In the parking lot. I have been supporting el patio for over 10 years and they will never get mine or my families business again read more

El Patio Restaurant - Latin American Near Me - West Liberty, Iowa

I've always love going to here with my mother we know the owners and they are very kind and welcoming as always.

We've been hearing about El Patio for a year or so and we finally made the trek over to West Liberty. It was totally worth the trip as they've got the best classic and Americanized Mexican we've had since I moved from Central Washington! A group of 4 started with some tacos for an appetizer. Very similar to Michoacana in Iowa City, but the tortillas are better here. The list of meats isn't as exhaustive, but it's more than you'll need and they are incredible! It's the sort of place you take a bite and then high five your waitress. For a main course my better half had a Chimichanga - the first decent one we've had in 4 years! The folks here got the memo that cheese sauce doesn't belong on this Mexican delight! I had a chalupa and an enchilada to test the classic waters - there was no looking back. When I took a bite of my chicken chalupa, it was like happiness had laid a golden egg in my mouth! The enchilada was also a delight - key point, pork is available, but you have to ask for it. A carnitas enchilada is straight up Boss. As with Michoacana, the attached store has everything you need, if what you need is Takis, a Pinata or some Margarita mix. Truth be told, we bought some sweet bread and it was a nice ending to a great meal! Totally worth the drive to check this place out. Incredible food made by folks who actually know how to make it. read more

Restaurant with a mini grocery store attached. Pretty popular place by the looks of the full tables each time I've went. I had three tacos with asada, pastor, and chicken. All were very good and seasoned. You have a choice if authentic street style or American. So you can have it your way. The salsa and guacamole were pretty good. There is two house hot sauces that were pretty good, they are not too spicy though. This is a good spot if you are in town, they are a sit down place with a good menu. Only downside is that service can be very slow, had quite a wait each time I went here. read more

We're from Madison, WI and this rates right up there with the best Madison has to offer

I always have the carne asada tacos. Very authentic and very good service. Highly recommended

Good authentic Mexican food. Usually very busy. We order out from here a lot. Recommended. read more

Great service and food. Always continue to go back cause it addicting lol. Cheap as well too so you don't have to have much in your pockets... read more

You won't go wrong with El Patio. Excellent flavors and a charming atmosphere make for an enjoyable experience. They don't actually have a patio unfortunately, but the indoor seating is newly renovated and features unique artwork by a local artist, using characters based on a Mexican TV show El Chavo del Ocho. read more

The best Mexican food I've ever had. Cheap and authentic. I have been coming here since I was a child and it never disappoints

I always order the steak rojo with green sauce, it's really good. Could be the best Verde sauce anywhere. They don't miss any details down to the homemade tortilla chips and salsa with just alittle bite to it. Service is always friendly. read more

Authentic Mexican food! Salsa and guacamole is a must have. They only provide you with one complementary basket of chips and salsa, then you have to pay for it. The mexican tacos remind me of being back in Mexico and getting tacos off the street, very authentic and delicious! We love how reasonably priced the food is here. Just and FYI, they are closed on Wednesday's. read more

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My go to order at El Patio is their chicken, rice with the queso. So yummy! This restaurant may not look like much from the outside, but the gorgeous hand painted decor on the inside is beautiful! If you haven't tried this place you need too. You won't be disappointed!! read more

Great authentic Mexican food. Their salsa and chips are great straters but don't fill up. You will want to eat every last drop of food on your plate. I have tried almost everything on the menu and would recomend every thing but my faves are the tacos. There are a wide variety of meats to choose from(chicken is fab) and they will fill you up! Try a combo or specialty plate to mix it up. And dont forget to eat the beens and rice. read more

El Patio Restaurant - New seating:) plenty of room for large parties. - Latin American Near Me - West Liberty, Iowa

Con: We had a really long wait for our food. Pros: Everything else! I had the the Al Pastor Mexican style taco. It pretty much ruin all other tacos for me. Delicious!!!! Even though it took time for us to get the food, the server was attentive and brought a refill of chips and salsa and more drinks when we asked. read more

Well worth the trip to West Liberty. We had a terrific meal at El Patio. Flautas for my wife, chicken mole for me. Very tasty. Hot weather spell, and it was a little warm inside, but not unbearable. Busy. If you intend to go to the movies at New Strand, allow a little more then an hour for dinner. (If a larger party than two, you probably need at least 1.5 hours to be safe. We were only 2 and had a full hour, but still had to hurry!) read more

El Pateo is a very nice restaurant with authentic (overly authentic in my opinion) food I really liked this restaurant for its environment and friendly staff. Unfortunately even mild food is VERRY spicy for me for it didn't sit well. If you can handle hot food, go for it! read more

Where do i start, the staff was very helpful and delightful. The food was super good, although i wouldn't mind a bigger glass of iced tea, the refills sufficed!! Being away from home, it's hard finding mexican food i like, that being said, had a shrimp coctail very good and ballanced. I then ordered tacos, tacos, and an order of tacos to go for later!! Being from Tex-mex roots, i ordered my tacos of carne asada, lengua(cows tongue), and tripas(cow intestine, an acquired taste). I ordered them "mexican style" chopped onion, cilantro, and avocado. I was amazed by the tripas an often difficult dish to prepare, even in the south, needles to say my togo order was of tripas, and lengua! If ever in the area i will gladly come back , heck i may even route myself a little out of the way to eat here. Keep up the great work read more

If I were rating the tacos, this would be an easy five star restaurant--they are phenomenal (be sure to have them the Mexican way--meat, cilantro, onions, a slice of avocado, and a spritz of lime juice)--the best in Eastern Iowa that I have had, and we have some fgood places--the pastor is my favorite, but they have the traditional lengua and cabeza that a more main stream place might shy away from. The tortas and the enchiladas are excellent as well. Less stellar are the refired beans--very disappointing--the quesadillas, and the chili rellenos. The chips and salsa are great, and don't forget to ask for the bottles of red and green salsa to go with the tacos! read more

I always have to visit this place when I am visiting my family in Iowa. I love their tortas and their tacos. They also have really great chips and salsa. Their prices are extremely reasonable and the service is good. It is a no-frills place (half of the space is a restaurant, half is a grocery store), but it has awesome food. read more

West Liberty was Iowa's first town to have a majority Latino population, and thus you might expect uncommonly good Mexican restaurant offerings for a small town in Iowa. El Patio delivers. My wife usually orders tostadas, which they do exceptionally well. I gravitate toward vegetarian chalupas, which are also excellent (both of us marvel at the generous topping of fresh avocado). And while you're waiting on your main order, it's also worth splurging on the queso. We also discovered, upon having our first child, that the kids menu Mexican dishes are very good, very affordable, and much more generous than is par for kids meals. They don't try less hard when making food for young diners. The service is really prompt and friendly. West Liberty has other good Mexican options (we hear Gabby's is excellent), but we feel so loyal that El Patio that we pretty much exclusively go there when in West Liberty. read more

Literally the best Mexican food I've ever had, this place is amazing and I will go back next week fersure

Delicious! Carne asada is td4... Pastor tacors are another favorite.

Best Mexican place in town. If you want to experience authentic, this is the place to go. There is a reason why El Patio has bee open for many years and has a good standing with the local community. I highly encourage anyone to try a burrito and or the tacos. Regardless of what you get I'm sure it will be 5 star quality. read more

My family and I are regulars here. The tacos carne asada are great Mexican style. My father is a huge fan of the tostadas. The ground beef burritos are pretty good as well. The refried beans and rice are kind of bland, and the salsa is lackluster. It can be very busy (with a long wait) depending on when you come. The attached grocery is a good place to pick up Jarritos, but avoid the pastries; they tend to be stale. All in all good, cheap food. read more

I lived here and still visit for authentic Mexican food. I love their Tostadas, Tacos,and more.They are a family owned restaurant. Has a grocery store, and other items to purchase. read more

This place totally sucked. Service was the worst I have ever seen. They had teenage kids as servers who were more interested in other things other than waitressing. Ordered two tacos which took 25 minutes to get and only because I had to tell them they were sitting on counter ready to go. They were cold. Flavoring was horrible which didn't help. Highly do NOT recommend this place. Rather go two blocks up the street to Gabys burritos. I actually only give half a star. read more

Great margaritas! Always have the best food at great prices! New item on the menu gorditas they are amazing!!!

Our favorite Mexican restaurant by far! The tostadas and mexican style tacos are my favorites. Delicious food and informal. Their salsa is great too. Only drawback is no margaritas... read more