I thought I'd check this place out because it had good reviews , oh boy was I disappointed . The service was okay , the waitress only checked on us once . It's not like you can miss us the place is so tiny . The food was horrible . It's wasn't Authentic at all . But then I noticed what type of people were eating there and yeah no Hispanics . Sorry but if there's a Mexican restaurant and there isn't Hispanics eating there that's kind of a red flag for me . read more

Very nice place and the service is great Adriana, Albis, and Nativida were very nice and friendly..I am definitely going to be back!

If you never had me mexican food in your life you would say its good. It was ok not nasty and not the best. The margarita did its job nice buzz. The salsa sucks needs to be blended. Lets say its not like San Diego mexican food read more

very good food, i feel that the service is kinda slow but it is a very small spot.

Excellent customer service and great food. Louis the manager was very helpful and accommodating!! Rented out the banquet for a bridal shower and it was a great success! read more

What a cute small town feel to this place. Nicely done classic Mexican dishes and a very attentive staff. The two taco plate was very good. I will definitely be back. read more

Would NOT recommend to go to this place. Found a hair in the salsa they gave. Server admitted it must have been from one of the workers. Gave us a %off on our check. Which isn't the complaint; however, the food is not authentic AT ALL. The server took our order of 2 first but put in the order of a table of 10 before ours for which we had to wait 15-20 mins to just get our margaritas and food. A man with a to-go order put his order first;however, the other table of 10 got their order before everyone. (Of course, the to-go order gentlemen was upset as well). Everything seems pre made and the dishes are just warmed up. Our food was just warmish and still a little cool. They are busy but I think it's because of their reasonable prices. Servers are nice. We went to this place based on others reviews. If you do go, go for the cheap drinks($5 margs.. Not bad).. I would not recommend the food. The chicken was very dry! The beans and salsa were relatively decent. Salsa was whatever as well. We went based on others reviews and the star-value; however, we did not meet this restaurant up to par. read more

The food is good. The only thing this place needs to improve is the waiting staff, they always seen disorganized and overworked.

A neighborhood favorite of ours for its great service and fairly tasty food, VERY inexpensive!

Excellent Mole Chicken!!! The Best Ever! The girls and I had a nice lunch for a fair price. The Chicken Mole was the favorite! Chile Colorado came in second! Everything was very fresh. The service was very nice and friendly. We're going back again! read more

this place has a lot of things going for it. cute place in a nice area. friendly staff and quick service. my first time in most mexican restaurants i usually have their crispy shredded beef taco & cheese enchilada plate (most places have this combo). their taco wasn't the best, beef was dry. but the enchilada was really great. their salsa caddy was a very nice touch. overall i gave it 3 stars because the food reminded me of el coyote's (which i also give 3 stars) food which is pretty "gringo friendly". read more

Authentic food. Great prices. Love this place. Little gem in Altadena. A must go!! It's small so don't go when it's busy or be ready to wait

Food is so good and fresh! Husband got birria. I got the Patron fajitas (mixed). We shared the El Patron appetizer (huge) and I got and horchata and he got a michelada. Everything from food to drinks were excellent. I can't believe I just visited till now! read more

The workers were very clumsy, the food was decent. The lady dropped her serving plate on me and the guy dropped my food on me. I do not recommend eating here. read more

Great food, great prices and great service. Family owned business who has become a real gem here in Altadena. We also love ordering from them whenever we plan on having a party. They're large food trays are reasonably priced and totally worth not dirtying up your kitchen. Me and my family LOVE El Patron!!! read more

Yum, street tacos!!! The place is a little small, but has very good tacos.

Let me start by saying that I eat ALL kinds of food, middle eastern, Italian, Asian, south American, indian food, sea food, that's just a few to give you an idea. My stomach can handle all kinds of food but I went to El Patron and I got sick over night and the next morning I had to go to the bathroom several times with a stomach ache. This food was really heavy and it made me kind of sick. For some reason most Mexican food from restaurants here in southern California make me really sick and the food feels so darn HEAVY. I don't know what chemicals or ingredients people use for Mexican food but I'm done eating Mexican because most of the time I feel super bloated after eating it and El Patron is no exception. I had a chile relleno and one cheese enchilada and that got me sick. Getting this sick with food is not a good sign at all so I can't recommend this restaurant. The waitresses were very nice but the food is NOT very good. read more

This place is decent. Great family run restaurant. Food is alright and the service is great.

Discovered this place today after hiking with friends. We all agreed that the food was super good, the prices extremely affordable, and the waitress was so funny. Will go back again soon. read more

We just moved into Altadena, and were looking for someplace local to feed our friends and movers. What a great find! Small, cozy, friendly joint, with excellent food and homemade salsas. Tasty, quick, and affordable. We have already been back twice at different times. Still same great service and food. If you are in the area, come here. You will not be disappointed. read more

Small space but good greasy Mexican food.

Most terrible food. Have tried coming 3 times ordered something different every time and was disappointed every time. Also bad service, No AC and they take regular customers before waiting customers. Worst Mexican food i've tasted, with no flavor. Go to Chiquita Bonita on Colorado Ave. read more

Good Food, nice wait staff and close to home! Yippppeee!

Family owned and run business--all the staff are family--who are friendly, generous, pleasant, patient --and they learn your name and preferences. Prices are remarkably low. Their fish taco is sensational as is their garlic butter fish filet dinner. I really enjoy their huevos rancheros and chiles rellenos. Its sort of a delicious, straightforward "home style" Mexican food. When we had the hurricane recently, and an extended power outage, they brought in a grill and made tacos and burritos when nothing else was available in Altadena. Also, they have consistently plowed money back into the place and have bit-by-bit upgraded it--paint, plants, decor, flat screen. Also they are slowly adding new menu items: wines, chocolate cake to the desserts, and more. Its a great neighborhood place and I am glad they came to town. read more

this place is great I think it is one of the best mexican restaruants in Pasadena, I just wish it was bigger , there is alwaya wait, but I did just find out that every Saturday Night El Patron sells $1,00 tacos in front of my favorite bar El Rancho with no wait so I will make sure to go have a cold beer and a few tacos every Saturday night if you have not been make sure to go read more

Great food and atmosphere. Loved the carne asada street tacos and the salsa was fresh.

Great food, usually can find parking in front. Can get busy during the rush hour. I love it here.

Count tell you how many times I ate there when I lived in the area. Carnitas street tacos are the way to go. Very friendly servers, they take the time to know your name. read more

Good food, great prices, nice people, and they are also very involved in community activities!

This place sucks omg were do i start their chips taste like oil. The salsa is horrible no flavor. I order flautus gross a mixture of chicken first bite i got was a string of black nerve. The horchate lack flavor. The tables and floors never seemed like their wipe down. Beans are not refried. Go to El Caporal in altadena or lupitas in pasadena read more

I had the wet burrito with carne asada. Was not disappointed! Good flavor of all the ingredients. The chips and salsa needed salt but that's minor and my preference. Service was good but they did mess up my friends order. But they fixed it quick and made sure to keep our drinks full. Best thing is the prices are good for what you get. read more

This is right around the corner from me so I frequent it often. They have good food, good service, always friendly. I usually get take out, and they are pretty busy but never mess up the order so props to them. read more

Absolutely horrible service tonight, food took forever, never received the beer or guacamole we ordered. Waitress only checked in us once. Will not come back. read more

Went for my birthday. No special treatment for that but we were a party of 7 and had a very nice dinner.

Cute place good food n price is reasonable. I've been coming here for yrs, recently food is not the same n staff greets n treats ( Caucasian)people better than us Hispanics I know bcuz the table across from us got seated after us n they also got their order taken n got food b4 us. it felt very uncomfortable.it seemed racial. read more

This is business I support wholeheartedly! Not only is their food great and inexpensive, it is served quickly and by delightful and invested people. Breakfast, lunch or dinner, the food is outstanding. And that's just the beginning. El Patron supports the community of Altadena, showing up dramatically in providing for us when the storm took out the power. El Patron hooked up a gas tank and served tacos on the street, a huge blessing to the thousands of us with no power, no refrigeration, etc. I can't say enough good things about them! Try it! My Pasadena friends come up HERE now for good Mexican food and great service! read more

I was born and raised in Jalisco, Mexico and I will tell you that this food is really authentic and within limited budgets. The owner, Alex is very attentive to his customers. Perhaps the best restaurant within a 20 mile radius. If you ever go just tell him you read Frank from the gym's review on Yelp. I am a regular there and just Love this place. Enjoy Authentic Mexican Cuisine!! read more

Great place. Parking can be fun at times but first restaurant to be successful in this location in a long time. The food is good, friendly staff, and good prices. read more

This place is absolutely amazing. Service was excellent, food came out quick and tasted delicious, and the prices can not be beat for the quality of the items on the menu. This place is definitely a hidden gem in Altadena. Definitely coming back soon. read more

I had a taste for something different from home cooked boring meals so tried this place for the first time. I called first to inquire as to specifics and was questioned about why I was calling, etc.....it was difficult to explain although the lady spoke perfect English. She said it would be better to call back later rather than place the order now. So I did. I had gone by the prices posted on the internet menus, but she clarified two of them and not the third contender. Imagine my surprise when 3.50/3.99 is listed on line for a Chili Relleno Burrito (not wet) and when my friend picked it up, it was $7.00! So I called, a gentleman answered but had difficulty giving me his name (went through the same thing when I first called above), he gave the phone to the lady who finally gave me her name. She said initially I hadn't asked her for the price of the the Chili Relleno Burrito.....and I hadn't because it was a difficult conversation with her to begin with. I had told her I had never eaten there before and needed information about ordering. She told me the menu prices on line were old, I suggested they update them. After all, the burrito DOUBLED in price, whereas the other food I ordered only went up a dollar or two. The food was not that great for what I paid and I will not be returning. Really disappointing! read more