Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    El Patron Mexican Grill

    3.0 (88 reviews)
    ModerateMexican
    Open 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Order El Patron Mexican Grill Takeout or Delivery

    El Patron Mexican Grill Photos

    Business Info

    EL PATRON MEXICAN GRILL ATMOSPHERE

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

    You might also consider

    More like El Patron Mexican Grill

    Recommended Reviews - El Patron Mexican Grill

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    outside with patio view
    Dianne J.

    This was our 3rd visit here and I'm changing my rating, so this is an update. While our service and food was great this time, I would still never order the oysters again. I stuck with traditional Mexican fare this time and was happy with my meal. Since COVID, we previously only dined outside but tried the dining room this time around. The ambiance was pleasant and appeared clean. I recommend The chili relleno lunch plate special. I was very tasty and the portion was generous as well. Of course there are plenty of options on the menu, including some vegetarian options.

    Chloe B.

    Best meal I could have had before getting my wisdom teeth out today. I had the El Patron which included shrimp, chicken, and steak fajitas and it came with a cheese quesadilla. Soooooo good the margarita was strong can't wait to come back at a later date. Definitely need to have an adventure with other flavors of margaritas. Summer is coming!!

    A decent, slightly hot sauce that's on the table.
    Loren H.

    Nice looking place and pleasant staff. Food is well prepared but somewhat under seasoned. Lunch was around eight bucks for two enchiladas with rice and a salad. There was a very good bottled sauce on the table that added some real flavor two the sauces. One they should consider using in all their food. A decent lunch place.

    Danielle W.

    We just moved to town and I don't know what I expected from a place that offered free food for kids on Sundays. It... was standard hardy Americanized portioned Mexican food. It wasn't anything I'd write home about. They brought a cool crema out with the chips, which I appreciated. I'm not saying I won't be back, as it was a good priced option to feed the kids fast....but ultimately, the ground beef was dry, the chile relleno SWIMMING in so much under seasoned sauce as to be hard to eat, and the cheese tasted... cheap queso-y. Eh, just eh. Next time I'll try the drinks. On the plus side, if you like LARGE portions of cheap americanized mexican food. And the service was really good. (And I know a lot of people that do.) Hey! This really is an exemplar of that category of dining.

    Sunny parrot-themed dining room.
    Stacey L.

    While tagging along with my boyfriend while he ran errands in Sun Prairie, he decided he was hungry and pulled in to El Patron for a late lunch. The outside of the building is kind of sad looking (my guess is it started as a family restaurant) but it improves when you enter. We were seated in the back parrot-themed room which was nice and bright (both in decor and natural light). Our server was friendly and patient as we perused the giant menu - usually I order the same thing every time I try a new Mexican place (chicken chimichanga), but I'd gorged myself on spicy cheese bread at the farmers' market that morning and was not nearly hungry enough to attempt it. I landed on a tostaguac from the a la carte menu with a side of rice. I had never ordered a tostaguac before, but a quick search told me it was beef, beans, lettuce, tomatoes, and guacamole on a tostada shell (pretty much what I expected from the name). When my food arrived I had to laugh at my attempt to end up with a reasonable amount of food - my plate was full. The tostaguac was piled high with salad and rice took up half the platter. I've gotten so accustomed to Madison Mexican joints giving you about five bites of rice or beans that I didn't anticipate being able to make a meal of rice alone. The rice was fresh and not too greasy - I would order it again. El Patron's tostaguac didn't have beans but did have cheese. The toppings were fresh, but overall it just didn't do it for me. The beef was very juicy - I don't think it was given any opportunity to drain and it left a puddle on my plate. It also tasted like it was just straight up browned ground beef - no seasoning whatsoever, including salt. There was no spice or kick to be found anywhere in the dish - everything was very bland. I realize there is a segment of the population this would appeal to; I am just not one of those people. Long story short: good service, okay prices, fresh but bland food.

    Chip Appetizer
    Michelle O.

    I hate only giving three star reviews, but it really was mediocre at best. We came here for lunch along with a few sporadic customers. When I can park next to the disabled parking that should have been my first clue, but we are determined to keep trying new places in the area and plan A was closed for lunch. The decor was cute, but the tables and booths have seen a lot of wear and tear. On the plus side it was very clean. The bathroom smelled like cleaner rather than a bathroom. Service was immediate with a piping hot bowl of tortilla chips a bowl of white dip and some mild salsa. I'm not a jalapeño lover, but even I like a little heat with my salsa. The white stuff-it was questionable. It was cold, not spicy nor did it taste like ranch or cheese sauce...a mystery we didn't bother to solve as the taste wasn't worth it. Prices are affordable at least-under ten dollars per meal and the portions were large. I ordered a burrito fajita with chicken. The chicken and vegetables were hot and slightly seasoned, the shell tasted like a tortilla shell, but the rest was a meh. Yeah it's refried beans and fried rice, but I was hoping for a little heat or seasoning? While the table service was pleasant I went to pay for my bill and wasn't acknowledged by the hostess until she finished charging the bill before mine, printed out my receipt and said a quick "thank you have a great day" as she was walking away. I'm sorry she didn't care enough to listen to me say a kind reply. Perhaps she was too busy with her other customers?

    Burrito El Patron
    Meg N.

    This place is okay. Just okay. The food was edible but nothing special. It did suffice my Mexican craving but overall I'm going to keep looking for a go to Mexican restaurant, but if I was in a pinch. I suppose I would go back

    Enchiladas poblanos & enchiladas taco combo.
    Kris D.

    I'm not sure why this place has more recent bad reviews than good reviews as our experience was a good one. They remind me of Laredo's in Madison. The unending combinations, specialty Mexican entrees and "Gringo" dinners for the non-adventurous. Food came out real quick, was good and generous. Chips & salsa were included and we got a white dipping sauce as well. Best we can tell it's a ranch concoction. I wasn't a fan simply because I don't care for ranch but I'm sure it will appeal to others. Of particular note was the mole poblano enchiladas which will appeal to a sweet tooth. Great flavor. Spanish rice was fine but not spectacular. A coupon from the 2016-17 Bucky Book brought here & we wouldn't hesitate to return.

    Fish Tacos
    Matt B.

    Stopped in on a Saturday night for dinner with the family. It was good, but I have had much better at other Mexican restaurants. It appeared that they were busy, but we were seated right away at a table rear the back of the restaurant. The restaurant could use a little repair. Many of the booth seats had cracked seats that exposed the foam cushion. The decor was your normal Mexican-American theme, nothing amazing but nothing dreadful. When we got there chips, salsa and an odd white sauce were on the table already. The chips were ok and the salsa was pretty good (although it could have used a little salt and more heat). I ordered the "Don" burrito with steak and a chile relleno It was a large burrito with steak, rice and beans. It also has a cheese sauce and tomato sauce over the top. Served with guacamole, lettuce and tomato. The burrito had good flavor, but could have used more sauce on top. The chile relleno was the saddest, greasiest mess I have ever seen. It had no flavor and spewed grease when I cut into it.....definately not worth $3.95! I also ordered the regular margarita on the rocks. Good flavor, good amount of booze and it was cold. My wife ordered the fish tacos. She said they were "alright" but had that distinctive fishy smell and taste that comes with either low quality or not fresh fish. I didn't hear her order otherwise I would have steered her away from them. My 4 year old daughter got a quesadilla with rice. She loved it and ate everything on her plate. All in all, if you are careful on what you order and your expectations aren't super high, you should be ok at El Patron.

    See all

    Photo of Sean L.
    25
    212
    4

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Staff and food were great! warm chips, good salsa, good margaritas and good food! wouldn't change one part of my meal! 10/10

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Stacey L.
    2077
    1185
    3265

    9 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Meg N.
    18
    137
    106

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    One of my favorite places in Sun Prairie. Yummy food and friendly service. Very chill. Not super fancy which I love.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of David H.
    160
    1125
    1191

    9 years ago

    Nice food, quick service, the chips and salsa they bring out is yum. Inexpensive for what you get. Nice atmosphere...

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Heather C.
    13
    188
    22

    15 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    They messed my order up and refused to change it or give my money back. The food was terrible and I had to throw it out.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Samuel S.
    10
    33
    55

    13 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - El Patron Mexican Grill

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Mexican 3,486 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    El Alegre Mexican Restaurant

    El Alegre Mexican Restaurant

    4.6
    (77 reviews)
    7.4 mi

    After a Yelp search I found El Alegre Mexican Restaurant with really good reviews and an…read moreinteresting menu. A bit of a drive from Madison, but well worth it. El Alegre is located in a small modern strip of shops, with a party center they run next door. The restaurant is medium sized with a nice bar in the corner by the kitchen. The room is sleek and modern with black walls and tables, wood chairs and floors, and a colorful neon strip around the ceiling. Service was attentive without being intrusive. The menu is two sided and manages to have a nice variety without being overstuffed. I ended up ordering the Camarones a la Diabla, as someone who loves spicy shrimp it sounded great. A bit of a wait for the food, but the place was busy with the dining room almost full including a couple of larger tables. The chips and salsa was ok, but nothing special but provided a nice prelude while I waited for the meal. The meal came out nicely presented on a square white plate, which set off the colorful meal. The shrimp were nice sized, plump and well cooked; the sauce was excellent, not overly spicey, but instead complex and delicious with an interesting mix of flavors, it seemed to be similar to a mole instead of just a hot sauce. The refried beans and spanish rice were both good and the guacamole, sour cream and small salad was a nice compliment to the meal. The flour tortillas were very good, freshly griddled and fresh. I was very impressed with El Alegre, the decor is a nice change from most Mexican restaurants. I was very impressed with their version of Camarones a la Diabla, usually it is served with a fairly simple hot sauce, here they created a wonderful and complex sauce that perfectly complimented the shrimp and provided a true treat. If you are in the area and looking for some great Mexican food El Alegre is well worth a visit. If the rest of the menu is anything like my meal it is a great flavorful interpretation of Mexican food.

    We found ourselves in DeForest, WI last Cinco de Mayo. After we finished our business, we did a…read moreGoogle search for a Mexican restaurant. Of course there was a Taco Bell close to the exit from I-90, but that wasn't going to cut it. So, we found El Alegre about two miles into town. The place was packed Well, we had a very good meal with happy service. A big sign on the wall in the kitchen said "work hard and be nice to people ". Gotta love that. So we were coming South on I-90 and remembered El Alegre. Being vegetarian, I usually find plenty of options in a Mexican restaurant (and also Chinese and Italian). This menu had a vegetarian section with about six or seven choices, but I looked over the rest of the very large menu and found several versions of Chile Relleño. I've never seen anything but the one stuffed with cheese anywhere else. Well, they had a version stuffed with vegetables! I had to try it. I am so glad I did. It was delicious and a very generous portion served with rice and beans that rose above the standard usually experienced. My wife had a shrimp dish that I sampled and loved. She said the margaritas were also excellent. So, if you find yourself on I-90, you won't regret driving a couple miles off the highway to find El Alegre!

    Photos
    Dining room
    Dining room
    Chips and salsa
    Chips and salsa
    Outside

    See all

    Outside

    El Patron Mexican Grill - mexican - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...