A Portland travel writer stated El Patron had a Mexican buffet that was out of this world so delicious. Well, she lied!! They don't have a buffet, never did. There was one elderly woman working. She didn't smile and acted like she didn't want us there. We were a party of 3. Complaints of the meat being boiled, enchilada sauce from a can, and very scant portions of the chips and salsa was like she measured out so many chips (8) and 1/4 cup medium salsa. We asked for more salsa and chips and received more salsa (1/4 cup), no chips. Also, no beans or rice with the meal. She said they were out. You should pass this restaurant bye-bye. read more

I like to support local businesses but I will try something else next time I'm in Junction City. This was the blandest Mexican food we've ever had in a restaurant. I ordered the avocado chicken tostada and my partner had a beef taco plate. Neither had any seasonings or flavor. Drowning it in salsa helped a little but even that had no spice at all. Also the restaurant was not very clean. read more

Delicious food and excellent service. Nice sit down restaurant to enjoy a meal with the family. Great bar selection as well. Their salsa is delicious served with warm chips. read more

El Patron Mexican Restaurant - Taquitos with chicken. - Mexican Near Me - Junction City, Oregon

This was my first time here and the last. I had a margarita and a giant burrito. The margarita was decent but the food was greasy, bland on the slimy side. The chips and salsa were the best part sadly. Even in this small town with few options, this should definitely be the last resort. It took us longer to get our check after we finished eating than it took for us to get the food. read more

Guys I got a salad. I could taste the microwaved cheese. Hair in my food. And the chicken was so chewy :( Good service! Kind people. It's a tight place. Dirty carpets. Flies everywhere. I recommend the restaurant to improve their quality of food and cleaning the place regularly. read more

El Patron Mexican Restaurant - Water. (The water is not purified) - Mexican Near Me - Junction City, Oregon

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The service ok, but the food was gross. I think what they do is put everything frozen on the plates, the heating them up. I think that's why the plates are so hot coming out to the diners. The ambiance is sub par. They haven't updated the decor or anything and my friends and I visit on our way through town. We were trying to give them the benefit of doubt, but nothing has ever changed and we're always the only people in there. We'll never go back. read more

Just. No. Don't even give it the benefit of the doubt. It smells, the fajitas are gross. The waitress was kind. I would not recommend this place to anyone. read more

Food was good but had no spice at all. We asked for something spicier and we were told that was all they had. Service was fair. Wrinkled rugs all over the floor offering many tripping hazards. We won't come back. This place was okay but I would like to try other places. read more

Food is always good, and the proportions always fill me up. Service is very good, the women there are super nice and always bring out my order as I request. I called ahead to confirm they were serving because it was late and they still had a positive attitude. read more

Staff was extremely pleasant and attentive, although of course we were the only customers there. Would go back if it was ever open when we drive past. read more

First time here... I am orginally from Phoenix and finding a Mexican spot comparable to what I am use to has been a challenge to say the least. This place is good, would not say great but it's definitely good. I would go back again. So now for the review: The bathroom was clean. Not much to say l, but a clean bathroom shows they care about cleaning. The Decor: it was decorated in the style of most Mexican restaurants, Mexican themed. They are maybe 10 to 13 tables for in door seating. Outside in the patio, there are maybe another 10 tables. It was a interesting setup and unfortunately I did not get any pictures out side. The bar is fully stocked which is great. The staff is extremely nice and pleasent.. The Food: now, to the main event, the food. My main meal for Mexican restaurants that I always try at new places are the chimichanga. If a Mexican restaurant can not make a good chimichanga I refuse to go back. So, I ordered the Chimi and Chili relleno plate, rice and beans. For an appetizer I ordered what they call a Cheese Crispy (called Cheese Crips in Phoenix). My wife had the fajitas plate. The Chips and Salsa: the chips where unsalty (I love that, I cannot do lots of salt) and the salsa tasted robust and tasted fresh. It was not hot at all btw. The Cheese Crispy was really just okay. I mean, it was kind of soggy in the middle. Wouldn't really recommen it. The Chimi: it was very tasty and the chicken was juicy. The flavor was great, the rice and beans where delicious. My only complaint was the Chimi was very small. It reminded me of a frozen one you buy at the store, and I really hope that's not what it was. The chili relleno was very good. I would enjoy that again. The Fajitas: What can I say about this. First of all, the picture does it no justice. The plate was HUGE, and when I say huge, I really mean H-U-G-E.. The mean was extremely delicious. Nice, hot and tons of flavor. The tortillas that came with with where small but tasted homemade. The flavor was very rich, wasn't over powering with too many peppers. (My wife really loves the rice). Well proportioned, you get a great amount. Overall, El Patron received a 4- Star. If the chimi was bigger it'd be a solid 5 star. I do recommed this place for anyone looking for a cute, quiet place to eat some yummy Mexican food. read more

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The food here is not great but it is pretty good and the portions are decent . We especially enjoyed the enchiladas. Also we thought they were fairly well priced. The alcohol also decent prices and good portions. The wine selection was not very good however. They need to stock up on that. We are Chardonnay drinkers and they had none. The staff is very friendly and the restaurant is cute.I would most definitely go back if I was in the area. read more

There's not many Mexican restaurants in this area so it was good, but not the best I've ever had

Visiting from out of town we wanted a night of Mexican food and some strong margaritas. We ventured here after checking reviews. It seemed good. Typical Mexican restaurant decor. I do have some things to note. They really could clean their menus. They felt like they hadn't been cleaned in years. This is is not because of the current situation of the world, but just a suggestion that customers don't want to touch filmy, greasy menus. A quick wipe down would be great! Plaster around our window frame next to the booth was crumbling into a bigger hole and should be repaired. Outdoor seating is available with good weather. Staff was super friendly. My margarita was strong, which is excellent. More than I'm used to paying in my home state for a drink. Even my second one was strong, which was great. Chips and salsa were good. I think the salsa needed just a tad more acidity to it like fresh lime juice to really make it pop. Chips were toasty and great and not salty, which I appreciate. I was glad to see the food wasn't quickly out once we ordered. Sometimes places deliver your food too fast and you definitely think of reheats and microwaves doing the cooking at that point. I had the carne asada burrito. It's massive! Could easily feed two adults. It was filled with rice, refried beans and carne asada. I ordered it "dry" which means no salsa on top and cheese inside, but I received it wet. No big deal. It came with a side of guacamole and sour cream. The carne asada meat tasted off to me. I can't quite decide what the flavor was. It wasn't rancid, but it wasn't my beloved carne asada I typically order. Perhaps it was frozen thawed. It just wasn't that good. Others at the table said their chicken was good, but I did not sample. At the end of the day I probably will never be back in this city. If it ever does happen though I'm not likely to return. read more

I just can't get excited about a plate of wet slop that looks (and tastes) like it came out of a can. Even the meat was had a soupy texture to it, and the flavors overall were quite bland... did not taste fresh. read more

Not worth a star my cousin ate there and almost died they had no soap or towels for washing their hands you couldn't pay me to eat there

Small overpriced portions. Not that good either. 2 carnitas tacos rice and beans 16$$ Heartburn and sick all night after eating here. Pepto 3 times. Gross read more

The best Americanized Mexican food in Junction City period. We enjoy it at a lot. Do not be afraid of the Chile rellenos. They're very good. The Jalisco Special is a personal favorite. read more

Service outstanding. Food exceptional and abundant. Cost very reasonable. Reason not to make this restaurant a weekly tradition? NONE! Thank you El Patron! read more

El Patron Mexican Restaurant - Christmas Eve at an epic local restaurant! - Mexican Near Me - Junction City, Oregon

The worst!! Food is cold and has zero flavor and spice. This is clearly another want to be Mexican restaurant.. Save your money and go to Taco Bell read more

I ate there for the first time last night. Our order was ready by the expected time and gave me the best carne asada I've ever had. I wish I took pictures before I dug in, but it was just too irresistible read more

The entrees are decent enough, probably woth 3 or 4 stars. Portions are huge. The chips and salsa are good; the chips taste fresh and the salsa has a nice kick. The beans could use some more seasoning. Service is nothing to write home about but you do get your food pretty quickly. My problem with this place (and the reason why we won't be back) is the cleanliness. It smells musty. The chips are served in baskets that obviously never get cleaned and they are covered in dried salsa and residue. Silverware was dirty as well. I don't want to think about what the kitchen looks like.... read more

Great quantity of food for the money, the staff is so kind. The best margaritas in junction city!

Hardly had anyone serve us I think they came by once? Ordered shrimp fajitas and they didn't give us plates after dropping off food or utensils. Shrimp were cold and wouldn't comp us (we didn't eat any of it and they never came back to check on us after dropping off the food so we couldn't ask for something else). Argued with us while we were paying asking if we've ever been to Mexico because they eat their shrimp cold there.... Very unprofessional and rude. I will not return here i would rather drive to Veneta and go to Ixtapa any day. read more

The food was good tasting, but I found a huge piece of plastic bag that ran all the way through my burrito. When I called them about it ( we too the food to go) I was told that it happens because the "Chefs cut a lot of meat" and sometimes the plastic bags get "rolled in" to the food. I should have been offered a refund, but all I got was an excuse. If they know that this happens, they should change their procedures! This was very dangerous. Thank God some child didn't get it. I'll never eat there again. read more

El Patron Mexican Restaurant - Plastic bag in burrito! - Mexican Near Me - Junction City, Oregon

It was really good Mexican food and good service. Will be coming back. And very clean except windows could use a little scrubbing. read more

Food was delicious, owner/server was polite and helpful on menu questions. Everything came out very hot and tasted fresh with great seasoning. I ordered the Chicken Taquitos and you can tell they make their own tortillas in house and fill them generously with the protien and more. Delicious and a place I will visit again! My group loved the atmosphere and noted the establishment was quite clean. read more

Despite the exterior and interior looks this place served up some decent food. It's your tun of the mill Mexican restaurant serving what most places serve. We were passing through town and wanted something other than fast food and this fitb the bill. Actually the chips served were really good and thin and crispy. They were very fresh. We all enjoyed what we ordered my husband especially liked the carnitas burrito. The man who waited on us was very pleasant and efficient as he was the only one. read more

We were greeted at the door by a Spanish speaking waitress very pleasant guided us to our booth and got chips and salsa for us. We perused the menu and found the standard fare for Mexican restaurants or waitress brought us a second basket of chips and salsa while we waited for the dinner. We certainly had enough to eat and cleaned our plates well. Dinner for the two of us was under $25 which to our way of thinking was acceptable. Would we eat there again? Possibly, but only because Mexican food is not our favorite. Restaurant was clean and quiet only other people were elderly and in booths separated from us save one couple getting ready to leave. This restaurant would probably be good for small groups or children on Beyonce was definitely Mexican with plenty of choices on the menu and at the bar. read more

Horrible costumer service, the older women isn't very nice. The carne asada burrito was nothing to write home about. And way over priced. If you want good food and good service go to Rivas on 99 in Eugene. Carne Asada Burrito. read more

Decent prices. Good food. Really attentive service. My bf ordered the beef fajitas, and when the plate arrived it was this giant oval boat of a platter that was wider than he was. This is one of the first times he's not cleaned his plate and eaten some of mine. The chicken chimichanga was phenomenal as well. read more

We're from southern California and know Mexican food. Without a doubt, El Patron knows good Mexican food. Guacamole expertly mixed with an exciting blend and banana margaritas blended perfectly. We order 2 carne asada burritos, dry, and they superb. Lots of meat and just the right amount of beans, cilantro, onions and tomatoes. Prices great and excellent service. Definitely recommended. read more

Consistently good food, service & blended Mango Cadillac Margaritas!!! Always enjoy coming here! Gary & Marlies read more

This place trash don't ever go unless you wanna eat plain garbage I would rather eat at the dollar store which is in front of the restaurant the food was trash and so was the customer service my stomach hurtin and I'm on the shitter while writing this and it ain't going good. read more

My favorite local restaurant and it adds so much to this small town! I love their food it is ALWAYS exceptional!

I was very excited to try out a new restaurant here in JC. I went with the steak fajitas my plate was massive. The steak was nice and tender was pleased with my dish. My boyfriend had a burrito which he really enjoyed. The chips and salsa were very good as well as the bloody marys we ordered. The staff was very friendly and attentive. Definently will be back. Very nice place. read more

El Patron Mexican Restaurant - Steak fajita plate. - Mexican Near Me - Junction City, Oregon

Went here for our Sunday afternoon lunch with the family left by almost Sunday evening. The restaurant was about half full but the service was very slow. We waited over an hour from the time we were seated (we ordered fairly soon after that) until we got our food. The waiter was very friendly and tried to be attentive but I think he was serving the whole place so he was always busy. Our food was just alright. I got a burrito with bell peppers and steak but the meat was so huge and tough that it was hard to eat and the bell pepper pieces were so large that you had to pull apart your buritto to eat them. Plus they serve the buritto hardly rolled on a plate so you can't really pick it up and eat it with your hands. The rice and beans were also just typical crappy Mexican restaurant rice and beans that are never really worth eating. The chips at the beginning are good tho! Still next time I want Mexican I think I'll go elsewhere. read more

We got the taco salad in the tortilla with chicken, and everything was really fresh and good. They were fine with us substituting guacamole for just avocado and our order came really fast. Good Shirley temples too! read more

Ordered a Veggie burrito tonight and I suppose I should have had them clarify EXACTLY what veggies they used. I got a burrito with rice and pinto beans which is expected, but to be LOADED with the frozen vegetable medley from the local grocery store was completely unacceptable and disgusting!! Green beans, Lima beans corn and carrots made me gag... Terrible! I like them but not in a tortilla smothered with salsa. No- I won't be returning, first time I ate here I had someone's long black hair in my fajitas. I will gladly make the drive to Harrisburg or Veneta from now on. Shame we couldn't get a decent place to eat in JC! read more

El Patron Mexican Restaurant - Terrible Veggie Burrito - Mexican Near Me - Junction City, Oregon

Great local place. Portions a good size and the service is great. There's not a lot of seating but adds to the ambiance. Don't forget to try the margaritas... read more

El Patron Mexican Restaurant - Great margaritas - Mexican Near Me - Junction City, Oregon