What a great spot! Right in the heart of downtown. Outside seating to enjoy the weather & people watch. Got here at 11:30 on a Wednesday afternoon. No crowds, no wait. Seated immediately & went inside to order. Make sure you ask about their special of the day. We got the 3 hard shell tacos , rice & beans with a drink for $13.99 & the 2 flour tacos, beans & rice for $13.99. You can tell a good Mexican restaurant by the rice & beans (imo) Everything was delicious! Staff was friendly & helpful, will definitely be back. read more

El Patron - 3 KIDS TACO PLATE - Tacos Near Me - Palm Springs, California

Was in the area for lunch! I ordered: el patron burrito $16.95 add $3.95 for steak $7 mango cart $21 burrito, a bit mushy. Not ideal. Also, not the biggest fan of sitting, then standing up to order again, then sitting back down. The misters (when we went was super hot), and the umbrellas were set up in a way to block most of it which wasn't the best. read more

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Went to El Patron in Palm Springs and overall had a really good experience. We ordered the shrimp ceviche with avocado, a loaded hot dog, and a huge tray of nachos. The ceviche was very fresh, light, and flavorful, and the avocado on top made it even better. The nachos were massive and loaded with meat, cheese, sour cream, guacamole, and pico de gallo, perfect for sharing. The only thing that surprised me was the hot dog. The toppings on it were almost the same as the toppings used on the nachos, like pico de gallo, avocado, and sauces, so it looked a little weird and unexpected on a hot dog at first. But the flavors actually worked together better than I expected. The atmosphere was lively, portions were generous, and the food came out fresh. Definitely a fun place to eat with friends. read more

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The restaurant was super close to our hotel so why not! We saw they had 4 shots for $30 so we had to visit. The Mexican candy shots were delicious. The asada tacos were flavorful. I would recommend the flan it was delicious . You order and pay at the counter so service was very fast. I got the patron salad nothing to rave about. They have handmade corn tortillas which were very tasty! We went in a Saturday and it wasn't crazy busy so that was nice. The outside patio was perfect to sit eat and people watch! read more

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Hi El Patron, We placed a to-go order with you and were excited to try your vegan options for the first time. Our vegan burrito order was supposed to include chips and salsa according to the menu. The salsa was missing so we returned to get it. When we returned, one staff member said the vegan burrito didn't come with salsa, though at that time we pointed out that it is listed on the menu as including salsa. Another staff member then provided a side of salsa and it looked strange so we opened it while we were still there and it was partially eaten & had broken off tortilla chips inside of the salsa container & areas you could see where someone had been scooping salsa with chips. We wanted to bring this to your attention, as it raised concerns around hygiene and trust. We were excited to try and expecting top notch food & service from everything we've seen about El Patron. read more

The service was disappointing, and they seem to charge extra for almost everything--even a small side of salsa costs 50 cents. When I questioned the charge, the manager came over and confirmed that there is an additional fee for the salsa and for virtually any modification to an order. She even commented that when she goes to McDonald's, she has to pay extra for ketchup, which I found surprising and hard to believe. I would also caution others about the happy hour menu. While the prices appear to be nearly half of the regular menu prices, the portions are even smaller than half the size of the regular servings, making it a poor value overall. Unfortunately, the food itself was mediocre and did not make up for the extra charges or the disappointing experience. Overall, between the excessive add-on fees, misleading happy hour value, and average food quality, I would not recommend this restaurant. read more

The food here is 10/10. Staff were super friendly and helpful. It's a little small inside but there a lot of space outside. Vibe was cute. Good music playing inside. I'll definitely be coming every time I visit Palm Springs. read more

Everything from the customer service to the food to the cleanliness! This is definitely one of my favorite spots! Gina assisted us along with the other amazing staff. My wife and I had to stop by twice in one day. The food is on point the drinks are delicious. You should try the chicharrones! read more

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Pathetic excuse for Mexican food. The "happy hour" carne asada taco that cost $7 was a street sized taco that tasted like leftover beef jerky. The two taco plate which cost over $20 consisted of two street sized tacos with tasteless dried mahi, a half cup of refried beans that came out of a can and a half cup of bland dried out rice that had probably been sitting on a food warmer half the day. This is likely the worst Mexican food I've ever had. read more

Four of us had dinner here and loved it. Staff very friendly and the kitchen manager David happily pureed my husband's meal (due to dental work). Our vegan meals were delicious and the setting is great. Thank you El Patron! read more

Centrally located spot right in downtown Palm Springs offering a solid happy hour and lots of patio seating for ample people watching! Staff all very friendly, and attentive; they did let us know after being seated you go up / in and order at the counter inside and they give you a number for your table. Happy hour menu consists of mini nachos and tacos, etc. offerings and a few cocktails. Some beers on tap too here. Cool fun spot to stop if walking around. read more

El Patron - FRIED MINI TACOS (3) , happy hour wings, happy hour taquitos - Tacos Near Me - Palm Springs, California

The food here was a spectacular plus I suggest the al pastor burrito mine was 90s size of you know you know. The Service staff here was spot on friendly and nice nothing was left needed and requests were made on time Gina made it worth it. The ambiance here is wonderful with its modern retro look made from a 90 year old building, everything in here was teddy and clean. read more

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We were walking around downtown and needed a little snack so we stopped by El Patron. The inside dining area is very small and was full, so we were seated out on the patio right next to the sidewalk on Palm Canyon drive. It was nice and cool under an umbrella and the overhead light water mist felt great on a hot day. This was also a great spot to people watch. We were saving room for dinner later that evening so we just ordered chips and salsa with guacamole. You have to go inside to place your order and then they bring it out to you. The chips were some of the best we have ever had and the salsa was good also. The star was the guacamole, very fresh and creamy and a very good sized portion. Before we left, I did a search for "best chips & salsa in Palm Springs" and El Patron was on two of the lists I read. We would definitely like to return for a regular meal. read more

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Got the el patron salad and prickly pear margarita. Wasn't wowed by the food. For $14 for a salad not a bad price. Drink was $14 which I don't think it should have been since it was not mixed well. I would come back for food here but not to drink I would rather go to a high end place for a cocktail price. You place your order yourself at the front so there is no dining experience. read more

El Patron - EL PATRON SALAD and prickly pear margarita - Tacos Near Me - Palm Springs, California

Service was a solid 10/10 everyone was incredibly accommodating. We came in with a group of 20+ and they had a table set up for the boys before we even arrived, which was such a thoughtful touch. Ordering is done at the counter, but the process was seamless and well-organized. There's both indoor and outdoor seating, making it a great spot for group gatherings. The vibes were on point, and everyone loved their food from the taquitos to the pozole, with the tacos being a definite standout read more

El Patron - Tacos Near Me - Palm Springs, California

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I had some great and no so great interactions here with the staff. First and foremost the host/hostess, food runners and bussers are the real MVP's in this busy restaurant. They made my party of 8 have a great experience here. They went above and beyond to help and give incredible customer service. The older woman at the cashier stand wasn't the warmest, and tended to be slightly condescending at times. We haven't been here before so we didn't know the rules on ordering or knowing you're own table numbers outside etc. I almost left because of her but I just shrugged it off and moved on. The chips & salsa are so delicious here!! I ordered a margarita flight but I can tell they really skip on the alcohol for some reason. My recommendation would be to buy 1 shot on the side to divide it in the drinks. They were so sweet and almost tasted premade? Who knows. I loved the outdoor area and the decor of this place. Not sure I would come back though. read more

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Drinks are so strong, yet so good. Perfect pre-game, while I didn't get the chance to taste the food, I hope to come back and give it a try because it smelt delicious. My favorite was the mexican candy shot and the prickly pear blended margarita. Excited to come back! Service was pretty quick for being busy, and ambiance is perfect for a late night place to sit outside and enjoy the nightlife. read more

El Patron - Prickly pear blended margarita, mexican candy shots, ay faustina - Tacos Near Me - Palm Springs, California

Ohhhh so good!! We stopped in on a Monday evening and were pleasantly surprised to hit Happy Hour after 6 (Happy Hour offered until 7). My drink of choice, a Paloma. This did not disappoint. Not too sweet, packed a good punch and was $7 on HH. Add in the outdoor heaters on a chilly desert night and we have ourselves a winner!! We ordered the El Patron Salad with Al Pastor and Elotes. The salad was plentiful. Huge portion of meat, avocado, black beans and corn on a bed of fresh romaine. The dressing had a light citrus flavor. Delicious. I'd order it again and again. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit. Too bad we don't live here, but we'll be back anytime we can! It's so good! read more

El Patron - Paloma & Negra Modeli - Tacos Near Me - Palm Springs, California

I have always walked by this place in DT Palm Springs and never really had the chance to go in. I went with my siblings today, two of whom are vegan and have fish/shellfish allergies, and I was worried that they wouldn't be able to eat anything. Luckily, they had an entire vegan section, made sure nothing was cross contaminated, and had plenty of options to satisfy everyone. More importantly, unlike a lot of other restaurants these days, they don't use soy sauce on their meat! Everything we got was delicious. Service was wonderful. And the vibe is just awesome. Definitely will go back. read more

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This business could easily phone it on and rely on foot traffic for business- but it doesn't. The exceptional service from this fourth generation Latin family-owned business whose owners hail from Chicago will keep us coming back. Also, I need to taste more of their food. I always say you can tell a good place by the salsa. The three salsas served with their rich, crunchy chicharrones were each a delight for the senses. One was spicy as hell but didn't sacrifice flavor for heat, one green one was bright and herbaceous; and the third was a roasted vegetable and tomato mild but incredibly complex salsa which was so different from anything I'd had before. We also had the very strong margaritas which were hand made and tasted like I was living in a lime tree sipping fine tequila. Gena, (sorry if misspelled) the owner, was so attentive and walked from table to table asking how patrons were doing even though some were rowdier than others-not saying any names (us)! We had a mistake happen and our chicharrones hadn't come out for a long time and I asked about them. I was told they weren't rung up but they brought us a ln order of them anyway and insisted they were on the house even though I offered to pay. Over and above- just wonderful treatment of their patrons. We will be back to try the other food!! We were there for a nightcap which lasted almost two hours and ended in several Cadillac margaritas and a gummy bear shot and a Scooby snack shot! All were delicious. We ubered back to our hotel, obs. Well done El Patron and thank you so much for a great memory on our trip to Palm Springs! read more

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0 STARS Ate here for the first time today. Ordered 2 orders of chicken tacos that came with rice and beans on the side. The total came out to $73.00. Insane. To top it off. They don't even have servers here. You have to order inside. So I'm not sure why it's so expensive. And the cherry on top.. you have to pay for sides of salsa. read more

El Patron - Tacos Near Me - Palm Springs, California

Gina and her crew were amazing!! Delicious drinks and fresh guacamole :) will recommend to my friends read more

El Patron - Tacos Near Me - Palm Springs, California

This place is a joke. A rip-off and LOW quality. What Mexican restaurant has NO SALSA? Whether a fresh salsa bar or even a cup of salsa, you won't get any here. They had the nerve to try and convince me that Tapatio was good enough. Paid $100 for two dinner platters after waiting in line for 15 minutes, which were equivalent to El Pollo Loco or Del Taco in quality, in our opinion. When I alerted the team that our beer was flat, she questioned me as if I was making that up and reluctantly replaced it. This place is absolutely one of the worst Mexican joints around PS... please steer clear and go elsewhere. May 23, 2026 10pm read more

Wonderful experience! Came in for happy hour on a Friday evening, and we loved everything. Yes you order at the counter but the customer service is incredibly efficient. All of the staff was so sweet and constantly checked on us, while being so polite and friendly. Happy hour until 7 (especially on a Friday) is such a rare find which was what initially brought us in, so glad we decided to stop by! read more

Great local place in downtown Palm Springs to grab some delicious tacos and margaritas! Ordered the beer battered mahi mahi tacos and the shrimp tacos - both were very tasty! There is seating both indoors and in the patio ... great to people-watch too! read more

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Meh happy hour $20/x4 Tequila shots. $5/Modelo. Everything is self serve so big savings on tips. Music was Tejano Rap? Yuck! Got mini tacos for appetizers: Three small tacos weirdly buried under a salad? Why is chef hiding the taco? Perhaps for the same reason he's hoarding tortillas. We ordered beef fajitas and received Three (3) regular sized flour tortillas. Had to order three more for $1/tortilla. I'm pretty sure this is against the Geneva convention, so I'll never return. read more

El Patron - Shots - Tacos Near Me - Palm Springs, California

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Stop by for some drinks on a Saturday during Coachella fest. We only had a shrimp taco and Micheladas and they were refreshing and so good. Cute restaurant in DT Palm Springs . Will definitely be back to try the other plates. Services friendly you order your tacos upfront and they bring them to you. read more

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Gina was so nice and sweet with us! She made sure we were well taken care of and satisfied with our experience. 10/10 would come again! read more

El Patron - Tacos Near Me - Palm Springs, California

It is 1st time eating here at El Patron. The system is bit different than other place. Here No server, you have to get in the line at the bar and tell cashier your table number and order foods or drinks from there then, runner still brings foods and drinks at your table later once it's ready. Foods and house frozen Margarita was delicious. The Draft beer here is $7 which is good considering Draft beer. They have special Ceviche or Aguachiles with Draft beer for $13. Good Cheviche and good deal!!!. Pretty good!!! I will definitely come again on my next visit with friends. read more

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Trendy lil spot. Can't speak on the food because we didn't eat but the drinks taste pre-mixed. Kind of expensive for that.. They were supposed to ask if frozen or iced but they didn't. read more

El Patron - margarita flight. Like 45$~ - Tacos Near Me - Palm Springs, California

Although the food was decent, the service was really disappointing. I understand they were busy, but it's frustrating when staff are distracted while taking orders. Lady with black cowboy hat stopped 5 times to talk to the employees and had to pause what we were ordering. The server with the cowboy hat took our order incorrectly, and when we pointed it out, she became rude. All she needed to do was apologize and correct the mistake. Instead, she acted like it was our fault and told us we could leave if we weren't happy. It was unprofessional and left a bad taste. read more

The food here is really good (let's get that out of the way). My issue is the service type. You have to wait for the host to seat you, then you review the menu at your table, then you go up and wait in a line to order and pay, then you wait for a staff member to bring out your order. It's not a good system. When we were there recently, my beverage came came out, then our entrees, then my partner's drink (quite a while later) then (after we got up and asked) our appetizer was delivered. Keep in mind I was half done with my drink and entree at this point. The dishes they offer, while not unique, are very well prepared. It's the service that makes me not want to return. read more

Went to Palm Springs for the weekend and wanted some Mexican food. Got to say it's a great spot for delicious drinks and the food was great. Got the steak nachos and asada burrito, definitely big portions and would recommend to share dishes. They seat you in the beginning but you have to come to register to order. The service was great from the waitress to the bar tender filling our cocktails to the top :) only thing wish they would bump up the AC inside, was a bit warm but overall good experience. read more

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The vegan burrito was large, tasty, fresh and a pleasant surprise. Happy hour margaritas were wonderful, hand poured and generous for $5. We all enjoyed the homemade authentic salsa. Service was quick and friendly. Outdoor seating in a prime location in Palm Springs read more

I came to Palm Springs as a natural foodie on a mission to uncover the underground food culture of the city--and stumbled upon El Patrón. From the moment we walked in, we were met with genuine kindness from the manager/owner. After sharing our mission, we were treated with an elite level of hospitality that immediately set the tone for the night. The ambiance stood out right away--elevated, warm, and easily one of the best in the area--but it was the food that truly exceeded expectations. The nachos, fried shrimp, and peppers were beyond exceptional, each dish hitting that perfect balance of flavor and authenticity. Be warned about the margaritas--dangerously good. They had us in a euphoric state of mind and turned our evening into a late-night adventure. Service was quick and casual, never intrusive, which made it easy to enjoy the night without the pressure of a hovering waiter. You walk in, order, and then lose yourself in the company of your people--until you're met with what feels like a kiss from authentic, family-owned Mexican cuisine. As a long-time food reviewer (whose account was unfortunately hacked), I thought back on this spot and realized this review was overdue. El Patrón reminded me why I started sharing food experiences in the first place. Highly recommend read more

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El Patron is a straight-up happy hour powerhouse. The tacos? Unreal. I eat tacos on the regular, and these instantly shot to the top of my list--meat so juicy and tender it's almost unfair. The frozen house margaritas are dangerous in the best way--smooth, refreshing, and only $5 (9/10 without hesitation). And don't even sleep on the quesadilla--it's every bit as crave-worthy as the tacos, packed with flavor and cheese that actually stretches. This spot isn't just "good for happy hour," it's legitimately great food with prices that make it too easy to come back. If you know, you know read more

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We stopped by El Patron on a whim while in Palm Springs--and we're so glad we did! The whole experience was great from start to finish. The fajita tacos were excellent--fresh, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. We also tried the al pastor tacos, and those were a definite hit--tender meat, great seasoning, and that perfect balance of sweet and savory. Our kids really enjoyed their meals too. We were pleasantly surprised to find out that on Wednesdays, kids eat free! That was a nice bonus we weren't expecting and definitely made the meal even better. The service was friendly and efficient, and the atmosphere was casual and welcoming--perfect for families or just a relaxed night out. Definitely a spot we'd come back to next time we're in the area. read more

El Patron - FAJITA TACOS - Tacos Near Me - Palm Springs, California

My husband and I were walking around downtown and noticed the establishment had alot of patrons eating and thought maybe the food is good, and it was. I had the chicken fajita and he had seafood burrito. They were delicious and customers serving was great. The hostess at the door was super friendly, I wish I got her name. The young ladies at the counter were nice as well. We'll definitely come back again. Thanks for the hospitality. We were there Saturday 7/26/2025 around 1pm. I wanted to give credit to the staff! Thanks everyone! read more

El Patron - Tacos Near Me - Palm Springs, California

They have high chairs and tables set up in the front, and the host guided us to a table--the host handed out menus. You place your order inside. There's a full bar and patio seating with misters to help stay cool, which was a nice touch. We spent a little over $100 for three entrées, a few sides, and non-alcoholic drinks. I enjoyed my salad--the portion was large and satisfying. Overall, the place was okay but not amazing. I wouldn't mind coming back, but there are other Mexican spots I'd probably try first. read more

Food was good, but the service was definitely lacking. It's a restaurant where you order at the register and then they bring you the food. With a place like this, leaving a gratuity greater than the minimum seems too much considering it was literally like a fast food establishment. You even got your own water from a cooler in the patio area? Probably not coming back next time as the prices were also a little high for the food and service provided. read more