08/08/09

LOVE IT!!!

by Lindsay0909

Good food, good drinks- BEWARE of the blue margarita...just one takes me down for the night!

• Pros: Been drinking here since I was 16
• Cons: Sam and his band don't play here anymore!

04/05/09

Great place for young professionals

by sand0615

My friends and I go to el patio and we really enjoy the drinks and the food. I have had better margaritas than their infamous 'blue,' but it is certainly still good. once, my friends and i were seated by the door to the patio on a cold night and it made dining very chilly every time a waiter went out ( and i mean within three feet of the door). Our waiter was very nice and just as the main course came out he switched our table. we were incredibly thankful. therefore, overall, this is a great place to dine.

• Pros: good food, fun atmosphere
• Cons: crowded

08/09/08

If you like enchiladas and booze, go here.

by belmontranchtx

I frequent both the Westheimer and Midtown locations and am in love with both of them. The enchiladas suizas are amazing, as are any of the other enchilada choices. I've never heard anyone that I've been with complain about their meal at either location and that's after over at least 100 visits. The blue margaritas are delicious.

• Pros: Food, the "Blues"
• Cons: I have to move.

07/05/08

Over rated, they are full of themselves

by abogadodave

We have always been welcome at Sunday brunch when the place is empty. Showed up at 7 pm on Thursday. The parties ahead of us and behind us were sat, the hostess sneared when she saw us (two adults, two kids). She said she did not know when she could get us in, despite empty tables. Glad they have so much business, I will not return and will continue to tell at least 200 people.

• Pros: mandatory valet
• Cons: lousy service and horrible treatment of regulars

06/02/08

Wow, this was pretty impressive!

by NYMexicanFoodReviewer

In town from NY for a conference, I decided to try out the local Mexican fare and found that El Patio received quite high praise on line; so that's where I headed (Monday night at 7:30 pm, no wait).

The menu was pretty comprehensive and I finally decided on the blue margarita ('when in Rome'), guac dip, followed by the fish (Mahi) tacos. Started to feel the margarita buzz half-way through the glass and knew I was on to something. In most NY State Mex restaurants, you have to order a pitcher before you feel the buzz (other than perhaps the El Rio Grande Restaurant in Midtown Manhattan, 37th and 3rd)! The dip was a tad average, but the tacos were fantastic; not a massive portion, but the flavor was out of this world. It came with a cilantro sauce in a little 'cup' on the side, which made the dish.

I was also impressed by the fact that they brought me a new basket of chips when I was two-thirds through the first one - almost as if they recognized that most of of the remaining chips were looking a little 'fragmented'. It's the little things that make the difference!

Feeling quite buzzed, I nonetheless opted for a second blue margarita, which really 'sealed the deal'. What a wonderful experience. Great service, too, with my waiter and what appeared to be the manager, offering me a hand shake on my way out the door, headed to a cab, which they ordered for me.

The ONLY criticism I would have is that the best hot sauce they could offer was Tabasco! And here I thought New Yorkers were meant to be the sissies! Come on guys, stock some decent bottles of stuff that at least come close to matching the potency of the margaritas. While this was a bit of a disappointment to a hot sauce fanatic, it wasn't enough to take away from the 5 star rating these guys deserved; after all, I probably shouldn't use so much salsa picante anyway!

Cheers.

2008-06-02

02/10/08

Great food and drinks

by moxie19

El Patio is one of my favorite mexican places to eat at in Houston. They have amazing cheese enchiladas! The margaritas are like jet fuel. They are so strong it only takes one. I'd stick with the pink Sissy margarita if you are a light weight. If you are a margarita ninja go ahead with the blue margarita. It makes me feel like I am back in the early 80's when ever I go eat there. Our food is always fresh and fast. The best time to go is early saturday for lunch or sunday. It doesn't get too crowded until Friday or Saturday nights. On those days only will you not be able to find a parking spot!

• Pros: Awesome food and margaritas
• Cons: Too crowded on Friday and Saturday Nights

07/05/07

El Dumpio

by blanch_69

This place is a dump. Basically a brick blob on the outside, and not much better inside.

If you want to get into the 'bar' area, you better have booked. And even if you put your name down on the 1 hour plus waiting list, they will probably forget to come and get you anyway, as they did with us.

The foot wasn't bad, but it is difficult to screw up quesadillas. The blue margarita does what it is billed to do, which is a smart ploy on the part of the establishment, as you will probably not quite remember how bad the place is by the next morning.

My view - go to El Tiempo - same margarita (but with better ingredients) and altogether a much more sociable and aesthetic experience.

• Pros: Seemed to be cheap.
• Cons: Awful decor, environment and treatment of customers

06/27/07

BEST MARGARITA'S...

by hoummm

A great place to meet up with friends, have birthday parties, or just enjoy a night out. I've been going to El Patio for many years and have always enjoyed my experience. Whether it was for a reasonable mexican meal, or for there famous margarita's, or both it's been rememberable!

05/31/07

Pretty good

by bjacks01

A friend of mine kept telling me about the Blue Margarita like about a million times, so when I finally went, It was not all what it's cracked up to be =) Maybe it was the night I went, which was a Friday, but when I took a sipp it tasted horrible. Other than that the food is pretty good =)

• Pros: Food
• Cons: Blue Margarita

05/30/07

A satisfying Tex-Mex relic with more than memories to offer.

by Contributor

The Scene
When a well-aged waiter mumbles, "hot plate, very hot plate," you've just connected with a half century of the city's Tex-Mex history. While the decor is strictly old-school, in the tradition of red leather booths and bull fighter posters, the original El Patio location doesn't feel tattered or dreary. And the off-the-lobby bar, jokingly called Club No Minors (referring to the legal posting on the door) has been one of southwest Houston's more enduring party spots.

The Food
Fortunately, there's more than nostalgia to enjoy. A first-rate plate of onion-y enchiladas with chili gravy makes you appreciate the classics. Combination plates are a value here, especially the cool plate (salad, tacos, chili con queso) and hot plate (tamales, enchiladas) duos like the deluxe. A chili relleno filled with cheese and shrimp strikes a modern note.