El Patio Mexican Restaurant Midtown

I used to frequent both El Patio locations on Westheimer years ago. Am recently in town and when I went out with friends to catch up I strongly suggessted El Patio so that we can sip on their AWESOME Margarita's....NOT!!!!!!!!!! UGH! DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME! I REPEAT, DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME. I paid practicaly $8 for a WATERED DOWN FREAKIN BLUE MARGARITA! SUCH A WASTE OF TIME. SCREW EL PATIO! THE CLUB NO MINOR PLACE SMELLED LIKE MOLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! more

A friend and I just returned from trying this Mexican food place out. We will NOT be returning. It was not overly crowded when we arrived. After we were seated, we waited a long time before someone came and took our order (Juans' Nachos). We waited some more... We requested additional chips and hot sauce. Again we waited (the additional chips and hot sauce came much later after we were finally served)... My order was completely cold by the time it hit the table. We had waited so long that i decided to eat my nachos cold, thinking to myself that this was the first and last expereience with this place. Again, it took forever to get the check and by the time our waitress returned with the check, I just wanted to get out of there. The cold food was semi-decent but the service was the absolute worst, ever. Never, again... more

My wife and i went for the happy hour which was advertised on Sunday from 11-6:30 on the net and they would not honor the advertisment. I called back to speak with a manager because i thought that maybe we had looked at the web-site wrong, but upon confirmation we had not. When i asked them about it they told me that i was wrong had must coul'nt read and then slammed the phone in my face with no apologies. i will certainly never return. In times like these i can certainly find a better place to spend my hard-earned money Pros: great drink Cons: terrible service very rude. more

I heard that they had really good margaritas, well, I think what they mean, are strong margaritas. I think they are made with everclear or soemthing, b/c it was TOO strong to drink like a margarita, and didn't taste like any margarita I've ever had before. Pros: Fun social setting Cons: Price more

This used to be a place that we went to all the time. The food was great and the prices were good for the area. Their margarita's were excellent. I would bring people from out of town here and suggest to others that this should be the place that we meet at. After a while their margarita's changed (I should mention that this was in '07) and I made a comment to the manager about it. He told me that your tastes change with the season and that is why it didn't taste the same. Well, we've been there plenty times since then throughout the year and they have not gotten any better, even with ordering a better grade tequila. The food prices have gone up considerably since then as well. The food is still good, but I can't justify the price for it. When a single fajita taco (which has gone down in size and up in price) costs over $7 for something you can get elsewhere for under $2, then it's hard to justify going. We live close by so we walk which is really nice, but you have to eat there at the beginning of the week as the rest of the week can get crowded and loud (although lively for a group when they have their mariachi's playing, if that is what you are looking for). This used to be a weekly regular and now has turned into once a month or every other month. Pros: Good food Cons: Loud, Overpriced more

I just wanted to say that a friend and I went here for lunch today. The service could have been better... the food was ok, but the margarita's were AWFUL! Worst margaritas i've ever had and we paid almos $11 for the ""famous blue"" margaritas! We tried the regulars, sent them back and were given the blue ones... terrible terrible terrible! Pros: close to downtown Cons: everything else... mainly really awful margaritas! more

The waitstaff was very nice to point out their best sellers as their recomendations. Thank goodness she did that, the enchaladas were off the hook! The margarita was pricey though... Pros: Great service & delic. food more

My friend's sister was visiting from out of town and really wanted to try some good Texan margaritas. I'd never been to El Patio before but my friend had heard that they have good margaritas so we headed there right before hitting up Red Door. I have to say I was extremely disappointed. For one, they were pre-mixed rather than made fresh, they were served in tiny plastic (yes, PLASTIC) cups, and extremely watered down. I can't remember what i paid but it was definitely around $7.00 or more. I used to run a restaurant, so I know a fair bit about alcohol, and that was definitely the worst margarita I have ever had, especially for a place that claims to specialize in them. The food was pretty decent and it's a good place to go on a Friday night with friends, but I definitely DO NOT recommend the margaritas. Pros: atmosphere, setting Cons: overpriced and watered down Margaritas more

Food is good, margaritas are good. At par with the Houston average, nothing special here. But.... if you're young and fun, you'll love the atmosphere here. Total party all weekend and even many weekday nights. Great place for happy hours or to meet with some friends for drinks. And when you finish, walk next door to the Tipsy Clover for some pub fun or Red Door for some body thumpin' dancing. I am a Montrose resident to the core, but have to say El Patio has done a splendid job in Midtown. Kudos! Pros: Party atmosphere, maragritas, food Cons: not the place if you want a laidback night more

Let's be honest. The food is OK but that's not why you go here. You go here because the blue margaritas, though not cheap, are one of the strongest drinks in town. One of the best places in town to start your long night. Pros: Blue margs Cons: decisions you make after the blue margs more

Fun place to go with a group. The food is good, the service is good, and you must try the Blue Ritas! Warning...... they are reeealy good! more

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: service and value more

Too bad this place has turned out to be a dud, even after I had given it 3 chances! I live only a couple of blocks away and am sad that El Patio does not meet even my average expectations. The neighbors may feel the same way after I discuss it with them. The food (El Patio Enchiladas) was as bland as it could be! Great food, but no spices....they need to season their chicken. Also, the salsa should not be called ""salsa"". It is too runny, no substance. Just rolls off of the chips! The waiter decided to bring out the food before the appetizer, then tried to say he could not cancel the appetizer! Who wants their appetizer with or after getting the entree? He ended up cancelling it but I didn't like his tone when he tried to coax us into waiting for the appetizer. Be sure to note that the Happy Hour Menu for drinks in the middle of the menu is a full menu for Happy Hour only. I didn't see the regular drink prices. The Blue Margaritas are $ 7.75, pretty pricey! The best thing I can say is that the sangria is tasty, but still too expensive especially when you consider that they put alot of ice in the glass which means little amount of sangria. Pros: Location Cons: Bland Food, Pricey Drinks, Average Experience more

This is another great mexican restaurant inside the loop. My friend and I eat here for lunch occassionally and love it. It's usually not packed during the day on the weekends. We always get fast, friendly service. Pros: Outdoor seating Cons: parking can be a pain more

This place is awesome. I was last there 2 weeks ago and the experience was, like I stated earlier, awesome. Probably my favorite dish is the enchiladas suizas. The only thing I do not like about the place is the wait and the parking (why pay for something one can do). Just be prepared to wait for a seat. But dont leave, the food is worth the wait. Pros: THE FOOD!!! Cons: The Parking and long wait more

Interesting atmosphere... Has the crisp linen tablecloths and then the cheese dip with all the fixins' and the BLUE MARGARITA to die for... all in mid-town... Quick service, we were barely thru our 1st margarita before the food came! Thats fast... Also boasts a valet parking service thats connected to the red door so valet at el patio eat, then go next door to ""red door"" and never have to re-valet... What a deal! Outside patio is great on a nice spring day, avoid on a cold day in which you feel like you and the tent will fly away! And to think its all in midtown... Pros: BLUE MARGARITA!!! Valet... more

The food was just ok to me. Nothing very special. The blue margaritas are good, but there are a lot better Mexican restaurants to choose from in Houston. Skip the 20 something crowd and go elsewhere. Pros: margaritas Cons: crowded, ok food more

Their seafood dishes are the worst thing about this place. Easy solution: DON'T ORDER EM. But, do be sure to order 5433423863546 of their blue margaritas, they're AWESOME!!! Overall, the rest of the food is great. This is not a family oriented restaurant (there are actually ""artsy"" pictures on the walls of ladies without their clothes on). And, the band thoroughly embarassed me standing up while signing to me for my birthday, my friends got some ridiculous pictures of me acting like a monkey dancing (but I did get a free cupcake out of it). Good thing though, I had a couple of their ritas in my stomach before I had to start acting like a puppet for the band. :) Overall a fun place, great service, we were seated right away even though it was late in the evening for a Friday night, great place to start out a weekend night of drinks and appetizers before walking to other places... heck, you can even walk to Red Door and begin burning off the calories you just drank. :) Pros: Location, brilliant TVs to watch sporting events on, AMAZING drinks, overall fun atmosphere and great service. Cons: Valet parking (why let someone else do it when you could do it otherwise for free). more

Im glad to see El Patio in midtown ! I've eaten at lots of mexican food places this is by far the best. The food,service,and coctails are the best in town highly recommened!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! more

First of all this, place is not right on the Metro Rail Line as stated in the City Search Review so if you take the rail be prepared to walk 6 blocks or so in not the best area of town. During your walk you will be panhandled. The Star of Hope Mission is walking distance for these folks so don't give in. The mayor says so!!! The regular patrons of El Patio are an interesting mix of well dressed hip urbinites, Midtowners, Montrose electics, River Oaks trophy wives with the hubby wearing the Rolex, and suburbanites dressed in Walmart's best coming into town to avoid the boring chain restaurants they so frequenly visit. The place is small, loud and crowded and everyone is ready to party and shout. This place is not meant for the kiddies. Leave 'em at home with the sitter. The staff is friendly with the service a little slow when the place gets humming. Beware when the Mexican Trio is singing!! Ear plugs are in order. The noise (not music) coming from this group is deafing and irritating. They have speakers which they put on your table to make the listening even more unbearable. Go for the addictive beef fajitas which are about the best in town. beening juicy, well flavored and tender. The 'ritas are just adequate having a commerically mixed flavor. And a shot of Patron and you will be happier. Limit two or you will not remember how you got home. You will find a more flavorful 'rita at Cyclones just a few blocks away. But, go ahead and try El Patio just for the beef fajitas as they are addictive. Pros: Fajitas Cons: The band more