Mexican Restaurant
Bustling neighborhood haunt serving up classic Mexican cuisine & margaritas in a snug, cheery space.
I recently visited El Patron after the Altadena fire, and I felt compelled to share how important it is to support this place right now. Beyond serving consistently delicious, authentic food, El Patron represents resilience and heart in the community. Despite everything they’ve been through, the staff remain welcoming, hardworking, and deeply appreciative of every customer who walks through the door. You can feel the care they put into both the food and the experience.
After a scenic drive through the foothills of Altadena, this little restaurant sits on the side of the mountain and has a long deck-style patio where patrons of El Patron can continue to enjoy the spectacular outdoor mountain and distant city-below views outside or inside this festive Oaxacan-style Mexican eatery. The food is fresh and tasty and their jalepeno agave-wine margarita is just the right drink to go with some of their delicious street tacos as you take in the fresh air from the little pine-tree park that adds to the lovely views of this quaint restful friendly establishment.
Visiting El Patrón was more than just a dining experience, it was a moment of reflection and community. This restaurant sits in the heart of Altadena, an area deeply affected by the recent fire. As you approach, the surroundings feel different: buildings gone, homes damaged, and businesses struggling to recover. The impact is visible and emotional. The food itself was above average and comforting. I ordered the carne con chile verde, fried fish, and the carne asada plate. Each dish was well-prepared, flavorful, and satisfying. The chile verde had a rich, homestyle taste, the fried fish was crispy and well-seasoned, and the carne asada plate delivered exactly what you hope for, simple, solid, and enjoyable Mexican food. What impressed me the most, however, was not just the food, but the spirit inside the restaurant. The servers carried themselves with confidence and warmth, and the clientele clearly showed their support for the business and the community. A banner inside read, “Altadena will rise and remain strong,” and that message truly captured the atmosphere. You could feel resilience, pride, and unity in the room. El Patrón represents more than a place to eat, it represents perseverance and community strength. If you’re in the area, don’t just drive by. Stop in, enjoy a good meal, and support a local establishment that continues to stand strong alongside Altadena.
We went for lunch at 1:30pm on Thursday and it was nicely busy, with people still coming in after we left. This restaurant is in an area where so much around it burned down in the fire, so it's wonderful to see people coming to this super cute Mexican restaurant with delicious food and friendly, expedient staff. Chicken Mole was bittersweet and spicy, yummy!
GO! They need your help staying afloat after fires!!! Beautiful family owned place been there forever. All the way up Lake. Food is good! Service is great! Mmmm pineapple tamale 🫔 😋! Chili Verde was decent. FRESH SALSA. We chose patio seating to enjoy the surrounding view of mountains. Also CLEAN restrooms!
Reviews and photos from Google