El Patio

I've been coming here to get a great lunch for years, but never for breakfast. After church today I was craving menudo so I looked up menudo spots before settling for my familiar take-out menudo go-to. Why? Because I didn't feel like taking it to go. I wanted to sit down somewhere and enjoy my meal. I was pleasantly surprised when El Patio popped up and other reviews said they had good menudo. So, I made the short drive over and I'm glad I did. The chips & salsa don't miss here, they serve cafe de olla which was delicious and the menudo was very good. I'll definitely come back for it again and to try some of their other breakfast offerings as well. Service was outstanding as always and as another reviewer said, the staff works well as a team which makes it so much nicer. Great job to this place.

I forgot to take a picture of the menudo but it was delicious melted in your mouth. The enchiladas with the mole sauce was so delicious. I have a hard time finding mole I love and this one was great im coming back for them. I ordered the enchiladas Rancheros and they were delicious. The chips and salsa they bring to the table so yummy. I enjoyed the salsa I used it on my enchiladas we were a party of 3 and had it filled twice! The mexican hot chocolate was yummy, but just to warn you it is hot. The service was great every employee we came across were kind and helpful! Definitely worth the wait!

Were driving from LA to SD and googled a place to eat breakfast, glad we found El Patio off of "H" st and Broadway. Had machaca with egg and hubby had Chile Verde with pork meat. Freshly made flour tortillas, their jamaica was delicious ( not too sweet, not too watered down, just the way WE like it ) Loved their service and how fast we were sat down and served. You can see how they all work as a team, which is always a plus at any restaurant ! will definately visit again !

Great food! Everyone in my party enjoyed their order! It was super busy with customers, but service was still quick.

An authentic experience--eat where the locals do. Be patient, as food is made from scratch. It's worth the wait! Save room for dessert, too!

First time for me here and now I wish I have come here instead of waiting to be seated as usual at the place I usually go for breakfast. This place was walk right in at 8 15 AM excellent service and the taste of fresh made Mexican breakfast was just what I wanted. Will definitely be back.

Great ambience..many traditional mexican plates to choose from..we ordered... roll tacos,baja fish tacos,shrimp tacos,mexican style corn,churros con amor..where amazing🤌😋 a modelo and a fun tequila drink!! thank you😊

I have been coming here since I was about 17 yrs old. The have great beef soup, menudo, machaca, nopalitos con chile.

GREAT! Fast seating, great service and excellent selection of meals at a very affordable price. The ambiance was great!

Excellent service. Restaurant is amazing indoor ambience. There's even a tile roof inside the eating area , making you feel your in the backyard enjoying a meal. Shrimp Fajitas coming out sizzling, stayed warm through out the entire meal. Carrots and Chips to start off with. Another wonderful dish was the Enchiladas Suizas . Chicken was delicious with the tomatillo green sauce was very tasty .

Covid really took a bite out of this restaurant. Before it had a full menu and now they have curbed back. Same dishes made well. It's a good family restaurant, but they stopped trying. After posting this review I received a note from the owner. Wanting to be fair, I'll give the place another try. Maybe they were having an off night.

Our server was nice but they need to focus and pay attention!! I ordered the Carne asada nachos. As I waited patiently for them to arrive, a party of 2 came in and sat adjacent to us and ordered. To my surprise, they received their order first!! A beautiful plate of Carne asada Nachos!! I could see the chunks of meat from where I was sitting. I thought it was odd because we had arrived there about 10 minutes before they did!! Instantly I knew those nachos should have come to me About 5 minutes later I get a plate of nachos but they have shredded beef I politely sent it back and asked for the order I had asked for. My server apologized and came back with some Nachos but my with barley ANY Carne asada .ind you, this plate is close to $20 At this point, I was so disappointed, I couldn't even eat because my disappointment was too much. The 2 older lady chefs told my server that they could not add more meat. I literally had specks of meat on this dish that I had to dig to find under the toppings. Not what I had seen from the other plate that should have come to me. Instead of making it right, the cooks told my server that I could pick something else from the menu if I didn't like the nachos. Sooo disappointed. I was so excited to eat the nachos I saw given to the other party because they genuinely looked good but because of their error, I was denied that opportunity. Save your time and don't take a chance with customer service like this.

Found out this place just recently opened so came with coworker on our lunch break to check it out! It was decorated with lights just in time for the Christmas season, giving a cozy vibe! Very popular with a lot of people. Food was so good!! I got the carne asada fries and fries were crispy on the outside and soft on the inside and big portion too!! Their churros is especially amazing! It's crusty outside with cajeta inside which was so good!

This place reminded me of a Mexican restaurant back in the day down here in LA that I used to love going to with my parents. It had the same old-school vibe that I haven't felt in quite some time. I ordered the guacamole as well as the steak Ranchetta (I hope I remember the name as correctly as possible) and give it a solid 4.5 out of five stars. The flavor was delicious even though I like my food on the saltier side. Gerardo, the waiter, was attentive and welcoming. I probably bring my family down here if ever in Chula Vista again.

Came here for some crispy tacos I had the chicken tacos it didn't disappoint load with chicken and tomato, lettuce and some cheese and salsa on the table with chips And she had the fish tacos She enjoyed it came 2 warm tortillas on each taco She was happy everything was fresh and came out hot too. Quite busy too but service is top notch here. With a roomy Resturant and A/C kept all comfortable. We even had free Churros for checking in And they had a filling too Prices are good

Great food. And customer service. Family owned and operated for many years It gets crowded so be patient but worth the wait.

I love coming to El Patio!! All the food on their menu is absolutely delicious!! I can't wait to come again!!

This spot has really good genuine Mexican food! It is now a regular spot the server recognizes us when we go with coworkers so gives a very welcome home type of vibe and literally looks inside like your eating out in a patio. I luv the cute Mexican artisan decor inside. They have great lunch options and bfast usually still available as well! Definitely recommend!

If a local neighborhood restaurant has had a solid following for over 70 years (est. 1954), it can be assumed that they've really been doing something right, consistently, and have been serving quality food while providing excellent service to stick around this long. We love that they're open for breakfast, that their food is very good; that their dining room, kitchen, and restrooms are clean, and their service has always been good to outstanding. There are a few things we don't like such as the limited private parking, and the fact that they don't accept AMEX cards for payment. But those small things won't prevent us from dining here. It's one of our favorite places to dine at in Chula Vista. We love their flying saucer, fajitas, caldo de res, rolled tacos, guacamole, and chips & salsa. If you haven't tried this place, but you like Mexican food, you're really missing out.

Every time we visit San Diego we stop by for breakfast and dinner. Food is delicious and staff are always very welcoming and friendly! Food is delicious and prices are reasonable. Decor is tasteful and the inside is quiet and cozy. Definitely recommend if you're looking for authentic Mexican food and great prices.

Posole its so good ! The staff is also very friendly . All the food was very delicious very recommended it :) 10/10

Entrees were very good, as was the Mango Marg! Chips and salsa were just ok. The server was nice

Great food, great atmosphere and very nice staff! Husband had the mole and loved it, I had the chimichanga. Definitely recommend!

visited this spot on a Sunday and was pleasantly surprised by the short 15-minute wait, despite the place being packed. I came in with a craving for pozole, but the wide variety of dishes on the menu made the decision a bit tough. In the end, we went for three bowls of pozole--two with pata al lado--and El Patio House Breakfast. Everything was exceptional. The pozole was spot on, and even my picky eater finished most of her plate, praising the flavor and perfect seasoning. For drinks, we went with the "La Tia Juana," and it was the perfect adult beverage to complement the meal. To top it off, we indulged in the Bulo for dessert, which was the perfect sweet ending. The service was top-notch--attentive and efficient. Even though it was a full house, the staff kept everything running smoothly, and I never had to ask for anything twice. The ambiance was cozy and inviting, with ample space between tables, making it feel homey and comfortable. This place definitely earned my recommendation, and I'll absolutely be back!

Looking for a cozy and casual Mexican sit down? El Patio is your spot. Small, almost hidden Mexican restaurant on Broadway, but been around since 1954. Get there before the line forms. We went on a Sunday around 3pm and there wasn't a wait. Chile Relleno 10/10 Menudo 12/10 Carne Asada Burrito 8/10 Service 9/10 Can't wait to go again!

We have eaten here for many years.Love the food.We always get the number 20 burrito.Taco taco and angelata.The chips and saucer are fantastic.Maria is a pretty darn good as well! If you have to wait... keep in mind it's worth the wait!

I am continuingy trip down memory lane, honoring the memory of my late wife Gay, the 25 anniversary of our first date, and our 23 wedding anniversary by visiting restaurants that we visited together El Patio was one such restaurant although it was usually a place we'd eat at with friends after Church. The service was excellent. Martha listened to my stories . She was friendly attentive and explained things on the menu and gave good suggestions. I had the El Patio House Breakfast. It was $18.80 for breakfast plus $3.95 for coffee, and of course Uncle Sam wanted in on the action and talked on another $1.99 for a whopping $24.74 . I didnt appreciate the fact that they didn't appreciate my Veteran Status, I didn't Appreciate the fact that I'm a senior. I try to patronize establishments that do, so this will play into the frequency of my visits. My breakfast arrived quickly. Both the food and coffee were hot. The El Patio house Breakfast came with 2 eggs, refied beans, carne asada, chilaquilles, cheese , and a small scoop of guacamole.. The meal was as visually appealing as it was delicious. While the hearty proportion provided enough left overs for a small lunch, I felt a small serving of rice some salsa, and a couple of flour tortillas would have rounded out the mouth watering flavorful meal. The beans were thick and earthy, I chose eggs over easy both arrived perfectly fried with tender whites and velvety yokes as opposed to one being some what less than desired. The enjoyment of the crunchchewy rojos Chilaquilles was enhanced by the fresh creamy savory guacamole. The coffee was rich strong and hot. The addition of some ice, sugar, and creamer was required to suite my personal preference. There was a certain quality that I can't describe that made it ever so slightly different from any coffee I've drank this week. Over all I truly enjoyed my breakfast today. Due to the cost and the fact they didn't respect my Senior or even more important Veteran Status, I'll place this eatery ony list for extra special occasions such as the one that broughte here today. Martha, thank you for the kind interest you showed in my story, your patience ine as I was ordering, for explaining the menu to me and for the great suggestions.

Amazing food. Excellent Service. 10/10 would definetely come back and bring my love dones !

First time eating here and I ordered the chili verde plate and it was outstanding! I wish they had one of these restaurants in orange county.

My husband and I stopped at El Patio for lunch. Immediately we noticed the beautiful artwork all around. The service was pretty fast and efficient. The Tia Juana margarita was phenomenal! It had great flavor and no overwhelming taste of alcohol, but still packed a punch. The chips and salsa were good - nice and spicy and served up right away. The enchiladas de papa were just ok, but I loved that there were so many vegetarian options. It means there are plenty of other dishes for me to try when I go back for another margarita :) My husband had the carne asada plate and he thoroughly enjoyed it. This place has generous portions and a nice ambiance.

Love this place! Can't get enough of it! I try to come here once a week with my wife and we order the same things every time. Highly recommend this place to anyone!

El patio had good food and good service. Fair prices and nice ambiance. I'd recommend!

Authentic, where the locals go. You won't regret it. The nachos could easily be a meal in themselves. Be patient, as your meal is made fresh to order. Don't forget to save room for dessert!

Excelente servicio, muy amables del principio al final. Comida está súper buena, prueben la numero 20. Ambiente 10/10. Acogedor. Gracias

Best Mexican Mimosa! So much chamoy on the rim, it's my favorite breakfast drink. My boyfriend loved the cafe de olla!

Our server was hustling, but the egg made me sad. + mole was delish + all the staff were very friendly + cafe de olla yummy + cozy interior, pretty lights, good for groups - on the weekend you'll encounter long waits - I'm sure they were just trying get the food out quickly, my sunny side up egg was wildly undercooked and cold to the touch :( Since I love chilaquiles, I would be willing to try again. Most likely on a weekday though

Great atmosphere, service is incredible, and the food is amazing. I'm definitely coming back real soon

Fast service & good food. I loved the Enchiladas. Really good music. Brian was a very nice helpful waiter.

My partner and I have been going to place for the last year. The staff are super friendly to us every time we come. The ambience is warm and comforting. The food is good and never disappointing. I'm a fan of their MOLE dishes, whether it be chilaquiles de mole in the morning, or enchiladas de mole in the evening. It's my go to comfort dish. Highly recommend for folks who are in the area, to check this place out.

Went with the menudo with corn tortillas this am. Wife had red chilaquiles which co.e with beans and egg and were quite good. I love great refried beans and El Patio perhaps has the best I've tasted anywhere. As always a nice crowd on Saturday and service was attentive. You can't go wrong with really any of their plates- sopes, burritos, enchilada and specials. They have tongue which is incredibly popular and sells out. Ask for their yummy carrots as they don't bring them out automatically

This place is super nice ! The food is amazing to be honest, very flavorful. They take their time to bring your food. Always ask if you need anything, waiters are very attentive and fast. The portions are perfect for the price. I do wish the kids menu had more caldos or variety. Deserts are a very yummy ending. ‍ The Ambiance is nice and calm, the music is loud enough to hear. The times I've been it's always full or almost full , a little small but not too small. The wait is bit long. I love this place, Definitely recommend!!

This is one of those staples in Chula Vista. It has been on Broadway for years and serves the most authentic and delicious real Mexican food in San Diego. This has not been watered down nor Americanized to suit the multitudes. It simply gives you good down home meals at an affordable price and great service. If you haven't been you really need to try this place whether its the Machaca Plates, Enchilada plate or the Costillitas Tatemadas, you will never go wrong. So i would ask that you please give this Family owned business a try and you wont be disappointed and bte try their Tia Juana margaritas with the flavor of your choice, with tajin and chamoy and you wont be disappointed

Very good authentic chicken mole, which consisted of a boneless and skinless chicken breast and a drumstick served with rice and beans, tortillas and complimentary chips and salsa. All made on premises. Recommended

My family has gone here for years! Love coming back from Idaho for some great food. Thank you also for the great service. Like family Sam table as always. The ambience has been updated so that is nice too.

I've lived in the area for almost my entire life and never knew of this place! Excellent food, drinks, and customer service. The prices are very fair. This may now be my favorite Mexican restaurant. Complimentary chips and salsa. And when we were running low on chips, the server refilled it without us even asking! WOW, I've never had that happen and it made me so happy. The margaritas and micheladas are delicious. They come with the chamoy candy rim. The margaritas have the same creamy/icy texture (so not like a slurpee) as my favorite taco spot in Tijuana. I ordered 2 apps as my meal, queso fundido and fiesta flautas. I enjoyed both and they were the perfect size. I would've liked the queso to be a bit more cheesy/melted down, but the chorizo was perfect. The actual entrees come in large portions and can be shared between 2 people. I can't wait to be back!!

AMAZING!! I don't even know where to start.. one of the best Mexican food restaurants I've ever had in my life. The chips and salsa were so fresh just to start off. The restaurant owner came to check on us frequently and was so kind. The ambiance was absolutely stunning with paintings and lights etc. We got the Enchiladas Suizas (chicken enchiladas) and Enchiladas Oh So Good (shredded beef enchiladas). I was speechless by the homemade green tomatillo sauce and everything about the chicken enchiladas. I also got the Chamango margarita (mango, chamoy, tajin, agave azul and tangy rim). Run don't walk to this God sent restaurant.

What an amazing experience from the meal to the attentive service. Complimentary chips and salsa: ok, so the chips and salsa need improvement, but they were free, decent overall, and I promise you this review gets better =) The chips were crispy but not warm, and they needed salt. The red salsa wasn't spicy and was lightly flavored, yet I still couldn't stop eating these, 3/5 stars. You must request for the spicy (green) salsa. It's a liquefied salsa with spice that creeps in your mouth but not your exit =) 2.5/5 stars Add both the red and green salsas to enhance the flavor and spice, 3.5/5 stars. Tampiqueña carne asada ($21.99): each ingredient worked harmoniously to create an outstanding dish, 10/10 stars! The carne asada was tender and well-seasoned, while the citrus and cilantro flavors came through. The cheese enchilada was included. It was not spicy, but it was flavorful and addictive. This did not have the traditional bitter sauce, but instead, it was full-bodied with extra garlic and onion flavors. Last but not least are the side items. The beans were creamy, well-seasoned, and the best I've had because of the enchilada sauce. The Spanish rice was fluffy and well-seasoned from the tomato sauce, cumin, onions, and chicken broth. Shredded chicken sopes: I was able to sample my friend's order, and this was decent. However, I prefer pollo asado, carne asada, or canitas as the protein for more condensation and flavor, 3/5 stars. Although my friend has indicated their preparation of sopes is exactly what her heart desired. Onto the superb service from our server, Gerardo. Upon entering the restaurant, we were immediately greeted and seated. Shortly after, we've received the menus, and our drink orders were taken. He had made sure that our drinks and chips were topped off without us asking. His efforts do not go unnoticed, as he was focused on catering to all of our needs for an excellent dinner. Simplicity, attention to detail, and inviting are what come to mind for the food, decor, and service here. Two of my friends were spot on to recommend this gem!

Had a nice authentic dinner at El Patio. We didn't have reservations but the wait wasn't too bad for a Saturday night. Mexican food in Chula Vista can be semi-authentic so we had high expectations. Food: 3/5: Chips and salsa. Not bad but the salsa was a bit spicy for me and the chips weren't as thin and greasy as I like but they did the trick! 5/5: Famous flying saucer. This was an appetizer but it was huge and filling. I got it as my entree and I was stuffed. The chicken, beans and the super crispy fried four tortilla was enough to have me coming back again. 5/5: Cheese enchiladas. Flavorful. Everyone tore them up. 5/5: Wet Chicken enchiladas. Hubby grubbed. 1/5: Horchata. No cinnamon! Was bland and tasted like mildly sweetened milk 0/5: Shirley Temples. This drink just goes with Mexican food but they didn't have them! Boooo Service was great! Facility was clean. Parking was free! We left full and satisfied and will come back again.

We ordered the famous burrito and enchiladas oh so good but noticed meat was bland. Rice and beans were good though. Cafe de olla was great as well. Service is amazing and the ambiance is calming and fits the theme.

We love El Patio! Whenever we have friends or family in town, we always bring them here, and it's a hit! The servers are attentive and incredibly kind, and the food is always delicious! My husband always gets the fajitas, but I always try something new, and I've never had a bad meal here.

This is the BEST Mexican home made food!! 5 stars everything is delicious great awesome customer service!! I been coming here since I was little and it's as delicious like always!! recommended

This is like the 6th time here and they never disappoint! Parking is ok and the staff is always great!

Went here for the first time yesterday because of the good reviews. The service was decent, I did have a large group so I know mistakes happen and always expect it. The chips and salsa were ok, the salsa had good flavor but the chips tasted stale. I ordered the carne asada plate and added the nopalitos for an extra $1. This meal was already almost $20 so I was shocked at the serving size. The smallest and thinnest carne asada I have ever seen. It was enough for maybe 1 or 1/2 tacos. For $20 that's not what I expected. They also forgot to give me rice and they did correct that which is good. My mom had to ask 4 times for another drink. The lemonade had no syrup in it, tasted like lemon water. Just not the best experience

We love El Patio. It's a must go to when visiting the area! We like the burritos, enchiladas, etc. Parking is difficult though with our large truck. However, we were able to park on the street this trip! We will be back next time we visit San Diego!

This place is frustratingly good, and I say that because everything I've tried has been a hit. You take a bite and can't seem to understand how they've made every single dish so well. El Patio has a menu that can safisfy a variety of Mexican cravings. I'm telling you everything is good lol it'd take me too long to go through the list, from the free tortilla chips and sauce to their desserts. Their strong suit is definitely in their red meats but the mariscos are still so good (I love their enchiladas). Best of all the price for the ginormous servings you get is truly a win. You can't go wrong here. This place is also great for a more "upscale" sit down restaurant feel but with that hearty Mexican food. The ambiance is gorgeous and the servers are so kind. Good place to celebrate a special event while still eating good!

GCBC is the best burrito I've had! Environment is very warm and friendly :) 10/10 would recommend!!

Dinner with Dad- We love El Patio. It's always super busy but we never seem to have to wait long to be seated. The moment you sit down they bring chips and salsa and take your drink orders. Our favorite server Gerardo always brings our food out super fast and keeps drinks and chips full all the time. They have really generous portions and the food tastes great. I've never had dessert here but thinking next time I will do the Yelp check in for a free churro!