Cliff B.
Yelp
This was my first time to El Patio Del Rio, and most likely my last.
I chose this restaurant at random because their parking lot was packed which is usually a good sign. However I was disappointed with what was offered on the buffet.
They offered traditional ox tail soup, noodle soup (sopa de fideos) which had nothing in it except for noodles and was quite salty (and I like salty!); bean and cheese tostadas, chicken flautas, charro beans, refried beans, Mexican rice, Texan style enchiladas (gross), chicken fried steak with gravy (no mashed potatoes), ribs, fried chicken strips, a Mexican style chicken in salsa (very soupy), and some fruit and salad.
I was expecting more authentic Mexican food. If I had wanted chicken fried steak, BBQ ribs or chicken strips I could've gone to the Sirloin Stockade. I was expecting mole, chiles rellenos, and other Mexican dishes more than tostadas, flautas (mostly fried rolled tortillas), and soupy chicken. What they had was subpar in comparison to other Americanized "Mexican" restaurants I've been to. Even San Antonio's La Cabana is way better.
I also felt that the buffet was way overpriced for what you get. One redeeming factor was that my server was friendly, did her job well and kept my ice tea filled.
The decor was nice, but it was quite loud and a television in the corner was playing Mexican soap operas. I would not bring my wife for a date here even if the food was better.
In spite of my less than satisfactory experience the locals seem to love it. If you go just don't expect all Mexican food nor authenticity.