I have been going to this restaurant for over 40 years when it started as Quittos. Now they charge $3 if you want extra chips with your meal. They gave us a half a basket of crumbs. I did not eat there and never will be back. After years!!!! Ta ta
Juvencio Martinez
I took my family to celebrate my father’s birthday this weekend and our experience was not good. The food was good but the server was not polite and friendly she came every once in a while to ask if we needed anything and I understand she was busy with other customers but the place was not even full either. Once it was time to pay she just handed me a receipt and I always do leave tip based on how we are treated. Well I left my tip and until after I finished paying is when I saw that a tip was already included in my bill. I was charged twice for a tip that truly I feel the server did not even deserve.
Service: 1
Chris M.
The table service salsa tasted like a weak marinara mixed with Tabasco. Noticed a...stench when we walked in, like the sewer was backed up, or so I hope. Service was quick, but there also wasn't really anyone in the place. Food didn't meet expectations. Very plain, little flavor. Probably won't be coming back, wouldn't recommend.
Paul Dominguez
Food is great, prices are reasonable, food comes out quick and hot. ? Support your local businesses.
Jennifer L.
The food is delicious! Prices are high! Waitress and hostess are very rude, they even stand in the kitchen and talk about you. Ambiance is nice. They don't listen to your order and something is usually incorrect whether it be food or drinks. They try not to smile? Customers are a bother.
Lesley K.
Six of us came here for dinner. Three meals were good. Three were mediocre to say the least. My Taquitos were crisp outside, cold and tasteless inside. The taco was not the best. The Chile Verde was the worst. The meat was burnt and very chewy, as though it had been left over from lunch, reheated and covered in sauce. Our cousin ate some of the rice and beans then left the rest. When the bill came and he complained, the server took it back, then returned to say "the cook says it's good and the customer had eaten some of it". End of conversation. Felt sorry for the waitress being in the middle. Not the best service.
Jose Uriarte
Excellent authentic Mexican food!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Rice and Beans, Salsa and Chips, Camarones A la Diabla
George Flores
Never a bad meal. Excellent food and service. Price is very reasonable with the portions you receive.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Rice and Beans, Salsa and Chips, Chile Relleno
David Bailey
The food is amazing! Fast service, and the servings could feed 2 to 3 people easy. It's definitely a place we're coming back to to try everything on the menu!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
sarah richardson
My family and I love El Palenque! The staff is wonderful, we always feel so welcomed when we eat here. The food is honestly the best Mexican in Santa Maria. The food is excellent quality which is why it’s on the pricier side. I gave a 4 because I think it’s a little over priced, but you definitely pay for what you get!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Albondigas, Chicken Fajitas, Chile Verde, Rice and Beans, Salsa and Chips, Chile Relleno
We loved the food here. Tamales were delicious. Salsa for the chips was very hot/spicy. We will definitely be back to try more items. Stop here great portions great food.
Derek Bell
I usually do not post reviews but this place was amazing! Every last bite was amazing! Hands down the best Mexican food spot in all of Santa Maria!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
DK G
Was in town on business and went here based on some reviews. It wasn't overcrowded but there were a couple large groups for a Wednesday night. They seemed short staffed but the servers were doing the best they could. Really liked their Salsa it was a bit different and had a mild heat. Ordered the shrimp fajitas which came out quickly. The flavors were good but the guacamole served was minimal and tasteless. No pico, just rice and beans and only 2 flour tortillas. Overall it was good and well priced. I would go back and try something different.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salsa and Chips
Robert “Bobby” Swieciki
Food was great. Got here right before 5pm and got seated right away. I'm glad I got here when I did because within 15-20 mins this place was packed with the dinner crowd (Friday night). Great atmosphere. I was just in Mexico back in June and the inside of this place felt very authentic.I ordered the Burrito Supreme, with the tomatillo. It was perfect. Probably the best wet burrito I've had since moving to California in 2018. BTW, the menu pictures you get when looking this place up on Google don't have the back of the menu with the burritos and quesadillas+ more.I'd give 6 stars if I could.Parking: Tons of parking behind the restaurantKid-friendliness: I didn't have the kiddo with me but there were a ton of families there with kids. Very family friendly.Wheelchair accessibility: Level with no stairs
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burrito Supremeo
Greg Lyon
It's a classic old school Mexican restaurant!!Carne Asada was fantastic!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lunch Special 1 Beef Taco Cheese Enchilada, Chile Verde, Rice and Beans
I have been going to this restaurant for over 40 years when it started as Quittos. Now they charge $3 if you want extra chips with your meal. They gave us a half a basket of crumbs. I did not eat there and never will be back. After years!!!! Ta ta
I took my family to celebrate my father’s birthday this weekend and our experience was not good. The food was good but the server was not polite and friendly she came every once in a while to ask if we needed anything and I understand she was busy with other customers but the place was not even full either. Once it was time to pay she just handed me a receipt and I always do leave tip based on how we are treated. Well I left my tip and until after I finished paying is when I saw that a tip was already included in my bill. I was charged twice for a tip that truly I feel the server did not even deserve.
Service: 1
The table service salsa tasted like a weak marinara mixed with Tabasco. Noticed a...stench when we walked in, like the sewer was backed up, or so I hope. Service was quick, but there also wasn't really anyone in the place. Food didn't meet expectations. Very plain, little flavor. Probably won't be coming back, wouldn't recommend.
Food is great, prices are reasonable, food comes out quick and hot. ? Support your local businesses.
The food is delicious! Prices are high! Waitress and hostess are very rude, they even stand in the kitchen and talk about you. Ambiance is nice. They don't listen to your order and something is usually incorrect whether it be food or drinks. They try not to smile? Customers are a bother.
Six of us came here for dinner. Three meals were good. Three were mediocre to say the least. My Taquitos were crisp outside, cold and tasteless inside. The taco was not the best. The Chile Verde was the worst. The meat was burnt and very chewy, as though it had been left over from lunch, reheated and covered in sauce. Our cousin ate some of the rice and beans then left the rest. When the bill came and he complained, the server took it back, then returned to say "the cook says it's good and the customer had eaten some of it". End of conversation. Felt sorry for the waitress being in the middle. Not the best service.
Excellent authentic Mexican food!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Rice and Beans, Salsa and Chips, Camarones A la Diabla
Never a bad meal. Excellent food and service. Price is very reasonable with the portions you receive.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Rice and Beans, Salsa and Chips, Chile Relleno
The food is amazing! Fast service, and the servings could feed 2 to 3 people easy. It's definitely a place we're coming back to to try everything on the menu!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My family and I love El Palenque! The staff is wonderful, we always feel so welcomed when we eat here. The food is honestly the best Mexican in Santa Maria. The food is excellent quality which is why it’s on the pricier side. I gave a 4 because I think it’s a little over priced, but you definitely pay for what you get!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Albondigas, Chicken Fajitas, Chile Verde, Rice and Beans, Salsa and Chips, Chile Relleno
Restaurantji Recommends
We loved the food here. Tamales were delicious. Salsa for the chips was very hot/spicy. We will definitely be back to try more items. Stop here great portions great food.
I usually do not post reviews but this place was amazing! Every last bite was amazing! Hands down the best Mexican food spot in all of Santa Maria!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Was in town on business and went here based on some reviews. It wasn't overcrowded but there were a couple large groups for a Wednesday night. They seemed short staffed but the servers were doing the best they could. Really liked their Salsa it was a bit different and had a mild heat. Ordered the shrimp fajitas which came out quickly. The flavors were good but the guacamole served was minimal and tasteless. No pico, just rice and beans and only 2 flour tortillas. Overall it was good and well priced. I would go back and try something different.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salsa and Chips
Food was great. Got here right before 5pm and got seated right away. I'm glad I got here when I did because within 15-20 mins this place was packed with the dinner crowd (Friday night). Great atmosphere. I was just in Mexico back in June and the inside of this place felt very authentic.I ordered the Burrito Supreme, with the tomatillo. It was perfect. Probably the best wet burrito I've had since moving to California in 2018. BTW, the menu pictures you get when looking this place up on Google don't have the back of the menu with the burritos and quesadillas+ more.I'd give 6 stars if I could.Parking: Tons of parking behind the restaurantKid-friendliness: I didn't have the kiddo with me but there were a ton of families there with kids. Very family friendly.Wheelchair accessibility: Level with no stairs
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burrito Supremeo
It's a classic old school Mexican restaurant!!Carne Asada was fantastic!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lunch Special 1 Beef Taco Cheese Enchilada, Chile Verde, Rice and Beans