Setting seems kind of weird but the food is good and that's what really matters. Cheap prices too. I got a huge vegetarian burrito with rice and beans on the side plus all the fixings like guac, sour cream, and pico all for $11. Service was excellent but that also could have been because we were the only customers there at the time.
Dana Williams
We are here regularly... Have been coming through two owners. Food & drinks are fantastic!
Char F.
My husband and I ate here last night because friends of ours recommended it. We almost didn't go because of the bad Yelp reviews but boy are we glad we did. We've been looking for a good Mexican food restaurant and have finally found it. Seriously I can't believe the bad rap they have, they must've made changes because our food was awesome!!! I suggest those who wrote bad reviews give them another try and those who've steered clear because of the bad reviews don't hesitate ... We agree 100% with our friends; they have the best Mexican food around Renton, Tukwilla and Kent.
Julee C.
Friendly staff, authentic atmosphere! Ask for the spicy home made salsa it's amazing!!! Molcajete isn't on the menu but it's absolutely the best. If you really love Mexican food this is a must!! We relocated from San Diego,Ca and this is definitely in the same league!!!
Rik V.
Food was ok. The service was horrible. Only 2 people in restaurant and it took a long time to get our order taken. I'll go back because the skinny guy has awesome 420!!!!
Sylvia H.
Food was just ok. Flavorless. 12:30 Sunday and the place is empty. Now we know why. How many times do have to ask for more salsa for it arrives? Alot!
Orlando R.
There drink was so strong u couldn't drink it plus they use cheap alcohol to make them so they taste worst food was not good at all got sick next day eating here the service sucks never going here again my bill was 65$ for a drink that I didn't drink and food that I me and my family just left there worst experience ever the place had a roach on wall my daughter was like can we leave daddy and can u blame her so we pay and left but they will never have my service
Lauren P.
Jesus Christ. Never again. GRANTED, I did choose the worst possible day to get Mexican - Cinco De Mayo. But holy shit, I've been to several other places (EVEN AZTECA) on CDM and got WAY better service and food then I did here. Two stars is generous. We walk in, nobody else is waiting but it's a full house. We see a few booths open. Several greeters look at us and keep walking past us, to the point where I'm gonna seat my damn self. One girl (who turned out to be our waitress) noticed after five minutes or so and seated us in the booth that I was going to help myself to anyways. We order our food, and I ordered a margarita. The margarita took about thirty minutes to get to me. It was a flavored margarita but I didn't taste any of the flavor at all... On top of that she delivered it to my table with sticky liquid allll over the cup, dripping it on my table, and so forth. The chips were almost inedible they were so stale. They do have great salsa though, and provide you with bean & cheese dip without asking which I thought was cool. Finally get our food... The carne asada burrito that I had was terrible. It was bland, lukewarm, and some of the meat was either knotty, extremely pink, or super chewy. So, overall terrible. I get this probably sounds annoying coming from a white girl who went to a Mexican restaurant on Cinco De Mayo, but holy shit. There's no way that many things just go wrong because of a busy night. Never again.
Carolon U.
I have been going to this restaurant for years. The name has changed over the years but the food and service has remained constant.
Monyca W.
I think El Palmar is underrated. 2.5 stars? No, it's better than that. The tables are cheerfully painted, they bring you warm chips to go with your salsa, the service was on point. The food is solid. It's not the best Mexican I've ever had, but it's solid. I like the mole chicken. This is in our regular rotation for lunch restaurants in Kent and it's a good one. Matter of fact, I wonder what's for lunch today...
Love this place, my husband and I feel like we are back in Mexico when we come here. The food, the atmosphere, all awesome!
Jake K.
Love this place. By far favorite lunch restaurant. The service staff is amazing as well as the food. Highly recommended.
Brittny M.
My husband and I had a date night after enjoying a night in Seattle we were heading home and realized it was 12 and a nice good drink and some music sounded good. So we go to el Palmar enjoy a little dancing and a drink... only it took about 10-15 min to get a drink because there was 1 bartender on a busy Saturday night and as for the dancing it was nice .. except the part where I'm booty bumping everyone around me because the dance floor is so small. The service there is just ridiculous. Felt uncomfortable heading to the woman's bathroom because there were guys all by the door. The security guys in the front are really nice and helpful. I Had no idea what taxi company to call so he called a taxi for me and my husband and was really nice. :)
Kristy L.
Stopped in on a Saturday afternoon and had a great meal with my son. The food was excellent. Servers were friendly and offered us frequent refills on chips and soda. That said, there were few customers in the restaurant at that time of day, so I'm not sure if this would be the case during busier times (but I hope so!). There's good potential here--I hope management addresses some of the issues brought up by other reviewers--and maybe they already have; I'm just not in a position to make that evaluation based on my one visit. I'd certainly go back again.
Christian V.
Hopefully they improve their service because the food is good , owner herminio takes action on important matters going on at his restaurant that deserve my respect , will try again since it's close to my work .
Setting seems kind of weird but the food is good and that's what really matters. Cheap prices too. I got a huge vegetarian burrito with rice and beans on the side plus all the fixings like guac, sour cream, and pico all for $11. Service was excellent but that also could have been because we were the only customers there at the time.
We are here regularly... Have been coming through two owners. Food & drinks are fantastic!
My husband and I ate here last night because friends of ours recommended it. We almost didn't go because of the bad Yelp reviews but boy are we glad we did. We've been looking for a good Mexican food restaurant and have finally found it. Seriously I can't believe the bad rap they have, they must've made changes because our food was awesome!!! I suggest those who wrote bad reviews give them another try and those who've steered clear because of the bad reviews don't hesitate ... We agree 100% with our friends; they have the best Mexican food around Renton, Tukwilla and Kent.
Friendly staff, authentic atmosphere! Ask for the spicy home made salsa it's amazing!!! Molcajete isn't on the menu but it's absolutely the best. If you really love Mexican food this is a must!! We relocated from San Diego,Ca and this is definitely in the same league!!!
Food was ok. The service was horrible. Only 2 people in restaurant and it took a long time to get our order taken. I'll go back because the skinny guy has awesome 420!!!!
Food was just ok. Flavorless. 12:30 Sunday and the place is empty. Now we know why. How many times do have to ask for more salsa for it arrives? Alot!
There drink was so strong u couldn't drink it plus they use cheap alcohol to make them so they taste worst food was not good at all got sick next day eating here the service sucks never going here again my bill was 65$ for a drink that I didn't drink and food that I me and my family just left there worst experience ever the place had a roach on wall my daughter was like can we leave daddy and can u blame her so we pay and left but they will never have my service
Jesus Christ. Never again. GRANTED, I did choose the worst possible day to get Mexican - Cinco De Mayo. But holy shit, I've been to several other places (EVEN AZTECA) on CDM and got WAY better service and food then I did here. Two stars is generous. We walk in, nobody else is waiting but it's a full house. We see a few booths open. Several greeters look at us and keep walking past us, to the point where I'm gonna seat my damn self. One girl (who turned out to be our waitress) noticed after five minutes or so and seated us in the booth that I was going to help myself to anyways. We order our food, and I ordered a margarita. The margarita took about thirty minutes to get to me. It was a flavored margarita but I didn't taste any of the flavor at all... On top of that she delivered it to my table with sticky liquid allll over the cup, dripping it on my table, and so forth. The chips were almost inedible they were so stale. They do have great salsa though, and provide you with bean & cheese dip without asking which I thought was cool. Finally get our food... The carne asada burrito that I had was terrible. It was bland, lukewarm, and some of the meat was either knotty, extremely pink, or super chewy. So, overall terrible. I get this probably sounds annoying coming from a white girl who went to a Mexican restaurant on Cinco De Mayo, but holy shit. There's no way that many things just go wrong because of a busy night. Never again.
I have been going to this restaurant for years. The name has changed over the years but the food and service has remained constant.
I think El Palmar is underrated. 2.5 stars? No, it's better than that. The tables are cheerfully painted, they bring you warm chips to go with your salsa, the service was on point. The food is solid. It's not the best Mexican I've ever had, but it's solid. I like the mole chicken. This is in our regular rotation for lunch restaurants in Kent and it's a good one. Matter of fact, I wonder what's for lunch today...
Restaurantji Recommends
Love this place, my husband and I feel like we are back in Mexico when we come here. The food, the atmosphere, all awesome!
Love this place. By far favorite lunch restaurant. The service staff is amazing as well as the food. Highly recommended.
My husband and I had a date night after enjoying a night in Seattle we were heading home and realized it was 12 and a nice good drink and some music sounded good. So we go to el Palmar enjoy a little dancing and a drink... only it took about 10-15 min to get a drink because there was 1 bartender on a busy Saturday night and as for the dancing it was nice .. except the part where I'm booty bumping everyone around me because the dance floor is so small. The service there is just ridiculous. Felt uncomfortable heading to the woman's bathroom because there were guys all by the door. The security guys in the front are really nice and helpful. I Had no idea what taxi company to call so he called a taxi for me and my husband and was really nice. :)
Stopped in on a Saturday afternoon and had a great meal with my son. The food was excellent. Servers were friendly and offered us frequent refills on chips and soda. That said, there were few customers in the restaurant at that time of day, so I'm not sure if this would be the case during busier times (but I hope so!). There's good potential here--I hope management addresses some of the issues brought up by other reviewers--and maybe they already have; I'm just not in a position to make that evaluation based on my one visit. I'd certainly go back again.
Hopefully they improve their service because the food is good , owner herminio takes action on important matters going on at his restaurant that deserve my respect , will try again since it's close to my work .