Palominos Restaurant — Attraction in McAllen

Hello again, everyone. We came to Palominos jist last week, April 2025, and enjoyed the food, atmosphere, and quick-efficient service.

First, we ordered Panela a la Parrilla and if you're like me and you like a good "pedacito de queso" (piece of cheese) you'll enjoy the smokey cheese brought to you sizzling in a pan. It's got some nice parts that are crisp due to the heat, which makes those delicious flavors come out in addition we ordered the "special" version which includes olive oil herb drizzle, grilled onions, peppers (sweet), and mushrooms which definitely recommend. This comes with some fresh made tortillas, and these themselves have some outstanding flavor.

I ordered, for my main meal, the Sanora Skirt Steak in medium well and was not disappointed. It comes with salsas, and I believe creamed spinach, but I know there's other sides like truffle cream corn, which I need to try next time. The smokey grilled meat was savory, soft, and flavorful. Honestly, I ate it without tortillas just so that I wouldn't fill up on the tortillas.

My wife got a grilled salmon steak. I dont have the name as it was a seasonal menu, but all she could say while eating was Mmmmmmm, so I'll take that to mean it was delicious.

Of course, we were served chips and salsas while waiting, and the pico de gallo they have here was different than the usual. I can't put my finger on it, so you'll have to try it.

I'd like to add that the waiters came to check if we were ready for the main food as we were still thoroughly enjoying the Panela, so that was cool. Checking on your customers is a great service. Thank you.

Overall, the food was great, and the atmosphere and timeliness were awesome, with no complaints except that I filled up too soon. They did advise to try to get a reservation ahead of time, but they take walk-ins (we were walk-ins).

Lastly, speaking with the service members they said there's about 12 of these restaurants throughout Mexico and are looking to expand north into the San Antonio area, so if you're visiting from that area, come try this place out to see if...

I decided to go after following a review from social media.. it did not disappoint, food was delicious! They have lemonades of cucumber, strawberry and hibiscus, I tried the hibiscus one and I had to ask for a refill! For their house starters they bring the “tortilla Sonora” big Crispy flour tortilla with some salsas and beans and cheese dips, it was good..

My son had tacos de carne asada kids meal, my daughter quesadilla kids meal, I had the grilled octopus which was full of flavor but for my own personal preference I wish it was crispier!. And we also had “Sonora skirt steak” which is also known as arrachera that one came with a spinach dip that mixed with the meat gave a taste as of eating a chile relleno.. it was really good too! For the appetizer we choose the queso fundido with chicharrones, that one was bomb! Everything was flavorful, hot meal, quick service. What I didn’t personally like was the the background music was a little too loud but that’s just a personal preference, it makes me feel like I can’t hear the person when I’m talking to them due to the noise.. but that’s just me..

On another note the waitress we had when asked us about our drinks, my 11 year old misunderstood and waitress asked if Dr Pepper was okay, my son agreed to it, when he came back my son apologize and asked if the drink could be changed, it was a can drink not opened when he did that the waitress made a very obvious face of frustration which I didn’t appreciate, we didn’t make a big deal or told him anything but that’s not necessary. I feel like it was just a simple mistake and anyone could’ve done it also my son wasn’t rude neither us..

Other than that I would go back.. and I definitely...

This place is not just under staffed, but their staff is horrible. Waiter had an attitude, would forget what we asked for, wanted to charge us stuff we didn’t order and wanted 20% gratuity telling us it was a MUST.

Food was cold, and not the greatest. Asked for more tortilla chips, he was taking long and told us they were making more to end up bring a table of 10 another small bowl with cold crumbs that looked like left overs from other tables. We all got our plates at different times. We booked a table for 10 and got one for 8, mind you the restaurant was not busy on a Sunday evening with plenty of empty tables. Restrooms were fancy and dirty, no napkins to dry your hands, I had to ask the bar on my way out for napkins. Drinks took FOREVER and they blamed the bar for being busy. I really can’t imagen their wait time when they are really busy.

We requested separate tickets waiter said he couldn’t separate them, we all gave our part n waiter came back saying the “system said” he was still short $96 n he was not going to pay for it. What he was missing was the 20% gratuity he had charged. We didn’t think he deserved. He argued that we had to pay the 20%. We gave it to him either way, we we were so upset we just wanted to get out of there.

Please do yourself a favor and just go to Texas Roadhouse, better service, steaks, hot food for less than $380.

Oh! And to top it off, all of us woke up in the middle of the night feeling sick and wanting to vomit! It made me wonder if the food gets served cold, how long is sitting there before n after it gets cooked.

Beautiful restaurant, unfortunately not worth me ever going back or...