El Palenque Restaurant — Restaurant in Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi is taco land. So many tacos to be had here while everyone trying to stay unique. Last Friday we experienced La Palenque for the first time and we understood the golden reviews indeed. The tortillas were buttery soft, the barbacoa was moist, the carne guisada had great flavor, the coffee was nice and robust –we even took some home with us just as wonderful later on that night. Sigh* I digress one week later we placed a big order for what we thought would be another awesome experience but the disappointment was beyond words, still I will try because as I share this experience the owner was very nice –this morning the tortillas were hard and didn’t have that buttery flavor and they were dry and tasteless. We hailed the tortillas as the best in Corpus all week long to our friends but this was not the same this morning. The barbacoa was dry dry as a board and I am a stickler for “juicy” barbacoa –the moistness in the meat is what lends barbacoa a full bodied flavor experience, but no – not this morning. The carne guisada was in shreds like how roast gets when it sits on the warmer too long – I could have over looked that but it was bland and had no flavor. We kept putting salt and nothing would anything worthy of edible. And the green chili – I just don’t know but the chili was not even hot. We kept putting small cup after small cup and noting was helping. I did speak to one of the owners and again she was nice to deal with and she even offered half off of this experience but we are never in this area of town and the likelihood that we would be there is zip to none. Still I needed to share this because when they are “on” they are wonderful and masterful, but when they are off --- oh it’s not good. Once you have that great, masterful experience it should be what follows, but it was not. It’s important to know that. I highly doubt we will take the chance...

I won't be coming back. Service was absolutely terrible... took forever but didn't properly take my order and took forever to come back 😑 I had to ask for the drinks for my kids several times and then she only came back with one drink for two kids. I had to ask again and she didn't wait for me to request no ice for my toddler. She was not remotely friendly. The tacos barely had filling, corn tortillas are store bought, the flour tortillas are gross and have a strange texture. Not worth the price. I live nearby but didn't guess it was open all these years because no one is ever here. Parking lot is...

I love this place. It is ran mostly by two sisters who both are very enjoyable and friendly. The atmosphere is friendly and family-oriented. The food is well proportioned and decently priced and a good variety. Service time is quick. They have a drive-thru and you can call in to go orders. They have daily specials and I love their sweet tea. I also love their tortillas big and fluffy hot and fresh every time.Hours are Monday through Friday 5:30 a.m. to 1:00 Saturday 6:00 a.m. to 12:30. I would recommend this...