El Palenque Mexican Restaurant and Cantina — Restaurant in Corvallis

We've eaten here a few times and it usually goes well, with just the two of us. We came here with a group of 8 because they have never had more than 12 customers and we were on a bit of a schedule. Generally in and out in 30 to 45 minutes. This visit they had maybe 12 customers, but this time we were there for over 2 hours. Drinks were slow to be refilled (most of us just needed 1 or 2 refills) some were forgotten about completely. The chips we asked for once we got our meals were never brought. Ordered nachos for a kid and asked for JUST meat and cheese and they arrived with meat, cheese, beans and sour cream. Took almost an hour to get a replacement meal of chicken strips and fries. 40 minutes after we ordered they let us know they didn't have the hamburger for one of the kids and the chicken we opted for instead was dry and tasted like a grill top. Not sure what's changed since the last time we were in, but seems like the same thing that's happened to the other previous mexican restaurants that were...

Closer to 4.5

This American-Mexican restaurant is a slightly-hidden gem with some standout menu offerings. Located in a strip mall sandwiched between a Dollar Store and an insurance company, one might be quick to dismiss this...but that would be a mistake.

The restaurant itself is immaculately clean. Decor is bright and cheerful. Seating is a mix of booths and tables. I have had service ranging from disinterested to, literally, the best server experience in Corvallis.

Menu items are typical, but taste fresh and some nice attention to detail. May I recommend the Diabla burrito...a very spicy mixture of meat (I prefer shrimp), vegetables, and rice in a secret red sauce that is fire! Topped with sour cream and guacamole it is my favorite dish that never disappoints.

The margaritas are strong and cold and the free chips come with...

I ate here one other time, at the end of the year and it was ok. A week ago I ate there again. I ordered from the lunch menu, which was a taco and enchilada. I asked for ground beef, for the meat preference, for both. When I cut into my enchilada, the meat was shredded beef. I didn't ask for that. I told our waiter it was wrong and he said he couldn't fix it because the ticket was already closed out. He also said, I'm pretty sure you said shredded beef. I don't like shredded beef and I know darn well I ordered ground beef. The enchiladas are so small anyway so I couldn't believe he wouldn't fix my order. The selection of meat didn't have anything to do with the price. On top of that, they charge $1.50 to have green sauce instead of the red sauce. Not worth it. The food is ok but our waiter has poor customer...