El Patio Mexican Restaurant Tequila & Mezcal — Restaurant in Elgin

All pumped up to go today to check out this place with my good 42 year friend who had a great experience here before. He could not stop talking about the place.

So we get there around 5 and they are just starting to fill up. Since we were 2 people they tried to seat us squeezed in by the front check in area.

I asked if we could get another table - maybe seat other people here and we can wait. The manager happened to be around and he came over and directed her to move us upstairs.

Oh my this is great - upper deck seating - By a window looking down on the front street area. As well as the cool decor and atmosphere up there.

The young waiter w/ purple hair and tattoos - I think Felipe was our server. Very nice and took our drink order. He asked if we wanted any starters / appetizers - we said we would like some shrimp empanadas. Then he procced to ask my friend for his id. Ok I get it - have to check. To my friends surprise - Felipe advised him his id expired last month on his bday. No problem - he said he was going to show the bartender and see. Great - no problem. He returned back with my Pink Panther and told him he could not get the margarita. OK - no issue - ordered a coke.

He then asked if we were ready to order - we ordered some Biarra tacos and Tilapia. The tacos showed up in 5 min.

Where are our shrimp empanadas? I asked Felipe and he said oh you want them. I replied yes, we ordered them with the drinks when you asked us. He replied oh I must not have heard that. Do you want them now? We said yes that is why we ordered them. 2 minutes later the fish arrives. I then ask, why is the fish here and tacos before the empanadas. He replied - they are coming. I said well now we have our mains, its to late. Our food will be cold waiting. He said then you do not want them? I replied - no not at this time.

Ok - the tacos were fire! but cold waiting for the empanadas that never arrived. The fish was over cooked, dry, and was the texture of Jerky. No fish flakiness or substance. For $30 on the menu and $ 33 on the bill when it arrived . I would have been better off to take 2 - $20 bills out my wallet and burned them. At least then I would not the horrible after taste.

Last but not least - this place seems to be a more upscale atmosphere. When the waiter and my friend were talking - the waiter used the slang word - " WEY" - my friend took offense to street slang terms being used in communication when you are spending almost $ 75 plus dollars for 2 people. If it was a taqueria or street food truck I get it, but I don't think that this is the type of place they are trying...

The food at this restaurant is definitely a highlight. Each dish is very well seasoned, with a good balance of flavors that showcases the chef’s skill. The seasoning enhances the natural taste of the ingredients without being overwhelming. Importantly, the food is not spicy, which makes it a great option for those who prefer milder flavors or have sensitivity to heat. Whether you're trying a main course or a side dish, the taste is consistent and enjoyable.

However, the dining experience is significantly impacted by other factors. One major drawback is the service. The servers take quite a long time to attend to tables, even during periods when the restaurant does not appear overly busy. When they do arrive, they often seem uninterested or unhappy, which detracts from the overall atmosphere and makes the experience feel less welcoming. Friendly, attentive service can greatly elevate a dining experience, and unfortunately, that is lacking here.

Another critical issue is the environment of the restaurant itself. The space is extremely loud and can feel very overstimulating. Conversations are difficult to have without overly raising your voice, and background noise dominates the room. This setting may be particularly uncomfortable for individuals with auditory sensitivities, sensory processing issues, or those simply looking for a relaxed dining atmosphere.

While the food is certainly enjoyable, the poor service and overwhelming noise level make it difficult to recommend this restaurant overall, especially for those seeking a calm and comfortable...

Had to re-post my first review due to the photos not loading.

The first time here, we came from Chicago because we saw them on TikTok. Parking nearby and close to the casino and the river. The restaurant is very pretty and seemed to have a pretty big space, but I didn't see the upstairs or patio. We were seated right away. They seemed busy even though it was still pretty early in the day, and what we ordered came out quickly, and everything was pretty good. The only things to mention were that we were seated in a high-top table, near the window, and it wasn't very comfortable because the space was small, wish we could have had a booth with more room for us but seemed like most were full. Also, we were celebrating a birthday, but there was no way to let anyone know since no reservations can be made or any notice given on the website. Also, our server was nice, and he did check both our IDs when we ordered our drinks first but never said anything about my birthday or anything, and I had to keep asking a few times just to get ice water and didn't get it (only 1 for 2 people) until we asked for the check. Might come back, if ever in the area.

**We came back a few weeks later, we were able to get a booth this time, service was great very friendly and welcoming, and the food was even better (we ordered different items the second time) and they more than made up for any issues from our first visit. We got to take and purchase couples photos, too. Would...