Taqueria El Patron — Restaurant in Laurel

Atmosphere: really tacky, decorations have to go and add more cultural pictures or something other than tacky banners. You come in and seat yourself, some booth seats are not the same, and some tables are wobbly. Looks like the lamps above the table need to be dusted, and looks a little disorganized.

Service: on a non busy time and day it still took a while to get service, approximately 7 minutes or so to get menus and drinks. We weren’t offered any chips or salsa, not sure if we had to ask for some. Drinks came in plastic cups but the food on a real dish. We received our food and finished. We waited over ten minutes to see whether or not someone would come to get our plates from the table and offer us our check. After a while of waiting we decided to go to the front counter and pay for our food. The prices are good for the big portions; however, at the end of it all, with everything considered, I give it a 3 star rating for the OVERALL experience not just food itself.

Food: I ordered mixed pupusas (chicharrón con queso) and my husband ordered some breakfast platter with steak, egg, rice, and beans. The food is delicious, the portion sizes are BIG! I ordered three pupusas because in most places are small but theirs were huge so I ate 2 and a quarter. The Cole slaw salad that comes with it was okay, not bad nor amazing, and the salsa was great but they don’t give you much of it. My husband also enjoyed his food and got big portions but he did come hungry and...

This place has excellent food, and the best Huevos Rancheros we have had since we left California over 20 yrs ago.

HOWEVER! We will never eat there again. We went there yesterday, and some workmen were there, drilling holes in the ceiling. We noticed a bunch of stinkbugs at the front door, but decided to go in anyway. When we were looking over the menu, a bug fell on my menu. I said, "We're out of here."

On our way out, I spoke with the manager, telling him he needed to call an exterminator. He said he had, but, until the workers were done, there was nothing he could do. As we left, I brushed a bug off my head, and later, my wife knocked one off her jacket. I hope we didn't bring any home.

I'm sorry, senor, but there IS something you can do about the situation, which you clearly knew about. Close the place until the workers are done, then call the exterminator. If you don't the Health Dept. will be happy to...

Wanted to try this place for a while and finally did. It got my wife's seal of approval so that is all that matters. The food is so good and well seasoned and done. The tacos are amazing, the meat is well-seasoned and the tortilla is perfect. I ate the whole first taco without anything, then I added the sauces and squeezed the lime and it made it even better, 4 for $10 is a steal. The enchiladas are great, the sauces complement the flavors of the chicken and pair so well. I love enchiladas Verde, the sauce is rich and has a strong citrus flavor, followed up with your rice and beans is just great. The burritos are a hit, they are nice and full and already sliced for you. The Papusas are great, just get some to try, and you will not be disappointed. We like it so much we went back another day, both times we ordered 2 entrees and Papuas each because everything is so good. This is a must-try if you...