Don Patron — Restaurant in Sterling Heights

Walked into the restaurant a little after 9pm, 4 adults and a child. 2 of our party was already there and got a table. I brought in McDonald’s chicken nuggets and fries for my PICKY child whom does not eat authentic food Nor will he eat the chicken nuggets at the authentic restaurants. I was still purchasing a drink at $3.25 for him ! when we go out to dinner at the local chinese restaurants even habatchi also other Mexican restaurants in the area I always bring him chicken nuggets I’ve never been refused service or told it was not allowed. We are in 2023 where half of the children in America are PICKY! The manager I assume she was the manager came over to inform me no outside food was allowed in, I said it’s for a child who doesn’t eat Mexican food she proceeded to tell me that restaurants don’t allow outside food, perhaps maybe not this restaurant but many in the local restaurants in the area allow you to for a child, maybe it’s because they want the business I don’t know. Anyways I said okay we will leave then, she said okay. So I asked her you’d turn down 4 adults over chicken nuggets from McDonald’s ? With their prices the bill would have been at least $100 if I had to guess. The restaurant had maybe 2/3 tables with customers eating, it was close to closing time (1030pm) I feel like a new business you shouldn’t turn customers down especially when it involves their child and eating. If the food is not going into the kitchen it can’t be a osha regulation. I truly don’t understand why you would jeopardize your new business. She could have easily said I will allow you at this time, but for future reference we don’t allow it but instead she chose to stand her ground and say you don’t allow it and watch paying customers leave. I get it you have rules, but when you have people already seated 1 already got their drink and eating chips and salsa and you pretty much make them leave is pretty bad customer service. because I’m not going to tell my child he has to wait a hour to eat his food because the restaurant won’t allow his food in there. I’m sure as a human yourself when you receive horrible customer service you won’t be back, so I will not ever return your business. I wish your business well but you should rethink your rules when you have families who deal with picky eaters and the only way to go out to eat at a restaurant is to bring them...

UPDATE 1-7-24. Back for a dinner with our son. We came early (4:20) to avoid the dinner rush, and it was perfect timing. We were alone but there were four seated parties when we left, and four more parties entered before we left the parking lot. They are busy and popular. Our food was good. My wife wanted a taco salad but was advised that it had cheddar cheese, so she passed. I had the taco salad and it actually had a white cheese that tasted like Monterey Jack, so that was a bit of a bummer. She did pick something else that she liked and tried it with chicken, which she also liked. Our son got his favorite combo. Beef burrito and enchilada with rice and beans. He loves it, and always get it. We splurged for two fried I e creams and a dulce de leches cheesecake. The cheesecake (pictured) was phenomenal. The fried ice cream got super high marks. Rated as the best of all the local Mexican restaurants. Coating all around the ice cream, and not just on the top. They did look exceptional. We'll be back for sure, and back, and back...etc

Brand new and finally open. We had to give it a try. We arrived just before super busy time. Hooray for us. First impressions, hard to remember what the Pizza Hut looked like that was here previously. However the small size reminds you what it was like to eat there. The hard surface floors and lowered ceiling seem to have increased the echo effect. AKA it is extremely loud when it is busy. The service was good with the exception of not getting our food when it was done because we couldn't hear the person bringing out the food saying what he was carrying. In between was the food. Although my new special chimichanga was very good, the other food ordered seemed kind of standard utilitarian amerexican fare. Nothing truly exceptional. For sure better than and better priced than Grand Azteca. I think the combos are a stay away item. The new labeled items are good and everything else is an in between. Will we go back? Yes most likely for lunch when maybe the crowds are smaller and maybe less noise. Plus the other options...

Well now I've been to Don Patron twice now, trying to beat the mad rush of people excited to try the restaurant.

Just as expected for a much anticipated new restaurant, dinner on a Friday night is complete chaos with a long wait for both seats and service. I'm sure it'll calm down after a month or so.

But don't believe all these haters on here leaving bad reviews. For a 2:30 Saturday lunch, seats were available immediately and food and drinks came super quick.

The chips taste like they're house made. That means if you're lucky, you'll get a nice hot batch. I've been twice and got lucky once. The salsa is one of my favorites but it is a little different. It has a blended texture, with a fresh flavor and a small bit of spice at the end, and I think that's nicely done. They also bring it out in a mini pitcher and pass little dipping bowls around so everyone can double dip.

The margarita sampler was pretty nice. I feel like they added a shot of tequila on top of the slushie mix, so definitely stir that up first, but they're quite strong. Banana margarita was surprisingly good.

Their food is pretty good, and I'm backing my opinion up with proof. Elote was on the cob and quite tasty. The Burrito Durango was hands down the best smothered burrito I've ever had. The Taco Sampler is a good way to go to test out all the flavors. I was only slightly disappointed with the chicken taco, it seemed a little bland. Also, they do have Birria tacos and they are solid.

All in all, I will very much be coming back to Don Patron. Yes, they're a new restaurant with a lot of kinks to iron out, but that's no reason to burn them...