El Patron Cocina Mexicana — Restaurant in Tulsa

After months of driving past this restaurant on I-44 Westbound, I kept telling myself, “I’ll stop and try it one day.” Having already visited their other two locations—the one in Sand Springs and the one on 41st and Garnett—I knew one thing for certain: if nothing else, this restaurant was going to be stunning. A signature of their brand is crafting spaces that are visually striking, and I was excited to see how this one would measure up.

As we pulled into the packed parking lot, it was clear this place was buzzing with life. Through the windows, I could see the vibrant energy flowing inside. Stepping through the doors, I was blown away. Modern. Luxurious. Bold. Elegant. Everywhere I turned, it was a feast for the eyes—every detail meticulously curated.

We were told there’d be a 30-minute wait, but to our delight, we were seated in just five. As we walked to our table, I couldn’t help but admire every corner. However, it was also clear the staff was waaay understaffed. You could feel the hustle and the slight chaos in the air. But we weren’t in a rush; patience would be our companion, and we were hopeful the food would make it all worth it.

The chips and salsa arrived, and let me tell you—they didn’t just arrive, they made an entrance. Carefully plated, almost limousine-like in presentation, they set the stage beautifully. The dark green salsa? Chef’s kiss. Easily my favorite.

We ordered two dishes: my wife opted for a chimichanga, while I went bold with the Seafood Molcajete.

While waiting, I made a quick trip to the bathroom and—believe it or not—I was once again blown away. This wasn’t just a bathroom; it was an experience. Thoughtful design, clean lines, and—most importantly—a proper transition area. (There’s nothing worse than stepping out of a bathroom and being immediately in someone’s dinner space.) These folks thought of everything. And yes, it was spotless.

Back at the table, the waiting game continued. Chips and salsa kept disappearing at an alarming rate as the minutes ticked by… 30… 45… nearly an hour. But, we had seen the situation coming from the moment we walked in, so we kept our cool.

Now, full disclosure: by the time my Seafood Molcajete arrived, I was already stuffed with chips and salsa. It’s hard to give a fair review of a dish when you’re halfway to a food coma before the main event even begins. Presentation-wise, it lacked a bit of polish, likely a victim of the kitchen’s rush. But taste-wise? The octopus legs, crab legs, and fish all delivered. It was hearty, flavorful, and satisfying.

I’ll admit, this visit felt like just a preview. I need to come back on a less chaotic day, soak in the bar vibes, and—hopefully—catch some live music like their other locations offer.

To the team behind this restaurant: thank you. Thank you for creating an environment that’s not just about food, but about an experience. In my opinion, no other Mexican restaurant in the area comes close to this level of architectural beauty and ambiance.

Gracias y Fierro Pariente!

P.S. If you’d like, shoot me an email—I’d love to snap some photos of the kitchen area or live music for a follow-up review. This place...

Who doesn't enjoy celebrating a long week with a drink and good food? That was the idea that my best friend and I had on March 28th and we decided that El Patron would be the perfect place. If you've ever driven East on highway 44 in Tulsa, you've likely seen/passed this attractive cantina. I've visited the other location in East Tulsa and though they share the same name and menu, this one is the best in Tulsa.

On a rainy Friday, I knew that I wanted to catch a happy hour but didn't know where. There were a few options on the list but El Patron won out. The cantina has an alluring appeal as it's patio, large doors and modern exterior design invites curiosity. Upon entering, there's a sense of elegance as the well-place bright lighting draws your attention to the tiled flooring, bright/modern lighting and decorative fixtures throughout. The long, well stocked bar screams "have fun, order a drink!" There are lights throughout but the garage-door windows let in lots of natural light and adds a level of diversity to the venue. I arrived around 2pm and my friend arrive 20mins afterwards but we were immediately seated. Unfortunately I didn't notice any booths or bistro tables, only short tables, so seating diversity is non-existent. We were there for the happy hour but elected for the white queso as well (which was spectacular). Along with the complimentary chips and salsa, I ordered the happy hour Paloma & she ordered the House Margarita. I enjoyed all 4 salsas but couldn't get enough of the chile lime and dark chile lime. The menu is robust, there's so many options it's overwhelming, but it's all decently priced and they all seem like good options depending on your taste. I ordered shrimp Tacos Del Mar with rice and refried beans while my friend ordered a vegetarian burrito. I don't remember how long the food took but it wasn't long. The Paloma? SO GOOD. Ordered another when the food arrived. The tacos were perfect: the shrimp was succulent and the fixings were blended wonderfully. The beans were seasoned well too! Even the rice was bursting with cilantro-lime flavor. The server was so nice, had I not been so full I would've praised her for her patience and service. We took our time to talk and finish our food but I appreciate the space for allowing us to do so. Unfortunately I did not visit the upstairs or the patio but I'm sure it was just as nice.

There are many things to compliment about my experience but I truly enjoy the variety that's offered (both food and beverages), the portion sizes, the service of great staff members and the open-spaced venue. Though there are three eateries of the same name, this El Patron in particular is the best one. I would love to visit at night or during an event to truly maximize the space and feel connected to the...

Since we couldn't make it out last night, we had our Valentine's dinner tonight. Out of all the options we considered, I took the wife's recommendation and we went to El Patron on 51st. I'd heard nothing but good here and elsewhere, so the bar was fairly high. We got there around 5ish and had to wait all of about 5 minutes for a table, which turned out to be upstairs. Promptly seated and drinks ordered, they brought out the chips and salsa sampler, with drinks immediately after. It took me a while to decide on what to eat because honestly, the menu is huge, and it all looked good. After flip flopping around on a couple of choices, I landed on the Chamorro Enchilado, which is a braised pork shank, seasoned with sauce and baked baby potatoes, also with sides of beans and rice. The wife went for beef fajitas, and we got a large queso to start with. Queso is outstanding. It's thick, so eat it while you can. Great flavor, not overly spicy, and sticks to your chip. The salsa assortment is the standard red, spicy ranch and citrus pineapple variey, with the addition of an outstanding smoked green pepper salsa. Not sure what peppers they used, but I don't think it's just standard jalapenos. Anyway, it was a welcome addition. Food arrived quickly, if a little disjointedly. Wife got her fajitas first, with several minutes wait until she got the rest of her fixings. My dish arrived about 5 minutes or so after that. Not a huge deal, but the expeditor needs to work on that a little. The food itself was worth the wait. Her fajitas were easily some of the best I've had in Tulsa. Plenty of meat and veg, all sliced small enough to easily pile onto the fresh tortillas. The Chamorro was hands down one of the best meals I've had in recent memory. The pork shank was perfectly cooked, and just the right size. The sauce was a mixture of enchilada and bbq type sauces that had a bold heat to it that kept my sinuses clear the entire meal. The roasted potatoes that came in the dish were equally outstanding and could have almost stood on their own. Service was above excellent, and we felt well taken care of the entire time. Overall, an outstanding experience, probably 4.5 out of 5 stars, and that's just due to the expediting kerfluffle, not the quality or quantity of food. I will...