El Patron Mexican Restaurant

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  We've been here twice and there is consistent quality.  The service was great but the sangria was better!  I also enjoy their salsa.
  
   I do have one suggestion, though.  PLEASE put some kind of sign on the road??  The exterior is pretty nondescript and easily passed by!  Especially since you have to turn into the road before it to enter.  
  
   Also, it's a little cheesy that you left the plastic wrapping on your newly upholstered leather chairs.  I'm allowed to do that in my dining room, you're not! :)

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  Posted on 10.15.12 Beth R.

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  So we are traveling through Amish country buying fresh produce and stop here on a whim. Great experience. Large menu reasonable prices generous portions. Prompt attentive service. Fresh chips and guacamole    Would come back

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  Posted on 09.15.11 Mike N.

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  El patron is not a very good choice when you are going for Mexican food,the variety of dishes is poor the staff is worse.Waiters    with no skills and very poor English to rations that are way too small and overpriced food is Mexican enough for the all white clientele that dares to go there pitiful and pathetic half star is more likely.

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  Posted on 03.23.10 Luis T.

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  I so want to give this location 4 Stars but they've got some hurdles to overcome.  Consistency.
  
  El Patron is a local chain - the next closest location to me has been around a bit longer, and my experiences there have always been top-notch.  That's the location in Chardon.  The Middlefield store has been here a bit more than a year.
  
  The decor is simple, but adequate and clean.
  
  The menu is diverse, the dishes fairly traditional, and the portions adequate.  There is the occasional oddity - like the shrimp burrito that is tasty - except for the totally odd (and sadly unexpected) inclusion of BROCCOLI in it.  Yes - broccoli. In a burrito.
  
  One of my gauges for Mexican establishments is the salsa - this is inconsistency #1.  It's generally good - but there are days that it's kind of off.  One day it had a very strong taste of chili powder - not so good.
  
  The staff is incredibly authentic - too much sometimes. I've had a couple instances of mis-communication - as have other patrons in earshot. But the staff is quick to recover most times and fix things as required. Arguably, their English is better than my Spanish, but a couple times I've ended paying nearly double for my food because of lack of understanding (I ordered a $4 "a la carte" burrito and was served a $13 "dinner" burrito).
  
  One of my favorite dishes at El Patron Chardon is the queso fundito - a delightful mix of fresh cheese (queso fresca or "chihuahua cheese") on a platter sprinkled with chorizo and placed under a broiler, then served with tortillas. 50% of the time I get it here in Middlefield it comes out barely warmed through or with only a tiny hint of chorizo. At least once they've "run out" (???)
  
  The carnitas is excellent, but they don't tout it much on the menu.  I get an a la carte carnitas burrito and combine the contents with an order of quesso funditio - then wrap it & douse it in their excellent pico de gallo and my head nearly explodes from the flavor fiesta in my mouth.
  
  As odd as it sounds, this location has awesome club soda (my beverage of choice).  I am not sure on the drinks menu - I know they at least serve beer, so I'm adding that to the profile - but they may actually have a full-blown liquor license.
  
  The Middlefield store is in a "cursed location" - a piece of prime real estate right on Rt 87 that can't seem to get a decent restaurant to take hold.  I hope that El Patron overcomes its growing pains and is here for the long haul - this town SO needs another decent place to eat.  This past summer saw the installation of a "patio" - but the proximity to SR 87 and the Amish buggy parking (think: sweaty horses that have to go to the bathroom "somewhere") tell me that this was possibly a wasted effort - but I am sure the local factory lunch crowd will make good use of it in the mild months when taking a break from the grind.
  
  Overall - you should go. There's almost nowhere else in this town worth eating anyway.

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  Posted on 12.28.09 Don V.

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