El Patio Mexican Restaurant in Des Moines is worth visiting if you care about atmosphere, margaritas, and a laid-back neighborhood vibe more than flawless, consistent food. The patio is the real draw: a cozy backyard-style space that reviewers genuinely love. The food gets mixed marks, service skews friendly, and value is reasonable if you order smartly. Go for the patio on a warm evening, start with chips and salsa, and order a margarita pitcher. If you're expecting polished big-chain Mexican, adjust your expectations.
El Patio Mexican Restaurant Des Moines Reviews: Patio Guide
Jonah Lawson
16 Jun 2026
Make sure you've got the right El Patio in Des Moines
This one matters because "El Patio" is a popular name for Mexican restaurants all over the country, including similarly named spots like El Patio Mexican Bar and Grill in Danville and El Patio Mexican Grill in Hollister. The Des Moines location you want is at 611 37th St, Des Moines, IA 50312, phone (515) 274-2303. That address is blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">confirmed across TripAdvisor, Groupon, the restaurant's own website, and the ExploreDM spring/summer dining guide. If you're reading reviews on any platform, double-check that address before trusting what you see. It's easy to accidentally land on a review page for a different city's "El Patio" entirely.
The fast verdict: what the reviews actually say
TripAdvisor shows a 3. 6 out of 5 from 52 reviews, which sounds middling, but Restaurantji's aggregate of 169 ratings lands at a 4. Restaurantji gives El Patio an overall rating of 4. 0 based on 169 ratings and highlights themes like chips and salsa, cheese dip, and enchilada rice and beans [Restaurantji's aggregate of 169 ratings lands at a 4.
](https://www. restaurantji. com/ia/des-moines/el-patio-mexican-restaurant-/). 0.
The split is telling: roughly 73% of ratings on Restaurantji are 5 stars, and about 14% are 1 star, with very little in between. That polarization tells you more than the average number does. People who connect with the vibe, the staff, and the patio tend to love it. People who show up expecting consistent, well-seasoned Mexican food and find the interior looking worn can leave disappointed.
This is a neighborhood institution, reportedly family-owned and running close to 80 years. It has real character. It also has real rough edges.
The most recent reviews trend positive. A May 2026 TripAdvisor reviewer with 30 years of patronage called it "the best it has ever been," noting the space is cleaner and the food better than ever. A January 2026 review praised the service and food while flagging the building's condition. The pattern suggests the kitchen and staff are doing better lately, even if the building itself still needs some love.
Food quality: what people rave about and what falls flat
The complimentary chips and salsa are a near-universal positive. People love them. Fair warning: the salsa runs on the spicier side for some diners, so if you're heat-sensitive, ask about that upfront. The cheese dip gets consistent praise too (small is $7, large is $9) and the guacamole is worth ordering if you're splitting with the table (small $6, large $10). Margarita pitchers come up repeatedly as a highlight, with one Restaurantji reviewer flatly saying "the patio is unmatched" and pairing it with margaritas as the reason to come. Reddit locals echo this: the margaritas are great, the patio is great.
The entrees are where things get uneven. Enchiladas, rice, and beans show up as a customer favorite on Restaurantji, and the build-your-own burritos (beef, bean, chicken, or pork, smothered in chili or queso) are a solid order. If you're also hunting for patio beef reviews, it helps to compare what people loved about the patio with what they said about the beef dishes specifically. But there are real complaints about seasoning and flavor depth across the main dishes.
One reviewer called the food "expensive for bland substandard Mexican food. " Another described fajitas arriving as a microwaved plate rather than the sizzling skillet experience they expected, and the restaurant's own response acknowledged they don't serve fajitas on a sizzling skillet. The menu pricing is moderate: enchiladas around $7, nachos from $10 to $14. 50, rice and beans side at $3.
50. It's not pricey, but a few reviewers felt the value didn't match what came out of the kitchen. Becky's Chocolate Cake is listed as a customers' favorite on Restaurantji and worth noting for dessert.
Service, wait times, and what you're getting for the price
Service is one of El Patio's strongest consistent positives. Staff friendliness comes up repeatedly across the restaurant's own testimonials, TripAdvisor reviews, and Restaurantji. A January 2026 TripAdvisor review specifically called out a server named Reagan by name for excellent service, which is the kind of detail that signals genuine connection rather than a generic review. The restaurant's own 2026 testimonials include phrases like "people are very friendly" and "considerate staff." That warmth feels authentic for a small neighborhood spot.
That said, not every visit goes smoothly. There are negative reviews mentioning slow and confused service alongside flat food, so consistency varies. Hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM only. There's no lunch service, so this is purely an evening destination. That limited window means it can get busy on weekends, and given the small footprint of the space (reviewers describe it as feeling like a house converted into a restaurant), wait times and crowding are real considerations. If you're seated inside on a busy night, you may end up in a high-traffic corridor with dishes constantly passing by. That's a real comfort issue some reviewers flag.
The patio: the main reason most people should go
This is where El Patio earns its reputation. The restaurant's own description frames the patio as feeling like "sitting in someone's backyard," and that's genuinely accurate based on what reviewers describe: it's tucked back near a residential area, cozy, relaxed, and charming in a way that bigger restaurant patios rarely are. One reviewer on a review aggregator called it simply "outside ambience was perfect" after a summer visit. Another Restaurantji reviewer said the patio was unmatched in the city for enjoying margaritas. Even a skeptical Reddit commenter who wasn't impressed by the food acknowledged it has a "nice patio."
The patio is seasonal, and the restaurant leans into that. Summer is peak patio season here, described as a "haven of beauty" on their own site. In winter, the indoor fireplace takes over as the cozy focal point. If you're visiting between late spring and early fall, the patio is absolutely the place to be. For cooler months, the fireplace setup indoors gives it some warmth, but the interior does get criticism for feeling run down, dark, and needing a deeper clean. The May 2026 review noted improvements in cleanliness, which is encouraging.
| Feature | Patio Experience | Indoor Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Atmosphere | Cozy backyard feel, relaxed and charming | Small, intimate but can feel dark and run down |
| Best season | Spring through early fall | Fall and winter (fireplace available) |
| Noise/comfort | Open, airy, lower foot traffic | Higher traffic near kitchen/service areas noted |
| Reviewer sentiment | Consistently positive | Mixed: some love intimacy, others flag condition |
| Recommendation | Request patio when booking | Fine for cooler months; ask for fireplace-side seating |
Who this place is best for
El Patio works really well for a few specific groups. Couples on a casual date night who want something with genuine character over a polished chain experience will enjoy the patio and the margaritas. Small groups of friends who want to sit outside with a pitcher and graze on chips and cheese dip are in the sweet spot. Families are represented in reviews (TripAdvisor shows family visit tags), and the menu has the classic, familiar Mexican items that work for most family members, though the late evening-only hours might be a stretch for families with young kids.
Neighbors and locals clearly have a long-running relationship with the place, and that community regulars vibe is real. If you're visiting Des Moines and want a neighborhood institution with history rather than a tourist-facing restaurant, this fits that gap well. It's not the right pick for someone expecting a highly polished or technically ambitious meal. It's also not the move if you need a lunch option, since doors don't open until 5 PM.
Practical tips before you go
The restaurant is tucked into a residential neighborhood on 37th Street. It's a small, converted-house-style space, so parking is limited to street parking in the surrounding neighborhood. Plan a few extra minutes for that, especially on weekend evenings when it's busiest.
Reservations are available through the website's booking widget, which asks for party size, date, and time and promises to "try to get the best seats for you." If you want the patio specifically, say so when you book. Don't assume you'll automatically land there. On a warm Friday or Saturday evening, that patio fills up, so booking ahead and explicitly requesting outdoor seating is the move. For a first visit, a Tuesday or Wednesday evening gives you a better shot at a relaxed experience without the weekend rush.
- Book ahead via the website's reservation widget and explicitly request patio seating.
- Go on a weeknight (Tuesday through Thursday) for a calmer, less crowded experience.
- Start with chips and salsa (complimentary), cheese dip, and a margarita pitcher to get the best value upfront.
- Order enchiladas with rice and beans as your safest entree bet based on review patterns.
- Ask your server about the salsa heat level if you're sensitive to spice.
- Check the most recent reviews on TripAdvisor and Restaurantji before going to confirm current kitchen and cleanliness standards, since the experience has been improving in 2025 and 2026.
- If it's your first visit, come for the patio and drinks experience first, then decide if the food earns a second trip.
One last thing worth knowing: this is a dinner-only spot open Tuesday through Sunday from 5 PM to 10 PM. There's no lunch, no Monday service, and no giant dining room to absorb overflow. It's small, it's personal, and it runs on that neighborhood-restaurant energy. If you go in expecting that, the reviews make a lot more sense, and the patio on a summer evening genuinely delivers.
FAQ
Do the “El Patio Mexican restaurant Des Moines reviews” I find online always refer to the correct location on 37th Street?
Not necessarily. There are multiple “El Patio” restaurants in other cities. Before trusting any rating, confirm the address is 611 37th St, Des Moines, IA 50312, and then match the phone number (515) 274-2303 to reduce mix-ups.
What’s the best way to request the patio when I book?
When you book, explicitly ask for outdoor seating, and include your preferences in the request notes if the booking form allows it. The patio can fill quickly on warm Fridays and Saturdays, and you cannot assume you will be moved outdoors after arrival.
Is there a good option if I’m heat-sensitive or don’t like spicy salsa?
Yes, but you should ask first. Reviews frequently mention that chips and salsa come with a spicier salsa profile. If heat is an issue, request the salsa style you prefer before the first round arrives.
What should I order if I want the most consistently praised food?
Stick to the items that repeatedly get positive mentions across platforms: chips and salsa, cheese dip, guacamole (especially if you’re sharing), and margarita pitchers. For entrees, consider the build-your-own burrito and popular sides like rice and beans, then tailor spice to your tolerance.
Are fajitas available, and why do some reviews complain about them?
The restaurant does not serve fajitas on a sizzling skillet, even if some diners expected that presentation. If you’re specifically craving the sizzling skillet experience, adjust your expectations or ask what the kitchen offers for that style of dish before ordering.
Why do reviews look polarized, with many 5-star and 1-star ratings?
The pattern usually comes from mismatched expectations. People who come for the patio vibe, margaritas, and friendly staff tend to rate highly, while diners expecting consistent, big-chain-style Mexican food sometimes leave disappointed. If your priority is the atmosphere, the reviews are more likely to align with your experience.
What’s the busiest time to go, and how can I avoid crowding?
Weekend evenings tend to be the most crowded, and the dining area is small, which can create a tight, high-traffic feel indoors. For a calmer first visit, consider Tuesday or Wednesday, and aim to arrive earlier rather than right at peak dinner hours.
Is this a lunch spot or good for families with kids?
No, it’s dinner-only. Hours run Tuesday through Sunday from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and there is no lunch service. Families are mentioned in reviews, but the late evening-only window can be a challenge for young kids.
How is parking likely to work in the neighborhood?
Expect limited parking, mostly street parking in the surrounding residential area. Plan extra time on weekends, and consider arriving before the patio rush so you are not circling for a spot.
If the building looks worn, is it still getting better?
Some recent reviews note improvements in cleanliness and overall upkeep, even if the interior still gets criticized for being dark or run down. If you’re sensitive to cleanliness concerns, consider going in warmer months for the patio focus.
What dessert is worth trying based on local reviews?
Becky's Chocolate Cake is repeatedly listed as a customer favorite. If you want a safer bet for dessert, that’s the one to order rather than experimenting on a first visit.