Yes, El Patio Fine Tacos and Beer in Long Beach is worth the visit, especially if you time it right. The hand-pressed tortillas alone justify showing up, and if you land there on a Tuesday or Friday after 3 PM, you're looking at $1.99 tacos and $1.99 draft Coors Lite on a shaded outdoor patio with TVs, occasionally live music in the evening, and the kind of neighborhood energy that makes you want to stay longer than you planned.
El Patio Tacos and Tequila Reviews: Fine Tacos and Beer Guide
Jonah Lawson
4 Jul 2026
First, make sure you're looking at the right El Patio
"El Patio" is a common name in Mexican dining, so before you trust any review you find, confirm you're reading about El Patio Fine Tacos and Beer at 3317 E 7th St, Long Beach, CA 90804, on the corner of Coronado and Redondo Ave. Their official sites are elpatiolb.com and elpatiotacos.com, and their phone is (562) 509-3031. This same address and phone number shows up consistently across Apple Maps, MapQuest, Yelp, and Google, so cross-referencing is easy. There are other patio-focused Mexican spots out there, like taco trucks and cantinas under similar names, so a quick address check saves you from reading the wrong reviews. Once you've confirmed you're in the right place, everything below applies.
What the patio experience is actually like
The patio at El Patio LB is shaded outdoor seating, which in Long Beach summer heat matters more than people give it credit for. Reviewers have specifically called out "heat" as a factor to be aware of, so if you're going on a hot afternoon, the shade is your friend and worth claiming a covered spot. The setup includes multiple TVs mounted throughout the patio area, making it a solid sports-watching destination without sacrificing the open-air feel. One reviewer described it simply: "Lots of TVs on the patio, but also open air if you don't want to be near them." That flexibility is actually nice.
The vibe skews casual neighborhood hangout, not upscale taco bar. Recent reviews from 2025 and 2026 describe the space as very clean and beautifully decorated, with friendly, attentive service (multiple reviewers called out servers by name, which tells you something about how the staff treats people). Wanderlog’s aggregated page, based on Google reviews, also highlights recurring atmosphere and friendly-service themes, including named staff mentions like “waitress Paola” and “food server Jessica,” and food standouts such as shrimp tacos and veggie quesadillas blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">named staff mentions like “waitress Paola” and “food server Jessica”. If you also want details beyond the patio and beer, look for el guacamole patio & cantina reviews that cover the guacamole and the cantina-style options too Recent reviews from 2025 and 2026. The crowd varies by time: daytime brings families and casual diners, evenings shift toward sports crowds and people who stay for live music. If you want a chill, chatty patio dinner, earlier evenings are your window. If you want the full energy of the place, Friday or Saturday night is it.
The taco breakdown: what to order and what to skip
The single biggest thing reviewers keep coming back to is the tortillas. These are hand-pressed, made with corn flour (not Maseca, as one reviewer was very happy to clarify), and you can taste the difference. They're softer, more flavorful, and they hold up to saucy fillings better than most. If you've been burned by gummy, flat taco shells at other spots, the tortillas here are the reset you need.
Best bets to order
- Quesabirria tacos: Consistently the most recommended item across review platforms. Rich, deeply flavored, messy in the best way.
- Grilled shrimp tacos: Show up multiple times in "what I ordered" review recaps as a highlight. Pair well with the Mahi Mahi taco option if you're in a seafood mood.
- Carne asada: One of the most frequently mentioned proteins overall, and it's one of the four proteins offered during the $1.99 Taco Special.
- Mahi Mahi tacos: Listed as a specialty item (3 tacos for $19.95), served with cabbage, green chipotle sauce, pico de gallo, and cotija cheese. Worth trying if fish tacos are your thing.
- Chips and salsa: This comes up constantly in reviews as a first-impression maker. A good sign.
What to watch out for
Spice level consistency can vary, particularly with the green sauce. At least one reviewer found it unexpectedly hot compared to previous visits, and when they asked the server, they were told the green sauce is actually the mildest option available. If you have a lower heat tolerance, ask before you pour. The carne asada has also drawn a few "a little bland" comments, so if you're getting the asada outside of the Taco Special, consider asking to add a sauce on the side rather than assuming it'll be seasoned to your preference. Nothing that would keep me away, but worth knowing going in.
Value framing
During the Taco Special (Tuesdays all day, Fridays from 3 PM to close), you're looking at $1.99 per taco with your choice of carne asada, al pastor, carnitas, or chicken. That's genuinely hard to beat in Long Beach. Outside of the special, specialty tacos like the Ranchera run around $6. The menu mirror also lists specialty tacos and specific price points, including “Ranchera… $6.95” and multi-taco offerings like “3 Mahi Mahi Tacos… $19.95” and “3 Tacos Of Your Choice… $18.95.” specialty tacos like the Ranchera run around $6.. 95 each, and taco combo plates are in the $18.95 to $19.95 range for three. Aggregated reviewer pricing estimates put a typical full meal between $10 and $40 per person depending on whether you're adding drinks.
Beer at El Patio: what people rave about and what's just okay
The beer program is straightforward and crowd-pleasing rather than ambitious. On draft, you've got Modelo Especial, 805, Coors Lite, and Voodoo Ranger IPA. Bottled options include Negra Modelo, Bohemia, Pacifico, Stella Artois, and Lagunitas, giving you a decent range from light Mexican lagers to a craft IPA for people who want something with more bite.
The michelada is one of the most praised drinks in reviews, specifically called out alongside the strawberry margarita as the two most popular items people actually order. If you're a michelada person, this is your spot. The draft beer deal on Taco Tuesday ($1.99 Coors Lite all day) is very popular with the patio crowd, and it's the kind of deal that fills tables fast. The beer list isn't going to impress craft beer enthusiasts looking for rotating taps or local small-batch options, but for what it is (a Mexican taco patio in East Long Beach), it hits the right notes.
Tequila and cocktails: what to order and what to know
Here's the honest take on the cocktail side: if you're coming specifically for serious tequila depth, El Patio Fine Tacos and Beer is named for tacos and beer first for a reason. That said, the cocktail menu is more than just an afterthought. House drinks include agave margaritas (lime and strawberry), a Paloma, mojitos, and mimosas. The strawberry margarita gets mentioned frequently as "delicious" in reviews.
One important heads-up pulled directly from a review: the house margaritas have been described as wine-based rather than full tequila-forward. If you're expecting a traditional tequila margarita punch, ask before ordering or specify what you want. The Paloma is a safer bet if you want something that tastes more spirit-forward, and the recipe seems more consistent based on review mentions. One reviewer had theirs replaced after a quality issue, and the staff handled it without fuss, which is a good sign for how they deal with drink problems.
The cocktail and bar experience is better on evenings with live music, when the patio has more energy and the drink orders flow naturally. If tequila variety and a deep agave spirits list is what you're after, this venue is more of a margarita-and-beer place. If you want that kind of experience, venues like a dedicated cantina or mezcaleria would serve you better. If mezcal and tequila-style tastings are high on your list, it helps to scan El Patio Mexican restaurant tequila and mezcal Elgin reviews before you go mezcaleria. But for the combination of solid cocktails, good food, and a relaxed patio atmosphere, it delivers.
How to use reviews to pick your best visit
The reviews for El Patio LB are most useful when you read them with a specific goal in mind, because what people love about Tuesday afternoon is different from what they love about Friday night. Here's how to read the patterns and match them to what you want.
| You want... | Best time to go | What to focus on |
|---|---|---|
| Max value on tacos and beer | Tuesday all day or Friday from 3 PM | $1.99 Taco Special with draft Coors Lite |
| A lively sports-watching patio | Any evening, especially weekends | Grab a spot near the TVs, order a michelada |
| Live music and nightlife energy | Friday or Saturday evening | Plan to stay past dinner; check for live musicians |
| A quieter family or date-night meal | Weekday lunch or early dinner | Daytime crowd is calmer; service tends to be attentive |
| Brunch vibes (mimosas, menudo) | Saturday or Sunday morning from 7 AM | Menudo is praised; mimosas on the house drinks list |
For who it's best for: locals looking for a reliable neighborhood spot will feel right at home. Travelers to Long Beach get an authentic East LB patio experience without the tourist markup. Groups doing a casual night out do well here, especially for the Taco Special deals. Date nights can work on quieter weekdays but may feel loud on weekends. If you're a solo diner or a couple who wants a relaxed patio meal without a lot of scene, Tuesday or Wednesday evening is the sweet spot. If you want another patio favorite nearby, Mr Sushi Dos Patios is a solid option to check out for a different type of meal patio meal.
When reading third-party reviews on aggregator sites, weight the more recent ones from 2025 and 2026 more heavily for current atmosphere and service accuracy. Check specifically for mentions of patio seating availability (it can get crowded during Taco Tuesday), sauce spiciness notes, and whether the live music was happening the night of the review. Those three details tell you the most about what your specific visit will feel like. If you're also weighing taco trucks, you may want to check el patio truck reviews for a quick comparison on what to expect on the road.
Before you go: a practical checklist
- Confirm the address: 3317 E 7th St, Long Beach, CA 90804 (corner of Coronado and Redondo Ave). Double-check any review platform you're reading to make sure it's pointing to this address, not a different "El Patio" location.
- Check today's hours: Mon–Thu 9 AM–9 PM; Fri–Sat 7 AM–12 AM; Sun 7 AM–9 PM. Friday and Saturday are the only nights you can stay late, so plan accordingly.
- Decide if you're targeting the Taco Special: Tuesdays all day and Fridays from 3 PM to close. If value is your priority, these are non-negotiable windows.
- Ask about sauce spice levels when you order. The green sauce in particular can run hotter than expected. If you're heat-sensitive, ask the server before anything lands on your tacos.
- If you want tequila-forward cocktails, clarify with your server whether the margaritas are agave-spirit-based or wine-based that day. The Paloma is a safer bet for a more spirit-forward experience.
- Check the patio review aggregates on the site today for any very recent mentions of crowding, wait times on Taco Tuesday, or any changes to the live music schedule.
- Consider calling ahead on busy nights: (562) 509-3031. The patio fills up fast on Friday evenings and during the Taco Special windows.
The bottom line
El Patio Fine Tacos and Beer earns its reputation as a neighborhood patio destination in East Long Beach. If you want to zero in on what to expect, browsing taco patio reviews can help you compare the best days, drink picks, and what’s worth ordering. The food quality is genuine, the patio setup is actually comfortable (shaded, open-air, sports-ready), and the value during specials is hard to argue with. Order the quesabirria tacos or grilled shrimp tacos, get a michelada or a strawberry margarita, and if you want tequila depth beyond the house cocktails, go in with calibrated expectations. Time your visit around the Taco Special for the best bang-for-your-buck patio afternoon, or come on a Friday or Saturday evening when the live music and crowd energy make the whole patio feel like a party worth staying for. It shares the casual, welcoming spirit you find across the best neighborhood patio spots, similar in feel to other beloved local cantina patios where the food and the atmosphere work together rather than one propping up the other.
FAQ
Are there multiple El Patio restaurants, and how can I avoid reading reviews for the wrong place?
Yes, since “El Patio” is a common Mexican dining name. Confirm the address (3317 E 7th St, Long Beach, CA 90804 on the corner of Coronado and Redondo Ave) and the phone number (562) 509-3031 before you trust a review, because listings for similarly named taco spots can look close but be a different business.
What time should I go if I want shade but also don’t want a long wait?
If you specifically want a covered, shaded spot, aim for earlier in the afternoon and still expect it to get busy during Taco Special periods. Taco Tuesday and Friday after 3 PM are high-demand windows, so arriving before the lunch-to-evening rush improves your odds of getting the best patio location.
Is the Taco Special only for certain taco types, or can I order any protein?
During Taco Special, the pricing is for the tacos offered on the special menu (with listed choices such as carne asada, al pastor, carnitas, or chicken). If you’re craving a specialty taco outside that list, you may pay full price, so it helps to check what’s included on the special board at the time you order.
Do the hand-pressed tortillas contain gluten, and are they corn-only?
The tortillas are described as hand-pressed and made with corn flour. That said, if you have a gluten sensitivity or allergy, ask the server about cross-contact in the kitchen (for example, shared utensils or prep surfaces), because “corn flour” does not automatically mean gluten-free in practice.
How spicy is the green sauce, and what should I ask if I’m heat-sensitive?
Some reviewers found the green sauce hotter than expected, even though the server reportedly told them it is the mildest option on the menu. If you have a low heat tolerance, ask which sauce is mildest that night and request a side portion so you can control the amount on your taco.
Is the carne asada flavorful, or should I add anything to make it better?
Reviews include some “a little bland” comments on carne asada, especially when ordered without a Taco Special pairing. A practical move is to ask for an extra sauce on the side (or request the sauce you prefer) rather than assuming the seasoning will match your taste.
If I want beer for sports, will the patio still feel open-air or does it get too TV-focused?
The patio setup supports both. Reviews describe TVs mounted around the patio while still offering open-air seating away from the screens, so you can choose a spot that matches your preference, just not everyone gets that flexibility during the busiest taco deal times.
What should I order if I specifically want a michelada?
Micheladas are among the most praised drinks, so it’s a safe bet if that’s your goal. If you’re ordering alongside tacos for a group, consider asking whether the michelada is served mild or if spice levels can be adjusted, since patio heat can be a bigger factor than people expect.
Are the margaritas tequila-forward, or do they taste more like wine-based house drinks?
Reviews note that house margaritas can taste wine-based rather than being full tequila-forward. If you want a more traditional, tequila-forward profile, ask how the margarita is made or choose a drink like the Paloma if you want something that comes across more spirit-forward.
Is tequila the focus here, and can I expect a deep tequila list?
Not really. The venue is positioned more as tacos and beer with cocktails as an extra, so if you’re traveling specifically for tequila depth or a wide agave spirits selection, manage expectations. For a tequila-and-mezcal tasting style experience, you’ll likely be happier at a dedicated cantina or mezcaleria.
Do cocktails get better during live music nights, and does it affect service speed?
Live music tends to increase patio energy and can make the flow of drink orders feel more natural, but crowding can also intensify during popular nights. If you’re visiting for fast service, earlier evenings on quieter days may be smoother, while Friday or Saturday is best if you want the full vibe.
What’s the easiest “order strategy” for a first visit if I want to try a few things?
To cover the highlights without overthinking, try the quesabirria tacos or grilled shrimp tacos, then pair one go-to beer pick (like a michelada) with one margarita-style drink you actually like. Also decide your spice tolerance before you order sauces, since sauce heat can vary and affects how enjoyable the meal feels.