El Palenque Mexican Restaurant in Santa Maria

With the large Hispanic population in Santa Maria, you know the Mexican restaurants have a lot of competition and have to be good to survive. El Palenque is better than good. It is outstanding! The house made Horchata is delicious. The plate presentation is attractive. The enchiladas and burritos are yummy. The service is great. The décor is a bit worn and dated, but the seats are comfortable and the sound level such that you can have a conversation with your meal mates.

Traditional Mexican cuisine with huge portions and served right. Love the enchiladas and their fajitas are delightful. Always one of my favorite spots to eat for years

Great food and great service.

Excellent. Great service and good food. Don't overlook this place!

El Palenque is a local family favorite. While there may be other restaurants that serve traditional Mexican food, you will be hard-pressed to find one with the family-friendly atmosphere, fabulous food and courteous wait staff.

One of our favorites when we want tasty Mexican food. Love the chicken enchiladas and tostada's. Iced tea is great. Service is always done well and with a smile. We often have special family occasions here.

Great food, great prices, great service

One of the best tasting food I've had in Santa Maria. My wife's friend says try the nacho fries. I did and they were good, amongst all the other food I've has there. Looking for mexican food this is the place to go.

The food was excellent! Chips and salsa perfect! Ground beef tacos, rice and beans are superb the best in town:) Vanessa our server was excellent at her job we will return ASAP!!!

Amazing food and very fast service.

Great Mexican food. A little pricey but very clean. Salsa is very good. I would go back again.

Awesome time! Momma's Birthday dinner was great. Food was good and service was just as good. We had a party of like 15 people too! Thank you

Definitely one of my favorite restaurants in Santa Maria. The food is always hot and fresh, the service is always excellent. I've gone here many times over the years and I've never had a complaint.

This place is absolutely worth to go, we ordered the burito and the carnitas,they were so good!

The food was good but not great. What gave this place 4 stars is their super fast service. Maybe because it didn't look very busy but I was really impressed with the fast service. From the time I sat down to the time I got my food it could not have been longer than 15 minutes.

We really like this place because it's cozy and private, nice service, good menu, the only thing we could ask it's using cardboard boxes other than that we like it very much

Not a bad place to grab lunch.. I couldn't handle the burrito. THIS TIME MAN LOST TO FOOD. Follow Google maps directions to avoid trying to access the parking lot from the busy street.

Went in for quick lunch,food ok,service ok, price good

The best carnitas!!

Good food and large portions

Delicious and authentic, fast and friendly. If you're in the area... it's worth the stop for sure.

Service was prompt and efficient. Food was flavorful, and the Flan will keep us going back for more

Mexican food, awesome. I give this place two thumbs up. I think I might become a regular. It has a good feel to it.

Very authentic style resturant. Extremly nice to go to for lunch as it is very personable (private). Good for a romantic date or just a relaxing bite to eat. Friendly staff that keeps busy helping guests and checking on there needs.

Good food

Excellent food. Fast and great service.

Great food and excellent service! Fried ice cream my fav

Great chips! Plate number 5 is the best!

Nice, authentic Mexican cuisine. I prefer a hard shell taco and a nicely spicy salsa, and they did not dissapoint. Plenty of parking in the rear.

Good service, good food.

Food was very good and service was great

Always amazing food here. My wife said it's her favorite. Get anything and tou will be more then satisfied. Their red sauce is the best too.

Good food, good service

Don't miss the driveway! Some of the best Mexican food in Santa Maria. Great lunch prices, great food and would like to go for dinner. The staff is helpful and friendly

It was a nice clean place nice people good food..

Can add a salsa bar and offer more varieties of salsa. The salsa offered was spicy n ok rating. Chill rellano plate size was good. Like the seating options. Parking is at the back of this restaurant which may confuse new comers. Can add a parking sign to combat the issue.

Very friendly staff. Excellent chips and salsa. Very good food. 👍

I absolutely love this place. It is run by all women. They usually have a pretty long line there but it goes really fast but they get the food out in a timely manner so it's totally worth the wait. the pastor tacos are my favorite and they're hot sauce really is hot my husband was sweating from it and he loves spicy food

I have lived 6 decades in Cali and we tend to love basic strip mall Mexican over chains. Hole in the walls like this joint that makes Mexican food with love. The portions are the size of hubcaps. The food deliciously rendered, plated and served. Basic, but delivered in a 5 Star manner. Clean. Attentive wait staff.

Been here twice and have not been disappointed! Had the Chile verde plate both times and will make it my go to choice everytime! The rice is fluffy and tasty, beans are awesome...the pork is tender and juicy and delicious! The chips light and crispy and complement the salsa nicely...almost forgot the salad...very fresh and tasty...totally recommend

Best Chili Verde in Santa Maria. Great food great service and reasonable prices. Wonderful lunch menu served hot and fast to your table. I would highly recommend. Four stars out of five.

Service was very good, food was very good atmosphere is nice.

if you're looking for some good authentic Mexican food and great service this is the place to go this is some bomb food🤤👌

This used to be Quito's when Rudy owned it. It was not too authentic. Now it's fantastic. I have been there 3 times in a week. Normally wine margaritas suck, but these are pretty good. Give them a try!

Nice place to eat. Food and service is good.

Excellent food. I had street tacos that were fantastic. Friendly service too.

Good food. Margaritas not so good

Food is good, but the salsa is extremely spicy. If they changed the salsa to make it bearable to eat, I'd give it 5 stars. Best rice I have ever had!

I have had Mexican food from Cali to New York and this is the best restaurant I have eaten at to date.

Service was great, food was mediocre. Salsa was awful.