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El Patrón Cantina
Master Critic Reviews (6 Lists)
El Patrón Cantina
8.2
A Wilshire-front cantina with a real downtown happy-hour pulse, where tacos are the main event and margaritas keep the room humming. The menu leans classic-to-modern Mexican, and the taco lineup holds up whether you’re here for after-work bites or a late-night reset. Expect lively energy, steady crowds, and a bar-driven flow that suits sharing plates.
Must-Try Dishes:
Al pastor tacos, Quesabirria tacos, House margarita
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 8.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: A bar-first DTLA cantina where tacos and margaritas anchor a true happy hour.
Who should go: After-work crews and taco groups
When to visit: Weekday happy hour or Taco Tuesday
What to order: Al pastor tacos, quesabirria tacos, margarita flight
Insider tip: Go early for bar seats before the late-night surge.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Validated parking available through nearby garages along Wilshire; limited metered street parking that fills quickly after 5pm.
Dress code: Casual-to-smart casual; after-work attire fits the room, but jeans and tees remain common.
Noise level: Loud during peak happy hour and late night; conversational at early evening bar seats.
Weekend wait: 35–55 minutes depending on bar traffic and events nearby.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; service is quick and bar seating is widely open.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several taco builds and sides can be prepared vegetarian on request.
Vegan options: Limited — a couple of veg-forward tacos and sides, but modifications may be needed.
Gluten-free options: Several tacos can be made gluten-free with corn tortillas; cross-contact possible during peak hours.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for casual dates — the lively cantina vibe, strong margaritas, and shareable tacos help break the ice, though noise can spike later in the night.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually — walk-ins are common, especially earlier in the evening. Bar seats go first, so arrive before the happy-hour surge to avoid long waits.
Is it kid-friendly? Somewhat — early evenings work for families, but the room shifts toward a louder bar scene later, making it better suited for older kids or early outings.
Best For
Better for: Energetic happy-hour tacos, shareable plates, and bar-forward flow with strong drink value compared to quieter sit-down Mexican spots nearby.
Skip if: You want a calm dinner, extended conversations, or a fully vegan/vegetarian menu — the atmosphere trends lively and bar-centric.
El Patrón Cantina
8.1
A lively Wilshire-front cantina that pairs late-running Mexican comfort with a real bar scene. Happy hour here is driven by margaritas and shareable plates, and the room shifts from casual dinner to high-volume weekend energy without losing its taco-and-mezcal focus.
Must-Try Dishes:
Quesabirria tacos, Al pastor tacos, House margarita
Scores:
Value: 7.7
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: A bar-first Mexican spot that stays strong late.
Who should go: After-work crews and night-owl taco groups.
When to visit: Happy hour into late night, especially weekends.
What to order: Quesabirria, al pastor, house margarita.
Insider tip: Aim for earlier happy hour to skip the club rush.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Wilshire is limited during peak hours; nearby garages along Wilshire and Flower typically run $6–$10 in the evening. Ride-share is the easiest choice on weekends.
Dress code: Smart casual with a nightlife lean on weekends—jeans and casual tops are fine early, but the crowd trends dressier after 9pm.
Noise level: Loud during peak happy hour and late night; conversations are manageable early evening but difficult once the bar fills.
Weekend wait: 35–55 minutes without a reservation, longer after 9pm when the bar energy spikes.
Weekday lunch: No wait; service is fast during the daytime window.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—vegetarian tacos, sides, and a few shareable plates are available.
Vegan options: Limited—1–2 items can be modified, but options are minimal.
Gluten-free options: Yes—many tacos can be served on corn tortillas, though no dedicated gluten-free prep space.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Good for a fun, energetic date rather than an intimate one. Early happy hour works best if you want to actually talk; late night gets too loud for deep conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—walk-ins are common. Arrive before 6:30pm for quickest seating; weekends after 8pm almost always require a wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Early evening is fine for families, but the environment shifts toward a bar scene after 8pm. Best for teens and older; not ideal for young kids during late hours.
Best For
Better for: High-energy happy hour, strong margarita builds, and late-night tacos in a lively cantina setting.
Skip if: You want a quiet dinner, expansive vegan options, or a reservation-only experience with predictable seating times.
El Patrón Cantina
8.1
A lively DTLA cantina where tacos hold their own alongside a strong margarita program. The kitchen leans into richer, birria- and pastor-leaning flavors that stay consistent late into the night. It’s a real scene, but still priced for repeat visits.
Must-Try Dishes:
Quesabirria tacos, Al pastor tacos, Frozen margarita
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 8.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Late-running taco program paired with a high-energy DTLA bar.
Who should go: Night-owl groups chasing tacos and drinks.
When to visit: Fri–Sat after 10pm for full energy.
What to order: Quesabirria, al pastor, frozen marg.
Insider tip: Go medium spice so the meat flavors stay front and center.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Wilshire and the surrounding blocks is limited late at night; nearby paid garages typically run $8–$15 depending on the hour.
Dress code: Smart casual with a slight nightlife tilt; jeans work but most guests lean polished for evening visits.
Noise level: Loud during peak late-night hours with energetic bar traffic; conversation is possible but not ideal for long talks.
Weekend wait: 30–50 minutes without a reservation, especially after 9pm.
Weekday lunch: Generally no wait, though the bar area fills quickly during happy hour.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several tacos and sides can be made vegetarian, including veggie-soft builds and bean-based options.
Vegan options: Limited—1–2 options depending on daily prep; confirm with staff as marinades may contain dairy.
Gluten-free options: Good selection—most corn tortillas are gluten-free and many proteins qualify; cross-contact possible during peak hours.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Best for a lively, less formal first date where energy matters more than quiet conversation; the atmosphere is fun but loud.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially earlier in the evening, but expect a line on weekends after 9pm. Bar seating turns over faster if you're flexible.
Is it kid-friendly? Suitable for older kids during earlier hours, but the late-night bar scene makes it less ideal for young children.
Best For
Better for: Late-night taco cravings with stronger flavor profiles and a more social, bar-forward atmosphere than most budget taco spots.
Skip if: You want a quiet meal, need extensive vegan options, or prefer a purely food-first taqueria without the nightlife energy.
El Patrón Cantina
8.3
A late-running DTLA cantina where the kitchen stays on long past midnight and the tacos hold their own against the bar energy. Rich, birria-leaning builds and steady seasoning make it a dependable after-hours stop that feels like a real scene, not a last-call compromise.
Must-Try Dishes:
Quesabirria tacos, Al pastor tacos, House margarita
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 8.3
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: True 1–2am taco program paired with a lively DTLA bar.
Who should go: Night-owl groups chasing tacos and drinks.
When to visit: Fri–Sat after 10pm for full energy.
What to order: Quesabirria, al pastor, a frozen marg.
Insider tip: Go medium spice—the flavors show best there.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is tight on Wilshire late at night; nearby paid garages typically run $8–$15 after 6pm. No dedicated valet.
Dress code: Smart casual with a nightlife lean—jeans are fine, but most guests skew dressy on weekends.
Noise level: Loud after 10pm with music and bar traffic; expect limited conversation without raising your voice.
Weekend wait: 30–50 minutes after 10pm, especially with larger groups.
Weekday lunch: No lunch service; early evening weekday visits typically have minimal waits.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: A few solid picks—veggie tacos, rice/bean plates, and sides that can build into a meal.
Vegan options: Limited but workable—ask for veggie tacos without cheese and confirm ingredient swaps.
Gluten-free options: Corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free, and most proteins work; avoid fried items that may share oil.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you’re aiming for a fun, high-energy night—it's lively and loud, better for a casual or adventurous date than a quiet get-to-know-you meal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—late-night walk-ins are common, but expect a short wait on weekends. Smaller parties are seated faster at high-top or bar areas.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal. The late-night bar energy and volume are geared toward adults; early evening visits might work for older teens but not young kids.
Best For
Better for: Late-night tacos in a true party setting—strong seasoning, energetic room, and a kitchen that stays open well past typical DTLA hours.
Skip if: You want a quiet meal, early family dinner, or a wide range of vegan options—other DTLA Mexican spots fit those needs better.
El Patrón Cantina
8.3
A late-running DTLA cantina that keeps a real taco program going well past midnight, pairing birria-forward comfort with a lively bar crowd. The tacos land best on richer, cheesy builds and slow-cooked meats, making this a reliable after-hours stop when you want food with the scene.
Must-Try Dishes:
Quesabirria tacos, Al pastor tacos, Shrimp tacos
Scores:
Value: 7.7
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 8.2
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: A true 1–2am DTLA taco-and-margarita cantina with birria strength.
Who should go: Night-owl groups chasing tacos and drinks.
When to visit: Fri–Sat after 10pm for peak energy.
What to order: Quesabirria, al pastor, shrimp tacos.
Insider tip: Go late—kitchen stays on when nearby spots wind down.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Wilshire and nearby cross streets is limited late at night; the safest bet is nearby paid garages that run until 2am.
Dress code: Casual-nightlife energy—jeans, tees, and sneakers are fine, but many guests lean slightly dressy on weekends.
Noise level: Loud after 10pm with a steady bar crowd and DJ-backed energy; conversations are doable but expect raised voices.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes after 10pm, especially for larger groups.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable—this is primarily an evening and late-night spot.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited—usually one or two veggie tacos plus sides like beans and rice.
Vegan options: Very limited—tortillas and a few sides qualify, but most tacos feature cheese or meats.
Gluten-free options: Corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free; many tacos can be adapted on request.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you’re aiming for a fun, high-energy late-night hang. The vibe is lively rather than intimate, so it suits casual chemistry better than a quiet romantic setup.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—most late-night diners walk in. Arrive before midnight for the quickest seating; after that, expect a short wait but steady turnover.
Is it kid-friendly? Not really—this is a nightlife-focused cantina with loud music and a bar-forward crowd. Suitable mainly for adults.
Best For
Better for: A louder, more social late-night taco scene with strong birria and a full bar—ideal for groups wanting food plus energy.
Skip if: You want quiet dining, extensive dietary flexibility, or a purely traditional taqueria experience without nightlife elements.
El Patrón Cantina
8.3
A downtown cantina built for after-hours eating, with a loud, nightlife-forward room and a menu that keeps moving well past midnight. The kitchen leans into craveable tacos, birria, and coastal snacks that pair naturally with margaritas and mezcal. Come when you want Mexican comfort food plus a real late-night scene.
Must-Try Dishes:
Quesabirria tacos, Shrimp tacos, Aguachile
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 7.7
What makes it special: A true late-night DTLA cantina with birria-driven tacos and a DJ-backed vibe.
Who should go: Night-owl groups chasing food and energy.
When to visit: Fri–Sat after 10pm for peak scene.
What to order: Quesabirria tacos, shrimp tacos, aguachile.
Insider tip: Order tacos first, then add a shared seafood snack.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Wilshire and surrounding side streets is limited late at night; nearby paid garages typically run $6–$12 after 8pm.
Dress code: Smart casual with a nightlife lean — jeans are fine, but most groups dress elevated for the late-night scene.
Noise level: High during peak hours with DJ sets; expect to raise your voice in group conversations.
Weekend wait: 45–70 minutes after 10pm, especially for larger parties.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable; the venue’s strengths are late-night hours, and daytime visits see minimal or no wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Moderate — veggie tacos, quesadillas, and sides are available.
Vegan options: Limited — a couple of customizable tacos and sides can be made vegan, but options are not extensive.
Gluten-free options: Good — many tacos can be served on corn tortillas, and several seafood plates are naturally gluten-free.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you want a high-energy, nightlife-forward setting. It’s lively and fun but not ideal for intimate conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, but expect a wait on weekends after 10pm. Arriving before peak hours or coming with a smaller group helps.
Is it kid-friendly? Not particularly. The late-night crowd, loud music, and bar-forward atmosphere make it better suited for adults.
Best For
Better for: Late-night Mexican comfort food with an energetic vibe, especially for groups wanting tacos, birria, and margaritas after midnight.
Skip if: You want a quieter meal, need extensive vegan options, or prefer a more traditional sit-down Mexican restaurant without nightlife energy.