EL PATRON
EL PATRON is one of Central Florida's sharpest contradictions: 4.5 stars from 7,096 diners, and a D health grade from the state. People plainly love the food. The inspection report tells a rougher story.
By health score it sits safer than 7% of Orange County restaurants we grade — among the riskier kitchens in the county. The grade reflects 2 high-priority, 3 intermediate, and 7 basic violations at its last inspection on May 1, 2026. Worse, the trend is downward. Safer, higher-graded picks nearby are listed below.
Loved (4.5★) but failing (D, 68/100) · safer than 7% of Orange County
Get directions Call (407) 238-5300
Safer options nearby
Higher-graded restaurants close to EL PATRON, by Florida DBPR grade:
Restaurant details
- Health grade
- D (68/100)
- Violations
- 12 total — 2 high-priority, 3 intermediate, 7 basic
- Address
- 12167 S APOPKA VINELAND RD, Orlando, FL
- Cuisine
- Mexican
- Categories
- Mexican restaurant, Brunch restaurant, Taco restaurant
- Price
- $20–30
- Rating
- 4.5 stars (7096 reviews)
- Seats
- 205
- Phone
- (407) 238-5300
- Website
- Official website
Community Rating
Reviews via GoogleWhat diners say — our read
This is the pattern the site exists to surface: strong reviews, weak inspection. The staff tends to be raised approvingly here, averaging 5.0 stars.
Of the 26 rated reviews, 25 sit at four stars or better and 0 at two or below. More reviewers landed on 5 stars than any other score — 24 of 26. What nobody raises here is whether it is worth the money — it goes unmentioned across all 26 reviews.
Set against that, the state's own inspection graded the kitchen a D (68/100), with 2 high-priority, 3 intermediate, and 7 basic violations recorded. Reviews describe the meal; the grade describes the conditions it was made in. That result dates from May 1, 2026. Its inspection trajectory is downward over the records we hold. That puts it ahead of 7% of graded kitchens in Orange County. What the inspector actually wrote up: cross-contamination and in-use food dispensing utensils properly stored.
The practical read: people enjoy eating here, and the kitchen still failed its last inspection. Those are separate claims, and only the second one gets checked by anybody. Full reviews follow below in the order they were left.
Our own analysis of 26 reviews for this restaurant, set against its Florida DBPR inspection record. How we calculate grades →
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Little pricy for the food type... but would return if given the opportunity. Convenient location.
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Food and staff were great
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Excellent food and delicious cocktails! Thanks, Fabian, for your great recommendations—my dinner with my family was incredible. The restaurant is beautiful, very clean, and in a great location.
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Volveré con mi esposa e hijos es sabor original de México en Orlando Fabián buen servidor muy profesional
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Amazing food and amazing drinks!! 10/10!
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Todo súper bien comida rica lugar limpio y organizados baños limpios lugares así vale la pena volver Fabián gracias recomiendo las fajitas
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Gracias 🫂 😊 todo muy rico los cócteles buenísimos los 🌮 🌮 increíbles FABIANNNN es mi mesero fue muy TENTO MUY RAPIDO ME GUSTA QUE HABL INGLES Y ESPAÑOL TE SIENTES COMODO Y NOS DEJAMOS ACONCEJAR SOBRE LA COMIDA FELIZ MIS VACACIONES SOÑADAS Y ESTE LUGAR CUMPLIO MIS EXPECTATIVAS VIVA MEXICOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GRACIAS
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Mi mesero Fabián el mejor las margaritas recomendadas el restaurante es muy bello me recuerda Acapulco
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Gracias Fabián la comida deliciosa recomiendo el arroz y los frijoles la salsa de mole
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The food was very delicious and filling and Fabian was an amazing waiter and I recommend.
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Th food was very amazing and Fabian was a really good waiter would recommend coming here.
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fabian was amazing and the food was sooo good
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Excelente ambiente. La comida genial. La atención de fabian fue increíble
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Fabian our server was very attentive and the service was great!
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We had Yovany as a server and he was great! Made great food recommendations and food and drinks we delicious
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Fantastic night with my friends and family, Fabian was so great server, we’ll be back soon for sure
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Fabian was excellent; very friendly, the brunch buffet yummy.
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Pase una gran noche y disfrute de la margarita pricky pear, vimos el juego Colombia vs Portugal, nuestro mesero Fabián fue muy atento.
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We came to the buffet option that starts from 11am-3pm and its always delicious when we come! Valentina was such a sweet and attentive young lady ! She made sure we were well taken care of thank you!
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Valentina was amazing!
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Amazing atmosphere and delicious food. Fabian was an attentive server who made the experience extra special.
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This food was so delicious I will never stop thinking about it. I got the Horchata to drink and 3 chicken tacos and that was probably the best meal I have ever eaten. New death row meal. Service was fantastic, however, I did have to wait a bit to get in. Overall, this experience was terrific and I will be back for unlimited taco tuesday. 😆😆😆😆
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Buen servicio, la comida buenisima y si van pregunten por Fabián excelente servicio
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Excelente lugar en Orlando para comer y disfrutar los partidos del mundial, muy recomendado. Excelente servicio de Fabián.
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The buffet brunch was amazing. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and well crafted. Food is made in smaller batches and is replenished often so nothing sits in the warmers for too long. Love the shrimp fajitas and seafood ceviche the most, but everything we tried was flavorful and delish. Tortillas are warmed to order and service is great. Fabian was so attentive and made sure we knew about the churros and flan and replenished our waters regularly like magic.
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We got there on an early afternoon and it wasn't that busy, so we sat at the bar. It took about 10-15 minutes to get water and our drink order taken. Ordered food, which was pretty good. It got very loud as dinner guests started to arrive and the instrument they were using to celebrate birthdays was extremely loud, annoying, and obnoxious.
Overall Score
48 / 100
Composite score from health grade, dietary options, ratings, and inspection record — distinct from the state-derived health grade.
Opening hours
- Monday
- 11 AM to 10 PM
- Tuesday
- 11 AM to 10 PM
- Wednesday
- 11 AM to 10 PM
- Thursday
- 11 AM to 10 PM
- Friday
- 11 AM to 10 PM
- Saturday
- 11 AM to 10 PM
- Sunday
- 11 AM to 10 PM
Inspection history
The following records are from Florida DBPR public inspection records, most recent first.
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May 1, 2026 · Routine - Food
Inspection Completed - No Further Action
2 high-priority · 3 intermediate · 7 basic
- 08 — Cross-contamination: raw foods separated; food protected during prep/storage (×4)
- 10 — In-use food dispensing utensils properly stored
- 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained
- 16 — Dishwashing facilities; sanitizer test kits; gauges
- 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized
- 23 — Nonfood-contact surfaces clean
- 29 — Plumbing installed & maintained; mop sink; backflow prevention
- 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation
- 50 — Current license, properly displayed
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September 11, 2025 · Routine - Food
Call Back - Complied
0 high-priority · 0 intermediate · 0 basic
No violations cited.
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September 3, 2025 · Routine - Food
Warning Issued
3 high-priority · 1 intermediate · 4 basic
- 03 — Temperature control of foods (cold/hot holding, cooking, cooling, reheating)
- 08 — Cross-contamination: raw foods separated; food protected during prep/storage (×2)
- 12 — Handwashing; employee eating/drinking/smoking practices
- 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized
- 31 — Handwash sinks accessible; handwashing supplies & sign provided
- 33 — Garbage and refuse; premises maintained
- 41 — Chemicals / toxic substances properly stored & used
This grade is calculated by us from Florida DBPR public inspection records — Florida does not issue official grades. How we calculate it →
Data last updated: May 1, 2026