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
Photo of EL PATRON
Photo: El Patron Restaurante Mexicano

Community Rating

Reviews via Google
4.5 Community-sourced rating 7,096 reviews
Read all reviews on Google →

What 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 →

  • June 30, 2026

    Little pricy for the food type... but would return if given the opportunity. Convenient location.

  • June 29, 2026

    Food and staff were great

  • June 29, 2026

    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.

  • June 29, 2026

    Volveré con mi esposa e hijos es sabor original de México en Orlando Fabián buen servidor muy profesional

  • June 29, 2026

    Amazing food and amazing drinks!! 10/10!

  • June 29, 2026

    Todo súper bien comida rica lugar limpio y organizados baños limpios lugares así vale la pena volver Fabián gracias recomiendo las fajitas

  • June 29, 2026

    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

  • June 29, 2026

    Mi mesero Fabián el mejor las margaritas recomendadas el restaurante es muy bello me recuerda Acapulco

  • June 29, 2026

    Gracias Fabián la comida deliciosa recomiendo el arroz y los frijoles la salsa de mole

  • June 29, 2026

    The food was very delicious and filling and Fabian was an amazing waiter and I recommend.

  • June 29, 2026

    Th food was very amazing and Fabian was a really good waiter would recommend coming here.

  • June 29, 2026

    fabian was amazing and the food was sooo good

  • June 29, 2026

    Excelente ambiente. La comida genial. La atención de fabian fue increíble

  • June 28, 2026

    Fabian our server was very attentive and the service was great!

  • June 28, 2026

    We had Yovany as a server and he was great! Made great food recommendations and food and drinks we delicious

  • June 28, 2026

    Fantastic night with my friends and family, Fabian was so great server, we’ll be back soon for sure

  • June 28, 2026

    Fabian was excellent; very friendly, the brunch buffet yummy.

  • June 28, 2026

    Pase una gran noche y disfrute de la margarita pricky pear, vimos el juego Colombia vs Portugal, nuestro mesero Fabián fue muy atento.

  • June 28, 2026

    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!

  • June 28, 2026

    Valentina was amazing!

  • June 28, 2026

    Amazing atmosphere and delicious food. Fabian was an attentive server who made the experience extra special.

  • June 28, 2026

    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. 😆😆😆😆

  • June 28, 2026

    Buen servicio, la comida buenisima y si van pregunten por Fabián excelente servicio

  • June 28, 2026

    Excelente lugar en Orlando para comer y disfrutar los partidos del mundial, muy recomendado. Excelente servicio de Fabián.

  • June 27, 2026

    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.

  • June 27, 2026

    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

  • Health inspection grade 10/40
    Grade D
  • Dietary transparency 17/20
    5 options listed
  • Community rating 18/20
    4.5★ average
  • Hidden-gem status 0/10
    Not flagged
  • Track record 3/10
    Declining, 33% clean

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.

  1. 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
  2. September 11, 2025 · Routine - Food

    Call Back - Complied

    0 high-priority · 0 intermediate · 0 basic

    No violations cited.

  3. 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