El Patio
Eau Claire Mexican Restaurant

NOTE: El Patio no longer resides on London Rd.

I stopped into El Patio of Eau Claire (off London road) one Wednesday night about 5 p.m. Having driven by there many times on my way to this or that, it was easy to find. Although the parking lot was smallish, I had no problem finding a parking spot right outside the door. Bonus!

El Patio
228 Water Street
Eau Claire, WI 54703-5699
(715) 855-8590

• Mexican
• $--Affordable
  ($7-$12 for entree)
• Great for--Casual date, family, quick lunch
• Serves alcohol

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As soon as I walked in, a smiling young man greeted me and offered to let me sit anywhere I liked. After choosing a table by the window, he left to get me an iced tea. Time to check out the menu.

El Patio of Eau Claire is decorated pretty typically for this area. Like some other establishments, it's decorated 'outside in'. I mean that it looks like a roof over the bar so that the interior of the restaurant seems to be the outside. This isn't my favorite way to go, but it's okay.

Besides this, there's a fluorescent orange paint on the walls along with some paneling and a rough paint job over that. The decor is not extravagant, but it is personal. Many pictures are personal photos. Not overly fancy, it was still carefully done and clean.

As is typical for our local Mexican restaurants, my drink arrived with chips and salsa. Their salsa is good enough that I was considering asking to take some home with me. If they bottled it, they'd have me lining up right away. A lot of red sauce, not too many chunks, and lots of flavor. The chips were nice and fresh, too. Even after the supper, I was munching on them.

Anyhow, after ordering I was surprised at how quickly my meal arrived. I had ordered off of the al la carte menu -- a tamale and a beef enchilada. That tamale was so good! Lots of flavor, just a little kick, and not dry at all.

The enchilada was almost as good as the tamale. Both had plenty of sauce. For a smaller person (like me), I found that between the chips and the two dishes, I had plenty to eat. I was blown away by how little, I paid, too. For a tall iced tea, chips and salsa, a tamale, and an enchilada, my total was $5.47! You can get good, authentic Mexican food at the same price as fast food.

What they lack in fancy decor, they make up for in smiling service and good, inexpensive food. This is someplace to go, even if you're on a budget.

Overall, if you're out on a casual motorcycle ride or looking for an inexpensive night out for the family, take a walk or ride over to El Patio Eau Claire. They've got another restaurant down on Water Street that's just as friendly.