Palenque Kitchen - Riverside

Palenque Kitchen - Riverside reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Review summary

1. G

   Gerardo

   Orange County1 review

   4.0

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 3

   The food was very good, and the portions were generous. A bit pricey, especially for the add-ons, but overall a good experience.
   

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2. C

   Cheryl

   Central Coast3 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on April 6, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We enjoyed our experience at Palenque. It was definitely a date night vibe. Our first time there and our waiter took time to explain the menu items and drinks with us.We be back again! '
   

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3. M

   Marycruz

   Los Angeles16 reviews

   4.0

   Dined on March 22, 2025

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 4

   Food was great drinks good service was ok wish it was a little better bartender wasn’t to happy when we asked to remake a drink
   

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4. L

   Landy

   Orange County5 reviews

   1.0

   Dined on March 16, 2025

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 2

   I went for the Sunday Brunch. I had RSVP'd but my table was given away. They said it was a 10 minute grace period. They only had 1 line to get to the door person instead of 2 lines (general admission & RSVP). When I got to the door person I was 12 minutes late. I was in line a good 7-8 minutes of the 12 minutes. So I had to wait (about 40 minutes total). The menu is very limited. Not really any Breakfast items to chose from. The 2 breakfast items they did have (Pancakes or French Toast) didn't come with syrup. Yes they had no syrup or ran out of it. The vibe was good, but that was it.
   

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5. T

   TeeTee

   Los Angeles2 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on March 16, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Jose great server who served my table. Reserved 2 and having a time of our life for my lady. The birthday girl. Food was good also great customer service. You will see us back soon
   

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6. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Los Angeles1 review

   3.0

   Dined on March 15, 2025

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   I went in on a saturday without realizing they only serve brunch until 4pm which was a bummer bc i was looking forward to having some lunch but overall it was an okay experience
   

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7. T

   Trest VIP

   Portland3 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on March 15, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Staff is always so friendly and helpful. They were really accommodating as our group size grew. Very patient. Cocktails are delicious!
   

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8. S

   Stephanie

   Orange County3 reviews

   3.0

   Dined on March 12, 2025

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 3

   Overall experience was average. I had reservations and was seated quickly. The only problem was, we sat there way too long to even be greeted by a waiter or waitress. We had to flag someone down for water, so while he was present, we went ahead and ordered. We started with the Papas Bravas, and the chicken taquitos. The papas bravas was very good but they ran out of hard shells is what we were told to make the taquitos, so it came out as a taco and the tortilla was soggy. It was taco Tuesday so we tried the tinga and asada. Chicken tinga to me was just ok. I had more flavorful ones and this was missing something. My husband liked the asada. May check the Newport location out for a brunch. Hope it’s better.
   

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9. OT

   OpenTable Diner VIP

   Los Angeles2 reviews

   3.0

   Dined on March 9, 2025

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 3

   Had dinner here, my friend took me out for my birthday. We put it on the OpenTable reservation but they didn’t do anything so not sure if they even look at it. Food was ok. The pulpo was SUPER chewy but the brussel sprouts that came with it were good. I had the quesa birria tacos, that was really good actually but the rice and beans taste like from a can. Not much flavor, the rice was under cooked ? Service was also sub par , we had to ask to get water refilled and they didn’t clear dirty dishes even tho they stood there and saw the table. That’s why I gave it 3/10 for overall experience. Don’t think I would go back. Maybe later down the line when they improve.
   

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10. N

    Natalie

    Orange County1 review

    1.0

    Dined on February 9, 2025

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 3

    I came in for dinner with a friend and the hostess said we can’t get a seat inside without a reservation so they sat us outside in the cold even though it was not very busy. So I got online and checked if there were any reservations. It was 8:30 at that point and I saw there was a res available at 8:45 so I booked it. I went back to the hostess to tell her and she was visibly annoyed with us and told us we have to wait until 8:45 and confirmed my name 4 times, she did not believe me. A few minutes later she came to seat us and was very rude. They were turning away people when there were many reservations available. It’s bad business and bad service. The hostess was very rude. And then the food and drinks were a total of around $120 and it was barely any food, not great taste, drink was not good, terrible value for your money. Very disappointed, will not be coming back
    

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