El Gran Patron:

A Mexican Oasis in Natural Bridge

Last weekend, Shawn and I hit our limit; we had no inspiration or desire to eat at home yet another night. We had been disciplined for weeks, cooking our meals at home and eating our leftovers for lunch. That night, we wanted to eat something that wasn’t a burger or a pizza or that didn’t come from our fridge.

We mulled over a few of our favorite local options, but then, in a moment of inspiration – I said, “You know how we always say whenever we are driving through Natural Bridge on Route 3 that we should try out the cool little Mexican place, but we never actually do?”

We decided that this night was the night to go to El Gran Patron.

If you find yourself in Natural Bridge, New York, don’t miss the chance to dine at El Gran Patron! This Mexican restaurant is now a fan favorite for us, and it’s easy to see why.

From the moment we walked in, we were enveloped by the warm and welcoming staff, who we discovered were the owners of El Gran Patron. The service was truly exceptional—attentive without being intrusive, and our server was more than happy to offer recommendations from the menu. It felt like we were welcomed into a cozy family home rather than a restaurant.

One of the highlights is the weekly specials. There’s always something new to try each week, making each visit a surprise. We indulged in the homemade guacamole and chips and paired it with a round of Modelo Especial Lager Beer (one of our favorite beers already), which was a perfect match – and a great way to start the meal!

But let’s talk about the burritos. Wow! They were absolutely enormous and packed with flavor. I ordered the carne El Patron burrito, which I imagine to be like the “Lumberjack Special” of burritos. It was stuffed with two types of meat, as well as beans, rice, guac, and cheese. The portion was so generous that I should have taken half home—but it was too good not to finish, and I polished it off in one sitting! Shawn devoured his vegetarian burrito as well. Sadly, we had no room for dessert, which – quite honestly, is a weak excuse to return for another meal.

Overall, El Gran Patron is a Mexican-themed oasis with fantastic food, excellent service, and an inviting atmosphere. Whether you’re looking for a casual meal or a special night out, this restaurant will not disappoint.

I literally can’t wait to go back for more!

El Gran Patron

44005 State Rte 3, Natural Bridge, NY 13665

315 644 5033

Hours, weekends only:

Friday & Saturday 11-8 pm

Sunday 11-7 pm