El Palenque

Great queso! Mexican rice was superb! Honestly I wish my appetite was bigger! I ordered the Burrito el palenque my lunch date had the quesadilla with chicken we also had a side of white cheese queso. Service was lighting fast even on a busy Saturday afternoon. Our food arrived within ten minutes (actually less) and was piping hot. They serve margaritas as well as the standard drink fare. Will be back already planning on it and this time we will bring friends and come with big appetites!!!

We were very disappointed in our visit, it took 10 minutes to get waited on when it was not busy. The chips were really stale and I happened to see the tubs of chips in the back with their lids open. I’m talking about 5 tubs of chips just sitting there, that’s not a fresh quality but the rest of the food was good. Maybe it was just a bad day for them but I most likely will never go back. El Rodeo is the place to go!!!

Not too shabby. They have some interesting and unique dishes such as the Teopical Fajitas. They also had bottled Tamarind soda, which brought back memories of Mexico and the Dominican Republic. Decently priced, bright atmosphere and an ambient environment.
The music selection was my only (mild) complaint. It was not censored and filled with some not-​so-​nice words. I personally didn’t mind too much, but I know families with children probably would have been shocked.

Great food but prices are getting expensive.

Excellent food and excellent prices. Try the steak tacos with cilantro.

We enjoyed our visit. This is a very clean mexican restaurant. Carnitas taco was delicious but a bit too salty — other tacos were awesome. We also enjoyed the Arroz con Pollo.

I thought it was common sense that when two full grown men go to a Mexican joint, they both get there own salsa. They didn’t get the memo… Regardless, the salsa was incredible, and the food was delicious. I would have no problem coming back here. I wish the service was a little bit more on top of getting you refills when u need them.

Not overly impressed. Food was like every other place. And like most Mexican places the waiters stand around blabbing on in Spanish while ignoring that your out of drinks and salsa.
I’m not completely convinced this is not a front for a Indiana cartel or an underground chicken fighting ring.
Anyways the salsa was real good!

I’m shocked at all the good reviews. Had to triple check to make sure I was looking at the right place. I’ve eaten here 3 times over the last 2 years and have had more or less the same experience each time. Food is ok but not nearly worth the money. We stopped in today and paid nearly 50 bucks for a pretty basic lunch. Didn’t realize that soda in 2.25 and they charge for refills without telling you. We had 12 bucks for drinks without realizing it. But, don’t take my word for it. THE PLACE IS ALWAYS DEAD. That should tell you everything you need to know. Super busy location, this place should be hopping. The biggest problem with it is that it looks and feels like its been frozen in time since the 80’s. Crappy, cheesy atmosphere right down to the stained red coke cups. It’s just a total dive with fine dining prices.

Really good cantina style tacos served sit down style. I popped in for lunch with my wife a while back on a recommendation from Unilocaler friend Brooke K.
I went with the carne asada, pastor, and (just to try it) chicharrón (pork skin) tacos. The carne asada and pastor were very good. The chicharrón was… different. Not even sure how to describe the texture… maybe something like the fat from a ribeye steak (?) but then quintuple the volume and add onions and cilantro. Not something I would get again. They also had beef tongue tacos which I will probably give a shot at some point.
The building used to be an old Skyline chili. It took me a bit to recall that with the weird sit down bar area all Skylines have. They have painted the interior various obnoxious colors but it is OK… here for the food!
Service was prompt and courteous. Chips and salsa were served prior to our order (big fan).
Great place and would like to stop back sometime.

Good food and service. Pork Street tacos are some of the best around. Had Beef soup on a Sunday evening and it was the best I have had in years. No big chain style soup. Home made slow simmered flavor with huge vegetables and chunks of beef. Good service.

LOVE to eat here. Great food and extra friendly service. Also love the fact that they have those giant bombers of corona familiar. That’s an added bonus

Smaller restaurant, end unit of a shopping center. Not much to brag about when you arrive at the door. We were greeted quickly by friendly service and received our food just as fast. My husband and I ordered the steak tacos… we were not disappointed! We were very pleased with the food and will definitely go again.

My husband and I love this place. We always have great service and the food is delicious. They season everything so well. I highly recommend their Arroz con Pollo.

Yes get the tacos. Like so many other Unilocalers have stated before, you will not be disappointed. My wife and I were in Noblesville looking for a place to grab a late lunch. As always we consulted the all powerful Unilocal to determine what was in the area. El Palenque appeared and it was the tacos that drew us in. We got the chorizo, carnitas, carne asada, asada y chorizo, al pastor, and pescado. Yes we were hungry and decided to create our own taco flight.
They were all great, but the asada y chorizo and al pastor were the ones that will keep you coming back for more.

El Palenque has, for me, consistently proven itself to be the best Mexican restaurant in the Hamilton County area. There is pretty much nothing that I find negative about this place. In fact, I feel almost at home when I’m eating here… there’s a strange sense of calm that comes with the deliciousness.
For starters, the service here knocks it out of the park every time. I have never known servers at a restaurant to be this friendly. We basically know our main waiter personally by now, since we go so often. He remembers our drink orders and always jokes with my dad in Spanish… I just love how nice they are here.
The food has really never disappointed. El Palenque offers both the average Midwest Mexican food as well as more authentic stuff that you would find in a Latino neighborhood of Indy, or the like. The regular Mexican food that you find on menus throughout the area has always been significantly BETTER than at other places. In fact, this place has basically ruined other Midwest Mexican restaurants for me, since it’s so much better. The authentic dishes are pretty stellar too; they have a lot of things you don’t think about places around here having. My dad usually manages to get something that they’ve been cooking for themselves that isn’t even on the menu.
Also, this place has mariachi bands on and off, so that’s always fun to go to. Usually, the busiest time here is on Sunday mornings, since a large church crowd visits, but most other times besides that and mariachi nights you’ll find a pretty peaceful environment.
Basically this place knocks it out of the park.
UPDATE: At this point I’ve decided that Maria’s, another Mexican restaurant in Noblesville, is on par with El Palenque… however, they do different things very well, so I like both equally. While Maria’s takes the cake for quesadillas, huevos con chorizo, and arroz con pollo, Palenque steals the show in the categories of enchiladas, tacos, BEANS (El Palenque has the best refried beans EVER), and the fact that they have authentic items on the menu. Palenque has aguas frescas as well as authentic tacos and soups. El Palenque will forever be first in my heart, though… the workers here are some very special people who I will remember for a long time.

Stopped in here after walking around the square in Noblesville and wanting some Mexican food. Pretty good street style food. Friendly staff.

AMAZING tacos, quite possibly the best I’ve had in the Indy area. Add green salsa and some jalapeños and they become even more mind-​blowing. Decent chips too with solid-​albeit-​mild red salsa.
Tried the lengua, pastor, chorizo, and asada tacos … a TON of food even for my massive appetite, I’ll stop at 3 tacos next time. Loved them all. Quite possibly the best lengua taco that I’ve had anywhere, anytime, anywho.
Go out of your way to visit here, it truly is worth the trip. A real gem in Noblesville.

So we haven’t had lunch and finding a place that’s open during odd hours to grab a bite is difficult. We made the 15 min drive from Fishers to nearby Noblesville away from all the chain pizza and sandwich places nearby. In the corner of the strip mall right off of SR37 is a Mexican restaurant. When you see actual Latinos trekking into El Palenque at 3pm, you know it’s gotta be good.
While we were pressed on time, we ordered a few different tacos to go — al pastor, asada y chorizo, and pescado. Now these weren’t the Tex-​Mex or gourmet dressed tacos you’re used to. I like it simple. Just the protein, cilantro, onions, and lime wedge along with homemade firey red pepper sauce or the mild tomatillo sauce. Not to mention, the meal came with a complimentary side of tortilla chips and salsa. Meats were flavorful and nicely spiced. The tilapia taco was delicious, nicely shredded fish (not a fried fish stick) with a hint of spice to give it a kick. These tacos were quite large and filling, but for $ 5.99 for 3 tacos — totally worth it. Now it’s time for a siesta. Next time we’ll dine in to try some new things off the menu.

Sal rocks — great waiter and very personable.
Tacos with shredded chicken with pico — corn soft shells — tuff to eat three. Wife and I spilt them — I eat 2 and she eats one. Get a pop or two and you eat well and authentic for under $ 10.00 for two.
Wife and I have eaten there at least 50 times. Taken friends, relatives, associates and customers here. Only had I person say it was «OK». I think he does not know authentic and is a Debbie Downer anyway.
Only place in Midwest that makes authentic Mexican tacos I have found. Spent over 9 months in Mexico on numerous business over the years /​telling you this is close as it gets to being in Mexico City .
Tacos Mexicanos is a new one I have eaten several times.
Want a true Mexican experience /​go on karaōke night. Did it once and had a great time.