There are two things that
Claremont California is famous for, the Claremont Colleges and Patty’s Mexican
Food. Claremont is not an obvious choice
for a hole in the wall Mexican eatery to take root. Yet Patty’s is known to every Claremont High
School graduate and most students at the Claremont Colleges as the best place
in a ten mile radius to get a burrito.
Patty’s is located on the west side of Claremont just
north of Foothill Boulevard on Town Avenue.
If you’re not careful you could easily drive past it. It is situated between a barber shop and a
dry-cleaner in an unassuming smallish strip mall.
When you get out of your car you’ll hear the sound of
Tejano oompah music coming from the open door. Most days the glass door is
swung open and held in place by a door stop to help circulate their
unconditioned air. Take note if you want
a burrito during the hot summer months.
With the oversized gas range and tortilla griddle going at full steam it
can be as hot as an oven inside the small 800 square foot restaurant.
It is always best to have a copy of their menu on hand at
home or work to call your order in ahead of time. If they don’t answer the phone right away be
patient, they will answer eventually.
Patty’s is always busy. Most days
the line stretches out of the door onto the sidewalk. All of their food is made from scratch to
order which ensures taste and a long wait time.
Patty’s is definitely the quintessential hole in the wall
restaurant. The three small tables and
counter tops, although clean, are all tired and outdated. The kitchen is open for all to see just
behind the cashier at the front counter.
It’s hard to believe that a business can function without accepting
debit or credit cards these days, but Patty’s does. Their cash only policy is a testament to
their quality and taste.
Patty’s menu is not much different from most Mexican food
joints. Tacos, burritos, enchiladas,
taquitos, and tostadas are all available.
Taste, quantity and quality are the three things that make the usual Mexican
fare at Patty’s worth the long lines, unconditioned air, and cash only
policy. They hand make all of the
tortillas right behind the front counter.
The homemade tortillas are at least twelve inches in diameter and can be
compared to heaven.
Patty’s burritos are probably their most popular menu
item. You can choose from any
combination of one of their four meats (chicken, pork, carne asada, or shredded
beef), beans, rice, and cheese. Extras
like extra meat, sour cream, and guacamole are also available upon request for
an additional charge. Most people
request extra hot sauce served on the side.
The hot sauce comes free with each order. The preferred method is to top each bite of
burrito with sauce to ensure full coverage.
Be prepared to roll your sleeves up and use both hands to consume this
hefty burrito. It’s no light weight.
My favorite is the chicken quesadilla. The chicken is high quality tender white meat
cooked in a tomato based sauce spread onto a fresh large tortilla, sprinkled
with generous amounts of cheese and then covered with another fresh warm
tortilla. The quesadilla is so large it
has to be folded into quarters to fit on the Styrofoam plate it’s served on. It’s amazing.
Not only is Patty’s known for their quality food they are
an active supporter of the Claremont community.
Their décor hanging on the walls is full of sports teams that they have
helped to sponsor. It is refreshing to
see a local business take such interest in the surrounding community.
So if you’re ever heading down to Southern California and
you’re hungry for a burrito take a pit stop in Claremont and stop at
Patty’s. Make sure you get extra
sauce. The sauce is boss. You won’t be disappointed.
