El Jefe Desert Cantina

This place is a total VIBE. I came during their (very generous) Happy Hour, and it did not disappoint! I got the mini nachos; which happens to be large enough for 2 to share, and the Spicy Guava Margarita. Normally I find Margaritas too sweet, but this one was made with guava, infused blanco tequila, and fresh lime. Perfect🤌🏼 Eating and drinking within a view of the sunny pool and a rainbow of colors on every wall made this happy hour downright blissful. My waitress was Valeria, and she added the cherry on top with her service and truly welcoming attitude. Do not sleep on this place!!! A little piece of paradise wrapped in a fun rainbow 🌈

We have dinned in Palm Springs many times through the years and had the opportunity to go back while at Indian Wells Tennis.
We discovered El Jefe Desert Cantina!
A superb lunch of Short Rib Tacos, Chicken Tinga Quesadilla (the best quesadilla I’ve ever had), Jefe Burgers!
El Jefe Cantina was superb!!

Great food for all meals including breakfast. Delicious salsa & margaritas. Valeria was so attentive and kind. The restaurant is gorgeous with lots of seating options included heated outdoor seating with gorgeous view of the colorful decor & palm trees.

Pleasantly surprised.

After a few not so great meals in Palm Springs despite great reviews, I wasn’t sure what to expect at El Jefe. In fact, I was prepared for another mediocre meal with mediocre service.

Quite the opposite. We came on a Saturday night (mind you right before Christmas) and the restaurant was mostly empty. We were greeted and seated quickly. Service was attentive and our food came out so fast.

My partner and I shared the nachos. Again, we didn’t have high expectations but these nachos hit the spot—just the right amount of everything. Sometimes with nachos the chips get weighted down or too mushy from the melted cheese and everything else, but not these.

My partner ordered the Baja Fish Tacos and although somewhat small in size, the portion of the fish was good and the flavor packed a punch (in a good way).

I had the chicken tinga quesadilla which came with a small dollop of chipotle mayo on each slice. At first I didn’t think it would be enough, but the chipotle mayo was plenty. The server was kind enough to ask if I wanted some salsa for the quesadilla too, which I declined since we had so much nachos still.

After we walked out I realized that I forgot to order churros… we’ll be back.

Overall, I was really pleased with our meal at El Jefe and we want to come back for drag brunch.

Loved the vibe and the food was so good. Definitely recommend the mushroom tacos and the margaritas. Stephanie was super friendly, and helpful with menu suggestions.

Just finished an excellent, low key, beautiful meal at the bar. Stephanie was incredibly attentive and nailed my off-menu drink order.

In a city where you will be laughed out of any attempt at a reservation-less walk-in attempt at 6pm on Tuesday, El Jefe will take you in with open arms and treat ya right.

Get the tacos. Get the fries. Get the churros. And tip Stephanie well.

Really good food. They do have a gluten free fryer for their chips and churros. We attended the Drag Brunch and had great breakfast food. Dinner was nachos (gluten free!) and a burger with salad. Really excellent food. The nachos have incredible flavor and just enough heat to be interesting. It could also be an entree for two.

Loud atmosphere as it's a bar.

Coleyworld approved! 💜

Best drag brunch ever! The queens were extremely talented and put on a fabulous show! Our bachelor had a blast! Food was good! I inhaled my burrito and was still hungry after. Order extra verde sauce! And thank god for the churros with the chocolate dripping! Perfect dosage of sweetness!

Oh and did I forget to say bottomless mimosas! Yes baby!

Bring your dollar bills for tipping the queens but worst case scenario, they take Venmo!

Stephanie she was really helpful and fun one of the best bartenders I have come across I recommend this place!

A restaurant inside the Saguaro Hotel. Known for its 60s vibes

The restaurant is tucked away, so look for the sign pointing the way as you walk into the lobby.

The tacos are excellent. Also the cocktails have smart twists and names.

Fun place for a group of people to meet.

We really enjoyed this restaurant. Our first trip to Palm Springs together. My husband and I shared the Baja fish tacos. Fabulous! I had a Mezcal cocktail that was delicious. The service was very good and the guacamole was very good. I highly recommend going here.

Super cool restaurant located in a really fun, vintage-inspired hotel. The service was great and our waiter was super helpful about me being gluten free. The margaritas can’t be beat (with fresh lime juice) and my steak salad was delish. Would come here again for sure!

Great selection of bites and tacos. Very flavorful bites with the right amount of heat. Friendly staff and great service. Will return for the speak easy and taco Tuesday or Thursday.

Great food and atmosphere. Located in the Saguaro hotel, and in my opinion - the highlight of the hotel. We came down El Jeffe twice on our first night here. Second time, we ordered food, it took a while. So the host took it upon himself to come to us and apologize for the wait and offered us free cocktails. Food is not your typical Mexican fare too. Salsa is a bit too salty for me, and drinks are on the strong side.. even the "sweet" cocktails do not taste sweet at all, which I actually like. But just a warning to those with a sweet tooth.

I been here a couple of times , this hotel is so far ones of my favorites , the colors and the modern decor make you fall in love with it ! There are a lot of parties happening here and after the madness the place still looks amazing. About El Jefe, we had a great time. The bar tender was very attentive and poured us some really tasty tequila drinks !

Came in on a taco tuesday for a quick bite and some cocktails with friends. The staff here exceeded my expectations. Jen behind the bar was a star. Her tamarind vodka creation was to die for. I'm generally a shots kind of guy, but that cocktail was so good I came back for seconds. Johnny was our server. He was knowledgeable and all his food recommendations were on point. A total Johnny on the spot.

Food and drinks were amazing. Our bartender Stephanie was great. Attentive and made great drinks. Food was awesome. Drinks were great. We will be back.

Its a good tequila bar and they have an EXCLENT mescal selection. Everything is at the restaurant is made from scratch, and all their margaritas are the best in town. Don't forgot about taco Tuesday and taco Thursday. Happy hour 2 to 6 during the weekdays. 100% would recommend. W
Ask for Wes as your bartender ;)

This is a hidden gem in Palm Springs for good food at great prices. We went for happy hour cocktails and apps followed by Taco Thursday for a great one-two combination. All the tacos were good but especially liked the beer battered fish tacos! Also the chorizo quesadillas were amazing and you have to leave room for the churros which will change your life!

Had so much fun at El Jefe Cantina! Chill vibes and super cute decor. Talented and creative bartenders, John and Ariana, truly made our night. Cheers!