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El Rey

El Rey

Mexican Restaurant$$$$
Center City West, Philadelphia
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8.6/10
395
ratings
  • Stars
  • Stars
    The experts at Philadelphia Magazine and Visit Philly recommend this place
    • Philadelphia Magazine
    • Visit Philly
  • Tips
    Andrew F.
    "$1 tacos and $2 tecate beers Monday - Friday, 5pm - 6:30pm"(10 Tips)
    jordan l.
    "$2 beers, $4 margaritas, $1 tacos"(5 Tips)
    Rich
    "Great happy hour specials."(3 Tips)
    Patrick W.
    "Go to the speakeasy the Ranstead Room afterwards."(3 Tips)
Tips and Reviews icon111 Tips and reviews
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  • Madison B.heart icon on user image
    Madison BackOctober 4, 2015
    This place is exceptional for many reasons, but my favorite being their care and consideration toward allergies, food sensitivities, and dietary restrictions. Simply amazing food and service!
  • Jonahheart icon on user image
    JonahSeptember 20, 2015
    Been here 5+ times
    Simply amazing. You have to get the Zarape, it was delicious! Very filling. Great ambiance. Friendly staff. One of the best places in Rittenhouse.
  • Leah V.heart icon on user image
    Leah VogelyJanuary 2, 2015
    Happy with my happy hour decision (as it should be). Thick cut chips, guacamole sampler, and a bunch of $1 tacos really hit the spot. The blood orange margarita was on point. Rich decor, low light.
  • Brandon C.heart icon on user image
    Brandon CainApril 19, 2015
    One of my favorite Mexican restaurants in the philly/Jersey area. Great happy hour deals on food & drinks. Tacos are amazing. Don't skip those. Guacamole here is simple & amazing.
  • Alex E.heart icon on user image
    Alex EasterlinMarch 7, 2018
    Happy hour is a great deal! Had 2 fish tacos and 2 steak. Both were amazing! If you like spicy, make sure you ask for their habenero hot sauce. It's homemade, delicious and packs a kick.
  • Phabi
    PhabiApril 4, 2014
    Very cool little place. The food was delish! I shared their app special that night which was 4 different flavored guacs, wow great twist on guac!! Then I ate their short rib enchiladas yummy!!
  • Jessica P.heart icon on user image
    Jessica PuglieseFebruary 10, 2016
    Been here 5+ times
    Nachos come served on a tray the size of a medium pizza and are AMAZING. Margaritas are good, and so are the moles. Go crazy. Get one of everything. You won't be disappointed.
  • Becki F.heart icon on user image
    Becki FrieiefnfnJune 2, 2017
    Been here 5+ times
    The squash blossom zucchini quesadilla is outstanding! Tamarind margarita with chili salt rim balances the sweet and spicy drink perfectly 🍹🥙🥑 both MUSTS
  • Joe C.heart icon on user image
    Joe CSeptember 2, 2014
    The happy hour here is almost too good to be true. Also, try the enchiladas. Tacos are on point but the enchiladas are a gem
  • Jessica P.heart icon on user image
    Jessica PuglieseJune 7, 2018
    Been here 5+ times
    If you’re up for a challenge, get the grande quesadilla. It’s approximately two feet long and is packed with all sorts of delicious meats and veggies. The classic margarita is solid.
  • Leslie W.
    Leslie WetzelOctober 8, 2013
    Been here 5+ times
    Camerones are delicious and buttery. Happy hour tacos are tiny but tasty-- beware they're topped with cilantro and raw onion if that's not your thing. Steak is shredded. Churro a and guava marg rock.
  • TheAwesomeDennis -.heart icon on user image
    TheAwesomeDennis -PhillySeptember 21, 2013
    Been here 5+ times
    Salsa and chips are made on premises and are the the best I have had in Philly so far. Service is also tops at brunch/lunch. Food is a close second behind Jose Pistoles on 15th.
  • Karli S.heart icon on user image
    Karli ScottApril 2, 2016
    Awesome happy hour Monday- Friday 5:00-6:30pm. $4 margaritas, $1 tacos, $2 can of tecate, and more! Show up early to get a table before the crowd comes!
  • Kay T.heart icon on user image
    Kay TOctober 1, 2016
    A classical Mexican cantina, yummy food. Can get crowded and really loud during rush hours, but you come there for eating, not talking! Nom nom!
  • Pablo V.
    Pablo VladimirMay 18, 2015
    Happy Hour, Happy Hour, HAPPY HOUR! Dollar taco's and discount beer and drinks! Service is great too, they make splitting checks really easy!
  • Eduardo A.heart icon on user image
    Eduardo AmorimSeptember 16, 2017
    So good! Staff and food are AMAZING! I tried the mushroom quesadilla and it was amazing! Good vegetarian option.
  • Neha B.heart icon on user image
    Neha BajajFebruary 26, 2016
    Best nachos!! Put your name on the waiting list for speakeasy as soon as you get there to dine! Deff a must check out!
  • Reinhold Residential
    Reinhold ResidentialSeptember 13, 2012
    Nacho average Mexican diner with specialties like wild mushroom soup and short rib enchiladas. A "secret" passageway leads to its sexy sister bar, the Ranstead Room.
  • JP
    JPAugust 29, 2012
    Been here 5+ times
    the alambre de pollo has great flavor. you can't go wrong with perfectly-cooked chicken, onions, bacon, hot peppers, cheese, mushrooms, and onions.
  • Dan G.heart icon on user image
    Dan GeigerOctober 19, 2015
    Enchiladas come three to and order, and are more than filling enough so no need to pony up the extra $$$ for the rice and beans sides.
  • Marianna H.heart icon on user image
    Marianna HunterSeptember 2, 2011
    Been here 5+ times
    The Fast Lunch menu is a great price and just the right size portion. Try the cactus salad and chicken enchiladas. The Apple soda is pricey but very good.
  • Juan F.heart icon on user image
    Juan FuentesJuly 31, 2013
    Tortilla soup (sopa de tortilla) id served in a way i have never seen, so distinctive, you gotta try it. And of course it's good :)
  • David B.heart icon on user image
    David BudimirAugust 16, 2014
    Best taco happy hour on the city.
  • devon r.
    devon roseApril 9, 2011
    ASK THEM FOR THEIR HOTSAUCE... they make it in-house, it differs daily and can be really spicy depending on peppers used. i would buy this if i could (i can't, i asked)
  • Brad T.heart icon on user image
    Brad ThiesMarch 28, 2017
    Ok, start with happy hour. I was so sold on the cheap eats that I had to try the eggplant enchilada-let me just say wow!
  • Song Z.
    Song ZhengSeptember 7, 2013
    Monday-Friday is $1 tacos, $2 tecates, $3 coors, $4 margaritas, $5 flavored margarita!
  • Greg M.
    Greg MaughanOctober 8, 2014
    Happy hour is the way to go here. $1 tacos, $2 beer, $4 margaritas (plus other specials)!
  • Ankur O.
    Ankur OberoiSeptember 7, 2013
    Try the mint habanero sauce. It's not hot, it's light and cooling.
  • Celeste M.heart icon on user image
    Great Mexican food and drinks. I look forward to my next visit.
  • Jennifer S.heart icon on user image
    Jennifer SJuly 2, 2016
    The chicken tacos are delicious. They are small so you might want two orders.
  • B N.
    B NaxAugust 21, 2015
    Blood Orange Margarita, Mezcals, Corn on the cob and nachos- happy campers! 👍👍🍹
  • Gabriel E.heart icon on user image
    Gabriel EvansMarch 1, 2016
    Try the duck Confit if u come with a friend!
  • Richheart icon on user image
    RichJune 18, 2015
    Been here 10+ times
    Great happy hour specials. Margaritas and $1 tacos. Steak are the best.
  • Jeff C.heart icon on user image
    Jeff CampbellJune 30, 2019
    Outstanding margaritas and quesadillas!!!! Definitely recommend El Rey!!!
  • Patrick W.heart icon on user image
    Patrick WardAugust 3, 2015
    Go to the speakeasy the Ranstead Room afterwards. Ask your waiter and they can take you through the kitchen
  • Daniel K.
    Daniel KentJune 10, 2010
    New steven Starr restaurant in the old midtown diner. Completely new menu but the decor has small upgrades and much is original to the diner. Definitely get the churros for dessert!
  • Bre B.heart icon on user image
    Bre BonnerMarch 3, 2017
    Nachos and jalapeño pineapple margarita is the way to go!
  • Chris B.heart icon on user image
    Chris BetzMay 21, 2012
    Been here 25+ times
    Grab a seat at the counter and try a Tamarind Margarita or a draft craft beer in a boot.
  • Emma M.heart icon on user image
    Emma McTagueApril 24, 2017
    Get the tamarind marg. Just trust me.
  • Aileen T.
    Aileen TseMarch 19, 2013
    used to love the steak tacos but the current brisket tacos ain't bad either, still prefer the steak tacos though...bring those back!
  • Grace L.
    Grace LeeSeptember 1, 2014
    Definitely go for the happy hour specials! Of the tacos I preferred the fish tacos.
  • STARR Restaurants
    STARR RestaurantsJune 9, 2011
    El Rey is all about celebrating the kind of great food you’ll discover in Mexico’s smaller towns, open-air markets, roadside joints and home kitchens.
  • Christopher P.heart icon on user image
    Christopher PowisSeptember 26, 2016
    The house margarita is a crowd pleaser. Get a pitcher (or two).
  • Eugene J.heart icon on user image
    Eugene Jacquescoley Jr.December 20, 2017
    Short rib enchiladas con mole. Not too shabby.
  • Brittany S.
    Brittany SübersDecember 14, 2020
    Portions are large, but not disproportional to the price you pay for it. The food was plain and I hardly ate it. I got the fajitas, guacamole and street corn. Nothing authentic.
  • Bullfrog & Baum
    Bullfrog & BaumJanuary 24, 2011
    This is an awesome kitchsy Mexican Joint in Philly! Chef Dionico Jimenez makes the best short ribs in a sandwich-like torta.
  • Amber
    AmberOctober 5, 2011
    Good, strong margaritas & guacamole! Try the plato fiesta - great way to sample everything!
  • Andrew F.heart icon on user image
    Andrew FurmanNovember 3, 2015
    $1 tacos and $2 tecate beers Monday - Friday, 5pm - 6:30pm
  • Steve C.
    Steve CizzleMarch 14, 2011
    The corn on the cob is slathered in three different gross sauces. Just be warned. The tacos are very tiny. But the guacamole is delicious! Better than that of El Vez.
  • JP
    JPAugust 29, 2012
    Been here 5+ times
    if you like spicy drinks, ask for sliced jalapenos or their house-made habanero sauce for your drink.
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