Modern takes on classic Mexican dishes served up in a funky space with retro, faux-dive decor.
At a glance
#37 of 53 Bars in Philadelphia #81 of 115 Restaurants in PhiladelphiaLocalGuideWorld score: 4.30
Rating breakdown
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5 ★57%
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4 ★26%
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3 ★8%
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2 ★4%
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1 ★4%
Quick facts
- What is the rating of El Rey?
- El Rey is rated 4.3 out of 5 based on 1,525 reviews.
- How does El Rey rank in Philadelphia?
- El Rey is #37 of 53 Bars in Philadelphia by LocalGuideWorld score (rating weighted by number of reviews).
- Where is El Rey located?
- 2013 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103, United States — 0.7 km from the center of Philadelphia.
- How can I contact El Rey?
- Phone: +1 215-563-3330 · Website: elreyrestaurant.com
Had a great weekday happy hour dinner here. Portions were on the smaller side, but the prices were great, so easily compensated with ordering one extra order. Small dish of the day was a chorizo quasadilla which was fantastic. I've had better tacos, but I can't complain with theirs either! The atmosphere was great, and the staff were very friendly and easy to talk to. For example, when walking out the restaurant, the front lady was on the phone, and she took the care to say "hold on one second" on the phone just to tell us thanks for coming in and to have a good evening. Generally a good experience, and would recommend. Wouldn't hesitate to come back another time!
Verdict: Recommended
Really enjoyed dining with its quirky interior and upbeat staff.
Food was alright. Had the Brisket enchilada and the guava margarita. Both were good and reasonably priced.
The place was a tad dark but not a deal breaker at all.
Overall great place to come for some good mexican food and drinks.
Really enjoyed dining with its quirky interior and upbeat staff.
Food was alright. Had the Brisket enchilada and the guava margarita. Both were good and reasonably priced.
The place was a tad dark but not a deal breaker at all.
Overall great place to come for some good mexican food and drinks.
We were looking for a place with good frozen margaritas and came across this restaurant. We had the pitcher of frozen margaritas and the chorizo nachos. The margaritas were ok. A little strong for my liking but they were enjoyable. The nachos, on the other hand, were not. They were simultaneously burned and cold at the same time. Not sure how that happens. The service was great and we were only sitting for about 10 minutes before everything came to the table. I'd come back for the margaritas but not for the food.
Amazing guac. Great nacho structure, very well distributed toppings. Got the steak fajita and it was a bit too much onions and cheese but was still good. The tuna ceviche was decent. I really like the art on the walls
Excellent tacos, extremely fast (and friendly) service, very tasty Street corn and, of course, great margaritas! Cannot wait to return to El Rey and try more of their menu! highly recommend trying this place; we sat at the bar, but it was comfy and not too crowded. Getting a table can be difficult here without a reservation but it's all good, no matter how you eat here so long as you do ☺
Delicious! The food came out so fast!I had the Tuna Ceviche Tostada and Chicken Pastor Burrito. Truly flavor in every bite. The service was very attentive. Recommend having seating reservations, otherwise there is a 1.5-2 hour wait or bar seating.
A friend and I were visiting PA , and decided to give this Mexican restaurant a try, and I must say, I was blown away by the quality of the food and service. The experience was nothing short of amazing.
The chicken enchiladas were absolutely delicious, and I could not get enough of them. The flavor was very unique and perfect, and I found myself savoring every bite. The rice was also a standout dish, cooked to perfection and complementing the enchiladas perfectly.
The only “con “ of this place is the size of the location, it’s quite small and can get VERY loud at the back of the restaurant.
Overall, I highly recommend this Mexican restaurant to anyone looking for a delicious and authentic dining experience. The Enchiladas and rice were outstanding, and I can confidently say that you will not be disappointed.
The chicken enchiladas were absolutely delicious, and I could not get enough of them. The flavor was very unique and perfect, and I found myself savoring every bite. The rice was also a standout dish, cooked to perfection and complementing the enchiladas perfectly.
The only “con “ of this place is the size of the location, it’s quite small and can get VERY loud at the back of the restaurant.
Overall, I highly recommend this Mexican restaurant to anyone looking for a delicious and authentic dining experience. The Enchiladas and rice were outstanding, and I can confidently say that you will not be disappointed.
I think this is the sister restaurant to El Vez. It’s a very good Mexican spot to dine in if you’re in the Rittenhouse/Art Museum area. We enjoyed the cocktails, the guacamole here was superb, the ceviche was on point, the fajitas sizzled, and the enchiladas delivered. I do want to add that the waitress we had was super friendly and helpful. All in all, this is a legit and cozy spot to enjoy some fulfilling Mexican grub.
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