I came here on New Year Eve. It was part of a bar hop. The energy was great, good music, and drinks. My ISSUE was there were two bartenders who after a couple of minutes I realized were PURPOSELY ignoring my friend and I trying to get our order in. We just got there. One of them looked me in my face and shook his head “no” and kept helping others. This was minutes before midnight hit hoping to have champagne in our hands for the drop. The other one looked at me and acknowledged me, but never followed up. It wasn’t until one of their staff members noticed we weren’t being helped and that’s when we got service. They took note of it when we told them. Idk what their problem was, but it was certainly intensional. Now, they have 2 bars. This was the first one when you walk in. We ended up going to the one in the back and that was a lot better. Look, I get it was a busy night, but when you purposely ignore someone and say, “no” for w/e weird reason to new customers, who didn’t cause any problems, it’s a red flag. Even two other women mentioned their service sucks with these bartenders in particular. They were waiting there before we got there. It didn’t ruin our night, but I would question coming back here.
Atmosphere: 3
Service: 1
kas
Food was fine. Service was terrible and auto added 20% gratuity on a party of 3.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 1
Karla Velasquez
I really enjoyed the food here. The carne asada nachos were delicious, and the corn croquettes were perfect for sharing with friends. I also tried the al pastor and shrimp tacos, and both were great. This was my second visit, and once again the service stood out — the bartender, Joel, provided excellent hospitality. I’ll definitely be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sylvia Love
Tacos are pictured with 2. And for the price of $7 you would assume that it’s the price for 2. The one taco came soggy and cold. Too much sour cream. Not even close to the best taco you can get around here and definitely the most expensive I have seen. Go elsewhere.
Food: 1
Jo B
$7 nachos for happy hour turned into $16 when I added chicken for $9. You don’t get a lot of chicken so It felt like a ripoff. Cheese was also cold. Automatic gratuity was added but I didn’t find out until I asked for receipt. The credit card machine just displayed the total without the details of your order and I ended up over tipping for subpar service and food. My bill was $26 for nachos and one happy hour margarita. I will not return to this establishment.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Roxanne Platero
On Saturday October 11th my husband and I were visiting from Arizona. Looking for a Latin vibe place and came across El Rey. Bartender was friendly and gave us shots he said it was “ON HIM” well we ended up being charged $240 he charged not only the supposedly free shots but more than what we consumed. I am very disappointed and recommend you watch out for bartenders like the one we had.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 1
Chef Oscar
Great to back to eat at u street again after 2014. El Rey had the best birria tacos. The crispness of the tortillas and aromatic food.. juicy and delicious. The bartender Joel Cruz amazing. The manager Nicki was so amazing to came to talk to me. It feels in good care. Thank a lot for your hospitality
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Natalie Miller
Overrated terribly made overpriced Mexican food. People only use this place to get drinks. Can't believe they charge $18-20 for a quesadilla with meat in it. Get out of here with those prices. Could get a chicken sandwich, fries, and a drink at Roaming Rooster for less. Food was sloppy and this was the only Mexican place I went to where they actually make you pay to get chips and salsa. What a joke. There's way better Mexican than this place.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 2
Jaime Martinez
Amazing vibes and great food. Went there for the drag brunch on Saturday and had a great time
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Edwin Ramos
El Rey food was delicious. I got the surf and turf tacos and they were amazing. Yes, it is tiny on the inside but it makes up for it with the home made tortillas and fantastic food!
I came here on New Year Eve. It was part of a bar hop. The energy was great, good music, and drinks. My ISSUE was there were two bartenders who after a couple of minutes I realized were PURPOSELY ignoring my friend and I trying to get our order in. We just got there. One of them looked me in my face and shook his head “no” and kept helping others. This was minutes before midnight hit hoping to have champagne in our hands for the drop. The other one looked at me and acknowledged me, but never followed up. It wasn’t until one of their staff members noticed we weren’t being helped and that’s when we got service. They took note of it when we told them.
Idk what their problem was, but it was certainly intensional. Now, they have 2 bars. This was the first one when you walk in. We ended up going to the one in the back and that was a lot better. Look, I get it was a busy night, but when you purposely ignore someone and say, “no” for w/e weird reason to new customers, who didn’t cause any problems, it’s a red flag. Even two other women mentioned their service sucks with these bartenders in particular. They were waiting there before we got there. It didn’t ruin our night, but I would question coming back here.
Atmosphere: 3
Service: 1
Food was fine. Service was terrible and auto added 20% gratuity on a party of 3.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 1
I really enjoyed the food here. The carne asada nachos were delicious, and the corn croquettes were perfect for sharing with friends. I also tried the al pastor and shrimp tacos, and both were great. This was my second visit, and once again the service stood out — the bartender, Joel, provided excellent hospitality. I’ll definitely be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tacos are pictured with 2. And for the price of $7 you would assume that it’s the price for 2. The one taco came soggy and cold. Too much sour cream. Not even close to the best taco you can get around here and definitely the most expensive I have seen. Go elsewhere.
Food: 1
$7 nachos for happy hour turned into $16 when I added chicken for $9. You don’t get a lot of chicken so It felt like a ripoff. Cheese was also cold. Automatic gratuity was added but I didn’t find out until I asked for receipt. The credit card machine just displayed the total without the details of your order and I ended up over tipping for subpar service and food. My bill was $26 for nachos and one happy hour margarita. I will not return to this establishment.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
On Saturday October 11th my husband and I were visiting from Arizona. Looking for a Latin vibe place and came across El Rey.
Bartender was friendly and gave us shots he said it was “ON HIM” well we ended up being charged $240 he charged not only the supposedly free shots but more than what we consumed. I am very disappointed and recommend you watch out for bartenders like the one we had.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 1
Great to back to eat at u street again after 2014. El Rey had the best birria tacos. The crispness of the tortillas and aromatic food.. juicy and delicious. The bartender Joel Cruz amazing. The manager Nicki was so amazing to came to talk to me. It feels in good care. Thank a lot for your hospitality
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Overrated terribly made overpriced Mexican food. People only use this place to get drinks. Can't believe they charge $18-20 for a quesadilla with meat in it. Get out of here with those prices. Could get a chicken sandwich, fries, and a drink at Roaming Rooster for less. Food was sloppy and this was the only Mexican place I went to where they actually make you pay to get chips and salsa. What a joke. There's way better Mexican than this place.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 2
Amazing vibes and great food. Went there for the drag brunch on Saturday and had a great time
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
El Rey food was delicious. I got the surf and turf tacos and they were amazing. Yes, it is tiny on the inside but it makes up for it with the home made tortillas and fantastic food!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
Great food but slow service when busy
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
Tuesdays is happy hr all day. The food was good. They have a dj, ambience is nice.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
I am Mexican. This place is not Mexican at all, they only played rap, not fun for Latin people.
One of the best mexican spots in DC. The burrito is great and and the nachos are also very good. Drinks are fine.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Queso, Chips, Carne Asada, Thai Shrimp, Thai Shrimp Taco, Burrito, Steak Nachos, Birria Taco
They got decent priced food during happy hour and the atmosphere is nice! Great for casual nights out
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: DC Taco
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