Excellent music, I personally was more of a fan of their Mezcal drinks and their flexibility to replace the tequila for Mezcal. The Nachos were also pretty decent, but a couple chips were a bit soggy from the cheese sauce.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Justin Mann
Cool place. Food was simple but tasty Mexican.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Richard Phillips
How on earth does this place serve a burrito with no salsa. I ordered a burrito and it was decent, but dry as hell so I asked for salsa and they said it would be three dollars. He said oh but the hot sauce is free and gave me sriracha, who wants sriracha on Mexican food?? This might be the only mexican joint in the world that doesn’t serve a burrito with some salsa. crazy
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 5
Brianna Averette
Walked in for a late night meal, we received water from the “waiter” and he let us know he’ll come back when we ready. we looked at the meal and selected drinks, apps and entree. waited a whole hour, and the waiter never came back. we watch two groups of people get assisted and orders. Before we left, i decided to approach the bar. Just to find out we were supposed to order at the bar. again miscommunication from staff.Water was 10/10Everything else trash.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Ryan Walsh
My weak rating on atmosphere is admittedly just because it's more bar than restaurant which isn't my ideal. But it's a cool place if you're after a bar.Dietary restrictions: Gluten free options for tacos
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Chips, Al Pastor Taco
Barry Downs (FABS)
Great U Street Energy. Has a great menu price point is $$$. Great for a fast bite or sit down. Can get a little crowded but still lots of fun.
I have ate birria there twice and both times been good. Shrimp taco was also good.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Anthony S.
The first thing you're usually greeted by at El Rey is an hour long line. This line is filled with bouncers letting in dozens of people they know ahead of you and then greet you with disrespect. You are then inside and greeted with more poor and slow service, with overpriced products, and truly poor food and drink quality. Save yourself a good time and check out 801, Capo, or Whitlows.
Doug Norfleet
Nachos and pitchers of margs, what else can you ask for?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Binx A.
Great open atmosphere, great container layout and the food is excellent. Whether it's for happy hour, date night or dinner, you'll have a great time!
The drag queens and DJ were great and had great energy, but this establishment is a cash grab. Victor (manager) and Patio (bartender) were rude and unable to communicate clearly. Show starts at 12PM on paper and ends at 4PM (bought tickets for), but actually started around 1:30PM and ended at 3PM. If brunch is advertised to last until 4PM on the ticket with the bottomless mimosas they cannot bait and switch. I saw how they made those mimosas and they tasted as bad as they looked. Music was great, but really staff ruined it for me, they kept watching our table. Very disappointed since I really was looking forward to the show, but I recommend going somewhere else ?. Parking was scarce and it’s an outdoor service. I want my money back.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
AGLAI BENTO
Clean bathroom, safe environment, kind and smiling waiters! The food is delicious.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rachel G.
I bought tickets for the drag show, but found out they didn't check everyone's tickets and some were just there for the show for free. Questionable practices so we spoke with the manager, Victor, and promoter. The promoter was helpful at first, but did not honor what was promised, then bait and switched. Communication between Patio, our bartender, and customers was terrible. The manager came and was very rude to our group until we left. I regret spending over a hundred dollars in this establishment. Please avoid El Rey, they offer questionable services and customer service. I regret spending my money here.
Melanie P.
I was very disappointed in my experience because of Victor (manager) and Patio (bartender). They were extremely rude to our group and were watching us until we left. They made it uncomfortable for us and created a hostile environment, so we left ASAP. There was a lot of miscommunication about the bottomless mimosas during the drag show, online they said it would last from 12PM to 4PM. We spent tickets for this, but they didn't event check them. They make you think you're getting a deal, however it's just a cash grab and bait and switch. I paid for a ticket to the drag show and we thought we got a deal with the bottomless mimosas, but we really didn't. I have NO complaints about the drag queens and kings. Honestly save your money and go to the establishment (Nellie's) in front as it seems a lot better. I want my money back.
Erika Eubanks
Staff is rude. There were all of 5 customers while I was there so I'm not sure why they weren't more friendly. They include gratuity on to go orders. It's cheaper to do your pickup order through a 3rd party app. Whoever heard of such. The tacos are decent. Used to be better.
Excellent music, I personally was more of a fan of their Mezcal drinks and their flexibility to replace the tequila for Mezcal. The Nachos were also pretty decent, but a couple chips were a bit soggy from the cheese sauce.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cool place. Food was simple but tasty Mexican.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
How on earth does this place serve a burrito with no salsa. I ordered a burrito and it was decent, but dry as hell so I asked for salsa and they said it would be three dollars. He said oh but the hot sauce is free and gave me sriracha, who wants sriracha on Mexican food?? This might be the only mexican joint in the world that doesn’t serve a burrito with some salsa. crazy
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 5
Walked in for a late night meal, we received water from the “waiter” and he let us know he’ll come back when we ready. we looked at the meal and selected drinks, apps and entree. waited a whole hour, and the waiter never came back. we watch two groups of people get assisted and orders. Before we left, i decided to approach the bar. Just to find out we were supposed to order at the bar. again miscommunication from staff.Water was 10/10Everything else trash.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
My weak rating on atmosphere is admittedly just because it's more bar than restaurant which isn't my ideal. But it's a cool place if you're after a bar.Dietary restrictions: Gluten free options for tacos
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Chips, Al Pastor Taco
Great U Street Energy. Has a great menu price point is $$$. Great for a fast bite or sit down. Can get a little crowded but still lots of fun.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Nachos Pollo Adobo, Carne Asada Tostada, Steak and Shrimp Salad, Chips
I have ate birria there twice and both times been good. Shrimp taco was also good.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
The first thing you're usually greeted by at El Rey is an hour long line. This line is filled with bouncers letting in dozens of people they know ahead of you and then greet you with disrespect. You are then inside and greeted with more poor and slow service, with overpriced products, and truly poor food and drink quality. Save yourself a good time and check out 801, Capo, or Whitlows.
Nachos and pitchers of margs, what else can you ask for?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great open atmosphere, great container layout and the food is excellent. Whether it's for happy hour, date night or dinner, you'll have a great time!
Restaurantji Recommends
The drag queens and DJ were great and had great energy, but this establishment is a cash grab. Victor (manager) and Patio (bartender) were rude and unable to communicate clearly. Show starts at 12PM on paper and ends at 4PM (bought tickets for), but actually started around 1:30PM and ended at 3PM. If brunch is advertised to last until 4PM on the ticket with the bottomless mimosas they cannot bait and switch. I saw how they made those mimosas and they tasted as bad as they looked. Music was great, but really staff ruined it for me, they kept watching our table. Very disappointed since I really was looking forward to the show, but I recommend going somewhere else ?. Parking was scarce and it’s an outdoor service. I want my money back.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
Clean bathroom, safe environment, kind and smiling waiters! The food is delicious.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
I bought tickets for the drag show, but found out they didn't check everyone's tickets and some were just there for the show for free. Questionable practices so we spoke with the manager, Victor, and promoter. The promoter was helpful at first, but did not honor what was promised, then bait and switched. Communication between Patio, our bartender, and customers was terrible. The manager came and was very rude to our group until we left. I regret spending over a hundred dollars in this establishment. Please avoid El Rey, they offer questionable services and customer service. I regret spending my money here.
I was very disappointed in my experience because of Victor (manager) and Patio (bartender). They were extremely rude to our group and were watching us until we left. They made it uncomfortable for us and created a hostile environment, so we left ASAP. There was a lot of miscommunication about the bottomless mimosas during the drag show, online they said it would last from 12PM to 4PM. We spent tickets for this, but they didn't event check them. They make you think you're getting a deal, however it's just a cash grab and bait and switch. I paid for a ticket to the drag show and we thought we got a deal with the bottomless mimosas, but we really didn't. I have NO complaints about the drag queens and kings. Honestly save your money and go to the establishment (Nellie's) in front as it seems a lot better. I want my money back.
Staff is rude. There were all of 5 customers while I was there so I'm not sure why they weren't more friendly. They include gratuity on to go orders. It's cheaper to do your pickup order through a 3rd party app. Whoever heard of such. The tacos are decent. Used to be better.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 2