El Rey
Mexican Restaurant$$$$
Center City West, Philadelphia
The folks at Visit Philly and Philadelphia Magazine like this place. Would you agree?
"$1 tacos and $2 tecate beers Monday - Friday, 5pm - 6:30pm"(10 Tips)
"$2 beers, $4 margaritas, $1 tacos"(5 Tips)
"Great happy hour specials."(3 Tips)
"Go to the speakeasy the Ranstead Room afterwards."(3 Tips)
111 Tips and reviewsFilter:
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- tacos
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- trendy
- good for groups
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Madison BackOctober 4, 2015This 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!
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 VogelyJanuary 2, 2015Happy 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 CainApril 19, 2015One 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 EasterlinMarch 7, 2018Happy 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.
PhabiApril 4, 2014Very 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!!
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.
The squash blossom zucchini quesadilla is outstanding! Tamarind margarita with chili salt rim balances the sweet and spicy drink perfectly 🍹🥙🥑 both MUSTS
Joe CSeptember 2, 2014The happy hour here is almost too good to be true. Also, try the enchiladas. Tacos are on point but the enchiladas are a gem
- 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.
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.
Karli ScottApril 2, 2016Awesome 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!
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.
Kay TOctober 1, 2016A 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 VladimirMay 18, 2015Happy Hour, Happy Hour, HAPPY HOUR! Dollar taco's and discount beer and drinks! Service is great too, they make splitting checks really easy!
Eduardo AmorimSeptember 16, 2017So good! Staff and food are AMAZING! I tried the mushroom quesadilla and it was amazing! Good vegetarian option.
Neha BajajFebruary 26, 2016Best nachos!! Put your name on the waiting list for speakeasy as soon as you get there to dine! Deff a must check out!
Reinhold ResidentialSeptember 13, 2012Nacho 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.
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 GeigerOctober 19, 2015Enchiladas 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.
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 FuentesJuly 31, 2013Tortilla 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 :)
devon roseApril 9, 2011ASK 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 ThiesMarch 28, 2017Ok, 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 ZhengSeptember 7, 2013Monday-Friday is $1 tacos, $2 tecates, $3 coors, $4 margaritas, $5 flavored margarita!
Greg MaughanOctober 8, 2014Happy hour is the way to go here. $1 tacos, $2 beer, $4 margaritas (plus other specials)!
- Great happy hour specials. Margaritas and $1 tacos. Steak are the best.
- Patrick WardAugust 3, 2015Go to the speakeasy the Ranstead Room afterwards. Ask your waiter and they can take you through the kitchen
Daniel KentJune 10, 2010New 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!
Grab a seat at the counter and try a Tamarind Margarita or a draft craft beer in a boot.
Aileen TseMarch 19, 2013used to love the steak tacos but the current brisket tacos ain't bad either, still prefer the steak tacos though...bring those back!
Grace LeeSeptember 1, 2014Definitely go for the happy hour specials! Of the tacos I preferred the fish tacos.
Brittany SübersDecember 14, 2020Portions 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.
STARR RestaurantsJune 9, 2011El 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.
Bullfrog & BaumJanuary 24, 2011This is an awesome kitchsy Mexican Joint in Philly! Chef Dionico Jimenez makes the best short ribs in a sandwich-like torta.
AmberOctober 5, 2011Good, strong margaritas & guacamole! Try the plato fiesta - great way to sample everything!
Steve CizzleMarch 14, 2011The 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.
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Closed until 11:30 AM (Show more)
- Mon–Thu
- 11:30 AM–11:00 PM
- Fri–Sat
- 11:30 AM–Midnight
- Sun
- 11:30 AM–10:00 PM
(215) 563-3330
Features
Reservations
No
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. American Express)
Outdoor Seating
No
Food & Drink
Menus
Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Happy Hour
Drinks
Beer, Full Bar, Cocktails
See More
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- 8.9
"The frozen blood orange marg & sea bass tacos are BY FAR the best thing i've had in months!!! You can't go wrong!!"
Jill Kimbrough - 8.3
"their nightly specials definitely offer something differnt. I had the mako shark and it was delicious!!"
Gloria Angel - 8.7
"Amazing pumpkin pancakes on the specials board. Pretty good salsa too, and good vegan/vegetarian options!"
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- 8.5
"A must for cocktails if in Philly. Great decor, off the beaten track, simple and excellent cocktails. (4 of 4 petals via Fondu)"
James - 6.1
"We enjoyed the nachos with homemade salsa and chips, & the bacon wrapped jalapeño popper."
Janice McDonald - 8.1
"Great, changing selection of local beers. Reliably decent food and friendly service. Lots of meat. Crazy nachos. Veggie burger is scrumptious."
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