The chips are served warm. The salsa is fresh and sweet. I asked for a spicy salsa. It was delicious. I was surprised to see it was an additional $1.99. If they told me, I would have ordered anyway. I ordered the Carnitas plate. They were tender and delicious. The smaller pieces were better. They gave me a large piece that was a little dry in the middle. I knew there was an up charge for cilantro and onions. But they were fresh. Worth it. The refried beans were tasty. The rice was good, but I suspect it wasn't fresh. A little dry. The service was great. I would come back! read more

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I have been here about a dozen times now, the food is always spot on excellent, the frozen margaritas are some of the best I've ever had. The service is always excellent! It's well decorated an has tvs and small bar area. read more

Been here quite a few times and enjoyed it most of the time. This last time we noticed that one of the young waitresses was sitting down with two older lady customers and the. playing a video while sitting down at the table with them. The video was blaring loud enough that it was interrupting our meal and then she (the waitress( was actually sucking on her vape AT her customers (family maybe?) table. Either way absolutely classless move and disgusting to boot. It really put a terrible look and feel on this place. read more

Was feeling like I was being rushed by the waiter, the steak I ordered was very very tender but lack of flavors. Everything else was fine

The food is always amazing and quick! The Texas delight is delicious and my favorite dish! The frozen margaritas are really good as well! Jamie is a great waiter and ask for him every time we go! read more

This is a great Mexican restaurant right off the 141 exit. I had the chicken fajitas quesadilla. It was delicious. It comes with cheese sauce. I opted for the red sauce on the side. Service was great Jaime and Jesus are awesome server and manager. I love their Shirley temples read more

El Rey Azteca - Chicken fajitas quesadillas with red sauce on side - Mexican Near Me - Pioneer, Tennessee

4.0/5 If I had to pick anywhere in the Scott county area to go this would be the spot to go. Food is hot on arrival and servers are timely in coming back. Food is as authentic as most others like it in TN. there is plenty of space so unless it's a holiday you should not have to wait long, if at all. Salsa is more of a tomatoey (is that a word?!) mild style and not too hot at all. So, spice it up if you must! Chips are no salt on arrival, which is good for folks who don't need it anyway. Portions are good as well. Only thing for me is the inside needs updated in a bad way but it is what it is. read more

El Rey Azteca - Mexican Near Me - Pioneer, Tennessee

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So good. We were starving after driving 10.5 hours. Didn't even get a picture. Waitress was great. Make sure you give them a try. You won't be disappointed. read more

El Rey Azteca - Mexican Near Me - Pioneer, Tennessee

The food was very good and the ppl Service was excellent, I'll recommend it as the best around read more

Stopped in while traveling. Absolutely delicious food!! Lunch menu for cheap prices and an abundance of food. Would definitely be a repeat customer if I lived close. Convenient off of interstate. read more

I really hate to say anything bad about this place since it has such great reviews. Unfortunately our party of 3 was underwhelmed. On a positive note, the service was fast, efficient and friendly. Another positive was the chips and salsa- excellent! The salsa came in a fairly good sized bowl and it was really good. The chips were served warm and were very fresh tasting. I got the Lunch Special #1, my mom had #5 and my husband had the Speedy Gonzales. All 3 dishes had ground beef in them and it just didn't taste right. I don't think it was spoiled (hopefully)but the flavor of the beef was just bad. The spices were ok but they couldn't cover it up. We all felt the same way about it. The other food items were good- refried beans, rice, guacamole, lettuce and tomato. The other thing that caused me to give this place a 2 was what happened when we looked at the bill after we paid it- and we didn't notice it until we got in the car. There was cheese sauce on 2 of the dishes even though the menu said it had red sauce on it. Taste wise it wasn't a problem but they charged $1 extra per plate even though we didn't order it that way. We literally ordered by the # and name with nothing substituted or added. On a bright note there were several State troopers in the restaurant so we felt very safe! read more

Called for 25 minutes straight to order food tonight. Phone just rang and rang, not an answer in sight. Told the food would take 45 minutes for a chimmichanga. Food is generally acceptable for a Mexican restaurant but after the service given tonight I don't plan on coming back to this particular establishment. Would rather drive an hour into Knoxville to get food or Whitley city. Yes I'm that petty and hold grudges forever. read more

Food was ok. Veggie fajitas very oily, but tasty. Beans and guacamole good. Spouse had a beef enchilada, which was a little weird; ground beef rather than shredded, very greasy and made her feel not so great. Maybe its a Tennessee thing, but this place seems to take no precautions at all against covid. Makes me wonder about other hygiene measures. read more

absolutely terrible food and service! Can't leave a review on google because they have stoppped allowing reviews. they are only in business because of the side by side riders who have a lack of option! We would eat fast food or pilot pizza over this choice! read more

Super good food and service. The service was a little strange but it was a great restaurant for being in the middle of nowhere. I only give it a 4 star because there's nothing super special about it but it's definitely a great restaurant. read more

We were looking forward to trying El Rey for the first time, but we were horribly disappointed. As we walked in, we were not greeted by the staff. After a couple minutes the hostess rudely asked "How many?" She then started walking to our table, put the menus down, and walked away. But who enjoys friendly staff during a dining experience anyway? I wish I could review the food, or even the water for that matter, but we never saw a waiter. We waited for about 20 minutes and finally decided to leave. I understand the shortage of staff at restaurants during this time, but the waitresses were having personal conversations instead of working. Obviously, we won't be back. read more

Excellent service. Food was served within 10 minutes. Hubby and I both had different variations of fajitas and they were delicious and abundantly served. 32 oz Texas margaritas were a great end to our Tennessee day. Will be sure to return! read more

We had a terrible dining experience. There were 9 in our party, our waiters explained that she was new while taking our orders. A male employee w/ a long beard brought our food to the table. Each of us ate separately, it was as tho they were only cooking 1 at a time. Only 1 out of our 9 orders were correct. We mentioned this to the guy & he sent the waitress to apologize . She had all of the orders written correctly. The food was not very good & Luke warm read more

The salsa was really good, my veggie fajitas were great! I had a delicious modelo negro from the tap at the bar and it rocked. Service was excellent. It was not busy at the time. read more

What a surprise finding this gem alongside the freeway in the middle of nowhere in rural Tennessee along I-75. Clean, modern, decorated very well and laid out better than any Mexican restaurant I've seen in awhile. Better yet....the food is served up quite well. Salsa and chips are top notch. Cheese dip too. Here for lunch with the group, so sampled several lunch specials. If I am back on I-75, I'll stop back for sure. Nice folks. Great service. read more

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We were not sure what to Expect, just traveling up I-75. To our surprise, excellent service, huge portions that we could not finish, and wonderfully prepared foods - El Rey Shrimp Special (delightful red chili sauce, mild, but zingy) & shrimp chimichanga (great balance of flavors and textures in a huge serving). We will stop next time through! read more

El Rey Azteca - Dining at El Rey Azteca - Mexican Near Me - Pioneer, Tennessee

I've heard some good things about El Rey Azteca from people around town so when we were in the area we had to try it. The place looked clean and the employees we came into contact with were really friendly. The chips and salsa was about what you seem to get at most places, nothing special. The beer was ice cold! Out table had the Texas Delight, a Quesadilla, and the Nachos locos. All dishes were good and plenty. When it was all said and done, it was a pretty good meal. read more

This restaurant is truly a gem! We were driving back from the Smokey and so glad that we came across this restaurant and had lunch here. The staff was courteous and service was quick! We had the chips and salsas out immediately upon seating. They gave us total of 3 bowl full of chips and salsas for the six of us. I asked for their hot sauce and they have us 2 bowls which turned out to be plenty and delicious! As for the food, all of us had vegetarian dishes (enchiladas, tacos, spinach and vegetable quesadillas). We also ordered spinach dip and that was tasty as well. Parking - 4/5 Ambience - 4/5 Food - 5/5 Service - 5/5 Overall, if I ever come back to Smoky (once every 2-3 years) then this restaurant will be on our list of places to eat along the way. Top notch! read more

so first time and last that I eat here don't get anything that has beef in it cuz it is not good the waiter is nice I don't like the young girl at the front desk shes just on her phone and doesn't even say thank you or anything read more

Good food, fast service, what more could you want? Stopped for lunch on the way home and definitely would come back and recommend to friends. read more

The staff is nice and the restaurant is clean. The food and prices are pretty decent. I'd say if you're passing through and need to grab a bite to eat this is a good choice. read more

We love this place! We try to stop here at least once everytime we come down to ride royal blue! The service is always fast and friendly, the food never disappoints and the beer is always cold! We love that we can come in after some riding in the mountains and get a hot meal. I highly recommend el Rey is you're in the area, I promise you will not be disappointed!! read more

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Pleasantly surprised by this place. Parking lot was packed with off-road vehicles on a Saturday night in the summer. We didn't think we'd get a seat. They not only seated us right away, but our service and food arrived quickly as well. Taquitos and fajitas were good. My drink could have been stronger, but no real complaints. Good size portions and quick turnaround time. I'd go back if I were in the area again. read more

Gas stop on the way to FL, saw it next door so we decided to try it. Probably the best Mexican Food I've had. Service was fast and friendly. My fajitas were awesome, my husband said his enchiladas were really good. Wish they were in Michigan so we could have them again. read more

Service at this place is absolutely horrible!! Had to ask for other employees to take our order for drinks or our food! Molly is a all star employee!! read more

Server and also the I guess manager was Rude, slow, and the food wasn't that great. Period.

This is absolutely the worst restaurant I have ever been to. The server was another level of rude. The chips were stale and the cheese dip tasted like dish soap. I would not waste your money - I wish I wouldn't have wasted mine! read more

El Rays has become our favorite Mexican Restaurant in Campbell County. I usually get the Chicken Delight no onions add tomato and green peppers. Our favorite server is Himee (i know thats not the proper spelling but thats how its pronounced). Very friendly and attentive. read more

This is the place to stop to eat. It is right near the royal blue trails. We love this place. We have so much fun and the food is great! read more

El Rey Azteca - Mexican Near Me - Pioneer, Tennessee

One of our regular stops. Friendly service, food is out quick and the prices are great. This is why they are always busy at dinner. Great local Mexican or stop on your way North. read more

This is our favorite Mexican restaurant! We frequently eat here, and it never disappoints. The service, and food is always consistent. I love carnitas, but find they are hit-or-miss at most places.. not here! They are great every time. The portions are large and the food is great. read more

Busy busy. Food very authentic. Cheese enchiladas and sauce delicious. Hot chips and salsa delicious. Queso tasty and mild. Incredibly fast for all the 100 or more off roaders eating there. read more

In the middle of nowhere, but if you are headed south on I-75 and and near exit 141 and have a craving for Tex-mex it is you best option within 50 miles. Service was fast and food was good. Although I thought it was a bit interesting they didn't have any fish on the menu. Several TVs and relatively clean, read more

Very nice place. When you travel a lot, and you tired from Macdonalds, Wendy's and another fast food, this is definitely your place; healthy, delicious and fast. Thank you so much!!! read more

El Rey Azteca - Mexican Near Me - Pioneer, Tennessee

It's a shame as the food was good. But they didn't serve 2 people at my table until after the others were done eating. The people that came in after us were eating dessert before all our people had received their orders. We had to go to the bar to get our own drink refills. read more