One of my favorite places in Chico. My go to is the Chile Colorado Burrito, or the chorizo breakfast burrito. The Chile Colorado burrito has a good spice to it, and comes with beans and rice. I got it on a whim one day and it's probably my favorite thing here. The breakfast burrito is perfect for those times you wake up at 1 or 2pm and need something delicious but not greasy. It's not heavy or make you feel like you need 100 napkins to eat it. It's perfect. The horchata is really good too. I always get my food to go, the building is small and there's no public bathroom. Don't let that deter you though. read more

Small place with a few open tables. Felt like I was being service by my own mom . I ordered the veggie burrito and was loaded with good stuff. Burrito was pipping hot. I will be coming back. read more

El Rey Mexican Grill - Veggie Burrito. Couldn't wait. I had to dig in. - Mexican Near Me - Chico, California

DO NOT SUPPORT THIS BUSINESS!!!!!! They posted a fraudulent charge on my account after they were supposed to provide me a refund. I will be reporting this to the police department too as it is illegal to charge someone more than the price they signed for on top of the fact I was supposed to get a refund. My total was $10.81 and they charged my account $15.81. read more

Their California breakfast burrito is a MUST try. The best I've had around here in Chico hands down!! Can't wait to go back and try something new. read more

Don't trust the hours listed. Closed everytime I've been. Call ahead to confirm they're open.

This place of all places here in Chico is the best most authentic tasting food here. Everything they have on menu reminds me of a perfect Hispanic meal. Thank you for the great food. read more

The people are very nice and the food is good. Not great. Their guacamole is made fresh. Just thought it could use a bit more spice. I'll be back. read more

I recently posted a review of a new restaurant I tried, so thought I should say something about my favorite Mexican food restaurant. El Rey Mexican Grill is the best. I've been going there for years. I've never eaten a better Chile Relleno anywhere! Truly unique and not deep fried like others I've had. Their Tacos are fantastic as well as the Chicken enchiladas! If you have not been there, please try it. Food is freshly prepared so don't get in too much of a hurry. Well worth the small wait. read more

Their Posole and Menudo are delicious. Staff was very friendly. Ordered Togo and it was done in the time I was told. Will definitely be going back. read more

This was hands-down the worst Mexican food I've ever eaten. Correction, attempted to eat. We waited for over 30 minutes for a bunch of slop it tasted like cardboard and the tortillas were raw. Food looks nothing like the pictures. Save your time go somewhere else. read more

Nice employees. Small, sit-down nothing fancy restaurant with authentic Mexican food at low prices. First small bowl of chips and awesome salsa is free, refills $1. After quick order taking the food seems to take a while longer than expected to get made. Tostados are small and excellent ($3.50) Chili relleno was ok and priced right. No restroom. We'll be back when we want to have a quiet no frills, low prices sit-down Mexican meal. read more

See all

After moving away from Chico, I have been on a mission to find a Molcajete that tastes similar to El Rey's. After two years of frustration and wasted money, I haven't been able to find anything that tastes half as good as El Rey's. Molcajetes in the East Bay and Sacramento have been major let downs! My Tia from Michoacan even said that El Rey's Molcajete was one of the best dishes she had tasted in the states. I Advise: Something so good takes time, be prepared to wait an average of 25 min. Call ahead and order the dish before you arrive. On a final note I think El Rey has raised my standards too high for everyone else (this may not be a good thing for me). Chico do yourself a favor and try their Molcajete! Family ran business and just great people... read more

El Rey Mexican Grill - Only one word can describe this.... Amazing!!!!! - Mexican Near Me - Chico, California

Last time I was here I was not chip worthy. This time chips and salsa! So off a much better start. I ordered the chili relleno. Very hard to find Mexican places that serve this. I have had this before here. Not authentic but nice and cheesy. I have had tacos before but was disappointed. Not busy for a Saturday evening. Good! read more

El Rey Mexican Grill - I added the salsa! - Mexican Near Me - Chico, California

Accidentally left my review as a comment on my check in. Long story short, chilaquiles rojo con arroz y frijoles was bomb. A little bit of a wait, but nothing crazy. Next time I go back to pick something up to go, I'll call ahead but only cuz chilaquiles are more of a hangover fix and I don't want to wait when I'm hungover haha read more

The salsa is so yummy! Love the carnitas tostada and the green enchiladas are amazing! Make sure you have time it takes a while

Being from San Diego it was very difficult moving to northern california where the mexican food is much, much different than down south (and in my very biased opinion, not nearly as good). I've tried many 'mexican' eateries all over town but El Rey Mexican is the ONLY one that comes close to being like true on-the-border mexican. THEY HAVE CALIFORNIA BURRITOS! REAL CALIFORNIA BURRITOS! Not only do they have california burritos, they have delicious, fresh, huge Cali Burritos! If you do eat here, just be sure to either call-in your order ahead or give yourself some time to relax and wait because everything is made to order! Everything is so authentic and true to the real cuisine and they are such a small, genuine establishment that they can, on occasion, run out of ingredients. Which is why this place is amazing. It's the real thing! Everything I've had has been delicious from the Cali Burrito, Super Burrito, Pozole, Ceviche... JUST LIKE SOUTHERN CALI HOME. Easily, best Mex in Chico! read more

This restaurant is great! The family that runs is so nice. We have been there twice and the waitress remembered us even though it had been a month since we had been there. The food is super tasty and really well priced. We have tried the carne asada tacos, beef enchilada, crunchy tacos, and papusas (I'm not sure I spelled that one right??). All were delicious! Do your self a favor and give this place a try!! read more

As a college student I eat out a lot. I love Mexican food and after two years I Finially found my favorite spot in Chico. Locally owned and have great burritos. read more

I waited a whole year to go to El Rey and it was worth it. Awesome Mocajete!! Took a long time to get to us but it was so worth it!! Until next year El Rey!! read more

Their Molcajete is awesome. My friend and I always ask for extra extra spicy and they totally deliver!!!

Went there for the first time at lunch today. After being in Chico for years and trying various other Mexican restaurants, I figured it was time to try it. My transaction went something like this" Asked for the Pastor..."it's not ready"...ok (it was 11:40a.m. on Thursday), is your chicken shredded or cubed? "its' shredded...but it's not ready. We can grill one". Oh, ok that works. I'll also have one Carne Asada, all to go. After leaving, it turns out I got two chicken burritos. They weren't bad, price was right. But it's Chico and there plenty of other options. Not too many on this part of town, but again, it's Chico and it's not that big of town. Wouldn't mind trying a breakfast burrito in the future, that menu looked extensive. Just hope the food would be ready when I do. read more

Love their chilaquiles! Just be prepared for a wait (20 minutes or longer) since they make the chips fresh, but it's worth it. The chips are thicker and crispy, rice and beans flavorful. Boyfriend likes the machaca and both dishes are under $7 each. Great place to visit when I'm craving a real Mexican breakfast. read more

See all

A 4 for the good food...be careful though, no restroom here. And, I wouldn't dine in. The place needs a new coat of paint at least. This makes a good take out place.. read more

Would not come back. The chips, salsa, and pico were good. My horchata had a bug in it! The beef enchiladas were overly salty, the chile relleno was bland, the hamburger was bland. Disappointed considering this place has four stars. read more

The al pastor is dank sauce, the ghost pepper hot sauce is awesome! The 2$ taco's are where it's at. The 5$ Cali burrito is also where you wanna be. Cheap, authentic, pimp city. read more

El Rey Mexican Grill - Nacho libre's final supper - Mexican Near Me - Chico, California

Their chilaquiles have gotten me through my pregnancy. Staff is always so polite and the food is delicious and affordable.

I ordered a breakfast burrito the one time I went in there. It took a solid 20 minutes to make the burrito. (no exaggeration) As I was waiting, a roach ran across the dinning floor. It hit the half way point and flipped over and died. (It was actually very comical) I'm sure this is a good restaurant but that was my only experience with this place. The food tasted great but it was mentally tainted by that experience. read more

Cheap, easy, nice staff. Yeah, okay with me. I liked the price, for sure, and the easygoing nature of the place. It took a while for the food to come out, but since I was forewarned on Yelp, we took reading materials. BTW, knew the hours because I was able to check on Yelp.... read more

I ordered a custom meal because I'm the world's pickiest eater, and the lady at the counter was very helpful and helped me get exactly what I was looking for (a shredded chicken taco and a shredded beef taco, on soft, not fried, corn tortillas, without dairy.) No, the place isn't super nice inside, but don't let that fool you. The food was great. I am extremely picky with my meat especially, but the shredded chicken and beef were delicious. The pico de gallo is to die for! Mix it with their spicy salsa...mmmmm :) Most Mexican restaurants I have tried in town don't meet my standards of food quality and/or service, but this place had both. I will be coming back! My husband loves the pasole, of which I tasted only the broth and thought it was good. Do yourself a favor and try this place! read more

This place epitomizes the concept of "hole in the wall" Mexican food to me, despite it's strip mall location. If you are confused by that statement paired with my 5-star review, let me explain; "hole in the wall" (to me) means that they let the food speak for itself. The priority is the quality of the cuisine, not the location, or the appearance, or the service, or the presentation. This is a Mexican restaurant for Mexican food lovers. This is how you really know if you are in a "hole in the wall" Mexican restaurant: the one making the magic happen in the kitchen, is grandma, and she doesn't speak any English. It is luxurious, or beautifully appointed? No. Is it family operated and affordable? YES! I highly recommend the pozole, especially if you aren't feeling 100% yourself. It is "traditional medicine"! read more

Little family-owned Mexican restaurant, I personally love the pico style salsa and the crunchy shell tacos

Damn good. Possibly the best I've had in chico.!!

This place one of the most Authentic Mexican food places in Chico. By far the most complete breakfast in town. The molcajete might be the best Mexican dish in town. I make a point to ger here as often as possible! So soooo good! read more

I love love love El Rey! Eat here all the time. They have a dish called the molcajete which has cactus, prawns, chicken, beef, onions, bell peppers, and cheese. ONe of a kind in Chico. Perfecafter a night of drinking! They are super nice family owned and operated. Very good prices and pozole and menudo every day. Sometimes they are out of stuff and in the process of making it, but it is still supergood! read more

El Rey is a great little "hole in the wall" Mexican Restaurant. The people who work here are super nice and the food is tasty/authentic. In a town with so much flavorless Mexican food, El Rey is a nice changeup. Recommend the enchiladas and taco plate. read more

I'm in love with there breakfast burritos. Everything taste so very fresh and there hot sauce awesome. The family pleasant & the draught very sweet. read more

Everytime we come here it's so delicious and the staff is friendly. There burritos are huge and have so much flavor. Highly recommend if your looking for a great burrito this is the place to go. read more

This is my "go to" Mexican restaurant when I am in the area. It opens at 8am which is rare for Mexican restaurants in Chico and I can order my favorite breakfast food huevos rancheros. Very reasonably priced, quick and friendly service. I've enjoyed everything I ate here. I wish it had a bathroom. read more

This is our "go to" place for mexican food in Chico! It is family owned, and run and they are always very friendly and attentive! The food is fresh, flavorful and the prices are very good. They do have the BEST bacon/potato breakfast burrito around...just add a little extra cheese. But the tacos, taco salad, carnitas plate are all delicious. Definitely try the homemade salsa and pica de gallo!! read more

Very good Al pastor tacos! Simple, authentic and tasty! These tacos are larger than your typical truck tacos so try to catch a peak before you order! read more