Good, but not unique... One of my biggest pet peeves is Mexican restaurants that are exactly like all the rest - I appreciate when a Mexican restaurant does something to make it stand out from the rest. This is a good restaurant with good food, good service, and the same stuff as most every other Mexican restaurant in the city. Don't get me wrong, it is not a bad place - it is a place like so many others with the same menu. Even the interior and ambiance is the similar to restaurants in the area read more

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Over charged and did my order 100% wrong. There is no excuse. It was a to go order. I just don't get it. This why restaurant is empty. Looks nice. But not good at all. read more

A pretty standard Mexican restaurant. The chips were a little stale but the salsa was pretty good. Our waiter didn't come around very often and didn't tell us that we needed to pay up front, but he got us what we needed. The fajita was pretty good. The thing that makes this place stand apart is the theming. You walk in and you've got Kermit the frog riding a horse in the window. That's how you do ambiance!! read more

El Rey Mexican Restaurant - Fajita - Mexican Near Me - Powell, Tennessee

I just payed $17 for one, single burrito ($20 including the tip). The steak is as dry as can be and it just doesn't taste good.

KUDOS, and Thank you so much to the staff of El Rey Mexican Restaurant in Powell! The restaurant came to the rescue when my blood sugar level was low, so I ordered 2 horchatas and Caramel Flan. I love sitting in the big chair outside, so I had my picture taken. read more

El Rey Mexican Restaurant - Caramel Flan - Mexican Near Me - Powell, Tennessee

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Great food, friendly and prompt service, nice atmosphere. Lovely time having lunch with family here.

If I don't have to add a star I am not going to. Servers had difficult time understanding simple requests. Food was better if it was out of the frozen food section at Food City. read more

My oldest is a huge fan of Mexican food, we get takeout at least twice a month. There are a lot of places to sit down and eat to enjoy some really good Mexican food. One of my favorite places that I like to eat Mexican food with my two sons' is El Rey Restaurant. The service is always nice and the food taste like real authentic Mexican steak burritos and beef tacos. read more

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The chimichangas here, are not fried, therefore are just burritos. Staff are indifferent, just blah.

Emboldened by our first 'eating-in' experience yesterday, the Grub-Mate and I ventured into the urban wilds of Powell, TN in search of the ever elusive 'go to' for Mexican styled dining experience. Conveniently located in the back corner of an older, yet well-maintained strip mall, El Rey Azteca offers plenty of parking, as well as the mandated Handicap Parking slots. The atmosphere inside is 'just right'; music, but not too loud; soft lighting, but not to dark; and a choice of table OR booth. We settled into our booth for our first 'eat-in' south of the border meal in well over a year! The menu is well arranged, offering variations of the typical genre fare. A heaping basket of perfectly crisp, lightly salted chips appeared within moments, accompanied by a bowl of exquisitely flavored dipping sauce. "This is gonna be GOOD!" Grub Mate whispered. Unfortunately, the sauce was the high point of our meal. As first-time patrons, we held to the middle approach toward our meal selections; she with the Shrimp Chimichanga, myself with the Burrito California. Our visit coincided with the end of the Saturday lunch rush, so our food appeared in a very timely manner. The food. Yes. The. Food. Grub Mate gazed at her entré, a pasty, white, sticky, flour tortilla surrounded by a lake of semi-congealed refried beans with a small mound of sad looking rice. My burrito, matching in texture and colour sat alone on its charger. The California Burrito was appropriately named: very cool (in temperature) and very laid back in flavor. The 'steak' portion seemed to have been taken directly from the can, chopped, and assembled with no interest or seasoning within the flour tortilla. A cursory pass over the grill to warm the sad meat item would have been a plus. A dash of salt, pepper, or any typical latino spice would have been a plus, for that matter. I could detect no lettuce or sour cream per menu description. Grub Mate's Shrimp item suffered much the same seasoning and heating neglect, I'm afraid, though the shrimp showed signs of spending a modicum of time on the grill. Maybe we inadvertently selected two menu items that are traditionally offered at 'room temperature'? We gagged our way through this tepid, bland meal, trying to finish, pay, and make our escape into a brighter world outside. In El Ray's defense: It was just after the noon rush; perhaps the first-line cook was taking a much deserved break and the third-line fellow had stepped in. Perhaps the noon rush had exhausted the entire stock of seasoning items. Perhaps the covid-19 slowdown has adversely affected the restaurant labour pool. Regardless, I have never endured a more bland, poorly plated meal than this at El Rey. Street vendors in Cuernavaca offer better flavor, presentation, and a better dining experience. On the plus side, our waitress was very pleasant, the dining area was very clean, and the table wasn't sticky. Thus, the three-star rating. Since there was no one at the cash register, after waiting an appropriate length of time, we left our check & tab on the counter, and fled the premises. Altogether, a very disappointing dining experience. read more

This was better than expected! The Great food and delightful service will keep me coming back.

the food was good, yet the price for the portions is terrible. I paid $10.99 for a half plate of arroz con pollo with maybe 10 pieces of chicken on it. there was also a very tiny amount of cheese on it so I asked for a little bit to put on it and was charged $4. i feel like I just got robbed a little lol. read more

My absolute favorite mexican restuarant (and I have been to many!). I see a lot of complaints about the to-go orders.... it works best to sit down and dine in the restaurant. The salsa is better and the tacos get less soggy from the to-go containers, as they are made of styrofoam. I visit this restaurant nearly once a week, and have been doing this for about 4 years now. Have NEVER been disappointed. Their salsa has greatly improved over the years. I have watched its evolution to becoming the dip it is now; please keep in mind that their recipe has changed quite recently. My favorite dishes include: Chimichangas (beef tips) Nachos Locos, Spinach Quesadilla, and Pollo Loco. The Chile Poblemo is not the best... but, keep in mind, this is an authentic mexican restaurant, not Tex-Mex. I've talked with the owner, and I believe he said his family moved here from Mexico. Support this wonderful small business! They are quickly transforming into a legendary restaurant. read more

Great food, friendly service. Salsa was very good, chips were fresh. Had the lunch fajitas, fresh and hot, reasonably priced

HORCHATA IS LITERAL WATER. food is nasty too. chicken is weird tasting. only thing was good was the chips and salsa

I have been coming here with my wife almost every Thursday for the past three years! The food is great and the beer is cold! The staff is very pleasant and service is A+! They feel like family to us now! read more

Server made us feel rushed. Food was fair. Super Burrito was about the same size as a Taco Bell burrito

First off I have to say that I have been to a lot of different Mexican restaurants in my day but this place has to be on top of not right up there among the best I have ever eaten at. And it's not just a one time thing this place has and does have the best Mexican food around regardless of price. It's food as well as portions are always constant. The price for all you get in my book is another thing you can't beat. Keep up what your doing. And just a FYI I have been eating here for the past 10 years plus. So, I think I should be a pretty good person to judge it on being probably the best Mexican places to eat in Knoxville and surrounding countries. read more

I'd been moving all day and had to take a break for a little late supper, drove by and saw them open. I ordered 5 pork tacos with (tamatio) sauce? Absolutely delicious! I had it to go and the service was fast and welcoming. My actual only complaint was that of the salsa, I felt as if it was very boring with no zest. Tasted like tomato sauce with a little salt, but the chips were great. Needless to say, I will definitely be back and the pork tacos will most definitely be ordered again. read more

Second time in there and both times I've been impressed. They have a great vegetarian menu and I'll be getting the spinach quesadilla again.

This is our favorite Mexican restaurant. We frequent often because the service and food are hard to beat! Service: They seat you quickly, bring you chips and salsa immediately, always friendly, and efficient. I have never had a waitress or waiter be anything less than fantastic. Food: I usually eat enough chips and salsa for 2 people (seriously, I ask them to bring 2 bowls of salsa so that I don't have to share with the husband) because their salsa is so good!! The food is delicious, especially the tacos carne asada and the Texas fajitas. Yummm! Not once have we had something bad to eat though. The food always comes out hot and fresh. Love this place! read more

Got take out. Cashier was not friendly at all, but he took my money, and a lot of it for what we ordered. Prices are very high for just your average Mexican food. Left out a toco from the order. One tiny container of Salsa for three dinner orders. Three stars is generous. Oh and they put peas in the rice, not good--but this a personal preference. On the positive side everyone was satisfied with the flavor. Probably won't go back. read more

Save your money. Taco Bell is better. Worst Mexican food I have ever had! No spices. Had to add salt and Cholula for any flavor at all. Chili relleno is not made by throwing some bland hamburger on top of a sliced poblano pepper! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. read more

We've been eating here for years. My favorite mexican food by far. The owners are the nicest people you could meet. The entire staff is very polite and helpful. Thank you so much for for giving Powell / Karns a great place to eat and enjoy friends! read more

I'm guessing Helen Or Helena or whatever had a not so great experience or just wanted food for free...because I've never had anything but a great experience at this restaurant. The food is hot, fabulously tasty, and plentiful. The salsa is NOT chunky ketchup at all - not the spiciest, but that's good for me because I'm not a salsa fan. My kids are, though. I've never seen a waitress that had any tattoos, so I'm thinking the previous poster maybe is thinking of a different restaurant? The prices are great - my family of five can all eat and still leave a very generous tip. The wait staff is attentive and polite. We love this place! read more

After eating here for years I am appalled at how I was treated here this evening and the goings on here. I went to the restroom and had to wait while I waited I noticed a kitchen worker coming from the back door with a gallon bucket of water I am guessing that he got from a hose outside. Upon check out we were spoken to in such a rude manner. Worst experience I have ever received in a restaurant. We were loyal customers but we will never darken that place. Once I told the Manager of the behavior and how we were treated they laughed and I told them we would not be back and the cashier said "you, will not be the first customer to say this". Down right filth!!! read more

The food was very good and prices comparable to Monterey. This was our first visit. Will definitely go back.

I eaten here for 4 years now and have never been disappointed. Great hot authentic Hispanic food and great service.

Food cant get any better and excellent service. Authentic Mexican food prepared the right way .EXCELLENT!!!

Usually have a good experience at El Rey. But they've raised prices on everything. And Saturday we go a really pushy waiter who brought us things we didn't ask for. And added them to our check. Will think twice before returning. Food is good. But service has gotten sketchy. read more

I eat here quite a lot. It is close to my home and I can get here easily in my power wheelchair. Being disabled is no issue. They help me with doors and rush to clear chairs and make room for my chair at a table of my choice. The food is excellent. I generally order the fajitas in some form as it is a personal favorite. They allow me to mix chicken and beef with no extra charge. I think the salsa could use less cilantro but that is a personal taste thing. The service is good and they are attentive but don't hover over you. Free refills on sodas and all the chips a person could eat. Overall a fine experience in dining. Personally I recommend this little eatery for lunch or dinner with friends. And if dining alone is your thing you can watch TV or bring a tablet, etc. I know I will go back as often as I can afford it. By the way, prices are very reasonable even for a guy on SSI. Kudos for making a small "hole in the wall" eatery worth going back to time and again. read more

The salsa tastes like chunky ketchup. My food was so overcooked that I couldn't eat it. The waitress offered me " extra food" on my next visit. Really? But, I shouldn't have expected anything more from her since she looked high as a kite and had "69" tattooed on her wrist. Terrible food. Terrible service. Won't ever go back. read more