Still love this place, if you say you want it spicy. The habanero sauce is a 9/10 level of heat. Service is always nice, restaurant is small so plan for To-Go most visits. Authentic Mexican Sprite, Coca Cola & Fanta available too. read more

El Rey Taqueria - Mexican Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

See all

Great food. Local place you would just drive by but great people and Mexican eats. Very small restaurant, so plan to get it to go or eat at one of the two inside tables. read more

El Rey Taqueria - Mexican Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

I'm from Kansas City where street tacos reign but THIS IS NOT IT... The meat has no flavor and is not marinated, with NO LOVE... PLUS the service is super slow... Poor door dash guy read more

Food is super good here, I'm Mexican and SoCal native and this is now my favorite Mexican restaurant in the area. The tortillas are amazing, I'd have to guess they're made fresh per order. I'm a big fan of breakfast so these breakfast tacos were a big hit for me. The staff were really nice. They give free sides of salsa. The restaurant itself doesn't have a lot of space but the food makes it all worth it. read more

El Rey Taqueria - Three breakfast tacos and one lengua taco - Mexican Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

This place is kind of like a hole in a wall. I'm assuming it's like a mom and pop shop. It's where you would find "authentic" Mexican food. I went around 4:30 pm on a Thursday so it wasn't busy at all. There was another couple inside enjoying their food. The place is rather small with limited/tight seating. There were 2 workers, one cooking the food and the other taking orders and doing other miscellaneous things. The menu was honestly slightly confusing. You'll have some burritos on the left, some burritos on the right. Some stuff you can add things on, some you can't do add ons or substitutions. Tacos on the left, tacos on the right, drinks pricing on the fridge itself. Just slightly chaotic and a bit overwhelming if it's your first time there. From the looks of it, it seems like you need a $10 minimum purchase to use card option? I got 2 carne asada tacos ($3.50/ea) and also horchata (one size) and the total came out to be roughly $14.50 with tax. There are 2 hot sauce options to choose from and they come in the little squeeze bottles and are kept in the fridge with the drinks so it's kind of self served. Taste wise, I thought the meat used was a bit tough and kind of bland. There were some pieces that were not chewable because they were extremely tough pieces of tendon I think? Size of the taco was okay for $3.50 each. Drink only came 1 size so that wasn't ideal and I could not for the life of me find the pricing anywhere. My tacos didn't come with any lime either, I think you need to ask for it which isn't convenient. Probably would not come back again but it served its purpose by quelling my craving for some tacos. read more

El Rey Taqueria - Interior with menu - Mexican Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

See all

deberían mejorar la atención para el cliente que pide en línea o por teléfono llame ordene y me dijeron media hora llegué y todavía me dicen que espere y la señora la salude con un buenas noche e hizo un gesto feo read more

If you're on a quest for top-tier hole-in-the-wall eats, look no further! This place is so good, I almost didn't want to leave a review just to keep it my little secret. But here I am, telling you--go. Eat. Be happy. Yum! read more

Daughter got the Birria hot dogs she loved them. Was told I needed to go back. I had the shrimp and chicken birria tacos the broth was amazing every bite had flavor. It's a very cozy spot not great for large crowds but amazing for a few friends and couples. Lettie helped me with my order she made sure I had everything I needed for my to go order. She asked if I wanted hot or mild sauce. I got both. Sooooo let's talk about this hot sauce..... I had hot sauce at previous Mexican restaurants, but Bay-Bee this sauce blew my wig back and I don't even wear a wig. I swear I had to catch my life from leaving my body. But in El Rays defense I did pour a lot on. But this is definitely a go to. read more

See all

Well it's not quite California taqueria because well it's in Norfolk BUT if this was a little hole in the wall in SoCal I'd come back. If you've had SoCal Mexican and you like it that's all you need to read. If you've been east coast Mexican food all your life give this a shot WITH an open mind because SoCal is different. In my opinion both styles are good but it's hard to compare. This place has FRESH , I mean making them while I'm ordering, tortillas. Food is cooking as you walk in. It's a hole in the wall place and those are my favorite! We had all the picture below and ate everything! Cali burrito was good. Fries were good. The Carne asada was excellent! Barbacoa taco amazing! read more

See all

Food was good, portions and price were lacking. $20 for 4 tacos (cheese added) is overpriced especially considering the tacos aren't even double wrapped. read more

this place was not too busy but I could not order in a timely manner. The lady who was at the cash register was kind but she didn't seem to know the menu well. The tacos were okay, they tasted a little off but if you want something quick to grab its fine. The place itself is cramped, and the vibe is just quiet. Not too bad but not a first pick place. read more

El Rey Taqueria's barbacoa taco is the taco I compare all other tacos to. I'm sad it took me 29 years to realize this is one of the best taco joints in the region. The pupusas also slap. The space is small so I always order to go. On a busy night, I've experienced a 40-minute wait but usually, I can place an order and get out with my food within 15 to 20 minutes. read more

If you want to put anything in your stomach, go to Taqueria El Rey because there is bad food and terrible service, but if you want something delicious, I recommend another place, since this service is especially for people who don't know our flavor. If you want to get rid of your doubts, go and you won't visit them again , oh I forgot and it's expensive like is good food. read more

This is by far the best Mexican food you can find in Norfolk and the workers are always so friendly.

I got too excited when she brought it to our table to take a picture first but these tacos were amazing, fast, friendly and clean! read more

El Rey Taqueria - 3 Birria tacos - Mexican Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

It's the true definition of a hole in the wall restaurant. The place was ran by some nice ladies cooking up some delicious authentic Mexican dishes as well as some awesome creations like their shrimp and birria tacos. It's a great spot to order ahead as there is not much seating. The service is quick though! If you want some delicious filling food this is the best bang for your buck. read more

See all

It was okay. I paid $11 for canned chicken burrito. Didn't know the California burrito was canned chicken if I had known I wouldn't have got. read more

El Rey Taqueria - Mexican Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

I'm working on a project near this place, other people on the project highly recommended this place, and I finally got a chance to find out myself! My friend/coworker brought me their steak breakfast burrito one day...very good size burrito, tons of fillings, and great flavors! It was suggested that I try their sauces, friend suggested the 'fiesta' sauce cause he knows I like spicy food! I highly recommend the fiesta sauce if you like 'heat', use caution if you're a more casual spicy food consumer! Today I had their lunch/Fiesta burrito with fiesta sauce inside and a side of fiesta sauce! Even though it is a big burrito/I could've had it for two meals, it didn't survive long after I got home! I used DD for a pickup order, notifications told me exactly when I could pickup, and the inside has some tables/some interior dining area. The women working were very friendly and my order was accurate and delicious! I will most definitely be ordering/eating here again soon! read more

If you want authentic Mexican food, look no further than El Rey. It's unassuming location in a grimy little strip mall in Ocean View may have it overlooked, but it's worth the stop in. When you first enter, you will think you've been transported to a taco stand in Mexico. It's small, hot and cramped in this tiny restaurant. I literally feel so bad for the little women cooking behind the counter. I'm roasting sitting under the fan in the restaurant, but maybe because it's so small all the heat is emitting from the cooktop. There are only two small tables and a few chairs lined along the wall. Food is prepared in a jiffy and everyone that works there is smiley and friendly. I greedily grab some flan and a piece of tres leches cake because they both look so good. They are so inexpensive that I don't feel bad about being so greedy. I think they were maybe $2-3 for each. And since my eyes are almost always bigger than my stomach, I can't finish a thing. Except for the flan, which is perfectly soft, sweet and velvety. My favorite! read more

High quality little taqueria! I will always recommend this spot as long as management keeps this vibe going! The atmosphere is on fire in this place, starting from the employee's unique and upbeat assistance to the absolutely delicious food coming from the back of the house. I haven't been out west in a while but for the 15 minutes I was eating my plate, I felt like I was back in the desert warmth eating green chili enchiladas again!! The only issue is that it can't handle large crowds, but that could be a blessing in disguise read more

I am starting out with five stars. i'm hungry, they are just down the street and the portions are huge, I've heard. i've placed my order a few minutes ago at 6:37 PM when I received an email from DoorDash, confirming my order. I have lived here for 18 years almost and I have driven by this "hole in the wall" more times than I can remember. You know when you say to yourself, "Self you need to try that place", but you never do? That is me, so I am finally trying. I paid over $18 for delivery for one burrito, beans and rice, fingers crossed. I'm gonna give them a good review because it was fast and hopefully it'll be delivered quickly. I will post pictures after I eat. Thank you. Took a star off for no avacado anywhere, but wait...are these raw french fries? . going to finish after i eat...cannot finish this. Give me Plaza Azteca at Haygood Shopping Center anyday. I am going to return to them and try for a refund. Update: Called first to ask if I could bring to restaurant. Nope. Just so they know all I wanted was the "authentic" food owner says he opened restaurant for. read more

See all

I didn't get to actually go in and order, but my husband brought me some birria tacos home. Let's just say I devoured them. I was a little sad that he didn't get salsa. These tacos were topped with onion and cilantro which is a custom in all Mexican tacos. The meat was tender, and it paired well with the sweetness of the onion. I'm picky when it comes to my Mexican food, and this definitely made the top of my list. My husband is also a very picky eater, and he only recently started eating food that didn't isn't made with chicken. He got a birria burrito, and he said that it was amazing. One flaw he found was his meat was a little dry compared to mine. Other than that the horchata was great, and we'll keep them in mind the next time we don't feel like cooking our own birria. read more

We had the carne asada fries and the fiesta burrito, spicy. Very tasty with good heat! They were out of chips...

Finally!!! A authentic place with GREAT breakfast tacos! Sooo soo good! Reminds me of South Texas! Not to mention this is the 2nd place I have found in Virginia that has Big Red Sodas! You have some loyal customers for as long as we are here in VA! Thank you for the great, quick service. Forgot to take a picture of my food because it came out so quick and hot. I inhaled it lol. read more

Let me start by saying I've been here several times before and the food is always good. However, trying to find good food that isnt fast food can be challenging when working late. El Rey closes at 10pm, and although I never like to enter a restaurant close to their closing time, I know how quickly their food is prepared, so I made a mad dash there. I arrived at 9:40, thinking I'll get a few tacos and gortitas (basically the same thing) to go, but was told that they were not taking any more grill orders (nearly everything on the menu) so that they can clean it. Note to those who own this establishment: Its poor customer service to turn away paying guest while your business is still open. read more

This place reminds me of the mom & pop places I used to frequent in LA. The flavors were authentic, and my only main gripe was that both the chicken in the enchilada and the steak in the taco were dry. FOOD: I was craving for tamales and guacamole, so I was excited to see both these items on the menu. However, the restaurant owner said that neither of those items was in stock. Disappointed. PRICE: Reasonably priced for the massive portions you get. SERVICE: Food took much longer to prepare than expected, and the service was below average. LOCATION: I went with a few friends and found the location to be small and quite cramped. Easy to park Overall, great authentic flavors, but meat is too dry and not the best place to dine if you don't want to do take-outs. read more

El Rey Taqueria - Plato combo with Guava Jarritos - Mexican Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

See all

To be honest I'm not a huge fan of Mexican food but this place omg the food is fire!! This is going to be the place I'm going to get Mexican. I want to try everything on the menu. read more

After considering the review I gave last time I'm taking 2 stars off due to the way service has been lately. The food is still top notch but me and my wife find ourselves avoiding this place due to the rotten attitude of the people in charge of the phone to call ahead orders. They are very rude for no reason and for me personally the service has to be good for the food to be good too. They really don't deserve the level of praise they get. read more

Amazing quality and fast service! I ordered an online order that was ready for pickup on time and it was hot and ready. Big portions and amazing taste. I will be returning. read more

Nice little spot but I prefer to order Togo. The food is delicious and the burritos are huge! Everyone is friendly and service is quick. If you ask for something to be left out, ask twice. Removing a star because the rice and beans were not edible to me or my spouse. read more

Moved to Virginia from Los Angeles, people in here saying it's not authentic Mexican food want the white washed Mexican food, nah this is authentic Mexican food fr. Reminded me of back home. If you from Los Angeles then yk what I'm talking about. Will come again. read more

We all know the best places for authentic food are the holes in the wall in shady areas! You know you're in the right place for well seasoned food when they've got a sign saying to lock your doors and hide your valuables! While it did take a while for the food to be done, it was worth the wait. And you know it's authentic and tasty when the cashier has a bad attitude while taking orders on the phone (that's a good thing yall!) From what I know, the Birria is served from a food truck, not the actual restaurant. And their salsas cost extra. But their actual tacos? Damn delicious. And their taqueria salsa? Spicy af! You definitely will want something to drink and salsa verde to counter it! We had the Al pastor, lengua, carne asada tacos, and the carne asada fries. Very good! The tortillas were perfect, the meat was well seasoned. I just wish they served limon wedges with their food. read more

Best Mexican on the east coast. Period. Particularly if you're used to Mexican food from California. Also EL Rey 2 is not El Rey. Go to El Rey read more

Very very tasty also but still the price is right And the drinks were superb Also, the dishes are very, very authentic. read more

Yesterday I placed an order that came out to be $52 dollars and some change, as I opened up my order I seen that my regular chicken burrito immediately came apart. I ignored it and just moved on to eat it, and I tasted how sour it was. I wasn't sure if it was the sour cream, or the veggies that was inside the burrito; but I picked out the tomatoes and it continued to taste sour. I threw the burrito and the rest of the others because I didn't want to risk my health for these. Please make sure nothing is contaminated or expired!! read more

First it is overpriced ! Asked for 3 tacos. When asked flour or corn tortillas I asked for 2 flour and one corn. She replies I can't do that it "backs up the cook" ??????? Better Mexican food and service elsewhere don't waste your time on bad tempered counter staff. read more

This place was ok, but there are better taco places in town. We tried several types of tacos and the meat in all of them was very dry.

I have heard SO MUCH about this place from so may different people. So when my friend asked if I wanted to try it out I couldn't say "Yes" fast enough! Its located in a part of Norfolk that Ive never been to before. There doesnt seem to be much else in the area so coming here means you were on a mission for some legit Mexican food. Its located in a mini strip mall. The inside is VERY small and REALLY hot. I couldn't imagine dining in here in the summer. I would die. They have a lot of Mexican dishes, but my firend told me to start off with their El Ray burrito first. So I did. Chicken burrito and done. He got beef tongue! We waited maybe 5 minutes for our food? I think it was just us and on other couple though. On a Saturday night! I was actually surprised! but happy we didn't have to wait long. The burrito came out and it was mammoth! Good sign. My friend put some hot sauce on the table that he got from the soda cooler (free for anyone to use-the hot sauce, not the soda). I took one bite and knew I wouldn't be using much of the hot sauce. The flavors were great! My only gripe was that the chicken itself was a little on the dry side. I mean, you cant tell if you're eating the burrito the way a burrito should be consumed, but once i started picking it a part I could tell the chicken was just, ok. I still give this place 4 stars because of the quick service, the authenticity, and good favors! ALSO I do want to come back to try their spicy burrito AND maybe one of their breakfast burritos? All sound so delicious! Oh! And to those they may have been wondering. The Beef Tongue was great! It tasted like brisket! Try it out!! read more

El Rey Taqueria - Chicken burrito. Good! Chicken a little dry. But it was huge! - Mexican Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

See all

Food is good and I'm from California born in east LA so I know Mexican food. But anyways the customer service is horrible the girl working the register is super rude for no reason tested it out by having my wife go in instead of me and then had my mom go in when she was visiting and every time this girl has a horrible attitude problem. Go to the el Rey in little creek it a way better experience and they sell alcohol so it's a plus! read more

Great food and they are really quick when preparing it. Definitely recommend if you are interested in authentic food.