El Rey - Philadelphia

Name: El Rey - Philadelphia
Address: 2013 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States, 19103
Telephone: (215) 563-3330
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4.6

4.6

473 Reviews

$30 and under

American

Top Tags:

Inspired by the cuisines of Puebla and Veracruz, El Rey captures the essence of Mexican home cooking. Boisterous and broken-in like a laidback roadside cantina, the dining room hums from midday to late-night. Folk art, kitchsy found objects and vintage movie posters adorn the walls, providing plenty of visual stimuli for eaters digging into authentic tacos, tortas, enchiladas, sopes and more. Add a bar stocked with the best tequilas, mezcals and cervezas and you’ve got a cantina fit for a king.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Sep 24, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 30 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Cuisines
American
Hours of operation
Brunch Sat, Sun 12:00 pm–4:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–11:00 pm
Phone number
(215) 563-3330
Website
https://elreyrestaurant.com/
Dress code
Business Casual

Location
2013 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Neighborhood
Chestnut Hill
Parking details
None
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wine

Gift card

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What 473 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.6Food
4.6Service
4.4Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Philadelphia
American

473 Reviews

S
Schmidt
Philadelphia
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
overall4food5service4ambience5
Staff clears the table way too quickly; very intrusive.
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B
Beer
Philadelphia
2 reviews
1.0
2 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
overall1food1service1ambience1
My experience here was a 0/10 Our sever NADINE was horrible! We came for happy hour 4-6 and we got there at 530. After putting our order in we asked could she come back before happy hour was over she said she would see. After our food came out she forgot some of items because she didn't write anything down The whole time we were there she was acting like we were bothering her. At the end, we did ask for the manager and she did apologized. Overall service was horrible I will not be back and I do not recommend.
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LA
LiamA
Washington DC
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on September 15, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Been twice, best happy hour. Everything is quick and delicious!
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TA
TammyA
Philadelphia
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 12, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent service and food was great. Highly recommend!
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B
Bornrotravel
Hawaii
5 reviews
vip
4.0
5 reviews
Dined on September 9, 2023
overall4food5service3ambience3
The food was very good. The service was just ok. Our waitress seemed overwhelmed and came very sporadically to our table. The host up front actually stopped by a few times to help. I really enjoy the food and vibe inside but the outside could use a refresh.
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K
Kaia
Greater Boston
22 reviews
vip
5.0
22 reviews
Dined on September 9, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Service was good - Asian atmosphere but great food and drinks.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
8 reviews
vip
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on September 8, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Always my go to spot for something filling and worth the price. Cute and casual and staff is great per usual!
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J
Joey
Philadelphia
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on August 23, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Short rib enchiladas were really good. The Queso fundito with the mushrooms was unique and also very good (way less greasy than chorizo)
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LA
LiamA
Washington DC
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on August 23, 2023
overall5food5service2ambience5
Loved the food and vibe! Will definitely be returning.
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DA
DonnaA
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 19, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Delicious food, great margaritas and very helpful staff…definitely recommend
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JS
JosephS
Philadelphia
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on August 16, 2023
overall4food5service3ambience4
Our server was great. Need to work on some of the other staff. They have no sense of warmth or welcome about them. Customer service skills needs to be polished. I’d expect more from a Starr restaurant.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
5 reviews
4.0
5 reviews
Dined on August 12, 2023
overall4food5service3ambience4
Good food band excellent mood！we families like to attend again in the near future.. Also thanks for wonderful service.
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C
Charles
Philadelphia
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on August 10, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We celebrated my wife's birthday and she was very pleased with everything. I did good! 😁
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S
Sldragon
Pittsburgh
42 reviews
vip
4.0
42 reviews
Dined on August 5, 2023
overall4food5service4ambience5
Great food and service. Staff made good suggestions. Portion sizes generous and fun atmosphere.
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K
Killy0909
Philadelphia
19 reviews
vip
5.0
19 reviews
Dined on August 5, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
My first time at El Rey but not my last! Food was very good, and the service was amazing.
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SL
SeanL
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on July 27, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Delicious food. Wonderful service. Our waitress was helpful and although it was crowded we never felt rushed.
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ML
MLee
Philadelphia
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on July 26, 2023
overall5food4service5ambience3
We had a great experience at happy hour. The service was phenomenal and although the Margarita had a bit too much ice, they were really good! We’ll definitely be back.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on July 25, 2023
overall3food2service4ambience4
Food was okay, fish tacos and guacamole was decent but short ribs enchilada was super salty!!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on July 22, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food was delicious! Loved the experience. Would definitely come back
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m
martyh
Austin
3 reviews
2.0
3 reviews
Dined on July 15, 2023
overall2food3service4ambience2
The tuna ceviche was brutal. Like they just dumped grapefruit juice on it. The fajitas were a step in the right direction. This seems to be a place for kids to go Instead of Taco Bell
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C
Conor
Philadelphia
10 reviews
vip
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on July 9, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The ambiance inside was very cool, had an old south philly row home type of feel (which was great) and the food was great with lot's of vegetarian options to choose from! Our server was also wonderful and the service in general was great. Will definitely go back!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on July 9, 2023
overall4food3service5ambience3
Our service was amazing. Food was okay and drinks were not strong.
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AS
ArunS
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on July 8, 2023
overall4food4service3ambience3
We’ve been to Morimoto and the Parc and were expecting a similar ambience. So had to recalibrate quickly to the cheaper Mexican cantina look. The portions were sizeable (the chorizo nachos would easily feed four — and we were two). The tuna ceviche was tasty and offered a surprise— savory and/or sweet in every bite. The brisket quesadilla was extremely tasty. The drinks were on the stronger side. Overall, an excellent comfort food joint best enjoyed by parties of four or more.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on July 8, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food was great - my friend and I wanted so many different things that we split everything in order to try more. Our server was very nice and accommodating.
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DS
DavidS
New York Area
33 reviews
vip
4.0
33 reviews
Dined on July 1, 2023
overall4food5service5ambience3
We had an excellent Saturday night dinner from start to finish. The service was very good including checking on whether another table was available so that we could avoid having the service area immediately behind us. Our food came out well-timed despite several large parties being seated close to the same time and our server made several great recommendations. Our food, starting with guacamole and followed by a stellar ceviche (Campechana) with a great combination of flavors, was then finished with 2 orders of tacos (fish & al pastor) and a plate of Tumbada. All-around great food! The only miss was the heavy campari pour in my Rosita cocktail - a little lighter and it would have been all-around excellent.
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K
Kate
Philadelphia
5 reviews
4.0
5 reviews
Dined on June 29, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience3
Really good food, margs, and service. Very loud, sat at a table for 6 with 5 and it could be hard for some people to hear. Really cute bar. Would come back!
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AJ
AJP1
Philadelphia
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on June 20, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food and great drinks. Had a great experience and will go back.
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ES
EvaS
San Francisco
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on June 19, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience1
Great attentive service and the food came fast! Nachos were excellent, would go back for that The quesadilla was ok better than most. Very busy happy hour so the place is Very Loud and it’s hard to talk inside Loud and rowdy, maybe it get better after happy hour. Excellent staff.
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E
Ericw
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 13, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
As always The Star Group Nails it every time . Great fresh food , vibes service . Eveyime I’m in town on a Tuesday this is my choice
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M
Mirabel
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on June 10, 2023
overall3food3service4ambience3
The drinks were watered down, the tacos were chewy. I’ve been to El Rey before and food has been better. But wasn’t as good yesterday.
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A
Anish
Philadelphia
10 reviews
1.0
10 reviews
Dined on June 10, 2023
overall1food1service3ambience2
Vegetarian or vegan people - never go here. Don't recommend this place.
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JW
JamieW
Philadelphia
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on June 10, 2023
overall5food5service1ambience4
Service was scarce. But food is great. Won’t stop me from going back!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 4, 2023
overall5food5service3ambience5
Super bomb food !
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M
Maria
Dallas
9 reviews
vip
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on June 4, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food, traditional Tex-Mex! Highly recommended
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G
Gabby
Philadelphia
15 reviews
vip
5.0
15 reviews
Dined on June 4, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Love coming here! The bartender Shane is wonderful. He’s so personable!
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BS
BonnieS
Atlantic City
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on June 3, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Staff was so friendly and helpful! Delicious food that was served timely!! Staff friendly and attentive!!
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BM
BrianM
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 2, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great date night. Our server was helpful, attentive and friendly. Meals were savored and cocktails enjoyed.
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TM
ToriM
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 1, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
They were really nice! We were super late, but they were super flexible and the food and culture is bomb✨
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FD
FishingDude
Philadelphia
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on May 19, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The biggest takes is the food. There were four people in our party and not a bad meal.
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S
Sofia
Minneapolis
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 15, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fantastic service and great happy hour menu! We were attended to quickly and kindly. Drinks and food were delicious!
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FAQs

You can order delivery directly from El Rey - Philadelphia using the Order Online button. El Rey - Philadelphia also offers delivery in partnership with Uber Eats. El Rey - Philadelphia also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (215) 563-3330.

El Rey - Philadelphia is rated 4.6 stars by 473 OpenTable diners.

El Rey - Philadelphia does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Sep 24, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 30 times today

Order delivery or takeout

2013 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Dining areas

Additional information

Neighborhood
Chestnut Hill
Hours of operation
Brunch Sat, Sun 12:00 pm–4:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–11:00 pm
Cuisines
American
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
None
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wine

Website
https://elreyrestaurant.com/
Phone number
(215) 563-3330

Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

Send a gift card

El Rey - Philadelphia

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Gift card

Menu

What 473 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

FAQs

Does El Rey - Philadelphia offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is El Rey - Philadelphia restaurant rated?

Does El Rey - Philadelphia offer gift cards?

Is El Rey - Philadelphia currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Gift card