El Rey

Nashville, United States

2.7

Closed now

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards
Free Wi-Fi

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+1 615-726-8862
Address:
139 2nd Ave N, Nashville, TN, 37201
Downtown
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
790 ftRiverfront RTA Station
0.8 miGreyhound Station
Categories:
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Bussiness info

Takes Reservations
No
Delivery
No
Take-out
Yes
Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Good For
Lunch, Dinner
Parking
Street
Bike Parking
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Good for Kids
Yes
Good for Groups
Yes
Attire
Casual
Ambience
Casual
Noise Level
Average
Alcohol
Full Bar
Outdoor Seating
Yes
Wi-Fi
Free
Has TV
Yes
Waiter Service
Yes

Today

Today 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Closed now
Local time (Nashville) 6:42 AM Thursday, May 22, 2025

Business hours

Monday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Tuesday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Wednesday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Thursday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Friday 11:00 am – 10:30 pm
Saturday 11:00 am – 10:30 pm
Sunday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm

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20 reviews of El Rey

No registration required
Place rating: 4
Brooklyn, NY
This place was really good, not sure why it wasn’t busier because the service was great and so was the food. They put tomatoes in their guac but it was still really creamy an delicious. Chips and salsa arrived at my table as soon as I sat down, still warm to the touch. Yum. Hit the spot.
Place rating: 4
Atlanta, GA
Good reasonably priced relatively authentic Mexican food. The molcajete was delicious and very similar to ones I’ve eaten in Mexico. The guacamole was also really good and good price. We ordered the peach frozen margarita and it wasn’t great, but good. It’s a smaller family owned feel restaurant, so nothing fancy. Seems to only have one server at a time so service could get slow if busy but wasn’t too busy when we visited. Overall — a good pretty cheap meal!
Place rating: 4
West Covina, CA
Took a stroll down 2nd and Broadway starving BTW! Lots of bars! Damn! Found this family owned Mexican restaurant and it didn’t disappoint!
The portions were Extra Grande and very reasonable priced! I had the Special Plate that included a tostada, taco. chile relleno, tamale, and an enchilada! With rice and beans of course! Lots of food for about $ 12.00! Daaaang!!!
I definitely recommend this place for a second and third visit!
I would of given 5 stars if they played trio or mariachi music but all they had today was Norteñas…
Place rating: 5
Nashville, TN
Once you realize their $ 3 homemade guacamole is worth coming back for, you’ll think twice before you paying $ 12 for the same at Bricktop’s. Nothing fancy but the homey ambiance makes it a good neighborhood Mexican restaurant. Ordered the shrimp and fish Tapatia and the sopas Camarones. My friend ordered the shrimp Chimichanga. We both enjoyed our meals. Forgot to check in the 1st time. This is my 2nd visit here in two weeks. I’ll definitely be back a 3rd time!
Place rating: 2
Nashville, TN
Besides being extremely inexpensive, this establishment doesn’t really offer its niche… Mexican cuisine. They have a wide variety of menu items, but that shows me they don’t have confidence in their Mexican cuisine.
A big highlight of this place is that they give you free chips and salsa. The salsa wasn’t homemade, which is something I was expecting from an «authentic Mexican restaurant.»
For an entré I ordered the chimichanga’s. The plate was extremely sloppy and not uniformed, and I believe presentation is key. A highlight of the dish had to be the succulent shredded chicken. Will I give this place another shot? Probably not. But if you are looking for something affordable and half way decent then this is your best friend near the bars on Broadway.
Place rating: 1
Charlotte, NC
Service was extremely slow. When the food came, one of the dishes was ice cold. If pick another spot.
Place rating: 5
Nashville, TN
Great food, great service, and great portions! I love the salsa containers. Their cheese enchiladas were amazing! I will definitely go back.
Place rating: 1
Nashville, TN
I have seen this place many times because I live downtown. I plan to eat everywhere. BUT only once here. This place looks and portrays itself as something its not. The food is bland. And the filling is the same in every thing. tamale.burrito.taco…ridiculous. WHY ARE THEY DOWNTOWN IN A PRIME LOCATION. THEY SHOULD BE. OUT ON NOLENSVILLE
Place rating: 2
Milwaukee, WI
The place seems a bit tired. The lighting was dim and tables a bit sticky. Chips were not fresh and margaritas tasted great… just believe they forgot to put tequila in it. Marginal food — think it’d be best after you were out drinking.
Place rating: 4
Chicago, IL
My second visit here was January 18th, 2015. This is a nice mom and pop kind of place. Everything we had was very good, from the steak tacos, to enchiladas, also good salsa, which is important in a good mexican place.
Place rating: 1
Mount Pleasant, SC
Went last night to get a Mexican food fix. Walked in, service was slow. The worst margarita I have ever had! Decided to leave if they can’t make a great drink, I was worried what the food would taste like. The bill was wrong to cap the experience off. May ¼ star
Place rating: 1
Charleston, WV
Very upset with the service… price is good but for a Mexican restaurant… the chips are very stale… I called to complain and was told chips made fresh for customers who dine in… to go orders get day old stale chips…
Not happy with the response… my chips were not free. I had to pay $ 1.95 for the chips and salsa… that is just NOT RIGHT… I work with a lot of people at AT&T who get the orders to go…
Very unhappy
Place rating: 2
Chattanooga, TN
You know what’s weird? When you go to a Mexican restaurant, and the margaritas are the same color as the guacamole.
El Rey is a close walk from almost anywhere downtown, but the food is «meh» and the drinks are watered down. I’ve never gotten sick after eating there though, so that’s a plus. I’ll give it two stars.
Place rating: 1
Clarksville, TN
The food was horrible, service was terrible considering there was no one in the restaurant. We will never go back
Place rating: 1
Downtown, Nashville, TN
This is the first one I’ve ever given. Let me justify it.
They only had two servers and they probably had 15 tables. The servers were nice but they weren’t attentive. Our cups were never filled, our salsa and chips didn’t come until I had to ask for it, and anything we ask, they never brought (ie hot sauce).
We ordered a pitcher of margarita for $ 18 which sucked horribly. It tasted like water. Very little alcohol.
The only good thing is the price of their lunch. They had specials for less than $ 6.
It’s right in downtown so they have a good location but I highly suggest that if you’re a tourist, coming to Nashville, never come here. You’ve been warned!
Place rating: 2
Demonbreun, Nashville, TN
Entirely inattentive service.
After my food came out, nobody came to check on me. The food was decent, and the salsa was pretty tasty, but service means a lot to me. I had to even flag someone down to get my check. I don’t think I’ll be back.
Place rating: 4
Nashville, TN
We like El Rey for lunch downtown. Food is great and service is always fast with a smile. The salsa is good and guacamole is fresh. And the prices! Wow! We get out of there for $ 15 for two lunches… I’d say that’s a great deal.
We are now regular patrons and are glad they are here… especially with San Antonio Taco Company closed across the street.
Try it… you will leave with a smile and change in your pocket :)
Place rating: 4
Atlanta, GA
I never realized that this place existed downtown… but it’s great! HUGE portions of food, and great flavors. Prices are right and the staff is very friendly! Our waitress came and asked up if we are doing okay every 15 minutes lol
I will be back for sure!
Place rating: 1
La Vergne, TN
Food an service is HORRIBLE! I’ve eaten here before an it was good but tonight’s was just disgusting! Our food was ice cold but as long as it took to get to us we didn’t bother sending it back cause we were already going to be late as it was
I’m NEVER coming back here again!
Place rating: 4
Nashville, TN
El Rey is my favorite Americanized Mexican restaurant in Nashville! By that I mean the Mexican food that is covered in cheese… aka not really authentic but the stuff I grew up on :)
What makes El Rey stand out is that their meat is seasoned and extremely flavorful. Typically when I go to one of these places, the chicken is bland and has zero taste. Not so at El Rey! I have had multiple dishes here and I have not been disappointed once. I eat here on a regular basis, and they are consistent with their food and it being good every time. I’m not a big ground beef fan, but my BF gets it most visits, and he said it’s the best he’s had from a Mexican restaurant. The salsa is also great, spicy and they bring plenty of it! (I hate asking for salsa over and over!)
The only reason they aren’t getting 5 stars is because their margaritas are weak. Go for the food not the drinks, and you will not be sorry!