Welcome to El Rey Mexican Restaurant
El Rey Mexican Restaurant, located in Maplewood, NJ, is a vibrant homage to authentic Mexican cuisine, offering a delightful blend of vegetarian and gluten-free options. The restaurant prides itself on using fresh, high-quality ingredients, evident in dishes like their Chile Releno and the Grilled Spanish Octopus Salad. With a welcoming ambiance and attentive service, El Rey creates a dining experience that feels personal and inviting. Highlights include the homemade tortillas and innovative takes on traditional recipes, which consistently impress both locals and visitors. It's not just a meal; it's a celebration of flavors and community.
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1908 Springfield Ave, Maplewood, NJ 07040 Hotline: (973) 689-2165
Welcome to El Rey Mexican Restaurant, a vibrant culinary gem nestled in the heart of Maplewood, NJ. Located at 1908 Springfield Ave, this establishment has quickly carved its niche as a go-to spot for those seeking authentic Mexican flavors that resonate with freshness and quality. Whether you’re a vegetarian, gluten-free diner, or a lover of traditional Mexican fare, El Rey thoughtfully caters to a diverse palette.
Stepping into El Rey, you will immediately appreciate the small, clean, and simple ambiance that invites a relaxed dining experience. The decor, adorned with beautiful plants and cheerful flower arrangements, complements the flavorful cuisine, making it a perfect backdrop for a casual get-together or a special meal. The friendly service has earned praises from patrons, ensuring that every visit feels warm and welcoming.
- El Rey Steak: This ribeye steak, infused with chimichurri sauce and served alongside an arugula salad, epitomizes the restaurant’s commitment to high-quality ingredients. Each bite delivers a robust flavor profile, perfect for those who appreciate a hearty meal.
- Chile Relleno: Deep-fried poblano peppers stuffed with rich Mexican cheese offer a delightful combination of creaminess and a touch of spice, ensuring a satisfying experience.
- Camarones Calientes: Sautéed shrimp with Mexican chorizo and elote create a dish bursting with vibrant flavors, aptly reflecting the lively spirit of Mexican cuisine.
- Fajitas del Chingon: Served with an array of colorful sautéed bell peppers and topped with guacamole, sour cream, and pico de gallo, this dish emphasizes not just taste but also vibrant presentation.
- La Vegana: For those seeking plant-based options, the red quinoa salad with beans, corn, and ripe avocado is refreshingly zesty, proving that vegetarian dishes can be equally delightful.
One of the highlights of dining here is the use of fresh ingredients and house-made tortillas, which many diners have praised for enhancing the overall flavor of the meals. Signature dishes such as Tequila-Lime Salmon and the El Volcan—featuring a mix of steak, chicken, shrimp, and Mexican chorizo served with fried queso and guacamole—showcase the talented kitchen's ability to elevate traditional recipes with a modern twist.
It’s no surprise that El Rey has garnered a loyal following, with returning customers frequently sharing their enthusiasm. The restaurant also supports a BYOB policy, adding a charmingly personal touch to your meal.
In a recent review, a diner remarked on the neatly prepared dishes that are free from excessive fats or oils, emphasizing the clean, crisp flavors. Whether you’re indulging in the rich flautas or savoring a tangy taco salad, each dish promises a delightful culinary journey.
As you consider your next dining option in North Jersey, El Rey Mexican Restaurant stands out—not only for its delicious offerings but also for the pride and care that go into each meal. With an inviting atmosphere, attentive service, and a menu brimming with remarkable flavors, it promises an experience worth savoring. Make your way to Maplewood and discover for yourself why everyone is raving about this local treasure.
For reservations or inquiries, feel free to call them at (973) 689-2165. Prepare for a delicious adventure at El Rey!
Really great food, great taste with sense that it was cleanly made without a lot of extra fat, cheese or oil. Reasonably priced. BYOB. Yep in mind, it's a small space.
Two of us had enchiladas - chicken & vegetarian - both were excellent, as was the spicy shrimp. The service on the other hand, not so good.
Note: BYOB (alcohol) Parking: lot about 25 yards away from the restaurant. Ambiance: small, simple, clean Service: very good (had 2 waiters checking on our party of 5 the entire time) Menu: tacos, burritos, enchiladas, etc...made with fresh ingredients and offered with an array of sauces One of the better small venue Mexican restaurants in north Jersey.
This place is AMAZING!!!! I tried the pibil tacos, grilled octopus, el volcán, chips and guacamole, and the churros. They make their tortillas themselves and you can definitely tell because of how fresh everything tasted. The service was also so attentive and generous with their time. I'm not a vegetarian myself, but I saw they have many options for vegetarians. The place has beautiful walls and flowers on each table. The plants are well taken care of and so is this restaurant. Definitely an awesome spot in Maplewood that I will go out of my way to return to. 100000/10!!!
Really fresh and well prepared food with great service. Went during their first weeks on a hot summer night with no AC. They dragged out a good fan that cooled us just as the AC guy arrived. They really were accommodating and helpful.
Good food, nice vibe! Came here on a Friday ~ 6 for dinner. Made a reservation for two, but definitely didn't need to. The spot is quite spacious and wasn't busy at all when we arrived. I ordered the enchiladas verdes and my friend ordered the taco salad. They were very accommodating, allowing my friend to add carnitas in her taco salad, which she seemed to enjoy! As for the enchiladas, apparently they are all made mild, BUT you can (and should, if you're like me) ask them to kick up the spice. The flavor and spice level was perfect. Only issue I'd say is that the chicken was a bit tough/dry. Definitely overcooked...but the flavor was there! Worth checking out if you're in the area and in the mood for a flavorful meal! If I go again, I'd prob opt for another protein choice, and maybe try out some of their tacos! Note: While they don't have a parking lot, there's tons of street parking and public parking lots around the area!
First stop and visit to NJ. We found this place because we were looking for fajitas. We were delightfully surprised by the whole experience at El Rey. They have mastered a beautiful way to showcase mexican cuisine. We ended up getting tacos de carne asada and the tequila lime salmon as well as the quinoa croquettes. Everything was absolutely amazing!! I wish I had room for dessert as I am sure they are just as delicious! The ambience and environment was peaceful and quiet for a nice relaxing dinner.
Stopped by to fulfill a burrito craving and it was tasty. Service was friendly and made suggestions of going with corn tortilla over flour when getting the birria tacos. The establishment was clean and well taken care of. Food wise, it's a solid choice. I wish the birria tacos were more crunchy, but that's probably a different style. These weren't crispy at all. My only suggestion to the staff is to put the cups and napkins not on the edge of the table; I had to be careful I didn't knock things over when entering and exiting.
We've been back to this Maplewood gem 3 times in three weeks, and still our local favorite. We've tried quite a few different dishes and all were excellent!