El Rey
$$ • Mexican Restaurant
Most Recent Reviews
Amazing service and a great experience for a celiac family. The mahi tacos, veggie tacos, chicken tacos, nachos, and well everything else we ordered was outstanding. They make their own corn tortillas daily and that really sets them apart. Gluten free burritos were available, and I had not seen that before. The drinks were fabulous as well.
REALLY good food, even better prices, and totally Celiac safe! The service was also beyond compare. Yay!
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The kitchen isn’t open until 11pm. I went at 10:30pm and they did not serve us. It shouldn’t be considered a “late night” food spot in my opinion.
More Reviews
My boyfriend and I both got enchiladas and they were so good, probably the best I’ve had. He didn’t have any reaction eating here. We were able to order online for takeout.
I ate here a few years ago and decided to return with a new group of friends. I was excited by the gluten-free menu online, but when I got to the restaurant the host told me they don't have anything marked on their physical menus, but my server would be able to answer any questions. Server confirmed they make gluten-free items separately, so we got chips and salsa for the table, I ordered the brisket quesadilla and my partner ordered the burrito from the gf menu. Our server did inform us that the burrito could only be served in a bowl as the gluten free tortilla can't be wrapped like a burrito. They didn't announce anything as being gluten free when the items arrived and I had to ask about each item. Good thing I double checked because when we got a refill on the chips they were not gluten free and had to be sent back. I was also disappointed that the gluten-free menu is lumped in with the vegan and vegetarian menu so you have to read carefully what is actually gluten free. The menu also doesn't list any details for the quesadilla and it came with really spicy sauce that got all over the plate, wish that had been on the menu description so I could have asked for that to be omitted, as it got on half the quesedilla. We also felt really rushed towards the end of our meal, our server did not seem pleased to offer us refills on the chips and was in a hurry to get us the check (even though the place was not packed, and the place has a "chill" vibe encouraging people to drink and socialize.) I wish this place lived up to my expectations set by other reviewers.
The biggest corn tortillas I’ve ever seen. Wait staff very knowledgeable and helpful. Separate fryer for chips.
I stop here almost every time I am in Philadelphia. The staff at all Steven Star Restaurant Group restaurants tend to be knowledgeable on celiac disease. El Rey has some of the best nachos in the city and it’s fairly affordable as well.
The food was great and they were very knowledgeable about Celiac. I didn’t have any reactions.
Server was super helpful and knowledgeable about cross contact.
Lots of gluten free options. Chips in a dedicated fryer!
She put a note in about my order, was able to get delicious short rib enchiladas.
Generally the Steven Starr spots are very good about celiac, keeps me coming back. This might be the easiest to eat at, Highly recommend!
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The food was great and the server was very knowledgeable about celiac disease and cross contamination. I am very sensitive but I had no issue with the food. There are many great gluten free options there.
We came in without knowing anything about the restaurant except that it was well rated, clean, and gluten free. The experience was phenomenal. Food was great, many GF options, excellent service. Highly recommend.
Very positive experience. When I made the reservation, I noted that I wanted gluten-free, and then, when they seated us, the reservation host assigned a waitress who is GF, and she took wonderful care of me. There was a GF menu, GF chips and salsa. I had delicious enchiladas. Will definitely go back.
All or most of the menu is naturally GF or can be modified to be GF. Per the waiter, the only items that can’t be made GF are the sopa de tortilla, tuna tostada, carnitas tacos, Chile relleno, and the desserts. Burritos are offered as bowls for GF guests. They have a dedicated GF fryer for chips. All flavored margaritas are GF, but the classic, frozen, and cool blue margs are not guaranteed to be safe. I’m a very sensitive Celiac and have eaten here several times, both dine in and take out, without any issue.
Love this place and have never had a reaction or been glutened. Incredible tacos! Servers are knowledgeable.
My daughter got glutened- although they have a dedicated fryer I think they lack the processes to avoid cross contamination
Food was excellent and everyone was knowledgeable about gluten. Even the kids, who are picky, enjoyed themselves. Prices were very reasonable!
Tacos, nachos, and drinks were delicious. Waitress was very aware of celiac and what was safe to eat. Ate in person and ordered through DoorDash and both times were great and didn’t get sick
Waitress understood celiac disease and guided us through our order. We really enjoyed our meal.
Great food and accommodating staff. The nachos and queso fundido are my go to. I’ve never been sick eating there before.
Staff was quick to help find GF options on the menu. Food was delicious and well-priced! I’ve had tacos, nachos, and paella. Drink menu has wine, cider, cocktails, and 5 different types of margaritas. It’s not a dedicated GF restaurant, but I haven’t had any issues yet after ~5 visits.
Love it here! Even the quesadillas are gluten-free! They have a few things on the menu that I have gluten but are very clear about what they are and the waiters have an allergen book on hand so they don’t even have to go ask.
Also, even though they have a shared fryer they change the oil daily and fry a bunch of gluten-free chips at the beginning of the night. All you have to do is ask for them!
Come here any time we are in Philly. Staff is friendly and knowledgeable and the food is authentic and amazing!! It’s a must try for anyone who enjoys Mexican food and needs to eat gluten free. Advice- call for reservations.
No cooler feeling than to visit a place during happy hour and you also get to safely eat food deals alongside the allergy-free patrons. Delish Mexican. A must visit to satisfy your taco cravings!
So happy we came here. GF menu. Most of the regular menu is GF too. Dedicated fryer for the chips and staff is knowledgeable and organized. They announced that chips were safe when they came out even though the rest of the party was not GF. Tacos and enchiladas were amazing. No GF beer options, but they had a cider (Jack’s).
Amazing every time I am here! Separate menu for gf makes life easy. Best margarita I’ve ever had doesn’t hurt either!
Amazing food and super aware and responsive to celiac. My daughter had a delicious and safe meal. Our server was delightful, caring and kind.
Amazing gluten free menu. Gluten free tacos were excellent. Fresh chips and salsa. Recommend.
Just a whole in the wall place with great food. There was a gluten free menu but there are also a number of things on the regular menu that you can ask to be prepared gluten free. Seeing I had a gluten free menu he also asked about if there were any other allergens which I liked. I got the chicken enchiladas and they were by far the best I have ever gotten. Also tried the tacos and they were delicious too. This is my favorite place in all of Philly
Cute little restaurant. Our server was more than accommodating. They made us “simple” margaritas which weren’t on the menu, they were great!! The salsa was fresh and delicious. We accidentally ordered one of the ceviche dishes, that has raw shrimp (we did not care for) but they were great with understanding we made a mistake with our order. Very dark inside the restaurant but it was still nice. All of our food, and service were on point. Will visit again
One of my favorite Celiac-safe destinations in Philly. Never had a bad experience there and the duck carnitas might be my favorite dish ever on the face of the planet.
Lots of gluten free options due to a chef (maybe owner) who has Celiac Disease. Some wait staff seem very diligent while others seem lackadaisical.
The best case I’ve had is when my waitress filled out an allergy alert card that indicated my “allergy”, table number, and name. A manager had to sign the card and provide a copy to the kitchen, wait staff, and bar. The worst experience I have had was a waitress acting very annoyed at me asking her to verify that the item brought out to me was prepared in the gluten free part of the kitchen.
Dedicated fryer for chips and a few other items. Lots of corn tortillas.
The happy hour margarita is NOT gluten free unless specified. The triple sec apparently has some gluten in it somehow. If you tell them you have a gluten restriction they will sub the triple sec for the gluten free variant.
One of the safest gluten free Mexican offerings in Philly.
Seperate gluten free menu. Tons of options. I loved the duck tacos
Delicious tacos, staff was well versed as to what was gluten free. Happy hour deals were great.
I ate here every day of my trip--that's how good it was. Safe and delicious, and I finally got to have a margarita! All margs are safe except the one with beer of course. The nachos are incredible!
They have a separate GF menu. Server was knowledgeable. Great atmosphere.
Great food. Knowledgeable staff. Dedicated cooking areas. We absolutely enjoyed our lunch here.
Excellent friendly staff! Very Knowledgeable about Celiac and gluten free. They have a gluten free menu and the food is super delicious!
Great food & great staff. Felt very comfortable eating there!
The chicken quesadilla is AMAZING. They have a GF menu, almost all the margaritas are GF except for the Michelada. The staff is also wonderful.
Best place ever. Very accommodating to my needs. No issues. It's heaven sent.
This place is amazing. Tostadas, nachos, tacos (with the best carnitas!), gorditas, margaritas (delicious & strong 😉)... I just love this spot.
Soooo good. They dedicate chips for celiacs- head chef is GF. Had nachos and the beef stuffed pepper. Sooo good. And the margaritas were awesome as well!
So good!! Fresh, authentic Mexican. Great margaritas. Would def go back!! No reaction.
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