Taqueria El Rey — Restaurant in Detroit

Last night was one of the worst Mexican dining experiences of our lives.

My husband and I drove over a half hour to try this place. We love trying new Mexican/street tacos, and this place had good reviews. I can see why, as it seems everyone else received good service but us.

I completely understand some hiccups when it's busy, but it's inexcusable to do the following:

1.Two tables were waited on that were seated after us. There was a guy bringing chips and salsa around that brought them to everyone but us; a waitress eventually brought us chips and salsa, apologizing. Even though THREE waitresses were pinging around the tables next to us, no one acknowledged us for 10+ minutes.

We watched as they brought three bottles of salsa to every table that was seated after us BEFORE getting their entrees; they never brought us any salsa at any point.

I tried to ask for the salsa. I literally yelled for one of the waitresses as she was walking away from the table next to us, and she somehow didn't hear me. Yet, other customers heard me as they turned their heads.

When they brought our food, they told us they were out of rice - they brought us beans only. Why wouldn't they tell us that when we ordered? They said the same thing when they brought the food to the table next to us (who were seated quite awhile after us), so they clearly knew they were out of rice when people were ordering, and just choosing to wait and tell people when the food came out.

We ordered ceviche that they never brought. We were done with our meal by time we got a server's attention again so we told her to forget about it and bring our bill.

The margarita and tacos didn't come with any limes. I have never been to a Mexican restaurant that didn't serve limes with street tacos. Judging by the service tonight, maybe it's just another thing they forgot.

It was just a really bizarre experience overall. We watched others get decent service, while we were treated like we didn't exist. The food was pretty good, but definitely not in the league of Detroit's best. My husband couldn't finish his tacos because he really wanted salsa that was never delivered - who wants asphalt-dry tacos with no limes or salsa? At no point did they try to make things better or offer any compensation, just a lot of apologies the few times they came to our table. If you're looking for the best authentic food and service in Mexicantown, I recommend you...

I have been waiting so long for this place to finally open back up only to go and I was very disappointed. The quality of the food has definitely went down compared to the last time that I had it. I was ranting and raving about this place opening back up to everyone that I know only to go myself and get some of the worst food that I ever had. The chicken was dry as a dead person's scalp and it did not have any Barbecue sauce on it whatsoever and the shrimp tacos had no taste to them.

I took my wife earlier and I was embarrassed and ashamed that I recommended this place for us to go eat at because everything was terrible. We ordered two Long Islands and I don't know what was wrong with them but they tasted like some sort of chemical instead of liquor. I got the waiter to let her know that something was wrong with the drinks and suggested that she taste it and what she did and she said something was definitely wrong with it. She said that she would make her drinks from scratch and brought two more to the table that were better than the first one but they were still funny tasting. I asked for a Sprite and got Sierra Mist and my wife ordered steak tacos with extra cheese and when they came the cheese was not melted and the tacos were not hot at all.

I have never went out to eat at one restaurant and was so disgusted that I had to go somewhere else to get full but today was the first time that happened to me. I am not so sure what changed but I promise it was so different from what I remember when they were closer to West Grand Blvd.

I had so much expectation for this restaurant and they simply did not deliver I am sorry I had to post this because that was not very good service and I cannot believe that they would do me or anyone else like that. Funny thing is I just left from a cruise in Mexico and some of the best food ever but this was a complete insult to be called Mexican cuisine !!! Sad to say I will not be going back to gamble with my money I guess I'll just go to the Casino and do...

You've been on my radar for some time now. Tonight, I grabbed Hubs and we made the trek. Honestly, I hesitate to write this review, as you are such a tiny place, and you already pack the house. But you are so darn special ... such a rare delicacy, that to not share you is just too selfish. Your salsa is homemade and full of fresh cilantro, and I thank you for that. And your chicken is famously touted, and yes, we really enjoyed it. But your dry ribs (well, sort of dry with Adobo), they are bar none the very best ribs we've EVER had. I'm not a bone girl, and I'll tell you what ... I cleaned the bones. ALL meat, All tender, All of what we will forever CRAVE. Rock on, you special little place. We will be back. Often.

Dropped in again during COVID for carryout Jan 2021. STILL food we crave. Hubs went for the famous chicken again (I don't blame him, and I did steal some bites - shh!), and I ordered the California burrito. I really enjoyed the overly stuffed burrito, and got two meals out of it. I mean it was really REALLY great. We also enjoyed a couple of delicious Marg''s to go. Their chips are home made and absolutely awesome. Their staff is just wonderful and friendly and everything nice. But please tell me, what in the world is in that creamy green sauce??? Please bottle it and sell it, because I literally cannot live without it. You. Just. Do....