El Rey U Street — Restaurant in Washington

I love this little strip of U Street. While the rest hums along with fancy condos, with-it bars and long time DC restaurants staking outposts, this seems determined to have not let change remake its soul.

So El Rey seems a bit out of place, with its brightly painted cargo container structure next to the well worn and time loved storefronts of Velvet Lounge and Dodge City. Inside though it feels like the others, with lots of exposed concrete walls and rusty fountains on the outdoor patio.

The music playing is nice, which is good because we can't seem to figure out if there's table service or not (the bartender says there is but he's happy to take our order, and soon after a serve appears). The menu of tacos is straightforward, the margaritas and chips come quick, but that's where it all sort becomes blah.

The tacos, a nice simple selection of chicken, pork, beef and a special, aren't bad. They're just not extraordinary. And with Taqueria Nacional around the corner with AMAZING (and cheaper) tacos there is no room for slouching. The chips were fine at turns, salty and crunchy, but mixed in were equal parts stale and wan. The guac was tasty, but not $6 tasty for a tiny portion.

Also the margaritas were off. Something about the mix wasn't right, enough that I'm sure I'd go for a canned beer next time.

If you're looking for a quick bite before a show at 9:30, this place could be great. But there are much better options if you venture a...

Unfortunately my first time here, was my last time here. They have a security guard here that is clearly mentally unwell. I asked the bartender for a plastic cup thats bigger than the paper cup one for my friend who needed water. I was standing in the walkway by the bar talking to the guy so he can hear. By the way the speaker was right there for reference. Right when the guy and I finish talking I was about to move out the way but was met with security jumping in my face telling me to not block it. Keep in mind the man literally watched me and the bartender have a conversation. I was in shock and I told him to relax I literally was backing up if he gave me a chance. He then start yelling at me and moving his hands in my face . The bartender brings me back cup and tells me ignore him. Two men ( employees) watched another man (employee) verbally abuse me and invade my space and looked at me to be the calm one and not react. This experience was disgusting. Policy’s are in place to keep order but that doesn’t mean in force them in a dehumanizing way. I spoke to the manager and she told me she will talk to him and offered me free drinks / food. My nerves were so bad I couldn’t even eat. Shout out to my friends who empowered me and told me, its hard to do the right thing. This night showed me how unprotected...

This place is very popular. I can see why. It is a fun atmosphere and the prices are very reasonable, especially for DC. A couple things really sunk this place, though. The service is very...chaotic. I didn't get to eat any of the food due to my tomato allergy, but my friends ordered a couple items. The items showed up very randomly including servers walking up food that was destined for other tables. Our bill was correct, but we ended up with a random taco that no one had ordered. The biggest problem thought is the employees smoking in the back area. The large back patio is this partial outside space and there is a nook just past the bar marked "employees only." It seems to be the place employees can go smoke because several servers went over there for a cigarette. There no wall or anything so it was like someone was smoking the next table over.

In all, if you want some Margaritas and a cerveza this place will take care of things. I won't...