El Rey Burro — Restaurant in Yelm

First time eating here today. Growing up in California, Arizona, and New Mexico exposed me to a lot of Mexican eateries. The asada burrito, taco along with the rice and refries are the best I’ve eaten in Washington. Friendly folks at the eatery counter as well as the fellow running the convenience and gas station. The burrito was flavorful with the minced onions, celentro, along with the salsa. I was offered hot and mild which I chose hot. After eating about a quarter of my burrito my eyes were watering and my nose was running (sorry for the image). I mention it so you’ll know that it had BOTH flavor and heat. I’ve eaten a lot of burritos that had one or the other but very few had both. Also the rice was cooked in our humble opinion. It wasn’t undercooked where it’s kind of crunchy or over cooked where’s its mushy. This rice was kind of fluffy for a lack of better terms. The refries were really tasty due I assume to what kind of lard was used to cook the beans and what kind of spices may have been used. It was also cooked just the way we like in that it wasn’t too watery or too dry and clumpy. There was a little bit of cheese sprinkled on top which added to the flavor but didn’t make it a greasy mess. Unlike some places I’ve eaten at I didn’t expect this meal to mess with my digestive system and I’m happy to report hours later that everything is great if you know what I mean. Finally there are three sauces offered at the counter which are mild, medium, and hot. Don’t be like me and forget which is which. The red one is the hot one. Duh. I sabotaged my wife’s taco but she forgave me and got a soda to put out the fire. The mild sauce is really tasty with celentro and mayb cucumber but I’m not since my tongue was on fire, my eyes watering, and my nose running. If I was to give these four items a letter grade each would get an A. It was worth the thirty minute drive in the rain and we will be back for ,ore. Maybe mild next time but we...

El Rey Burro is the kind of place that doesn’t need to show off—it just lets the food do the talking. Tucked inside a gas station, this little spot serves up some of the best Mexican food in Yelm, no contest.

🌮 The 3 Taco Plate – Star of the Show

The 3 taco plate is where it’s at. Perfectly seasoned meat (carne asada, adobada, carnitas—whatever your go-to is), fresh tortillas, onions, cilantro, and just enough grease to let you know it's legit. You get rice and beans on the side that actually taste like someone cared. Nothing frozen, nothing bland—just real food done right.

What Else Works

Fresh, Fast, and Friendly – Everything’s made to order, but the crew moves quick. The drive-thru is smooth, and the service is always solid.

Portions Are No Joke – You won’t leave hungry. Whether it’s tacos, burritos, or a chimichanga, they pack it full.

Affordable Prices – For the quality and amount of food you get, the prices are more than fair. You feel like you’re getting away with something.

Heads Up

Seating is Limited – It’s more of a grab-and-go or eat-in-your-car spot. There are a couple booths if you’re lucky, but it’s not a dine-in restaurant vibe.

It’s Easy to Miss – It’s inside a gas station, so if you’ve never been, you might drive right past it. But once you know… you know.

Final Word: El Rey Burro is a local classic. Simple, packed with flavor, and no fluff. That 3 taco plate alone is worth the trip. If you're hungry and anywhere near Yelm, this...

Called in a to-go order this evening and the gentleman I spoke with was very friendly and hospitable. Told me it would be ready in 10 minutes, so I showed up 10 minutes later and sure enough it was ready to go. The woman who rang me up was also very friendly and hospitable, and the food was so dang good. I ordered a 5 taco platter, lengua, and it was the first time I’ve had lengua in WA state that I’ve enjoyed. Tender, cooked perfectly, amazing flavor. My wife ordered the green enchilada burrito and I accidentally spilled some of the delicious sauce they pour over it so I was able to taste that, too, and that was delicious as well. The rice and beans were much better than what you’ll get at an average Mexican spot around here. The pork tamales were flavorful and just a tad dry, which wasn’t a problem when eating them with the delicious salsas they provide upon request. Their lemonade was good, horchata was really good.

All in all I spent ~$56 with tip, which seems pretty standard nowadays. Long gone are the prices I’m used to for taquerias in Houston, Texas, but I’m stoked to know that we have someplace local to go for the flavor and hospitality that I grew accustomed to in the south....