What's the vibe?
See all 32
Inside
32 photos
See all 32
Outside
32 photos
See all 188
All photos
188 photos
Location & Hours
Pauma Valley, CA 92061
Mon |
| |
|---|---|---|
Tue |
| Closed now |
Wed |
| |
Thu |
| |
Fri |
| |
Sat |
| |
Sun |
|
You Might Also Consider
in Fast Food, Asian Fusion
in Italian, Venues & Event Spaces, Pizza
Amenities and More
Ask the Community
Yelp users haven’t asked any questions yet about El Rey Restaurant.
Recommended Reviews
Overall rating
163 reviews
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
- Mar 18, 2023
This nice little Resturants is on hwy 76 in bettwen pala and Ricon and valley Center California.
.when you wlak in your greated and your Catered to. Make you feel welcome. You get chips and salsa
Had the Carne Asada burrito came with rice and beans 15.50 and Dr pepper 3.00
It's was mouth watering. Delicious. One of the best meals I had.
Yes I would Recommend and I will be back.
If your ever in the area stop in and try them.
Helpful 9
Thanks 0
Love this 10
Oh no 0 
Paul S.Maricopa, AZ2239158510939Mar 10, 2023El Rey Restaurant
16220 Hwy 76 Pauma Valley, CA 92061
March 9, 2023 Thursday - 5:45 PM for dinner
3 Adult
Atmosphere - 4 stars
Food - 4 stars
Service - 4 stars
Background - Group dinner with the vendors on my project, really good guys.
Atmosphere - Another throwback restaurant tonight. Old school Mexican restaurant vibe going on. The space is a laid out a little strange as it had a different purpose before it was a restaurant. We had a table in the corner so you could see all of the main dining area. By 6 PM the place was packed on a Thursday night.
Food
Appetizer - Of course the free chips and salsa. The chips were thicker, than standard chips which I liked. The salsa was bland.
Dinner - I do love a good burrito and they had a good selection of them on the menu. I had the chile verde burrito. The burrito was smothered which the menu does not state, bonus!! The pork was large cubes and tender. Shredded with ease of a little pressure from the fork. The verde salsa on the burrito had a little zing to it, not heat. I could not put my finger on it.
Service - Created at the hostess/cashier station. We were given two option of tables which was nice. The one option had to be clean still so we had a little wait which was fine. Out waitress was fine, I think she was overwhelmed with the volume of customers tonight.
Future - I would like to but not on this work.Helpful 139Thanks 12Love this 121Oh no 1- Oct 23, 2022
ok kk let me share my experience here! We were looking for the closest breakfast place and shala! Yelp helped again that's why we found this! Very mexican vibe.. people are nice, food are great, not too pricey and parking everywhere! sO we ordered, 2 omelettes- egg and bacon & California Omelette- now, this cali ome is not in their menu but we were just given a recommendation because we asked- so yeah, must try! avocados here are deliciouuus!! It's so tasty for some reason (whatever) it's part of that omelette, ordered unli coffee and free chips. Also full stock pancakes (3 pancakes) - we should've ordered the short one 'cause they're biiig!! oh well, yah, that's it! they have indoor and outdoor seating. It was cold so we decided inside table and still awesome. That's all enjoy my pics!!!
Helpful 4Thanks 0Love this 3Oh no 0 
Mike R.Valley Center, CA42032Oct 31, 2023Restaurant closed due to fire. Possible reopening in 18 months. A sad day for all the people who have enjoyed this place for many years.
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0
Jesse P.Brea, CA25813Sep 8, 2023Fast friendly and fresh . Best cadillac margarita in town . We went to lunch twice in two days . Imean you can't go wrong . Great albóndigas.
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0- Ali S.Trabuco Canyon, CA05Aug 26, 2023
Great spot for Mexican food!
Great location, good food and great service!!! Definitely will be coming back! Staff was super friendly!
As soon as you walk in you feel welcome!Helpful 1Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 
Tim L.Newport Beach, CA0364Sep 25, 2023So sad to see it go. This was a staple in the area! The food is great and I hope they rebuild!
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0
Cassandra S.Valley Center, CA81139320Dec 2, 2022Updated reviewWe waited 45 minutes after ordering for the food to be brought. When we mentioned it to the manager/waitress she schooled us on how we need to just relax and enjoy. We never saw her again after that, and another waitress finished taking our plates and apologized. Regarding the food served, the chicken taco was teeny and had little meat. See the photo. I'll take the chicken taco from Cocina Del Charro, larger and full of meat for the same price, everyday compared to this taco. The tamale was good however with a nice bath of sauce and a decent amount of meat. It calmed our crankiness over waiting so long to be served.
Helpful 1Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0Oct 28, 2022Previous reviewExcellent service to begin with from the hostess to the waiter and waitress and busboys. We literally had five people caring for us and all with a smile. The interior is authentic and cozy with instrumental Hispanic music playing. I almost felt like I was in an old Mexican home. The garden is inviting with a water fountain, but brisk the evening we visited. My husband enjoyed a beef taco and enchilada with rice and beans. All were very good, while being very "normal". Nothing to spicy. Very basic. I ordered a beef tamale that was sooooo goood! The sauce was very tasty and the whole tamale tasted like "home". We will definitely be ordering that again, and we gobbled it up. My "top shelf" jalapeño margarita with tahin rim and chopped jalapeños was good. I've definitely had way better for the same price. All in all, we will be back. It was nice being off the beaten path out on the reservation. Quiet, dark, and it felt like we were in a part of the Old West.
You Might Also Consider
in Caterers, Tacos, Food Trucks
