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    Birria El Rey

    4.6 (330 reviews)
    ModerateMexican
    Open 8:00 am - 11:00 pm

    Order Birria El Rey Takeout or Delivery

    Birria El Rey Photos

    Business Info

    BIRRIA EL REY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Divey
    Casual
    Trendy
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Birria El Rey

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    Birria chilaquiles
    Michelle F.

    Love Birria El Rey! Things are different now that they have an actual restaurant; with tables, a hostess, servers etc. The food quality and taste remains the same. Better actually since now they offer various creative breakfast items. A couple negative comments or constructive feedback: What's lacking now is their seating/hostess system. Unfortunately they only have four tables for four , the rest are tables for 2 (about 6-8 tables) and bar seating. They have a few tables inside, but it's pretty loud so you're better off seating outside. Unfortunately when dining here you order at least two entrees, drinks, they bring salsas, and pickled onions/limes, etc... so seating in a table for two gets crowded pretty quickly. They do need to figure something out as most people prefer to sit on the larger tables. Another negative note. Our food took FOREVER to come out (about 30-40 mins) there were only two parties ahead of us. And, it seemed they had waited a while for their food too. The food is delicious but it almost seems they had more hustle when they had the small window/food cart. I hope they can figure out their kinks sooner then later.

    This place has great birria but the flies suck
    Joan S.

    Love this place and the new location is perfect!!!! Much better for the best birria in SD imy opinion!! I always get the full order because it comes with a big bowl of birria, a side of tortillas & salsas. Reina usually serves us and is always very sweet!! My family and I will continue to come here.

    Adriana T.

    Birria El Rey is simply gorgeous. The space isn't overrun with Spanish décor, but the influence is there in the best way, subtle, thoughtful, and warm. I especially loved the framed pieces around the restaurant. It feels comfortable and welcoming, both inside and out. The menu makes one thing very clear: their specialty is BIRRIA, just in case it was not obvious. You'll find it done every way you could want, and a few you didn't even expect: *Birria tacos *Rich, flavorful consomé *A full birria plate *Burritos *Queso birria tacos *Birria Fries *And to my surprise, a BIRRIA GRILLED CHEESE (yes, and YES ) *Menudo *DESSERTS: choco flan, churros, and cinnamon buns. We ordered all of the above and were not disappointed. The food tasted authentic, cooked to perfection, and the portions were perfect. We left full and happy. The consomé was deep, rich, and not overly greasy, making it perfect for dipping every bite. Nothing was overwhelmingly spicy, which made it great for kids while still being packed with flavor for adults. Must-order: the queso birria tacos with consomé--non-negotiable. Highlights: *Parking in the back *Plenty of space for kids to move around *Family-owned, and it truly shows *Just steps from Golden Hill Park, making it a perfect spot to take a walk after your meal Every employee was upbeat and friendly, and we were even helped by the owner, who made sure everything came out perfectly. That level of care really stands out. This is the kind of place you bring visiting family to when you want to show off real San Diego Mexican food, perfect for a casual family meal, a weekend lunch, or a serious birria craving.

    Seating
    Caitlin D.

    You wait to be seated and inform the hostess how many people are in your party. The seating area is very clean and spacious. I love the incorporation of the bright yellow seating and wood features. The greenery on the other side of the structure adds a brightness to the space. I love when the sun was shining through the area, it was beautiful. The worker that helped seated us and took our order was very kind. She did try to upsell us with chips and salsa, churros at the end, but in a kind way. She felt very friendly and not pushy at all. She was very prompt with service as well-- bringing the food and drinks out. As well as bringing the condiments and silverware. And removing the dishes when we finished. I ordered a horchata & a taco. The taco was their birria taco, nothing too complex. The name of it was very simple so she was confused at first as to what I was ordering, haha. I chose this one because there was no cheese! She did offer the consume as well, but I just had the taco alone. This was also my first time having birria so I'm not exactly sure what to expect from it. My initial thoughts: it's quite oily, but the meat fell apart nicely and had great flavor. I had it with their green salsa and it wasn't too heated, but it was a nice consistency. The horchata had condensed milk on the side and some desiccated coconut. It was different, refreshing, and cold. Overall, it was okay! My friends had their specialty fries, burritos, rolled tacos, combo plates...which looked even better. They polished off those dishes well, so I would say it was a hit! They have a considerable number of items on the menu so something for everyone to try. Would recommend stopping by!

    Food truck in parking lot behind 25th st building next to turf supper club
    Darlene N.

    El Rey Birria has been living rent-free in my mind for over a year. I finally made it back and I can confirm their birria is still completely unmatched. Their menu is one of the most creative I've seen, using birria in every way you could possibly imagine. You truly can't go wrong with the classic birria tacos -- juicy, flavorful, and everything you want in a bite. If you're in the mood for a hearty meal that'll also hold up as leftovers, the quesabirria is the move. It's rich, cheesy, packed with meat, and still tastes incredible the next day. They're currently tucked away behind a building in Golden Hill, a little hidden if you don't know what you're looking for, but they're about to move into the main building with a proper street-front entrance. Easy fix either way: just plug it into your GPS and don't miss out. If you love birria or just good food in general, El Rey Birria deserves a spot on your list.

    Quesabirria, Consome
    Brianna R.

    I was visiting SD for the third time and desperately tried to hunt down the incredible quesabirria I had on my last visit. Unfortunately I couldn't find it (the spot may have closed) so I searched for a promising alternative to satisfy my birria cravings. This place was okay. I ordered the quesabirria with a side of consomé (I wasn't thrilled that it was an add on and not included). It was solid but not super memorable. I will say that the birria felt less heavy/greasy than others I've had which was a huge plus. The consomé was delightfully flavorful but a little too salty for me. Overall, decent service, cute decor, and okay food - but I probably won't be back with so many other birria options around SD.

    Outside
    Tim B.

    Came here on a recommendation from a friend and it didn't disappoint! We opted for the El Rey plate which was a huge portion of birria with beans, rice, and tortillas. So good! Only bummer is they sell the consume on the side, but let me tell you it's worth it! I made little tacos out of the birria and added salsa and red onions that came on the side and it was EPIC. Everything had amazing flavor here and I will be back!

    Menu
    Ryan B.

    Everything was delicious! I was starving so I ordered everything and was not disappointed with anything. The mulita was unreal and the consumé was perfect for everything. Staff was nice and helpful especially since we weren't totally sure how many how many would be in our party. Definitely grab a mulita or a quesadilla sometime!

    Michelada
    Marisol B.

    The birria is delicious but I stayed for the michelada. Everyone is kind and welcoming. The location is in the charming neighborhood of Golden Hill. The outdoor patio is inviting. Try the michelada it's the best!

    Kaylynn Y.

    You want legit/authentic Birria? Say no more. Birria el Rey was a little drive out of our way, but it was WELL WORTH IT. I'm normally not a rice/beans girl - but even that was legit and delish!! The service was fast, the food was unreal, and the weather outside was perfect. It's always good day to get fresh Birria!!!

    Steve T.

    Outstanding. Simple and easy and clean an delicious. My friend Yvonne was here YESTERDAY and loved the Taco Chicharón so much, she brought us all back here today!

    Mulita Birria (middle) Grilled Cheese Birria (bottom). Quesabirria was ordered too but didn't have enough time to take a picture.
    Berenice A.

    Food was amazing! Birria is nice tender melts in your mouth. Really recommend. Service is great ensuring we had everything we needed and that our food was up to what we hoped for. Ambiance is nice mellow outdoor seating. Really enjoyed it. We will be back. We had the quesabirria, mulita birria, and grilled cheese birria.

    Quesabirria and grilled cactus

    Great service. Average prices, but very much worth it. Birria was incredible along with the grilled cactus I forgot the name of.

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    30 days ago

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    1 month ago

    Pretty damn good quesataco highly recommended if you don't want to head down south. The aguas estás muy bien también

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    28 days ago

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    12 days ago

    Awesome service and very fast mobile repair! They saved my phone. Thank you so much today!!

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    4 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    7 months ago

    We had to birria combo and the birria quesadilla and they were delicious. We cannot wait to go back.

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    Page 1 of 9

    Birria El Rey Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Birria El Rey

    Do they serve anything else besides beef?

    I mean, you might be able to ask them for a plain quesadilla or just plain tortillas, but everything on their menu has birria (and therefore beef). If you're avoiding beef, I wouldn't come here.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Quixote

    4.0
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    Loved it here. Things to note 1. Parking is bad so plan…read moreaccordingly and be prepared to walk a block or 2 to get to the restaurant 2. It is very dark in here. I had to take photos in night mode so it looks a lot brighter than it actually is. If you are going with someone older or who has trouble seeing in the dark, they are not gonna see anything lol 3. I heard reservations were required months out but i went in the same day. It was the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend around lunch time but they took walk ins left and right so maybe just dinner is what needs to be booked in advance? The decor was immaculate and everything that came out was delicious and it came out very fast. It is connected to the Lafayette hotel which has the jungle room, bowling alley, pool and multiple bars. You can easily spend the day here. Mmmm not if you have kids though. 10/10 recommend

    Very trendy, friendly, evocative dining experience! It's located inside the Lafayette Hotel, but…read morethere's also an outside entrance to the restaurant. Beware there's only street parking, no valet service (unless you're a hotel guest), so that can present a challenge. Reservations a MUST on weekends, especially with a group. Now for the food reviews. Everything we ordered was delicious from the squash blossom and smashed tuna tartare appetizers to the El Festin platter (made for groups) . Since the main dining area is kept dark for the dramatic gothic effect, it's tricky to rely on your sense of sight for the presentation of each of the dish. The highlight for me was the chili garlic shrimp tacos. So full of flavor! The only drawback is that many of their dishes are made with nuts. So if you have a nut allergy, which one of us in our group did, the menu was limiting. Overall, it's an incredible place for first timers and out-of- towners. I might return for a special celebration, but not repeatedly. Once is good enough experience, especially with so many other special dining options in our fine city.

    Photos
    Dramatic dining space!
    Dramatic dining space!
    Chamoyada dessert, the mango sorbet was the highlight!
    Chamoyada dessert, the mango sorbet was the highlight!
    Cool and dramatic setting!

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    Cool and dramatic setting!
    Coasterra

    Coasterra

    4.0
    (4k reviews)
    2.8 mi
    $$$

    Delicious food, great view, and wonderful hospitality!…read more On our last evening in San Diego, we went to Coasterra to wrap up our vacation there. This restaurant came highly recommended by major Visit San Diego websites, and we felt we should give it a try. Located right next to the water, the restaurant offers expansive view of the harbor and the San Diego skyline. Sitting is about 50/50 indoor vs. outdoor, and we chose the indoor sitting as it tended to get colder in the evening. Parking is available out front, but we took Lyft there. We came in around Happy Hour, and we were able to score two appetizers for $11 each. We got fried calamari and fish cervice as appetizers. For entree, we had the fish tacos and scallops. Both of the appetizers were excellent, and the cervice was so light and flavorful. My husband loved his scallop entree, and the taste and presentation were original and outstanding. My fish taco was enjoyable as well. For dessert, we had fresh churro that was paired with ice cream, which was excellent as well. Our meal came to $143 with taxes, which was a very good value with the quality and services offered. Our waiter was attentive and friendly, which made us felt right at home. As for the ambiance, it felt modern and relaxed. There were diverse customers from locals, tourists, and business people. Overall, it was a wonderful dining experience and we will return.

    We discover a gem. Our server Case is a 10 star server in a 5 star rating system. The atmosphere…read morewas all of the 5 stars. The table side guacamole was all five stars. The main courses we ordered we not what our taste buds were looking for. The flan ( Yes, the flan ) was the best flan I have ever consumed. As dense as a cheese cake and coconut flavors of the islands. We lookd forward to giving the place another go because of the Service, the Atmosphere, and the guacamole. We hear happy hour on a week day is the best time to indulge.

    Photos
    Skyline & bay views
    Skyline & bay views
    View from patio
    View from patio
    Main dining room

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    Main dining room
    California Burritos

    California Burritos

    4.3
    (1.4k reviews)
    5.3 mi
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    I ordered the shrimp burrito with black beans & avocado added. It was such a delicious burrito with…read morea massive size. I did really enjoy the additions I made which made it more filling. Great flavor and good prices! I would be back to try more menu items. They have a good selection of items for the menu! I ordered a raspberry tea and unfortunately they gave me a root beer instead. Oh well. My partner really liked the beef taco and CA burrito.

    They do things a little different at this place. The California had guacamole and sour cream. Makes…read moreit more like a carne asada burrito adding fries. That said, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked this burrito. It's large, filling, but their sauce had an almost artificial red color to it. Despite the weird look of the sauce, it had decent spice, wasn't overwhelming but wasn't weak either. Parking is very difficult here, and seating is limited. It's a small tack shop style place, made more for to-go orders. Service was fast and friendly. Their horchata is where they really lose a star, it's from a fountain and tastes like it, watered down artificial flavor. However you don't come here for the drinks, you come here for the large tasty California Burritos, hence the name. They've definitely won me over and I'll be back when in the area. That's this critic's review, until next time, I'll be eating.

    Photos
    California Burritos
    Sausage, Eggs, Cheese, and Potatoes Burrito
    Sausage, Eggs, Cheese, and Potatoes Burrito
    California Burritos

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    Puesto at the Headquarters

    Puesto at the Headquarters

    4.1
    (5.7k reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Private events

    The name might be Puesto but the food was PRESTO!!…read more Never been here before but I will ABSOLUTELY return in the future. From start to finish, everything was wonderful and I will NEVER forget my experience. We were met immediately with great service as well as continuing to receive it from every member of staff including our lovely server. Every other member that brought out our food & drinks was just as delightful. The weather was perfect to be seated outdoors in their patio, it matched the relaxing and enjoyable vibe we had. The food, I mean, the FOOD was undeniably delicious and full of flavor. I've literally never had a better taco anywhere else. The Al pastor was exceptionally juicy and tasteful and I'm so glad I went with my go to because it's a meal I'll never forget. The Agua Fresca were so refreshing too, sweet but not overly sweet, just the right balance. Overall, I have another new favorite when I come back out again.

    * catching up on old backlogged drafts so this review may be a bit out of date…read more Booked a big group dinner here as they had lots of spacious seating. We were split into two tables outside. Overall the experience was pretty underwhelming. The food was not very flavorful - it wasn't authentic Mexican food or even good California fusion Mexican food. There are so many better Mexican restaurants in San Diego, it was disappointing to have wasted a meal here. I believe it's a chain so not sure if the other locations are better as I've only tried this one.

    Photos
    Ribeye Taco
    Ribeye Taco
    Puesto at the Headquarters
    Puesto at the Headquarters

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    Birria El Rey - mexican - Updated June 2026

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