Everything was fine, the food was good flavour, the only thing I don't think is that I went with my cousin, we were 4 adults and two girls, separate accounts and even so they tell me that I have to leave a tip, I didn't understand ‍ if we were a separated family, only together, but not revolts, my cousin were 4 and I was only two, and I'm clear that the tip is always a decision of one, not theirs, so that they grab it automatically read more

"We now have fish tacos!" WHAAAAAAAAT? I've been eating my way through the menu of places I've gone back to. I love their birria but the fried fish tacos were delicious! Nice large crunchy fish pieces. I also ordered birra fries which were really good as well! Luckily, Daveed had birria tacos so I was able to dunk my fries into the consomme! Soooooooo good! Next time I think I'll try the grilled fish tacos or maybe the shrimp.... :) As always, they remember Cako and are always nice to her! Cako Approves! read more

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They have a small parking lot in the back for customers. Service and food are good. Tried nerve taco, birria taco, chicharron taco, birria ramen, etc. I like their complementary pickled onions & habanero and radishes. However, chips & salsa are not complimentary, it's $4 an order, but they can refill your chips until you finish your salsa. Consome is not complimentary for birria tacos, it's $3.5 extra. Added Chiles Toreados for $4 but they were not good. Tried their new Tamarindo Margarita with chamoy rim dip but didn't taste any tequila in it, had two glasses and didn't feel anything - just a sweet drink. Churros are good but it's $8 per order. Overall spent $170+ for 4 people. read more

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Taco Birria combo with consommé! Was really good! Seating is good, service is ok not bad. Only down side was the Birria in the birria burrito was a bit dry and they cut the burrito in half with the foil put on so little peace's of the foil get in the burrito. Would come back. read more

Birria El Rey - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

Was able to visit their newer location since they moved out of the food truck. The food has remained delicious and the dining space is so nice and inviting! We sat outside on their covered deck, but there is the option to sit inside as well. Our waitress was very friendly and we had some side chatter which was great. We decided on the full order of birria which came with 6 tortillas. We ordered an additional side of beans and just assembled our own tacos. We ended up ordering an additional half because everything was so flavorful!! read more

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Omg this place is bomb! I had a horchata and it came with coconut on the rim, yummm! The server was attentive and accommodating. Great service and the atmosphere was great. It was a cool evening on the deck. read more

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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. read more

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One of the better birria spots in my opinion. Yes, typical vast menu of birria related items and experimentations, but the birria was consistent had a good, distinct flavor across several dishes. A hard decision for a first visit but the easiest solution is to revisit and try more, which I plan to. Marco and the rest of the staff were kind and worked to get a table of preference, and check in frequently. My menu questions were easily answered and the quesabirria was exactly what I was expecting. The taco de asada was above average as well. Radish, onions, and other additions were brought to the table. TVs on the patio area with a small breeze made it enjoyable. Grateful for the parking in the back. Visited on 7/21/2026. read more

Birria El Rey - Quesabirria, Taco de Asada - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

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. read more

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Visited here after taking a trip to the zoo and it was solid. Every item me and group tried tasted good from the chilaquiles all the way to the birria ramen. The birria was salted properly and was not overly greasy. Food came out quickly as well and service was very pleasant. Only thing I would state is that for a Mexican spot that the price is quite high compared to other Mexican restaurants in the immediate area but I think it would be comparable to other birria places. It's also not my number one favorite birria place in SD but I would still say this is a quality restaurant that deserves a visit. read more

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. read more

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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! read more

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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. read more

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Delicious and great value! Taco Tuesday and even better drinks. Fast and friendly service. We will definitely be back. Happy hour Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday! See you soon! read more

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. read more

Birria El Rey - Quesabirria, Consome - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

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! read more

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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! read more

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Our server Mia was the best! Our first time in town and she was very welcoming and helped us wuicjlywith a smile. The food was great and we are looking forward to coming back again. read more

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!!! read more

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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. read more

Birria El Rey - Mulita Birria (middle) Grilled Cheese Birria (bottom). Quesabirria was ordered too but didn't have enough time to take a picture. - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

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! read more

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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! read more

Birria El Rey - Michelada - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

The food was mostly good, though the chilaquiles could have used a bit more flavor. The ambiance and service, on the other hand, were both excellent. Overall, it was a pleasant experience. read more

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

When I came in I was seated quickly the service was so amazing and welcoming thank you to the waiter that sat me. The food came out quickly and was fresh and hot definitely enjoyed it! The ambiance was super nice and clean definitely recommend going you won't be disappointed good food,drinks and service. read more

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

Birria El Rey - Quesabirria and grilled cactus - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

Everything I get here is always so good Highly recommend the birria chilaquiles and quesatacos. I love the tamarind margarita and Jamaica they freshly brew it there! Zayra gave us good attentive service with a great personality. Will definitely be back! read more

I came to San Diego on a mission to eat authentic birria! This is not an easy find in my hometown, so I couldn't wait to try it in Southern California. Their storefront is a walk-up window that shares a parking lot with a small strip mall. While there is no space for indoor seating, there are a few tables on the sidewalk along the street. As you can imagine, the menu features birria in all forms... tacos, burritos, nachos, ramen and more! All the items include limes, radishes, salsa and pickled red onion with habanero. Shortly after we ordered, one of the employees brought our food to our table and it was served piping hot! I had to wait a few minutes before I could even take a bite. The QUESABIRRIA ($12) was ginormous! A whole flour tortilla was stuffed with cheese, shredded beef birria, white onion and cilantro. The meat was super tender and succulent, although it wasn't as bold in flavor as I expected. However, I enjoyed how it wasn't too salty and the seasonings didn't overpower the natural flavor of the beef. The melted cheese was so gooey and the crisp tortilla held everything together. The only thing was that the juices from the beef pooled at the bottom of my plate, so the underside of the tortilla became soggy after some time. I ordered a cup of their consommé ($2.50) for dipping since this is a core component of any quesabirria in my opinion (and I was somewhat surprised that it didn't come included with the order). This beef broth had a very deep flavor, and was both savory and salty. For me, an ideal bite was the quesabirria dipped in the consommé and topped with a piece of the pickled onion. For those seeking a lighter option, consider the TACOS ($4.25 each) in which the shredded beef birria is wrapped in corn tortillas with onion and cilantro. Two people in my group were happy with this order and I recommend getting a cup of the consommé with these as well. If you're looking for solid birria, this is the place! 4.25 stars. read more

Birria El Rey - Quesabirria ($12) - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

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

They just opened the new restaurant space and it took an already incredible birria spot to a whole new level. My girlfriend and I both had the birria chilaquiles and cafe de olla and they were delicious. They're still getting everything dialed in but as always the service is kind and it feels like you're at home. 6/5 stars read more

Birria El Rey - Café de Olla - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

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OMG - the food was unbelievable. We wish we could eat more because everything looked sooo good. We had the quesataco and the quesabirria. So, so good!! The service was impeccable- very attentive. And we sat outside which was a perfect SoCal experience. Go here!!!!! read more

I unfortunately was disappointed with the food at their new location. I had been to the small stand they had on the corner of Broadway & 25th and it was AMAZING. The new location is nice but did not live up to my past experience (food wise).I ordered their birria tacos and consome that came also with rice and beans. The consome was extremely salty, to the point it was not edible. I offered it to 3 other family members and they agreed it was way too salty. We unfortunately had to throw it away. The rice was dry and with no flavor. The beans tasted like they were from a can. The birria was good but my tortillas were hard and dry from the edges. The burrito was the only thing that was good. I'm hoping the cook had an off day, so willing to give it another chance in the future. read more

Excellent service. And the food was amazing! Really nice restaurant too and the ambiance was great! Must visit. read more

Birria El Rey - Half Order Birria - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

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I've been eating at Birria El Rey for over 3 years and they never disappoint, their Birria tacos give me life. I'm so happy they finally opened their restaurant, it's beautiful! Their new breakfast menu is great, especially as someone who likes a more hearty/savory breakfast. My breakfast was incredible. My husband got the chorizo burrito and coffee and said both were very good, he said the coffee transports him back to his grandmas house in Mexico. Always amazing food, nice people, and now a great sitting area. read more

Birria El Rey - Machaca birria and eggs - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

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I don't usually leave reviews but First time here, service was fast! We were in and out. We got quesabirria it was delicious! We sat outdoors it wasn't crowded and they had nice Spanish music playing. Cute spot to come after church or dinner. I definitely plan on coming back! read more

Birria El Rey - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

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Consistently one of my favorite restaurants! My go-to spot when out of town guests are in town and want delicious, authentic Mexican food right when they land. The service is always exceptional, quick, and the staff are kind. The vibe is perfect both inside and outside on their large patio. Highly recommend a classic quesataco with a side of consume or go a little more whimsical with the birria ramen! Birria El Rey is not to miss! read more

Birria El Rey - Quesabirria - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

Over 30mins wait for the food. Wat a disappointment. Looks like take out orders are priority over dine-in.

Just an overall terrible experience! Am visiting from out of town, recommended by a friend, and I feel so bad I have to tell her, I'll never , ever come back! Not only was the food so bland and boring, they have people working there treating customers very poorly. Condescending, not willing to help with online ordering gone wrong. Just rude, super disappointed... Can't wait to find the best birria in town, because this ain't it !!! read more

If you're seeking for a great birria, this is the place to be. They offer an incredible selection of tacos, burritos, and birria fries. The broth they have is incredibly good. They also have fresh agua de Jamaica horchata I recommend to family and friends. This is the best place I've ever been. The service, especially Reyna, was amazing. The food is delicious, and I highly recommend it. read more

Went today for the first time. Had their birria chilaquiles breakfast. Eggs sunny side up and it was a great breakfast. I can't wait to go back and try their other offerings. Staff was very nice. read more