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    El Rey Mexican Restaurant

    4.4 (51 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

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    Leena P.

    Good food, nice vibe! Came here on a Friday ~ 6 for dinner. Made a reservation for two, but definitely didn't need to. The spot is quite spacious and wasn't busy at all when we arrived. I ordered the enchiladas verdes and my friend ordered the taco salad. They were very accommodating, allowing my friend to add carnitas in her taco salad, which she seemed to enjoy! As for the enchiladas, apparently they are all made mild, BUT you can (and should, if you're like me) ask them to kick up the spice. The flavor and spice level was perfect. Only issue I'd say is that the chicken was a bit tough/dry. Definitely overcooked...but the flavor was there! Worth checking out if you're in the area and in the mood for a flavorful meal! If I go again, I'd prob opt for another protein choice, and maybe try out some of their tacos! Note: While they don't have a parking lot, there's tons of street parking and public parking lots around the area!

    Birria Taco
    Janet A.

    Food was very good. More authentic style Mexican food. We had carnitas tacos and birria tacos. They definitely could've used more salt but were tasty nonetheless. The rice and beans were actually the one thing we did not like. They seemed like just canned beans with no flavor whatsoever. How can a Mexican restaurant not make good beans? And they need to put the salt shakers on the table since you'll probably need it. The service was a little slow as there were not many people working. I would go back and I would recommend trying.

    Quinoa Croquettes
    Meatfree F.

    It's a bit pricey, but you get what you pay for. First off, you MUST get the quinoa fritters. They are unique, and exceptional. Also, the mole is the best that I've ever had - and that says a lot, because I'm old.

    Burrito
    Chalita P.

    Stopped by to fulfill a burrito craving and it was tasty. Service was friendly and made suggestions of going with corn tortilla over flour when getting the birria tacos. The establishment was clean and well taken care of. Food wise, it's a solid choice. I wish the birria tacos were more crunchy, but that's probably a different style. These weren't crispy at all. My only suggestion to the staff is to put the cups and napkins not on the edge of the table; I had to be careful I didn't knock things over when entering and exiting.

    Francesca L.

    Two of us had enchiladas - chicken & vegetarian - both were excellent, as was the spicy shrimp. The service on the other hand, not so good.

    Quinoa Croquettes
    Jessica Y.

    First stop and visit to NJ. We found this place because we were looking for fajitas. We were delightfully surprised by the whole experience at El Rey. They have mastered a beautiful way to showcase mexican cuisine. We ended up getting tacos de carne asada and the tequila lime salmon as well as the quinoa croquettes. Everything was absolutely amazing!! I wish I had room for dessert as I am sure they are just as delicious! The ambience and environment was peaceful and quiet for a nice relaxing dinner.

    El Volcan Grilled Spanish Octopus Salad

    This place is AMAZING!!!! I tried the pibil tacos, grilled octopus, el volcán, chips and guacamole, and the churros. They make their tortillas themselves and you can definitely tell because of how fresh everything tasted. The service was also so attentive and generous with their time. I'm not a vegetarian myself, but I saw they have many options for vegetarians. The place has beautiful walls and flowers on each table. The plants are well taken care of and so is this restaurant. Definitely an awesome spot in Maplewood that I will go out of my way to return to. 100000/10!!!

    Chicken Fajitaas del Chingon steak Quesadillas de Bistec   La Vegana
    Anfal M.

    We ordered later on a weeknight and just expected to not starve. We ordered steak quesadilla, chicken fajitas and a vegan quinoa dish. Everything looked appetizing and the good food have good flavor however, the meat was all over cooked and dry. I would definitely try them again but dine in only as the issue could be the time it takes for delivery.

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    6 months ago

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    3 days ago

    I really went to get the Mexican Street Corn. It was wonderful. Enjoyed the food, had flan for dessert, definitely plan on returning.

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    2 months ago

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    2 months ago

    Consistently great food. The carne asada and carnitas are both excellent and keep me coming back

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    1 year ago

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    3 months ago

    Everything is excellent. Great food, great service, very clean -- very good value for the money.

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    2 years ago

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    10 months ago

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    2 months ago

    The food was excellent and very fresh. The service was top notch too. I highly recommend this restaurant.

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Really great food, especially love the mole! Local small business, love supporting them :)

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    1 year ago

    Fresh and delicious food. Amazing tacos and beans. Can't wait to be back when we are in Maplewood.

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    El Rey Mexican Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

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    Lorena's

    Lorena's

    4.2
    (329 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$$$

    Our server, Vera (if I remember correctly) was great. Really took care of our party. One of us had…read morea gluten allergy so she ensured he got the gluten-free pasta he needed. She was friendly and prompt with her service. The food was pretty amazing. We moved to the area about a year ago and Lorena's has been on my must-try list since then and we finally got around to it. Ended up taking my niece and her fiance to celebrate their engagement. I got the shrimp cocktail appetizer (4 large poached shrimp with a bangin' cocktail sauce...horseradish ratio was on-point) and linguini with shrimp and lump crab meat, my GF got the risotto, my niece got the ravioli, and her fiance got the linguini with shrimp and lump crab meat, too, but they replaced the linguini with gluten-free rigatoni. He said it was the best gluten-free pasta he's ever had. All of our meals were excellent. Restaurant was larger than I expected, a little on the warm side but probably because it felt like 15℉ outside, table setting was crisp and clean, and you could hear your table's conversation without straining. 5/5 would definitely come back for seconds, thirds, fourths, etc., etc.

    Stopped by here for work - service was ok, took a while to get bread and drinks settled, then onto…read morethe food! Shared appetizers were good - the oysters came just with vinegar, no cocktail sauce, a little on the smaller side, probably local? The chicken liver pate was rich and excellent, needed more bread - the escargot also great, love the flavor and buttery richness - also get more bread for this. Beef tartare was ok, needed more of the crispy fried wonton-like skin to go with it. My steak was sadly overcooked, though, I had the CAB bone-in Ribeye and it was medium well, not medium rare, making it a lot tougher to eat than expected. Desserts shared - Panna cotta was great again (passion fruit and coconut) and the celebratory engagement at the table was given a coffee version of panna cotta. I was ok with the black forest chocolate cheesecake and the lemon tart, but the table liked them. Overall..had better service before, and also the steak disappointed. Appetizers and dessert was generally good, though. I'll be back to try it again!

    Photos
    Lorena's
    Linguini with shrimp and lump crab meat in marinara, chili, and bread crumbs
    Linguini with shrimp and lump crab meat in marinara, chili, and bread crumbs
    Lorena's

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    Artie's

    Artie's

    4.4
    (976 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    Delicious food, bright and relaxed atmosphere, and great service all around. Artie's is a fantastic…read morefamily-friendly restaurant that not only specializes in wood-fired pizzas but also baked goods like breads and pastries. I always love trying something off their seasonal pizza menu; during my most recent visit, I loved their maple bacon pizza, which had the perfect balance of sweet and savory. They don't accept reservations, so expect it to be pretty busy, especially during the weekends. Note that they also only have a limited cold food menu during the off hour between lunch and dinner.

    Still easily my favorite pizza in NJ, no contest. Since moving to the new location, Artie's is…read morebetter than ever!! The restaurant itself is spacious and has an inviting atmosphere. Love going in the warmer weather when they open up the doors and have the bar serving on the patio. And let's face it, if you know anything about Arite's you know that there will always be a wait on the weekends. Having the bar and the patio makes waiting a breeze! The food is seriously better than ever. I actually think the pizza is even better at this new spot than the previous location. The sleeper favorite for me is the maple bacon pizza. Takes the white pie to another level and has become a go to for me. Always, I repeat always, order the meatballs and save the sauce for your pizza crust. The farmers salad is always a must for me as well. No one does a salad like Artie's. Give this place a shot because trust me, you won't be disappointed.

    Photos
    Almond croissant
    Almond croissant
    Caciocavallo with Jalapeños
    Caciocavallo with Jalapeños
    Manhattan

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    Manhattan
    Willow & Whisk

    Willow & Whisk

    4.3
    (128 reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$

    This lovely establishment is a 5 minute walk from the Paper Mill Playhouse in Milburn, NJ. A…read moreconvenient place to eat either before or after attending an event at the theatre. The dining room is modern and decorated with trees and lighten that create a cozy eating atmosphere. The service was phenomenal. We were a group of 20 and our orders were taken quickly and served accurately. The food was very well prepared and presented elegantly. I especially enjoyed the Brussels sprouts. The French Toast bites were a delightful surprise. People seemed to enjoy shishito peppers, I'll take their word as I am not a fan of peppers. My Willow Burger was a taste sensation. It was pilled high with the topping of onion, avocado, cheddar cheese, tomato, lettuce and a tangy chipotle sauce. Yum. Worth the trip even if you are not attending the theatre.

    Willow & Whisk is a brunch place where you can have either breakfast or lunch. It has an open, warm…read moredesign and is fully handicapped accessible. It also can get somewhat noisy. I was with a party of six and at 11AM, we were all in a breakfast mood. We tried and all liked the Brioche French Toast, the Mushroom Thyme omelet and the Shakshuka. The Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with lemon curd and blueberries just didn't hang together. (Only four dishes for six people because two of us ordered the omelet and two the French toast). Overall the food was very good and the portions generous. Beverages were fine. The service was a bit spotty, possibly because we had two waiters who seemed to be tripping over each other. It shouldn't take three requests to get a glass of water. But overall, a place I'd try again.

    Photos
    Interior.
    Interior.
    Turkey Panini with Ciabatta
    Turkey Panini with Ciabatta
    Chicken Caprese

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    Chicken Caprese
    Walia Ethiopian Restaurant

    Walia Ethiopian Restaurant

    4.6
    (281 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$

    I cannot believe how many years it has been since I have updated my review for Walia. Since my…read moreoriginal review five years ago, I have gone back to Walia repeatedly and over the years it has become my absolute favorite Ethiopian restaurant within a respectable driving distance of where I live (which I define as about 30 minutes). I am happy to say that almost everything I said in my last review still rings true. The decor has changed a bit, with new paintings hanging and the seats getting rearranged now and then as reservations demand, but for the most part the restaurant still looks and feels the same as before. It is a comforting, welcoming yet elegant restaurant in its own way. It isn't super fancy, which is great because it makes it appropriate for everything from a casual date night to a birthday party. The service at Walia continues to be fantastic. Their staff is always friendly, accommodating and willing to answer questions. They are also very nice about getting you extra Injira bread (as I do every time I'm there). The food at Walia is amazing. Everything is flavorful and the spices are wonderful (I generally keep the heat at medium level). The Alicha Watt (pumpkin) remains one of my favorite dishes and I often take an order of it to go whenever I eat here. Walia is a wonderful business and I highly encourage everyone to support it!

    Dang. If you have to…read morebe trapped in suburban NJ, you could do a lot, LOT worse than Walia. I'm still a little floored at how NOT compromised the flavors here were--how I ate some of the most complex, deeply seasoned Ethiopian dishes I've ever had here. But you know what IS just like NYC able Walia? The prices. I nearly had sticker shock from the $33+/entree pricing that dominated the menu. Ahhhh, the pain in my wallet felt just like home. Anywho, at least the food was delicious and plentiful. The standout for me was Kitfo--always my favorite Ethiopian dish--which was beautifully seasoned, incredibly tasty and blissfully abundant. We also ordered the Lega Tibs, which was nicely tender and completely devoid of gamey lamb flavor. To balance out the all the carne, we practically ordered a garden of fiber. All our vegetarian dishes were well cooked, especially the Fasolia (mildly simmered string beans and carrots), Tkile Gomen (the classic mix of cabbage, carrots and potatoes), and both Watts (lentil stews, baby!). We also splurged on the Kayser Watt, a unique combination of beets and potatoes that I don't see often at Ethiopian joints--however, while it was expertly made, I didn't think it was worth the extra spend. The same goes for the Ethiopian Chai; not particularly interesting or complex, and I certainly wouldn't pay extra to order it a second time unless I just really needed a warm mug to hold. Service was warm and friendly, and the decor is cute without being kitschy. Bottom line: Enjoy a more unique cuisine in a rather mundane part of the state, but don't be surprised if you stretch your credit card limit just as badly as you would in the Big Apple.

    Photos
    Dining room
    Dining room
    Azifah appetizer
    Azifah appetizer
    Dining room

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    Dining room
    Coda Kitchen & Bar

    Coda Kitchen & Bar

    3.6
    (384 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    Came here yesterday for brunch with my friend. First time here. First, I want to commend the…read morewaitstaff Catherine. She is an absolute gem! Very, very helpful and my friend and I were kind of a pain as we were asking a lot of questions and I could not decided on what I wanted. The brunch menu is extensive and I wanted everything. I left her a 25% tip, but after I left I felt she deserved more. Speaking of tips, their suggested tip at bottom of receipt is based the check price after taxes. This is stated on the check... The drinks: We decided to start with drinks. My friend had the Moscow mule and I had the Bloody Mary. My bloody Mary was very good and strong and came with 3 huge olives. The olives tasted fresh. I've had weird tasting olives in other places. I liked it so much, I had another. Big mistake... My friend liked her Moscow Mule. The food: I had the turkey burger with bacon and avocado and truffle fries. The burger was cooked to perfection. It was not dry, but juicy without being under cooked. The bacon was perfect and the slices of avocado were fresh. My friend ordered the Ham Benedict. I didn't taste it but she said it was very good. The eggs looked perfectly done. That came with a side of potatoes. I think this will be my new brunch spot when I come to visit North Jersey. I recommend them.

    Came there last night for the first time. Met some friends at the bar. The lady bartenders were…read moresurly, inattentive, and just plain mean. Not sure what's up, but these girls are clearly not happy to be there. Hospitality is not their specialty. In contrast, the guys offered kindness, smiles, and friendly banter. Same night, same time, same bar. When I inquired with the host staff, they exchanged knowing glances, smiled, and said, "We hear you." I'm going to guess I'm not the first person to render this opinion. It's a nice place, with a pleasant ambiance, but I don't know how long people will overlook this problem before deciding to stop coming.

    Photos
    General area.
    General area.
    Meatloaf, bbq chicken pizza w hot honey, local burger
    Meatloaf, bbq chicken pizza w hot honey, local burger
    The drinks:  Bloody Mary and Moscow Mule

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    The drinks: Bloody Mary and Moscow Mule

    El Rey Mexican Restaurant - mexican - Updated June 2026

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