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    El Rey

    4.1 (37 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

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    Marci P.

    Well I tried here twice before submitting my review. Both times the food was good but the service was not. If it was just the food then I would give them a 4. Both times they forgot our appetizer and didn't check on us to see if it came until they brought the rest of our food. The first time the server rarely came to our table, drinks took a long time and they had no clue how to split the cost of a meal between others. They also had a large group come in when we were almost done with our meal and had us move tables! Pick up all of our food and drinks and move down to another table! This most recent time the meal I ordered was suppposed to be portobello mushrooms and shrimp. It came out onions and shrimp without portobello. I asked about it and they said oh we are out of them. Only after I asked did they then bring me regular mushrooms instead. Usually if a restaurant is out of part of your meal they tell you and ask if you want something different. I won't be back to this location and hope they figure out service before the Johnstown location opens.

    Laura F.

    This restaurant sits off of New Albany Rd., East and takes up the former space of the local Cantina. This is a wonderful addition to the New Albany culinary scene The menu is buried enough to keep everybody interested in coming back the entrées are generous and when you leave, you don't feel hungry And let's talk about the cost... The price plates are a spot on They could be a little lower, but quite honestly the quality that you're getting and the portion sizes match the pricing so no complaints here Staff is friendly and attentive. The drinks aren't weak or too strong. I'm very happy El Ray has arrived! I will be back again and again again the coffee that sounds

    Michael G.

    Former Local Cantina location I'm told, so the bones were all in place. Fast paced, loud, beautiful murals, and the walk down the hallway to the bathrooms is a sight to behold! Huge TVs all around. Nice patio in the corner lot. Plenty of free parking. Huge menu with moderate pricing and moderate portions. The have a Josper grill which is unique in Columbus. We shared the filet and shrimp salad. Each were done perfectly. The steak was prepared well but lacked some natural flavor. You get 3% discount if you pay with cash and not a card. Service is attentive. And there were plenty of staff doing all kinds of things. Nice place for sure, but the casual Mexican category is huge. I hope this works out.

    Drink Menu
    Anna H.

    Beautiful atmosphere, good service, attentive bartenders, comfortable seating, large drink and food selections. The complimentary chips were warm & the server brought 2 salsas for us at the bar. My honey tequila cocktails were lit up and tasted just right. The spinach chicken mini chimis were in a large bowl and a perfect match with the drinks. If we were destined to lose Local Cantina, this appears to be a lovely replacement.

    QuesaBirria Tacos
    Travis T.

    It had been a few months since I had eaten at this location and I was craving the Birria Tacos that I always get. This place really has it dialed in for the customers that dine in. If you are celebrating something special then expect some fun party favors while you're dining! My tacos came out approximately 5 minutes after I ordered and they were pretty busy so that was impressive. If I were to provide some constructive feedback I would say that just one lime is not enough for the 3 tacos. I was also disappointed in the amount of meat that was in two of the three tacos. There was also very little cheese either. For $16 I would expect more on that front. The flavor of the tacos were fantastic and service was also spot on. I will be back again for you know what....those Birria tacos!!

    Mixed fajitas
    Valerie N.

    Beautiful decor with decent food. I know this is a new place taken over another Mexican food establishment. Disclaimer, while dining here, I was in a party of 14. The main server was nice but hard to hear. The flow of complementary chips and salsa was available during our entire meal. Disappointed in the salsa since it tasted something from a jar rather than homemade. The menu has many choices which made ordering hard to do. I went with the mixed fajitas. My favorite part was the beans and rice. The vegetables within the fajitas encompassed more than the protein. I also found it strange to have broccoli as a part of the veggies in the fajitas. One of the other folks with me got another type of fajitas which was served in a hollowed out pineapple. Cute touch. I tried to order a certain type of margarita without the alcohol but the server said they couldn't do that. I can't see why unless the drinks are pre-made. Tip: The quesadillas are soo stuffed be careful when eating it. Two of the folks in our group had it spill out of the tortilla because they were so packed. Overall my group was satisfied with the price paid vs the quantity of the food served. I was disappointed it wasn't more authentic thus the rating of 3 stars.

    Decor
    Annette F.

    Love this place. Our 3rd time going and we have tried many things and they all have been great. Can't wait until they open in Johnstown.

    Dana C.

    So tonight, I stopped in to get food to go and decided to go with the queso birria tacos. $15.50 for 3 just tacos. 3 corn quesadillas filled with the birria meat. I do feel like there was a good amount of meat in each one. My problem lies in the queso part as you can see in the pictures there's basically no cheese. I found a little bit at the bottom and my second problem is you're gonna get someone one lime to go with three tacos then make sure that that lime is juicy. I could barely squeeze a tiny drop out of it for one taco. Not to mention the restaurant was not busy at this time and it still took forever to get my food. A sidenote last time I ordered to go I got fajitas and they didn't put the tortillas in there.

    Soft serve margs

    Me and my fiance loved this place! First time here, we will be moving to the area soon and can't wait to come back! Staff were very nice, it was very busy but I felt like we got our food and drinks in a reasonable amount of time. It would be worth going just for the soft serve margaritas and salsa! My fiance loved the queso but I thought the fresh chips and salsa was better. Restaurant looked so cute! It was very clean and smelled good as soon as we walked in. It was my first time having burria tacos and I am so glad this place was my first! You guys made a 7 day work week worth it thanks!

    Fajita quesadilla with steak
    Sara I.

    This is an upgrade from the previous Local Cantina. Pretty murals and a nice upgrade to the overall ambiance. They give you chips and salsa, the salsa is very heavy with the tomato sauce, I prefer Local Cantinas to be honest. Overall Moderate prices, I ordered the steak fajita quesadilla. It had a generous portion of grilled veggies (onions, mushrooms, peppers, broccoli) Service was so-so, but I would come again.

    Enchiladas
    Amy S.

    Our first time and we thought the food and service were fantastic! Legit pozole verde which is hard to find. Also, really good tacos al pastor, with homemade corn tortillas. Will be back!

    Veggie burrito and shrimp fajitas
    Amy K.

    The food and service were exceptional!! The veggie burrito was cooked to perfection - veggies grilled with lots of flavor. The pico spicy and yummy. Shrimp fajitas filled with good sized shrimp all grilled to perfection too! Highly recommend! Our servers were kind and attentive.

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    5 months ago

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    5 months ago

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    6 months ago

    Beautiful inside, food was super good, and the price was fair! Service was kind and helpful.

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    2 months ago

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    6 months ago

    Absolutely love this restaurant! The food is amazing every time & service is fast and friendly. Try the hibiscus margarita!

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    8 months ago

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    10 months ago

    The food was delicious. My girlfriend and I went here and throughly enjoyed the atmosphere.

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    9 months ago

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    1 year ago

    Service was great, food excellent. Interesting decor. And for those who still carry cash there is a cash discount!

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    Firebirds Wood Fired Grill - Filet Steak

    Firebirds Wood Fired Grill

    3.3(49 reviews)
    1.7 mi

    Stopped by Firebirds Wood Fired Grill in New Albany for lunch and had an excellent experience. I…read moreordered the Grilled Salmon Salad, which came with perfectly wood-grilled salmon, fresh mixed greens, tomatoes, candied spiced pecans, and jicama, topped with the cilantro lime vinaigrette. It was a generous portion, fresh, flavorful, and very satisfying. The complimentary bread was absolutely amazing and worth mentioning on its own. What really stood out, though, was the exceptional customer service. Our server introduced himself by name and took the time to learn our names as well. That personal touch made us feel genuinely welcomed, and throughout the meal he consistently went above and beyond to ensure we were well taken care of. It's that level of attention to detail and genuine hospitality that turns a good meal into a great dining experience. If you're looking for a place with excellent food, generous portions, and outstanding service, Firebirds in New Albany is definitely worth a visit. (Firebirds Wood Fired Grill)

    Our family group of six stopped in for a day before Father's Day lunch, because we thought they…read morecould accommodate a variety of tastes. We were spot on in our assessment! Our table had onion rings and deviled eggs for appetizers. Our main courses were: sausage gravy and biscuit (from the brunch menu), chicken skewers over a pilaf of ancient grains, a chicken sandwich with some of the best fries around, an eye popping huge ribeye steak and a simple grilled small grilled sirloin. It was all excellent except for my small steak which I had requested it to be medium rare. It came bordering on well done in spots. I rarely send anything back to the kitchen, but this was the exception. Our charming waiter, Brendon took at my plate and whisked it away. It took a while for my lunch to come back, so I mooched off every plate at our table. It was all good, even the chicken breast which is not my favorite. However, the big winner was my grandson's wood fire grilled rib eye, which was done a juicy and flavorful medium rare. Wow! The restaurant manager personally brought out my fresh and perfectly medium rare steak, which was fanned out in lovely tender thin slices. It came out on a fresh plate with fresh silverware and a fresh baked potato, mushrooms and a compound butter. I could taste the wood fire grill. Delicious! To me, mistakes can be made, but how a place recovers to the customers satisfaction is the true measure of a restaurant. There was also some comping involved, which was a nice surprise, but getting the perfect meal was the reward! We are already planning our next visit to this lovely newer addition to N. Hamilton Road.

    Photos
    Firebirds Wood Fired Grill - Dining room

    Dining room

    Firebirds Wood Fired Grill - Hot Honey Chicken Biscuit

    Hot Honey Chicken Biscuit

    Firebirds Wood Fired Grill - FireBirds Bar

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    The Barn at Rocky Fork Creek

    The Barn at Rocky Fork Creek

    4.0(614 reviews)
    3.0 mi
    $$$

    My husband and I went in during restaurant week. They had the best menu I saw for $60/person…read morebecause we do not eat pork. We were not disappointed! The food was great, but even better was the impeccable service. Our server, Frank, went above and beyond and made us feel like we were the only couple there (in a busy restaurant week Saturday)! The amount of special care he took during our time there to explain the different dishes and wish us for our anniversary, I cannot relate any other service being this level. Now, for the food: 1st course: shrimp cocktail and lobster bisque I preferred the shrimp cocktail because the bisque was a bit on the sweeter side for me with the corn. Frank even provided some horseradish on the side for the shrimp, which were huge. 2nd course: steak on a bowl and salmon Both proteins cooked to perfection (steak medium rare and salmon medium) and both were based on top of perfectly paired sauces. It was a great meal without feeling overstuffed. 3rd course: creme brulee and frozen mud pie Both were good, but the frozen mud pie was colossal. We did not even finish 1/4 of it at the restaurant. Took it to go and it was just as great out of the freezer the next day. It could serve 4 people easily. Bonus: Frank made sure to make our night out even more special by providing a whole extra dessert on the house in honor of our anniversary. My son likes chocolate cake, so we got that to go. This was very unexpected as we were there for restaurant week, which already had dessert included. Even with how busy it was due to restaurant week, the pacing of the meal was perfect, our waters were full, and we were checked on multiple times. We will definitely be back here and definitely seek out Frank for his exceptional service!

    Husband and I had a great dinner for our Anniversary! The bread service complementary with the…read morechef's maple butter was so good. Pomegranate "no"tini and calamari was perfect. Deserts were really large and included for the occasion! The bbq ribs fell off the bone and were somehow not messy at all with great sauce. Honestly, everything we had was amazing and we just had a really nice dinner. Service and ambiance wonderful down to the details in the bathroom toiletries and candles.

    Photos
    The Barn at Rocky Fork Creek
    The Barn at Rocky Fork Creek
    The Barn at Rocky Fork Creek - Shrimp Cocktail: Three Jumbo Shrimp, Cocktail Sauce

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    Shrimp Cocktail: Three Jumbo Shrimp, Cocktail Sauce

    Jay's Crab Boil & Oyster Bar - Lobster Bisque  was a  disappointment! #ExpectationVsReality #FoodFail

    Jay's Crab Boil & Oyster Bar

    3.4(131 reviews)
    11.7 mi
    $$

    I ordered through Uber Eats on Father's Day because I live about 35 minutes away and wanted to…read moreenjoy a special meal without making the drive. Unfortunately, what should have been a great experience turned into a complete disaster. My order was over $200 and included 9 items, yet only 1 item was delivered. When the Uber driver arrived, he explained that the hostess told him everything he picked up was the entire order. It clearly wasn't. Because such a large part of my order was missing, I was forced to drive 35 minutes to the restaurant myself to fix a mistake that never should have happened in the first place. What made the situation even worse was the attitude I received from the hostess when I arrived. Instead of taking responsibility, I was met with excuses and a dismissive attitude, which only added to my frustration. The only bright spot in this experience was the manager. Since the rest of my food had been sitting there for over an hour, the manager apologized and remade the entire order. I genuinely appreciate how professionally the manager handled the situation. That said, a Father's Day meal shouldn't require a second trip, an hour-long delay, and a confrontation just to receive the food that was already paid for. Extremely disappointing experience.

    First visit to Jay's Crab Boil & Oyster Bar after seeing it recommended on Instagram…read more We ordered the Peach Margarita with a sugar rim, the Shrimp Tempura Crunch Taco, and the Philly Cheesesteak Taco. Our total before tip was $30.95. A few quick positives: the restaurant is much larger inside than it appears from the outside, parking was easy, and there was plenty of seating available. We sat on the outdoor patio, which was quiet and made for a great place to have a conversation. Service was friendly, attentive, and prompt throughout our visit. The atmosphere feels like a seafood house mixed with a sports bar, with fishing nets hanging from the ceiling, TVs throughout, and plenty of booths and tables. The Shrimp Tempura Crunch Taco was definitely the standout visually. It looked exactly like something you'd stop to photograph before taking a bite. Unfortunately, the eating experience didn't quite match the presentation. The seaweed shell was very firm, making it difficult to eat comfortably, and the rice tasted more like plain white rice than sushi rice. A few pieces of the tempura shrimp were also cold in the center, which was noticeable. The Philly Cheesesteak Taco was the stronger of the two tacos. The steak was seasoned well, flavorful, and easily the best part of the meal. While the taco itself didn't leave a huge impression, the quality of the steak would make me interested in trying other steak-based items on the menu. Overall, this felt like a menu concept that prioritized creativity and presentation more than flavor and execution. That said, nothing about the restaurant itself turned me away. The patio was enjoyable, the service was solid, and there was enough potential in parts of the meal that I'd be willing to come back and explore more of the menu. I wouldn't reorder these particular tacos, but I would return to try something else.

    Photos
    Jay's Crab Boil & Oyster Bar - Bar area

    Bar area

    Jay's Crab Boil & Oyster Bar - Tuna sushi tacos

    Tuna sushi tacos

    Jay's Crab Boil & Oyster Bar - Live Music Series  I highly recommend

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    Live Music Series I highly recommend

    El Rey - mexican - Updated August 2026

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