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El Rey del Sol

Critics' Pick

232 W. 14th St., New York, NY 10011
nr. Eighth Ave. See Map | Subway Directions Hopstop Popup
212-229-0733 Send to Phone

Reader Rating:
4.5 out of 10
|
2 Reviews | Write a Review
Scene: After Work, Bar Food, Outdoor Area, Restaurant & Bar

Photo by Shanna Ravindra

Map Rate & Review

Official Website

elreydelsol.com

Hours

Daily, 5pm-11:30pm

Nearby Subway Stops

A, C, E at 14th St.; L at Eighth Ave.

Payment Methods

American Express, MasterCard, Visa

Profile

Happy-hour hounds have long appreciated this funky, cheap, basement-level Mexican joint—and for good reason. El Rey’s margaritas, made with fresh-squeezed watermelon, cantaloupe, and grapefruit juices, pack a mighty wallop and come in economy-sized pitchers for easy sharing. In good weather, the best place to enjoy them is on the spacious back patio, where a dozen or so tables are surrounded by trees and festively strung Christmas lights. The crowds can get thick—and roaringly drunk—so it’s a good idea to come early and eat something to help you go the distance. The menu of Mexican comfort-food dishes seems custom-designed to absorb alcohol: Crispy tacos are heaped with savory ground beef, manchego cheese, and fresh pico de gallo; burros (no diminutive burritos here) are the size of small logs; chicken mole enchiladas are wrapped in lightly charred corn tortillas then drenched in a sweet-spicy sauce. In winter, a more subdued scene occupies the low-ceilinged dining room—which is crammed so full of tinsel, flashing colored lights, faux-Mayan artifacts and Day of the Dead marionettes that it looks like a piñata exploded. — Sarah Gold

Absolutely horrible. They ignored us from the minute we walked in and I had to grab a waitress by the arm to even have our orders taken. Then while we were eating we saw a mouse and the guy at the front told us to just deal with it and seemed really annoyed that we had even been upset. The final blow -- of course we didn't tip, and as we were walking out he immediately walked over to count the money and yelled after us, "No tip?" to which I responded "no," and he yelled, "well don't ever think of coming back then." I wanted to cry. I took my mom there as a celebration and this was how we were treated.

Best Margarita's in Manhattan

ian from 10002 | Posted on 3/2/07

Overall Rating: 8 (Recommended)

I have been many places, and tasted MANY Margaritas, but this place literally is the top. What is better than a tasty pitcher full of Margarita, outside in a lush garden atmosphere, summer sun setting, with your quesadillas on their way. And for the winter months the inside has a great kitschy atmosphere - as if someone exploded the oh-so-iconic I-95 roadside attraction "South of the Border" all over the place. Food is good, service is friendly, and the drinks are amazing....

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