El Rey Rosticeria y Restaurante

We had a fantastic dinner at El Rey. The food was fresh and delicious, the service was fast and attentive and we really enjoyed sitting outside, meeting the neighbors and having a great time. BYOB. We had guac and chips, sizzling fajitas and carnitas con jalapeños. YUM!! The carnitas were outstanding! Can’t wait to return.

Amazing BYOB Mexican spot in Asbury Park just 10 minutes from the Boardwalk. It a very cute place with indoor and outdoor patio seating with additional tables on the sidewalk. Went here with extended family for dinner on a Saturday summer night and were easily seated in the outdoor patio bench tables. The service was really friendly and helpfulz and food came out super quickly. The food was excellent especially the tacos birria that I ordered. But all the other dishes from tostadas to burritos to enchiladas were outstanding. Even the chips and salsa were great. This place is BYOB, and they are cool with bringing out ice bucket to keep your beverages cool and provide you with openers and even glasses if needed. Prices are quite reasonable and the portions were huge, we ended up taking four boxes of food home. Definitely one of my new favorite spots in Asbury Park and some of the best Mexican food on the Jersey shore!

Amazing diamond in the rough! The food was authentic and delicious! We came here before a near by concert for Quick bite. Everything was great service atmosphere cleanliness and price!

Jessica our waitress was amazing! If you come here, you must get the chips and guac and the Bierria tacos you won’t be disappointed.

Do not get Mexican food anywhere else- you will regret it. This is the closest thing I've found to literally feeling like I'm back in Mexico, but they also have a twist on some traditional. The quesabirria was my favorite meal I've ever eaten in my entire life. Service was amazing.

Great Mexican food, really nice people and great area to dine in outdoors and indoors, I highly recommend this place ... and Im Mexican so I know the original taste

This place has some of the best tacos I’ve ever had! Everything was delicious and it’s super close to the beach which is a plus!! Service is very good too! Only thing to look out for is that when you ask for a large sized drink, they’re going to bring you a bucket so be prepared

Each time I have ordered from El Rey, I have experienced nothing but great/affordable food, and friendly service. This is our go to spot for Mexican. Freddy is the best... make sure to also try their specialty pizzas. You honestly cannot go wrong with anything on their menu. Highly recommend.

Great restaurant. Extremely busy on summer weekends. Very affordable food. My family and I have always enjoyed our meals. Last time I had the sizzling fajitas. Even my picky daughter enjoys the food.

So impressed with this place. Food is fresh, good, and they serve a lot. The wings were the only small portion but the taste made up for it. Plus everything else we ordered was huge. We left with food cause we were stuffed. We had the chips with the cheese, the birria pizza, the tostones with the shrimp, and hot wings all great.

I had not eaten here before and since it is within walking distance to my church (I volunteer there), I decided to go for lunch takeout today. I ordered a carne asada burrito. After I brought it back to the church offices, I opened the brown bag and there was a sad looking burrito covered in chile verde sauce (too spicy for me) and shredded lettuce with a drizzle of some white sauce on it. There was also what I think was salsa in the tin plate, but I didn't try it. I couldn't eat the burrito with my hands, because it was covered in sauce, so I used the small plastic fork and knife that was included. I took one bite and I had to spit it out. The carne asada was cold and gristly and the chile verde sauce that I didn't order was too spicy. I just threw the entire aluminum platter in the garbage! I won't be back......

It's a cute no frill place. It has sufficient outdoor seatings. The waitress was friendly, efficient, and professional. We had shrimp burrito and tacos de birria. Both were delicious.

Positives: Excellent food and presentation. (See pics) Excellent friendly service. Good feel to the location. Easy free street parking. Negatives: Dirty Tables Outside you clean yourself. Toilet paper in restroom not installed. Probably the most expensive Burrito I have ever had and I pay Los Angeles/So Cal prices. (Asbury park rents must be expensive?) [Would give them a 4.5 for food alone.] No reason not to dine here if your budget can handle it. Thanks for staying open late on Labor Day.

Another visit in our quest to find the best Birria Tacos. Solid meal at El Rey although I don't know if I am in a rush to go back. The Salsa Verde and their chips are excellent, refills on chips will cost you $4 Shrimp fajitas were Asian inspired if you will, no cheese, no sour cream included. Sour cream was $1 Rice and beans were above average. The Birria tacos were excellent, chock full of slow roasting beef and their consommé was scrumptious. BYOB, bottled water is served (no tap available) There are approx 8 tables for dining, parking can be difficult, restaurant is in a residential neighborhood. On to the next restaurant

Pssst, wanna know a secret? I don't want to tell you. Oh, I suppose as a Yelper, I will, but only because we are friends. Come closer and let me whisper it to you. Found THE BEST Mexican restaurant in Central Jersey. The ambiance, the service, and the food are out of this world! Let us discuss the food, first. We had Tacos de birria and Al Pastor tacos. They make everything fresh to order, so it will take a small while. While you wait, the wonderful hostess will give you homemade chips and salsa verde and another sauce that is possibly chipotle lime crema. They are not the average store-bought condiments but exponentially better. They make it themselves and they are phenomenal. Finally, the food came and we must say, these dishes were generous and exceptional! Both Hubby and I concur, the star of the show was the Tacos de Birria. The braised beef was stewed to perfection. You can do the famous dip and drink it as soup. The Al Pastor tacos were very tasty as well but the birria was so savory. Lots of napkins were utilized. Secondly, the service was also amazing. The entire staff gives you a warm welcome and always makes sure everything is right. Exceptional service, food, and great affordable prices - sign me up! Needless to say, we intend to be back and next time, we will be bringing friends.

We enjoyed our first time experience here. Definitely satisfied our cravings. I had the Birria Tacos and it was delicious, with the consome perfect combo. My brother had the Beef Enchiladas, and he cleaned up his plate. He enjoyed it so much that he ordered another side order of the black beans. His wife ordered the Carne Asada Tacos and she said it was a bit bland and tough. Four STARS ! Service was excellent, very friendly and warm. I really like the vibe here and the warm atmosphere.

First of all, only tried this place because of Yelp reviews. Was not let down. My yelpers came through putting me on to a new place that I loved with a capital L. I had a chicken burrito and my boyfriend had chicken tacos. I loved my burrito and he enjoyed his tacos! We ordered to go and the waitress was very accommodating. She was super sweet and you could tell she enjoys her job. Overall, 5 stars in my book. Tell a friend to tell a friend because this place is a hidden gem.

A really nice Mexican restaurant with a beautiful outdoor area. The inside space is smaller and has beautiful furniture. The service was good and fast. The food was delicious and spicy. I love the ambience here. It's a good spot for groups. Definitely recommend coming here on a nice day to sit outside.

Another great meal at El Rey tonight! We had our regular shrimp dishes but the big news tonight was the new why they serve the chips and salsa. The two floors of salsa were in clear ketchup type squeeze bottles. Brilliant!! So ease to apply to the chips with little to no drips. Plus. They do not waste product!

Food was fresh, homemade hot sauces and chips. The inside is cute and outside comfortable. The menu is expansive and authentic.

Yeah, genuine comida mexicana (Mexican food). This place has only been on this off-beaten path in Asbury Park for 2months and all the reviews are super, including mine. Reasonable prices with a cozy indoor or outdoor setting. Great artwork too, come in and enjoy great Mexican food offered by this family. They serve breakfast, lunch and presumingly dinner. Tacos, Burritos, Quesadillas, Fajitas, Enchiladas and full dinners. I can echo the previous reviews. Tried the Birria Tacos, the best , of course w/salsa picante & extra cilantro. For you foodies who enjoy comida mexicana, this is the place. To wash everything down, I got an Horchata, a mix of strained rice, milk and cinnamon , a very refreshing drink to calm down the "heat". Both of the items I tried are not on the menu. Birria Tacos $15, Horchata 32 oz $4.

delicious food, great service, very reasonably priced and is BYO! Always a wonderful experience

This place is so outstanding that next time I might even try the birria pizza, but we stuck to the classics on this visit, including birria in its proper form, tacos, with juicy meat and dazzling consomme. The carnitas tacos were great, as was the choriqueso appetizer and even the intense green salsa with the free chips. The service was friendly, fast and well-informed and the outdoor tables were fun. This is a must-visit alternative to the main touristy section of Asbury but isn't far away from it.

Cool decor, very clean. They have sitting outside under umbrellas. Borrow tacos seems to be a special here. Sauce is delish. Service fast and friendly. Complimentary chips with tomatillo and cheesy sauce(?). Big portion, fair pricing. Recommend!

I really like the chips and dip and the seafood pot. It's too good, the seafood are every flavorful!

Wow, what a nice surprise to find this place tucked away from it all. Got the trip tacos and as it was mid afternoon post tourista season, they were ok with my ordering pollo, carnita and chorizo. The complimentary chips are a nice touch. On to the tacos. Plump and full of meat. I would have preferred limes instead of lemons as i had to pick seeds out of my tacos. Clean, friendly, with the food being quite good. As a local, I'll be back again, and again, and again....

Ah, "El Rey Rosticeria y Restaurante where the 4.8 rating on Yelp must be a testament to the triumph of hope over experience. Or maybe Yelp has introduced a new rating scale from 1 to 10? Who knows! Either way, allow me to recount my evening at this so-called gem of a dining establishment. To kick things off, I mistakenly made two reservations for Saturday evening. Because, you know, maybe redundancy is key when dining out in 2024. I arrived, brimming with anticipation, only to be greeted by a host with a look so puzzled you'd think I asked them to explain quantum physics. "We don't take reservations," she said, eyes wide with confusion. I guess the concept of a reservation system is too avant-garde for this place. After a brief standoff involving awkward glances and much head-scratching, we were told we'd have to wait. This wait, mind you, was conducted in the presence of two glaringly empty tables. Apparently, those tables were on a spiritual journey and weren't ready to be sat at just yet. Eventually, we managed to sit ourselves down at one of the enlightened tables, and then... nothing. I could've sworn we had entered the Bermuda Triangle of restaurant service. Time passed, the Earth spun on its axis, and still, no service. Two servers finally approached our table, each with the language proficiency of a brick wall. They didn't speak English, and according to my Spanish-speaking friend, their Spanish wasn't much better. I suspect they might have been attempting to communicate in a dialect exclusive to the kitchen supply room. Speaking of supplies, there were several boxes of them under one of the dining tables. Ambiance, perhaps? A new trend in industrial-chic dining where you get to enjoy your meal alongside next week's paper towel inventory. The menu was another adventure. Or, rather, a scavenger hunt. Several items were mysteriously absent, likely having embarked on a quest for a better restaurant. The food made me feel like I magically was transformed to a poorly run Taco Bell . All in all, El Rey Desastre Ristorante ( renamed it). lived up to its name. If you're looking for an evening filled with linguistic challenges, phantom reservations, and dining amidst warehouse supplies, then this is your spot. For everyone else, I'd recommend steering clear and perhaps investing your time in a place that understands the concept of, well, everything a restaurant should be.

Lovely casual place for great Mexican food. Had tacos birrea and enchiladas, both excellent. Jessica was our waiter and provided us prompt and friendly service. We will be back.

Sometimes people think a five star review should be reserved for an expensive, exclusive ("fancy") restaurant. But why? El Rey is an inexpensive, casual, BYOB, that serves the best, most authentic, Mexican food in this area. It is located in a residential neighborhood, a few blocks from the "hot" "hip" restaurants on Cookman Ave (that are more pricey for food and alcohol). There are a few tables inside and more tables outside. We discovered this gem a month ago and last evening ordered takeout for the second time. We have had Guacamole with chips, Camarones a la Diabla, Tacos de birria with cheese and dipping soup, Al Pastor Burrito, and Shrimp Burrito. Prices are quite reasonable (see attached menu). Services is prompt. Senor Sanchez has a great personality and is dedicated to serving quality food. Which brings me to the most important point: portions are large and the food is OUTSTANDING! Go to eat here or to pickup takeout! If you try it once, you will return!

Delicious food at reasonable prices. The staff and seating areas were great. The Norris tacos were tasty and packed with plenty of meat and toppings, the consome was also delicious. Our meal was served with complimentary chips and two tasty salsas. Authentic, and good, that simple. I'd recommend it and I'll be back if I'm in town!

Ok seriously so gooooooooood. Trust me. I need 85 characters so : I got the birria!!!!!!

The food was good and I liked the outdoor seating but instead of a 5 star I had to drop it a level because of how long the food took which we were the only customers there and also the 2 dipping sauces they had for the tortilla chips were both too spicy for my kids and when asked for something not spicy or atleast mild, they didn't have anything but other than that it was a legit neighborhood mex spot.

Had the place confused with another Mexican restaurant. Service was friendly, although there was some basic communication challenges There a handful of tables inside and maybe eight tables outside. Food is fresh and the salsa and sauces were excellent. 3 shrimp tacos I think for $15.

Quesobirria is a must. Very happy we tried this place. Great staff. Great food. Everything was nice and easy. Def will go back

This place is great! I have been dying for authentic mexican food since I left florida! This is it! This is the best place around! Pricing is reasonable! Sanchez is a very nice person and is super attentive. I especially enjoyed the selection of authentic Jarritos. I will be coming back.

Awesome little authentic restaurant with great staff and even better food. We got chips and guacamole, chicken, steak, and chorizo mixed tacos, and a chicken quesadilla. Everything was simple and delicious. The horchata is the perfect end to the meal. Couldn't recommend this place more and we will definitely be back.

Jessica was our server and she was amazing! She answered all our questions and made allergy accommodations. She made us feel really comfortable to dine in even though it was late. Loved everything! Great food and service!

The food is always fresh and delicious. I always order the birria tacos and guacamole/chips. Coming from NYC, I was worried about finding an authentic spot. I have found my place :)

This is a great authentic Mexican restaurant. The staff is very friendly and accommodating. There are only 5 tables inside but a beautiful outdoor area. Guacamole was delicious and fresh. The birria was delicious.

The food was delicious! I enjoy going there every once In a while the service is great and the staff are friendly. Although the TABLES for some reason STINK? Otherwise the restaurant is amazing.

Amazing birria tacos! Big servings, affordable, and super friendly and attentive waitstaff. Great for big groups, families, or couples and a BYOB.

This small place has the best tacos al pastor. Not even in New Brunswick. The outside sitting Is so cute. I think inside is small. Service is great and you can BYOB.

Delicious Food. Very authentic Mexican. I loved the art on the walls. It's a small restaurant but very good.

This places is absolutely delicious and very authentic. They have a large, reasonably priced menu full of amazing options. Everything was flavorful, fresh and prepared quickly. Really looking forward to coming here again.

Great place with authentic flavors and spice. The sauces have flavor and aren't bland and tasteless. The service was great thank you Sanchez for providing my friends a great night. Cute comfortable patio to enjoy the night out on the town

Deliciously authentic! The owner and staff were welcoming. Definitely stop by and give them a try. They have 15 tables. 5 in 10 out. I understand they are quite busy in the evenings, and they don't take reservations. They are absolutely worth either going early or waiting for a table later! And of course, there's take-out.

Was really impressed with the flavors and how authentic it was. We had the birria tacos and mango frescas

Our server Susana provided a warm welcome to what I hold is the most authentic Mexican restaurant in Asbury Park. My shrimp tacos were fresh and delicious. The pork carnitas will make you swoon. Our companions judged their birra tacos mouth watering. It's a humble family run business away from the bustle of Bangs Ave, but well worth the trip! BYOB

El Rey is a great spot in Asbury for authentic Mexican food! We got the guacamole, birria tacos con queso and steak tacos. All of it was delicious. Service was also very good. We sat outside in their nice side area. The staff is super friendly, and Alfonso is the best! Def give this place a try when you're in town.

One of the best hidden spots for authentic Mexican food in Asbury and their Birria Tacaos are to die for. Good people as well!

So nice to have authentic food, I feel like everyone in the area loves surf Taco and the other Tex-Mex or Americanized versions and I just don't understand why you would want that when this is available. Good food, good prices, great service, and outdoor seating is available. It's everything I ever wanted and surpassed my expectations. The sopes and shrimp tacos were amazing.

Great food, perfect outdoor atmosphere for friends & family...... We enjoyed the food and plan to bring all our guests & family members to this great find in Asbury Park. First come first serve; even on a Saturday night..... But it's WORTH IT !

Authentic and tastey! Friendly staff. I'll be back. Looking forward to trying the belmar location sometime soon as well

Simply delicious, excellent service and super friendly. Everything was super fresh and tasty.

Awesome tacos and great service. Friendly staff. Tiny restaurant but delicious Birria tacos and tacos Campechano (mix of chorizo, chicken, and steak). Sauces were very good! Definitely recommend and will go their again.

Don't let these foolish reviews trick you. Likely the worst Mexican food experience of our lives. Starting with no salsa for the WORST chips you'll ever have, then charge you $4 for "picco de gallo" so you can have a little something on there instead of their sorry excuse for sauces that you spray from a bottle instead of dipping your chips. Want a water? Smallest bottled water for $2. Don't even think about getting fajitas unless you want the worst deal ever. Girlfriend wanted sour cream and lettuce to come with it like it is every other restaurant but got up charged $6!!! For a plate of lettuce that they called a salad. No plate to make her fajitas on even! My $15 burrito was 1.) super small 2.) ALL FILLER!!! Barely any meat. To top all of this off the "waitress" never checked on us throughout the meal. The bill was $51 for what should've been no more than $30. Everything that could've went bad did go bad here. Wouldn't recommend to anyone.

Amazing authentic, tasty Mexican food with awesome wait staff and an amazing, amazing ambiance. Go to place for Mexican food