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$7

$7 at El Rey Taqueria

By Amber Ambrose, Wednesday, Apr. 22 2009 @ 12:00PM
Comments (27)
Categories: $7

taco goodness.JPG
Photo by Amber Ambrose
Where: El Rey Taqueria, 3330 Ella Blvd., 713-263-0659. Check out their website for all four locations.

What $7 gets you: A plateful of tacos, rice and beans, a.k.a. the 3 Amigo Plate for $6.99. I cheated a little and forgot to take the taxes into account, but if you dig around your dashboard, you'll probably find a quarter or two to get by. If you want any of their seafood tacos, add a measly 25 cents extra.

My favorite of the three tacos was the Cuban. Chock full of chicken (or if you choose, beef), black beans and the starchy, sweet fried plantains, it's pulled together with a smear of rich sour cream. The sweetness of the plantains enhances the savory chicken, the earthy beans and the sour cream binds the addictive flavors harmoniously.

Second favorite (and close runner up), was the Ropa Vieja. A healthy portion of their slowly braised, shredded beef in a savory tomato sauce acts as the base, with a topping of shredded red cabbage, tomatoes and a cooling cilantro cream sauce. Other than having half of the taco tumble onto the plate (nothing that a little forking couldn't remedy), it's a Cuban/Mexican masterpiece.

Third, and finally, the rotisserie chicken taco was mediocre comparatively, although juicy and not skimpy on the shredded chicken. Enhancing it with their green salsa and lots of lime brought it up to par, and once again, my taste buds were content.

Rice and beans are average, but after savoring the tacos, you probably won't even notice.

Recommended: Can I get an amen? However, indecisive wafflers need to prepare before taking the taco plunge. Your head will spin trying to narrow your decision to three tacos from their creative mix of traditional and nontraditional tortilla wrapped goodies. Then, contemplate the beef/chicken question, with a few of the selections. Finally, if you're not too flabbergasted, choose corn, flour or whole wheat tortillas. You can even switch your charro beans to refrieds if you think to ask--which I would recommend.

Bonus point: Lots of desserts and coffee choices for your after-taco nirvana.

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Comments (27)

Meredith Borders says:

Dang this post made me hungry! El Rey rocks; I'm a fan of their breakfast tacos. I haven't tried the lunch/dinner variety yet, but after the yumminess described here, I will tout de suite.

Posted On: Wednesday, Apr. 22 2009 @ 12:27PM
Adrienne Foster says:

Wow, I just ate lunch, am extremely full, but still think I could go for some El Rey tacos after reading that review. I will even remember to bring in some loose change so I can have the seafood tacos!

Posted On: Wednesday, Apr. 22 2009 @ 12:33PM
Julie Brovko says:

Although it is not hard to find good food in Houston it is hard to decide which new place to try. With a description like this, El Rey Taqueria is on the top of my list!

Posted On: Wednesday, Apr. 22 2009 @ 1:15PM
Libby says:

AMEN! I agree on the rotisserie chicken tacos. Why get that when the Ropa's are around? Well said, enjoyed your post.
Thanks!

Posted On: Wednesday, Apr. 22 2009 @ 1:18PM
Brandon says:

We used to eat there all the time when we lived closer, I'll have revisit El Rey. Nothing beats the Fish Tacos at Berryhill though.

Posted On: Wednesday, Apr. 22 2009 @ 1:22PM
Sharla Baker says:

Based on this review, I'm making a plan to visit this taco heaven! Just ate and I'm hungry!

Posted On: Wednesday, Apr. 22 2009 @ 1:33PM
Daniel says:

Nice post. I had the good fortune of finding this place a while back.

Posted On: Wednesday, Apr. 22 2009 @ 1:40PM
Frank M says:

Not sure how I missed this place, but thanks for the review!

Posted On: Wednesday, Apr. 22 2009 @ 1:53PM
Jason McElweenie says:

I've never been to El Rey and this makes me want to go there now. I just moved close the one on Ella so it looks like I've got a new dinner option

Posted On: Wednesday, Apr. 22 2009 @ 2:22PM
eddy Maxwell says:

I haven't been there yet. Sounds good and reasonably priced! :) Mmmm...ropa vieja...

*plans visit*

Posted On: Wednesday, Apr. 22 2009 @ 2:41PM
Stephanie says:

After reading this, my weighwatchers frozen entree seems like such a ridiculous waste. Great post!

Posted On: Wednesday, Apr. 22 2009 @ 2:48PM
Cathy says:

They have the best tortilla soup anywhere!

Posted On: Wednesday, Apr. 22 2009 @ 3:53PM
Kathy Colwell says:

Excuse me while I wipe the drool from my mouth. The description make my mouth water.

Posted On: Wednesday, Apr. 22 2009 @ 4:18PM
Peet Bighorse says:

Wow sounds like a great place to get lunch to take to the Saint Arnolds Brewery Tours on Saturday !!!

Posted On: Wednesday, Apr. 22 2009 @ 6:38PM
Georgi says:

That description made my mouth water. I'll have to try the tacos. Thanks

Posted On: Wednesday, Apr. 22 2009 @ 6:41PM
Beth says:

Shhhh....Keep it on the down low. I don't want to have to wait in line next time.

Posted On: Wednesday, Apr. 22 2009 @ 8:08PM
Cynthia Kimura says:

Yummy for my tummy! Sounds like my kind of place. I love creative combos!

Posted On: Wednesday, Apr. 22 2009 @ 8:24PM
Adroaldo says:

You had me at the picture... with American - Cuban relations on the mend, could Obama and Hillary use a little diplomatic help from ERT?

Posted On: Wednesday, Apr. 22 2009 @ 8:45PM
iMidget says:

Removing posts I see. How Chron of you.

Posted On: Thursday, Apr. 23 2009 @ 2:06PM
Steve K says:

Excellent review, I love El Ray and dine there frequently, all of the comments are spot on! And, as stated, you can get a great meal for not much money (The "Ceviche El Ray" very good and worth it but costs ~$8.00). Keep up the good work, I look forward to reading more food reviews.

Posted On: Thursday, Apr. 23 2009 @ 5:55PM
Mateo says:

If you enjoy tortillas out of a package this is the place to go!

Posted On: Thursday, Apr. 23 2009 @ 10:37PM
groovehouse says:

El Rey has THE BEST caffe con leche! Try it!

Posted On: Friday, Apr. 24 2009 @ 8:57AM
Ashley B. says:

Great review, it made me hungry. Will have to try El Rey soon.

Posted On: Friday, Apr. 24 2009 @ 9:49AM
Amber says:

Mateo-
As long as the tortillas out of the package are good and hold awesome fillings (as they do at this place), I'm not a tortilla snob.

Groovehouse-
Yes, I could have written an entire post on their Cuban coffee choices.

Posted On: Friday, Apr. 24 2009 @ 9:50AM
Mateo says:

Amber says:
As long as the tortillas out of the package are good and hold awesome fillings (as they do at this place)

Amber, not properly cooking the tortilla will ruin it. If you like a rubbery tortillas go to El Rey. Putting it on a warmer for 20 seconds isn't the proper way to do it. There are just too many places that make a good one in Houston.

Posted On: Friday, Apr. 24 2009 @ 12:59PM
Steve Bonus says:

I make a special pilgrimage to El Rey every year when I'm in town for the holidays. I load up on tortilla soup and cuban tacos, and gorge myself until I want to pop. Yeah, that sounds gross, I know, but you just can't get tacos like El Rey's in Oregon...

Posted On: Friday, Apr. 24 2009 @ 1:08PM
Karin Shaver says:

I have to admit I have never tried El Rey and it is literally around the corner from me. I drive by all the time and think, man I should stop in sometime. Now, I think I will after reading your blog. I am curious to find out which taco I will like best. And you can't beat the price!

Posted On: Sunday, Apr. 26 2009 @ 10:09AM

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