El Rey Tacos & Beer has only been open since July 15, but co-owners Martin Moreno and Mauricio Chavez are eager to share what’s special about their new Midtown storefront restaurant, located in the former home of Taco Republik.
Taco Republik appeared to be closed in May, then a sign that said “Remodeling” was posted on the door. Mauricio said he and Martin purchased the restaurant about a month ago.
The business partners are both from the state of Michoacán in West-Central Mexico. Martin’s wife, Genesis Flores, and Mauricio’s wife, Adriana Montes, are both developing the recipes and cooking at El Rey. Customers can already taste homemade goodness and authenticity here. Just take a deep breath and inhale the aromas of sizzling garlic, onions and peppers.
Martin and Mauricio aim to be a culinary bright spot in the Capital City, which is inundated with taco shops.
“There are a lot of places everywhere,” said Martin, but “we want something you’d have to go to Mexico to find. That’s my goal.”
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What’s on the menu
For starters, El Rey, which means “the king,” adds a few adventurous choices to its menu, which features a long list of tacos, rice bowl or burritos, tortas and Antojos Del Rey (basically a craving for something to eat, like a snack or side).
Along with classic choices like pork, steak, grilled and fried chicken, birria (saucy braised meat) shrimp and fish, you’ll find tacos with lengua or beef tongue and nopales, which are made from prickly pear cacti.
“Tongue tacos, for some people, might sound a little gross but it’s really good meat,” said Martin, who also owns Casa Grande Mexican Restaurant in Perry and Cairo, Georgia, places where he worked with Mauricio.
Stopping by on Tuesday for a quick visit, I ordered a few items for takeout. I am eager to go back for more.
A good first impression
Guacamole, served with chips, is a don’t-miss treat. The avocado dip is fresh and chucky, with red peppers, garlic, salsa and a squirt of lime. Jalapeños add a flavorful kick, but you can also request a milder version.
Tacos are available with corn (made at El Rey) or flour tortillas, with three options: The El Rey Style with cilantro and onions. The Baja Style, with cabbage, pico de gallo and creamy chipotle sauce. And the American Style with lettuce, tomato and cheese. Mauricio notes that it’s the salsa that enhances a dish. El Rey’s sauces also include pico de gallo, salsa verde (green sauce) and a creamy avocado.
Mauricio suggested the Baja-style fish taco, which was very good. My flour tortilla was filled with fried, crisp mahi, chopped cabbage and a drizzling of the creamy chipotle. My husband gobbled it down so fast that I only had a bite.
Bring a big appetite
We had no problem sharing the Tortas El Rey, a generous sandwich on a toasted bun, filled with your choice of protein, with refried beans, lettuce, jalapenos, tomatoes, onions, cheese and slices of avocado with your choice of chipotle mayo or poblano mayo. We ordered the pastor, slow-marinated pork marinated in pineapple juice and spices. The meat is ultra tender with a sweet-spicy zing. It’s served with well-seasoned fries. The sandwich was so big, we had leftovers.
I’d suggest pairing your food with a soft drink (beer and sangria available as well). I tasted the hibiscus and pineapple juices and they were both so refreshing in the summer heat. El Rey also offers horchata, a popular drink made with rice, flavored with cinnamon. Delicious.
The owners plan on being a late-night choice for customers frequenting the bars in the area, offering cocktails such as a Michelada, like a Mexican Bloody Mary but made with beer, along with a Margarona, a margarita made with beer. They offer just beer, wine and sangria as well.
The owners haven’t drastically changed the decor at Taco Republik but there are improvements and a dose of new energy. Martin and Mauricio livened up the dining room, refurbishing the tables and transforming the base for the kitchen area with an eye-popping splash of turquoise.
You can crown El Rey, The King, a worthy new addition to Tallahassee.
Rochelle Koff writes about food and dining at TallahasseeTable.com, on Facebook@TheTallahasseeTable and Twitter @tallytable. Reach her at TallahasseeTable@gmail.com.
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If you go
What: El Rey Tacos & Beer, 1122-8 Thomasville Road
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday to Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday to Saturday; contact: 850-692-3525.
Local Tallahassee, FL
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