El Rey Del Taco Taqueria

Looks inviting doesn't it? :) This picture doesn't do the restaurant justice... we ended up here at El Ray Del Taco (no website) on the crazy day of rain and flooding this week so not the best for photo-taking. The location is actually very well lit- and is located right inside I-285 off Buford Highway (and right across Buford Hwy from Chef Liu!). You can't miss the red string of light surrounding the roof of this taqueria (see in photo above).

We read about this place briefly in the same Southern Living article (I guess they didn't stray too far...). All we knew was that they had some great, cheap tacos. And since Cory's favorite food of all time is Mexican, we had to try it out.

Our interest was piqued when the sign on the door said they were open until 5am weeknights and 6am weekend nights (See photo above). I guess they do a lot of late night business! The place was pretty dead when we walked in at 7pm on Tuesday. The space was bright and cheery with latino music videos playing (a little too loud) and decorative metal star lights hanging everywhere (similar to Taqueria del Sol). The kitchen/grill is open to the restaurant with a 50's style counter and bar. Cory and I grabbed a booth and checked out the menu. Everything was reasonably priced with $1 - $1.60 dollar tacos, $4 - $5 burritos, and $1-$3 sides. I ordered 3 tacos ($1.60 ea.) with cheese (+$.30) and frijoles (refried beans- $2). Cory ordered 2 tacos, a burrito and rice ($1.75). They also offer Hecho a Mano tortillas which are handmade and pressed tortillas.  Cory was a little upset they didn't have any available so we'll have to go back to get some. See our delicious spread below:

Our favorite by far were the tacos (of course!) - they came with grilled onions and fresh cilantro on flour tortillas. It also came with some great sauces and fresh limes to squeeze on your meat.  We enjoyed the Al Pastor (la favorita) which is steak and chorizo; Chorizo (spiced Mexican pork); and the Pollo (chicken). The chicken was my least favorite- it was a little dry and just no comparison to the Al Pastor.  This was the cheap, delicious, and authentic taqueria that we have been looking for! Note to vegetarians... there's not much of a selection for you non-meat eaters. I would stick to the sides.

As we were leaving, more and more people kept filing in- I assume it's just more of a late-night place. And remember to pay at the counter! The staff speaks some english.