El Rey Del Taco in Atlanta: What to Know Before You Go

If you’re craving authentic Mexican tacos, late-night eats, or casual international cuisine in Atlanta, El Rey Del Taco is one of the names that comes up again and again—especially around Buford Highway, the city’s best-known corridor for global food.

This guide walks you through what to expect, how to get there, what to order, and how El Rey Del Taco fits into Atlanta’s international dining scene.

Where El Rey Del Taco Fits in Atlanta’s Food Landscape

Atlanta has an increasingly diverse restaurant scene, and Buford Highway is at the center of it. El Rey Del Taco is part of the International Cuisine mix here, known primarily for:

  • Mexican tacos and antojitos (snacks)
  • A casual, family-friendly taqueria atmosphere
  • Late hours, useful if you live, work, or go out near northeast Atlanta

It’s the type of place locals recommend when someone says, “I just want good tacos without anything too fancy.”

Location, Getting There, and Practical Details

El Rey Del Taco is typically associated with the Doraville/Chamblee stretch of Buford Highway, which is easily accessible from many parts of metro Atlanta.

Getting There from Around Atlanta

  • From Midtown/Downtown:
    Take I-85 North, exit toward Chamblee–Tucker or Clairmont Road, then connect to Buford Highway (GA-13) heading north.
  • From Buckhead:
    Head east toward Peachtree Industrial Boulevard or I-85, then connect to Buford Highway.
  • By MARTA:
    Many Atlanta residents use the Doraville or Chamblee MARTA stations and a short rideshare or bus ride along Buford Highway. This corridor is served by several bus routes, but schedules can vary.

When planning a visit, it’s a good idea to:

  • Check current hours (late-night openings can change over time).
  • Plan for busy evenings, especially weekends and late nights.
  • Expect parking in a shared lot typical of Buford Highway plazas.

What Kind of Food El Rey Del Taco Serves

El Rey Del Taco focuses on Mexican cuisine, especially:

  • Tacos (classic street-style)
  • Tortas (Mexican sandwiches)
  • Quesadillas, burritos, sopes, and gorditas
  • Seafood dishes (depending on the current menu)
  • Fresh salsas and house-made tortillas at many times

Typical Taco Options

While menus can change, you can generally expect a range of meats and fillings such as:

  • Carne asada (grilled steak)
  • Al pastor (marinated pork, often with pineapple)
  • Pollo (chicken)
  • Carnitas (slow-cooked pork)
  • Sometimes lengua, chorizo, or other traditional cuts

Most tacos follow a simple, Mexico City–style presentation:
soft corn tortillas + meat + onions + cilantro + lime, with salsa on the side.

Who El Rey Del Taco Is Best For

El Rey Del Taco in Atlanta is especially appealing if you:

  • Live or work near Buford Highway and want a reliable, quick Mexican spot
  • Are visiting Atlanta and want to see what locals mean by “go eat on Buford Highway”
  • Prefer casual, no-frills dining over trendy or upscale restaurants
  • Need a late-night option beyond standard closing times

It can work well for:

  • Small groups or families
  • Friends grabbing a late meal after events, bars, or shows
  • Solo diners who just want to sit, order tacos, and head out

If you’re planning a large group visit, it’s smart to:

  • Arrive a bit earlier in the evening or
  • Be prepared to wait during prime hours

What to Order at El Rey Del Taco (Atlanta Context)

You’ll see a lot of tacos heading to tables, but Atlanta diners also tend to gravitate toward:

Popular Styles and Dishes

  • 🌮 Street-style tacos
    • Order 2–4 per person depending on appetite
    • Try a mix of al pastor, carne asada, and carnitas if you’re exploring
  • 🥙 Tortas
    • Hearty option if you’re very hungry
    • Often stuffed with your choice of meat, avocado, beans, and more
  • 🧀 Quesadillas and sopes
    • Good if you prefer something less messy than tacos
  • 🥣 Soups or seafood plates (if available)
    • Options can include shrimp dishes or caldo (broths), depending on the season and menu

Simple Ordering Tips

  • Start with tacos if it’s your first visit—Atlanta locals often use this as the baseline test for a taqueria.
  • Ask about house salsas; some locations offer a salsa bar or a variety of heat levels.
  • If you’re not fluent in Spanish, you can still order easily—menus generally include English dish names or descriptions.

Price Range and Payment Expectations

El Rey Del Taco typically falls into the affordable, casual range for Atlanta restaurants.

You can generally expect:

  • Tacos: Low-cost individual pricing, especially compared to sit-down spots in Midtown or Buckhead.
  • Combination meals or plates: More than tacos, but still moderate compared to many Atlanta full-service restaurants.

Because prices can change, especially with ingredient costs, it’s best to:

  • Glance at an updated menu on-site before ordering a larger spread
  • Have a backup payment method if you’re unsure about cash vs. card acceptance, since some smaller spots on Buford Highway can have preferences or minimums

Atmosphere and Dining Experience

El Rey Del Taco’s vibe generally matches:

  • Casual taqueria with bright lighting and straightforward decor
  • TVs often showing sports or Spanish-language programming
  • A mix of Spanish and English spoken by staff and guests

Compared to trendier in-town neighborhoods like Inman Park or Old Fourth Ward, Buford Highway spots like El Rey Del Taco usually emphasize:

  • Food first
  • Fast service
  • Functional seating rather than curated ambiance

It’s a spot where you’re more likely to see people focused on their plates than taking photos of the interior.

How El Rey Del Taco Compares to Other International Cuisine Options in Atlanta

If you’re planning a broader food tour around Atlanta, it helps to know how El Rey Del Taco fits into the International Cuisine category:

  • Buford Highway in general
    • Offers Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Mexican, Central American, and more
    • El Rey Del Taco is one of the Mexican anchors in this corridor
  • In-town neighborhoods
    • Midtown, West Midtown, and Eastside neighborhoods have more fusion or chef-driven Mexican concepts
    • El Rey Del Taco instead leans into traditional taqueria style, more like what you’d find along older immigrant corridors than in nightlife districts

For someone new to Atlanta—or showing visitors around—an evening on Buford Highway with a stop at El Rey Del Taco offers a very different experience from the BeltLine or Ponce City Market.

Tips for Atlanta Locals and Visitors

Here are some quick, Atlanta-specific pointers to make a visit smoother:

For locals:

  • Use El Rey Del Taco as a reliable option when other late-night kitchens close.
  • If you’re nearby in Brookhaven, Chamblee, or Doraville, it can be a convenient regular stop.
  • Consider pairing a visit with errands or shopping along Buford Highway, which has numerous international markets and bakeries.

For visitors:

  • If you’re staying near Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead, factor in traffic on I-85 and Peachtree; allow extra driving time during rush hour.
  • Combine your taco stop with a Buford Highway food crawl, sampling different cuisines in one night.
  • Use a rideshare if you’re unfamiliar with the area or plan to be out late.

When El Rey Del Taco Might Not Be Ideal

El Rey Del Taco may not be the best fit if you’re specifically looking for:

  • Fine dining or white-tablecloth service
  • A highly curated cocktail program or upscale bar scene
  • A setting focused on southern fusion or “New American” takes on tacos

In those cases, areas like Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, West Midtown, or Decatur have other restaurants that may align better with those expectations, while El Rey Del Taco remains a go-to for straightforward, traditional-style tacos.

How to Decide if El Rey Del Taco Belongs on Your Atlanta List

El Rey Del Taco is worth a stop if you:

  • Want authentic, straightforward Mexican tacos in a casual setting
  • Are exploring Buford Highway’s international food scene
  • Need late-night or flexible-hours dining near northeast Atlanta
  • Prefer value-focused, no-frills meals over atmospherics

If that matches what you’re looking for in Atlanta, adding El Rey Del Taco to your list makes sense—especially as part of a broader exploration of international cuisine along Buford Highway.