This place rocks. We walked in and were seated immediately on a Saturday night at 7:30pm with a party of six. We had drinks, chips, and salsa within eight five minutes of sitting down. The service was awesome. Very attentive. Our order was taken quickly and accurately. The food came out quick, served hot and with healthy servings. We all had left overs for the next day. This place is worth checking out and trying. We will be back.
(5)
Sarah J.
Authentic Mexican! Best joint in town - chicken fajita -regular - chicken and cheese flatuas EAT HERE!
(5)
Bryan S.
OMG! What can I say. The food was amazing. The prices are just as extraordinary. The service was perfect. We went for my wife's birthday and had a larger party then usual. Everything was beyond our expectations. You have to try the horchata and fried ice cream and fried banana for desert. I definitely recommend this restaurant if you are looking for authentic Mexican food. Way to go guys!
(5)
Rene T.
Best authentic Mexican food that I've ever had in PA. I got the chicken flautas and the banana desert was divine. I would highly recommend this place if you like authentic Mexican. The atmosphere and decor is awesome. I've been here quite a few times and have gotten lots of family members stuck on this place. It's great
(5)
Sugartastic G.
What did el pollo say when he crossed the road? Eat here if you can't find any real Mexican food. The service implies it will be authentic, but strangely it's not. Es loco ese! Having grown up in CA with good, great, and freaking fantastic Mexican food on nearly every corner, I just can't bring myself to eat here. And, it's not just a stylistic difference. They make the majority of their meals with GROUND beef.. Que pasa con eso? Is that American cheese they're using? Melts like it. When I eat Mexican I want some mouth watering hunks of cheap beef that have been simmering in sauce for hours, if not days, crushed between fresh tortillas someone's mom just made. Guess I'm a picky eater, eh? The prices are good- but they reflect the quality of the food. This is a money making small chain that's gotten by on central PA's love of a cheap meal and free chips. At least they did get the salsa right!
(3)
John F.
Very good and authentic Mexican food at a great value and prompt, nice service. Can't go wrong here!!!
(5)
Michael W.
The most authentic Mexican food you will get in state college. They tend to keep the food less spicy, but you can ask them to go more spicy and they will up the heat. The waiter tend to not be fluent english speakers, however the hostess/person that checks you out is normally more fluent in case you have special dietary needs or are allergic to something. One of the more affordable places to go eat and has plenty of options. It is BYOB if you want to bring beer in.
(4)
Chris H.
This place is great and BYOB! The food was excellent and very reasonably priced. The waitstaff was great! From reading prior reviews I had assumed that it would have a minimal decor, but the ambiance was very good. I'd highly recommend!
(5)
Ben A.
Good food, good service, good prices. What's not to like?
(4)
Tanya S.
Typical Mexican restaurant. Tortilla chips and salsa were authentic. I wish they had a choice of black beans and not just refried beans. I probably will not return here.
(3)
Barbara H.
Great food and fantastic service. Be sure to tip well, because your entire bill is very reasonable and the wait staff is always hustling to bring you your dinner within a very short period of time. Everything I've ever eaten here was of a good quality and of abundant proportions.
(5)
Justin A.
Once again, another great meal. I cannot say anything negative. The order was 100% accurate, and 100% tasty.
(4)
Jeffrey R.
I agree with the other reviews. Excellent service and extremely good food for a very reasonable price. Staff was very attentive. The atmosphere/decor was very fun too.
(4)
Lew F.
The food and service are consistently top notch. Friendly staff and prices coupled with generous portions of authentically prepared Mexican meals. Been going to this restaurant regularly for 3 years and have never been disappointed.
(5)
John S.
Rey Azteca translates as King of the Spanish or Spanish King. And for State College, that's an appropriate name since this Mexican restaurant is king of all Mexican food in State College. It is by far the best in town. But that's not saying much, considering Mexcian food in State College is really hurting. When compared to other Mexican restaurants in the US, I'd probably give this place three stars. Even the national chain Chevy's is better, and that's four stars for my rating. The only five star Mexican restaurant I've ever experienced is Guapos in DC ( guaposrestaurant.com ). Still, this is about the best you can get for State College. I gave it a local 4 star rating since the service was friendly, prices are VERY reasonable, and the food itself was very savory. Chips and salsa are good, but sub par compared to others in town. The menu offers a ton of selections (almost too many), but nonetheless it's an adventure to read the menu. Setting is nicely intimate with high-back booths, though they do have tables out front if you like to sit near a window. Service was very good, with chips and salsa and drink refills. When you visit any sort of ethnic restaurant, it's nice to see waiters and waitresses of that ethnic background, because it hopefully means the cooks are probably of the same background. The hostess/cashier and the one answering their phone is a local, so that's a perfect balance of ethnic to local employees. For my first visit I ordered a dinner combination of two enchiladas (one chicken, one cheese), rice, and beans. My wife ordered the Camarones al Mojo de Ajo (shrimp marinated in garlic salsa). Our meals were very good. Not top-notch, but solidly tasty and well prepared. The chicken within my enchilada was nice pieces of tender white meat, seasoned perfectly. It resembled near-shredded chicken (decent sized pieces that are almost falling apart), which I prefer over other chicken preparation such as chicken morsels. The cheese enchilada was delicious, but not completely melted all the way inside. It wasn't enough to make me send it back, as I still enjoyed the entire enchilada. Chips and salsa come with free refills. Chips are a little on the thick side (they should be much thinner!), and they use a little too much yellow hominy/corn instead of white in the masa. Salsa is runny, but still tasty. Portion size was generous for named dishes, but a touch small for dinner combinations, and even smaller for lunch combinations. However, I felt full and satisfied with the dinner combo, not stuffed. So that's a good thing. If you get a dinner or lunch combo to eat there, you probably won't be taking any leftovers home if you have a healthy to average appetite. So serving size was good, but not ideal for leftovers. This was a quick meal for us, just two entrees and drinks, so I can't comment on the desserts or sides. Overall I was very happy with our experience, because our food was well worth the price.
(4)
Whitney Z.
Great food, service is always super quick.. Last time I went for lunch it took less than 20 minutes total.
(5)
Bingqian L.
Waiters are super friendly. Cheese dip and chips are great! Food is great!
(4)
Steve W.
Quick and good authentic Mexican. Chips and salsa were hot and served within seconds of sitting down. Good taking mere minutes to be served. We love it there, plus it's BYOB.
(5)
Ray T.
After a busy Saturday at THON, our kids needed a few minutes to decompress, so a swim at the hotel's pool and dinner out gave us a little break before heading back to the BJC. Yelp served as our dinner concierge, and when we found this was 2 miles away, we pointed the car to Rey Azteca. My wife is a fool for Mexican, so when she saw the reviews, we had no further discussion. This Saturday night, there was a 25 minute wait, but we were seated in about 15. The resturaunt is very tastefully decorated, with almost a (sigh) Chi-Chi's feel inside. The chips and salsa arrived quickly,and were refilled promptly...and were quite good. The orders came quickly; I had the enchaladas suizas ($7.99)- chicken in salsa verde- really good. My wife had an enchalada/quesadilla combo ($7.99), which she raved about. Kids- less adventurous- liked the chicken fingers, cheeseburger and fries. So did I. The service was prompt, the food was excellent, and the prices were outstanding. I can nearly guarantee we will be back during our next visit...if the wife has her way...which she usually does!
(5)
S D.
Yummy, Yummy, Yummy! Great service, great food and presence. I usually get the beef quesadilla, or the steak burrito and its always great. I have also had there hot and sizzling steak and chicken fajitas with a side of tortillas and fresh pico; yummy! There fried ice cream is also a nice treat at the end of the meal. My favorite part about this place is there friendliness. It definitely makes the dinning experience that much special when the food, the atmosphere, the cleanliness and the service all add up to equal a wonderful experience. Great place, definitely check it out.
(5)
Tim D.
This place is just awesome. Although the waiter didn't speak much English, he was super nice and accommodating! I would highly recommend the "special dinner" with a taste of everything. It was all great but the tamale was by far the best! I would have given 5 stars but the food presented appeared somewhat watery and maybe a little unappetizing. That being said- once I tasted it I changed my mind! It tasted amazing and authentic and that's what counts ! The flan was the best I ever tasted too !
(4)
Tamela H.
Not sure why this place gets good reviews. Maybe it is because of the cheap price/ but you get what you pay for. Not a bad experience but not great. Salsa is bland and my dish which was served on a sizzling cast iron pan was stuck fast and burnt black. Mad Mex is a much better choice for authentic Mexican in State College.
(3)
Tan W.
We were at penn state with a group of friends for the week and ate there twice Biggest downside I that they do not serve alcohol thus 4 vs 5 stars Burrito was great, as were the flautas, and chimichangas. We had a party of 4 adults and5 kids, everyone enjoyed their meals. The free chips and salsa were plentiful, service was nice and maybe a little slow but we had a late party. There was a minor mix with up with the order but was not enough of a factor for me to lower the rating Try it, I'm glad I did
(4)
Lauren M.
We absolutely love Rey Azteca. Mexican food purists, calm down. No, it's not as vivid as Mexican food you might get elsewhere. This is central PA, and we think it's pretty good. We've been here often enough to develop favorites, though we've never had a bad meal here. Favorites include mole (couple different kinds), enchiladas suizas, enchiladas verdes, and the chicken fajitas for 2, which are delicious and a great deal. The chips and salsa are very good- fresh and free, of course! Service is always very friendly and amazingly fast. Definitely by far the best Mexican in town.
(4)
J H.
Mediocre food. No alcohol of any kind served. Waiter botched 2 of our 4 orders. Never refilled any drinks. Then we got home and 3 of us had stomach pains that kept us up half the night. We will never go back. I can't understand how this place gets such good reviews. Only explanation is a bunch of fake yelp posts. This is the first time Yelp let me down.
(1)
Rowan R.
I fell in love with this regional chain at their Butler location. When travel took me that way, I made sure to make Rey Azteca a destination. I was thrilled when they opened here in State College...and they haven't disappointed. The staff is always friendly, though sometimes the language barrier makes ordering interesting. Food always comes out fast and is tasty. I love the Mole Poblano and the Carne Asada; my husband always enjoys the vegetarian platters. The prices are cheap, especially at lunch. Two entrees, chips, salsa, and drinks for under $20.
(4)
Felicity C.
Was very impressed for the way it looked! My food was very good, large portions, and very inexpensive ex specially for state college. Waiter was very nice. Only two complaints when I came in the hostess did not greet me and I had no clue where to go as it was my first time there and it's weird the seating is hidden unless you walk In far enough and other complaint it look probably 40 minutes at least to get out food and it was not even packed it was full but there were no people waiting to be seated.
(4)
Andres L.
This place gets an extra star because of the price. Very cheap. Our food came out too fast in my opinion. Had fajitas and some mixed meat dish. I understand that the meat was sliced thin and the other side dishes don't take too long to prepare, but still. It came out in less than ten. The fajitas had shrimp (only had two out of the twelve because they were so not fresh), chicken (ok) and beef (dry). I understand the geographic location of the restaurant but it doesn't make it ok to not have fresh seafood and meats. The plate the meats and veggies were on was also drowned in oil. The bright spot was the first fajita. When I mixed it all in with beans and rice and guacamole (less the shrimp), it was pretty good. And then the bill came and I thought it was fair. What you pay for is what you get here.
(3)
Sean M.
I know, being from Texas, when it comes to Mexican food, I'm a long way from home here in Pennsylvania, but even considering that, Rey Azteca isn't great. The chips taste like they Tostitos, the fajitas are greasy and over-cooked, and the quesadillas are pitiful. However, it's still Mexican food and the service is usually decent, and it's BYOB so it's OK for somewhat sating that occasional Mexican taste.
(1)
Michael W.
Are you looking for that legit Mexican food that central PA is obviously lacking in? Rey Azteca isn't 100% there, but let's be frank, it is ridiculously cheap. So if you're not convinced yet, then let me say this: Rey Azteca is BYOB. Seriously right? BYOB at a Mexican restaurant. The true selling point of Rey Azteca is their combo meals. For $7.50, you have about 40 choices of different combinations. This varies from mixing and matching tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and quesadillas. You get to pick three things for $7.50. What a deal. Unfortunately, the portions aren't huge either. After a couple hours, i was hungry again because each of the items were pretty small. More or less, the combo meals fill you up as much as a Taco Bell combo would. The wait for dinner isn't too bad. If you come around 6-7pm, then there literally isn't a wait. Go any later, and the wait can get as long as 30 minutes. As far as how the food tastes, it's alright, but not the type of Mexican food that I'm used to at home. Being that I've had legit Mexican food during my time, Rey Azteca can't really compare. It's not something that I'd crave, but it's no something that tastes nasty either. Decent food, for a decent price. Nothing more, nothing less. If you're going for bulk over quality, then I'd go with the taco, enchilada, and quesadilla combo. This is probably the best you'd get as far as Mexican food in State College, so this will have to suffice for now.
(3)
Trudy M.
Great food, great service, great prices. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Dorothy P.
I've never had a bad meal here!! Amazing food. Hardly ever a wait to be seated. Clean & good service. Def one of the best Mexican food restaurants in SC
(5)
Katie B.
I will preface this review with the disclaimer that I am from Texas and I am incredibly spoiled by both Tex Mex and Mexican food and I -still- love this place. Would I rate this a solid 3 stars if I was back home? Sure. Is this hands down one of the best restaurants in the food wasteland that is SC? Lets examine the evidence: 1.) Great food? Yes. 2.) Great prices? Heck yes. Order the lunch menu for dinner and you'll still save money (there's a 75 cents surcharge but its large portions and it'll cost less than dinner options). 3.) Fast? Ridiculously. You can make it from downtown, there to lunch, and back on an hr lunch break. NOWHERE else in town is that possible. 4.) Friendly? Honestly, 50/50. We have our favorites, including the manager/owner who must work 24/7 because we've been coming here about two times a month since it opened and we have NEVER not seen him (and had him drop by the table to chat). Do yourself a favor if you want a quick, hearty, casual meal and give Rey Azteca a try. Also, the paintings on the wall in the front are awesome and fear inspiring. :)
(5)
Katie B.
So cheap and so delicious. It's authentic Mexican food and the staff is very attentive. Best Mexican in the State College area!
(5)
Susan H.
Great place!! Loved the chicken enchilladas in verde sauce. Homemade guacamole dip was fabulous. The fact that it is byob makes this delicious dining experience very affordable. We'll be back
(4)
Zach L.
Always delicious. Consistency can be hard to find in State College, but Rey Azteca never disappoints. Guadalajara special is a lot of food for a great price...taquitos, tamale, nachos, and guacamole. Yum!
(4)
Simon B.
I would also drive to El Campesino (Altoona) to get my Mexican fix, about once a month, like other Yelpers. It seems we've been waiting for a Mexican restaurant for so long that our expectations were so low that Rey's could only surpass them. Forget about the long waits to get a table, to get your food, or to pay (10min in line). It should all come down to food. The chips were definitely lacking flavor, and the salsa tasted like tomatoes with lots of salt. No spices, no herbs. The refried beans were right out of a can, with melted cheese on top. Cold. Not a great start. I ordered corn tortillas with beef, onions and a spicy sauce. It was clear that the burning hot corn tortillas had been filled with pre-cooked beef. I could barely hold them, but the beef inside was lukewarm. The sauce (not spicy) was actually on the side, so you can imagine the mess (and frustration) of having to hold the things to put the sauce only to figure out everything inside was cold. The girlfriend had enchiladas and rice, and both were blend. You'll get the same Mexican food (enchiladas and rice) at a college dorm. Not better. Portions were noticably small, but the prices were reasonable. About $20 + tip for 2 at dinner. Most things under $10 per plate. So will I go back? I wouldn't consider it unless I have a craving for Mexican food. And even if I were to have a craving, I am not sure what I would do. Driving 5min to Rey's or 45min El Campasino (in Altoona) seems like a toss up to me. Note: BYO. No liquor license yet.
(2)
Dave T.
At last, a good Mexican restaurant in State College! The Camarones a la Diabla are excellent - shrimp glazed in a hot and spicy tomato sauce, served with rice, lettuce, tomato, guacamole, and tortillas. Hot enough that you really feel it, without burning out your tongue. The Burrito Cancun is a nicely sized shrimp burrito with green peppers and onions served with melted queso fresco cheese and a spicy red sauce on top and beans and rice on the side. Really good. Service was friendly, and fast considering it was their opening weekend. I'll definitely be back!
(5)
Rodney S.
Best Mexican in town isn't much of a compliment. Food is mediocre at best, but the service and prices are good. Like the other Mexican restaurants here, the salsa is basically ketchup, the food is bland, and the burritos are mushy enchiladas. I came here judging by the Yelp ratings--seriously disappointed. My friends have come here on one other occasion and said it was just as mediocre as the first time.
(2)
Myron S.
Well-flavored authentic Mexican food (not just tacos). We come here for lunch regularly. Been happy every time. My favorite is lunch special #13.
(4)
Rob P.
There aren't many mexican restaurants in State College (however there will be two more this spring), but this one still stands out as a great restaurant. The service is quick and the food is tasty. Their specials (there are a ton) each serve up plenty of food, so you won't leave hungry. They also serve fresh chips and salsa when you arrive. Overall, a place I keep going back to because of the food and service.
(4)
Minna R.
Everyone seems to love it here, I've heard so many good things about it. But I just don't get what the hype is all about. I went there twice, since I figured maybe I just ordered the wrong thing the first time around. I didn't like it any more the second time I went. Maybe they just aren't good at making vegetarian dishes, I don't know. I'm no expert on Mexican food, but I don't like a fajita with squash and zucchini (although typically, I do like those veggies). And the tortilla sandwich "stuffed with mushrooms, cheese, and avocado" was essentially a quesadilla with some small mushrooms thrown in (where's my portabella??) and very runny guacamole on the side. Also they didn't give me enough veggies (1 slice of tomato and half a slice of onion - why even bother?) Add to this the lack of atmosphere and you can see where I'm headed with my 2-star rating. On the plus side, it was pretty cheap and there was lots of seating, our server was nice and the chips were good. Sorry Rey Azteca, but it doesn't make up for the lackluster food.
(2)
Pennsyltucky V.
It is fine, my folks love this place. Now that we don't eat cheese there is much less we can get.
(3)
Alejandro T.
To be honest this review is based on what you get and for how much you get it. For the price you pay, I think that it is only fair to say that this restaurant does an excellent job to deliver quality and service. The food is excellent, the Mexican environment is a plus, they are BYOB, you are served by real Mexican hospitality, they give you fresh chips and salsa as soon as you sit, and did I say BYOB?. If you are going on a date and money is a subject; this please would do, it isn't the most romantic place but it would be good to you, your date, your stomach and your pocket.
(5)
Julia M.
Take your translation app with you because they really are Mexican & so is the food! Mue Bueno! It's a bring your own beer at this point so that keeps the bill down. Don't know if they will eventually get a liquor license but I hope not.
(5)
Justin E.
I've had their Enchiladas Rancheras 3 times now, and it's an excellent dish of "four enchiladas with chicken, topped with mole ranchero sauce, lettuce, tomato, and sour cream." The service can be slow at times, but I think it might be related to the fact that they just opened recently and they are still fine tuning their process. I'm hesitant to go here for a lunch hour until they are able to crank out their lunch crowd quicker. I'm always up for going here on the weekends and for dinners during the week, though. Their guacamole is very fresh, but not much flavor. It's not bad, just needs a little kick! My wife and I used to drive to El Campesino in Altoona (40 miles away) on the weekends for Mexican, so we're happy that State College finally has a good Mexican restaurant. I'm definitely a fan!
(4)
Lark P.
People in State College think this is good Mexican food. It's not, but it's OK, for State College.
(2)
Sean R.
It's about time State College got a real Mexican restaurant. I think I have been complaining about that since Chi Chi's closed (it was as close to real Mexican that SC has had). I had dinner here tonight with two friends, the service here was great, complimentary chips and salsa is always a bonus. I had the guacamole which was decent, and the mole poblano which was good too. The interior is awesome, each table is private and makes you feel like you are in your own little house, complete with a fake roof. It's a little weird that you pay up front, like at most diners, but that is overshadowed by all the positives. Add the fact that the prices are great and it's a BYOB, this place gets a thumbs up.
(4)
Collin C.
More like 4-1/2 stars. I am a realist... nothing gets me more annoyed that yelpers who whine and say things like "this Mexican food is dreadful compared to what I get in Southern California". That's great, you know what... this is central PA, what do you want? Stop trying to act so sophisticated. This is a great addition to State College, it's inexpensive ($5 lunches), quick and good. You can bring a six pack to this place and that's totally cool at this place. I am a big fan. The location is just ok, but that side of town is desperately needing more restaurants. It sure beats Qdoba, Taco Bell and Chipotle (which people just love for some reason).
(4)
Kai K.
Best mexican food in State College. This is not saying much.
(3)
Megan K.
I absolutely love this place! Its your typical Mexican style restaurant, they serve you fresh chips and salsa. They have a large menu. The waiters are friendly although some do have limited English skills. They have an easy parking lot and sometimes the place gets packed but service is fast. Food is delicious and its BYOB. Many great meals with friends had here.
(5)
Rey J.
I was surprised by the incredibly negative review by a previous reviewer. We went to Rey Azteca twice within their first few days of being open. We had lunch on Saturday and while we heard about the crowds on Friday (yes, we've been waiting for an authentic Mexican place in State College for... well, basically forever), we didn't experience any on Saturday lunch. We walked in, got seated, and had food on the table within 10 minutes of ordering. We had the chicken flautas special, tamales, and a chile relleno. They were all great. Excellent quality. The cheese sauce on the flautas was to die for. We also went for an early dinner on Monday. This time, the place was crowded. We waited 40 minutes for a table; however, they must have learned from what happened to them on opening day because the food was on our table 5 minutes (not exaggerating) after we ordered it. This time, we had the flautas (yes, they are that good), a chicken fajita salad, and beans and rice. All as exactly as you would expect from an authentic Mexican place. The joint is gringo-ized a bit in that they make it clear on the menu that they don't spice it up. While I'll try this next time, I'm sure you can coax them to add a bit more heat to your dish. Overall, a great experience. Nice and friendly hostess, wait staff, and cashier people. Highly recommended!
(4)
JoJo R.
I went to Ray Azteca on their opening weekend in hopes of some good Mexican food. Overall was a pretty good dining experience. To start off it was insanely crowded. There was a mass of people waiting outside when we pulled up. When we went in and asked how long the wait was we were told 45 mins. We decided to wait it out based on the menu and how good the dishes looked coming out. We were sat in about 25 mins. Chips and Salsa were up first. I feel you can judge a lot about a Mexican Restaurant by the salsa. Overall it was ok. A little bland for my taste but not bad. Would be nice to offer a hotter one as well, but not a big deal. We ordered a Guacamole dip as well and it was excellent. A small bowl of Guac that was smooth and creamy with lots of citrus flavors. Our main dishes seemed to take forever to come, but they were very good. I had the "Ray Azteca" Flauta and Quesadilla. Both were very good. Others in my party had a chicken chimi and a chalupa. Both were very good. Rice and beans as sides were good too. Overall it was a good meal. I would say the food was as good as El Campasino in Altoona, however the portions were not as big. Still plenty to eat though. It was pretty reasonable as well. The service was kind of slow and screwed up but I will write that off as opening weekend issues. I assume that once things slow down a little the service will improve. Pretty good for Central PA Mexican!
(3)
JV T.
Great addition to the State College area! Very authentic, just as others reviewers mention. The interior is very cozy - bright colors, vibrant artwork, and private booths. My husband and I went for lunch. The prices were great - lunch specials for $4-$6. The hostess and waitstaff were friendly and attentive - our drinks were never low, and the food came out quickly. Chips and salsa are free for the table, and then I ordered the chicken taco salad (lunch portion) and my husband got a burrito. Both were delicious! They do not serve alcohol, however. The hostess did tell us they are working on getting their license and it is a BYOB for now. Great experience, delicious food, wonderful service. Recommended!
(4)
Rochelle J.
Yay, coming from California I have been waiting for a decent Mexican place, and now we finally have one! The salsa and guacamole are average, but the entrees were very good. We had the chicken quesadilla, taquitos and tamales, and all were well done, if a little mild on the spicy side. The biggest disappointment about this place is the service. Once we were seated, it seemed like we were forgotten, and kept having to flag down waiters. Needless to say, the service was quite slow. Also hope at some point they get a liquor license, as for now they're BYO.
(4)
Genessa W.
My boyfriend and I have been to Rey Azteca a few times for dinner, and every time we have left full and satisfied. While I'm a true California girl and used to the authentic stuff, in PA authentic Mexican food is hard to find. While Rey Azteca isn't exactly authentic Mexican food, it comes decently close enough with a few dishes. I found the enchiladas with green sauce to be really good, as well as the fresh guacamole they make.Thank goodness I speak spanish, because I was able to communicate with our waitress about the restaurant. They're apparently really close to obtaining their liquor license, and while Margaritas would have immensely added satisfaction to our meal, it's still about a 3/5 in terms of Mexican food.
(4)
Nittany Vegetarian A.
We have been going to Rey Azteca since they opened! We like their food, BUT are not sure if their beans are vegetarian. I have been told that they use oil but if somebody who knows Spanish could please ask them and reply on this board it would really help. Their portions are on the small side. The chips are good and the salsa is bleh. My husband takes his own beer. My younger son loves the sugary sangria and always orders it. I have water. I usually order a veggie fajita and it is pretty good here. The guac is yummy and you get big chunks of avocado which I like. I skip the rice but they are yet to understand the concept of doubling the beans instead of rice and beans. It is extremely busy on weekends. We went yesterday night and it was calm. We ordered poblanos with potato, enchilada and tostadas. I skip the sour cream. The green and red hot sauces are really hot and totally yummy. The wait staff is extremely friendly and will get somebody who will help us with our order.
(4)
Sarah T.
Our family of 5 eats healthier and better here for the same price as McDonalds! Food is si good and so fast
(5)
David G.
This was our first visit to Rey Azteca. My wife and I had two very good and reasonably priced entrees. Truth be told, the prices were downright cheap for the quality you get. Service was good. While we wish they had a liquor license, we learned that they do allow BYO. We will definitely return.
(4)
kinetic m.
This place has excellent food at a good price. Yes, people are right, they can get crowded and they have replaced a hostess with a sheet of paper when they get busy. But who cares, you want the staff to wear white gloves, have your own personal waiter and pay three times as much to cover all of there salaries? My food came in a reasonable amount of time, my ice tea got refilled several times without my asking, I don't ask for much else in the way of service.The place has good food and you get a good value for your money, give them a try. State College has needed a good Mexican place, things have not been right since La Bamba left SC. Give it a try, the carnitas dinner is excellent, nice crust on the outside of the meat. You can even find onions in this restaurant, something that the downtown chain burrito places (Qdoba & Chipotle) have been missing, I guess corporate R&D told them that white bread middle America finds onions scary and that they should keep them out of the food, at least they started to use cilantro a little bit. My one complaint, Rey Azteca owners I hope you take this one seriously, it is an easy fix. The plastic drinking glass are gross, not just yours, but everyplace that uses them. They never seem clean, I don't care how sterile they are from your commercial dishwasher, they are simply gross. Charge me an extra dollar for my ice tea and put it is a real glass. I know they break/chip, it is annoying. Charge a little extra for the drinks and don't bring water unless people ask for it to make up the difference. Please, think about it.
(5)
Destiny A.
As a California native, I wasn't expecting to be impressed with Rey Azteca, but I was! I got the pork burrito (take out), with a side of guac. I chuckled while sitting in the waiting area, as it was filled with folks who had clearly never been to a Mexican food restaurant before...I ended up interpreting the menu for a couple who was lookin to eat "adventurously" and was unsure of the difference between a taco, burrito, and an enchilada. :) Anyway, I got takeout, so I won't review the restaurant space, but I was impressed with the speedy order and friendliness of the hostess. The food was good. The burrito wasn't huge, but the pork was perfectly cooked and very flavorful. It had a very good green sauce on top (which I was not expecting - I hadn't ordered it wet), and the rice and beans were very good. The guacamole was very fresh, and went well with the homemade chips. The salsa left something to be desired - it was not at all spicy (not totally surprising for Central PA palates), so tasted more like a watery tomato sauce. Otherwise the meal was very satisfying.
(4)
Marissa W.
This is probably one of the best mexican restaurants I have ever been to! First of all, the place is decorated so cute and fun! And it is by far the cleanest mexican restaurants I have ate at! The waiters have a very limited english vocabulary however they are very sweet, polite, and efficient. I tend to judge mexican restaurants on their salsa. . .and Ray Aztecas was perfect with just the right amount of cilantro! If I am ever back in the State College area again, Ray Azteca's will definitely be a stop on my list!
(5)
Kate W.
We just moved here from Austin, TX, so we know good tex mex.. and Rey Aztecas is as good as it gets for central PA! :) Their fajitas are great, homemade tortillas yummy! My only complaint is that they don't serve margaritas and twice I've tried to order queso (they call it cheese dip) and it has never been brought to us... do people here not eat queso?
(4)
Sharon F.
Great food, great service, great prices! The tortilla chips are so yummy, hot and crispy, the best in the USA!
(5)
Melissa L.
Wonderful mexican food. It is very hard to find a place this good here as far as mexican goes. But this place is almost as good as the mex in california. I was a little disappointed that I couldn't get a good margarita but the good food made up for it.
(4)
CM W.
Mexican food for Pennsylvania palates. It's cheap and fast.
(3)
Sc'Eric H.
I'll admit it: I'm more of a lurker here at Yelp. But after reading review after review of how awesome this place is, I have to say: I DON'T GET IT. We (three of us) entered Rey Azteca around 7pm, not knowing what to expect. After putting our name in the till, we waited for about 15 minutes for a seat--not too bad. Once seated, we all started with water, as we usually do. (My group usually orders cocktails or unusual house specialities. Since there's neither a liquor license nor homemade horchata, we stuck to the di-hydro.) First impression: the menu is reasonably large and well formatted. [Note: since my cohorts are also Yelpers, I'll only focus on my own observations for this review.] After declining "refrescos", we were offered chips and salsa... and were quite eager to try them! (Honestly, it's one of the primary ways to judge a Mexican restaurant. For Americanized Chinese, the test is either eggrolls or wonton soup; for Mexican, it's chips and salsa. And if they're not good, you may as well cash in your chips, pay for your drinks and get outta Dodge! Rey Azteca's chips were probably the best I've ever had in any restaurant: light, crispy, homemade and not too salty. Salsa, on the other hand, was probably the worst I've ever had--EVER. It tasted of tomato paste. There was no discernible onion, garlic or fresh cilantro flavor at all. No detectable hint of lime either. The story so far: amazing tortilla chips, but horrible salsa. This should have been noted as a harbinger of what was to come. (Rey Azteca, what are you doing?!) For a main course, I was hoping to order the combo plate of Tamales and Beef Enchiladas. (Both are corn-based dishes and should have no problem for someone who is gluten-intolerant like me.) After explaining my situation--both verbally and in writing--they practically flipped out. Suddenly they're saying that the chef could easily prepare a vegetarian dish for me. (I'm not vegetarian; I'm gluten-intolerant: I cannot have barley, rye or wheat related grains... nor non-distilled grain vinegar, grain-based sweeteners [maltodextrin] and yeast extracts. Granted, it's a bit more complicated than that, but I can have rice and beans and all manner of meats provided they're not prepared concurrently or cross-contaminated with what's on the no-fly list.) I try to re-explain myself, but I'm not sure they're hearing me. I assure them that beef and chicken are fine, as well as rice and beans. They're still dissuading me from the beef but not explaining why. I decide to risk it and go for the beef enchiladas. (Apparently, the tamales are off-limits because not only do they serve them with a flour-thickened sauce over top, but they also simmer the tamales in that sauce--which I can't eat. Maybe it's a regional variation, but my experience with tamales is that they're a masa-based confection that often includes pork, peppers and other seasonings, steamed--AND SERVED--inside a corn-husk wrapper. Essentially, tamales are on-the-go food. There should be no sauce. Still, the modern Americanized establishments serve them that way and Rey Azteca is following suit. But the fact that they SIMMER THEM in this gravy is not only disappointing on a culinary level, but also silly in an entrepreneurial sense: there's no way Celiacs can eat them. (And why complicate such a elegantly simple thing anyway?) When the enchiladas arrived, they were slathered in what appeared to be the same type of sauce that most restaurants use on their tamales. (I decided to try it anyway... and DIDN'T get a gluten reaction!) The shell was a steamed/baked corn tortilla and the stuffing was made from ground beef, onion, garlic and spices. The problem with this dish was the complete lack of flavor and character... as well as the ground beef itself. (Most restaurante menus specify "ground beef", reserving the "beef" nomenclature for the shredded/steak variety. Rey Azteca's menu merely said beef but appeared as a finely ground meat product--blandly seasoned, stuffed inside the tortilla, draped with sauce and melted cheese... and poorly presented on the plate. (A plate full of brown, brown and off-white can easily be dressed with tomato, lettuce, guacamole--ANYTHING--to make it look good. These guys aren't even trying!) Additionally, the serving size is nearly half that of El Campesino in Altoona. I might've ordered more, but didn't feel like it would be worth it. Granted, my Celiac request may have thrown them for a loop. And I'm always willing to give a place a second try. But for now, I'd easily drive the 50 miles to El Campesino! Overall: ~ Best tortilla chips I've ever had in a restaurant. ~ Worst salsa I've ever had in a restaurant. ~ Friendly service. ~ Incredibly bland food--even after ordering it extra-spicy. ONE MORE TRY, guys.
(2)
Brian G.
Good sit-down food and as cheap as Quodoba and Chipolte! No comparison in quality or quantity, you'll go home full with one if the $7.50 dinner combos!
(5)
Jackie V.
Oh, Rey...where to start. First, let's get a few things straight: I'm with Collin C on being totally over the whiney reviews that people have been dropping on Rey. It seems that people here think that in order to establish Yelp prowess you have to complain about how you've had better. Ugh. Get over it and review the food that you were served. Okay, so on to that. I'm not Mexicana, and I have a hard time believing that anyone else who has reviewed so far is, so the question of "the most authentic food" or "bland college dorm-esque cuisine" is really all in the eye of the beholder. Let's get it straight folks, this place is in the middle of central PA, and the owners have planned their flavor palate accordingly. In fact, the menu even says some form of "dishes are prepared mild for your enjoyment" right on it. Now, I understand that there are plenty of folks like myself that have lived on either coast and/or in a large city that is crawling with hole-in-the-wall places to get tasty, spicy Mexican food, but State College just doesn't have the same audience. Expect food to be milder than, say, Galveston. With that said, both times I've come to the Rey, the staff had no problem turning the heat up when we asked. So, if spicy is what you're looking for, just ask. Overall the menu can be sort of overwhelming. I've had the enchiladas, and tacos, and I found both to be exactly as expected: quick, cheap, and tasty. I personally was happy to hear that the majority of dishes (including refried beans) are cooked without any diary (you hear that, Mad Mex?? It IS possible) so all you no-milkers like myself are in luck (vegans, I'm sorry to report that the lack of dairy is due to the use of lard, so you might want to steer clear). My dining buddies have also had the salads, burritos and mole enchiladas which I'm told were pretty standard as well. I typically order a la cart, and end up paying about $7 for beans, enchiladas and a taco. Pretty good for dinner. As other reviewers have stated, they are working on their application to serve the fire water, so right now it is BYOB, which I personally like better ($13 for a six pack you bring or $5 for a pint that the waiter brings? I'll take the former...) It seems that the crowds are starting to die down a bit; upon our third visit we waited less than 10 minutes for a table of 6. Overall, definitely worth a try.
(4)
Raph D.
BADBADBADBADBADBAD. Food lacks flavor in every aspect, beans are runny, and lacking any seasoning, rice is fluffy like a cloud and tastes just as good. The difference between all of the menu items seems to be based on the tortilla construction and nothing else. The sauces on those items are runny and seem to have been made days before service. The chile rellenos that they offer is one of the laziest looking additions to a menu i have ever seen, instead of it being properly prepared (battered of sorts, and fried) it is just a sliced open pepper with some flavorless beef on top with even worse tasting cheese on top of that. It really is insulting, and if you care at all about food, or eating, or taste, or America, you'll save yourself the massive, unexplainable wait, and just make better taking food at home with some of those seasoning packets and 70-30 beef. Just gross.
(1)
Craig F.
Authentic v. Non-Authentic... Who cares! The food was very good Mexican-American eats!! We had a good quick lunch there and was very pleased with everything! Rey Azteca is a good addition to the State College Dining scene.
(3)
Gail R.
We used to like their food but it has gone down hill big time. Went last night and the service was terrible. We asked for more salsa and got it but no more chips even though we only had three left. The waitress dropped the salsa and left. Our dinner was very small in portion and this is almost unheard of with Mexican food. Our combinations didn't even include rice or beans. The burrito was exactly the same as the enchilada down to the same hamburger filling. It all tasted and even looked the same and was super small. Our food was hot from the oven but we had no drinks and no appearance from the waitress to request any till our food was almost gone. A man with an oven mitt rushed over and dropped the food and ran. When we left the cashier asked if it was ok and when my husband said no and that the service was terrible her only response was "you ate the food". No apology was offered or even a manager to ask for feedback. We will never go back.
(1)
Derek M.
Decent food and good vegetarian selections. The service can be slow, and I don't always get what I order. Still, it beats a drive to Williamsport or to Altoona for Mexican. They can get very busy at lunch.
(3)
Derek M.
It's affordable and decent Mexican food. I really don't have much else to say--I liked what I ate, and all my companions did as well. And particularly given that most of the menu is under $10, it's a good spot. It's not the most well-decorated restaurant, but it works.
(4)
Nancy N.
Food is good, wait staff don't speak the best English but try VERY hard to please. The best part is that it is next door to a 6 screen movie theater where movies are only $1 every show every day. Great pairing!
(4)
James S.
Good "authentic" Mexican food at good prices. They give you unlimited chips and salsa when you sit down. The portions are good size and I always leave full. They have a Lunch menu with all options around $5 and a $0.75 extra charge if you choose a lunch option after 2:30pm. I like the ability to choose a lunch option during dinner time. Rey's has a kids menu, but it is pretty sparse on the non-mexican options. Chicken nuggets, chicken fingers, and a few others. BYOB
(4)
KL S.
I'd still make the drive to Altoona. Our first experience there was pretty good - my husband and I both got lunch burritos. Great flavor, quick service, we were really happy with our meal. The second experience was not quite as good. I wonder if it was a "Mexican honeymoon" of sorts since we were so excited to FINALLY have Mexican food in State College, we overlooked a few flaws... On our second visit, we ordered chicken and steak fajitas. Terrible seems like too strong of a word, but they were pretty lousy. The meat and veggies were chopped up into tiny bits and it had no flavor. I have to agree with previous salsa assessments, too. Really bland. We'll go back for convenience, but the food was disappointing to us.
(3)
Keith F.
Great place for a family of 4 to eat for about $30. Food is good, kids (8 yr olds) love the atmosphere? Not totally educated on all dishes. Been there 4 times and always try something different..... Haven't had anything that wasn't good? Recommend trying it!
(4)
Cindy L.
i went about 4 months ago, it was HORRIBLE!!! i really wanted to like it, since i miss southern ca mexican food. while the servers are latino, the food is not the least bit authentic. *salsa and tortilla chips* they serve them when you arrive, they tasted like they were purchased, premade, at the walmart down the street. *meal: Combo plate with taco, chili relleno, a tamale, and rice &beans* the taco was soggy when it arrived; the chili relleno was a slightly warm, practically raw pepper with cheese and ground beef sprinkled on top (not at all the traditional style where they are all roasted together . . . and they use shredded rather than ground beef); and the tamale, well i've had better versions of frozen tamales, and I am pretty sure the tamales they serve come to their restaurant frozen; the rice was tolerable; the beans tasted like really cheap refried beans from a can. while many places deserve a second chance, this place does not . . .barring a complete overhaul of their ingredients and approach to food preparation. based on what my friends had to say about their food, none of the four dishes we ordered were salvageable. i would go to mad mex or baja fresh for "Mexican" over this place without hesitating.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Accepts Bitcoin : No Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
John G.
This place rocks. We walked in and were seated immediately on a Saturday night at 7:30pm with a party of six. We had drinks, chips, and salsa within eight five minutes of sitting down. The service was awesome. Very attentive. Our order was taken quickly and accurately. The food came out quick, served hot and with healthy servings. We all had left overs for the next day. This place is worth checking out and trying. We will be back.
(5)Sarah J.
Authentic Mexican! Best joint in town - chicken fajita -regular - chicken and cheese flatuas EAT HERE!
(5)Bryan S.
OMG! What can I say. The food was amazing. The prices are just as extraordinary. The service was perfect. We went for my wife's birthday and had a larger party then usual. Everything was beyond our expectations. You have to try the horchata and fried ice cream and fried banana for desert. I definitely recommend this restaurant if you are looking for authentic Mexican food. Way to go guys!
(5)Rene T.
Best authentic Mexican food that I've ever had in PA. I got the chicken flautas and the banana desert was divine. I would highly recommend this place if you like authentic Mexican. The atmosphere and decor is awesome. I've been here quite a few times and have gotten lots of family members stuck on this place. It's great
(5)Sugartastic G.
What did el pollo say when he crossed the road? Eat here if you can't find any real Mexican food. The service implies it will be authentic, but strangely it's not. Es loco ese! Having grown up in CA with good, great, and freaking fantastic Mexican food on nearly every corner, I just can't bring myself to eat here. And, it's not just a stylistic difference. They make the majority of their meals with GROUND beef.. Que pasa con eso? Is that American cheese they're using? Melts like it. When I eat Mexican I want some mouth watering hunks of cheap beef that have been simmering in sauce for hours, if not days, crushed between fresh tortillas someone's mom just made. Guess I'm a picky eater, eh? The prices are good- but they reflect the quality of the food. This is a money making small chain that's gotten by on central PA's love of a cheap meal and free chips. At least they did get the salsa right!
(3)John F.
Very good and authentic Mexican food at a great value and prompt, nice service. Can't go wrong here!!!
(5)Michael W.
The most authentic Mexican food you will get in state college. They tend to keep the food less spicy, but you can ask them to go more spicy and they will up the heat. The waiter tend to not be fluent english speakers, however the hostess/person that checks you out is normally more fluent in case you have special dietary needs or are allergic to something. One of the more affordable places to go eat and has plenty of options. It is BYOB if you want to bring beer in.
(4)Chris H.
This place is great and BYOB! The food was excellent and very reasonably priced. The waitstaff was great! From reading prior reviews I had assumed that it would have a minimal decor, but the ambiance was very good. I'd highly recommend!
(5)Ben A.
Good food, good service, good prices. What's not to like?
(4)Tanya S.
Typical Mexican restaurant. Tortilla chips and salsa were authentic. I wish they had a choice of black beans and not just refried beans. I probably will not return here.
(3)Barbara H.
Great food and fantastic service. Be sure to tip well, because your entire bill is very reasonable and the wait staff is always hustling to bring you your dinner within a very short period of time. Everything I've ever eaten here was of a good quality and of abundant proportions.
(5)Justin A.
Once again, another great meal. I cannot say anything negative. The order was 100% accurate, and 100% tasty.
(4)Jeffrey R.
I agree with the other reviews. Excellent service and extremely good food for a very reasonable price. Staff was very attentive. The atmosphere/decor was very fun too.
(4)Lew F.
The food and service are consistently top notch. Friendly staff and prices coupled with generous portions of authentically prepared Mexican meals. Been going to this restaurant regularly for 3 years and have never been disappointed.
(5)John S.
Rey Azteca translates as King of the Spanish or Spanish King. And for State College, that's an appropriate name since this Mexican restaurant is king of all Mexican food in State College. It is by far the best in town. But that's not saying much, considering Mexcian food in State College is really hurting. When compared to other Mexican restaurants in the US, I'd probably give this place three stars. Even the national chain Chevy's is better, and that's four stars for my rating. The only five star Mexican restaurant I've ever experienced is Guapos in DC ( guaposrestaurant.com ). Still, this is about the best you can get for State College. I gave it a local 4 star rating since the service was friendly, prices are VERY reasonable, and the food itself was very savory. Chips and salsa are good, but sub par compared to others in town. The menu offers a ton of selections (almost too many), but nonetheless it's an adventure to read the menu. Setting is nicely intimate with high-back booths, though they do have tables out front if you like to sit near a window. Service was very good, with chips and salsa and drink refills. When you visit any sort of ethnic restaurant, it's nice to see waiters and waitresses of that ethnic background, because it hopefully means the cooks are probably of the same background. The hostess/cashier and the one answering their phone is a local, so that's a perfect balance of ethnic to local employees. For my first visit I ordered a dinner combination of two enchiladas (one chicken, one cheese), rice, and beans. My wife ordered the Camarones al Mojo de Ajo (shrimp marinated in garlic salsa). Our meals were very good. Not top-notch, but solidly tasty and well prepared. The chicken within my enchilada was nice pieces of tender white meat, seasoned perfectly. It resembled near-shredded chicken (decent sized pieces that are almost falling apart), which I prefer over other chicken preparation such as chicken morsels. The cheese enchilada was delicious, but not completely melted all the way inside. It wasn't enough to make me send it back, as I still enjoyed the entire enchilada. Chips and salsa come with free refills. Chips are a little on the thick side (they should be much thinner!), and they use a little too much yellow hominy/corn instead of white in the masa. Salsa is runny, but still tasty. Portion size was generous for named dishes, but a touch small for dinner combinations, and even smaller for lunch combinations. However, I felt full and satisfied with the dinner combo, not stuffed. So that's a good thing. If you get a dinner or lunch combo to eat there, you probably won't be taking any leftovers home if you have a healthy to average appetite. So serving size was good, but not ideal for leftovers. This was a quick meal for us, just two entrees and drinks, so I can't comment on the desserts or sides. Overall I was very happy with our experience, because our food was well worth the price.
(4)Whitney Z.
Great food, service is always super quick.. Last time I went for lunch it took less than 20 minutes total.
(5)Bingqian L.
Waiters are super friendly. Cheese dip and chips are great! Food is great!
(4)Steve W.
Quick and good authentic Mexican. Chips and salsa were hot and served within seconds of sitting down. Good taking mere minutes to be served. We love it there, plus it's BYOB.
(5)Ray T.
After a busy Saturday at THON, our kids needed a few minutes to decompress, so a swim at the hotel's pool and dinner out gave us a little break before heading back to the BJC. Yelp served as our dinner concierge, and when we found this was 2 miles away, we pointed the car to Rey Azteca. My wife is a fool for Mexican, so when she saw the reviews, we had no further discussion. This Saturday night, there was a 25 minute wait, but we were seated in about 15. The resturaunt is very tastefully decorated, with almost a (sigh) Chi-Chi's feel inside. The chips and salsa arrived quickly,and were refilled promptly...and were quite good. The orders came quickly; I had the enchaladas suizas ($7.99)- chicken in salsa verde- really good. My wife had an enchalada/quesadilla combo ($7.99), which she raved about. Kids- less adventurous- liked the chicken fingers, cheeseburger and fries. So did I. The service was prompt, the food was excellent, and the prices were outstanding. I can nearly guarantee we will be back during our next visit...if the wife has her way...which she usually does!
(5)S D.
Yummy, Yummy, Yummy! Great service, great food and presence. I usually get the beef quesadilla, or the steak burrito and its always great. I have also had there hot and sizzling steak and chicken fajitas with a side of tortillas and fresh pico; yummy! There fried ice cream is also a nice treat at the end of the meal. My favorite part about this place is there friendliness. It definitely makes the dinning experience that much special when the food, the atmosphere, the cleanliness and the service all add up to equal a wonderful experience. Great place, definitely check it out.
(5)Tim D.
This place is just awesome. Although the waiter didn't speak much English, he was super nice and accommodating! I would highly recommend the "special dinner" with a taste of everything. It was all great but the tamale was by far the best! I would have given 5 stars but the food presented appeared somewhat watery and maybe a little unappetizing. That being said- once I tasted it I changed my mind! It tasted amazing and authentic and that's what counts ! The flan was the best I ever tasted too !
(4)Tamela H.
Not sure why this place gets good reviews. Maybe it is because of the cheap price/ but you get what you pay for. Not a bad experience but not great. Salsa is bland and my dish which was served on a sizzling cast iron pan was stuck fast and burnt black. Mad Mex is a much better choice for authentic Mexican in State College.
(3)Tan W.
We were at penn state with a group of friends for the week and ate there twice Biggest downside I that they do not serve alcohol thus 4 vs 5 stars Burrito was great, as were the flautas, and chimichangas. We had a party of 4 adults and5 kids, everyone enjoyed their meals. The free chips and salsa were plentiful, service was nice and maybe a little slow but we had a late party. There was a minor mix with up with the order but was not enough of a factor for me to lower the rating Try it, I'm glad I did
(4)Lauren M.
We absolutely love Rey Azteca. Mexican food purists, calm down. No, it's not as vivid as Mexican food you might get elsewhere. This is central PA, and we think it's pretty good. We've been here often enough to develop favorites, though we've never had a bad meal here. Favorites include mole (couple different kinds), enchiladas suizas, enchiladas verdes, and the chicken fajitas for 2, which are delicious and a great deal. The chips and salsa are very good- fresh and free, of course! Service is always very friendly and amazingly fast. Definitely by far the best Mexican in town.
(4)J H.
Mediocre food. No alcohol of any kind served. Waiter botched 2 of our 4 orders. Never refilled any drinks. Then we got home and 3 of us had stomach pains that kept us up half the night. We will never go back. I can't understand how this place gets such good reviews. Only explanation is a bunch of fake yelp posts. This is the first time Yelp let me down.
(1)Rowan R.
I fell in love with this regional chain at their Butler location. When travel took me that way, I made sure to make Rey Azteca a destination. I was thrilled when they opened here in State College...and they haven't disappointed. The staff is always friendly, though sometimes the language barrier makes ordering interesting. Food always comes out fast and is tasty. I love the Mole Poblano and the Carne Asada; my husband always enjoys the vegetarian platters. The prices are cheap, especially at lunch. Two entrees, chips, salsa, and drinks for under $20.
(4)Felicity C.
Was very impressed for the way it looked! My food was very good, large portions, and very inexpensive ex specially for state college. Waiter was very nice. Only two complaints when I came in the hostess did not greet me and I had no clue where to go as it was my first time there and it's weird the seating is hidden unless you walk In far enough and other complaint it look probably 40 minutes at least to get out food and it was not even packed it was full but there were no people waiting to be seated.
(4)Andres L.
This place gets an extra star because of the price. Very cheap. Our food came out too fast in my opinion. Had fajitas and some mixed meat dish. I understand that the meat was sliced thin and the other side dishes don't take too long to prepare, but still. It came out in less than ten. The fajitas had shrimp (only had two out of the twelve because they were so not fresh), chicken (ok) and beef (dry). I understand the geographic location of the restaurant but it doesn't make it ok to not have fresh seafood and meats. The plate the meats and veggies were on was also drowned in oil. The bright spot was the first fajita. When I mixed it all in with beans and rice and guacamole (less the shrimp), it was pretty good. And then the bill came and I thought it was fair. What you pay for is what you get here.
(3)Sean M.
I know, being from Texas, when it comes to Mexican food, I'm a long way from home here in Pennsylvania, but even considering that, Rey Azteca isn't great. The chips taste like they Tostitos, the fajitas are greasy and over-cooked, and the quesadillas are pitiful. However, it's still Mexican food and the service is usually decent, and it's BYOB so it's OK for somewhat sating that occasional Mexican taste.
(1)Michael W.
Are you looking for that legit Mexican food that central PA is obviously lacking in? Rey Azteca isn't 100% there, but let's be frank, it is ridiculously cheap. So if you're not convinced yet, then let me say this: Rey Azteca is BYOB. Seriously right? BYOB at a Mexican restaurant. The true selling point of Rey Azteca is their combo meals. For $7.50, you have about 40 choices of different combinations. This varies from mixing and matching tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and quesadillas. You get to pick three things for $7.50. What a deal. Unfortunately, the portions aren't huge either. After a couple hours, i was hungry again because each of the items were pretty small. More or less, the combo meals fill you up as much as a Taco Bell combo would. The wait for dinner isn't too bad. If you come around 6-7pm, then there literally isn't a wait. Go any later, and the wait can get as long as 30 minutes. As far as how the food tastes, it's alright, but not the type of Mexican food that I'm used to at home. Being that I've had legit Mexican food during my time, Rey Azteca can't really compare. It's not something that I'd crave, but it's no something that tastes nasty either. Decent food, for a decent price. Nothing more, nothing less. If you're going for bulk over quality, then I'd go with the taco, enchilada, and quesadilla combo. This is probably the best you'd get as far as Mexican food in State College, so this will have to suffice for now.
(3)Trudy M.
Great food, great service, great prices. I can't wait to go back!
(5)Dorothy P.
I've never had a bad meal here!! Amazing food. Hardly ever a wait to be seated. Clean & good service. Def one of the best Mexican food restaurants in SC
(5)Katie B.
I will preface this review with the disclaimer that I am from Texas and I am incredibly spoiled by both Tex Mex and Mexican food and I -still- love this place. Would I rate this a solid 3 stars if I was back home? Sure. Is this hands down one of the best restaurants in the food wasteland that is SC? Lets examine the evidence: 1.) Great food? Yes. 2.) Great prices? Heck yes. Order the lunch menu for dinner and you'll still save money (there's a 75 cents surcharge but its large portions and it'll cost less than dinner options). 3.) Fast? Ridiculously. You can make it from downtown, there to lunch, and back on an hr lunch break. NOWHERE else in town is that possible. 4.) Friendly? Honestly, 50/50. We have our favorites, including the manager/owner who must work 24/7 because we've been coming here about two times a month since it opened and we have NEVER not seen him (and had him drop by the table to chat). Do yourself a favor if you want a quick, hearty, casual meal and give Rey Azteca a try. Also, the paintings on the wall in the front are awesome and fear inspiring. :)
(5)Katie B.
So cheap and so delicious. It's authentic Mexican food and the staff is very attentive. Best Mexican in the State College area!
(5)Susan H.
Great place!! Loved the chicken enchilladas in verde sauce. Homemade guacamole dip was fabulous. The fact that it is byob makes this delicious dining experience very affordable. We'll be back
(4)Zach L.
Always delicious. Consistency can be hard to find in State College, but Rey Azteca never disappoints. Guadalajara special is a lot of food for a great price...taquitos, tamale, nachos, and guacamole. Yum!
(4)Simon B.
I would also drive to El Campesino (Altoona) to get my Mexican fix, about once a month, like other Yelpers. It seems we've been waiting for a Mexican restaurant for so long that our expectations were so low that Rey's could only surpass them. Forget about the long waits to get a table, to get your food, or to pay (10min in line). It should all come down to food. The chips were definitely lacking flavor, and the salsa tasted like tomatoes with lots of salt. No spices, no herbs. The refried beans were right out of a can, with melted cheese on top. Cold. Not a great start. I ordered corn tortillas with beef, onions and a spicy sauce. It was clear that the burning hot corn tortillas had been filled with pre-cooked beef. I could barely hold them, but the beef inside was lukewarm. The sauce (not spicy) was actually on the side, so you can imagine the mess (and frustration) of having to hold the things to put the sauce only to figure out everything inside was cold. The girlfriend had enchiladas and rice, and both were blend. You'll get the same Mexican food (enchiladas and rice) at a college dorm. Not better. Portions were noticably small, but the prices were reasonable. About $20 + tip for 2 at dinner. Most things under $10 per plate. So will I go back? I wouldn't consider it unless I have a craving for Mexican food. And even if I were to have a craving, I am not sure what I would do. Driving 5min to Rey's or 45min El Campasino (in Altoona) seems like a toss up to me. Note: BYO. No liquor license yet.
(2)Dave T.
At last, a good Mexican restaurant in State College! The Camarones a la Diabla are excellent - shrimp glazed in a hot and spicy tomato sauce, served with rice, lettuce, tomato, guacamole, and tortillas. Hot enough that you really feel it, without burning out your tongue. The Burrito Cancun is a nicely sized shrimp burrito with green peppers and onions served with melted queso fresco cheese and a spicy red sauce on top and beans and rice on the side. Really good. Service was friendly, and fast considering it was their opening weekend. I'll definitely be back!
(5)Rodney S.
Best Mexican in town isn't much of a compliment. Food is mediocre at best, but the service and prices are good. Like the other Mexican restaurants here, the salsa is basically ketchup, the food is bland, and the burritos are mushy enchiladas. I came here judging by the Yelp ratings--seriously disappointed. My friends have come here on one other occasion and said it was just as mediocre as the first time.
(2)Myron S.
Well-flavored authentic Mexican food (not just tacos). We come here for lunch regularly. Been happy every time. My favorite is lunch special #13.
(4)Rob P.
There aren't many mexican restaurants in State College (however there will be two more this spring), but this one still stands out as a great restaurant. The service is quick and the food is tasty. Their specials (there are a ton) each serve up plenty of food, so you won't leave hungry. They also serve fresh chips and salsa when you arrive. Overall, a place I keep going back to because of the food and service.
(4)Minna R.
Everyone seems to love it here, I've heard so many good things about it. But I just don't get what the hype is all about. I went there twice, since I figured maybe I just ordered the wrong thing the first time around. I didn't like it any more the second time I went. Maybe they just aren't good at making vegetarian dishes, I don't know. I'm no expert on Mexican food, but I don't like a fajita with squash and zucchini (although typically, I do like those veggies). And the tortilla sandwich "stuffed with mushrooms, cheese, and avocado" was essentially a quesadilla with some small mushrooms thrown in (where's my portabella??) and very runny guacamole on the side. Also they didn't give me enough veggies (1 slice of tomato and half a slice of onion - why even bother?) Add to this the lack of atmosphere and you can see where I'm headed with my 2-star rating. On the plus side, it was pretty cheap and there was lots of seating, our server was nice and the chips were good. Sorry Rey Azteca, but it doesn't make up for the lackluster food.
(2)Pennsyltucky V.
It is fine, my folks love this place. Now that we don't eat cheese there is much less we can get.
(3)Alejandro T.
To be honest this review is based on what you get and for how much you get it. For the price you pay, I think that it is only fair to say that this restaurant does an excellent job to deliver quality and service. The food is excellent, the Mexican environment is a plus, they are BYOB, you are served by real Mexican hospitality, they give you fresh chips and salsa as soon as you sit, and did I say BYOB?. If you are going on a date and money is a subject; this please would do, it isn't the most romantic place but it would be good to you, your date, your stomach and your pocket.
(5)Julia M.
Take your translation app with you because they really are Mexican & so is the food! Mue Bueno! It's a bring your own beer at this point so that keeps the bill down. Don't know if they will eventually get a liquor license but I hope not.
(5)Justin E.
I've had their Enchiladas Rancheras 3 times now, and it's an excellent dish of "four enchiladas with chicken, topped with mole ranchero sauce, lettuce, tomato, and sour cream." The service can be slow at times, but I think it might be related to the fact that they just opened recently and they are still fine tuning their process. I'm hesitant to go here for a lunch hour until they are able to crank out their lunch crowd quicker. I'm always up for going here on the weekends and for dinners during the week, though. Their guacamole is very fresh, but not much flavor. It's not bad, just needs a little kick! My wife and I used to drive to El Campesino in Altoona (40 miles away) on the weekends for Mexican, so we're happy that State College finally has a good Mexican restaurant. I'm definitely a fan!
(4)Lark P.
People in State College think this is good Mexican food. It's not, but it's OK, for State College.
(2)Sean R.
It's about time State College got a real Mexican restaurant. I think I have been complaining about that since Chi Chi's closed (it was as close to real Mexican that SC has had). I had dinner here tonight with two friends, the service here was great, complimentary chips and salsa is always a bonus. I had the guacamole which was decent, and the mole poblano which was good too. The interior is awesome, each table is private and makes you feel like you are in your own little house, complete with a fake roof. It's a little weird that you pay up front, like at most diners, but that is overshadowed by all the positives. Add the fact that the prices are great and it's a BYOB, this place gets a thumbs up.
(4)Collin C.
More like 4-1/2 stars. I am a realist... nothing gets me more annoyed that yelpers who whine and say things like "this Mexican food is dreadful compared to what I get in Southern California". That's great, you know what... this is central PA, what do you want? Stop trying to act so sophisticated. This is a great addition to State College, it's inexpensive ($5 lunches), quick and good. You can bring a six pack to this place and that's totally cool at this place. I am a big fan. The location is just ok, but that side of town is desperately needing more restaurants. It sure beats Qdoba, Taco Bell and Chipotle (which people just love for some reason).
(4)Kai K.
Best mexican food in State College. This is not saying much.
(3)Megan K.
I absolutely love this place! Its your typical Mexican style restaurant, they serve you fresh chips and salsa. They have a large menu. The waiters are friendly although some do have limited English skills. They have an easy parking lot and sometimes the place gets packed but service is fast. Food is delicious and its BYOB. Many great meals with friends had here.
(5)Rey J.
I was surprised by the incredibly negative review by a previous reviewer. We went to Rey Azteca twice within their first few days of being open. We had lunch on Saturday and while we heard about the crowds on Friday (yes, we've been waiting for an authentic Mexican place in State College for... well, basically forever), we didn't experience any on Saturday lunch. We walked in, got seated, and had food on the table within 10 minutes of ordering. We had the chicken flautas special, tamales, and a chile relleno. They were all great. Excellent quality. The cheese sauce on the flautas was to die for. We also went for an early dinner on Monday. This time, the place was crowded. We waited 40 minutes for a table; however, they must have learned from what happened to them on opening day because the food was on our table 5 minutes (not exaggerating) after we ordered it. This time, we had the flautas (yes, they are that good), a chicken fajita salad, and beans and rice. All as exactly as you would expect from an authentic Mexican place. The joint is gringo-ized a bit in that they make it clear on the menu that they don't spice it up. While I'll try this next time, I'm sure you can coax them to add a bit more heat to your dish. Overall, a great experience. Nice and friendly hostess, wait staff, and cashier people. Highly recommended!
(4)JoJo R.
I went to Ray Azteca on their opening weekend in hopes of some good Mexican food. Overall was a pretty good dining experience. To start off it was insanely crowded. There was a mass of people waiting outside when we pulled up. When we went in and asked how long the wait was we were told 45 mins. We decided to wait it out based on the menu and how good the dishes looked coming out. We were sat in about 25 mins. Chips and Salsa were up first. I feel you can judge a lot about a Mexican Restaurant by the salsa. Overall it was ok. A little bland for my taste but not bad. Would be nice to offer a hotter one as well, but not a big deal. We ordered a Guacamole dip as well and it was excellent. A small bowl of Guac that was smooth and creamy with lots of citrus flavors. Our main dishes seemed to take forever to come, but they were very good. I had the "Ray Azteca" Flauta and Quesadilla. Both were very good. Others in my party had a chicken chimi and a chalupa. Both were very good. Rice and beans as sides were good too. Overall it was a good meal. I would say the food was as good as El Campasino in Altoona, however the portions were not as big. Still plenty to eat though. It was pretty reasonable as well. The service was kind of slow and screwed up but I will write that off as opening weekend issues. I assume that once things slow down a little the service will improve. Pretty good for Central PA Mexican!
(3)JV T.
Great addition to the State College area! Very authentic, just as others reviewers mention. The interior is very cozy - bright colors, vibrant artwork, and private booths. My husband and I went for lunch. The prices were great - lunch specials for $4-$6. The hostess and waitstaff were friendly and attentive - our drinks were never low, and the food came out quickly. Chips and salsa are free for the table, and then I ordered the chicken taco salad (lunch portion) and my husband got a burrito. Both were delicious! They do not serve alcohol, however. The hostess did tell us they are working on getting their license and it is a BYOB for now. Great experience, delicious food, wonderful service. Recommended!
(4)Rochelle J.
Yay, coming from California I have been waiting for a decent Mexican place, and now we finally have one! The salsa and guacamole are average, but the entrees were very good. We had the chicken quesadilla, taquitos and tamales, and all were well done, if a little mild on the spicy side. The biggest disappointment about this place is the service. Once we were seated, it seemed like we were forgotten, and kept having to flag down waiters. Needless to say, the service was quite slow. Also hope at some point they get a liquor license, as for now they're BYO.
(4)Genessa W.
My boyfriend and I have been to Rey Azteca a few times for dinner, and every time we have left full and satisfied. While I'm a true California girl and used to the authentic stuff, in PA authentic Mexican food is hard to find. While Rey Azteca isn't exactly authentic Mexican food, it comes decently close enough with a few dishes. I found the enchiladas with green sauce to be really good, as well as the fresh guacamole they make.Thank goodness I speak spanish, because I was able to communicate with our waitress about the restaurant. They're apparently really close to obtaining their liquor license, and while Margaritas would have immensely added satisfaction to our meal, it's still about a 3/5 in terms of Mexican food.
(4)Nittany Vegetarian A.
We have been going to Rey Azteca since they opened! We like their food, BUT are not sure if their beans are vegetarian. I have been told that they use oil but if somebody who knows Spanish could please ask them and reply on this board it would really help. Their portions are on the small side. The chips are good and the salsa is bleh. My husband takes his own beer. My younger son loves the sugary sangria and always orders it. I have water. I usually order a veggie fajita and it is pretty good here. The guac is yummy and you get big chunks of avocado which I like. I skip the rice but they are yet to understand the concept of doubling the beans instead of rice and beans. It is extremely busy on weekends. We went yesterday night and it was calm. We ordered poblanos with potato, enchilada and tostadas. I skip the sour cream. The green and red hot sauces are really hot and totally yummy. The wait staff is extremely friendly and will get somebody who will help us with our order.
(4)Sarah T.
Our family of 5 eats healthier and better here for the same price as McDonalds! Food is si good and so fast
(5)David G.
This was our first visit to Rey Azteca. My wife and I had two very good and reasonably priced entrees. Truth be told, the prices were downright cheap for the quality you get. Service was good. While we wish they had a liquor license, we learned that they do allow BYO. We will definitely return.
(4)kinetic m.
This place has excellent food at a good price. Yes, people are right, they can get crowded and they have replaced a hostess with a sheet of paper when they get busy. But who cares, you want the staff to wear white gloves, have your own personal waiter and pay three times as much to cover all of there salaries? My food came in a reasonable amount of time, my ice tea got refilled several times without my asking, I don't ask for much else in the way of service.The place has good food and you get a good value for your money, give them a try. State College has needed a good Mexican place, things have not been right since La Bamba left SC. Give it a try, the carnitas dinner is excellent, nice crust on the outside of the meat. You can even find onions in this restaurant, something that the downtown chain burrito places (Qdoba & Chipotle) have been missing, I guess corporate R&D told them that white bread middle America finds onions scary and that they should keep them out of the food, at least they started to use cilantro a little bit. My one complaint, Rey Azteca owners I hope you take this one seriously, it is an easy fix. The plastic drinking glass are gross, not just yours, but everyplace that uses them. They never seem clean, I don't care how sterile they are from your commercial dishwasher, they are simply gross. Charge me an extra dollar for my ice tea and put it is a real glass. I know they break/chip, it is annoying. Charge a little extra for the drinks and don't bring water unless people ask for it to make up the difference. Please, think about it.
(5)Destiny A.
As a California native, I wasn't expecting to be impressed with Rey Azteca, but I was! I got the pork burrito (take out), with a side of guac. I chuckled while sitting in the waiting area, as it was filled with folks who had clearly never been to a Mexican food restaurant before...I ended up interpreting the menu for a couple who was lookin to eat "adventurously" and was unsure of the difference between a taco, burrito, and an enchilada. :) Anyway, I got takeout, so I won't review the restaurant space, but I was impressed with the speedy order and friendliness of the hostess. The food was good. The burrito wasn't huge, but the pork was perfectly cooked and very flavorful. It had a very good green sauce on top (which I was not expecting - I hadn't ordered it wet), and the rice and beans were very good. The guacamole was very fresh, and went well with the homemade chips. The salsa left something to be desired - it was not at all spicy (not totally surprising for Central PA palates), so tasted more like a watery tomato sauce. Otherwise the meal was very satisfying.
(4)Marissa W.
This is probably one of the best mexican restaurants I have ever been to! First of all, the place is decorated so cute and fun! And it is by far the cleanest mexican restaurants I have ate at! The waiters have a very limited english vocabulary however they are very sweet, polite, and efficient. I tend to judge mexican restaurants on their salsa. . .and Ray Aztecas was perfect with just the right amount of cilantro! If I am ever back in the State College area again, Ray Azteca's will definitely be a stop on my list!
(5)Kate W.
We just moved here from Austin, TX, so we know good tex mex.. and Rey Aztecas is as good as it gets for central PA! :) Their fajitas are great, homemade tortillas yummy! My only complaint is that they don't serve margaritas and twice I've tried to order queso (they call it cheese dip) and it has never been brought to us... do people here not eat queso?
(4)Sharon F.
Great food, great service, great prices! The tortilla chips are so yummy, hot and crispy, the best in the USA!
(5)Melissa L.
Wonderful mexican food. It is very hard to find a place this good here as far as mexican goes. But this place is almost as good as the mex in california. I was a little disappointed that I couldn't get a good margarita but the good food made up for it.
(4)CM W.
Mexican food for Pennsylvania palates. It's cheap and fast.
(3)Sc'Eric H.
I'll admit it: I'm more of a lurker here at Yelp. But after reading review after review of how awesome this place is, I have to say: I DON'T GET IT. We (three of us) entered Rey Azteca around 7pm, not knowing what to expect. After putting our name in the till, we waited for about 15 minutes for a seat--not too bad. Once seated, we all started with water, as we usually do. (My group usually orders cocktails or unusual house specialities. Since there's neither a liquor license nor homemade horchata, we stuck to the di-hydro.) First impression: the menu is reasonably large and well formatted. [Note: since my cohorts are also Yelpers, I'll only focus on my own observations for this review.] After declining "refrescos", we were offered chips and salsa... and were quite eager to try them! (Honestly, it's one of the primary ways to judge a Mexican restaurant. For Americanized Chinese, the test is either eggrolls or wonton soup; for Mexican, it's chips and salsa. And if they're not good, you may as well cash in your chips, pay for your drinks and get outta Dodge! Rey Azteca's chips were probably the best I've ever had in any restaurant: light, crispy, homemade and not too salty. Salsa, on the other hand, was probably the worst I've ever had--EVER. It tasted of tomato paste. There was no discernible onion, garlic or fresh cilantro flavor at all. No detectable hint of lime either. The story so far: amazing tortilla chips, but horrible salsa. This should have been noted as a harbinger of what was to come. (Rey Azteca, what are you doing?!) For a main course, I was hoping to order the combo plate of Tamales and Beef Enchiladas. (Both are corn-based dishes and should have no problem for someone who is gluten-intolerant like me.) After explaining my situation--both verbally and in writing--they practically flipped out. Suddenly they're saying that the chef could easily prepare a vegetarian dish for me. (I'm not vegetarian; I'm gluten-intolerant: I cannot have barley, rye or wheat related grains... nor non-distilled grain vinegar, grain-based sweeteners [maltodextrin] and yeast extracts. Granted, it's a bit more complicated than that, but I can have rice and beans and all manner of meats provided they're not prepared concurrently or cross-contaminated with what's on the no-fly list.) I try to re-explain myself, but I'm not sure they're hearing me. I assure them that beef and chicken are fine, as well as rice and beans. They're still dissuading me from the beef but not explaining why. I decide to risk it and go for the beef enchiladas. (Apparently, the tamales are off-limits because not only do they serve them with a flour-thickened sauce over top, but they also simmer the tamales in that sauce--which I can't eat. Maybe it's a regional variation, but my experience with tamales is that they're a masa-based confection that often includes pork, peppers and other seasonings, steamed--AND SERVED--inside a corn-husk wrapper. Essentially, tamales are on-the-go food. There should be no sauce. Still, the modern Americanized establishments serve them that way and Rey Azteca is following suit. But the fact that they SIMMER THEM in this gravy is not only disappointing on a culinary level, but also silly in an entrepreneurial sense: there's no way Celiacs can eat them. (And why complicate such a elegantly simple thing anyway?) When the enchiladas arrived, they were slathered in what appeared to be the same type of sauce that most restaurants use on their tamales. (I decided to try it anyway... and DIDN'T get a gluten reaction!) The shell was a steamed/baked corn tortilla and the stuffing was made from ground beef, onion, garlic and spices. The problem with this dish was the complete lack of flavor and character... as well as the ground beef itself. (Most restaurante menus specify "ground beef", reserving the "beef" nomenclature for the shredded/steak variety. Rey Azteca's menu merely said beef but appeared as a finely ground meat product--blandly seasoned, stuffed inside the tortilla, draped with sauce and melted cheese... and poorly presented on the plate. (A plate full of brown, brown and off-white can easily be dressed with tomato, lettuce, guacamole--ANYTHING--to make it look good. These guys aren't even trying!) Additionally, the serving size is nearly half that of El Campesino in Altoona. I might've ordered more, but didn't feel like it would be worth it. Granted, my Celiac request may have thrown them for a loop. And I'm always willing to give a place a second try. But for now, I'd easily drive the 50 miles to El Campesino! Overall: ~ Best tortilla chips I've ever had in a restaurant. ~ Worst salsa I've ever had in a restaurant. ~ Friendly service. ~ Incredibly bland food--even after ordering it extra-spicy. ONE MORE TRY, guys.
(2)Brian G.
Good sit-down food and as cheap as Quodoba and Chipolte! No comparison in quality or quantity, you'll go home full with one if the $7.50 dinner combos!
(5)Jackie V.
Oh, Rey...where to start. First, let's get a few things straight: I'm with Collin C on being totally over the whiney reviews that people have been dropping on Rey. It seems that people here think that in order to establish Yelp prowess you have to complain about how you've had better. Ugh. Get over it and review the food that you were served. Okay, so on to that. I'm not Mexicana, and I have a hard time believing that anyone else who has reviewed so far is, so the question of "the most authentic food" or "bland college dorm-esque cuisine" is really all in the eye of the beholder. Let's get it straight folks, this place is in the middle of central PA, and the owners have planned their flavor palate accordingly. In fact, the menu even says some form of "dishes are prepared mild for your enjoyment" right on it. Now, I understand that there are plenty of folks like myself that have lived on either coast and/or in a large city that is crawling with hole-in-the-wall places to get tasty, spicy Mexican food, but State College just doesn't have the same audience. Expect food to be milder than, say, Galveston. With that said, both times I've come to the Rey, the staff had no problem turning the heat up when we asked. So, if spicy is what you're looking for, just ask. Overall the menu can be sort of overwhelming. I've had the enchiladas, and tacos, and I found both to be exactly as expected: quick, cheap, and tasty. I personally was happy to hear that the majority of dishes (including refried beans) are cooked without any diary (you hear that, Mad Mex?? It IS possible) so all you no-milkers like myself are in luck (vegans, I'm sorry to report that the lack of dairy is due to the use of lard, so you might want to steer clear). My dining buddies have also had the salads, burritos and mole enchiladas which I'm told were pretty standard as well. I typically order a la cart, and end up paying about $7 for beans, enchiladas and a taco. Pretty good for dinner. As other reviewers have stated, they are working on their application to serve the fire water, so right now it is BYOB, which I personally like better ($13 for a six pack you bring or $5 for a pint that the waiter brings? I'll take the former...) It seems that the crowds are starting to die down a bit; upon our third visit we waited less than 10 minutes for a table of 6. Overall, definitely worth a try.
(4)Raph D.
BADBADBADBADBADBAD. Food lacks flavor in every aspect, beans are runny, and lacking any seasoning, rice is fluffy like a cloud and tastes just as good. The difference between all of the menu items seems to be based on the tortilla construction and nothing else. The sauces on those items are runny and seem to have been made days before service. The chile rellenos that they offer is one of the laziest looking additions to a menu i have ever seen, instead of it being properly prepared (battered of sorts, and fried) it is just a sliced open pepper with some flavorless beef on top with even worse tasting cheese on top of that. It really is insulting, and if you care at all about food, or eating, or taste, or America, you'll save yourself the massive, unexplainable wait, and just make better taking food at home with some of those seasoning packets and 70-30 beef. Just gross.
(1)Craig F.
Authentic v. Non-Authentic... Who cares! The food was very good Mexican-American eats!! We had a good quick lunch there and was very pleased with everything! Rey Azteca is a good addition to the State College Dining scene.
(3)Gail R.
We used to like their food but it has gone down hill big time. Went last night and the service was terrible. We asked for more salsa and got it but no more chips even though we only had three left. The waitress dropped the salsa and left. Our dinner was very small in portion and this is almost unheard of with Mexican food. Our combinations didn't even include rice or beans. The burrito was exactly the same as the enchilada down to the same hamburger filling. It all tasted and even looked the same and was super small. Our food was hot from the oven but we had no drinks and no appearance from the waitress to request any till our food was almost gone. A man with an oven mitt rushed over and dropped the food and ran. When we left the cashier asked if it was ok and when my husband said no and that the service was terrible her only response was "you ate the food". No apology was offered or even a manager to ask for feedback. We will never go back.
(1)Derek M.
Decent food and good vegetarian selections. The service can be slow, and I don't always get what I order. Still, it beats a drive to Williamsport or to Altoona for Mexican. They can get very busy at lunch.
(3)Derek M.
It's affordable and decent Mexican food. I really don't have much else to say--I liked what I ate, and all my companions did as well. And particularly given that most of the menu is under $10, it's a good spot. It's not the most well-decorated restaurant, but it works.
(4)Nancy N.
Food is good, wait staff don't speak the best English but try VERY hard to please. The best part is that it is next door to a 6 screen movie theater where movies are only $1 every show every day. Great pairing!
(4)James S.
Good "authentic" Mexican food at good prices. They give you unlimited chips and salsa when you sit down. The portions are good size and I always leave full. They have a Lunch menu with all options around $5 and a $0.75 extra charge if you choose a lunch option after 2:30pm. I like the ability to choose a lunch option during dinner time. Rey's has a kids menu, but it is pretty sparse on the non-mexican options. Chicken nuggets, chicken fingers, and a few others. BYOB
(4)KL S.
I'd still make the drive to Altoona. Our first experience there was pretty good - my husband and I both got lunch burritos. Great flavor, quick service, we were really happy with our meal. The second experience was not quite as good. I wonder if it was a "Mexican honeymoon" of sorts since we were so excited to FINALLY have Mexican food in State College, we overlooked a few flaws... On our second visit, we ordered chicken and steak fajitas. Terrible seems like too strong of a word, but they were pretty lousy. The meat and veggies were chopped up into tiny bits and it had no flavor. I have to agree with previous salsa assessments, too. Really bland. We'll go back for convenience, but the food was disappointing to us.
(3)Keith F.
Great place for a family of 4 to eat for about $30. Food is good, kids (8 yr olds) love the atmosphere? Not totally educated on all dishes. Been there 4 times and always try something different..... Haven't had anything that wasn't good? Recommend trying it!
(4)Cindy L.
i went about 4 months ago, it was HORRIBLE!!! i really wanted to like it, since i miss southern ca mexican food. while the servers are latino, the food is not the least bit authentic. *salsa and tortilla chips* they serve them when you arrive, they tasted like they were purchased, premade, at the walmart down the street. *meal: Combo plate with taco, chili relleno, a tamale, and rice &beans* the taco was soggy when it arrived; the chili relleno was a slightly warm, practically raw pepper with cheese and ground beef sprinkled on top (not at all the traditional style where they are all roasted together . . . and they use shredded rather than ground beef); and the tamale, well i've had better versions of frozen tamales, and I am pretty sure the tamales they serve come to their restaurant frozen; the rice was tolerable; the beans tasted like really cheap refried beans from a can. while many places deserve a second chance, this place does not . . .barring a complete overhaul of their ingredients and approach to food preparation. based on what my friends had to say about their food, none of the four dishes we ordered were salvageable. i would go to mad mex or baja fresh for "Mexican" over this place without hesitating.
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