Restaraunt Review: El Ray Taqueria

Food

A-

Decor

B-

Service

B+

Value

A+

Total Score

A-

12/ 14

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Posted June 4, 2008 by Nick Lindauer

Finding tacos in New York was a major undertaking but finding them here in Texas is a breeze – taco carts are to Texas like bagel carts are to NYC – there’s one on every corner. But finding a “good” one has been a challenge and it wasn’t until I consulted someone who had lived here their entire life was I then introduced to El Ray. El Ray is a Cuban/Mexican Taqueria that’s actually pretty close to our offices here.

Inside El Ray is nothing special – typical counter/diner set up and come lunch time, it’s always packed. The bar seating along the walls allows more people to cram in – but it’s not uncommon to see a line out the door on any given day. Tacos are reasonably priced in the $1.75 to $2.25 range – but you best bet is to ask for a taco plate for $4.75 – it’ll come with 3 tacos and beans & rice.

Anthony came for a visit and we stopped at El Ray for a snack before dinner – I say snack because dinner was about 3 hours away and we were doing a whirlwind tour of Houston. The Cuban tacos are my personal favorite – chicken, black beans & plantains – but those are closely followed by the Ropa Vieja tacos and the Fish Tacos. Try all three if you get the chance – and don’t forget to ask the folks behind the counter for their special hot sauces. They have little dishes of green & red hot sauce that go perfectly with the tacos – not too hot, but they would hurt a beginner. I’ve seen regulars eat entire jars of the red in single sittings – they take this stuff serious here!

I’ve also tried the Torta here but it was just so so – I’ve also had friends try the chicken plate, which is enormous, with good feedback.