El Rayo Scarborough image

El Rayo Scarborough

Restaurant Mexican restaurant

Casual, kid-friendly spot for tacos, quesadillas & burritos, plus Mexican beers & margaritas. People often mention good, order, Mexican, salsa, great, bowl, delicious, ordered, service, drinks,


Address

245 US-1, Scarborough, ME 04074

Website

www.elrayotaqueria.com

Contact

(207) 883-8226

Price rating

$$ $$

Rating on Google Maps

4.20 (1.1K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Thursday: 10 AM to 8 PM
  • Friday: 10 AM to 8 PM
  • Saturday: 10 AM to 8 PM
  • Sunday: 10 AM to 8 PM
  • Monday: (Patriots' Day), 10 AM to 8 PM, Hours might differ
  • Tuesday: 10 AM to 8 PM
  • Wednesday: 10 AM to 8 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: good (15) order (10) Mexican (10) salsa (10) great (9) bowl (8) delicious (8) ordered (7) service (7) drinks (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 2/5 Hector O. 3 years ago on Google
    Not really authentic...and let's not even talk about prices(quite expensive)a taco for $5😒😒😒really? I order me some "Huevos Rancheros" and was very disappointing, too much spices on the food and a big plaster of black beans...nothing compared to what we have back in Texas (❤)...
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 M. K. 1 year ago on Google
    This place fulfills the obligations of a restaurant; they served what we ordered, and it wasn't bad. I'm just thoroughly unconvinced that there was a single Mexican person in the building. Maybe this level of whiteness is typical of Maine Mexican food, but whew.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 jeanne c. 2 years ago on Google
    Been here many times, both Portland and Scarborough always good. Got a grilled watermelon salad, so salty and sour I couldn't eat it. Didn't even put the dressing on it. Think there was an abundance of lime juice and some kind of seasoned salt on it. Then my margarita had about a tablespoon of salt on the bottom of the glass,also so salty it was disgusting. My husband had the fish tacos and an Alagash white they were both great.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Sharon B. 10 months ago on Google
    Food is very good. Service is very good. Prices are avg for Mexican food however, they ration and nickel and dime you for condiments like salsa. No place else have I experienced 2 oz shots of salsa with food. We ordered two taco dinner plates that came with about 8 chips and were given 1 shot glass worth of salsa...to share. We asked for more and got 1 more. The taco sauce was maybe 2 teaspoons per taco..we each had two tacos. We also ordered a side of a fruit salsa for $3 ..no chips just salsa..there was maybe 4 oz in the bowl. Total was $32 for the food. Then we got two 8 oz bottles of margaritas to go, 3 chocolate chip cookies and 1 bottle of water for $ 45! The two bottles made 3 delicious drinks. The cookies soft chewy and very good. Not sure why the skimping on salsa and the lack of sour cream and guacamole.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 T T. 2 years ago on Google
    Ordered four things for my family. There was a piece of steak in our “fish” bowl, they messed up our chicken burrito, and there was FIVE PIECES OF HAIR IN THE NACHOS. Literally five pieces of black hair (no one in my family has black hair). Absolutely appalling at best. I’m a Scarborough resident who loves Mexican but I will definitely not be eating here again. Trash place. Wish zero stars was an option!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Crys R. 10 months ago on Google
    Every time I've ever been here, The service has been good whether dining in or taking out. The staff are friendly and pay attention if you ask them to modify an order for taste or for allergies. They always offer additional chips and salsa for take away orders. They ask if you need utensils instead of making the assumption. When I have eaten in the restaurant, The atmosphere has always been pleasant, though, On busy days, it can get loud. They have a weekend brunch menu that features specialty items. And every month, a different list of specialty items as well. So far when I have ordered food I have always been pleased with the result.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Alexis Lee B. 3 years ago on Google
    We really like El rayo taqueria - they have delicious food and good drinks at a reasonable price. They have a good setup for social distancing, particularly if your dining outside... They are taking all the precautions! The rice bowls are delicious! Definitely a good spot to grab some hot Mexican food and cold delicious drinks.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 David R. 1 year ago on Google
    Fantastic food and great drinks. The ambience is festive.

  • 2/5 Trew B. 8 months ago on Google
    First time coming here. I was honestly expecting more. Staff was friendly and on point. Good came out pretty quick. Margaritas were ok. This is where all the goodness ends. Honestly, it is just like Chipotle, but not as good. We ordered Bistec in a bowl. I don't know the order of how a bowl is made but putting the black beans in first seems wrong. The beans were stuck to the bottom of the cardboard bowl. Silly, it seems, but come on. The meat was scarce and not that good, but i wanted more to make the bowl better, maybe? This place has potential, and that's a positive. Would I go there again, probably not.

  • 5/5 Jean K. 6 months ago on Google
    really tasty and wholesome. the Yucca Fries were delicious. good flavors, able to accomodate dietary limitations.

  • 4/5 Michael H. 9 months ago on Google
    Not our first time and not our last. Honestly damn good food and great drinks. Very consistent. Would absolutely go to 5 stars if they'd drop some new dishes for the palette. Until then 4 solid stars for always serving it up authentic, bold and different.

  • 5/5 Snooj D. 8 months ago on Google
    I'm not a Foodie. I'm not a professional food critic. I'm not even someone who goes to restaurants more than a couple times a week. I'm just a guy who likes to sit down in front of a hot plate of delicious Mexican food and feel satiated when I'm done. This is the place I go for that experience. Friendly staff, good portions, great food, consistently fresh and delicious. Their Mexican corn is a treat and every burrito I've tried has been great. My son is simple; he usually gets quesadillas and the rice & beans. My wife lives dangerously and orders the enchilada of the day, usually without checking what it is. We've always been happy. The outdoor seating is a plus, even in the short Maine summers. We're in South Portland and when we want Mexican this is our place. I'd add a photo but the food never sticks around long enough to take a picture.

  • 5/5 Shelby B. 10 months ago on Google
    Came in between lunch and dinner and service was super quick and the food is really tasty! We ordered the taquitos and a rice and bean bowl. All were delicious and fresh. If I could change anything it would be for the food to be spicier. I didn’t ask for a spicy sauce but will next time! Highly recommend!

  • 5/5 Heather R. 1 year ago on Google
    My little family loves to go here. Food's always fantastic, and we love the atmosphere. Super laid back, and the customer service has always been great.

  • 5/5 Cindy C. 11 months ago on Google
    Say outside. Very casual. Order at the counter, then oder at the bar. Sit and they bring the food to your table. Outdoor seating

  • 4/5 todd t. 11 months ago on Google
    Food is great and staff is pleasant, but the 2 times we have been there, the tables were sticky 😝 . Aren't they supposed to wipe off the table after the previous customer leaves 😳😠 ?

  • 3/5 daniel o. 1 year ago on Google
    Great happy hour specials on beer and cocktails. The food is good, and the portions are reasonable. However, the flavors are extremely mild. The salsa is more like tomato sauce.

  • 1/5 Wayne C. 1 year ago on Google
    Brown guac, cafeteria style, no bar stools at the bar, kids running around , food is sub par. But other than that , not bad! I literally had to beg my wife to give them another shot and i regret it and get to here her say” I told ya so” ! She was right! Never again. The McDonald’s of Mexican food

  • 1/5 Nick S. 1 year ago on Google
    I keep trying to give this place another chance, and every time I regret it. Normally they just forget the extra sauce or salsa that I order. Tonight was the worst experience yet. First of all we placed our to-go order over the phone, and when we went to pick it, it wasn’t ready as it “hadn’t gone through”, yet they had given us an ETA over the phone. Then after having to wait for the order, the fiesta salad with steak that we had ordered, didn’t have any steak and the avocado they gave us was black. Then the rice and bean bowl with fried avocado didn’t have any avocado in it (which may have been a blessing since their avocados are clearly rancid). Luckily they did refund the order, but now two members of the household don’t get to have any protein with their dinner. Stay away unless you enjoy disappointment.

  • 5/5 travis t. 1 year ago on Google
    Great spot it's my family's go to spot when we come OOB for vacation. The staff is super friendly and the food comes out very fast. The house margaritas are ok I bit too sour for me they are probably using sour mix instead of lime juice but I get it they are only 5 at happy hour

  • 4/5 Dave F. 1 year ago on Google
    Loved my tacos. Priced just right and a simple welcoming atmosphere. Spiced pineapple is not for everyone, but unique.

  • 2/5 SpacePawsGaming 1 year ago on Google
    I went into this restaurant with my service dog and immediately saw a dachshund inside on the table eating off of the table with its owner. Very disappointed as you have outdoor seating where the pet could've been. It's a health code violation to have pets that aren't service animals in your establishment. The dog also barked at my task trained service dog. The food was good but I'm saddened that no one did anything about the pet eating off table.

  • 4/5 Chris L. 1 year ago on Google
    Food was great! Customer service was great! Just had a lack in condiments, like the choices of salsa, hot sauce, only the bar had lime wedges. All in all I will recommend to family amd friends!

  • 2/5 Carrie D. 1 year ago on Google
    Really miss sitting, ordering, enjoying a relaxed meal without feeling like I am at a fast food restaurant. Eating apps and dinner together because that's just how they come out? Otherwise you have to order, pay, eat, go back out front and order again, then order a drink and pay again. Having to get up and ask for water over and over also wasn't enjoyable when trying to catch up with friends and we all had to keep leaving the table to get food or drinks.

  • 5/5 Kara V. 2 years ago on Google
    Casual counter ordering with fun funky decor. Better than typical Americanized Mexican! Great vegetarian and gluten free options. Also loved unique choices like chile pineapple skewers. Love trying local places on vacation!


Call (207) 883-8226 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Pets
    • ✓️ Dogs allowed
  • Parking
    • ✓️ Free parking lot
    • ✓️ Plenty of parking
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Quick bite
    • ✓️ Hard liquor
    • ✓️ Comfort food
    • ✓️ Small plates
    • ✓️ Vegan options
    • ✓️ Happy hour food
    • ✓️ Healthy options
    • ✓️ Late-night food
    • ✓️ Happy hour drinks
    • ✓️ Vegetarian options
  • Popular for
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Solo dining
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Brunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
    • ✓️ Catering
    • ✓️ Breakfast
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Takeout
    • ✗ Delivery
    • ✓️ Outdoor seating

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