Bensonhurst, Brooklyn · Open till 2AM

TACOS
EL GALLO
REY

A curbside truck on 86th St plating up al pastor, carne asada, and a burrito the regulars won't stop ordering — chef's hat on, knives sharp, since day one.

Call to order · (929) 559-6622 See the menu
4.2 ★ · 18 reviews $10–20 per person Dine-in · Curbside · Delivery
Rating 4.2 · 18 reviews
Hours today Open now Closes 2 AM · holiday hours may vary
Typical spend $10–20 per person
Address 1901 86th St, Brooklyn
Overview

Curbside, not corporate.

Parked on 86th St since before it had a following, El Gallo Rey runs the way a good taco truck should: one grill, one knife-sharp chef, and a menu that doesn't change because it doesn't need to.

What people show up for

"You know you found the right truck when the chef has his hat on and is sharpening knives before service."

Regulars point to the burrito first, then the al pastor — cooked to order, no shortcuts, even when the line runs long at peak hours.

Good to know before you go

Cash and card accepted on-site. Weekend dinner rushes can mean a wait — the kitchen is small on purpose. Delivery and curbside pickup are available if you'd rather skip the line.

Reported spend: $10–20 per person, based on 8 visitor reports.

Typically busiest — Saturdays

6 AM – 12 AM
6a
9a
12p
3p
6p
9p
12a
Reviews

From the line, not a press kit

4.2
Based on 18 Google reviews
Gun Slinging Gringo
Local Guide · 324 reviews · a year ago

Says you know it's the right truck when the chef's got his hat on and knives sharpened before the rush even starts. The burrito is the standing order.

Michaél
3 reviews · a year ago

Calls the food delicious and notes it's worth waiting through the busy stretches when orders stack up.

Damian Avila
5 reviews · 2 years ago

Had a rough experience with slow delivery and service that felt dismissive — a reminder that peak-hour waits are real.

About

The rooster stands his ground

El Gallo Rey — "the rooster king" — has held the same corner on 86th St through every Bensonhurst season, serving the kind of taco truck menu that doesn't bother with a laminated menu board because everyone already knows what to order.

It's a small operation: one flat-top, one crew, orders called out loud. That means real waits at dinner rush, and it means the al pastor comes off the trompo instead of a warmer.

  • Dine-in
  • Curbside pickup
  • Delivery
  • Cash & card
1901 86th St
Brooklyn, NY 11214
JX4X+CX Brooklyn
Mon–Thu11 AM – 2 AM
Fri–Sat11 AM – 2 AM
Sunday11 AM – 2 AM
Open in Maps Call (929) 559-6622