Local Mexican restaurant Taqueria El Rey is about to represent the CSRA on TV. America’s Best Restaurants contacted the owners of the Martinez diner in the fall of last year.
The hosts of the online TV show, produced in Florence, Ky., visit eateries from coast to coast to feature in its surveys of the best cuisine the country has to offer. Per the show’s emphasis on independent restaurants and small businesses, its discoveries often come from submissions through its website from local restauranteurs themselves.
“We got a call back in September from the producers,” said Patty Galvan, who co-owns the Washington Road bistro with brother Ramiro Galvan. “At first we couldn’t believe it, but we had to keep the secret until we had a set date.”
The owners are celebrating the honor with their customers by giving out two $25 gift cards to the restaurant, asking local supporters to comment on the Facebook post announcing their upcoming appearance on the show.
Two people who have posted comments before Jan. 11 will be selected, one when America’s Best Restaurants visits, and the second once the episode premieres.
“We felt very humbled,” Patty Galvan said. “But at the same time happy to know that our hard work is paying off, opening doors for us and paving ways for new exciting opportunities.”
For the Galvans, who also own La Cocina Del Rey in Grovetown and Munchies Snacks — an off-shoot of their fusion Munchies Lab spot — their labor started to pay off in 2017, one year after opening Taqueria, when Augusta Magazine named it Best Mexican Restaurant. Last year, Georgia Business Journal named Taqueria El Rey among its Best of Georgia of 2023.
“And now, to start 2024 with a bang by being featured in America’s Best Restaurants… that’s just an indescribable feeling,” Galvan said. “And definitely pumps us up to continue to work hard.”
The Galvans trade in authentic Mexican food, giving their restaurant the slogan “a real taste of Mexico.”
“We’ve always taken pride in staying true to our roots and paying an homage to our culture,” Patty Galvan said, later adding, that while the accolades are assuring, “we only care to compete against ourselves and not anyone else.”
Taqueria El Rey is located at 3830 Washington Road, Ste. 25, in Martinez.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
