The owner behind El Rey Del Taco is plotting his next move in Johns Creek, with plans for a full-service taqueria called Casa El Rey Taqueria set to take over the former New York Butcher Shop space at 11305 Bell Road. Martin Macias is targeting a mid-January 2027 opening, though the project is still waiting on final sign-off from the city.
Macias shared details about the concept in an exclusive phone interview with Business Debut, saying, “my idea would be probably the beginning of january, mid-january.” The restaurant has already cleared health department approval, according to the outlet, even as it awaits the remaining city approvals needed before work can finish.
What's Planned for the Menu
Casa El Rey Taqueria is developing a tortilla program built around both yellow and blue corn masa, a detail that signals a more elevated take than the typical quick-serve taco counter. The menu is expected to feature tacos made with higher-end cuts of meat, including ribeye and carne asada-style sirloin, aiming for what the restaurant describes as an elevated dining experience paired with a focused bar program.
On the drinks side, Macias said he plans to serve a small list of mixed drinks, tequilas, wine and bottled beer rather than a sprawling cocktail menu. Remodeling the former butcher shop space is expected to take about 45 days once approvals clear, per Macias.
A Restaurant Career That Stretches Back to the '70s
Macias is no newcomer to the Atlanta Mexican food scene. He has worked in metro Atlanta restaurants since the 1970s, telling the outlet, “i've been here since '74.” He learned the restaurant business while still in school, with help from his older brother, who was an early operator of Mexican and Tex-Mex restaurants in the area.
That family foundation eventually led Macias to open Los Reyes in the late 1990s in the Chamblee-Tucker area, which he has described as the first authentic taqueria in that part of town. He went on to launch El Rey Del Taco on Buford Highway in February 2002, a restaurant he has now operated for about 25 years, per Macias. Casa El Rey Taqueria will mark his next concept in the region.
Johns Creek's Growing Taco Scene
Macias's new project isn't the only taqueria activity headed to Johns Creek. Ford Fry Restaurants is bringing Little Rey to the city as its second Atlanta-area location, according to whatnow.com, which lists the address as 16650 Johns Creek Parkway. That outlet reported the opening timeline for Little Rey was unclear at the time of its publication.
Johns Creek's dining identity already includes at least one other taqueria, with an ajc.com listing describing a local spot as a neighborhood taqueria serving Southern California-style Mexican food. Whether Casa El Rey Taqueria hits its targeted mid-January 2027 opening will depend on how quickly the remaining city approvals come through.
