So Tucson. One of my favorites 2 Paloma's; a plate of enchiladas with red chili and a cheese crisp; Stuffed perfectly read more

Friend and I hadn't been to El Torero in awhile. We got there a little after noon, expecting the place to be packed. It wasn't, but there were enough people inside to make it pretty noisy. We waited about 5 minutes while the servers were bringing out food from the kitchen and telling us they'd be right with us. I was in the mood for soup. Once seated, we were served with the usual chips and salsa - the same, no different, good and plentiful. I ordered the albondigas with squash added to it and a green corn tamale. Friend ordered shrimp tacos. It was a good 20 minutes before our food arrived. The albondigas' bowl was huge as were the amount of shrimp on the tacos. They have the best green corn tamales in town - tender and sweet. The tacos had fried onions on top. The food was delicious. Friend and I both took home some of our food. This place is too noisy - always has been. It's hard to hear what others are saying. No effort has been made to tamp down the noise. We'll go back when it's not so busy and will be quieter. read more

El Torero is a local favorite for good reason. As noted in my previous review, it's family run and has been around for a long time. Chef Mikey Jr is at the helm and has definitely added his flavor to the menu over the years. Classic Toreo and Lerua's items like my favorite giant cheese crisp are still on the menu. This update is to report on their tamales, which we ordered this holiday season. We ordered green chile/corn and the red chile meat with green olives. My tastebuds favor meat tamales and these were quite good. Very meaty and a lot of olives. I grew up with tamales having a single olive, but chef likes to level things up with extra flavor! The masa was excellent and they steamed up perfectly at. If you're tamale curious, be sure to add El Torero to your list. read more

This place made me like Tucson We are talking full spectrum of Mexican food in a nice cozy desert feel with tasty dishes you'll love and service that enjoys what they do. Just look at my photos for the bomb feel. read more

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Eaten here many times. The best Mexican restaurant in Tucson. Best tamales and enchiladas. Very reasonable prices. Tricky to locate.

The place, the food, and the service were very good. The food was excellent, and the portions are huge--we really enjoyed our dinner. read more

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Everything went exceptionally well. Prices are affordable, quality of the food is excellent, service is outstanding.

OMG IS ALL I HAVE TO SAY ! If you haven't stopped here , you're missing out ! Local spot . I had a house made horchata complete with a lit cinnamon stick , BEST I've ever had . The vegan menu & specials rotate every 2 weeks . My habanero cauliflower tacos were delicious. I'll be back ! read more

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El Torero remains a favorite of mine over *decades* of delicious food, comfy setting, and amiable, adept service. Best. Green-corn. Tamales. Ever. Wonderful calabacitas and superior cheese crisps - yum! read more

I had no idea this place existed, but I'm glad I found it now. A total hidden gem. Great menu options - traditional and options for vegans and vegetarians. There's so much to try. Service was great and she didn't get annoyed by our questions about some of the menu items. The portions are ridiculously big. The burritos were the size of a newborn baby! It was probably the equivalent to 3 meals. Prices were reasonable given the portion sizes. Drinks were very good and cocktails were not watered down - generous on the alcohol. Can't wait to try the tacos next time - so many varieties. We will definitely be back. Glad we got there a little early. By the time we left, it was packed! Highly recommend. read more

Absolutely fantastic! Best salsa ever! Service was excellent! Dinner was delicious! We had yummy margaritas! read more

El Torero - So good! Highly recommend! - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

I swear I have never been here but will definitely be back ! A family run, staple Tucson Mexican restaurant, definitely part of the "23 miles of Mexican food " and a hidden gem for sure. Everything was absolutely delicious! Portions are huge! House salsas, giant burritos stuffed with seasoned meat.. we split the elote crisp and patty tacos.. and it was perfect. I definitely recommend the carafe of margaritas, especially if it's a big table. Service was great considering how busy they were. Everyone was very friendly and helpful.. they definitely work as a team. The building is cool, it's kind of tucked in a neighborhood a little bit but still on the south side. Lots of street parking.. small parking lot with handicap spots in front tho. They are closed Sundays and Mondays just so you know ;) Definitely worth the drive to the south side, I'll be back soon ! read more

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Soups! I absolutely love their soups. My favorite was their vegan Albondigas soup. the albondigas, made with corn masa, had the perfect texture and that soup was sooo delicious. I hope they make it again. I also really love their calabacitas soup made vegan off the regular menu and the flour tortilla that comes with it. I love putting the corn chips that come with the meal in the calabacitas soup. I want to to try their tortilla soup and the elote salad soon. read more

El Torero - Calabacitas soup (asked for vegetarian and no cheese), flour tortilla comes with soup and corn chips come with meal. - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

El Torero has always been a family favorite for decades. The last time I went there a couple weeks ago I ordered a vegan burrito. It was huge and delicious and I ate about a 1/4 of it. However, the next morning I was very sick from both ends. So much so that I had to go to the ER and get fluids because I was so severely dehydrated and my blood pressure went dangerously low due to not having enough fluids left in me. Very unfortunate and while I don't have proof that it was from their food it's the only thing I can think of, given that that it was the morning after that I was so sick. I have not had any Mexican food since and I don't think I will for a while. read more

My boyfriend and I recently dined at El Torero for the very first time. We were staying at the nearby Hotel McCoy and I did a Yelp search for recommended restaurants. El Torero came up and we decided to give it a try. Pro tip: Do not try to find this restaurant when it's dark outside! It's nearly impossible to find, even with our GPS. Once we did find it, we weren't sure where to park or where to enter the building. We parked under a light, since the lot was very dark. We found the small entrance and in we went. Once we entered, we went in a small entryway that opened up into a large, brightly lit and decorated dining room. I think we both said, "Wow!" The dining room and bar area were busy and there was an excited buzz to the atmosphere. The menu was large. Some of the Yelp reviews had mentioned the huge cheese crisps that they offered. We went with the calabacitas cheese crisp, which has veggie toppings. We dug into the complimentary chips and salsas. There were two salsas, mild and spicy. We stuck to the mild, which was fresh and delicious. The chips were amazing. They were definitely homemade. Our server was fantastic and our cheese crisp was out before we knew it. It was indeed huge and amazing! We couldn't quite finish the last piece, and both of us have large appetites. I would definitely order the calabacitas cheese crisp again. The toppings were so delicious. On our way out, we talked to the bartenders about the history of the restaurant. They had so much information and were passionate about El Torero. We were impressed that it has been in existence since the 1950's! read more

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We got there on a Saturday shortly after they opened and the service was super slow. We ordered a cheese crisp that was enough for an entire meal as well as a couple of tacos each. Everything was on par with good Mexican restaurant in the area with the unique item being the cheese crisp. I had previously only had that locally at Barrio, nearby. The place filled up and lots of families showed up for a weekend meal together. The ambiance was nice and inviting and once we ordered the food came out quickly. They have fountain sodas for those who are picky about that sort of thing. I found the place to be clean and parking was plentiful when we got there, despite not looking like a real parking lot. As everyone has said, don't be put off by the exterior. Once inside all is well. read more

Great food, what else can I say? Staff is great, it's got a "small local bar" vibe inside and I left satisfied. If you're looking for the trendy hotspot to be seen, this ain't it. If your with friends and family and just want to sit down for some good food, this is it. read more

Prices seem high for basic standard Mexican offerings. Several specials @ lunch. Servers friendly. Arrived before the lunch crowd with a mostly empty restaurant. Half an hour later no food. Staff seemed perturbed when asked to make it to go. Horchata was good. read more

El Torero - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Amazing food, nice atmosphere, great prices...we loved having dinner here. It was very popular & busy. But service was fast. We didn't bring huge appetites, so stuck to apps. The elote dip was amazing & the chili Serrano Wings were delicious . Especially loved the still crispy fries soaking it up for such a perfect bite. Can't wait to return for entrees! read more

El Torero - Elote Dip - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Good was lovely! 2x2 was the way to go for my hunger! Enjoyed the service, waiter was very nice. Margaritas were tasty and not light! This is a hole in the wall place, if you know about it then great, but bring your friends to keep it alive and thriving! read more

El Torero - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

The food was amazing!!! My Danny Martin burro was HUUUUUGE!!! So was our carnitas cheese crip!!

Kimchee double double. Fuck around and find out. Best cheese burger in Arizona right now. And they have one of the best bartenders in the state of Arizona. read more

El Torero - Nom nom nom - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Elevated Sonoran food, all assembled immaculately, but something seemed missing from putting it over the top. While ahi tuna agua chile was excellent and fresh, and shrimp culichi was cooked perfectly, I found the sauces to be a bit too creamy to complement seafood, and the squash (calabacitas) weren't as fresh as the seafood. The tortilla for the carnitas taco was griddled perfectly and the carnitas were well-seasoned, but the texture was missing that last bit of crispiness. Definitely a more upscale option for Tucson-Sonoran classics, and solid preparations all around, just not totally mind-bending. read more

What an amazing restaurant experience! On our trip to Tucson to visit our son and his wife, Chris and Zoe, we went to El Torero for supper. We had reservations, which are recommended, and we were seated quickly. Our servers were all friendly and attentive. I say "servers " since we had several. I think it is mostly a family business, so everyone chips in with the service. The restaurant was established in 1956, and the decoration vibe emulates that time period, which I personally love. They have many delicious options, some vegan, on their menu, and all sound delicious. We started with a cheese crisp appetizer and a pitcher of their guava margarita. The cheese crisp is huge though! About the size of a large pizza, and it's served like that, and it was delicious. The guava margarita was superb, too! (We ordered two pitchers). If you like mezcal, try this brand (see picture) straight and neat: it tastes like a good, smooth scotch with a light smokey flavor. All our entrees were excellent, but I will focus on my entree. I ordered the Mahi tacos. You get two open faced tacos with large portions of Mahi with multiple ingredients that combine for an amazing dish. I did not try to pick up the tacos, so I just cut them up and ate them with a fork. I ordered the side of rice and beans, but I wish I hadn't because of the appetizer size and the size of the tacos, but, if you're HONGRY, get the side. We thoroughly enjoyed El Torero, and can't wait to return! read more

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Loved our food, the portioning was big, and the flavors were big as well. We don't have a reservation but the owner accommodated us well on a busy Saturday night. read more

My go-tos are 1) Carnitas Cheese Crisp - it has delicious pork, avocado and a magical sauce, 2) 1x1 - cheese enchilada, beef patty taco and beans. So good. This past time we tried the wings - piping hot fries & wings, the perfect blend of spicy and sweet. My spouse & teen can't stop ravings about them. A great little hole-in-the-wall Mexican spot you've been searching for. I've never had a bad meal. read more

El Torero - 1x1 - 1 Cheese Enchildas and 1 Patty Taco w/Beans - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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So good. Both excellent renditions of traditional items and creative specials, including large selection of plant-based meals. The supporting team is great too, with a special callouts to server Heather and bar tender John. Just be prepared to take leftovers home! read more

Our new friend Fritz recommended this restaurant. It was amazing! We shared a Simple Salad (leftovers will be tonight's dinner!), cauliflower tacos and carne asada tacos. These were delicious, but there were so many wonderful dishes on the menu it was difficult to choose. read more

El Torero - Front of the restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Stopped here on the way to Mexico with my family for lunch. They are vegetarian and thanks to menu photos on Yelp we saw they have wide variety of options. We ate flautas, burritos, and salad. Food: Well seasoned; big portions; served hot straight off the grill; complimentary chips and salsa Service: Friendly, attentive staff willing to accommodate vegan and vegetarian needs Ambience: Casual; large bar top; low music; Mexican art read more

El Torero - Burrito with standard knife for scale. It's a big boy! - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Nice ambience inside. Good service. Food was very large portioned. Tasted pretty good and was slightly expensive.

Another amazing dinner! Gem show and Super Bowl weekend so the place was packed but definitely worth the wait. I ordered the Carne Asada tacos which were very well seasoned and delicious. Both my wife and her best friend loved there dishes especially the tamale pie. Definitely call and make a reservation there is no online reservations available. read more

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First time here and will definitely be coming back! A hidden gem that we found through the hundreds of great reviews. Food was INCREDIBLE and portions are huge! The staff were all so kind and personable, totally added to the experience. We went on a Saturday and it got a bit busy around 6:30 but they did not hesitate to get us seated as quickly as possible. The restaurant itself is very nice and seats a lot, lots of groups with reservations. Overall such a nice experience will amazing food, 10/10 would recommend and we will definitely be read more

El Torero - 1x1, Danny martin burrito - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Great Mexican infused dishes! The chef defiantly puts his creativity and spin to the dishes. But stays true to Mexican food and yes, I am Hispanic. (Mom is from Hermosillo) . Portions are big and me of all people actually leave with a to-go box! Always my go to spot. It's a hidden gem noticeable by the "Danny Martin" mural. Highly recommend the "tamale pie" read more

Came the first night we were in town for a conference at the recommendation of locals on Yelp and Reddit. It was great! Looks a little "hole in the wall"-ish which is exactly what we were looking for - we were immediately greeted and seated, ordering a spicy margarita and a regular margarita. Our waitress and the bartender were super friendly; we opted for carne asada fries and a veggie cheese crisp. When I tell you this cheese crisp is huge, I mean it's HUGE!! I was not ready, haha! But it was tasty, loved the salsas, and would absolutely recommend! read more

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We absolutely love El Torero. They have excellent food and they are our go to place for tamales. Their green chili and beef tamales are the best we've found in Tucson. We buy them in frozen 12 packs and steam them for 35 minutes to eat with anything. read more

This is my 2nd visit and the food is amazing. Both my wife and I had the carnitas tacos and they are so good. Chef Mike takes the pork and cooks it in Cidre. They are something you can't miss in Tucson. read more

El Torero - Caritas cheese crisp - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Quite good. We walked in and were informed they were short staffed that day so we would have to wait a bit but if I wouldn't have known I would have never noticed. The service was excellent as was the food. We tried a pizza style thing I think they called it a crisp with pork and it was amazing!!! So delicious everything got different things. I ordered chicken tacos and I can't believe how big they were. Portions are def generous! I def recommend read more

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Service was good. Food not so good at all. Nor the salsa. Not authentic food. Canned veggies for salsa don't cut it.

I wanted to try El Torero and did last night. We were seated immediately by friendly staff. Most customers already seated appeared to be long time customers so it looked promising. The dining room is a basic, no frills type place but clean, sanitary, and orderly. Our order was taken promptly with food and drinks arriving fast. Most customers were ordering beer and cheese crisps which looked great. Our $12 margaritas were a disappointment so order beer. Our house special tacos were good not great and the blue corn tamales are fabulous. If you're in the area give it a try. read more

Born and raised in Tucson for half my life, this is my fav Mexican Restaurant ever. I do not live there any more, but whenever I go home to visit friends and family still in Tucson, I always stop in there. They never disappoint. read more