We've been going to this place for years and years. They have the best frijoles in Tucson and I tend to judge Mexican restaurants by their frijoles. The service is great and the owner is really eccentric. We like to chat with him. Also, the room complete with a swordfish decorated with lights and the usual bull-fighting paintings (of course being El Torero!), has unusual acoustics especially when filled with people. It really sounds like a good time, which it is! read more

Haven't had a bite yet...and I'm ready to write my review. My first impression makes me wonder about the sanitary conditions. Waitress didn't seem to know the menu very well (didn't even know they had a vegetarian section). read more

If you are looking for a mexican restaurant that has a homemade flavor this is it. This location has a bar and next to one of the oldest dance halls still around. the taco plate is what most moms would recommend if they weren't cooking that night. The chile Colorado (red chile beef) is what my dad would eat for lunch the lie about it when he got home because it would be almost like cheating on my mom! The beans are flavorful and the wallet leaves full! read more

My daughter who is now living in VA requested only one thing when we went to visit--Lerua's green corn tamales. She was so sad when Lerua's was forced to close due to the Broadway widening but excited when she found out the green corn tamales could be found at El Torero. Yes, you can buy a lot cheaper tamales almost anywhere but the green corn tamales here are like dessert or heaven or quite possibly both. They are melt in your mouth better than butter delicious! Their chips and salsa are also great. We've tried a variety of tacos which were all good in their own way depending on the ingredients and spice you like best. We keep going back for the green corn tamales and the friendly, local vibe. Mike (dad) is fun to talk to with a wealth of knowledge/experience about the local area and history. Don't let the "charm" of the outside scare you off as the inside is clean and friendly with a great small town, family-owned bar vibe. They have a good selection of beer. Sure wish there was a margarita option but they do make their own sangria. I like the red; the white is a little sweet for me but then that's kind of the thing with white. We'll be back as we desperately want to try the barrio bread pudding. Along with the tamales, this might just become our favorite dessert place! read more

Best Turkey mole in Tucson... The reveiw is short but sweet...their other items are yummy and the service is excellent but the above dish.....?....MMMMM Not open mondays... read more

The best Mexican food in Tucson (and that's really saying something)! The beans and rice are phenomenal, so order something that says "combination" and try them both. I don't know how they get their rice so good. I love their enchiladas - great sauce, texture, and green onions on top. Another thing thing that you have to try is the tacos. They are filled with seasoned shredded beef and fried to perfection, then buried in this amazing white cheese. No matter what I order, if it doesn't come with tacos, I get some on the side. My other favorite there is the carne seca. I think it's better than both El Charro and Tu Nidito, which are more famous. It's particularly good in a chimichanga. The prices are really good, and the servers are nice (some of them are grandmotherly and call me mija). The building is kind of old, but the food is so awesome it doesn't matter. read more

Is the restaurant still in the back of the bar? This was by far the best hole in the wall in South Tucson in the 70's Carne Seca chimi's were so good, and the salsa was so hot. Keep the beer, chips and salsa coming por favor read more

Just went here on a whim while driving through Tucson since the restaurant was only a block away. I'm happy we did!! I had the mole combination (chicken in mole sauce with rice, beans, and a tortilla). Excellent, excellent mole chicken! My only complaint is that the rice/bean portions were way too small for sooooo much mole chicken. The wife had the 2 tacos / 2 enchiladas special. It looks amazing, and tastes just as good. Everyone that waited on us was super nice and sincere. If I'm back in Tucson, I'll definitely come back to El Torero! read more

We are there prior to the remodel. The food was good, to great. It's a family owned business and I will always wish them well. Tonight was a comedy off errors. I feel it our server's fault. First they said sit anywhere. The place was not crowded, so we sat in a booth like area. We found out later we were in the community table area. Next they took our order. No lemon aid, so no Arnold Palmer. We got chips and dip right away. After a bit the server said your burritos will be right out. We had not ordered burros of any kind. A few tables that had sat after us were now done. No food yet. Server came by to ensure our order. "What did you order?". We re-ordered. It took another 10-15 more minutes. Our food finally arrived and it was good. We were soured by the missed opportunity to offer us something for our server's error. Nothing. As I cashed out, I was offered a discount on our meal. I will probably not be back. 1) it's not really in my close neighborhood of food places to eat. 2) while the food was yummy, it wasn't the price on the menu yummy. Good luck on bringing a family business back. Some server guidelines might be a good place to start. read more

A quirky little place with a wonderful staff and good food. Don't let the exterior throw you off.

You will not find better Sonoran Style Mexican food anywhere. The Topopos are my favorite. I keep praying that the owner does not close. I won't know where to go. read more

My parents have been coming here since the late 1950s (no joke), so it goes without saying that coming here has been a family tradition. Recommend the cheese crisp, cheese enchiladas and beef tacos. But it's all good. Call before you go. Sometmes they're randomly closed. read more

Outstanding Mexican food I've been coming here for over 30 years - and will continue till the day I can't anymore - love it

This place is awesome, we had lunch at La Ruas and they told us they owned this place too. The food is great and the owner is really cool. I wish we had them in San Diego! read more

I have been going to El T for over 40 years today Brad's daughter was in charge I saw the waitress take a fall and she still kept working the daughter kept rolling her eyes as if that wasn't bad enough when it came to pay she wouldn't let my daughter pay with a card. My daughter made a comment and told Brad's daughter she was rude at that point she went psycho started yelling to leave or she was going to call the police I never once said anything but I too was told to leave and never come back I am still laughing the whole incident was hilarious you had to have been there to see this young lady go crazy read more

My new favorite place. The owners and taff made me feel at home in their cosy restaurant. The food was delicious.

The food is great as well as the service. The atmosphere is awesome in a weird sort of way, as it is an old South Tucson ballroom.

Sadly we no longer live in Tucson but when we do get back this is our number one go to place for the best Mexican food in town. Start with a cheese crisp, move on to a Carne Seca Chimichanga, and or green corn tamales when they are in season. Thirty four years of loving this place. Miss Ramon! read more

the very best mexican food in town! flat red chile enchiladas and tacos are amazing!!!!! i will not be eating anywhere else! read more

If you want authentic Mexican food this is the place. A real locals only joint. Not fancy, but waitstaff is personable and on the ball. Try to get there at least once a month. read more

I've never had a better cheese crisp - so big, crispy and cheesey. To DIE for..I get it with green chilis. YUM. Also, their chili con carne and cheese enchiladas are my go-to. Never ever a disappointment. And although they don't have margaritas, they DO have good tap beer. read more

I lived in Tucson for many years and found El Torero's menu selections to be consistently excellent. The prices are very affordable and the service is outstanding. Why stand in line for over an hour just to get a table in that place on South 4th Street only to end up with sauces that come straight out of a can and covered up with piles of shredded lettuce. Highly recommended. read more

Nailbanger Here Again:Disappointed on every Level.I not sure where to begin. After reviewing other reviews ,I was expecting Service to be non existent and Excellent Food. Well I was right about the Service it was seat yourself and we will check on you when I get around to it.The place was filthy and there was very little decor. Table and chairs out dated, OK enough of that .They have a very limited menu. They serve soft drinks and Beer ,no hard liquor ,so no Margaritas.Beers are about $4.30. The Food was sparse and flavorless. Chips are .75 cent addition each , if you what more than one bowl, but they do have good salsa.I got the Beef Tacos and Cheeses Enchiladas ,with a side of beans $11.My wife got Cheese Enchiladas and a side of beans $8.00. The Enchiladas and the bean were the only thing that would pass for Mexican food.The Tacos were a joke.The value for your hard earned buck is just not there, portion size small.I will never be back. The have very limited parking ,unless you are out in the Street.The sad thing is they are a block away of the best Mexican dining in Tucson Mi Niditos, you will wait to get in ,but its every bit worth it.Why do you think they line up out the door to get in ? read more