This is not a place to go for ambiance. But if it's unbelievable creative and delicious food that you want, this is the place to go. It's truly a one of a kind, 5 star restaurant. It will spoil you and keep you from ever wanting to eat Mexican food anywhere else, ever again. read more

El Torero - Ahi Tuna and avocado on a crisp hash brown potato, topped with pickled cucumber and onion. Unbelievably fabulous!!! - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

I write this as I finish my last bites of the instagram famous Po'boy (Sandwich? Burger? Torta? Who knows?) from El Torero off of South 4th Ave. Yes, my fingers are chorizo greasy and I probably have Barrio Bread crumbs in my beard right now, but we all end up that way on our last bites, right guys? (Silence and awkward looks from the crowd) If you're like me and your instagram feed is a photo food buffet of delicious, then I'm sure you've seen El Torero dishes pop up on your feed lately. It had been 10+ years since I visited here and seeing IG posts of their new menu items continued to seduce me to return. Today was that day and I will document my journey through my inner monologue of thoughts and emotions. (If you don't want to read my long journey, it's 5/5* spot. Major go!) The journey begins: El Torero: Take-away orders only. Me: "Another lunch and Netflix home date for me" ET: Po'boy -$22 Me: "$22 for a sandwich? Good lawd, that's a lot of $!!" ET: discounted price ($19) for no beers and good convo and service. Me: "Nice people and good takeaway service. Good start." ET: THICCCC sandwich/ burger with lots of fries, chips and two salsas, and mini oatmeal cookie Me: "Well played ET. Enough for lunch and dinner." (First bite) Me: "Omg, is that shrimp? Mixed in chorizo? Some slaw? Guac? Everything I never knew I wanted together!" (Halfway through) Me: "I'm in food heaven and stuffed but Mama didn't raise a quitter and it's too good to stop. The fries. Salsa. The cookie. Keep going!" (Almost done) Me: You should've stopped. You're food drunk. You're savory high. Hey, let's write a Yelp review in this state! Great idea! And that brings us to now. Great sandwich with unique flavor and mix of ingredients. Very good fries. Food isn't cheap but you get a lot of food. Enough for two for most. Looking forward to trying their other dishes. 5/5*. read more

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Love this place! Great food, friendly people, good drinks, and happy atmosphere. My husband gets a "fish tacos" look in his eyes and I KNOW we're going! read more

I love their veggie options! Expansive non meat selections that are artfully created. Servings are almost always oversized. Homemade, totally legit! Owner is so welcoming and friendly. Family owned. Chips and salsa need an upgrade. Full bar plus plus if you're into alcohol. Non alcohol frescas are skillfully created. Located in south Tucson in little back corner. A Tucson treasure for sure! read more

WOW! This place is great. First of all, the ambiance is perfect. Old school Mexican with gorgeous art and great service. Secondly, the food is phenomenal. They have two menus- the regular one and the one of the always changing specials. Everything we got (from both menus) was so flavorful and gorgeous. Also, their tamales are the best in town! Will be coming here again and again! read more

El Torero - Carne asada tacos - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Low-key down home vibe. the green chili taco is quite possibly the best $12 I've ever spent in my life. Thank you Jon!

The first time I set foot in El Torero was some 15 years ago when I worked near downtown. My supervisor loved Mexican Food and he knew where all the authentic, hole-in-the-wall places were. He dragged me along to this dark, divey place and parked off the alley to the north. None of this mattered because the food was amazing! Last year, their sister restaurant closed because of the Broadway road widening. I still miss Lerua's. Shortly after their closing, I wanted to visit an old friend to see if it was as good as I remembered. El Torero was also closed, but they were remodeling. That was the good news. The bad news is I had to postpone this review. Once El Torero re-opened (pre-COVID 19), I took my mother in for lunch to check out the updates and see what had been done to merge the two restaurants menus. More good news was found! Probably the single, best-known item on Lerua's menu was the green corn tamales. And that's all it took to make my mom happy. She is a creature of habit and that's her go to entree. I was also happy to see the traditional menu which features items you don't find in "yellow cheese Mexican restaurants". Items that I crave, such as Calabacitas, Mole and a selection of seafood. This is the good stuff! El Torero has transformed but retained its identity while offering hints of its sister restaurant. The setting is clean and comfortable and the service was spot on. Even if they didn't offer the rotating "special" menu, there is plenty to love about El Torero! It won't take another 15 years for me to return. Gracias! read more

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Very good food. I have been coming here for over 30 years. The combination plates are different than other Mexican food places combination plates. read more

Best restaurant in South Tucson, and it's not JUST Mexican. Chef Mike offers several fusion dishes inspired by an amazing imagination and creativity. This guy knows his stuff! It's about the food, the food the food and all about the food! Portions are generous so bring a big appetite and enjoy! read more

Absolutely LOVED IT! The food was the best I've ever had. Service was fabulous! Can't wait to go back.

El Torero is the first Tucson restaurant I've been excited about in ages (& i can't believe it took me so long to get there). There's something magical about a classic, long time (1950s) family-run spot that has kept their menu of Sonora favorites and old school decor, while adding on a specials and plant-based menu that offers a bit of a twist (the fried shrimp with bacon crema that I had tonight was #chefskiss, the cauliflower tacos are also incredible). The mezcal old fashion and other cocktails are also soooo good! And the folks working there are incredibly nice. Def a must-visit in Tucson. read more

Great local spot. So glad we landed on this place. Two types of salsa and I loved the hot. I got the steak taco salad and it was fresh and delicious. Large portion couldn't finish it. read more

This is a hidden gem for great Mexican food. The patty tacos are my go to but the menu is full of great dishes. Cheese crisps are too die for. My son would bath in the caldo de queso (cheese soup) if he could it's that good. Hidden in the South Tucson barrio, its worth a try. Formally Lerua's on Broadway, this family has been in the business over 70 years. They deserve some patronage in these difficult times. Come check em out, you won't be disappointed. read more

El Torero - 2x2 patty tacos and cheese enchiladas plate. - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Holy moly! Great food is an understatement! Zero wait time. First off, the chips and salsa were outstanding. I personally ate too much. Entrees came out and they were just MASSIVE! Definitely worth the trip from wherever. We will be going back guaranteed!! Chelsea was an awesome server as well. Very knowledgeable, super efficient as well. read more

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This place is always great. What El Torero lacks in decor it makes up for tenfold in food and service. I've never had a bad meal here. Highly recommend the tamale pie or carne asada tacos! The shrimp ranchero tacos are amazing as well. The portions are huge, you're guaranteed to leave satisfied. It's a very casual dining experience, the focus is on the flavor. read more

I'm pretty much always thinking about this food. The vegan green corn tamales, tacos, burritos, soup, and all of the impressive specials... Always so delicious. Chef Mikey and the staff are always friendly and happy to answer any questions with vegan options, ect. One of my favorite things that always makes me extra happy: Our to-go orders always come with chips and salsa! Always a good experience. My husband and I come here any chance we get. read more

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The food was really great. Caution to Tauruses: there are many paintings of bulls being murdered all around the joint. You gotta have a thick skin. read more

Best Mexican food in Tucson. Have always enjoyed everything on their specials menu and you can't beat their beer and burger happy hour special read more

What........ the hell. I don't know how a ton of folks like the shrimp and chorizo tacos. The chorizo was so salty and one of the worst things I have ever tasted. The carne asada tacos were ok. Both of the crunchy tacos we got lacked flavor and anything special. The staff are really nice but the food was just terrible. read more

Best cheese enchiladas with green sauce I've ever had! And I grew up in Tucson eating delicious Mexican food.

Great Mexican restaurant. Food and service superb. If you are looking for a taste of south of the border, this should've your choice. Reservation recommended for dinner. read more

We loved this family owned restaurant. The food quality and service was great! The portions are huge; great value and delicious! Grateful to have made this stop! read more

Came in for dinner on Saturday at 6pm. 6 of us including of town guests. Food was amazing! Atmosphere in non pretentious and friendly. Our server Lisa was attentive and lovely to deal with.The Sonoran Carne Asada tacos were amazing. The cauliflower tacos were also magnificent. Generous servings, great food and great service. Glad we came in and we will be back for sure. read more

You guys knock it out of the ballpark every time we eat out or use take out. The green corn tamales are the "Mexican candy" we crave, the enchiladas were perfect and the molé sauce over anything is out of this world! You are the only ones who make authentic molé!! So glad your doors are open again. Continue feeding the world and it will be a much nicer place. Thanks. read more

El Torero - Green corn tamales-the best in Tucson! - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

I was so looking forward to this meal!! I hit the enchiladas and 100% enjoyed my meal but my dinner companions went for specials $20 mac and cheese was a mess. The patty tacos were a hit and the beans are great. I'd go back but 2 out4 of us wouldn't. I'm super sad about it as this is the first restaurant I ever went to in Tucson in May if 1990. Hit all my nostalgic spots but my friends were not happy. read more

My colleague, whose taste in food I trust implicitly, took me here for a celebratory dinner back in January. He said it was his favorite Mexican restaurant in Tucson, which seemed like an impossibility to me. How can anyone choose a top Mexican restaurant in a town so rich with choices? Well, let me tell you, El Torero has rapidly become one of my favorite spots as well. I've tried a bunch of dishes, ranging from chicken mole to pretty much every kind of taco on the menu, and it's all been good to phenomenal. The rice and beans are my favorite in town, and the carne asada tacos are massive and like a flavor adventure. The owner and chef are friendly, and the hot sauces on the table are fantastic. A couple of times, they've had a house ghost pepper sauce that rocked my world. I also love their "curbside" takeout system and the fact that they have (as of this review) chosen not to reopen their dining room at this stage of the pandemic. I don't judge any restaurant owner who reopens for dine-in service, especially since the financial toll of COVID is significant. However, I personally feel a lot more comfortable ordering from places that have kept their dining rooms closed. Employees at this place wear masks and minimize contact, and it makes me glad to support the restaurant. read more

The best green corn tamales! Fabulous food always. The chips and salsa not my favorite in town but has been consistent for decades. Can't argue with that! read more

The food was so amazingly flavorful, honestly just became my top place for Mexican food in Tucson after one meal. The service was great as well. 10/10 recommend this little hole in the wall!! read more

The staff is amazing for starters. However, the food was out of this world. So many flavors and all so delicious. Wish I took a picture of the gloriousness of it all. It's a place where even after you're full you just want to keep eating. read more

El Torero - Margarita and menu - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Food like nana made! Best albondigas in town hands down. The small soup size is very generous. I shouldn't have eaten so many chips and salsa because I didn't have room for my entree, I ordered the chicken flautas which were very good too. Beans and rice are perfectly comfort food on their own but add that extra to the plate. My husband had the cheese enchiladas combination and he says they were the best he's had in a long time. The Micheladas were refreshing. Sometimes the hole in the wall off the beat and path places are the best. Yes it is small and we had to wait but all of the staff were accommodating and provided friendly attention. Will be back for sure!!! read more

I get that the restaurant is an institution, and has been shown lots of love on Yelp . We went in on Saturday evening around 6:30 and were expecting it to be packed , 4 tables , should've been my first clue . The staff was friendly , outgoing and welcoming . The restaurant was clean , and they all went out of their way to make us feel welcome . Now for the food . The specials look amazing , had really complex flavors and got a thumbs up , but no heat , they seemed to be Cal-Mex with some Japanese influence , watermelon slaw totally rocked . The classics were where the crash and burn started . The salsa was sweet , definite ketchup flavor which was odd , no smokiness from roasted chilies, and no heat . The appetizers ( quesadillas and cheese crisp ) were flat , and the refried beans were plain old boring . One of my friends had the relleno, it was soggy , minimal flavor , and the sauce tasted like a smoother version of the salsa . The other had a tamale pie ... granted , it looked epic and the portion was huge . But we'd have been happier with smaller portions and flavor , we tried adding lime on a few bites , and salt on a few more , but again , it was still missing something , the masa was down right soggy . I probably would've given the restaurant a 3.5 star rating because the quality of the specials was so good ! That being said , within 90 minutes of leaving the restaurant, we all had very aggressive intestinal " purges " . Maybe I should be grateful for that lack of spice . I've had amazing Mexican food in South Tucson that equaled anything I've had in Mexico City . But not so much here . P.S. spiking the plates under the broiler so that the plates are so hot they continue to cook the food .. not cool at all . read more

WOW WOW WOW ~ super gem of a restaurant!! I went with a group of friends and we had an amazing night. We spent about 3 hours there and loved every minute! The co-owner Michael is an amazing chef and restauranteur! Service was great and the food was delicious!! I believe the "official" opening is coming soon but they are open for business now! Michael and his father are the same owners of Lerua's that sadly closed... We started with the Loca Crisp (carne seca, Green Chile, guacamole and green onions). The carne seca was hands down the best I have ever had! Super moist and the flavor was out of town!!! Then he recommended we try the Carnitas crisp and that didn't disappoint either (cider braised carnitas, jack cheese, green onion, cilantro, avocado and queso fresco cream). There was also complementary chips and salsa which came with two different salsa. Which were both really tasty. I really enjoyed the chunky salsa Fresca the most which had hatch green chilis that gave it such a great flavor!! We all ordered something different from the menu so that we could sample lots of yumminess!! I ordered calabacitas which came with a green corn tamale. It was one of the best tamales I've had for sure. (I was torn between the calabacitas and the FLAT enchiladas ~ which I will def order next time) We also ordered the shrimp taco special, which came with a delicious chipotle pear/apple and a griddled cheese and corn tortilla shell. Spices were on point and Had a great kick to it for sure. The next entree we ordered were the potato flautas which was modified for my friend by request to add mole. HOLY MOLE!!! It was DELICIOUS! It had such a depth in flavor that it changed my view on mole forever and was hands down my favorite dish out of all that we ordered! We finished off our evening by sampling all of the desserts. Oh my gawd were they tasty!!! They are all homemade in house and have a rotating menu. The barrio bread pudding was to die for and my favorite. It had chunks of apples and pears and was covered with a sweet sangria sauce and whipped cream. We also tried the key lime pie which came in a shot glass and the dark chocolate and peanut butter mousse which were just decadent. The last dessert we tried was the warm baked apples and pears with a cinnamon and brown sugar crumbles and was drizzled with a sweet simple syrup, which was yummy as well. I HIGHLY recommend this restaurant and I can't wait to go back to try the flat enchiladas and to see what different specials they have!!! read more

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In my opinion Tucson is a town of secret gems and you kinda gotta know to know the good spots. El Torero is one of those places! Added bonus they offer lots of vegetarian and vegan options! Everything is always super fresh.... use local produce ! all around awesome spot! We also go often to pickup frozen tamales to gift or for an easy family gathering meal! For a real taste of what Tucson has to offer .... check this spot out! Also being very safe clean and convenient during Covid - easy to place order online, give them a call and they will bring order out to your car! Masked and everything! read more

El Torero - Black bean and avocado chimichanga enchilada style Cauliflower Tacos - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Best Sonoran Mexican food in the entire country. Great margaritas, best green chili cheese cheese crisp, fish tacos, carne seca tacos, and their enchiladas are excellent. Don't leave without a green chili tamale. read more

First visit here after seeing it featured on Tucson Foodie. This resturant is run by the same family that ran Lerua's on Broadway, so we entered with high hopes. We were not to be disappointed. Upon entering we were immediately greeted by both the bar tender and a very pleasent young lady, she ended up being our server and immediately seated us. The online article mentioned that the place had recently been remodeled, and it definitely showed it without taking away the charm of this mid-sized resturant. The elegant old style wooden long bar takes up the left side as you walk towards the dinning area. They don't serve liquor, but they do serve wine and I saw 12 different pull handles for beers, seemed to have a good selection of local brews on tap. The dinning area was a little brighter than the bar as there are several tall windows to let in a lot of natural light. Our server brought out salsa and chips, then immediately took our drink orders and promptly returned with the drinks to answer any questions we had about the menu The chip and salsa were very good.they use the same table salsas that Lerua's used. I ordered the La Bandera enchiladas (one each of beef, 'chicken, and cheese). My wife ordered the cheese crip with carne seca along with a beef tamale. The food came out quickly and everything was absolutely delicious. We even ordered a dozen of the beef tamales to take home. I can't believe we've lived in town for 25 years and never made it here before, but this just may be a new go-to place for us read more

El Torero - Carne Seca Ceese crisp - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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This is by far my favorite restaurant I've never had a bad dish the food is amazing as well as the service! Thanks for another fabulous and flavorful dinner! read more

El Torero - These are new on the menu. Vegan tacos with local produce!! Love all the hot sauces too! - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Great experience all around! Everyone who walked in the door seemed to know the owner Brad. It was like a big family in there. It was SO Tucson because that's just how Tucson is! This to me really makes a place. Brad was making his rounds to all the tables connecting with all of his customers. My husband has confirmed this as his new favorite Mexican restaurant! Very casual environment and friendly! The plates came out piping hot, smooth beans, the red beef chimi was loaded with meat that fell apart in your mouth! The cheese crisp was perfection, and beef patty taco was huge! I'm glad I only got the 1x1 instead of the 2x2! My enchilada's red sauce was super rich and flavorful!! Brad came and had multiple conversations with us while we ate, and the place was packed!! This is real Mexican in Tucson!! It will be our new go to! We left so happy we made the last minute decision to come tonight! read more

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Had a great lunch here. Hidden gem that is definitely worth your time. Really good specials and great service. The owners of Lerua's also run this one. The cheese crisp is amazing and I highly recommend something from the specials. read more

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Wow, are we ever glad that Yelp led us to this place! The service was very friendly and the food was delicious. We had what I think they call "two and two", which was each of us getting a beef patty taco and a carnita taco. My husband said the carnita taco was the best he's ever had! It doesn't sound like much food, but those two items were more than enough to fill us up. I will be recommending this place to anyone who goes to Tucson. read more

Is it El Torero Lerua's, or Lerua's El Torero? All the things you remember of El Torero are still here, yet brighter , with updating that pays homage to the history; the people you know and love with some new faces thrown in to add some excitement- all good. And then ...at the core, la comida... green corn veggie tamale pies, carnitas tacos with crema limon, salsas to bring tears to your eyes, and a Pacifico to soothe... Ahh, it's so good to be back... ¡muy delicioso! read more

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