Welp.. what can I say.. after four months of my last review on Google does this place still measure up? Yes yes, yes! From the cleanliness to the food options, I have never had my children say no to this restaurant. It's always a home feel and the staff makes you feel like you are family. We had the pleasure of meeting Daisy and our server Cynthia on our last review. We've been for Saturday buffet and middle of the week lunch brunch.. today we are back for Sunday brunch with my family of seven and again it never fluctuates. It's consistent with the warm and attention they give to their customers. This restaurant is always clean and there's always a smiling face everywhere. Food is warm and delicious.. today we had the pleasure of meeting the other manager Hugo and our server was Pablo and let me tell you Pablo was so kind and attentive and over all fun! Love coming here and according to the family, we will continue to come here again and again! read more

See all

I would totally recommend this place, they were very fast with service and seating us as well. We had an amazing server by the name of Eduardo, he was very knowledgeable very sweet & very efficient with the menu. He was able to suggest certain items to our liking. The ambience of the restaurant is very welcoming, it is an American Mexican style restaurant with amazing decor. read more

Had a wonderful experience during brunch. Food was amazing and our server Eduardo was very attentive, not only to our table but those he was helping. read more

El Torito - Mexican Near Me - Hawthorne, California

I love this is place , I try to come specifically on Sunday's because of their bottomless mimosa (9am-2pm) and buffet style entrees during their brunch Sundays. But mostly I love the great service provided by Mr. Eduardo, moving forward I will personally ask for his service/table. I eat alone a lot here and he always make sure to check on me with anything I requested. He's the best and I'm glad I got to make his acquaintance here. Thank you again Mr. Eduardo from the Hawthorne branch of El Toritos. read more

El Torito - Martini, sweet corn cake,(2) carne Asada tacos my favorite - Mexican Near Me - Hawthorne, California

Really great Sunday brunch! I took my parents out for Sunday brunch at this El Torito and we really enjoyed it. The food is great, especially the menudo. My mom is a great cook and it's hard to take her anywhere without her critiquing the food. But she had no complaints here. She was thinking about the menudo even days after. haha. The staff was really nice. Our server Eduardo was amazing. My mimosa was never empty and he always checked on us to see if we needed anything, which was very much appreciated. The atmosphere is great with TVs and also music playing in the background. Overall, a great experience for Sunday brunch because of the staff and the food. Definitely recommend! read more

Came for happy hour on Sunday, vibes were great and drinks were good. Julian our server was very kind and got us whatever we asked for. Will be back again soon. Thank you. read more

Eduardo was such a great worker I saw him all over the restaurant helping both sides and still was able to help out my table in a timely manner !! Great job sir!!! Love coming here on Sundays!!! read more

Food was amazing, I love the enchiladas. The restaurant is clean and they have fast service. Nayla was very attentive, and came to check on us many times. Highly recommend. read more

Came in to celebrate a friend's birthday on a Sunday. Eduardo was our waiter. He made our Sunday brunch spectacular with refilling our bottomless mimosas. He needs a raise. Thank u to Eduardo!!! read more

Food is always amazing. Service is good today. We had Pablo as our waiter very kind funny waiter. I like coming here.

We had such a wonderful experience thanks to our server, Eduardo! He was incredibly kind, attentive, and made sure everything was perfect from start to finish. His friendly attitude and excellent service truly stood out and made our visit so enjoyable. Because of him, we'll definitely be coming back to this location just to be served by him again. Amazing service--thank you, Eduardo! read more

Great service by Eduardo definitely recommend visiting here with family. Food was great, hot and fast

JC was my first point of contact with the restaurant , he was welcoming and attentive made guests feel comfortable and valued, offering a warm greeting, anticipating needs, and attending to requests promptly. read more

El Torito - Summer Brake Limited Time Only Menu - Mexican Near Me - Hawthorne, California

See all

Julian was an amazing waiter! Very attentive. Made my food and drink experience fabulous..

We want to thank Alex Gomez so much for her spectacular service!! She was so welcoming and made so many recommendations. She was very patient with me because I couldn't decide. I've never had a server suggest so many delicious drinks and food pairings. We all walked out full and happy. I am definitely coming back and telling everyone about my experience here. I honestly think she should be the main ambassador for this company. read more

Walked in for a quick lunch, the staff, the hostess the server were amazing very welcoming and attentive. Would definitely recommend. keep up the good work guys. read more

The waiters were fantastic and attentive, friendly, and on point. The food was fresh and delicious, and the cocktails were perfectly crafted. Great vibes all around. We cant wait to comeback for father's day and for any other occasion. read more

El Torito - Drinks: House margarita and Cadillac - Mexican Near Me - Hawthorne, California

Thank you for today's brunch dining experience! My server was so kind and attentive, I forgot her name but she was amazing! The hot chocolate was really good, as well as the omelette station was my favorite! read more

I was thinking of going with 4 stars, but then thought about how good the service was and, because all the other aspects of the experience were dialed in, this is going to be a 5 star review. This El Torito on Hawthorne Blvd., just south of long and often vapid Imperial Highway, hit the spot. First, I have a long history with the El Torito chain. Being less adventurous as a teen and young adult, I didn't care to go to the Mexican food dives closer to the beach that the surfers from school wearing Hussong's Cantina apparel frequented because I didn't want to overhear Jeff Spicoli types. That said, El Torito in Marina del Rey was a favorite for us college kids seeking to eat off campus. And, if around the Southland on day trips with friends, we'd hit up other ones for a meal. This El Torito does not have the stucco exterior with a mission tiled roof or the sometimes worn nautical look of many others. Nonetheless, you go inside and it's well laid out and spacious. I sat down and good chips with a nicely balanced (not so) hot sauce arrived in no time. The menu was extensive and I opted for a combination platter with 3 items, based on some clarification provided by the server. Each of the 3 main items was very tasty and I don't mind that there might be some Americanized affect in the formula. The server, a lankier salt and pepper haired gentleman, did an excellent job - professional in fulfilling the order and jovial when the situation called for it. He even rolled with with my conversational collegiate Spanish with no qualms. I told him I like to practice it any chance I get. This El Torito has parking in front and is practically next to a CVS. This area has changed a lot. No one minimally resembling the Beach Boys is anywhere in sight. Then, when "big hair" was the thing, they built an indoor mall with big anchors and named it Hawthorne Plaza. I did not know how to maneuver a sharp pencil then, but I still thought it was shortsighted to put up this mall with Fox Hills to the north and several big malls in Torrance to the south. Even though they invested in advertising it, together with that sappy jingle - "Hawthorne Plaza ... center of all your tomorrows" - it didn't make it and, when shuttered, became a YouTube place for kids of the "Skateboard Skip" variety to trespass and practice their craft. How did this review come to this? Well, I was in DTLA and didn't want to head to El Torito in the Marina not knowing the parking situation in 2024 and, with an expected brisk ride on the 110 and the 105, I could get here easily, find free parking, revisit the Hawthorne I thought I knew, and reminisce about the past while most likely having a good meal. El Torito delivered on the food alright, but the service was faultless. I'm glad this afternoon and evening unfolded the way it did and that I ended up eating here. read more

See all

Great food and service for Sunday brunch. I really liked the enchiladas. Eduardo was the best. Thank you Eduardo

Our first time visiting this El Torito. Since we were going to an event in Inglewood, we decided to try the Veteran's Day special here before the event . We came for a late lunch. JJ usually gets a free lunch on Veteran's Day, and it was fun to try something new. We were pleasantly surprised--- it was absolutely fantastic! To begin with, the tortilla chips were fresh and warm-- so good! And the salsa was good too. JJ ordered the two item combo plate with Chile Relleno and enchilada, and he loved it! He said the Chile relleno was especially outstanding. I ordered the taquito plate, with 3 different types of taquitos. It came with rice and black beans . This plate was also very good. In addition, the little cornbread was very moist and so delicious as well! But I must admit, the chips and salsa were SO good that I overdid it, so was unable to finish my taquito plate. Always happy to take home leftovers. Service was very good as well. JJ loves to converse with the servers, and they were very friendly and helpful. We would definitely come back here again--- highly recommended! read more

See all

Havent been here in years and just went back today and it was great! Food and drinks were delicious and service was great! Eduardo is the best! Glad to see he was still there and still remembered us! Will be going back to try brunch soon! read more

The food was good, and Julians customer service was just as amazing! Keep up the good work!

Arrived Sunday at 2:20 for Happy Hour, which the website says starts at 2pm. No host at the front podium. I waited 10 minutes before a host acknowledged me. Strike one. I told the host I came for happy hour. Host says bar is closed, but happy hour is available throughout the restaurant. I look around; half the tables are empty, no one but me in the waiting area. I ask for a table for one. Host says my wait will be 15 minutes. Strike two. After 15 minutes, I am finally seated. It takes a while for my server to arrive. To her credit, she apologizes profusely. I order my Diet Pepsi and mentioned what I was told regarding happy hour. She says happy hour doesn't start until 3. I mention that the website contradicts this. In an admirable effort to be as accommodating as her management will allow, she offers to bring my drink, along with chips and salsa while I wait until 3 to order. I reluctantly agree. She quickly brings my drink, chips, salsa, and a happy hour menu. Note the text in the photo below, keeping in mind that I arrived at 2:20pm on a Sunday. Strike three. I was tremendously pleased with my server. Perhaps she should be promoted to Manager when they finally fire whoever she's currently suffering under. In the meantime, there are El Torito locations in Torrance and Marina Del Rey. Go there instead. read more

El Torito - "Sundays: Happy Hour Food l: 2pm-Close" - Mexican Near Me - Hawthorne, California

We went here for weekday lunch and they only had 1 server according to the front desk who turned out to be the new manager as well. Naila was very nice and accommodating. Even with just 1 server and her, the service was good and the food was served promptly. read more

If you're not doing happy hour at El Torito you're not doing happy hour right! I've been coming here all my life for brunch, happy hour and dinner. I love this place! If you're lucky, you'll get Eduardo as your server. He's a super star! read more

Very good food and service! If you're lucky you'll get Eduardo as a server, very attentive and kind!!! I recommend the burrito de carne asada! Very delicious!!! read more

It was a party of 20 that was sat before us but Gilda and the manager J.C did amazing. Our drinks were soooo good too. The happy hour menu was great and our food was very good. read more

No, no, NO! I was looking for enchiladas! This place has always been my go to when I can't find authentic! To be honest, I was tired & didn't feel like searching. I went a few months ago & everything was great! Off day? I don't know but everything was terrible! Even the chips were stale. My feelings were hurt! The bread pudding was hard & inedible! Everything was tasteless! The spinach enchiladas, beans, rice, margarita! I can't believe it read more

The service was amazing and the food was excellent. I came here after a long day of work. I had a good time with my god brother. I met a family just passing through for Tennessee and they were playing country music so we danced. thank you, El Torito although many of them are closed down this one on the Hawthorne is one of the best. Thank you Belen was so cool. Her attention to customers and professional service was beyond rapport!! I'll be back!!! Thanks Belen! read more

I been there a few times the last few weeks and my experience has been mixed. I keep hoping for more... The restaurant is large, very open and airy for people watching (LOL) which is kinda fun! The staff is kind, friendly and welcoming. All good there! However, the food - THE main point of going to a restaurant is BLAH. The dishes seem freshly made with quality ingredients but the flavor, deliciousness or wow factor is completely missing. Their starting point, the SALSA seems freshly made but the flavor is minimal. I kept eating it but only to search for flavor. The salsa needs serious work. Same thing with the appetizers. I've ordered a few and again BORING. The mixed drinks are also just ok. Acceptable but nothing amazing. I have not ordered an entree yet. No reason so far. I may or may not go again. If I do, it might be for drinks.... bottled Modelo or something that can't get messed up. I hope that changes for El Torito because there are many other great choices. read more

Great service with an amazing happy hour. The margaritas are made great and the fajitas are always fresh! The restaurant is very inviting and there's a great vibe all around. read more

Long wait and outdated, has a dingy smell, service is aweful and the food has gone downhill. Really disappointed as i have been going here for years, read more

Alexandra is an exceptional server she has a real love for people, customers she serves, she treated us like family. Everything was on point order, food, everything. Everyone should request this special treat. I give it 120%. read more

El Torito - Dining area, 2 course dinner meal - Mexican Near Me - Hawthorne, California

The food was great and the service was exceptional! Eduardo was very attentive which made the experience even better.

Brunch was delicious! And the service was exceptional- Eduardo was very attentive and made all the difference!

For $30 you get burnt hard Mexicans rice, the fajitas (the expensive ones) you get a kid portion (5 tiny pieces of steak, 6 shrimps, 6 pieces of a thin sliced chicken breast). Never again! read more

So bomb !!!! Atmosphere was good , drinks were on point , margaritas and draft beer margaritas were perfectly served read more

El Torito - Service was great too !!!! Margaritas were on point Fire - Mexican Near Me - Hawthorne, California

See all

Overall, the ambience and the food is exquisite the service status of each worker is always polite and on top of the job good pace good flow good focus The hostess tremendous job upon today her name is Lupe I give stars read more

I placed an order through El Torito's official website and, for the second time, I did not receive the correct size for one of the items I paid for. The first time this happened, I assumed it was an honest mistake. After experiencing the same issue again, I am beginning to believe this may be done on purpose to steal customers money. Additionally, my full order was not delivered. If this had only happened once, I would have let it go, but given that this is now a repeated issue, I am concerned that El Torito is intentionally charging customers for larger portion sizes and then providing smaller sizes instead. read more