Went in today after work, on Veterans Day. When I was there it was obvious that they were understaffed. Big kudos to the employees whom were running around, making sure everyone was helped as soon as possible. Our table was not dirty, but a guy did come by and quickly gave it a quick wipe before sitting down. My food was obviously not out right away, but then again, they were trying their best for their situation. Although when it did arrive, everything tasted fresh and well cooked. Good job. read more

El Torito - Spicy Mango Margarita - Mexican Near Me - La Mesa, California

Had a great time at happy hour with co workers. Our waitress Becka was knowledgeable and super helpful. Great service for our large party. Such a fun time and great food and drinks. read more

Not many El Torito restaurants left in SD but I've been going to the location in La Mesa for literally decades! The food is consistent and service is predictably on point. Ask for Gilberto to be your server, he's attentive, and very personable! read more

We had a very nice and friendly waitress and the atmosphere was okay. The food was very delicious we loved everything we ate there. I recommend this restaurant to anyone. read more

El Torito - FAJITAS COMBO - Mexican Near Me - La Mesa, California

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Just ok. We got queso dip, chicken enchiladas and grilled fish tacos. Staff and atmosphere were great. Food was season well but not overly great or authentic- however I don't think they are meant to be authentic. I think a taco shop would be better. But overall good experience. Don't think I need to return. read more

Lizette treated me and my girlfriend so welcoming like we were family great service amazing person

Went to the Sunday Brunch. Was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food. Gilberto kept the unlimited mimosas flowing. 10/10 service!

I've been a occasional pop-in here for many years and they've been just average for the most part. But the happy hour is decent for the discounts. I'm on the email list so they send me free nachos periodically and reminders of holiday specials and, a free entree every year on my birthday. Service might be inconsistent and can be sorta crappy at times where you're waiting 15-20 min for chips and salsa, or, they're on it totally and serve you in less than 5 minutes. Nothing really wows me on the menu, however certain items are better than others. We've found they use a decent cut of steak for the tacos. I've found all the tacos are indeed edible to good. Chicken tortilla soup has been a solid option too. I DO like that they always have DosXX Ámbar on tap, one of my faves. The Sunday brunch buffet is a nice spread, and will set you back about $24 a person. An old friend from work told me in the 80's this was his happy hour pickup spot. Heard many salacious stories, chances are many were exaggerated and/or untrue. I was a little too young for this era, and actually it was one of the few times I wished I was older. Kinda like now, so I can retire! read more

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First timing coming to the la mesa location. We sat in the bar section for happy hour. Food was great and they have great happy hour specials! Staff did not greet us when we sat down and barely had a smile on their face when we got to the bar. Not until after we started looking at the happy hour menu did they not acknowledge us then said they will be right with us. Ordered food and drinks while eating and drinking up sold us on an additional patron Cadillac once we said yes she looked at the other bartender and said SOLD she take it and handed us a drink that was an incorrect order to someone else. Heard unprofessional conversations about staff and upper management while there. We will say we were greeted immediately walking in and out from the employees at the front. We loved the food and happy hour but will not be back. read more

El Torito - Cadillac Margarita - Mexican Near Me - La Mesa, California

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Always good to be here the food is always delicious. the variety of dishes are amazing.Gilberto is our waiter of choice he always has great energy and makes our experience at El Torito majestic. read more

Thank you to Gilberto our server! Even though he was the only waiter at the busy time we were dining, he provided great service.

Have always had a wonderful experience here. Good food and service. Happy hour is great.

I am a long time patron of El Torito, though I have not gone as often as I use to. I went today & had the pleasure of sitting in Bailey's section. She was a delight, attentive and very friendly, a lot of my usual servers have left, but now I have found a new server in Bailey, be sure to stop by and ask for her, you won't be disappointed, I wasn't read more

I used to be a huge fan until now, the 3rd time no over exaggeration of how my pre arrangements with this restaurant almost ruined a special occasion! For example yesterday, Thanksgiving the system allows me to pre order, & pay online for thanksgiving day pick up & I have done this in the past as well! Due to prior let downs with reservations & orders in the past. I called to confirm my order and pick up. I spent over 30 minutes to fix the issue with their system. Note that I gave them my whole order and confirmed the time again. (Even though it was through their system) Next day on Thanksgiving when I get my food ITS NOT READY!! I had to wait and give them my order again!! I showed up later than my pick up time. Furious very much ruined another special occasion for my family!! I do not suggest doing business with El Torito! read more

Came for Sunday brunch. Food is yummy! But what makes the experience worthwhile is Gilberto! He has the best personality and the level of attention is exceptional. read more

"Bottomless mimosas" and only refilled twice in one hour. Owner said they were trying to "keep us calm". They tried to charge us for someone who never even ordered and did not bring out two different people orders. read more

We visited recently for our anniversary. Gilberto was our server, he was amazing! The food and service were top tier. He recommended drinks that were delicious AND strong! The happy hour is the best in the area. read more

El Torito - $10 happy hour margarita flight! - Mexican Near Me - La Mesa, California

Gilberto our server was awesome. Made our brunch very pleasant. Very attentive! Food was delicious!

Came in for taco Tuesday and they have a nice looking taco bar. It's $3 a taco which is a little pricey in my opinion but they also have beans, potatoes and a corn casserole to chose from along with many types of salsas. The tacos i got... Al pastor: my fav by far. Perfect amount of sweet and savory Fried Mahi mahi: pretty dry didn't really taste like anything Carnitas: also pretty dry and salty. Overall my experience wasn't bad. I had to jazz up my tacos with tons of salsas and veggies but it was good. Also service was great. read more

El Torito - Taco Tuesday - Mexican Near Me - La Mesa, California

Our server Gilberto was excellent! He was super friendly and attentive with the chips and drink refills. Checked up on us to make sure everything was good. We have never been to el torito before but he left a great impression on us. read more

Food is great, service excellent, my Son and I have this place as one of our favorites, for lunch, dinner and brunch, love everything about this restaurant, out of all service is great, wanna mention Gilberto, very professional, one of the best in the business, He's always on point with his tables and more! Always happy to go there! read more

We had an amazing brunch today in large part due to the service we received from Gilberto. Gilberto as always was wonderful! He is always so courteous and kind. I am always happy when he is my server. Food was great too! read more

Food was good! Service was a bit slow and little to no direction of the buffet. Ask about what drink are provided bc they won't openly tell you! read more

El Torito - mimosas!!!! - Mexican Near Me - La Mesa, California

Gilberto was an Awesome server, he was polite & friendly and quick! The food was delicious & the ambiance was good! We will be back for sure! read more

El Torito - Food was delicious! - Mexican Near Me - La Mesa, California

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Not what it used to be.... Just memories Terrible food even worse service. Not worth $$$ the bucks read more

10/10 Gilberto was our server and was fast with the drinks, food. This place doesn't miss. The ambiance was perfect, since it's summer. Taco Tuesday here is the best read more

This is a restaurant chain throughout Southern California. It is Mexican cuisine in a more than just casual fast food environment. The food was good. We had the Tuesday fajita special. The serving was large enough to share. We were a little disappointed with our service. All the tables around us were served tortilla chips for appetizer. He neglected to give us any. We didn't say anything because they are fattening and we really didn't need any. The dining area had colorful Mexican decor. It was fun walking around the tables to look at the various decorations. It was very cold inside, but guess I'm not used to Southern California evenings yet. The cost was very reasonable. Even though we didn't have any, they also served liquor. All in all, this would be a place that we would return to on our next visit to Southern California. read more

El Torito - The dining area - Mexican Near Me - La Mesa, California

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Happy Holidays and an OLE all day Y'all ~ YUMMY !! the mexican food is Hot, Fresh & Delicious at El Torito Loved it the minute I walked in the door, you bet I will be back for more I was doing some Holiday shopping in La Mesa and was craving mexican food. I decided to try El Torito Mexican Restaurant, which was right by Burrlington, where I was picking up my warm winter coat. I walked into El Torito and Ally greeted me with a big smile and welcomed me. She made my El Torito experience, very memorable from beginning till end. She has only been there for months and you would have thought she had worked there for years. She has the personality that warms a room and makes you feel right at home. I had called in my order, but then decided to eat there and I am so glad I did. She brought the food out right away and the cheese enchiladas, rice and beans, with chips and salsa, were out of this world. I have thought of that meal and experience ever since. I will be back and real soon. I am even thinking about having an event there. El Torito has been open for 65 years and they signed another 15 years. Which I am excited to hear. I will be a regular customer of El Torito's, because their food is tasty, fresh, hot and delicious and they make you feel like family from the minute you walk in the door. Yes I will be going back for more. I would also like to say that their manager Sal is also very customer care friendly. He came over and asked me how everything was and so I gave him my feedback. I can say I made Sal & Ally's day, with what I had to say. They made my visit to El Torito, one of the best experiences of my life. Thank you for making my visit to El Torito, so memorable. Happy Holidays Everyone. Sandy Sanders "A Master Connector and Promoter" and lover of cheese enchiladas and mexican food. "OLE All Day" read more

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I saw an advertisement for the all you can eat brunch on TikTok. The brunch did not disappoint. There was quite a spread, the food was very good and the service was great. I went with a friend, we had a slow meal and enjoyed ourselves. read more

Pretty hard to find bad Mexican food in SD. Food and ambience less than desirable. Should have trusted our gut instinct and left when we noticed severe water damage to the exterior of the building. Whole experience was worn down from beginning to end. Don't let hanger leader you to this poor experience. read more

I've been eating at El Torito's since I was 2 and will always love it! It's good every time and the service is always excellent. Gilberto and Eli at this location are so lovely, can't wait to come back :) read more

El Torito - ENCHILADA RANCHERAS - CHEESE - Mexican Near Me - La Mesa, California

Gilberto was amazing and super attentive! We will be back for brunch soon. Brunch had a lot of options!

We live the food and the margaritas! But most of all we love our usual server Gilberto! He always makes our experience an awesome one and makes us feel very special. He has served is for over 20 years at a few locations and always makes it a point to remember specific things my family and I tend to always order. He is awesome! read more

Decide to meet up with some friends for taco Tuesday today. I never go out for taco Tuesday. But the tacos were good and the service was excellent thank you Gilberto hope to get you as our server when we come for girls taco Tuesday night again. See ya next month Gilberto .... read more

El Torito - Mexican Near Me - La Mesa, California

El día de ayer. Sábado fui al restaurante y me senté en la barra del restaurante y me tocó una experiencia muy penosa con la gerente en turno Emma y la empleada De la barra y le grito enfrente de todos los presentes de una manera grosera y humillante lo cual l chica me estaba atendiendo de una forma muy amable posteriormente puso a un muchacho extremadamente joven lo cual se escuchó por varios empleados que el chico era menor de edad sinceramente. No puedo creer el trato que me dio la gerente que se puso a discutir con los presentes que horrible lugar para comer o trabajar Yesterday. Saturday I went to the restaurant and sat at the restaurant bar and I had a very painful experience with the manager on duty Emma and the bar employee and I yelled at her in front of everyone present in a rude and humiliating way which the girl made me He was serving in a very friendly manner and later placed an extremely young boy, which was heard by several employees that the boy was honestly a minor. I can't believe the treatment that the manager gave me who started arguing with those present, what a horrible place to eat or work. read more

Always great service but I wish they had large tortilla soup bowls. Their bowls are delicious but too small!!

Took my mom here for her Birthday dinner. The service was excellent. The food was delish. I love their chips and salas. The strawberry Pina colada was amazing. ​ read more

Go for happy hour not for food. Much better places to eat in this area. The salsa is watery and the enchilada sauce. The cuisine is for gringos read more

My girlfriend and I went to El Torito on a Thursday night and were promptly greeted and led to a nice booth in the dining area. They definitely take Covid-19 safety protocols seriously which is great to see! Gilberto and the girl that was shadowing him (I'm sorry I forgot her name) were very friendly and quick! Gilberto was outstanding and his shadow is going to be an amazing server! The food was delicious! I ordered the chicken sour cream enchiladas (pictured) and my girlfriend ordered the sizzling steak enchiladas. We also enjoyed a couple margaritas and a Michelada which were super refreshing! Their happy hour deals are great! We will definitely be back! read more

El Torito - CHICKEN AND SOUR CREAM ENCHILADAS - Mexican Near Me - La Mesa, California

Gilberto is the absolute highlight to my visits!! he was so funny and sweet and always so excited to see me!! he always makes my night when i come for dinner! The food tastes amazing all the time and i get food and entertainment when gilberto is here!! My #1 amigo !! read more