El Torito

3.2 (2.4k reviews)

ModerateMexican, Bars, Breakfast & Brunch

Open • 9:00 am - 11:00 pm

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El Torito - SLOW-ROASTED CARNITAS - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

El Torito - Pina Colda + our waitress - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

El Torito - How yummy is this plate FAJITAS COMBO - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

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El Torito - Sunday Brunch Waffles - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

El Torito Popular Dishes

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EL TORITO ATMOSPHERE

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Outside

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Casual

Touristy

Moderate noise

Good for groups

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A burrito that lost its shape under the weight of the sauce.

Darryl B.

If there were ever a restaurant in need of a Gordon Ramsay intervention, this would be it. The food was drenched in sauce to the point where any actual flavor seemed to have surrendered. The rice was passable, but the beans came with an unexpected sour note that no one asked for. The restaurant itself had a noticeable odor, which it seemed to combat by simply propping the door open--an ambitious but ineffective strategy. Unfortunately, the issues didn't stop there. The floors were dirty, the furniture showed signs of rust, and the windows (at least the ones within reach) were decorated with bird droppings. To top it off, I witnessed a homeless man decline food offered by two patrons leaving the restaurant. In hindsight, that might have been the most reliable review of all. Given the location, the experience was especially disappointing.

Christian E.

The hostess was very friendly! There was a bad smell (wet mop?) when entering. They have a happy hour, but it's only at the bar, which no one wants to sit at. The server asked if we were ready to order before he even brought out our water or drink. I hate feeling rushed! The chips tasted as if they have been in old oil. The Spicy margarita was slightly weak. Although they gave a large private free parking lot & great views, I was not overly impressed. The bacon-wrapped shrimp was decent. The Birria tacos were good, but definitely small and could use some more cheese. The Spanish rice was good. They have the potential to do so much better especially with this space! Add a roofftop& better drinks!

Prajakta G.

Went here on a Saturday for lunch. We were seated at one of their large window tables with an ocean view. They have colorful art around the place with an old-time charm to it. The service at the restaurant is not up to the mark. Our server was not helpful and got a lot of our orders wrong. We ordered the Bloody Maria with 3 toppings, but only got one of them. It was also missing the olives and celery, which are not add ons and part of the original drink. Because we had difficulty placing the order in the first place, we did not send this back because we weren't sure they'd be able to fix it. The small plates at the table were not clean; they had some sticky spots on them. We got the chilaquiles, huevos rancheros and avocado toast. The food was average-tasting. The prices are below average for that area. I would not recommend this place considering there are much better options available very close to it.

Angelica G.

I've been to El Torito a couple of times, and since I love Mexican food, it's become one of my favorite spots in Monterey. One of the things I enjoy the most is the location, the view of the beach is beautiful and makes the whole experience even better. My go-to dish is always the Trio Fajitas, which come with steak, chicken, and shrimp. They arrive sizzling at the table and are packed with flavor. The portion is also very generous, we ordered them for two people and still couldn't finish everything. Honestly, they could easily be shared by three people. For this visit, we also ordered guacamole and swapped the traditional beans and rice for mixed veggies. The service has always been good, although this place gets pretty busy. This time we waited about 15-20 minutes for a table, but honestly, it was worth it. Great food, beautiful ocean views, and a fun atmosphere. If you're in Monterey and craving Mexican food, enjoying some sizzling fajitas while overlooking the beach is a pretty great way to spend the afternoon.

Gianna S.

Pretty restaurant right on the bay. It's nice that it has a parking lot and you can get your parking vouched. The restaurant can be loud Food is pretty decent - got a hibiscus guava margarita Service can be good depending on who you get. It can be pretty slow depending on how busy it is!

Kyanna G.

Great happy hour, great view! You can't beat the view. Our sever Debbie, was top notch, fantastic- worked so hard and was so friendly. Food was decent, and it was nice to see an El Torino thriving.

The half of my Mucho Combo that was delivered

Daryn B.

This review is based on a DoorDash experience. I ordered the Mucho Combo which includes a chili rellano, chicken and sour cream enchilada, tamale, taco, beans and rice. When my order arrived half was missing. I called the restaurant and was told it was still there sitting on the order up tray cooling off. The portion of the order I did receive was very good. All three items were full of flavor. However, they had cooled off fast. In conclusion, I would consider eating here someday. Just don't order through DoorDash.

Monica Z.

Before leaving for the airport stopped in again + had lunch. There was three of us so we had Grande Fiesta Platter appetizer, Buffalo tenders,crispy Flautas, Nachos Supremos + cheese Quesadilla. Just enough to get us home. Pretty sure it was the same waitress as before. She's a sweetheart + efficient. Skipped the bloody Mary, but mom had one + my sister had a Pina Colda. The views from the restaurant are outstanding.

Plate 1: CARNE ASADA & SHRIMP Plate 2: 2 ITEM COMBO (Cheese Enchilada & Chicken Tamale)

Kristina K.

Dinner with a view!!! The food came out fast & flavorful! The portions were generous, and the service was very attentive. The atmosphere was very warm and welcoming! I'd definitely come back again for both the food and the overall experience!

Alycia A.

The absolute best Mexican food with a beautiful ocean view! Weekends can be busy, it's best to make a reservation beforehand. They have a private paid parking lot. Staff is great, this restaurant is family friendly and can be loud. Bathrooms are clean. They have a buffet on weekends as well. Definitely try them out if you are in the area!!!

Karen A.

We had high hopes for El Torito in Monterey, but unfortunately our visit didn't go as planned. We made a reservation 1.5 hours ahead, confirmed it over the phone, and specifically requested a booth by the window (since my wife is pregnant and can't sit at high tops for long). We arrived on time but still had to wait another 15 minutes, and despite the request, we were not given a window booth. The host didn't communicate very well -- perhaps just tired by that time of day -- but it set a rough tone for the evening. From the outside, the restaurant wasn't very welcoming. The building had bird droppings all over the roof, which immediately gave off a neglected vibe. We were drawn in by the online photos showing nice views, but once inside, the atmosphere felt more chaotic and run-down. Guests were yelling and cursing loudly with kids around, which made it uncomfortable to settle in. Food was another disappointment. What we ordered was either too oily or lacked flavor, and we couldn't even finish our meals. It really felt like we failed our dinner that night. The frustrating part is that this place has so much potential -- the location is prime, the building is large with its own parking, and it could easily be elevated into a polished, destination restaurant. Instead, it feels cheap and run down, which is a shame given the setting.

Pretty disappointing experience overall. The food was overly salty and not very enjoyable. Service was also lacking servers (Wendy T) seemed annoyed and unprofessional. We were told we couldn't split the bill, but apparently that has to be requested at the beginning, which no one told us. There was also a random surcharge on the receipt that wasn't explained. The biggest issue was cleanliness. The restroom had no soap, and we had to ask staff and wait for it to be refilled just so I could wash my hands. The only positive was the person who brought out our food, they were kind and polite. Overall, I wouldn't return or recommend this place.

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Sonia E.

7 months ago

Exelente servicio de las meseras Lucero y Candy, comida deliciosa, ambiente familia y el personal muy atento.

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Eva V.

9 months ago

Service was HORRIBLE server never once came back to ask how we were doing or even to bring us refills. Food took over an hour to come out and when it did, it was cold and the wrong order. Food was not flavorful at all. Tables around us got their food super fast and customers went and came. It was a horrible experience would NEVER come back when we visit Monterey. read more

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Leroy H.

Elite 24

115

3 years ago

Extra star for the beautiful view. The place has its own gated parking lot with validation. Our waitress was nice and checked on us often. The food quality was poor. The steak looks like it's from one of those premade individually wrapped pre sliced meat packages from the store. Otherwise it was old steak. read more

El Torito - View - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

El Torito - Carne asada and eggs breakfast. - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

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N N.

2 months ago

came to this restaurant yesterday for mother's day and had a reservation at 10:30am. we didn't get sat until 11:48am (mind you this is not the problem since we knew it would be busy). a big table next to me asked me how long did we wait for our reservation because we had got there at the same time for our reservations, i told them we barley got sat and they were shocked because they told us they had a reservation at 10:30 as well and got sat immediately. they were already done with their food by the time our reservation got sat. while not even there for an hour into our LATE reservation, the manager or whatever he was had the nerve to tell us that we needed to be done with our food in 5 minutes so they can put another party at our table. mind you, there was a sign that said you can have 1hr and 30mins. he tried to argue with us until we showed him our ticket with the time we got sat, he walked away like the sassy man he was. never ever going there again. DO NOT COME HERE for any type of special occasion. they literally had people sitting outside under a canopy like it was a family party with plastic chairs and tables. read more

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Jeronimo M.

1 year ago

Service was bad on my visit to this place. I waited for one hour and a half and still food was not ready. I decided it to walk out. Bad customer service. read more

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Betty U.

9 months ago

We were so lucky to have Marcus today! He was attentive, friendly, and gave us great service! All other wait staff was very dismissive. Thank you, Marcus!! read more

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William W.

1612

2 years ago

Isabel was the greatest hostess ever. She took photos of me and my dinner guest. She took care of our every need and want. Please visit her and El Torito sometime! read more

El Torito - View from best table in Monterey' - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

El Torito - Sizzling Combo - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

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Raquel G.

2 years ago

Visited for breakfast and overall pleasant experience! Our server Andres treated us well, provided good service and that made the experience that much better. The food was also good, we will definitely be going back soon to enjoy the breakfast and ocean view. read more

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Ximena P.

9 months ago

The food is decent. The views are perfect if you get an ocean view seat. The Sunday brunch used to be better, they kept the expensive price but lowered the quality a bit. The staff seem over worked but they do appear to be trying their best. read more

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Kage C.

2 years ago

I came here a while ago and this experience still stays with me. I was in a party of 6 (me included) and we all came in to dine in. The food was mediocre but it was not the worst. What made the experience so bad was what happened after we asked for our bill. The manager came up to our table and said "Did our new server do good" and we were like "yeah of course". The manager then went "Good enough for a 20% tip?". HELLO??? WHAT ?? It made everyone so uncomfortable and we were already planning on tipping , but we all just sat there awkwardly. We were all like "we guess" and the manager WROTE IN the tip on our check. Absolutely terrible and embarrassing thing to do as a manager. We will never go here again, it is such a bad look for this place. read more

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Jesús Guillermo M.

2 years ago

My wife and I visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium yesterday morning. After a long couple hours with our toddler we were hungry and saw this location at a walking distance from the aquarium. My wife had visited this chain before and said the food was ok, not authentic Mexican food but not bad tasting either, so we decided to eat there. To begin, the parking lot entrance gives you a ticket (which you can validate inside of the restaurant) but the exit gate is completely open. Why have a ticketing system if it doesn't work as intended? We walked into the restaurant at exactly 1 pm, and although it was busy, it was nothing extraordinary. The hostess told us it would be a 25 minute wait so we decided to wait for a table (half the restaurant's tables were empty, but we thought perhaps they were short staffed). There's a restroom right next to the chairs they set up for waiting so make sure to not sit right next to the busy door. It was finally our turn to be seated (notified through a text message) but they make you get in line again as if you had just entered the restaurant. A couple of ladies cut off my wife while she was approaching the hostess and tried to get seated before us, even though we had been waiting 10 minutes longer than them (they also sat a group of 5 before us, even though we were also there before them). Once we were seated we noticed there were 3 empty tables in front of us and a high table behind us as well. All those 4 tables got filled within 5 minutes of us sitting down. We asked for a children's menu and after 15 minutes of waiting I had to stand up and ask the hostess, still standing at the front desk for that menu and some water for my 3 year old and my pregnant wife (considering the other tables had already placed their orders). The manager heard this and sent a waiter right away to help us. By this point we already knew what we wanted to order, since it was already 2 pm and we didn't even have water. Fast forward 30 minutes and we had finished the small basket of chips and salsa and our lemonades and nothing about our food. The manager kept circling around us, but never approached us to check in on us. The four tables that were empty when we entered were once again empty since they had all finished their meals and left, while we were still waiting for our food (the water cups never arrived). We were done with this, so I stood up and asked the waiter that was helping us (an older gentleman) to bring me my bill for the only thing we had received which was the drinks he didn't even pause to listen to me. As soon as he heard the word "bill" he walked away from me and went to the kitchen to check in on my food even though I had told him we wanted to leave. Again, the manager was standing nearby yet he never approached us during our 90 minute wait. The waiter then came out and the kitchen man brought our food to us and asked out loud if we still wanted our food, to which my wife said "I guess so" since we did not want it to be thrown away. We orderer two small dishes and my daughter's appetizers. No special requests. Afterwards, the waiter came to apologize and made up an excuse which I now realize made no sense, since all he said was "you know they're in there cooking food" and I sure hope they are, since that's what they're supposed to be doing right? He then brought the bill over, $76. I did leave a tip and did not ask for any discounts, or anything like that. When I took out my card to pay, the manager then approached me and in an odd tone asked if everything had been alright, as if he had not been standing there, looking at us wait for our order for over an hour and a half. I scoffed and said "sure, it was fine". When I looked up he was already gone walking around with his iPad. I cannot stress this enough, this was single handedly the worst experience at a restaurant I have ever had. If I would have known it would take them that long to help us, by the time our food arrived to our table we would have already been back home in San Jose and I could have cooked a meal for my family myself. I absolutely do not recommend this place to anyone. I will deter people from going here and I would gladly suggest stopping at a fast food chain on the highway or even getting a gas station hot dog over this business. read more

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Mai Y.

11 months ago

Cres helped us out and he was very attentive. Enjoyed the food and atmosphere. Would come back again.

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Sarah V.

Elite 24

113

138

610

2 years ago

We enjoy coming here, the views are exceptional and the service is always great. Please be advised that the waiting time to get seated can often be lengthy, we waiting over 20 minutes, we were seated brought drinks and chips within seconds, however it has been 70 minutes and we are still waiting for our food. We asked for it to go and we are still waiting... read more

El Torito - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

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Marta S.

Elite 26

282

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225

3 years ago

Really good flavors, surprisingly good for being in a tourist spot. Breathtaking views of the Monterey Bay if you ask for a table by the window. The table side guacamole was delicious. It was made from 1 and a half avocados + Pico de Gallo + lime juice. It tasted fresh but wasn't a satisfying portion for two people to share. read more

El Torito - Fish and shrimp tacos combo - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

El Torito - Fajita salad with chicken and shrimp - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

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Jason S.

1 year ago

I love this place so much !!! The sizzling enchiladas and chili verde are second to none . The sauce should be outlawed !!! The service is always top notch !!! The drinks will never disappoint. It's always clean and the views are exceptional !!! read more

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Michael G.

198

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2 years ago

El Torito Monterey did not honor our Open Table Reservation. We arrived on time, they made us wait; after waiting some time, we inquired about our table which a text I received said was ready, and they acted like there was no reservation, but thankfully they sat us shortly afterwards. We waited a long time to be seen by the server. We waited much, much longer to receive our food. First they brought us someone else's order. Then they brought us our food, of which my wife's order with NO ONIONS came WITH ONIONS. I don't think I'll ever bring my family back to dine with this establishment, nor can I recommend this place to family, friends, or even strangers. Even worse, I let them know with my Open Table reservation that we are celebrating my wife's special birthday, and there was ZERO acknowledgment of that or my request for a table with a nice view. read more

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Annie P.

10 months ago

Big sign in parking lot saying pets welcome. Website says pets welcome. Went to restaurant and hostess said no they do not allow pets and have no patio or outside area to sit patrons with pets. At that point really doesn't matter if the food is decent or not. Was kind of dark and not inviting atmosphere. Was quite ok with leaving to find an actual pet friendly establishment. read more

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D A.

11 months ago

Understaffed, unclean, and poor quality food. Do not eat here. Every surface is sticky and just entirely unappealing.

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Tom L.

1 year ago

Stopped in for lunch. I had a Taco salad requested NO taco shell or strips. It still had taco strips mixed in so hard to remove. Had unusual ingredient of Pine Nuts. They were not mentioned on the menu or I missed them. I would have passed on them in this salad My usual taste test for a Mexican restaurant is a Chile Relleno. My sister had that and it was superb. Nicely done My wife had tortilla soup. It was thick and filling. It was a little sweet for my taste. Service was good by Omar. I would ask for him again Now the ambiance.... Their windows look out over Monterrey Bay. With this location it was hard to eat Great place to go for lunch read more

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SF G.

1 year ago

Just about the worst service ever. I understand the servers are busy but we waited for 30 min to get the check and during that time no one even bussed our tables. The place looks run down as well and needs a renovation. read more

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Jennifer H.

1 year ago

The only reason I'm giving a 2 is because the manager did not make us pay a dime and view was good. If they could get their ish together it would be a great restaurant. This experience was not good from start to finish. A man was vaping in the restaurant waiting to pay. I told the server, who said he would talk to him. I said I think he'll just go after he can pay. The sever said, well I'm giving you guys your drinks and can only do 1 thing at a time. We asked for tableside guac; sever said it's 45 min to get that but if you order prepared quac that's faster, so we ordered 3 at $15. It didn't show for an hour 24 minutes anyway. My kids ordered chicken tenders. 45 minutes in, they came back to tell us there were no chicken tenders, and my kids reordered pizza. At the same time I had to remind the server to check on my margarita which was waiting at the bar 45 min after I ordered it. An hour 20 minutes later, our food finally came (nothing complicated) except he forgot one kid's pizza and she had to wait another 10 minutes. We cancelled the guac since it was supposed to be an appetizer. The server gave it to the table next to us. The sever kept saying, I'm doing my best, I am sorry it's not good enough for you. By the time the food showed, my kids wouldn't eat it as they had filled up on chips after 1.5 hours. I was upset and lost my appetite and did not eat either. We did not stick around to wait on the ice creams that came with the kids meals as I didn't have another hour to waste, and opted to go to ghiradelli next door. On our way out, toilets were clogged and lacking toilet paper, leading to a very poor experience. I went back downstairs to wait with my kiddo for the lady that was servicing it for another 15 minutes, and several women followed to downstairs to wait in the same line for the 1 usable women's toilet. read more

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Miles H.

1 year ago

I hate writing bad reviews because of how much I love it here... Sadly my guests and I were disappointed.. Service was and excuse my French was a shit show.. I was a restaurant manager for 8 years and I haven't received service like this in a really long time.. I get it if our server was the only guy on the floor taking care of tables but that wasn't the case. They had a full serving staff and service was so poor. We had ordered our dinner and waited about 20-30 min for our food. Our food was brought to us with piping hot plates but everyone's food was lukewarm.. My dish was just stone cold. No one wanted to send there's back but I couldn't trust cold food. I tried flagging my server down and completely ignored me. Finally either a busser or another sever noticed I needed something and took my dish back.. Everyone else finished there food but I never got mine back till I had asked for it. My dish was still COLD and had no flower tortillas on it that I had asked for. I would greatly appreciate upper management to contact me. I don't think I will ever be back. This saddens me and was a true disappointment. Maybe in the near feature I will give this place another try but for right now they have lost a valuable guest... read more

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Evelyn Y.

2 years ago

The food was awful everything was over salted the place was old and run down. Terrible dining experience

Business owner information

Kyle E.

Thank you for telling us about your experience and thank you for your…

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Shikha H.

Elite 26

209

518

3 years ago

Great view and service but not so great food. Tried their Sunday brunch. The shrimp was good and so were the churro pancakes. Didn't like the chicken and the desserts. Their parking is definitely a big plus. I wouldn't visit again just because of the lack pf flavor in food. read more

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Rose W.

9 months ago

We had Amazing service from Marcus, from the moment we sat down. I brought my mom for her 86th Birthday, she enjoyed Marcus so much.. he was pleasant, courteous, fast, and very friendly, you don't get that very often in Restaurants anymore. This experience was such a pleasant surprise . Thank you for making my Moms Birthday. read more

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Maria M.

1 year ago

Cris is the best need new source for the carnitas... too much grieso beautiful place to eat Saturday mornings read more

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Wally W.

1 year ago

Marcus was the best server we have ever had here. He made our dinning experience amazing.

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Anthony C.

1 year ago

The food here is delicious and the service is fantastic. Cres is very kind and was a wonderful server. The booths have a direct view of the ocean and the atmosphere is really good. My wife and I come here every year for our anniversary and El Torito is one of the places we always visit, sometimes more than once. Highly recommend! read more

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Neomi P.

1 year ago

Do not eat here. The steak was served without even being cooked. I asked for medium, and it was given raw on one side with a light sear on the other. The beans were cold, and we waited 45 minutes for the food to be served. I blame the kitchen completely. If you are unable to serve breakfast at 9 a.m., don't open at that time. That was revolting! read more

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Neerg D.

1 year ago

Service was Great!! Marcus M. Was amazing. So tentative, helpful and friendly. Made sure everything and everyone was taken care of. Best service I've had anywhere. 110% BEST !! Food was great too! read more

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A J.

2 years ago

I like to come here (great views, overall nice place to eat) but the Sunday brunch is pricey. Came today for the first time and the cost is $45 PER PERSON. They do offer a lot (including bottomless mimosas, made-to-order quesadillas, omelets, crepes, etc) but 45 was a bit excessive to me. Just wanted to share because this isn't advertised anywhere. read more

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Christy A.

112

1 year ago

The food here was terrible. We knew when it took 5 minutes from ordering for our food to arrive that it wasn't going to be good. The view is pretty but the food is trash. It's very expensive as well. I would highly recommend not going here when you're visiting Monterey. You also have to pay for parking to eat here. $10 for 50 minutes that we were there. read more

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Chyna C.

Elite 26

284

290

5 years ago

Very nice Mexican restaurant by the ocean. We came here for my mom's birthday dinner on a Wednesday night and the restaurant was EMPTY. We had a table by the window and an entire section to ourselves. We ordered a barbacoa burrito, street taco plate, a la carte plate (enchiladas and tamale), and two side salads. I also got the Cadillac margarita for myself. The barbacoa burrito was good but not great. They use some spices to cover up the actual flavors of the barbacoa meat. The meat was very tender though! The rest of the food was good but I think the standout item were the enchiladas. I do not like enchiladas but not only did they LOOK good, they TASTE good. The mole on top was freshly poured on, the meat on the inside was tender, and the tortilla was perfect. I am used to very dry or very greasy enchiladas but these were absolutely perfect. I think this is the best enchilada I've had in a long time. I had ordered the burrito for myself but I think next time...I'm just going to need a whole plate of enchiladas for myself. The Cadillac margarita was so good too. I feel like they put more alcohol than usual and that's okay! I get tipsy off one, haha. The customer service was excellent. Very attentive and quick. read more

El Torito - Street taco plate - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

El Torito - Barbacoa burrito - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

El Torito - Barbacoa burrito, street taco plate, and tamale/enchilada a la carte plate. - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

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Janelle O.

Thank you for your feedback! We hope to see you again soon!!

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Katie E.

2 years ago

Came again for the Sunday Brunch! I want to shout out our server, Maria C for being amazing!! She went above and beyond. read more

El Torito - STREET TACO TRIO - SEAFOOD - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

El Torito - SWEET CORN CAKE - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

El Torito - SEAFOOD TACO TRIO - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

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Kyle E.

Thank you for your feedback!

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Sandra V.

Elite 26 All-Star

286

1544

5 years ago

I've been here before for the Sunday brunch and it has been delish. Today we came Monday and I was not impressed. It took a looong time to get our food. My chilaquiles were cold. My mom ordered eggs well done but they were over cooked. The flies, I killed two. My son's knife was dirty. See pics for more. I don't complaint in person bc worry what they would do to my food behind. read more

El Torito - Cracked coffee mug - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

El Torito - My cold chilaquiles but the flavor was good - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

El Torito - Dirty knife - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

El Torito - The mosquitos I killed - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

El Torito - Mosquitos on the inside window - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

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Janelle O.

Thank You so much for your honest feedback. Please send me an email…

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Izaiah C.

11 months ago

My Goodness Cres gave us the greater service ever. 1000 out of 10 reviews. I would rate this a 7 . I will definitely come back here. Really great food. read more

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Ron H.

11 months ago

What started off extremely badly, Marcus made up for with his understanding, personality, and Superb service.

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Mariah C.

1 year ago

My mom loves coming here and it was our Christmas but the food was just terrible! They gave us bean tacos because they were out of chorizo and steak. They said they were out of steak but we ended up with all beans when beans were never mentioned. The bar service was very nice and was hustling there should have been two bartenders. I don't think I would ever go back but my mom and stepdad said the GM Mike was nice so that's why they keep coming back. The cooks though need some better communication skills. We should not have paid for our food because we did not order bean tacos or chorizo chicken pork whatever it was when it should have been chorizo. We should have only paid for our drinks, everything else was a disappointment. read more

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Business owner information

Kyle E.

Thank you for telling us about your experience and thank you for your…

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Emily J.

618

3 years ago

Rose was the most attentive server! For any of you HIMYM fans, she basically ensured we all had the Kennedy Package. Our mimosas were NEVER EMPTY! The buffet was incredible, and the complimentary churro pancakes and omelettes were to die for 10/10 WOULD RECOMMEND! read more

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J K.

11 months ago

Marcus was fantastic! Super friendly and fun! Food was yummy! Drinks amazing awesome atmosphere! All around great experience!

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Page 7 of 59

600 Cannery Row
Monterey, CA 93940
Directions
(831) 373-0611
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.eltorito.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does El Torito open?

El Torito opens at 9:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday, Friday and Saturday.

What time does El Torito close?

El Torito closes at 10:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday.El Torito closes at 11:00 PM on Friday and Saturday.

Mon-Thu, Sun 9:00 AM - 10:00 PMFri-Sat 9:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Payment methods

Does El Torito take credit cards?

Yes, El Torito takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does El Torito have catering options?

Yes, El Torito does have catering options.

Does El Torito have a drive thru?

No, El Torito does not have a drive thru.

Does El Torito have a happy hour?

Yes, El Torito has a happy hour.

Does El Torito serve alcohol?

Yes, El Torito serves alcohol. Full Bar

Indoor Amenities

Does El Torito allow dogs?

Yes, El Torito allows dogs.

Does El Torito have TVs?

Yes, El Torito has TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does El Torito have bike parking?

Yes, El Torito has bike parking.

Does El Torito have outdoor seating?

Yes, El Torito has outdoor seating options.

Does El Torito have parking?

Yes, El Torito has parking options. Private Lot Parking

Other Amenities

Does El Torito allow outdoor smoking?

No, El Torito does not allow outdoor smoking.

Does El Torito have free WiFi?

Yes, El Torito has free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

The authority in great Mexican food for more than 65 years. Offering a memorable experience to make each guest feel like family.

History

Established in 1954.

It was in 1954 that Real Mex Restaurants first introduced Mexican casual dining to SoCal with the opening of El Torito. Half a century later, Mexican fare has become an integral part of the American dining experience. El Torito is a truly authentic & traditional Mexican concept. A festive & approachable restaurant rich in heritage, focusing on offering a memorable experience to each and every guest. Food quality, refreshing drinks, welcoming service, vibrant music selections showcased in a traditional/timeless Mexican hacienda, creates a warm & comfortable environment for our guests. Today, El Torito continues to honor the flavorful history of Mexican cuisine, leading the way through culinary innovation, superior hospitality and rich and infused flavors.

El Torito Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - El Torito

How many stairs are there to the upstairs dining area?

No stairs at the Milpitas El Torito.

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Do they have karaoke?

they don't.

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Are they open on Christmas Day?

El Torito is open from 9 AM to 8 PM on Christmas Day. From 9 AM to 2 PM is their breakfast menu which I believe consist of ham and tri-tip. Then from 2 PM till closing is there a regular menu.

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Can you make reaervations?

yes but they give your table away 50% of the time

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Open at 8am every day - does that include the bar?

They published an account of their hours on Christmas Day. Open 9 am to 8 pm. Brunch buffet served… Read more

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Are they having the Sunday buffet brunch or what are brunch options? We are a group of at least 7 people and want to go tomorrow.

They offer All you can eat Sunday brunch fajita station, which includes steak, sent, chicken, and carnitas. It also includes lot Mexican entrees, taco stations, fresh salads, almonds made to order, menudo, pozole, dessert bar and more. Along with… Read more

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Are dogs allowed outside?

I believed they offered outdoor seating during 2020-2021. But doesn't seem like they offer it now.

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Are they open for dine in?

Yes they are!! I confirmed with them today! Enjoy!!

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Is there bottomless mimosas brunch on Sundays?

Yes there is! It's from 9am-2pm!

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Is the remodel finished & open for business?

Yes its open

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Do they have brunch on saturday?

Hi Michael, we offer our Champagne Brunch only on Sundays from 9am-2pm. We hope to see you soon.

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Do u have to call ahead for reservations?

You can. But no need. The restaurant is huge

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El Cantaro

SCW and I stopped into El Cantato while staying in Monterey Bay. This place was a priority for me…read moreas it's all plant based and Mexican. Parking is sparse in front of the restaurant but paid parking is nearby. We entered and wow, the place was busy. Not overwhelming but lots of people in the indoor dining area enjoying their food. The menu is overheard and we decided what we wanted and ordered. The employees were kind and helpful, we probably were the only people that didn't speak Spanish well in the restaurant but that wasn't an issue, SCW got the number 2 combo, I got the mole. Also ordered an appetizer. Seated and waited about 10 minutes and our order came out. Everything was freaking amazing. Such great flavors and so fresh. Even SCW who doesn't necessarily gravitate towards Mexican food made nom nom nom sounds the whole time. The mole was incredible, the best I've ever had. The whole time we were here it was an endless stream of customers, even late lunch hour. SCW was impressed by the contrast stream of people coming in. We even walked around the wharf nearby for a while and drove past again and it was still packed with people. Do yourself a favor and visit El Cantato. I know I will.

This is an amazing Vegan restaurant. I was in the area for the day and found this place. I haven't…read morebeen to many Mexican restaurants with any vegan options let alone a full Vegan menus. It took our party (8 people) a while to decide as we were spoiled with choices. But we had time as it was pretty busy for a Friday around 1. I ended up getting the carne asada nachos and the aqua Fresca that they had that day (mango and watermelon I think). Both were absolutely spectacular. The picture included might not show the best scale but I had 2 others helping me to eat this plate and otherwise I would not have been able to finish it (even as a larger man). The crunchy jalapeños with the chips, beans and guacamole were the perfect balance. As a meat eater, the texture of the faux meat was a touch odd, but the flavor more than made up for it. The staff was helpful and attentive even as they were balancing supporting customers, answer phone orders, and taking regular orders. My wife and will definitely be stopping by here more often!!

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Pretty mello. How I prefer it!

Authentic Mole Negro Oaxaca Style Plate and corn tortillas

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Alejandro's

4.2

(283 reviews)

1.2 mi

Locally owned & operated

Outdoor seating

Just stop looking, put your phone down & get in the car!…read more Everything about this place is exactly what you want when you spend your hard earned money! Service is on point! Food is to die for! Our server loved his job & interacting with people, now days that's hard to find. Every staff member treated us with kindness. The quality of the food is beyond amazing. The drinks are perfect, the guava was my fave, if you're a grapefruit fan the Paloma is good too but I preferred the guava My man got the carne asada plate and the meat just melts in your mouth. I got the mole enchiladas OMG the flavors were just amazing and burst in your mouth Guacamole is on point and worth it!!! HANDS DOWN ONE OF THE BEST RESTAURANTS I HAVE BEEN TOO! The ambiance was just beautiful, clean and comfy.

What a surprise to find a Mexican restaurant in downtown Monterey that reminds me of fine dining in…read moreMexico City. The service was spot on. There when you need them and discreetly in the background otherwise. Loved the queso fundido and house made tortillas. The pork chop was infused with spices and perfectly cooked. I enjoyed the house margarita but would like to explore the Baja wines next visit. Looking forward to a return visit to explore the menu and the wine list.

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Salmon

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La Bahia Mexican American Restaurant

We were in the area to check out the aquarium and had a craving for fish tacos…read more We parked a block or two away. Staff was very friendly, we sat in the window and I had the al pastor taco and fish taco. Soooo good, I need to come back. Salsas were tasty too.

Traveling and saw this spot as a recommended Mexican food location. We ordered chips and guac,…read moreenchiladas, and a burrito. For drinks, we ordered the strawberry lemonade and pineapple. Chips and guac were good but tiny portion for what you pay. The enchiladas and burrito were way too salty. And a Mexican place that only does one type of aguas frescas per day? And no horchata? That was a bit disappointing. The pineapple drink tasted like canned pineapple juice. The strawberry lemonade was decent. All in all, would be a good spot with some minor improvements.

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Indoor area (left)

Cheso birria, part of to-go order.

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Al Pastor Burrito & Agua Fresca

Nacho Bizness

Me and my girlfriend love this place! We had one of our first dates here and come back at least…read moreonce a month. All of the employees are super nice and chill; great hospitality. Whatever we need, the employees have taken care of. The owner came to our table recently and said hello; we told him how much we love this place and how much it means to us and he gave me and my gf both complimentary t-shirts. NACHO BIZNESS FOR LIFE We have tried all of the main nachos selections, they're all great! Pro tip: open the flaps on the cardboard trays to lay the nachos out like a big platter

Don't go to this place . There are 3 things you need to be aware …read more Went there with my kids to eat and ordered the regular burrito and the hella sized beed bizzness nachos . 1- we asked if the nachos were spicy , they advised to put jalapeños on the side . The cheese sauce is spicy . My kids mouth were on fire . If they say it's mild .. it's spicy.. even the free cup of Mac and cheese they offered . Spicy. 2-The burrito had no flavor and the rice was old ( you can tell was used from Previous days ). 3- cleanliness was awful .. the chairs were not stable , floors were dirty and that bathroom has seen better days for sure. That was my observation . Owners need to pay more attention of how fresh the food and the cleanliness of the place .

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Inside

Asada Fries Hella Sized with chips and guacamole.

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The Phise Nachos

La Casa Del Sazon - Monterey

Very good food. Great service…read more Reasonable wait time and they have a parking lot which we didn't know about so we parked a few blocks away. Very happy with our choice of lunch.

The service was slow and our drinks were left unfilled. The food was ok, it was not hot and it…read morelacked a lot of seasoning. The pricing was not accurate on the menu. We had to show the menu to the server after we received the bill due to getting additional charges that were not published on their menu. I definitely think they're over priced for what they offer, and the quality of the food is not worth spending the money again.

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Our new Tostada Monarca!

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Arrechero steak (wimpy sauce) and AL pastor tacos (nippy verde).

Michael's Grill & Taqueria

Michael's is a Pacific Grove staple. It's got that "California casual" vibe with a weird but…read moreperfect mix of Mexican, Texan, and even some Cajun influences. You can tell it's been a local favorite for decades--the hand-scrawled signs and slogans everywhere give it so much character. They've been around for 40 years! The Blackened Chicken sandwich is what they're famous for, and it lives up to the hype as I've been ordering it since middle school. It's got a solid kick, and that buttermilk garlic dressing they use is addictive. If you're leaning more toward the taqueria side, the Blackened Shrimp Tacos and the Steak Fajitas are the move. I also get the House Burrito a lot as it's one of their famous specialties. Everything feels fresh and grilled, not greasy, which is a nice change of pace. The service is fast and friendly and the portions are huge for the price. It's a small, no-frills spot inside, but they have plenty of seating and a steady stream of locals picking up takeout which is always a good sign. Every meal comes with chips and salsa! Pro tip: They're closed on Sundays, so make sure you get your fix during the week. Definitely the best spot in PG for a quick, high-quality lunch that won't break the bank.

My wife and I came in to Michael's Grill one evening to satisfy our craving for Mexican Food but…read moreunfortunately left unsatisfied :( I understand this restaurant is here to satisfy and appease its community of Pacific Grove but to be honest as a Mexican/American myself.. this is not authentic Mexican food sorry and I'm not even mad at the restaurant for what it serves. I'm just letting those know who are planning to visit and planning on eating Authentic Mexican food this is not it. Service is fabulous and ambiance is very nice but food wise it's personally not for me. Canned sauce uncut chicken strips, ground beef and no real authentic flavoring is not authentic in my opinion I'm just giving my honest raw review but overall the employees seem happy customers are happy and this place good share of people eating in and picking up and I couldn't be more happy for the owners to have this working out because the restaurant business can be a brutal business and I give props to anyone starting one up let alone keeping one going for many years.

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Dining room

Combo - most delicious!

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Blackened chicken taco combo

Mission 19 Taquería

Visiting from LA, I honestly didn't expect to find great birria tacos, but Mission 19 Taqueria…read moreproved me wrong. The birria tacos looked amazing in the photos, so I decided to give them a try. My kids loved them and immediately asked for more. What really stood out to me was the tortilla, it had a nice crunch that made the tacos even better. The Salsa Roja was absolutely fire and paired perfectly with the tacos. I would definitely eat here again. My only suggestion would be to have lemons, onions, and cilantro available near the sauce station. That said, if you ask, they'll gladly give you more. The prices are a little on the high side, but I'm assuming that's because of the location. Personally, I don't mind paying extra for quality birria tacos. If you're looking for good birria tacos, I highly recommend giving this place a try.

Great service, very clean, a little busy depending on time but for good reason. Food was a little…read moremore expensive than other taquerias but the quality was way better than anything i had. SOME OF THE BEST MEXICAN FOOD IVE HAD (saying that as a mexican that's regularly in mexico ) I recommend the adobado, I wish i got more pictures but it was so good i dug in right away

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Enchiladas

Fried fish taco with flour tortilla

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California Burrito- Carne Asada

Nicolás Cocina de Herencia

Oh my gosh, I had the best meal here and I'm still thinking about it! I had the white mole with…read morebraised short rib and it was fantastic! The flavor was so amazing and nothing like I've ever eaten before. I usually don't finish my meals, but I couldn't stop eating this delicious meal! The homemade corn tortillas were so sweet and flavorful as well. I live in Southern California so, unfortunately, I can't come here very often, but I will make a special trip to come here again in the future. PS: My husband had the birria tacos and he said they were amazing as well!

I love myself a bougie Mexican restaurant, especially in an area like Carmel by the sea…read more Unfortunately, they're not quite ready for large parties and the busyness that come with Carmel's tourism. We waited almost 2 hours for food for a party of 10. Totopos and salsa can only do so much for so long. Did margaritas help? Of course, but then I just wanted to keep that going and forego the food . Food was 4/5 stars, price reallly hard to justify what you're receiving. The molcajete is unique and worth trying, the enchiladas were meh, tuna a hit or miss. We will return to give this place one more try.

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Dining room

Mezcal made for the restaurant

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Interior

Peppers Mexicali Cafe

Had to audit my own bill because the math didn't add up. The waiter tried to justify it with a 3%…read morecard surcharge and blamed "the computer," only to eventually realize I was being charged for a dish I never ordered. Corrected, yes - but not before a lot of unnecessary attitude. Food was mediocre, salsa we ordered never arrived. Advice: check your bill carefully if you eat here.

I noticed this place the other day so we made reservations for last night…read more It's tucked away on a side street as you enter a residential area. The parking was a bit challenging even though they have a parking lot for customers but we found a space. It was obvious that it's a locals spot and the place was full. There's a full bar as you walk in, fun decor pleasant ambiance. It's on the small side but there's a covered patio outside for overflow/outdoor dining. "Ben" was our server. He was so attentive and friendly! We ordered a tequila flight, very nice!, shrimp fajitas that came with black beans and rice, taco and enchilada plate and a glass of Cabernet. Everything was delicious and I can't wait to go back because I really want to try the Mexican chocolate cake! Also, the location is so close to the hotel we stayed at in Lover's Point. We coulda shoulda walked!

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Cute bar

Blood Orange Margarita

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Nice art work

Cultura

WHAT CAN I SAY…read more This meal was PHENOMENAL (*'o'*) I never had Chapulines before but the texture was unlike anything i could've imagined. the flavour was mind-blowing too. It was fun to snack on them and eat them with the CHIP and dip. The Habañero carrot sauce was far superior to all the salsa. HIGHLY recommend it to accompany ur dinner. The Mole was so rich, and chicken so tender and juicy. The interior is quite cozy! Defo like here, but parking took over an hour so just beware what time u go and when

Cultura was such a vibe! We chose to sit outside by the fireplace, and the ambiance alone made the…read moreexperience feel special. Quick service still happens outside when your af Carmel by the Sea! The drink drinks were flowing and I was going! Every drink was so adorable. It made me want to try all of them. I love it when effort is put into making my drink. The chips and salsa are always a must! Fresh and Flavorful. While I didn't love the specific entrée I chose, everything around it really stood out. The potatoes and asparagus were absolutely Devine. Everyone else at the table genuinely enjoyed their meals, which says a lot about the consistency of the kitchen. Must stop by for outdoor fireplace setting.

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Another side of the bar seating area

NY steak, black beans, & assorted vegetables.

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Wine & Warm Water

the C restaurant + bar

Located inside the Intercontinental The Clement Monterey, the C Restaurant is fabulous. We had…read morebreakfast here the morning of our last day in Monterey, this breakfast was a great farewell. The restaurant itself is relatively upscale for a hotel but has a warm vibe. The Belgian waffle is a must- it's decadent, the berries are fresh and the whipped cream is cloud-like and sweet. The American breakfast was hearty and filling. The bacon was perfectly chewy, salty and cooked. The Yukon potatoes were crispy and had a good level of spice. The eggs were super fluffy as well. The sourdough was warm and the butter was creamy. Our server was extremely kind and was ON IT when it came to refills and making good conversation, super kind and made sure to check on us consistently.

C Restaurant at The Clement -- Great Hotel, Mixed Bag at the Table…read more The Clement is a fantastic hotel. Full stop. But C Restaurant didn't quite live up to the address. Let's start with the wins: the service was genuinely excellent -- attentive, warm, professional. The Old Fashioned was well-crafted, and major props to the bar program for stocking Nochino. That's a detail that signals someone behind the bar actually cares. The food, though? It missed. The fish was overcooked and the presentation felt like an afterthought. For a restaurant at this price point and in this setting, I expected more -- both on the plate and on the plate. You can forgive a lot in a restaurant when everything else sings. But the food is the whole point, and this one didn't deliver. Worth a drink at the bar. Skip dinner and eat somewhere else in Monterey.

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Chocolate

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The Clement Monterey ~ The Intercontinental Monterey

Sandbar & Grill

Come for the food, hope to get Laurene as your server!…read more We ordered the Crab Louie, fish and chips, sand dabs, and calamari steak. All of the food was excellent but what made the meal was the service. Not sure of the spelling so apologies but Laurene was great with our kids. Helpful with any requests and genuinely the best server I think I've ever had in my life. She knows how to make a customer feel appreciated while not taking herself too seriously. We'll definitely be back the next time we are passing through! Thank you for making our lunch a memorable experience.

The sand dabs are the best tartar sauce is the best Clam…read morechowder is the best The spicy Bloody Mary needs more Tabasco sauce Fish tacos are the bomb Service is the best

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Hot chocolate with a view.

Sobremesa

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Views of the harbor come free with every meal

Stokes Adobe

Truly enjoyed this place. It was a great experience…read more Well done. Service is outstanding.

My family and I came to visit Monterey Bay for Mother's Day weekend and it was a nice and relaxing…read moredinner. We booked Stokes Adobe for table of 8 (including two small toddlers) They brought out little coloring paper & crayons which was super nice of them. We were seated in a private area which was nice since our two small toddlers like to walk around and it's less distraction. We did family style and ordered a bit of everything! Crispy potatoes: Love the carbs! The potatoes were crispy and delicious. The lemon truffle crema sauce was so yummy! Oysters: Definitely order half shell oysters! They were delicious! Hamachi: This was okay, nothing special to be honest sinc Mussels: This one was also delicious as well. It was made with white wine and tomato broth with butter, shallot, garlic. Beets salad: You can't go wrong with ordering a beet salad! The honey vinaigrette was delicious! Santa Cruz King Salmon: This dish was simple but tasty. The Meyer lemon sauce went well with the salmon. 12oz Pork chop: The meat was soft and easy to bite into. The cauliflower puree was delicious! Snake River American Wagyu: I thought the steak was okay. It was a bit too rare for me personally but my husband liked it! Brussels sprouts: Yummmm! Love the crispy Brussels sprouts. Overall service was great and the food was good. The only downside of the night was not getting the duck liver mousse toast. Not sure why the order went through when we mentioned in the beginning but hope to try it next time we're in town.

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Inside, you can choose different rooms to sit in

Crispy potatoes

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Duck terrine

Bistro Moulin

This was our first time dining at Bistro Moulin, and it completely exceeded our expectations. From…read morethe moment we were seated, the service was exceptional, our server was extremely kind, informative, and attentive, checking on us several times and offering a detailed explanation of the menu and specials, which we really appreciated. The food was outstanding. My husband and I were scraping our plates by the end of the meal. Everything was perfectly cooked and full of flavor, but the standout for us was the lamb chop lollipops with yogurt sauce, they were absolutely delightful, tender, and incredibly well balanced. I cannot overstate how flavorful and fresh the food tasted. The ambience added to the experience, with a warm, cozy atmosphere that truly makes this place feel like a cute gem in Monterey. We would absolutely recommend Bistro Moulin and are already looking forward to returning. This is a place we will be visiting again very soon.

We were really looking forward to our meal, but unfortunately it didn't meet our expectations. The…read moremussels had a strong, unpleasant odor that concerned us. I felt bad about sending them back and was apologetic when we brought it to the owner's attention. He was responsive, explained that it was the natural smell of the sea, and kindly showed us the invoice proving they were purchased that day. He also offered to check with the vendor. While we appreciated his efforts, the smell was off-putting enough that we decided to order something else. We tried the lamb lollipop special instead. For $42, the portion was quite small--just five thin, uneven pieces--and the lamb was overcooked and overly salty. When we gently mentioned this to our server, she responded with an eye roll, which was disappointing. We genuinely dislike leaving negative feedback, especially for small independent restaurants, but the overall experience left us quite disappointed. Hoping they can improve these items, as the restaurant has potential.

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Inside

Seafood Risotto

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345 reviews that are not currently recommended

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Kanwar D.

3 years ago

Extremely Disappointing Experience at El Torito in Monterey, CA My recent visit to El Torito in Monterey, CA turned out to be an incredibly frustrating and disappointing experience. From start to finish, the service and overall quality of the dining experience were far from satisfactory. Upon arriving at the restaurant, my party and I were seated promptly, but our server was nowhere to be found. We assumed he was attending to other customers, but after an extended wait, we grew concerned. It was only when I approached another staff member that I discovered our server had gone on his break without informing us. This lack of communication and courtesy was highly unprofessional and set the tone for the rest of our visit. As time dragged on, we realized that no other server came to check on us or offer any assistance. We patiently waited for over an hour, expecting our food to arrive, but it never did. The absence of any communication or updates from the staff only added to our frustration and confusion. To make matters worse, when the one appetizer we ordered finally arrived, it was prepared incorrectly, with the wrong ingredients. This demonstrated a clear lack of attention to detail and a disregard for customer satisfaction. At this point, our hopes for a satisfactory dining experience were completely shattered. Overall, I cannot recommend El Torito in Monterey, CA to anyone based on my experience. The server's disappearance without informing us, the excessively long wait for food that never arrived, and the incorrect appetizer were all indicative of a poorly managed establishment. The lack of attentiveness and professionalism demonstrated by the staff left a lasting negative impression. If you're looking for a Mexican restaurant with prompt service, delicious food, and attentive staff, I strongly suggest looking elsewhere. El Torito failed to meet even the most basic expectations, and my visit was an unfortunate reminder of the importance of quality service and customer care in the hospitality industry. read more

Cheryl A.

2 years ago

Offal, Offal, Offal...Don't Bother! 4/4/2024 Went there for dinner, the wait was to be 30 mins. so we decided to eat at the bar. (Bar Tender was running with so much work). Took along time to order and took along time to get our drink. Tried to order the special Chili Relleno, the bar tender came back and said that was unavailable. Okay order the steak and prawns 27.00. After an hour, I asked a manager that had jumped behind the bar if he could check on our food as it had been an hour. He asked the hostess to check, someone brought out our meal. You could tell it had been sitting under the hot light for quite some time, my med rare steak looked like beef jerky and the prawns were not prawns but baby shrimp and were so dried out from being under the light it was disgusting. My husbands dinner wasn't any better and it wasn't what he ordered. They should have been embarrassed to service us such crap. I picked up the thinly sliced steak nothing like the menu picture and it was just brown, dried out and burned looking I'm sure from sitting under the light for so long. Why the kitchen staff let is sit there for so long without saying sometime I will never know. We didn't complain as the 2 people that handled our food should have surely noticed the condition of the meal and serviced it to us anyway. I wouldn't have given that food to my dog. Needless to say, we paid our bill and tipped. But, I'm sharing this review to let you know beware. Bad service, offal, offal food, would bother. Disgusting, Oh yes and an older couple came in after us, never got serviced, they ended up leaving, we should have done the same, especially after our meal came. We should have just walked out, leaving that god offal food on the bar. read more

Dora P.

1 year ago

We stopped by El Torito for a drink and nachos, figuring we'd grab a quick bite and decide if we wanted to stay for dinner. We got on the waitlist and found a seat in the bar. Unfortunately, the service started off slow. It took a while for the waitress to come around, but we were patient. Our drinks were served, and just as we were enjoying them, we were told our table was ready. The restaurant was busy, so we didn't think much of the long wait for our food. However, after about 35 minutes of waiting, we checked in with the waitress about our nachos. She told us that the restaurant was slammed and it would be another 20 minutes. At that point, I was ready to leave, but my husband wanted to wait. Well, she wasn't exaggerating--20 minutes later, we finally got our nachos. By the time the food arrived, the restaurant had started to clear out. We ate our nachos, finished our drinks, and decided not to stay for dinner, as it seemed like it would take forever to get our food. The waitress explained that large parties of 10+ people were being prioritized. She said, "They wanted to make sure the bigger parties were happy," implying that they placed more value on larger groups than on smaller customers like us. Her apology felt half-hearted, and she suggested we return for happy hour. Honestly, after this experience, we won't be back. The service was awful, and the nachos were just okay--not worth the long wait. Very disappointed. read more

Rebecca R.

16 years ago

My husband and I went here on a Tuesday evening, so not one of the busier times. When we were waiting to be seated, a family came out of the restaurant complaining about the service. They looked kinda cranky so we chalked it up to that and were ready to give the place the benefit of the doubt. That was a mistake. Once we were seated (at a booth with an amazing view, hence half of a star) it took a while for the waiter to get our drink order. Once ordered, it was another while until we actually got them (mine was a super yummy pineapple-coconut margarita, hence the other half star). After we finally got our food order in, it took forever for it to come (we went through 3 baskets of chips waiting for it). The food was good, but I've had better at El Torito in the past. The tables all around us were being served by a different waiter than us and he seemed to be very attentive to them; ours on the other hand was not. We barely saw him the whole time we were there. My husband had a child behind him kicking the back of his seat the whole time we were there. When we asked to speak to a manager about our overall experience, we waited a good 20 minutes. It was just a whole lot of sitting and waiting for something that wasn't worth sitting and waiting for. The only reason I would ever go back there would be for a margarita with a view; and then I would sit at the bar. read more

Bri A.

808

2 years ago

**Restaurant Review:** I visited this spot yesterday for dinner, drawn by their Happy Hour menu despite the mixed reviews. I'm glad I decided to give it a shot myself. Upon arrival, the host who greeted me was surprisingly friendly, a nice contrast to some of the negative comments I'd read. I opted to sit at the bar because, as others had noted, that's where you get access to the Happy Hour menu. The service was a bit slow, but it was understandable. The bartender was handling everything solo, from crafting drinks for the entire restaurant to serving bar patrons. When it comes to food and pricing, this place is probably one of the best budget-friendly options in town. I ordered the Chicken Flautas and Birria Tacos, both priced at just $8 each. A cool perk was a QR code that gave us free table-side guac and tortilla chips, which would normally cost $14. As for the food, it's not bad--it's American-style Mexican, so don't expect traditional flavors. The Birria Tacos, for instance, were made with ground beef rather than the usual Birria meat, but the seasoning was on point. All in all, the total cost for the meal came to $17.40, which is a steal for what you get. If you're looking for a decent, budget-friendly meal with a relaxed vibe, this place is worth checking out, especially during Happy Hour. read more

Tyler H.

7 years ago

Food doesn't get much worse! Salsa was like water which everyone thought was weird. I got the fiesta platter to try a bit of everything.. Chicken tenders looked so gross I didn't eat them. The cheese was barely melted on everything, but not as bad as my friend's boyfriend whose enchiladas were covered in shredded cheese that hadn't melted at all. His beans were also very watery. Seemed like everything was microwaved. Also.. Super, superrr oily. I felt so sick the whole rest of the day after eating there until I actually threw up that evening. Really disgusted by this place. Oh to add insult to injury... they charge almost $4 for a CLUB SODA. It's literally free water from the fountain. Not to mention their one bathroom was filthy and the soap dispenser was broken with no soap in it and no paper towels and the floor was completely wet. Went to Lala's a couple weeks later and changed spots at my table so I didn't have to look at El Torrito's building the whole time because the memory left a such a bad taste in my mouth it actually was making me feel a bit sick again. If you're going to get ripped off like a tourist at least go somewhere that won't make you sick. Would do zero stars if possible. read more

Shana C.

11 years ago

Came for Thanksgiving today. Killer view and was lucky to get a window seat after great grief. Kinda soured my day. Front staff was kinda irritating with the whole thing. I never feel like it's ever just alright to feel an ounce of discrimation for my disabled family member. Because of this we need to be seated comfortably for us and the wait staff to safely maneuver around. Once that was settled after a bit of embarrassment we were on to getting some plates. Overall the food was decent - nothing spectacular. Can't help to say I was a bit disappointed. The desserts for starters ALL had a pumpkin theme and felt it was a bit of overkill especially for those of us who don't enjoy pumpkin. Food variety was decent. Ham was tasty, mashed potatoes were decent, taco station was a nice surprise - the lady manning it not so great, but whatever, the retried beans were good, etc. Waitress was whatever and was picky and choosy who she was nice to. Guess she didn't like us because everyone else got wished a Happy Thanksgiving but us. Real nice. I probably would not choose to come here again for a Thanksgiving or another holiday. Just nothing special and I left still hungry. read more

Itzel C.

7 years ago

3 horas esperando la comida. Pagamos $100 por sodas. Y el baño sucio, el piso súper resbaloso en la área de las mesas. Nos pusieron en un pasillo sin luz y teníamos que agacharnos cuando pasaban con las charolas. Pedíamos una soda, y tardaban más de 30 min en traerla. A final de cuentas pagamos más de $100 por sodas, mal servicio y comida que nunca llegó. Mis sobrinos pequeños sufrieron más por estar sentados ahí sin comer. Al irnos la manager corrió dejando al mesero súper lento que se desaparecía , a atender nuestra queja. Nos hicieron pagar la bebida que tuvimos que pedir mientras esperamos la comida que nunca llegó. Y su solución fue un "no es nuestra culpa" y un misero 10% de descuento en el appetizer de una sola persona en la compra de toda una cena. Cuando éramos una faMilia de 7 personas esperando 3 horas por comida que nunca llegó. Ahora, me piden que me comunique con el restaurante por mensaje privado. No hay manera de hacer eso. Para sólo aparentar interés con otros comensales . Y borran mi review. Platicando con amistades me cuentan que también les ha sucedido en el mismo Toritos . PÉSIMO. Arruinaron ese día en familia. read more

Rob M.

3 years ago

I like to qualify my statements. Therefore, I'll start by saying I've visited hundreds of restaurants. I also believe that I have reasonable service level expectations, as both of my kids have worked as servers and have shared their horror stories about unreasonable patrons. As such, I am normally patient, polite, and generous with servers. That being said, the service was bad! We (my family and I) got seated quickly, but waited around 10+ minutes without so much as glance from a server. I flagged down a server to request some drinks and he tracked down our server who eventually showed up. From that point on, I literally had to wave my arms around in an attempt to get his attention for any service. The service was so bad that I felt like I was begging for everything. I used to be a college wrestler, so I'll sum it up this way. I felt like I was in a wrestling match with the service and it was slippery and hard to pin down. At the end of this match, I was exhausted and not interested in a rematch. I will say that the view and the food was good, but not good enough to make up for the bad service. read more

Sandra M.

1 year ago

A Truly Exceptional Dining Experience Courtesy of Marcus at El Torito During my recent visit to El Torito, I had the pleasure of being served by the exemplary Marcus, whose impeccable service and expansive knowledge of the menu elevated our dining experience to unprecedented heights. From the moment we arrived, Marcus greeted us with warmth and graciousness, ensuring that our every need was anticipated and met with effortless ease. His expert recommendations and insightful guidance navigated us through the culinary offerings, showcasing the restaurant's signature dishes and hidden gems. The culinary delights, expertly prepared and presented, were further enhanced by Marcus's attentive and personalized service. His dedication to ensuring a memorable experience was evident in every detail, from the impeccable timing of course delivery to the thoughtful refilling of our glasses. For a truly exceptional dining experience at El Torito, we highly recommend requesting Marcus by name. His outstanding service and passion for hospitality will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression. read more

Marcus M.

9 months ago

We stopped by El Torito in Monterey, and wow -- this place delivers big time! The food, the drinks, the whole vibe -- everything feels a little extra in the best way possible. Even the kids' meals had that Monterey flair -- like, low-key fancy! My kids were out here eating better than me! Marcus was our server, and he made the experience even better -- super friendly, attentive, and just overall awesome. Of course, the adults had to dive into some margaritas and cocktails, and they did not disappoint. Perfectly mixed, super refreshing, and packed with flavor. The food was just as impressive -- every plate looked straight out of a foodie magazine, but still had that comforting, authentic Mexican flavor that hits home. The atmosphere was lively but relaxed, with awesome service and those ocean views that make Monterey so special. Perfect spot to bring the family, hang out with friends, or just enjoy a great meal and a good drink. We'll definitely be back -- next time, I might just order off the kids' menu myself! -- A happy dad living the good life read more

Peter M.

9 months ago

5 Stars -- Marcus Made Our Visit Feel Like Home My family and I came into town again, and by good fortune, Marcus was our server once more. It's rare to find someone who truly enjoys what they do, but Marcus takes pride in every detail. From the moment we sat down, he greeted us warmly and made us feel like old friends. The ambiance at El Torito was just right -- comfortable, lively, and full of that welcoming energy that makes you want to stay a little longer. The music, the aromas, and the cheerful atmosphere all came together perfectly. When our meals arrived, Marcus came by, got down to eye level, and asked how everything was after our first few bites. That simple gesture showed real care and attention. Throughout our dinner, our drinks were always full, the table stayed neat, and Marcus made sure everyone was happy -- from the grandparents to the youngest at the table. It's service like this that keeps us coming back. Thank you, Marcus, for making our evening so special once again. El Torito is lucky to have you. -- A grateful family man read more

Jenny M.

8 years ago

What a wonderful experience we had El Torito tonight! So much so that I am writing my first ever yelp about it to make sure Kyle, Nick, the Chef, and their whole team gets the credit they deserve. The atmosphere was lively, welcoming, and friendly from the moment the young General Manager opened the front door for us and welcomed us in. We were told there was a 20 minute wait and we were seated in about 15. Nick (in his bright red chef coat gagaga) offered to bring us drinks in the lobby while we waited and we declined but appreciated the gesture. When we were seated we had warm chips and delicious salsa right away and our server Montana made our guacamole right in front of us! The Macho combo is huuuuuge and the steak fajitas were enough for two people and they were both delicious. There was even another manager an older gentleman I didnt catch his name that came by to check on us while we were eating they have managers all over the place! We will definitely be back whenever we are in the area, great job El Torito! read more

Ismael A.

1 year ago

We visited El Torito in Monterey to celebrate a cousin's graduation with a midday meal. Although we had a reservation and our table was ready when we arrived, it was missing two chairs. We had to ask twice before the extra seats were brought over -- a frustrating and basic oversight. Our server was kind and polite but frequently forgot items we requested, from drinks to napkins, which added to the disorganized feel. The food was a major letdown. It leaned heavily toward Americanized Mexican, missing the authentic flavors you'd expect. Dishes arrived lukewarm and uninspired -- my birria tacos looked more like plain ground beef than the rich, tender meat they should be. The rice was particularly disappointing; honestly, I'm pretty sure even microwave rice would have tasted better. The best thing about the meal was the mojitos -- at least those were refreshing and well-made. What should have been a smooth, celebratory lunch was ultimately a letdown. I wouldn't recommend El Torito for any special occasion. read more

Jenna Z.

9 years ago

This review is coming kind of late, but we stopped by the actual restaurant for dinner last night and had the same kind of wonderful experience so I wanted to share. A few months ago El Torito came to cater our office party, and the manager Kyle his team really did an amazing job. They were on time, professional, caring, courteous, and provided delicious food and tray service for our party. They set up a beautiful display for us and went above and beyond and helped decorate the rest of the office too, they even helped us wash glasses and dishes in our break room that had nothing to do with them. Last night we decided to give the actual restaurant a try and we were not disappointed. We received the same level of friendly caring service and delicious food that we had when they came to cater our party, its clear that is just the kind of business they run. I would highly recommend El Torito as a catering service or restaurant to any of my friends. Kudos to you El Torito we will be back! read more

Mr J.

1 year ago

I just had the most amazing dining experience at El Torito, and I have to give a huge shoutout to our server, Marcus. From the moment we were seated, Marcus made us feel like VIPs. His warm, friendly demeanor and expert knowledge of the menu made our evening truly special. He was attentive without being overbearing, ensuring our drinks were always full and our food came out just right. Not only did he offer great recommendations, but his timing was impeccable, making the entire meal flow smoothly. We were truly impressed with how he anticipated our needs before we even had to ask. The food, of course, was outstanding--delicious, flavorful, and cooked to perfection--but it was Marcus's exceptional service that really elevated the experience. It's clear that he takes pride in what he does, and his genuine enthusiasm for the job made our night unforgettable. Thank you, Marcus, for making our visit to El Torito so enjoyable. You're the reason we'll be coming back! read more

Bryanna S.

4 years ago

Was really excited to try out this restaurant as it's a short walk from the aquarium and overlooks the bay. When we got there we were told it would be an hour wait but luckily got a text about 15 minutes later that our table was ready. We were seated at a booth out looking the water and were served our drinks thereafter. Once we ordered we waited about 20 minutes before we got impatient and asked where our food was. We were told we were three tickets away from coming out and trusted the food would be out soon. However, 20 minutes later the table next to us that arrived 10 minutes after us got their food and we were still waiting. After this I asked the waiter again for the eta on our meal and was told our ticket got lost?? He apologized and offered us a discount on the bill but still had to wait for them to get the order in again. Fortunately we only waited about 5 more minutes but at this point we were just ready to leave. Don't think we'll be back. read more

Paul B.

9 years ago

My wife and I came here last Saturday afternoon and had to wait almost 40 minutes for a table but the hostesses were friendly and kept us updated and it ended up being worth the wait. We sat at a beautiful window seat and the service and food were great. The general manager came by and checked on us during our meal and we told him it was wonderful and he invited us to the Sunday Brunch the next morning and boy are we glad we took him up on the offer. There was an hour wait when we checked in but he recognized us and said he would get us seated because he made us a reservation since "he knew we would be back." I have never been to a better buffet. Tacos, mole, enchiladas, omlettes, salads, desserts, and bottomless mimosas! Our server Cressensio was funny and warm and took great care of us. What a great experience we had! We will visit every time we are in Monterey read more

Margaret W.

7 years ago

The worst service I have ever experienced anywhere, any tine. Our waitress brought drinks and food. No utensils, napkins, or salt and pepper. I had to ask for the salt and pepper and the waitress removed it halfway through dinner. I can forgive friendly but incompetent service, or not friendly but efficient service, but our waitress GLARED at us. She didn't drop by the table at ALL. I got up FIVE times to ask for refills. I called on Monday & asked for the GM. He wasn't in & failed to return my call Tuesday. I called today (Wednesday) & was told it was his day off. The Assistant Manager pretended to be shocked at my story & told me to "ask for him" next time we came in. I said we were only visiting & he said that he would try to find a coupon or something & call me back. I am willing to bet one thousand dollars that he won't be calling me back. read more

Mai Y.

13 years ago

So continuing my exploration of my newfound home(from LA just moved to Monterey), my girls and I were really feeling Mexican today so we decided to try this place. We went in and the three of us came to the conclusion that we will never come back. This lady we dealt with was very rude, and it turned out she was the manager. The chips tasted very stale, the food was really greasy, I could not understand how even the salad must have been 1000 calories! The vibe of the place was kind of dull too, I did not appreciate my time there. I would not recommend this place to anyone, best part about it, was that it was right on the water on Cannery Row near the aquarium so if you want to go in after visiting the aquarium, as we did, and eat really heavy food and experience an unenjoyable time, go for it. (Sarcasm to the Max!) read more

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