El Torito

3.8 (1.7k reviews)

ModerateMexican, Bars, Breakfast & Brunch

Closed • 9:00 am - 11:00 pm

Updated over 3 months ago

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El Torito - Churros and Vanilla Ice Cream (husband's dessert) - Mexican Near Me - Northridge, California

El Torito - Horchata (the husband's favorite) - Mexican Near Me - Northridge, California

El Torito - Flan - Mexican Near Me - Northridge, California

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El Torito - Our table. - Mexican Near Me - Northridge, California

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EL TORITO ATMOSPHERE

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Outside

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Moderate noise

Casual

Outdoor seating

Good for kids

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Rochelle M.

The El Torito AYCE Easter Brunch sounded like a great idea when we planned it. We attended the sunrise service at church so the timing for breakfast/early brunch at 8am was perfect. Although we were seated immediately when we arrived at 8:15am, it was obvious that they were not fully set-up. The cold seafood, soup, salad, dessert and breakfast were ready, but we weren't really interested in those. We waited for the carving section to be ready and the warm meat dishes to come out. The taco section took the longest, fully setting up almost at the end of our time there. Our server Jose was fantastic -- attentive and courteous. He came around often to refill drinks, clear dirty plates and ask how everything was going. The highlights for us were the tacos (al pastor and carnitas), tri-tip, birria, Chile Colorado, flan and plantains. We both loved the cilantro pepita sauce -- it was perfect on almost everything! A couple lowlights -- the churros were stale and although the tri-tip was flavorful it was a bit hard to eat since it wasn't cut against the grain. Needless to say, we were quite full when we were done. AYCE brunch happens every weekend. If we do return, we will reserve for mid-morning to avoid waiting for full-set-up. Parking is very easy in the large lot.

Joshua O.

I ate here yesterday afternoon, the reservation was at 11 am. Mexican music plays through the speakers. Windows were a third of the size of the room I think. I ate a bunch of food. Papas rancheras were delicious because it was seasoned pretty well. I don't think I've had the machaca casera before yesterday. There are at least 7 TVs showing sports games. I loved the pozole which was at the soup station. You could add chili flakes to make it spicier or add onions or other toppings or ingredients. I got one taco from the taco station. The woman that worked there asked me what I wanted because I didn't tell her at first. I was deciding among chicken or carnitas or asada if I remember the options correctly. It was pretty good, I added cheese, onion, lettuce. The chicken was tender and juicy. The taco station was my favorite station. The waitress that served us was so attentive and polite. She asked us how we were doing every 10 or 15 minutes. She got us refills for our drinks, water and napkins.

Victoria O.

Great food and service! The food is always fresh and tasty. If you're lucky you will get to be served by Mario. He is attentive and always makes sure we have what we need. Try the grilled tostada salad it's so good!

Melodie M.

El toritos is always amazing! Their happy hour menu, Never disappointed me not once! It's good that all of their locations are very consistent in service, food and drinks. I loved the layout at this location. They have outside seating as well if you would like to people watch. Their cantina is very spacious and intimate. Plenty of seating at the bar as well. I will forever love el toritos. If I'm around thjs location again, I will definitely come back during happy hour.

Emily D.

We came here to celebrate my brother's birthday, and Sherie made the entire experience unforgettable. From the moment she introduced herself as our server, she greeted us with a genuine smile and such a warm, welcoming energy. Throughout the meal, she was attentive, constantly checking in on us, refilling our drinks before we even had to ask, and making sure everything was perfect. What truly stood out, though, was her attitude. Sherie made us feel like family. She seemed genuinely happy to be there and happy to serve others, and that kind of hospitality is rare these days. Her positive energy, kindness, and professionalism elevated our entire dining Thank you, Sherie, for helping make my brother's birthday so special. We will definitely be back!

Max K.

The best time to go to El Torito is right now. Been going for years but now feels like one of the best dining experiences you can have for a good price. Shootout to Jose and Eduardo! Great staff

Bonnie G.

Food is always decent here . They get substitutions right and i never have to send anything back . The shrimp bacon was a bit overdone and service can be sketchy they don't staff enough people . It's not the servers fault .

Michelle M.

The service was great. We got seated and served right away. The manager went around checking on the tables. The food was yummy and it's always consistent. They have a great happy hour (3-9pm). One of my favorite spots.

Veronica R.

Came to El Torito in Northridge with a few friends for happy hour, and it ended up being a really good deal. The drinks were strong and tasty -- not watered down at all. Happy hour has good food and drink specials starting at $4, including draft beers, well drinks, and their signature margaritas. For food, there are options like $4 street corn and queso dip, up to about $8 for beef birria tacos and carne asada fries. I ordered a drink flight, carne asada fries, and a tamale and my total was around $47, which felt very reasonable for everything I got. The appetizers were inexpensive and hit the spot. Overall, the food was decent, but the real star here is the value during happy hour. If you're looking for a chill spot to grab affordable drinks and snacks with friends, the happy hour at this El Torito is definitely worth it.

Happy Hour Menu Food Carne Asada Fries Wings Floutas

Eric M.

HAPPY HOUR IS CLUTCH 3-9 SUPER SIMPLE! Great Vibes inside. Calm. Food is GREAT! The Drinks can get you right too. All of the workers are attentive and friendly. Love the service.

Pat S.

If you haven't been here lately, it's time to give it a try. The new and improved El Torito is 3/4 restaurant and 1/4 sports bar with more than a few strategically placed flat screen TVs. My husband and I watched opening night of the Dodger's game and what fun! Happy hour is now daily from 3 pm - 9 pm! Margaritas start at $8, wings for $10 (small but you get 9), Mexican Caesar salad for $5. As always, chips and salsa are free. And our waitress, Kat, and the manager, Moises, kept them coming. There are new, on trend offerings on the menu such as beef birria tacos and ribeye tacos. My husband had ribeye tacos and liked them but didn't love them (not enough meat). I had my usual shrimp fajitas and enjoyed them.

Ruby R.

Do yourself a favor and go to the Sherman Oaks location instead. I went on a Saturday night and it was empty (red flag). I ordered the chicken flautas combo and the tortillas weren't crispy at all...almost as if they had been reheated in a microwave instead of fried when ordered. Also, the rice and beans were TERRIBLE. When the bill came, the server shorted me $30 and some coins in change. He ran off quickly and it took forever to flag him down. Luckily, I was seated in clear view of a security camera so there was no chance I could be accused of lying. The only good thing about the meal was dessert. I can say with confidence that I won't ever be returning to that location.

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Javier C.

9 months ago

Excellente servicio, Juan Reyes, siempre está pendiente de lo que necesitas. Definitivamente vamos a regresar, sigan haciendo un excelente trabajo. Todo delicioso!! read more

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Kathy C.

10 months ago

Went here for Sunday brunch today, arrived at about 1:30, we were seated in the bar area, I was happy that the brunch all you can was still available, went to get our food, the food was cold & hard, when we return back to our table and proceeded to eat me and my husband were sweating it was so hot where we seated I asked our attendant is there anywhere else we could sit because I can't enjoy my food at all. I'm hotter than my food. Her answer was we're all hot. I'm hot too and pointed to other areas around the bar, where we could possibly sit. When I got up to look around the area, she pointed at other people eating there were literally fanning themselves because it was so hot in there. And to top it all off it cost close to $100 for this horrible experience. read more

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RandeeMarie C.

Elite 26

778

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116

1 year ago

Came on a Tuesday night and was seated right away. Took a couple minutes for someone to attend to us, but it's ok. Chips and salsa were served to us, and we also ordered the queso dip. Queso dip was delicious but don't snack too much on appetizers bc the main dishes were too good. Mom ordered the seafood tacos with mahi mahi that came with beans, rice, and a corn ball. I ordered vampiro tacos & my fiance ordered the cheese enchiladas. Lol we literally took home zero left overs bc we finished it all. Would come again read more

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D T.

9 months ago

Sunday brunch is decent with legit tacos! Sherie was so attentive to our area, her out going personality is a huge plus for a brunch experience. read more

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Adriana E.

1 year ago

Madison was amazing, checked in on us constantly to make sure we were ok and didn't need anything. Matthew, I believe one of the managers, also great! Came by and talked to us, had a great conversation about tequilas, definitely a good afternoon at El Torito read more

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Coco R.

138

1 year ago

Service was fast we were seated right away. Food was great and price was just right considering the nice Mexican vibe. read more

El Torito - QUESADILLA - CHICKEN - BIRRIA - TACOS - Mexican Near Me - Northridge, California

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Kathy L.

101

7 months ago

Came for brunch with friends and Cruz was super chill and helpful. It's not often that you don't have to flag down a waiter or waitress but Cruz always made sure to check on us and make sure we were taken care of. Very hospitable and very professional. Thanks, Cruz! read more

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Leticia M.

9 months ago

Great food!! And great service by Mr. Cruz!! Recommend the pumpkin pudding. Delicious!

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Karen R.

5 months ago

Thank you Eduardo and team for taking care of us last night. My family and I had a great time. Loved the quesobirria tacos and my peach Margarita. We had a blast, great ambiance. Thank you for being so hospitable and engaging with the guest. read more

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Eduardo M.

Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled you had a great…

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Faby A.

5 months ago

Terrific brunch service provided by our server Sherie. Very attentive despite tending to multiple tables. Continued to check on the table to ensure we had everything we needed. Will definitely be requesting to be seated in her section the next time I visit El Torito. read more

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Eduardo M.

Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled you had a great…

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Brett P.

Elite 26

140

466

1 year ago

As chains go El Torito is fine, this location is nice quite large clean. The food is good, but I have noticed that the portions have shrunk. A common issue when you order fajita's is running out of tortillas I have noticed on my past two visits the ratio of fajitas to tortillas has shifted to favor the tortilla a long way of saying you don't get enough meat and veg. If I was to point out one quality issue with the food was the first batch of chips tasted like very old stale fryer oil, the next batch was fine. Over all the experience was good the server was on top of things. But I will say the place was obviously understaffed on a Saturday night so there were a couple of sections they weren't using so the wait was 15 minutes or more for a table. read more

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Michael E.

5 months ago

Server Juan was fantastic. Especially on Valentine's Day. Very attentive and accommodating. Kudos Juan!!!!!

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Eduardo M.

Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled you had a great…

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J P.

4 months ago

Went on Sunday for their Brunch with a party of 5 adults and 2 small kiddos. The food was great and fresh and the variety was way more than what I expected. Made to order omelets and tacos made with fresh tortillas made in front of you. The best part was the great service we received from our server Juan R. He made sure our table was well stocked with fresh mimosas and cleared the table of any finished plates. Would definitely go again. read more

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Eduardo M.

Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled you had a great…

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Andrea R.

8 months ago

Food and prices good !!! Service was outstanding Kevin was our waiter very kind and excellent customer service !! Would definitely go back Nice place and music read more

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Ed L.

5 months ago

Great lunch, beautiful restaurant, service was excellent! Manager Joseph was very friendly and checked in on us! Very nice touch! I will be back! read more

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Eduardo M.

Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled you had a great…

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Nick M.

5 months ago

Great lunch buffet! All the employees were also really nice and attentive. The cilantro lime salad dressing was great.

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Eduardo M.

Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled you had a great…

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Khin San San A.

4 months ago

I celebrated my Birthday there with my friends. Foods are amazing. The most wonderful part is the restaurant staffs celebrate my birthday together, they sing a BD song for me and serve free Birthday Pudding with a candle. So sweet. My gratitudes goes to the warm and friendly waiter called "Jennifer". She is the best. read more

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Eduardo M.

Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled you had a great…

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Carlos B.

4 months ago

The food was amazing great service I recommend you to have sherry to service you she does such a great job thank you

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Eduardo M.

Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled you had a great…

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Diane ..

11 months ago

Great service! Arianna and Maddy really took care of me and my friends! We had a great brunch filled with amazing service. Coming back again for them ! Great seating as well! read more

El Torito - Cheers! - Mexican Near Me - Northridge, California

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Audriana M.

270

8 months ago

Sunday Buffet is awesome. Sherie is amazing! Excellent service! 20/10 - will come again!

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Elizabeth V.

5 months ago

On 13 February 2026, my husband and I went to dinner at El Torito. The food was good, especially the carnitas. They had a good taste and were not dry. Our server Maria was exceptional. From the moment we were seated, Maria was professional, warm, and highly attentive. What stood out the most was her knowledge of the menu. She made our evening truly memorable. read more

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Eduardo M.

Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled you had a great…

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Meredith S.

Elite 26

633

164

118

2 years ago

Just because it's a chain doesn't mean it isn't amazing. El Torito breaks the mold of other Mexican chains. Because it's regional only, I'm pretty sure. It's more authentic and exciting than Tres Margaritas I dare say. Except I don't hear a mariachi band. Joking aside, it's actually very modern and attractive inside. The chips you are brought come out warm still, and they're freshly made on site! Definitely a great treat. I loved the salads. The dressing and freshness of my lettuce and grilled chicken tasting like it had been made that day - that alone is enough to beckon me back. The margaritas look amazing - I'm not drinking currently but I'd guess they're as classy and chef appealed as their chips and that very fresh and exciting salsa. It's a high end vibe in there, definitely either date night (in the bar) or family night (restaurant side). Lunch with girl friends? read more

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Raul G.

115

158

8 months ago

Great service Roberto is my favorite server . Great fresh food always and the homemade tortillas always an authentic taste. Good job crew keep up the great work read more

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Adam L.

Elite 26

120

2 years ago

We went for happy hour. Got a flight of mojitos, a macho combo, and some sopes. We sat in the bar. It was busy but our server Victor (the new guy at the bar) treated us VERY well. Great food. EXCELLENT service. read more

El Torito - Mexican Near Me - Northridge, California

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Gustavo M.

1 year ago

Evaristo Martínez was awesome to the group we came with. Despite the amount of people we were, we were very well taken care of! Additionally, Jennifer, our waiter, was on top of it all! She did amazing and would hope anyone receives her amazing service. Excellent service and great food! Definitely will be back! read more

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Jessica H.

11 months ago

Amazing we went for the Sunday brunch special Jose Ramos our waiter was the best in providing the best customer service. Attended to us and always checking up on everyone in a timely manner. Jose also had a positive attitude towards his work and making it feel welcome . Food was great for the price will be coming back again!!!!! read more

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Andy L.

10 months ago

The happy hour tacos are an amazing deal, i went not expecting much but the service from Yashi is the reason i would ever consider coming back! I had the carnitas tacos the meat was succulent and delicious it was perfect for a quick afternoon snack! Overall a great experience reasonably priced and i will definitely be coming back with my family and friends! Thanks again for the amazing service Yashi! read more

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Jennifer C.

2 years ago

Walked in here new years evening for dinner with my mom. We forgot it was a holiday evening, as we come here pretty frequently. We took a seat at the bar area as usual, and took a seat pretty quickly as my mom has a hard time standing for long periods of time. We sat at the unbussed table for about 15 minutes before Denise was able to greet us. She was great and rapid in getting the table cleaned up for us. I took a look around and it was a pretty busy night and there were only 3 servers and a bartender working the floor. Everyone was doing their best but it was very obvious they were short staffed. Managers should have done a bit better today with staff - there was no hostess or anyone else to assist with cleaning of tables. read more

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Julian T.

258

1609

1 year ago

It's was a good day so I decided to go have lunch at el torito . They have a wonderful buffet at this location , but I had a reward for fajitas . It's included steak . Chicken . And shrimp . Was sizzling and tasty . Service was fast and the ambiance was inviting . Join the club . read more

El Torito - Bar tables - Mexican Near Me - Northridge, California

El Torito - IGNITED FAJITAS SUPREMAS - Mexican Near Me - Northridge, California

El Torito - Outside patio - Mexican Near Me - Northridge, California

El Torito - Taco - Mexican Near Me - Northridge, California

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Pauline M.

180

9 months ago

The tacos and birria were so good, meat was so tender. Mimosas are included in the Sunday all you can eat brunch. The service is excellent.

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Patricia L.

6 months ago

I was at the Northridge El Torito in the rain today to get some holiday fixings for the family Christmas dinner. I was lucky enough to meet with Jimena at the front desk who was extremely helpful & cheerful to assist me with my order & offered me a AAA discount. Thank you for your kindness & holiday cheer. Will certainly be back with my clients for your buffet. Stay abundantly blessed always read more

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Allie G.

Elite 26

219

425

1582

2 years ago

If you're ever craving El Torito go to their location in Sherman Oaks. This one is severely lacking in everything. From food to service they really need to improve. We've tried going for brunch, happy hour, dinner and lunch and always leave disappointed. This last time we were a party of 8 adults and 2 kids. Everything took forever. Apparently our waiter couldn't multi task because he refused to take our food order along with our beverage order. Maybe they were busy or he had a good reason not to. But he was hard to find and didn't check in on our table enough. When we finally got our food everything was cold. Not ice cold but you can tell it had been sitting out as the melted cheese was already started to stiffen. Those that got fajitas had to wait an extra almost 10 minutes for the rice and beans and I waited almost 15 for some tomatillo salsa and lime. Which I never got the lime. The food tasted fine but if it were served hot it would've been better. Overall the service was bad, the food was mediocre and I've tried eating here for the last time. read more

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Debbie S.

10 months ago

The food here is always really good. We come here often. The service is wonderful! I have to send a special compliment to the bartender, Evaristo Arianna. This gentleman makes the best lime Mojito that I have EVER had anywhere! He has a secret recipe that is simply the best! The next time you dine at El Torito, ask Evaristo to fix you his "special" Mojito. You won't be sorry. read more

El Torito - Evaristo's special Mojito!! - Mexican Near Me - Northridge, California

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Kristopher F.

5 months ago

First off this is the only time I've ever came to a restaurant and not finished my food because it was so bad. I came for my first time today to celebrate for my brothers birthday. I got carnitas chile verde style and when I took my first bite and all the food on my plate was room temperature. The only hot thing was the rice. I shouldn't have eaten it but I did and hours later I have stomach pain. I've had better frozen Mexican food in a pinch from the grocery store. I wouldn't not recommend coming back. The service was good but the food was cold and not good at all. I would not recommend this place and will be my fist and last read more

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Lucy C.

125

1 year ago

Alert don't get seafood here! It is not safe! You will get nausea, dizziness, hot flashes, and vomiting!! Other than that the server was very attentive! Thanks girl read more

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Kathy T.

1 year ago

The food and service is always great here in the cantina . Love our bartender Everisto. He sets her mood. He makes us feel welcome to every time we come in. We always have a great conversation. read more

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Norch C.

1 year ago

Stopped by here for buffet lunch with friends. Brunch quality here is below average. Food constantly ran out. They ran out of flan at 130. Soup ran out for an hour until refilling at 2pm. Worst, I just found out the restaurant charges 3.99% surcharge in addition to food and tax. I felt underhanded. Ambience and Service (waiter) is good, but at the end of day, I am here for food. Disappointed. Won't be back. read more

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Cecilia S.

1 year ago

This is a second review here and now I remember why not to come back!!! So much for giving it a second chance... This El Torito has the worst management. I requested to speak to the manager and 15 minutes later she still hasn't shown up. They are understaffed as I'm standing here. People are upset leaving because no one is coming by to take their orders and are waiting a long time.. I came to the bar and hear it's worse. Poor Mario is by himself trying to take care of a ton of people. I don't understand why they under staff when they know that it's lunchtime. I don't have a luxury of taking long lunches as I'm standing here. There are a lot of people complaining and leaving because they don't have long lunches to waste just waiting around. I requested the manager. She still has not come. I just saw her walk by look at me and totally ignore the fact that there are people waiting to speak with her. Get better management or get the hell out of Northridge. read more

El Torito - Chair with Blood - Mexican Near Me - Northridge, California

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Diane R.

Hi Cecilia,…

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Javier S.

6 months ago

Sherie, our waitress for brunch was great!! She brought us pancakes and made sure we had enough drinks. She was very attentive and highly recommend! read more

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Sharon R.

5 months ago

MARIO!! What a great bartender - excellent service from the moment we walked in. Friendly and very good at what he does - made our Happy Hour extra happy! In fact, we're going again this week. :) read more

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Eduardo M.

Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled you had a great…

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Page 4 of 44

8855 Tampa Ave
Northridge, CA 91324
Northridge
Directions
(818) 349-1607
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.eltorito.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does El Torito open?

El Torito opens at 11:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.El Torito opens at 9:00 AM on Saturday and Sunday.

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 11:00 AM - 10:00 PMFri 11:00 AM - 11:00 PMSat 9:00 AM - 11:00 PMSun 9:00 AM - 10:00 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 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?

No, El Torito does not have 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.

More Info

Health Score

El Torito Reviews in Other Languages

Spanish
18 Reviews

Ask the Community - El Torito

Hiow much is the Sunday brunch with the bottomless mimosas?

$35.00

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What does bottomless mimosas cost for Sundays?

It comes included with the all you can eat brunch. It's about $30 bucks

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Does the restaurant have any type of music? Live or anything?

It doesn't

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How much is Sundays brunch at this Northridge location and what time is brunch?

It's about $30 per person as of 2022

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Are they accommodating dine-in/outdoor seating right now?

Yes! Very nice extended patio☀️

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Is Saturday and Sunday still all you can eat brunch?

Hi Rudy!!! On Saturday we have a brand new delicious breakfast menu. Prices vary depending on what you order and on Sunday we continue to have our famous Sunday brunch that is all you can eat and champagne is included. My name is Jose and my email… Read more

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Does the restaurant serve mimosas on Sunday brunch?

Heck yeah, and they keep them coming!

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What time is happy hour?

3 PM to 11. Bar area only

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Is the food gluten free?

You might be able to get something like fajitas and just get corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas and no rice (sub w/ extra beans or veggies). You would still need to confirm all seasonings and ingredients are gluten free.

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Las Fuentes

If you're on the hunt for a seriously satisfying wet burrito, Las Fuentes absolutely delivers--and…read morethen some. From the moment your plate hits the table, you can tell you're in for something special. The burrito is massive, perfectly wrapped, and completely smothered in a rich, flavorful sauce that strikes that ideal balance between bold and comforting. Every bite is loaded with well-seasoned meat, fresh ingredients, and just the right amount of cheese melted over the top. What really sets Las Fuentes apart is the depth of flavor. The sauce isn't just an afterthought--it's the star, tying everything together with a savory, slightly tangy kick that keeps you coming back for more. The rice and beans on the side are just as impressive, clearly made with care and not just filler on the plate. The portions are generous, the prices are fair, and the overall experience feels authentic and satisfying. Whether you're a wet burrito lover or trying one for the first time, this spot will raise your standards. Las Fuentes isn't just good--it's the kind of place you start craving the second you leave. The inside has a great Spanish decor.

The food and food value used to be good. The food taste is ok but extremely overpriced. A carne…read moreasada taco was $5.85. A chile relleno ( à la cart $10.00. , a steak quesadilla $23.00. A small side of guacamole was laughable. They served it in the container for salsas. Save your money and go elsewhere. There are other choices out there. Or pay a little more and go to Salsa and Beer down the street. Counter service food. No thank you.

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Las Fuentes

Substitute of chips instead of tortilla

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Mary

Tierra Caliente Tacos & Beer

Food was good, the service was okay but it was busy not bad at all, going to try one more to ensure…read moreit was not because it was too many people

This place has very good quality, food, tableside guac, and they have the real Taco Bell taco not…read moreeven joking Make sure you ask for Natali she makes the drinks and the avocado great service

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Plato de Carne Asada

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Creamy Chicken Sour Cream Enchiladas

Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant

A hole in the wall Mexican joint that has my favorite carne asada burrito, tacos, chicken flautas,…read moretortas, and ceviche. I've also never experienced any other place that has their tortilla chips like this place!! I love how's it's complimentary with every food order. When I'm craving Mexican food, this is my go to spot. Unfortunately I'm a no sabo kid, so English is my default, which isn't a problem for this business when ordering. Although, I do wish they had a website for online orders. They're kind, helpful, and know they're serving special food locally. It's a small space, maybe 5-6 tables at most, but I normally order pick up anyway. It's welcoming and feels like you're walking into abuelito's/abuelita's house to be fed, even though you told them you're not hungry and they insisted on feeding you (you were hoping for that).

Awful!! Don't waste your time and money, my husband ordered a carne asada huarache and wanted…read morelettuce, avocado and green sauce to go, the lady that was taking the orders at the register asked him if he wanted a vegetarian huarache..he said no, she took his order and he got a huarache with beans very little cheese and dry crusty Carne Asada that was chopped up...no lettuce no avocado no green sauce! Just tortilla chips in a little bag and salsa for the chips that's it. She was very rude. Horrible customer service. This was a middle-aged lady (on the older side) We used to go there a while ago, and it was really good. We used to get huarache done the right way with fresh meat a good amount of cheese, lettuce, and avocado. This time we got a plane one with old crusty meat, Whoever said this is the best hole in the wall is not being honest they used to be good, now they are overpriced bad quality and customer service is awful. they lost a customer. plus this place is rundown they need to redo and update the Restaurant! Spanish version: Horrible!! No pierdas tu tiempo y dinero, mi marido pidió un huarache de carne asada y quería lechuga, aguacate y salsa verde para llevar, la señora que estaba tomando los pedidos en la caja registradora le preguntó si quería un huarache vegetariano... él dijo que no, ella tomó su pedido y él consiguió un huarache con frijoles, muy poco queso y carne asada seca que estaba picada... ¡sin lechuga, sin aguacate, sin salsa verde! Solo chips de tortilla en una bolsa pequeña y salsa para Los chips, eso es todo. Ella fue muy grosera. Horrible servicio al cliente. Esta era una señora de mediana edad, quien dijo que este es el mejor agujero en la pared no está siendo honesto, estaban buenos, ahora son demasiado caros, de mala calidad y el servicio al cliente es horrible. Perdieron a un cliente. Además, el restaurante parece viejo y desventado. Necesitan rehacer el restaurante!

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Menu as of January 2023

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Huarache de carne asada.

Joey's Tacos

There is parking in the rear. I have seen this restaurant for several years, but never decided to…read morestop by. Probably because of the business name, which was not very catchy for me. To my surprise, it's definitely worth going in. As you walk in, they have a smoothie/fresh drinks area. On the left side, they have the ordering window. Since being my first time there, I ordered several items. We ended up ordering menudo which was tasty and not fatty. It came with a side plate of spices (oregano, chile de arbol), sliced lemons, chopped onions, and cilantro. The chicken taquitos dorados (a la carte) were flavorful, tasty, and moist. There were also a bit larger than other locations. They were served on a bed of lettuce, half guacamole and half sour cream, and some cheese. Ordered Chilaquiles (verdes - choice of green or red). It came with rice, beans topped with shredded cheese, and 2 eggs (choice of over easy). It's a small place that feels like home away from home cooked meals. Overall, definitely coming back.

Joey's Tacos is an absolute gem. From the moment you walk in, you can tell this is a family-owned…read moreand operated spot that genuinely cares about its customers and the food they serve. The quality is exceptional, especially for the price. It's rare to find tacos this flavorful, fresh, and generously portioned at such an economical value. The meats are perfectly seasoned and cooked just right, the ingredients taste fresh, and everything feels homemade in the best way possible. You can tell there's pride behind every plate that comes out of the kitchen. Beyond the food, the service is warm and welcoming. Supporting a local, family-run business like this makes the experience even better. Joey's Tacos is well worth it and definitely a place I'll keep coming back to. Highly recommend.

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Interior

Fast food Mexican with complimentary chips? Awesome!

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Menu Feb 21, 2026

Melody's Fresh Mexican Kitchen

A hidden treasure. Amazing authentic tasting food, tons of options…read more You stand in line to order, then are given a seat number. It's busy, but nonetheless cozy. One star off because you do have to get a key to go to a bathroom that is outside, but I lucked out and one of their extremely personable employees happened to be walking out on their break and let me in with a key. Bathrooms were clean as could be. Definitely worth the price. You can see the locals all know what's up. It wasn't packed, but definitely a-buzz at dinner time on a Saturday.

I have been coming here for over twenty years! It is a hidden gem and a stable in Reseda. The best…read moretaquito plate, chile relleno burrito, and more!

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Salsa & Beer

I've been here twice so far and see myself regularly coming. Great authentic Mexican food. The food…read morecomes out pretty fast and servers are attentive. Highly recommend!

We wanted to socialize our foster dog so we came here due to the large patio area. The World Cup…read morewas playing so we called ahead to make sure it won't be too long a wait and to confirm that our dog is okay outside. We've been to the other three salsa and beers: large portions and chips and bean dip for the table. It wasn't too loud and other parties seem to have a good time. We got carnitas, enchiladas and shared a tropical margarita.

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Steak and shrimp fajita. Can't go wrong with the classic!

El Cancun Mexican Restaurant

Hands down one of my favorite restaurants in all of LA. The hole-in-the-wall vibe, the Spanish…read moresports TV, the service, the delicious food. I don't even eat seafood, but I order the carne asada tacos and enchilada combo and it's just so good. The homemade salsa is one of my favorites. I just love this place, and the workers see us all the time so they know my order.

I go to the barber school nearby and sometimes stop by for lunch. It's fast service and the seafood…read moreis really great. Stop by for a 10$ cut at western barber school and ask for Stephanie :)

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El Cancun

Burrito de lengua wet

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Red wet burrito

Castillo Mexican Restaurant

Still one of my favorite go to Mexican food! I ordered the Rancheros Wet Burrito. It is very…read moreconsistent, the taste, the portion but the price did went up though, I paid $15+ (tax included). The service has always been great for me so far! Friendly and nice people. Ambience is the same and nothing's changed.

Located in a small plaza on the corner of Wilbur and Roscoe, next to Spiceland. The driveway into…read morethe place could be a little confusing since you could enter through Roscoe (by the 7-11), around the corner off of Wilbur, but there is another drive way that has been closed off which leads there the Plaza Signage is located. I had this location saved as one of the local mom and pop restaurants that I wanted to visit since I truly enjoy local small family restaurants. No table service, but able to order at the counter towards the back of the restaurant. Once the food was served, great customer service. The young lady kept checking in on us if we needed anything else. We ordered Menudo which was a little more oily than normal, a bit bland. The meat was fatty, no hominy, and about half of the bowl had meat. Served corn tortillas and with side of cilantro, onions, chile de arbol, lime, and oregano. Also ordered a combo of Chile Colorado with rice and beans. The beef was tender, tasty rice, but the beans tasted like from a can (not homemade), and 4 corn tortillas. 2 large drinks (size of cup were the almost the size of napkin holder - A+). Overall, it was ok.

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Their menu July 2025

Rancheros Wet Burrito 5/05/26

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Menu as of 5/05/2026

Tamales House

Family-owned & operated

Speaks Spanish

Cold day in the Valley had me craving some warm comfort food, so I finally checked out this spot…read moreeveryone keeps talking about for their tamales. Of course I had to order the 2 tamale combo plate. I went with the Chicken Verde and Pork Chile California. First off... these tamales are HUGE. I couldn't even finish everything! The masa was super soft and moist, not dry at all, and they packed each tamale with a generous amount of meat. The salsa on the side added the perfect extra flavor too. The beans and rice were honestly so good, those were the first things I finished. Everything tasted homemade, like a true comforting home-cooked meal. Definitely recommend trying the tamales if you stop by!

I like coming here for my tamale fix…read more They have meat options and vegetarian options. There are also Mexican breakfast dishes. I like ordering #2 because you get to choose 2 tamales from the menu. The Sweet Corn was good, but I was surprised to find that it was too sweet for my taste. I don't know if the tamal was actually too sweet or if my taste buds are changing. Jalapeno & Jack cheese was so good; cheesy and not too spicy.

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Pineapple Tamales

Canela con pasas( Cinnamon and raisin) Tamales

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Fresa con crema(strawberry and cream cheese)

Mas Mananitas

Would rate 4.5, bumped to 5 bc of service…read more Beautiful and aesthetically pleasing restaurant with even better service and palette of food. Came in last night to celebrate a friend's birthday (they have happy hour all day Mon-Wed) and was pleasantly surprised. My friends started off ordering the HH guava margaritas, which they enjoyed. I ordered the coconut margarita (not on HH) a must !!!! Not overwhelmingly sweet and tasty! We ordered and rated the following dishes: Guacamole: 9/10 HH tinga Nachos: 7.5/10 (flavor was there but most chips were burnt) HH Taquitos papas: 9/10 great flavor and sauce HH steak tacos: 7.5/10 the corn and portion of meat to the taco was very good. The steak a little well done for my liking. Enchiladas verde: 9/10 great portion honestly enough for two to share. Rice and beans were okay. Beans a bit salty and rice was a bit bland. Would definitely come back for the apps and drinks! They also have brunch which looks like fun.

I came here yesterday for a late lunch with a friend…read more It's a beautifully decorated restaurant. There are a lot of photo ops. It's definitely IG & TikTok friendly. When we got there, there was a DJ playing 80s/90s throwbacks. It was good music and vibes, but it was quite loud, we could barely hear ourselves speak. Luckily he wasn't there too long, as brunch-time was over. We ordered Mango margaritas, chips & salsa, birria tacos, tinga taquitos, elote, and chicken enchiladas with green sauce. Every single thing was delicious. I was highly impressed. This place will definitely be in the rotation. If I didn't live so far away, I would go for happy hour.

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Wood Ranch Northridge

Had the greatest experience with one of the hosts! I believe her name was natalie. She made sure…read moreour table was ready and set for us as soon as we arrived it felt like we waited no longer than 30 seconds!!! Overall very friendly environment and made my family feel welcomed. I strongly would recommend coming to Wood Ranch Northridge!!!

Wood Ranch is one of my favorite places to stop for great drinks and outstanding service. Kris and…read moreAmanda C, who work the bar, are always amazing. We call Amanda. C, "Amanda #1" because that's exactly what she is in our book! Every time we come in, the service is top-notch. The staff are friendly, welcoming, and genuinely seem happy to be there, which makes the experience even better. The drinks are consistently excellent. I was supposed to be doing a pub crawl, and Wood Ranch was only my second stop. The drinks were so good that I never made it to the third location--I ended up staying right there! I'll have to try that pub crawl again another day. If you're looking for great service, a fun atmosphere, and fantastic drinks, Wood Ranch is the place to be.

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Finished eating!

Asian chicken salad

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Tri tip chopped salad

Tortilla Inn

Went for the Sunday brunch. Sat at the bar. The bonus is the bar has nice wide bar stools with back…read moresupport. My friend and I both commented that they cooked the bacon perfectly. Lots of delicious items on the buffet. However, their carnitas stole the show for me. I loved it. The mariachis were entertaining and even took my request so I was happy as a clam. They were a lot of fun and very friendly. The staff at the restaurant is very friendly as well. Great customer service to boot. Highly recommend going if you want good food in a nice chill environment and don't want to try to talk over the mariachis.

Tortilla Inn consistently provides exceptional service and delectable cuisine. Having visited the…read moreestablishment on several occasions, I am compelled to share my positive experience with this review. The ceviche is particularly noteworthy, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to all my acquaintances. Always take seconds. P.S. The bean dip is amazing.

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Our tables seat up ....

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Premium Cadillac, Betty recommended!

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525 reviews that are not currently recommended

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Carmen I.

289

1 year ago

Experience from 1/29/2025: Avoid this El Torito location at all costs (I should've listened to myself the first time). My husband and I had a horrible experience several years ago with their slow/poor customer service and hadn't visited since. We decided to give them a second chance today and WOW, some things never change. It took more than 30 minutes for our happy hour appetizers to come out on a Wednesday night when there were only a handful of guests there (I even had to ask our waitress when our food would come out). Our waitress was super dry with no personality and didn't seem to be well trained in providing good customer service. There's something inherently wrong with the way management trains the staff here. We thought there was no way things would be the same from the first time we visited, but sure enough, this visit solidified our decision to never come back. The food was also insanely spicy to the point that we couldn't continue eating, which is the first time we've ever experienced this out of all the different locations we've visited, and just made our experience even worse. It was a very disappointing dinner to say the least. We live 5 minutes away and we'd much rather go to the Woodland Hills or Sherman Oaks locations, which they should really learn from. Don't waste your time and go somewhere else. ---- UPDATE: I emailed the manager per their request and they responded that they would call me first thing in the morning the following day. That was on 3/16/22. It's now 4/1/22 and they still haven't reached out. What a joke. Never coming back here. Avoid it at all costs and go to the location in Woodland Hills or Sherman Oaks instead. ---- 3/12/2022: I've been to the El Torito in Woodland Hills and Van Nuys several times and it was my first time at the Northridge location. Very beautiful place but wow was the service absolutely the worst. We were first told that the wait time would be 20 minutes and literally got a text that our table was ready within one minute after telling us this (which is fine, just pretty misleading considering we almost went to In N Out across the street). We were seated and asked our server if we could get happy hour deals and he said we'd have to sit at the bar area, so he kindly moved us to that area. The problem is that once he moved us, no one came by our table for a straight 20 minutes. We were a party of 4 and were just sitting there waiting for someone to take our order to the point that my husband had to go to the front check in and tell someone to help us. The manager came by and said she would be right with us. After a few minutes she came by, passively said "sorry" (literally with no sense of urgency), and took our order. The food was great as always but honestly the service really needs to improve. FYl we came by on a Saturday at 3pm, so maybe they are understaffed or something during that time but even the manager's personality lacked customer service. Like I said above, l've been to other El Torito locations several times and l've never had a terrible waiting experience like this. Everyone is usually nice and friendly at other locations but this location really left a bad impression on us as far as customer service. It just seemed like they were all over the place (even from the beginning with the misleading wait time), so we got the impression that this wasn't just a one person thing but a whole team problem. Hopefully this improves. read more

James C.

5 years ago

So I've been coming to this place for a long time now. They recently did a renovation on the building to modernize it a bit (though I was a really big fan of the old layout with the trees and courtyard on the inside). I typically come here for the Sunday brunch, which is one of the only buffet-style brunch meals that I'll go out for. Seriously, for the brunch alone, this is one of my favorite places to go. My cousins came from out of town, and so of course we come here on a Sunday - they thought it was the best experience they had in CA! Last week, we came again with our neighbors, and no joke, one of them said it was the best omelette she's ever had. I'm not the biggest omelette fan, but I thought it was really good too. The pancakes were great, and the waffle station is my jam. The taco bar and soup stations are great as well. The guy serving them was really nice too. They used to have a bananas foster station as well, but I didn't see it the last time I went, so maybe I missed it or maybe they removed that, but it's one of my favorite desserts and something you never really see on menus anymore. Another review here mentioned dried meats at the bar - I doubt that would happen considering how many people they're serving, and most of the food doesn't have time to sit! I had both the asada and the al pastor tacos recently and both were not dry or overcooked. Load them up with cilantro, onions, cabbage, and the red salsa and they're a treat. Our server was really nice too, and super fast (shoutout to Erlandia for the service! She was fast and cheerful). We never had plates sitting on our table for a long time, and believe me, I make a pretty big stack of them at a buffet! We were never waiting for too long for a refresh on drinks either. The other staff manning the plating stations were friendly as well and everyone seems pretty happy considering the amount of people serve. I'm sure if there ever was an issue, it would be sorted out quickly, but all in all, a nice experience, and I have no complaints about the people there. Also, props to the chef(s) - maybe it was just the timing with the new opening, or maybe I was just lucky, but the food on the last Sunday we went was on point! Prices are reasonable as well, considering the amount of food you get - I think it might be a little on the pricier side for normal dining during the week, but the amount of food you get is pretty good (most seem to be sharable between two people if you're not overeating). Sunday brunch was about $30 per person - and that's a great price point for what you get. If I had to make a complaint, the waiting area is a bit small, and seems doubly so if you come for the brunch. Get in early, or you'll have to wait outside for a bit. They have benches to sit, so it isn't too bad, but in the CA heat, it can be nice to be indoors. Also, I can't say anything about the bar, since I rarely order drinks (and the mimosa's on Sunday are enough for me). It looked nice and clean though. Thanks again to the FOH/BOH staff for continuing to make this a really positive dining experience when so many of my other favorite places weren't able to survive the pandemic. Here's to the next few years of Sunday brunch! read more

Iona M.

4 years ago

We came in for a birthday party on Sunday brunch (I know I know, bad time to get a table for 12 people!), but the manager Richard really helped us out and managed to put a few tables together for us. A few of us decided to get the all you can eat brunch (which was pretty great, with a few unexpected items - pancakes anyone???), but the regular Mexican dishes were pretty great as well. My mother (birthday girl) was especially happy with the service, and she never had a few minutes without a mimosa if front of her! All the waitresses who helped were fantastic! Early was super nice and attentive to our group even if there was a mistake on one of the meals. She offered to replace it for us right away (I guess the chef accidentally put pork in the omelette but I can't eat that). Even when it started to get really busy, she always came to refill our water and make sure everyone was doing great. She even brought a short stack of pancakes with berries and all for my little brother! He was so excited when she gave it to him. Nothing better than making a kid's day! The food is pretty great and the tacos were amazing. The sweet corn cake could be a dessert by itself. There was also an ice cream bar (with bananas and some sugar?), not sure what its called but it tasted great and something you don't see too often. My mom and I shared a mescal (not sure this is it, but it's a smoky alcohol) mango margarita and I was surprised at how tasty it was, but I don't think that's a drink for everyone. Presentation on everything was great though and really fit the atmosphere. Price was OK, about $30 for each brunch, but you definitely get what you pay for, there's so much to try that I don't think you could even eat one of everything. We want to shout out the other staff too (Ariana and Diana) who helped everything move quickly and effortlessly. These days you go to a place and people just ignore your group, but the staff was ON TOP of everything for our group. We'll be back again! read more

Jason W.

7 years ago

We went to El Torito On Tampa Ave for dinner on Easter Sunday about 3pm. There was no one around, which should have been our first clue, but we always loved the locale in Valencia till they shut down, so in me and my spouse went. It was just the 2of us. We were charged $68.65 for two sour cream enchiladas dinners which I sent back three times. I ask for mild rice and beans and one of the cooks put jalapeños all in the rice, beans and enchiladas even after I sent it back a second time. The first time, they just left the meal sitting there and brought it back ten minutes later. The waitress brought it back and went laughing with two other girls off to the side of us. They had no idea that even with the blonde hair I am fluent in Spanish, so when I caught the drift I called her back and spoke in Spanish to make it mild and send it back then bring me the manager. The manager never showed up to our table, and it was 25 minutes before the meal came back again, without me having one bite. I left the meal and she still billed me for it, said it was their policy, because it was sent back twice. If you are Caucasian, be very careful, it was a big joke to them, my diet can not handle that level of spice and every other El torito had always made the guacamole mild, the dinner request mild, this place had no leadership and the waitresses were running the asylum. Plus she kept the change from my cash that I gave to her. I know it was .35cents but a thief who steals all the change from thirty to forty customers picks up an extra 40 bucks in tips. Theft is theft. I will never grace that establishment again and wrote to corporate, plus as a writer, I am requesting a blog article against the levels of theft appearing at restaurants in L.A... this is not my first or fifth encounter, and I have heard tons of stories from waitresses pocketing monies but not putting them into the Computer system, by saying the food was sent back but charging the customer anyway. UNBELIEVABLE read more

Teresa B.

10 years ago

My husband and I went to El Torito in Northridge today. I was disappointed with the service. There were a table of 4 young girls sitting in front of us and although the server provided very good service to them she provided no service to us whatsoever. Thereafter, when the server never took our order my husband went to the bar and ordered drinks and returned with them to our table. Meanwhile the server not only took the order of the young girls in front of us, she brought their drinks including water and returned to ask them if they wanted anything else before returning with their food. Subsequently, when the server failed to take our order I went to the bar and ordered our food and another drink myself. Thereafter when nobody brought our food I proceeded to inquire at the bar about the ordered food. Finally, the manager had someone bring out the food and later the drinks. All the while the server assigned to our table continued to help the 4 girls at the table near us. Further, more disappointing than the service was the fact that nobody brought the check either and when I went to the bar and requested it the woman at the bar listened to my request for the bill but responded to everyone who made requests after me including a server who needed drinks before providing me with the bill. I can only conclude that El Torito would prefer a younger crowd and not senior citizens. read more

Cindy M.

2 years ago

My experience at El Torito this evening was a tale of two parts. Upon arriving at around 6 pm, my family and I were left waiting for about 10 minutes as the hostess was nowhere to be found. When she finally appeared, she seemed rather nonchalant and indifferent about our extended wait. If I could rate the hostess individually, I would give her 0 stars. Her lack of professionalism even resulted in a group leaving the restaurant. However, our experience took a turn for the better once we were seated. Our server, a tall young man named Neelo (or at least that's what it sounded like), provided outstanding service throughout our meal. He was attentive, friendly, and ensured that our needs were taken care of. What impressed me the most was how he discreetly asked if the children in our group could have their dessert, making sure they didn't overhear the conversation. As a parent, I truly appreciated this thoughtful gesture. Neelo's service continued to be impeccable as he checked on our table every 5 minutes to see if we needed anything. If I could give him a million stars, I would! His kindness and genuine care for our dining experience were evident and commendable. Despite the disappointing start, our evening was ultimately salvaged by Neelo's exceptional service. I would highly recommend seeking out his section when visiting El Torito. Kudos to Neelo for a job well done! read more

Lottie T.

102

14 years ago

The food is the only reason I am not rating this place as a one star. The chips were great as was the salsa. My Mexican Chicken Caesar salad was good, and the Macho Combo I believe that my dad had was pretty good as well. Food was okay. The first downer was that my dad ordered a margarita very specifically, and instead of making it as they said, they gave him a shot glass and the margarita separate which was fine. it only meant he had to mix it in himself, but he asked specifically for it to be not how it was so... eh. The biggest downeer was our server who seemed to be ignoring us. On more than one occasion, before we'd even finish ordering or talking, he'd run off to talk to another table. It wasn't as though they were packed or anything like that either. He was just far more attentive to quite literally every other table but ours. He would ask, "Can I get another margarita for you?" My dad replied, "No, but I'll have a-" And before he could finish his sentence, our waiter walked right off. It was quite rude and happened more than once. We waited for quite some time for the check and had to ask someone else who was not our waiter to go get it as well as a box for our unfinished food. I don't think I'll be going back any time soon. read more

James G.

5 years ago

Hey, don't really leave revviews for restuarants in this area. I came here with my brother because we were visiting family from out of town for Christmas. We came here for Sunday brunch after service and we both ordered the buffet. The talb e we were at was a little on the smaller side (it was just two of us), but maybe thats because we both had so many plates on the table! Service was good and you place an order for you omlette with the waitress (Early was great and brought us some great hot choclate). The food is great (pancakes were amazing but you had to order directly from your server). Let me tell you there are some really good Mexican restaurants in TX and this really hit close to home. It's not a hole in the wall kinda place but the huevos racheros was really good and the tacos had handmade tortillas. Al pastor is the bomb! They had a banana dessert too (not sure what its called, but it has a caramel sauce and ice cream and they make it to order) which was really awesome. We paid around $30 per person for it, which is pretty reasonable if you're hungry and didnt catch breakfast. Overall a pretty good spot and we'll definitly be back next time were in town to visit with my family. read more

Christian I.

Elite 23

233

235

537

3 years ago

I recently had the opportunity to dine at El Torito, a casual and comfortable Mexican restaurant located in Northridge. The restaurant has a warm and inviting atmosphere, with a decor that is both classic and cozy. The menu features a variety of classic Mexican dishes, including tacos, burritos, and enchiladas. I tried the chicken fajitas, which were sizzling hot and served with fresh and flavorful toppings. The sides, including the beans and rice, were also delicious. The drink menu is also noteworthy, with a great selection of margaritas and other Mexican beverages. I tried a classic margarita, which was the perfect refreshment on a warm day. The service was friendly and attentive, with the staff being knowledgeable about the menu and offering great recommendations. They made sure I had everything I needed for a fantastic dining experience. Overall, I highly recommend El Torito to anyone looking for a casual and comfortable Mexican dining experience. Whether you're in the mood for a classic dish or simply looking for a great margarita, this is the place to go. The food, drinks, and atmosphere are all top-notch and you won't be disappointed. read more

Corey B.

4 years ago

Came here for a family lunch (Sunday brunch?) last week and lwas surprised by the amount of food we got. The place was crowded so we had to wait for like 45 minutes and we were a pretty big group- about 15 people. Shoutout to the hostess too( I think her name was Erica) who was able to put together a few tables because some of the older people in our group were getting restless. We sat down and the server reocmmended the cilantro cucumber margarita, which was ok, but I'm going to stick with a michelada.... anyway the brunch was great and the tacos were bomb. Out server Eirlandia was on top of everything with the pancakes (pretty good stuff) and omelettes too. Our group can sometimes get a little rowdy but she took care of us without attitude. We never had to waiot for more mimosa's too which made my mother pretty happy! Did I mention the tacos are good? The woman making fresh tortillas made them super good...I might come back for these alone! Anyway, it came out to be about $35 per person, not bad for sunday brunch but maybe a little expensive for normal lunch. I think we'll be back for the brunch again soon. read more

Carlos M.

7 months ago

We celebrated a friend's birthday at El Torito's Sunday brunch, and the experience was absolutely outstanding from start to finish. The buffet was impressive--an endless variety of options, all fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. There truly was something for everyone, and everything we tried was delicious. The service elevated the entire experience. Roberto was phenomenal--friendly, attentive, and always one step ahead. Our mimosa glasses were never empty, which made the celebration feel extra special and carefree. Joseph, the manager, was equally impressive. He checked in on us multiple times and genuinely made sure we were happy and enjoying ourselves. To top it all off, the team helped make the birthday celebration feel personal by bringing out a small cake with a candle for our friend, which was a thoughtful and memorable touch. Between the incredible food, exceptional service, and warm, celebratory atmosphere, El Torito was the perfect place for a birthday brunch. We will absolutely be back and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable brunch experience. read more

Yvette S.

6 years ago

Today's lunch was amazing. It was my brothers 19th birthday so my family & i wanted to try a new restaurant and we decided on el Torito because some family friends suggested it & let me say, we don't regret it one bit !!! My party ordered the fiesta plate for our appetizer it was so DELISH. My server, Mario, was amazing he never forgot about us and was on top of our order. He was back and fourth, we know he was busy but he made our visit an awesome one. The manager was so nice and sweet she came to our table to see if we were doing fine and asked if we wanted a flan ((that's the dessert they give for birthdays, that's amazing!!!)) but we were full already so we said no at first but then she asked if we wanted it to go so we can eat it later on in the day & we ended up saying yes. It was a little bit busy when we came in for lunch so I'm surprised our food came out fairly quickly. I will be coming back for future lunches, I will try the buffet next time. It looked so yummy. read more

Jon C.

4 years ago

great service. Came in with a huge family - they put 20 seats together for us to eat (it was a Thursday so it wasn't too busy and we sat down waiting about 15 mins). we basically ordered everything on the menu including the kids meals for the little ones. Had some drinks with family and some friends I hadn't seen in forever! Tableside guac is OK, I've had better but it was still fresh no no problems there. Wifey says the blackberry margarita was pretty good, personally I'll stick to a michlada myself. Had nachoes as an appetizer and it was pretty loaded, and the shrimp enchiladas were *chef's kiss*. Kids meals were OK, pretty standard stuff nothing special (hot dogs and chicken tenders). I think they liked our food more than their own. Great spot to hang out with family and very kid friendly. Shoutout to our waitress Eirlandi who kept up with us the whole time (we ordered a lot to drink!) and she was super nice to our kids. Can't wait to come back here again! read more

Maye L.

5 years ago

This afternoon we enjoyed brunch, and were delighted. The staff was great! I would like to recognize the following staff for their amazing customer service skills: The hostess is great very welcoming her name is Danielle The waitress was excellent, always making sure that we had everything we needed, checking on us frequently Her name is Frania The table bus gentleman made sure our table was free of empty plates, very welcoming and professional his name is Gerardo A waitress named Eva always with her big smile and positive personality always makes me feel so welcome Cocktail waitress Rosie is always sweet and very Kinder After coming here for years I met Victorio He is an amazing dedicated hard worker. Gloria what can I say she is the best I am so happy that she is progressing with her career She is a wonderful, loyal and extremely honest person, always very welcoming Thank you all for being the reason I continue to come back.... read more

Jeannette M.

4 years ago

Great place. Cozy corners where I met with a few work associates for lunch on a Thursday afternoon. Didn't want to eat too heavily so I went with the shrimp fajitas....Wow! The food was great and drinks were top notch (of course I went with the cadillac Margarita!) Next time I might try the bacon wrapped shrimp as well. Nice atmosphere and we were seated pretty quickly even though it got crowded pretty quickly. We wanted a patio seat but couldn't get one because it was full at the time -finally some nice weather here in CA! Waitress Early was really nice and attentive too, it would have been great to come on a night off and have her as our server, thanks Early! Location is nice too, but parking can be a little trouble when there's a lot of people because of the Chik fil A next door, but otherwise a really pleasant experience. read more

Edwin M.

5 years ago

If you haven't been, what are you waiting for??? We had an awesome, fun time!! I came here with my wife and 4 yr old daughter. We had the Carnitas and Fajitas Supremas. Delicious! But what made the difference were our server and our bartender. Eirlandia and Mario (respectively) were the dynamic duo! It was great convo from the start and Mario even went as far to come over and get to know my drink preference to curate a special margarita. It was nothing but laughs the whole time that we were there. My wife, daughter and I and the best time that I have ever had at El Torito, and I've been a customer since 2002. I go to restaurants, not for the food but for the experience, and we got a damn good one here. I would recommend this place to anyone, but you have to go when Eirlandia and Mario are there! read more

Maria C.

9 months ago

I had such a wonderful experience at this restaurant! From the moment I walked in, the staff made me feel welcome and taken care of. The service was attentive without ever being overbearing--the manager moi checked in at just the right times, gave helpful recommendations, and made sure everything came out exactly as ordered. The team worked seamlessly together, and you could tell they genuinely cared about providing a great dining experience. Little touches--like promptly refilling drinks, remembering small details from our order, and making sure we were comfortable--really stood out. Along with the delicious food, the excellent service truly made the evening memorable. I'll definitely be coming back and recommending this place to friends and family! read more

Rebecca S.

5 years ago

We are new to the area and decided to try El Torito. It wasn't that bad of a wait, about 20 minutes for 2 people at 7pm on a Friday evening. I tried the watermelon margarita and it did not come with the extra shot of grand marnier as advertised. The house happy hour margarita was bigger and honestly better for half the cost. ($6 compared to $12) The chicken and cheese enchiladas were just okay. The chicken didn't seem hot, like the food was sitting out for awhile. I would give it 2/5 to be honest. My mother had the Sizzling chicken enchiladas and she wasn't impressed either. We were overall a bit disappointed. The service was great. The waiter made sure we had everything we needed, he started a conversation with us and got personal. Which was nice. read more

Sebastian J.

4 years ago

My waiter Miguel was a very kind generous man, for the duration of the time I was eating Miguel would come by and check on me and my party, making sure I was okay and even taking plates whilst having 4 in his hands, he would absolutely fall In the top 5 waiter experience for me and I can say he would for many others, Miguel was a sharp clean man with the most dress code approved and yet flashy outfit, he really showed me and my party why we should keep choosing this location over any else and how good this management is at hiring workers, he is a very professional waiter and deserves more than words can say, I can't help to describe Miguel at this northridge location but I have tried my best with words. read more

J Z.

4 years ago

Walked in to the El Torito this afternoon was greeted and was seated rite away my waitress Llucely was amazing. Told her I had family from out of town and wanted to make sure they had what ever they wanted. She was excellent told her to make sure the drinks where on point! It was a great experience and the food was also really good. Turns out they have a new Manager his name is Luis he came over introduced him self and made sure we had everything we needed to make the gathering extra especial. Thanks EL Torito for bringing in a team dedicated to the customer definitely will b back and I will always ask for Llucely and Luis thank you guys so much for making my people feel welcome! read more

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