my favorite spot to eat in Lexington!! great service fast and tasty food! the berria tacos are the best!!

The food I ordered should have been simple. I ordered a chili releno and a tamale. When the items arrived they appeared to have been at the bottom of the barrel...the tamale was dry/smashed/hardly any contents. The chili releno was like it had been cooked 4 hrs before I got there. It didn't taste fresh....as I said they seemed like I ordered something that had been sitting around in a pot for hours bc it wasn't good/the tamale should have never been served looking like it did. We have gone here in the past but quality was lacking from the food I was served. read more

I have been in the mood for nachos so I decided to go to El Toro. I was seated immediately and the staff was very friendly. They really push the margaritas so be prepared. I decided the order the lunch fajitas and queso. The chicken and steak was great. I made my own fajita nachos. They give huge portions so I was able to have the rest for dinner. Overall, good execution. I definitely recommend if you are in the area. read more

El Toro Mexican Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

The food was really good, very tasteful and filling. The staff were very friendly and sweet, however I'm not sure if it was just a busy night but the time between getting drinks and placing our order took a while. But food did come out nice and hot but our appetizer came out at the same time as our meal. Overall a nice place and great energy from staff. I'll have to come back to try it again. read more

El Toro Mexican Restaurant - Pregnant Burrito - Mexican Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

Amazing food and quick service! A variety of foods from land and sea, margaritas placing top 3 in lexington every year. Give it a try! read more

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Best tex mex i've had in lexington we went for the lunch special, and boy I'll tell you it was something else. It was delicious and very value oriented. read more

1st time at El Toro and don't know why I've past it a million times got the pregnant burrito at grilled steak and chicken and both were really really good (very tender). Chips and salsa were great. Service was perfect everyone loved they're meal Will definitely go back read more

This restaurant is located right outside my neighborhood, and let me tell you, this place has some mighty frozen margaritas and delicious Mexican food. One drink, and you'll be sleeping the rest of the night, so if you like strong margaritas, this is your spot. The ambiance is alright. I sat in the patio area, facing a tv to watch sports while enjoying my food. I liked the restaurant enough to recommend this to whoever wants a New Mexican restaurant to try. Other than sitting here for an actual meal, I had ordered a couple of take-outs from here, and it only took twenty minutes for the food to be ready for pickup! They're fast. read more

El Toro Mexican Restaurant - Frozen margarita Steak, Chicken and Shrimp Fajita for 1 - Mexican Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

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Great Mexican food at affordable prices.The dining area isn't fancy, but the staff is friendly and the food is really delicious. Don't forget to try their great margaritas! read more

Good service, fast although busy. The food was great. We got the guacamole and queso with the chips, and really enjoyed both. For dinner, we split the four burritos- one pork, cheese, beef, and chicken (two adults). We really enjoyed them, though I wasn't a huge fan of the pork. Beans and rice were seasoned and tasty. Margaritas were 2 for 1, though we were not a fan of them. They taste like straight premade margarita mix. The Dos Equis beer was nice and cold. Overall, good option! read more

Great, friendly service and the food was sooo good! Everyone at the table was happy. I got the vegetable burrito, as a vegan I appreciated this option! read more

4/10/23 We are visiting and after a day of driving around, we took the opportunity to walk. El Toro was nearby and the number of people eating outside at 5PM prompted us to walk in the door. The colors were vibrant, the aromas wonderful and there were open tables. We were greeted with a big smile almost immediately and decided we'd stay for dinner. Of course we started with frozen margaritas (regular flavor and mango). It was nice to be asked if we wanted them rimmed with salt or not. It was still 2 for 1 happy hour, but I would have preferred not to get them both at the same time. My husband ordered enchiladas each with 3 different fillings. I ordered mini chimichangas with 3 different fillings. Each plate came with rice and beans. Presentation was very nice and the fillings of chicken, beef, pork, shrimp were nicely seasoned, firm and plentiful. No skimping done here! Garnishes included some shredded lettuce, dollop of sour cream and freshly make guacamole. Our server was professional and pleasant. All the staff seemed to stay busy doing specific jobs. Total for drinks and very filling dinners was under $47. If we lived in the area, we'd definitely be regular patrons. read more

Always great food and service. I always leave a happy girl. 2/1 margs every day. Small patio or large dining room.

I loved the food it had excellent service and I loved the ambiance over at the restaurant overall great and awesome place

Been going here for years, and is by far our favorite place. They take such good care of us and we never have to wait long for anything. We are greeted by multiple staff, and checked on regularly. Thank you for being so great! read more

We stayed in Lexington for a horse show at the horse park in May and El Toro was recommended by the Hampton next door. We ended up eating there the next 3 nights it was so good. Great service, cold beer, nice selection of drinks for my wife and huge menu. Try it, you'll like it. read more

Best casual Mexican place in Lexington. Plenty of seating. Parking is limited but usually fine. Right off Nicholasville. The drinks are huge, heavy poured, cheap and delicious. The plates are standard, classic Mexican American food. The pricing is cheap, the staff is super friendly and food comes fast. We came for a birthday party and they were awesome with getting everything on time. We also come for date nights/celebrations for small things and it never disappoints. Love it here. read more

Easily the best Mexican restaurant in Lexington. The food is fantastic, service has always been great, Rosa makes you feel welcome. The dining room is comfortable and clean. I can't think of a single suggestion. If I lived a little closer to it I'd eat there weekly at least. Go check it out! read more

Both times I've visited El Toro I have walked away thinking how friendly the staff has been and how appreciative they seem for us choosing to dine there. It doesn't hurt that the food has been really great both times as well. The most recent visit included 2 for 1 margaritas, a fajita chimichanga, and an order of guacamole. I'd have liked a little more lime juice and salt in the guac but the rest of the food was excellent. It's a place that we will have on frequent rotation. read more

El Toro Mexican Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

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Amazing food and service! If you like great Mexican food, I highly recommend. You should not wait to try.

I had El Toro for the first time on my birthday in 2016 during my sophomore year in undergrad. Well, I say that it was "on" my birthday, but it actually wasn't "on" my birthday. My friends wanted to take me somewhere nice for my birthday and planned on taking me that evening. However, I had a chemistry assignment due which I had stayed up working on ALL night the day prior to my birthday. Long story short, I missed my own birthday dinner because I fell asleep. I woke up around 10:30p and texted them apologizing, so they just pushed the dinner back a day. On the day after my birthday, we finally got to go try the cuisine. It was okay. Standard Mexican Food. You won't be blown away, but you won't have a bad time. Well, if it is your birthday, you may have a bad time depending on whether you like whipped cream being smeared on your face. I knock it down from 3 stars to 2 stars because of the photo that now exists of me wearing a sombrero with cream smeared all over my face. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed that part! I just don't think the Everyman would enjoy. I didn't get to try the margarita because this was my 20th birthday, not my 21st. I wish I could let everyone know how it tasted, but I just wasn't old enough. Anyways, I haven't been back since December 2nd, 2016. Give it a try! The food may not be the best, but the memories (and photo) will last a lifetime. The photo is my profile pic btw. read more

great food and service, best mexican food i've had since moving to kentucky from california hands down! fresh fruit in cocktails and meat was cooked and flavored very well! read more

Absolutely love this place. The queso is delicious and the menu is approachable. The margaritas are also amazing! I already get the frozen strawberry and love it. The area is nice and we always get seated quickly. Be prepared to see UK students. They have never bothered us, though. read more

Made me pay $8 for Queso we did not order. When the waiter delivered it to our table, we clarified that we didn't order Queso, he was asking for it on his burrito. He said okay and walked away. read more

4/21/23 Okay Mexican, service was slow and the food was mediocre. The chicken was cold and very dry, they did mess up our order. However, they were quick to get it fixed. Okay spot if you're looking for a quick bite to eat that's affordable read more

So many choices! Typical but expansive new menu. Always busy but usually seated quickly. Friendly staff send fast attentive service. Prices slowly going up but good value for the price. Very lighted dinner room. Not ornate decoration..minimum. Food is very tasty. Adequate beer choices. Parking is the big negative. Not enough and poorly configured parking lot. read more

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The food is good and consistent. It's not the best but it's not the worst. Would recommend giving it a try. The servers are okay and the environment is clean. read more

Fastest service anywhere in Lex. Food is always amazing and order is correct. Employees are very nice as well. Highly recommend!!

If you want to experience steak tacos on another level, you have to order from this place. There are two different steak tacos on the menu. Do not choose the wrong one. I mean, I am sure the other ones are also delicious but the Steak Tacos are on another level. Three soft tacos loaded with crispy, delicious steak and cheese dip. That's it. So simple yet so amazing. I am also a huge fan of their Queso Fundido with chorizo because it is melted cheese topped with chorizo in a scorching hot skillet. Not cheese dip with chorizo, melted cheese. Not enough words to describe how delicious it is wrapped in a flour tortilla. Margaritas are also delicious. There are not a lot of places that drive to another state to enjoy it this is one of them. Thank goodness my daughter decided to stay in Lexington after graduating UK! But I would still come here from Ohio for these tacos. Sorry no pictures I was lost in the moment! read more

Love their mojate frita...a whole tilapia scored and fried. . Staff knows us and are very welcoming, feels like friends. And their margaritas read more

The pineapple bowl fajita is amazing! Shrimp, chicken, and beef with the typical fajita veggies and then, the bonus of pineapple in a pineapple bowl. Paired with 2 for 1 margaritas and my mind was blown! read more

Friendly service, fast, delicious, and affordable. The cooks really know how to fix shrimp dishes here.

El Toro is always my go to Mexican restaurant! The food is always amazing! My favorite is the chicken fajita quesadilla, and you just can't wrong with the two for one margaritas! read more

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I asked my housekeeper where she goes for Mexican and she sent me here. Was not disappointed, now I know why she's fat. Look this place is authentic. The food is great. The mild sauce tastes like tomato paste but that's forgivable once you taste the green. One of the best I've ever had. Quality of food is top notch. read more

Your average Americanized Mexican food. Except it's really good! I had the fajitas chimichanga and it was a plethora of food. Very delicious and I would recommend this place for sure. read more

El Toro Mexican Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

My wife and I have been patrons here for a couple years and have noticed a decline in service. Example: Black beans have always been served in a bowl with cheese on top with a spoon and last time it came spread out on a plate, so cold. Today my wife was turned away to eat in an empty patio with her service animal. It's funny that a beautiful restaurant like Malone's Steakhouse will allow her certified ESA puppy in yet not here and on a patio no less. read more

Five stars because their fajitas are amazing and the staff are always friendly! === === === === I've been here many times and I've had several items off of the menu, but my favorite here is their fajitas. Particularly, their mix of chicken, steak, and shrimp fajitas. Yum!!! The meats are brought to you on the sizzling skillet with sliced bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes. Your skillet plate is accompanied by an additional plate of rice & beans, pico de gallo, shredded lettuce, sour cream, and guacamole. You also get three flour or corn tortillas. This is all pretty standard for most Americanized Mexican restaurants in the area, but I find the seasonings and flavor profiles are pretty spot on for me. Oh, and the portion you're given is huge - you will either leave extremely full, or with leftovers. Tonight, they also had a two-for-one special on margaritas. These were pretty delicious so be sure to inquire about the drink specials because I think they change. In summary, give this place a try. I think you'll enjoy it. Good luck on finding parking on a busy night, however. The parking lot is a bit small. read more

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Nothing says summer to me like eating Mexican food at an outdoor restaurant. There's something about enjoying a helping of chips and salsa with a margarita to wash it down while you wait for your beef burrito enchilada-style that just screams "Warm weather ahead!" Summer is right around the corner, if not here already, based on my recent trip to El Toro. I've passed this place hundreds of times (literally) and just never stopped in to eat until the other day. A friend and I popped over for dinner at the spur of the moment and were able to be seated on the patio without any wait. The chips and salsa weren't anything spectacular, but the entrees are where things really stood out. I got a taco salad, but what made this one great was the fresh-grated queso blanco that covered it. It had begun to melt with the heat of the ground sirloin hot off the grill that I had chosen as my meat, and man was it good! I finished the whole thing, which I usually can't do after devouring a disgusting amount of chips and salsa. I wasn't the only one digging the grub, as my companion asked for a take-home box, then changed their mind and decided to clean their plate by the end of the meal. Service was fast and friendly, making this one place I'll be sure to stop by in again now that I know just how awesome it really is! read more

Worst service I've ever experienced , I made an order thru door dash and when I got there to pick it up they lost my order and the lady acted like it was funny so then I asked if they could just remake my order and I would wait for it since I had paid for it already and she just walked off and started doing something else and ignored me and wouldn't get me a manager. I'll never order from here again take the extra drive and go to mi Mexico there food is better and cheaper anyway . read more

I have to say. It takes a lot to give a bad review. But this place is probably the worst Mexican in town. After coming in you see all staff with ear pieces in like it's the CIA. There are Atleast 12 cameras in less than a 2000 square foot area beaming at you. The staff will ALL come up to you every 3 minutes asking about the food as if something must be wrong. The manager here is beyond rude. Unless you put your foot down and make sure that you DEMAND respect, they will treat you and yours like dirt. I refuse to be back. The food is mediocre. The drinks are watered down. El Rancho is 5 seconds away do yourself a favor and go there!!!!!! I promise you won't regret it. read more