Authentic Mexican food with exceptionally friendly staff. They have several margaritas to choose from and it's a generous portion. I had the strawberry/peach margarita and it was delightful. The Cabo shrimp tacos came with a lot of shrimp and was perfectly seasoned. Decent prices too. Support small businesses! read more

El Toro Restaurant & Cantina - Strawberry/peach margarita - Mexican Near Me - Clinton, Iowa

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Food service and atmosphere all top notch every time I'm in town I go and never disappointed. The owners stop at my table every time to check on me read more

Think of Mexican food in a small town, this is it. It's nothing special, but it's not horrible either. Definitely more Americanized than authentic, but that would be expected. Service was okay when we went, it wasn't particularly busy, and it did take awhile for the waitress to pay attention to us. Once we ordered, food was quick, but service definitely wasn't attentive. Great, cheap top shelf margaritas, which I imagine is what most people come here for. I will admit, it looks a little sketchy from outside/the way to get in, but it's actually an okay place. If you're in the mood for Mexican and happen to be in the area, this is probably the best you're going to get. read more

This venue is amazing. I have not been there in awhile but it is the closest to authentic Mexican cuisine in Clinton and the margaritas -no words to describe the taste !My hubby has been in Heaven for years and I miss frequenting this lovely establishment. read more

Enchiladas were very good, refried beans were soupy, rice was ok! Never seen a margarita so clear, looked like water!!!

I was pleasantly surprised with the wonderful dinner I had here tonight. My husband and I were in town for a couple nights and we were craving Mexican, so we looked to Yelp for a recommendation. El Toro had the best reviews so we decided to eat here. And we were so happy we did. The food and service were great. At first we weren't too sure about the place. There was only one other car in the parking lot, but it was a weeknight and it was freezing cold outside. When we got inside we saw that it was a bar/restaurant. They supposedly had the best margaritas in town. It was also freezing inside. I kept my down jacket on for most of the time I was there. I don't think they had the heat on or maybe it wasn't working. The menu had so many great choices that it was tough for us to decide what to order. I finally decided on chicken enchiladas and my husband got the Tacos Barrios. Both of our entrees came with rice and beans. While we waited for our dinners, we noshed on chips and homemade salsa. They gave us an extra spicy salsa that was very tasty. They weren't stingy with it, either. We kept eating it, so they kept bringing us more bowls of it. The refried beans were velvety smooth and delicious. And the rice was cooked perfectly. And the most important thing of all, the chicken was well-seasoned and expertly cooked. I can't stand it when I order chicken enchiladas and the chicken is unseasoned and there are just bland chunks of chicken. My husband's tacos were really good, too. I think I would order those next time. They were good and spicy. The service was also excellent. The waiter/bartender kept refilling my water without me having to ask him. I always appreciate that. The decor wasn't the most exciting to look at, but wasn't too bad. The food was excellent so I didn't really care about that. The only thing keeping me from giving this place five stars was how cold it was inside the restaurant. My feet were like blocks of ice by the time I was done eating. I would still come back again for their great food. Living in Des Moines, I've had a lot of good Mexican food and this place had some of the best I've ever had. read more

Nice little restaurant with good Mexican food. Not in the best of spots in town, but they by far have the best margaritas in town!

Wonderful food!! Sadly I haven't tried the whole menu, but I do know that everything I've ever tried was amazing!!! Also, if you're a margarita guru then this is the place. My personal favorite is a Cabo wobble with strawberries Must haves, Pan friend tacos, and SantaFe Nachos read more

Great food and the lady who appears to run the place is SO funny and friendly. We have always had great service while there whether it be take out during COVID or regular dine in. If you like margaritas, try the Cabo Wabo read more

While the food was very good (I got the tacos), the servers don't even get to keep their tips. If tips aren't given directly to the server, then you shouldn't have a credit card tip line at all. I'm sorry, but that's WRONG. That is completely deceiving to customers. We made sure to put cash IN THE HANDS of our server. If you don't do that, then you can be 100% sure that they won't see a dime of that money. Because of that, regardless of how good the food is, I will probably not be back. read more

A group of women from work and I order the Barrio Tacos from here about every week. Shelia knows our voices right away and is always the best! Great Mexican Food! Double Bubble margaritas on Wednesday night are never a disappointment either! :) read more

This is the best food available in this town. I tried many of the other places while working nearby. Recommendations: The salsa. The pan fried tacos. The Cabo margaritas. The owner. if you come on Thursdays, its buy one get one half 'rita free. i thought the stories about her offering recommendations were bs - they're not. She really does (Diablo steak burrito gets honorable mention). Nice to be wrong for a change. One final thought - i asked a random employee here how they treat him - he said he's been here 14-18 years *he lost count and looked like he got a bit nostalgic *- good sign - for this business. Recommended. Closest place near here i could recommend for food quality & service would be a full star and a half lower. read more

The food smelled great but when the lady at bar said to "tell them we're closing" even though the sign said open until 10pm, we left. Be sure to check if they are open or closing before driving there. read more

Monday night 3 tables. 15 mins to get 3 waters. Another 10 mins to get white cheese that was half full. Chips were over done. Salsa covered and I mean covered in onions. Food another 20 minutes. One waitress talking about tattoos and where to go and what to get. Doesn't wait on two tables who can't in after us because well she was talking instead. Fajitas don't even come w guacamole and when we asked for anything dirty looks like we were a bother. Pretty sad visit all around. Next table after us had waited over ten minutes just to be asked what they wanted for drinks. Not busy 3 Tables and no to gos had went out. read more

Some of the best margaritas I've ever had! Food is delicious. Service is nice, owners are very nice. My personal favorite for Mexican food in Clinton. Food is more flavourful than some of the other places in town. Always have good service and food at El Toro! read more

El Toro Restaurant & Cantina - a picture of a mexican drink - Mexican Near Me - Clinton, Iowa

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Trash service and trash food wouldn't feed to my ol ladys cat that im allergic to best thing about it was the beer and it was warm enough for me to swim in. read more

The Margaritas are great the best in Clinton County, Iowa. Run my two beautiful Senoritas who have a knack for making great food. They are fun too talk too and treat people with great respect. The salsa is the best in town... I'm not a fan of the taco buffet but everything esle is spectacular. It's not on the menu, but if you ask for it. It's called a street taco. It's the best damned Taco ever. Made with love. CCRIDER read more

A Mexican restaurant with no guacamole! We ate at El Toro at 4:15 this Saturday for an early dinner before a ballgame. They opened at 4pm and we were the first ones in the restaurant. I ordered the quesadilla served with sour cream and guacamole. When it came out, there was no guac and 2 small plastic cups of sour cream. I asked about the guacamole and the owner replied, "yeah we're out of guacamole. That's why I gave you two sour creams,". The proud look on her face was ridiculous. Does sour cream really sub for guac? If she had told me they were out ahead of time, I would have ordered something else. Instead of speaking up, I ate my bland quesadilla with sour cream and salsa, so we could get to the game. No offer of accommodations from the owner. No discount, no apology, just an unsolicited extra sour cream. Not to mention they had ALL DAY (since they open at 4) to go to Jewel Osco, buy some avacados and make some guacamole! It's like going to a pizza place with no Parmesan cheese, or a burger joint with no ketchup. C'mon! After all this, I hate to admit they make a good strawberry peach margarita. (That's why the one star). But, I can honestly say I WILL NEVER GO BACK for another one. I'm sure there's a good recipe on Pinterest.... Seriously, a Mexican place with no guacamole. Who ever heard of such a thing?! read more

I come from the land of Mexican food. I know of what I speak when I say that is place is a hidden jewel in Clinton Iowa. Perfect margaritas (on the rocks, because blended is heresy), fresh corn and flour tortillas, perfectly marinated steak and chicken. We were steered away from bland gringo style foods by the owner, but were pointed to the better more fresh options. El Pastor dinner for me, marinated perfectly. My wife was steered away from chimichangas in favor of fresh tacos, Mexico City style (street). Three salsa heats, mild medium and spicy (not too spicy in my opinion, but flavorful) with fresh tortilla chips. Service was fast and friendly. I will definitely go back again when in town visiting family. And if you live in the area, go support your local business, you will not be disappointed! read more

Hands down the best margaritas in the area. I haven't had a margarita anywhere that's better than their Cabo Wabo. They're BOGO on Wednesday and Thursday nights. Food is always excellent, I recommend their steak and chorizo fajitas. Great atmosphere and service, my favorite Mexican restaurant in town. read more

The service and the food are top notch! Been going here for years and it only gets better. The most friendly staff I have ever found!!!

I've been going to El Toro regularly for years now. Though I've tried all the other Mexican restaurants in Clinton, El Toro's food, drinks, and service still keep me coming back. I highly recommend their chimichangas, the Diablo burrito (if you like spicy food), and the fajitas. Of course, the margaritas are also the best in town. I would suggest both the fuzzy berry (if you like fruity), and the Cabo Wabo (if you like strong). Can't go wrong with either :) read more

Great find in the downtown Clinton area. The food is excellent and the owners are very good at engaging with customers. The all you can eat taco bar at lunch time is a must do if you are hungry and want a lot of great options for tacos. Drinks are excellent. Suggest trying the creamy white cheese appetizer along with the house-made guacamole. The margaritas are excellent as well along with a full bar and multiple tequilas to choose from. If you are wanting a little hotter salsa or grilled jalapenos, just ask. Both are excellent. Lots of room for large parties and seating in the bar area. Great to support a local business for lunch or dinner! read more

Love, love, love El Toro. The food is amazing and the margaritas are the best. Service is great and the owners treat you like family.

Here's the truth. We drive 40 minutes to go to this restaurant! You will not find a better MARGARITA anywhere including in Spain. We know. Chorizo and chicken fajitas are to die for too. The women who run this restaurant will also make you feel like family! BTW, did I say to get their MARGARITAS? read more

Best Mexican food ever. Service was also great. Marguaritas were sweeter than desired. Chips & salsa were just right. One of our party preferred hotter sauce, so they added really hot to his salsa. He loved it. We were there Thursday night. Surprisingly, they weren't very busy. read more

Hands down my favorite place to go for Mexican cuisine and drinks! Have known the entire staff for many years and they are wonderful. Wednesday and Thursdays are double bubble, so if you've never tried their drinks make sure to go on these days to get your monies worth. The Baja tacos, pan fried tacos and seafood chimichanga are my personal favorites but I've never tried anything bad from there! Long story short, none of the other Mexican restaurants in Clinton bring as much authenticity to their meals or drinks as this place! read more

Came here with 4 other people for dinner. I ordered a chimichanga and the owner, who was waiting on us, shook her head and strongly suggested the tacos. So I did and I am glad I did. The taco shells were fresh and not hard. The meat was spicy but not burn your mouth spicy. I had 2 Cabo Wabo margaritas and they were delicious. The salsa was good and the rice and beans were standard. I have only been to one other Mexican restaurant in town in the past year and this one surpassed the other. read more

Ventured upon this Mexican restaurant while on a road trip through Iowa. The outside is nothing fancy but sometimes the best food is found in places like that. We came for lunch and they were having a taco bar for $7.95. Food was very good. The wait staff was very attentive. The only drawback is, the place is super dark inside and not real warm and inviting. Otherwise, not bad! read more