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    Toro by Chef Richard Sandoval

    4.4 (266 reviews)

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    TORO BY CHEF RICHARD SANDOVAL ATMOSPHERE

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    Sweet corn empanadas
    Camilla R.

    This review is long overdue. I first visited Toro several years ago, likely right after it opened, and I had a great experience. We went in for a couple of cocktails and appetizers, and I remember the appetizers being so delicious and generously portioned that we were full without ever ordering entrées. The drinks were creative and equally delicious. The service back then was fantastic too. I'm not sure why I never returned. I think it's because Toro is a bit off the beaten path and not close to where I usually go. Fast forward, my friend and I decided to go back after hearing about it and remembering how much we enjoyed it the first time. Toro is located inside a hotel and feels like a hidden gem. When we arrived, the lighting was dim and cozy, and the space felt intimate despite having two large parties of about 20 guests each dining at the same time. We were greeted by MC, who truly gave us the best service I've had in a long time. Even while assisting those two big groups, she was incredibly attentive and made sure we had everything we needed. She even advised us to put our order in before the large parties so our food wouldn't be delayed. That's the kind of service that makes a lasting impression. We started with the sweet corn empanadas, which come three to an order and are actually pretty large. We each had one and took the third home. They were perfectly crunchy, not greasy at all, and filled with manchego cheese and avocado purée, aji amarillo, served with a chimichurri sauce that tied everything together. Next, we had the ceviche amarillo, which MC recommended, and it was phenomenal. It featured hamachi, cucumber, red onion, and mango, and the balance of flavors was so refreshing and vibrant. It's one of those dishes you keep thinking about after the fact. For the entrées, I ordered the lomo saltado. It came with beef tenderloin, stir-fried peppers, red onion, tomato, creamy rice, cilantro, and crispy potato strings. I've had lomo saltado before but never with creamy rice, and let me tell you, it was absolutely incredible. The combination of flavors and textures was something I've never experienced before. I honestly think it was one of the best meals I've ever had. My friend ended up eating off my plate because mine was better than hers. She ordered the zarandeado yellowtail snapper with adobo marinade, cabbage slaw, grilled avocado, radish, and charred lemon. It was beautifully presented and very fresh, but we both felt it lacked flavor. It was light and clean but not bold or spicy, which I usually prefer. If you like milder dishes, you'll probably love it, but it just wasn't for me. Even though we were absolutely stuffed, dessert is always a must. We chose the churros, which came with cinnamon sugar, dulce de leche, and a small scoop of coconut gelato. The gelato was honestly the highlight. I would have eaten a whole bowl of it if I could. The churros themselves were fresh and crispy, not greasy, and the dulce de leche was rich and delicious even though I'm not usually a fan of it. The cocktails were just as impressive as the food. We had four different specialty drinks, one of which was an espresso martini made with tequila. Each drink was smooth, well-balanced, and didn't have the overpowering taste of tequila, thanks to the high-quality house tequila they use. Toward the end of the meal, the manager, whose name I believe was Richard, came over to check in with us. He was incredibly kind and told us about Toro's Tequila Library at the front of the restaurant. They offer tequila tastings with six different high-quality tequilas, each paired with small bites from the chef. He explained that they specialize in premium tequilas, not the usual commercial brands, and that their bartenders can create custom cocktails based on your personal taste. Richard even offered to treat us to a tasting on the house in the future, which was such a generous gesture. He also introduced us to Danny, the bartender who leads the tequila tastings. Danny gave us a quick education on agave and what makes a tequila truly high quality. I've only recently started appreciating tequila, and this conversation really helped me understand the difference between what I've been drinking and what good tequila actually is. All in all, Toro completely blew me away. The food, the drinks, the service, the ambiance, everything was top tier. MC was a dream of a server, Richard went out of his way to make us feel welcome, Danny added such a unique personal touch and of course, the chef for an unforgettable meal Toro may be a little hidden, but it deserves to be packed every night. If you're on the fence, let this be your sign to go. I'm already planning my next visit. Thank you to the entire team for an unforgettable experience.

    Jorge G.

    Came here with the wife last night. We were really excited to try something different. First I will say the restaurant manager was really nice by waiving the corking fee of the wine. That's 35 bucks waived. So nice. We ordered a steK, ceciche and Cobb salad. All that food was enough for the two of us. We had a great night. The waitress was a bit rude which we didn't like. From the beginning she was t very nice when we told her the manager was waiting yhr fee. She treated us like a liar. But besides that the restaurant was good and the food was good. I had fun last night and glad I came.

    Tres Leches
    Lucy V.

    My husband is a big tequila fan so I thought he would enjoy checking out this spot for our date night. This is located inside the Le Meridien Hotel in Dania Beach. I am always pleasantly surprised by hotel restaurants. I feel like a lot of them are hidden gems. Parking - Super easy and access to the restaurant from both inside and outside of the hotel. This one did not disappoint! There were plenty of menu options to satisfy us both. Sweet Corn empanadas - not bad - a little more filling would make them perfect Grilled Octopus - my husband liked this a lot Lomo Saltado - he enjoyed it and said the meat and rice were delicious Pura Vida side - it's white rice, black beans and plantains - how could it be bad? Crispy Brussel Sprouts - very good - This was my entree along with the pura vida side Tres Leche - so yummy! Texture was airy and light, not too sweet We will definitely come again!

    Roses
    Liz B.

    We went here for Valentine's Day, and while I expected a more romantic ambiance, the lively atmosphere and loud Latin music gave it a fun and energetic vibe instead. Not quite what I had in mind, but still a good time! The food was hands-down delicious, easily the highlight of the night. Service had a few hiccups--our salad was forgotten, and we wished our water had been refilled more often--but our waiter was apologetic and made up for it. Sebastian was great, just seemed a little too busy. A big plus was how accommodating they were when we asked to move tables away from the revolving kitchen doors, which really helped improve the experience. A sweet touch was the two roses on the table, and a week later, they're still alive and beautifully bloomed! Overall, despite a few service issues, it was a great spot with fantastic food and a fun energy. Note: It's a bit pricey - example, the pura vida side $15, chicken was $39.

    Zarandeado Yellowtail Snapper
    Ircania M.

    Went to Toro's for dinner for a birthday celebration. This is a really nice place. Staff was attentive, friendly & Drinks are good! We started off with some appetizers. We had the sweet corn empanadas, which were incredibly flavorful & highly recommend. Also had the Chícharon de Camarones, which were also delightful. We also had the Toro Guacamole, which wasn't our favorite but not terrible. For the entree, my husband & I had shared the Zarandeado Yellow Tail Snapper & the Angry Toro Roll. It was plenty for the both of us. The snapper had a bit of a kick to it, felt it was a little over seasoned though. The Angry Toro roll, however, was really good & would recommend. Overall, we enjoyed our time at Toro's. If you're in the area & want to enjoy some good food with friends, I'd recommend it.

    Irena C.

    5 stars!!! From beginning to end!!! I would highly suggest making reservations through Open Table and not through google. We were able to get a last minute reservation added on to some friends for New Years Eve which was very accommodating. The hostess was sweet and we joined our friends for the night. Danny came to our table to greet us and tell us about how the restaurant works and how the tequila is mostly additive free. We ordered our first round of drinks. He was working along said the waitress to take care of us who was also very sweet and amazing! We ordered a ton of apps. We got the guac, it's a small portion but very good. We ordered chicharrón de camarón which was sooo good. We had the octopus, a roll, and a few others. The corn empanadas were so good. Everything we ordered was delicious and enough to share. The drinks were also so good! The waiters and bar tenders were all so amazing. We stayed for the countdown to New Years and got to celebrate with all of them. I would come back just for the hospitality! Overall an amazing experience! Very grateful!

    Lomo Saltado
    Alice M.

    Company decided to have my husband's retirement dinner here at this restaurant inside the Le Meridian hotel. 9 of us attended. It would have been nice to be seated in the tequila bar room which was smaller quieter and more intimate. The manager however quickly placed us at the back of the restaurant near the kitchen doors. The music was a bit loud for us to have successful conversation with those at the other end of the table. The server gal was nice, attentive. We had met a few of our coworkers there at the bar. It was happy hour. We seated at the table and asked for the happy hour drinks. Server informed us that it was only at the bar, literally 10 feet away from our table. Price difference on drinks was $6 each. CFO of our party asked if we could have HH drinks at the table. Manager quasi reluctantly said "one round only". Ok We ordered a few appetizers for the table. Guacamole was very good. Chip's served with it were both standard corn and then banana chips too. Very good. Also had two sushi rolls, really good. And grilled octopus served on a smashed potato. Really tasty too! I went with a signature dish, Lomo Saltado. Beef pieces, perfectly cooked served on creamy rice with grilled peppers and onions. It was good although the two others who ordered it, like me, expected more sauce or gravy on it. Hubs had the filet mignon which was also perfectly cooked. One person ordered the outrageous tomahawk steak to share with another. I even got a taste. It was great. The side of asparagus my husband received was enormous. Overall, everyone was pleased with their entrees. We then ordered a few desserts for the table. The churros were the best I have ever had. 5 per order with a caramel dipping sauce included. The Tres Leches cake, surprisingly, was a bit of a disappointment. The restaurant was very good and if I'm in the Dania Beach area again I'd definitely consider it.

    Ceviche
    Katie G.

    Food, service, and ambiance are all fantastic! They offer good happy hour specials. I began with the tequila flight, which included three shots of tequila. The bartender provided an informative explanation of the origins of each tequila. I also indulged in a few appetizers from the happy hour menu, which were all delectable. The staff was exceptionally attentive and friendly. The location in a hotel is convenient, and parking is complimentary.

    Lesly M.

    Toro has been one of my top spots here in Broward ever since I stopped in the first time! Everything about this place is fantastic. The food, the drinks, the staff, not to mention the places is absolutely beautiful! I've tried so many different dishes here and everything has been phenomenal! They have a private room that has their tequila library which is a must see! All in all I definitely recommend checking them out! I know you will fall in love with it just as I did!

    LOMO SALTADO
    Teresa T.

    I came here for a birthday party and tequila tasting, and it went so well that I brought a work group back for dinner and tequila tasting. The tequila tasting was very cool - great to hear about and taste real QUALITY tequilas. Met the manager when I brought in my work group and he was awesome. Super willing to treat my event with the best service! The attendees really enjoyed it. Food was delicious with a nice presentation. Will be back again! LOMO SALTADO and CEVICHE pictured here.

    Korean style beef short ribs
    Ronnie B.

    We did the Anejo Tequila tasting experience. The ambiance was outstanding. We received and great education on addictive free tequilas from Danny. The food was delicious and the Tequila complemented every dish. The service was outstanding. I would definitely recommend restaurants

    Pork Chop
    Shenika T.

    I went here to celebrate a birthday and check this place off my list of restaurants to visit. Valet and self-service parking is available with validation. I love their massive wooden door entryway. The interior is dimly lit and has an intimate feel to it. Spacious. We went to an early dinner and were promptly seated. Our server Abanoub was very friendly and attentive. To start I ordered their Smoked swordfish dip which was delicious and the Mercado cocktail minus the tanteo habanero tequila. For my entree I ordered their Cusco Free Range Chicken, large portion and so darn good. My dad ordered their Pork Chop with the Potatoes Three Ways. He loved every bit of his meal. Since it was his birthday I ordered their Tres Leches and asked for it to come out with a candle. Happy hour is only at the bar. And there was an automatic 18% service charge added. Overall I had a great experience and would return for happy hour.

    Burger
    Katie A.

    The location was convenient for us before going to a comedy show at the hard rock guitar hotel. The arepa was amazing! My burger was great - a bacon jam and well cooked. The steak my husband ordered was disappointing. The menu is pricier but fair for a steak house. We were there early around 5 and the service was quick. The decor was modern; it is attached to a hotel but you can't tell while you are dining.

    My honey & our tequila in champagne glasses

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    Closed down. It was never busy and just ok. The empty space will be used for private events.

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    Toro by Chef Richard Sandoval Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Toro by Chef Richard Sandoval

    Is there a tequila tasting you can do? If so do you make a reservation for it?

    I want to say yes because when I was there they have a tequila room where it's more intimate and I saw a big table with a staff explaining what was infront of him.

    Open table has two seating options: Tequila library standard and Other standard. Is the Tequila library the main dining room option?

    No Tequila Library is a separate room that's like bar/lounge. I believe you can order food there but it's not the main dining room.

    Is there a dress code?

    No it's casual

    Do they have happy hour?

    Yes! 5 to 7 PM, Monday through Fridays. $5 off of food from the Biblioteca bar (left of the full restaurant) And I believe half off margaritas on the restaurant side.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    I cannot say enough about how incredible El Tamarindo café is. We walked here from our hotel on a…read morehot day before embarking on a cruise. We were looking for somewhere to get a very satisfying dinner at a slightly early bird time. We were the first people in the restaurant for dinner and we wondered if the empty place held any bearing on the quality of food. Let me tell you... This was one of the best meals I've ever had while traveling. We were shocked and amazed at the large portions and the incredible flavor. We try to eat high-protein, and that was no problem here. We kept telling the staff to give our compliments to the chef. We had a few drinks, we had a really great long meal, and as we were packing up, more people were flowing in. We had leftovers, but since we were traveling, we couldn't take them with us, so we decided to sit tight until we had finished as much as we could. Worth it!

    The food is 4 stars but all these additional fees bring it to a 3 star. The food is good here! But…read moreI personally do find this place expensive. And it was very off putting to see that on the menu they had all these additional charges. It's +2$ after 3pm and then 2$ if you share food! That is ridiculous. I don't believe either of those are justified. Also if you get fajitas you only get 3 tortillas. Usually places are more generous with tortillas. Nonetheless , the food is solid. The chicken soup I got was very tasty and tasted very authentic. I also got the chicken sandwich with rice and beans. I opted for the breaded chicken. It was fried really evenly and the chicken was thin. I like that. The salsa on the side was vinegar based with big chunks of onion and peppers. I enjoyed that as well.

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    The Chimney House - Grill & Cafe

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    Walking distance from the Au Rene Theater, this restaurant is a great location to eat before or…read moreafter a show. I was hesitant when making the reservation because from my experience when restaurants are this close to performing arts centers or arenas the food tends to suck, but I was not disappointed. We made reservations for 6:30 on a Friday night before watching Harry Potter in concert. We parked near the theater, but the restaurant has parking designated to its customers across the street and in the back of the restaurant as well. This is a bonus for me as I avoid downtown Fort Lauderdale because of the parking. We got seated quickly. The patio area is very nice and cozy, but We opted to sit inside. The inside is very small. You almost feel squished of how tiny it is. We started with the yuca à la huancaina. This was definitely not what we were expecting and the taste was okay. We then had the chicharrones and it wasn't bad, but I've had better. I ordered the wild caught Argentinian red shrimp. This was absolutely delicious!! The portion is not big enough to share, but I can still taste how savory the meal was. I did feel like our server was rushing us and our entree took long to come out, but the last meal I ordered made up for it. They also have a special for those attending the Broward center.

    We stopped here before heading to the theater, and it's always a reliable choice. We parked in the…read morerestaurant's lot, which was an additional $20, but it was well worth it for the convenience. A friend and I split the shrimp skewers and a delicious salad, and it turned out to be just the right amount of food. The restaurant is within walking distance of the theater, making it a great pre-show option. Our waitress seemed a bit overwhelmed at first because she was juggling several tables, but things eventually settled down and the service improved. Overall, this is a dependable spot before a show. Just be sure to make a reservation, especially on theater nights! I know why they stay in business because they have good food and have a great location. You know what they say -Location, location, location!

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    Came back to bring some friends, and everyone agreed this was the best meal of the night! This…read moreplace definitely isn't a hidden gem anymore--it was packed. There was a large party that seemed to cause major delays, and we ended up waiting about an hour for our food. Thankfully, the drinks were strong, so we had a great time catching up while we waited. We started with the guacamole, which was incredibly fresh and addictive. I ordered the Fresh Herbs Swai, and although they were out of the coconut rice, the dish was still flavorful and delicious. We also tried the Cuban 4 Leches cake and flan, and both were pretty good. Despite the long wait, this remains one of my favorite low-key spots. The food never disappoints, and I plan to return whenever I'm in the area.

    We came here after the World Cup final match expecting to have a nice dinner. The first couple of…read moredishes, including the nachos, were actually pretty good. Everything changed when our fajitas arrived. We ordered the Mixed Fajitas with beef steak, shrimp, and chicken. After we'd been eating for a while, my husband suddenly said the steak smelled and tasted spoiled. I realized I had noticed an odd smell when I ate a piece earlier, but I thought maybe it was just me. Then one of our friends said she thought it tasted bad too and had actually spit it out into a napkin. We immediately called the server over. He took the entire cast-iron fajita skillet back to the kitchen and said he would check with the chef. After a long wait, he came back and told us that both the chef and the prep cook insisted there was nothing wrong with the steak because it had been cut just yesterday. They claimed the "smell" was coming from the sauce. We asked them to bring us the sauce separately. We all tasted it, and the sauce had absolutely no bad smell at all. It clearly wasn't the source of the problem. Even then, they refused to acknowledge that anything was wrong with the steak, but they could remake the meat if we want. We then asked to speak with the manager. A young manager came over, we asked if any of them has tasted the beef steak left in the fajitas skillet, she said she believed us tasted and smelled it but she simply repeated the same explanation. She said they were a family-owned business that cared deeply about their reputation, so the meat had to be fresh. Her solution remained unchanged, she can bring us a remake of the meat. By that point, we had already finished most of the meal. What good would another plate do? We weren't asking for more food--we wanted them to acknowledge the issue and handle it appropriately. The ending was honestly unbelievable. They took just $6 off the entire bill, saying they had removed the cost of the steak from the fajitas. I've never experienced a resolution like that at any restaurant. The only conclusion I can come to is that this is a tourist area in Fort Lauderdale. They saw that we were visitors, figured we'd be leaving town soon, and simply didn't care about making things right because we'd probably never be back anyway. I haven't left reviews at Yelp for many years, but I'd like to share this experience. Hopefully it helps others decide whether they want to take the risk of dining here.

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    Chips & Salsa

    Toro by Chef Richard Sandoval - latin - Updated August 2026

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