We stopped in a nearby La Quinta hotel and tried El Toro for dinner. Fantastic food, huge portions, packed well for take out. Highly recommend you try it! read more

Amazing business. Love the chips and salsa. Customer service is friendly and they make sure you are always taken care of. read more

Wonderful TexMex cooking. Nice and creamy refried beans. I will visit again!!! Nice open eating area with a full bar. This place even has outdoor seating!!! read more

Driving by Ocala saw this big Bright sign that we definitely had to stop, but I did not check the reviews first I just went in like a little kid excited because it was Mexican food and I am a good Mexican food Fanatic. I order some chicken Nachos which didn't have guacamole or sour cream I told the waiter excuse this nachos are missing sour cream and guacamole he said to me I am sorry miss that's an extra charge of 1.45 for each I couldn't believe it I really couldn't but yes I order the guacamole and sour cream on the side why not. But honestly I would not stop here again not worth it. I gave it a two star because of the decor and the big bright sign outside that really caught my attention. But the food was blah blah plain ok nothing serious and having to pay extra for guacamole and sour cream on my nachos was just like REALLY DUDE read more

El Toreo - What are they missing? - Mexican Near Me - Ocala, Florida

Heard from others don't bother coming here but decided to try anyways. I should of listened. Quesadilla was beyond greasy. As soon as you walk in all the servers just stare at you and aren't friendly what so ever. They seem annoyed that they even have business. Avoid. read more

after reading other reviews I decided to add my two cents. On the recommendation of our nearby hotel staff we decided to walk over to El Toreo. We were greeted by the manager and told we could select our seat. We were given the traditional basket of chips and salsa by our waitress Irias. She was attentive when needed but also let us relax and not rushed. We ordered Tacos and Enchiladas and were pleasantly surprised with amount and flavor of both. I do have to say the Beans were so so and guacamole was nothing to rave about. Margaritas were generous and very tasty. We thought the attentive staff and good food qualified this restaurant as 4 Star. It seems to have been given a bad rep from some people, but our experience was very positive. read more

We are so grateful to have found this terrific Mexican Restaurant on our way to Tampa from Boston. We have our little dogs with us and were blessed to find this restaurant because their porch is pet friendly. The food was great, the staff were all very welcoming and we were grateful to be able to be out of the car with our dogs under the shade of the porch enjoying the nice weather. Thank you very much El Toreo! read more

The bar tender Arturo at El Toreo is very personable. The whole staff is very friendly. I ordered Combo 18 which was a burrito, taco, and rice and beans. All the food was very flavorful. The only thing I will change the next time I come here will be the burrito sauce. I would like it a little more spicer. But wow...the flavor best I've had in a while. Plus, they give you huge portions. Keep the smiles Arturo!!! read more

Not sure why there are only 3 stars for this little gem?! Atmosphere is authentic. Food is amazing. Prices affordable. Service was exceptional. I'll be driving from Tampa to eat here. Guac is definitely fresh. Every category should be 5 star. For you happy hour Lovers many specials. Give it a try! read more

El Toreo - Mexican Near Me - Ocala, Florida

Excellent Mexican food. Great service. For lunch I had the shredded beef burrito. It was delicious and filling. I will be back read more

El Toreo - The bar area - Mexican Near Me - Ocala, Florida

Holy Guacamole. Stopped here 10 minutes before closing and was treated like a king. Specifically, their Guacamole is amaze-balls

We frequently attend El Toreo on Thursday nights because of the mariachi band! They are so much fun and I love what they do for birthdays! My son loved it! And the food is awesome! But I may be bias because Mexican food is my all time favorite! Worth a try for sure! Oh and their Strawberry margaritas are amazing too!! read more

AVOID. This is probably the worst "Mexican" restaurant I've ever tried. I'm pretty sure that this place just suckers tourists and travelers in because of their bright sign and attractive facade. The food is the most bland "Mexican" food I've ever tasted. I ordered the "Grande Burrito" and when i cut it open there was finely ground beef "soup" inside. Not seasoned, no cumin, no marinade was used..nothing. It was the most bland filling I've ever had. I had to take the bowl of salsa for the chips and the jalapeño tobasco sauce and dump them all over it just to make it taste somewhat like an actual burrito. What made it worse was that I asked to be seated near a particular football game that was on and I pointed out the TVs. The manager told the hostess to seat him in the big area because "there are a lot of TVs there". Well I was 20 yards from any tv where I was seated, in a giant booth for 8, and I was alone. If you like real good Mexican food, then avoid this place. This is just some type of cash cow operation to fleece people. You'd be better off going to Taco Bell. AVOID. read more

The setting has a typical Mexican feel to it. Stained glass chandeliers, vintage light posts, and wooden seating. The quantity of food is fantastic for the price, the flavors are flavorful and authentic to Mexican cuisine, and the service is humble and fast. read more

I was traveling from Tallahassee (go noles) to Orlando for a short trip. On my way down I see a huge sign that said "best Mexican restaurant" and "El Toreo" on it. I was hopeful as I got off the exit and went to El Toreo. I was seated and I ordered cheese dip. Our waitress brought us our chips, salsa and bowl of cheese dip. The cheese dip is 3.95 and to be painfully honest, that cheese dip was the saddest excuse of cheese dip I've ever had. She placed it on our table and left. The small bowl was on top of another plate, cheese spilling everywhere. It was starting to get hard at the top, and I assumed that was because it was old and was sitting under a heat lamp. As soon as I saw that cheese plate, I knew I was in for a long ride. I ordered a grande burrito and my friend got a steak burrito. I was excited for chicken, beef, rice and beans. When the food came out, i saw a fat burrito sitting on a plate with beans already spilling out. I take a bite on one side it's all finely grounded beef. And when I say ground beef, I mean JUST beef. No seasoning, no color to it, just bland tasteless beef. I move to the middle of the burrito and hit the shredded chicken. The chicken was okay but a lot better than the tasteless gray beef. After I picked at my poorly presented burrito, i look up to see that my friend also picked away at her steak burrito. The tortilla was soggy, almost as if we were eating pasta. Poorly presented food, and the waitress was rough and spilled our water when refilling our glasses. Do yourself a favor and go to Taco Bell read more

Food was delicious as always. Service was fast and our meals came out fast as well. Ordered the Bistec a la Tampiqueña and it was good, but I believe it needed a little extra seasoning as it was a little blend, but the refried beans were super delicious and seasoned to perfection. Overall it was a great experience. Dined on 1/27/17 read more

El Toreo - Mexican Near Me - Ocala, Florida

Everything was just OK. Service was good but margaritas not very strong, food isn't seasoned as well as some other places I've been to and the beef fajitas were overcooked and dried out. Atmosphere is great but it feels like they should be better read more

Very good Mexican food. Not the best I've ever had, but good. I always have a tamale and a beef enchilada and it rocks! The best Mexican restaurant in the area. read more

Was not thrilled. The food was wrong, the waiter added an extra drink onto my bill that I was not served then was upset with me when I asked to remove the unserved drink off my bill. Food was kinda dry, and thrown together poorly. This used to be a good place to go, but the place has gone downhill from what I can see. read more

This used to be a great place but not anymore. Go to La Hacienda or Pepes on Hwy 40. Both are close to the interstate. Tonight I was so disappointed when I was served a small bowl of Guacamole for 3.95. It was totally processed. It was squirted our of a plastic bag in the kitchen. Not homemade at all! Do yourself a favor exit on 40 not 200 for real Mexican!! read more

Worst fajitas I've ever had. The sprite was also terrible. The waitress was OK nothing special. Put some seasonings on the chicken.

Food was ok at best. Very bland and my flautas were greasy and tasteless. Service was extremely slow for the small crowd and abundance of staff standing around. This was my 2nd time trying this place but I won't be returning. What a shame. read more

El Toreo is simple amazing. Been a customer for years now and it's the best Mexican food I've ever had anywhere. read more

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After having a couple of bad lunch experiences at El mescal(new cook?) it was time to find another Mexican restaurant. We decided to try el toreo . We were not disappointed we both had the lunch specials which were super reasonable I really expected the portions to be small because of the prices but was I surprised portions are big as well as delicious I had the beef tamale and burrito tamale came with shredded beef my husband's chimichanga also came with shredded beef the salsa and chips are delicious as well. So glad we took the chance to go there plus they also offer outdoor dining . Look up their daily specials they're amazing read more

This is my "go to" for Mexican food. Only three stars, but don't let that fool you. Mexican isn't exactly haute cuisine. It's basically hot junk food. It's good, it's cheap and the beer is ice freakin cold. There are two things that bring me back again and again, the beer (Modelo draft), and Arturo at the bar. He's absolutely the best! If you go, ask for him and tip double, don't be cheap, lol... read more

El Toreo - View from the bar at El Toreo - Mexican Near Me - Ocala, Florida

Processed cheese! Need I say more? It was an oily melted pile on my plate. And, what seemed like an inexpensive menu was just the starting point for an over the top up sell pricing system. Unless you wanted a chile relleno that was actually a stuffed bell pepper you needed to pay extra for a poblano pepper (which is what the dish really should be.) There were three up sells to my Margarita alone. I will give a thumbs up to our server, William, who did a good job overall, despite the obnoxious up sells and terrible food. read more

El Toreo - Premium Herradura Margarita, wonderful! - Mexican Near Me - Ocala, Florida

Abismal service unfortunately, I complained that the tacos had an ingredient that i did not ordered, specifically cheese as I can't stand it, instead of easily correcting the situation the establishment disputed my claim they where pieces of the tortilla, but im glad as they saved me from their food, noticing that a health inspector shut the place down in Nov 2020 for 14 infractions and had mold like substance in the ice machine in March 2021 as per public reports. Thanks! read more

We were looking for someplace Mexican for dinner so, even after all the reviews, we decided to try this place. We ordered the queso fundido which was really very greasy and instead of chorizo, it tasted like it was ground beef. It was supposed to be our appetizer but our meal came out practically before we had a chance to taste it. The rest of the meal was only ok. Typical chain food tex-mex fare. Service was a little ditzy but she was young. We might go to El Toreo again but I'm sure we can find someplace better. read more

We sat outside for lunch. Food was ok but what upset me was seeing a Yorkie in a car with the windows up. He was panting and so I went back to the outside patio area and asked if anyone knew about the the dog in the black Honda. This guy sitting with another guy said yeah that's me and had an angry attitude telling me the dog was fine. I offered to give the dog some water but realized that the dog owner wanted me to go away... I should have just called the police about the dog because it's against the law to do what he did. The entire scene made me never want to go back to that restaurant again. Just sickens me. read more

Good margaritas. Classic Mexican cuisine. One of my favorite restaurants! When I crave Mexican food, it's El Toreo that does the trick!

Cant go wrong with .99 margerita wednesdays! Good size plate for the carne asada fajitas! Staff friendly and waitress attentive! read more

El Toreo - .99 cent margarita night! Yay! - Mexican Near Me - Ocala, Florida

All I can say is fresh, huge portions and great prices. The waitress assisted me with my choices and she was spot on. The sweet teas was fresh, the complimentary salsa and chips were fresh made, intact the chips were still warm. read more

El Toreo - Mexican Near Me - Ocala, Florida

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Fresh house made chips and salsa and very large and very good margaritas. Highly recommend the frozen strawberry margarita with sugar laced around the glass. Good place to stop in and get your fill of Mexican food. Did I mention that when you order the fajitas you get twice the quantity compared to Chilis? read more

Best Mexican around always in and out!! Would highly recommend this place!!!! The night time bartender ( can't remember his name) but he always knows what we want to drink no matter how long it has been since we went last!! A MUST TRY if you have not before!! read more

We love this place. We stop here every year on our way to Maine and again on the way home in the fall. The food is absolutely delicious and well priced. My cocktail was perfectly made. Esmeralda was our server and took excellent care of us. Try it. You won't be disappointed. Kathie & Tom read more

I would not recommend. Music would get very loud and then low. Outdoor eating area didn't seem clean. Margaritas not good at all, as was the food. Service however was quick and our waitress was very personable. Please stay healthy! read more

Ive been coming here off an on for about 17 years with family and friends. The menu has changed but it's still good. The drinks are usually pretty good and they always have a happy hour special which is great. The chips and salsa are usually super fresh and the chips are still warm when they get to the table. I usually get the fish tacos (I get everything on the side). There's always leftovers for the next day and they are just as yummy. The burritos are always huge and delicious. It's easy to see why it's been in Ocala for as long as it has been read more

El Toreo - Mexican Near Me - Ocala, Florida

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I liked their salsa. It was simple and fresh, with a little heat. The rest of the meal was downhill. It took at least 10 minutes just to get a waitress and some water/drinks ordered. The beef in our appetizer (Nachos Supremos) tasted like Taco Bell meat, and the nachos were poorly constructed and covered in iceberg lettuce. My enchiladas verde were stuffed with tough, old chicken in red sauce. The shells were stale. Pretty gross overall. read more

Great food, great service, wonderful hospitality. Fabulous outdoor seating that is dog friendly and so inviting. They brought my dog water and her own plate! My dogs are very well trained to eat lunch so it makes me very happy to see more restaurants welcoming us. read more

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My husband and I went there with only 10 mins before they closed and still offered us a seat. We both ordered the chicken enchiladas combo with rice and beans. Now my husband is not really big on Spanish rice but he cleaned his plate including the rice. I loved the food. It was delicious. Customer service was great too, very attentive read more