Food was as advertised! Enchilada sauce was best ever and the horchata is homemade on site and served with a burning cinnamon stick. Haley was our server and she did a great job handling a number of tables in a full dining room. We will be back! read more

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Very sizable portion and very delicious. Service was pleasant and attentive. Every portion was enough for 3 people.

I believe this is the best Mexican food in Tucson!!! The last 4 parties/events I have planned have been catered by El Torero. Most definitely THE BEST green corn tamales in Arizona- probably the country- but everyone in Tucson knows that. For one of our big events we had the Casadilla Bar- crazy good. Over the past two weeks I had a party for 80 and a party for 40. Both had mini chimis, mini tamales, rice, beans, salsa, chips, tortillas, guacamole and carne. Let Mike do the work and you enjoy the party!!!! read more

This is one of my favorite mexican restaurants. The owners of the old midtown Lueras are running the place. This means you get the friendly service from Mike and the classic green corn tamales we all love. The menu is classic Mexican food. The combination plates will give you a sampling of many favorite dishes. There is also a special menu that includes vegan dishes and interesting spins on Mexican food. Also, don't pass on the wings. read more

El Torero - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

A Tucson Staple! How have I not been here before? It was my first time dining in! Parking is somewhat limited. Doesn't seem like much upon walking up but it's very spacious inside with lots of seating. The staff is super friendly. The chips & salsa are absolutely amazing! Rule of thumb, of the chips & salsa are good, that means the food's gonna be good. I ordered the 2x2 which is 2 tacos and 2 enchiladas and a Cherry limeade! Everything was so delicious and I can't wait to bring my family! read more

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Simply THE BEST!!! Our server Heather could not be better! So attentive and personable. The food is wonderful! Huge portions and delicious! Gotta try the Elote and Bacon Crisp!!! read more

Food and service was great. So good my co-worker in from Las Vegas went back on his next visit to Tucson!

Expensive, I'll just keep taking the drive with family and friends to Nogales Mexico and pay half the price for authentic Mexican cuisine

Gotta be my favorite old school Mexican restaurant. Cheese enchiladas like I had growing up - cheddar cheese inside. Broiled so edges are crispy even with the additional Chili Con Carne on top. The latter was chunks of very tender beef in a deep chili gravy. I had a flashback to my old days in Tucson. read more

El Torero - 3 cheese enchiladas and chili con carne on top. So good. - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

El Torero Restaurant. Just ate the most delicious green Chile beef burrito at this amazing place. It was humongous. The green chile sauce was delicious. The service was so friendly (and they read my mind). The decor -- everything from a marlin on the wall, arroqueño mezcal, statues of angels, bears drinking bear, great neon beer signs, and, of course torero paintings. Complemented the cooking on the way out, and one of the Hultquists --the owner? pointed out the chef, "my son." read more

El Torero - Historical marker in the bathroom? so cool. - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

For my daughter's birthday dinner she specifically requested Mexican food and she wanted "a tamale with rice and beans." So, we made plans to go eat at the restaurant where the best tamales in Tucson are made. Lerua's has always been our go-to place for tamales for Christmas and this tradition continues today despite their location on Broadway having been taken by the City for the Broadway expansion project. Now, the only place you can get Lerua's tamales is at El Torero so that's where we went for dinner. This was my first time dining-in at El Torero (usually we just get our tamales from them to-go) and we were not disappointed! The portions were generous and the flavors were outstanding! I ordered the albondigas soup which was rich and hearty! I love that they put rice in the soup (the way it should be!) and also appreciated that the veggies were all bite-sized instead of being a giant slab of carrot or potato. My daughter got her birthday wish - a Lerua's tamale with rice & beans - and she cleared her plate... but she was the only one. The rest of us were stuffed before our plates were finished so we had the best leftovers for breakfast in the morning! I just headed up the leftovers in a pan and tossed a couple eggs on it to make one of the best breakfasts I've had in a while! El Torero is a sleeper but well worth the trip. It's another perfect example of a locally owned independent business that adds to legendary culinary culture we have in our City of Gastronomy! You can't go wrong with anything on the menu - it's as authentic as it comes - and it's the ONLY place we get our Christmas tamales from... and birthday tamales apparently too! Don't think twice - make the trip to South Tucson for a fantastic meal with amazing service and delicious margaritas. read more

El Torero - 3 Taco Plate - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Our neighbors have been coming here for years, and they took us here for the first time. It felt like a classic Mexican food restaurant from the 70s and 80s, but with a modern edge. The food was great. We split the tamale pie and it was more than enough. The service was very friendly. We will definitely go back. read more

Best Mexican food in Tucson/Oro Valley. We drive an hour round trip just to have a meal at El Torero. I'm from L.A. and have not had a better meal of Mexican food since I moved to Oro Valley. Such a joy. And they have vegan options too! read more

Amazing food in a dive bar atmosphere. Loved it. If I'm ever in Tuscon again will definitely go back. read more

El Torero - Chips and salsa - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

El Torero just catered my niece's graduation party last eve. Talk about absolutely incredible. The food was amazing. They had chicken, pork and beef taco bar, with rice and beans, the best tortillas and salsa as well as guacamole. It was amazing and I would highly recommend to anyone that wants to have the best taco bar catered ever!! read more

Friendly, local and consistently delicious! The carnitas crisp and refried beans are heavenly. One of the best places in Tucson for an authentic Mexican food experience. The fusion and specials are also mind blowingly fantastic. read more

El Torero - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Not worth the wait. The carne asada tacos were burnt black. Cheese was actually rock hard and pitxh black. When I brought it to their attention they wanted to know if I just wanted the cheese melted. Really? I watched my friends have dinner as I waited for them to burn the just tortilla on the second try. Never again. Don't waste your time or money. read more

El Torero - Burnt tacos. - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Excellent visionary cuisine and incredible flavors... Chef Mike takes his famous menu of tried and true favorites (the Hank, the Tatum) and adds his incredible rotating special menu of deliciousness fit for Royalty! It's as authentic as it gets for being a tasty Tucson original, locally family owned and operated. Oh yes the staff is solidly confident and super nice! And It's an older building with unique character!,, read more

Food was pretty good for them being out of items as well as a broken fryer, the service was not great and neither was the carafe of margaritas which for $30 should not have ice in it, pretty ridiculous! Don't waste your money or time! read more

Food was delicious as always. One of the best family owned Mexican restaurants still around.

A quaint old Tucson restaurant. This restaurant is easy to miss even if you're looking for it. The food is good and the service is friendly. Supposedly, they have a special menu with that day's additional dishes. The restaurant has been around since the late 50s, so it's not the most updated restaurant. I had the poke and enjoyed the dish. It was a good price for the portion. read more

El Torero - Poke - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Best meal in Tucson! Please add this to your list of "must do's" if you're visiting Tucson, or if you live here, you're SUPER lucky. My meal was a blend of heat, spice and a palette delight. Nicest staff around town. read more

the most delicious creative flavorful takes on traditional mexican food we have had in all of tucson - no comparison- what they do with tamales, tacos, fish, albondagas soup and churros! can't wait to bring friends and family, what a great discovery! read more

El Torero - churros extraordinare - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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honestly the food wasnt good. overcooked meat, no flaver except for onion and the frescas were bitter. overly priced. not worth it. we got take out but the ambiance was like their food: boring. read more

What a gem hidden away in an older neighborhood. Decided to try it because of other reviews. Cons first. It is very loud! Don't plan on an intimate conversation. Tables are fairly close together and it is a large open area. So you can hear everything. It took about an hour from the time we sat down until we got our food. Not sure if this is the norm, but don't be in a hurry if it is. Tables are smaller so not a ton of room to spread out. Parking is interesting, not a lot in the front, but some along the street. Pros. The food was absolutely amazing! I got the chicken flautas with the beans on the side. They had a yummy jalapeño creama on them. And the chicken was cooked perfectly! My husband got the carnitas burrito with the works. The pork had a slightly sweet flavor to it. Amazing!!! We did order a cheese crisp which was cooked a bit to much but tasted good. If your in a wheelchair, pretty much every table is accessible. And there are no steps. The parking might be a problem though. A bit pricey but I'm going to say totally worth it. We will definitely be back! read more

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Last time I was here was 1999; yeah I never get to this side of town much. As then and now, this place has outstanding food; the chili relleno, made with poblano chilies are to die for. Since I grew up with this style of home cooking, I'm a bit partial to their way of cooking. Service is impeccable; the staff is always a glance away If you don't try this place, you're missing out on something special. read more

I ate here a few days ago with a group of friends. It was mid-afternoon in July, so not at all crowded. Service was good. I had a green chile burro, which was quite spicy without adding salsa. It was OK, but I've had better. I also had a virgin mint julep agua fresca, which was refreshing but small. read more

Took my family here after the we went to the gem show. We were in-between lunch and dinner so our party of 7 lucked out and we're seated right away. The chips were served with two types of salsa - both were amazing. Margaritas can be purchased by the carafe which was great for our big party. I had a carne asada taco and a green corn tamale. The masa was a little too sweet for my taste but it was still good. The taco had carne asada, jalapeños, crispy onions, and guac. It was unique! The crispy onions were life changing. My mom loved they had patty tacos just like her mom used to make. (Her mom worked at their cousin restaurant Leruas way back when too) I am glad I got to introduce her to another restaurant in the family. Love the pink building. Parking is a little limited and I wasn't actually sure which building the restaurant is but I'm glad they had the 'we're open' sign on the door. Large parties take note - the restaurant prefers one check but will do two. Service was great. We will definitely be back! read more

The food, service and atmosphere were wonderful. The service was awesome and the food was amazing. I ordered the Mahi Mahi fish tacos for dinner. I love fish tacos but these were the best I had ever! I would definitely recommend them. I'm definitely going back to sample more of the food! read more

Old school Mexican place that serves some yummy food with very good service. Pull into the parking lot -- or across the street if the lot is full with customers -- and walk into the pink building is like going back in time. This place exudes Mexico. Not the tourist Mexico but a true local place that quietly gets the job done. Interior decor is well, "old", maybe even "worn". But so what when you get your food. "Comfortable" seems right to describe the ambiance at El Torero. To start with our party of 4 was quickly seated and served with chips & salsa which was outstanding. A pico style salsa & a just - right spicy red salsa with chips put a smile on my face from the get-go. I had the Bandera enchiladas -- slurped 'em up and was full. Had a bite of green tamales -- definately will order that the next time. All in our party commented on the lava-hot food when it was when delivered to the table. When they say "hot plate" they mean it. Service was 100% perfect! Staff looked like they enjoyed their jobs as evidenced by their positive comments, smiles, prompt service. We had been in El Torero before the pandemic. We're glad they are still around and we will definately come back. read more

Great classic Mexican menu as well as interesting and modern specials. We started with the cheese crisp which id as large as an 18" Italian pizza, and very generous with the cheese and green chile peppers. Two in our party had burritos which are also very generous sized and packed with fillings. In one case packed with carne seca! I had carne seca tacos with side of rice and beans. If you've never been before the entrance may be hard to see from the street so keep an eye out. Another great meal in Tucson! read more

Still my favorite place - My foodie sons came to Tucson for the holidays and said if they ate there the next day that would be fine with them. I take everyone here. It's authentic and delicious! I'm from Southern California and food here is SO much better. Yay! read more

I went to ET with a friend who considers this his "place to go." You have to pay attention on finding this along 4th Ave. Never heard of this place even though I have lived in Tucson over 30 years. We knew about Luera's but did not know they joined with ET. The restaurant is decidedly old school Tucson which is a positive. Interestingly, I ordered the "old school tacos" which were packed with a large patty. They were good but I will probably order something different on my next visit. The service was good. Go for the hot salsa. They could have been more generous on the chips. Given that this was my first visit, I decided on giving them a 4. read more

Stopped in about 6:00pm and the restaurant was packed. We were told it could be a 45 minute wait but after 10 minutes they found a table for us. The wait staff were hustling yet friendly. The margaritas were a perfect balance of sweet and tart. The atmosphere is basic which we prefer yet vibrant with the large parties enjoying conversation and food. For food, our table ordered: -#7 combo plate of chili con carne, calabacitas and a guacamole tostada -#9 combo plate of green corn tamale, chili con carne tostada and beans -Chili verde, rice & beans plate And, silly me thought I needed a side of black beans too. Needless to say we had more than enough food. It was all served hot and full of flavor. Even the chips and salsa were so good it was hard to stop nibbling. Tomorrow we will be enjoying our remaining chili con carne and beans with eggs on top for breakfast. One of the best Mexican restaurants in town. read more

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Seriously cannot say enough goods things about this place. The Mexican food is authentic and the wings are probably the best in Tucson. Been there twice in 2 weeks and am going to make darn sure I'm there weekly. The staff is friendly and the owners on-site and Mike n Mikey make sure your meal was to satisfaction. They have 2 types of salsa that are both delicious with tortill chips and the place has been frequented by some Hollywood stars. Set in the middle of old Tucson near 4th Avenue and 26th street down a quiet street in the old barrio. AN ABSOLUTE HIDDEN GEM SINCE 1956. Don't miss out! read more

El Torero - Wings - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Little hard to spot this place. Went to try on friend's recommendation. Walked in it's a very under stated layout. Not a thing fancy. Almost walked back out. Ordered carne asada tacos & a side chili rellano. Chips & salsa were great. Downhill from there. Took one small bite of the rellano and I pushed it away. The tacos were loaded with meat. But everything had a lime sour taste to it. Service was great. Tipped the lady 20%. Not her fault I didn't like the food. read more

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The people, the service, the food, the margaritas--it's all amazing. We're adventurous diners and have eaten all sorts of food at all levels of gustatory delight. The owner was friendly and welcoming from the first moment. His son is the chef--I have no clue if he studied culinary art or if he's a practiced genius. Regardless, the food was out of the ball park crazy delicious. We asked the server to recommend a tasty drink. They make their own margarita mix in house: fantastic. She happily chose entrees for us, as well: again, fantastic. We started with traditional margaritas, chips and salsa, and the carnitas crisp. We could've stopped there, but the tamale pie and shrimp tacos came rolling in. EVERY BITE was pure Heaven. read more

My whole experience was a mess. To start i pulled up in their tiny parking lot. Thankfully there was parking. I walked up to the door were a large table displayed the menu. There was no indication if I should wait there or go inside. I decided to go inside. The cashier had his back to me as he was ringing in an order and didn't acknowledge me for 5 minutes. While I stood there awkwardly another lady came up to the screen door and asked if she was supposed to wait outside or inside. I told her I was unclear too. She came in and wasn't acknowledged either. Finally the cashier turned around and asked for our names. He said 4 Square (online ordering) was delayed and they're just getting the orders in. He didn't instruct us to wait inside or outside or in our cars. Due to COVID we all decided to wait in our cars. The two ladies inside with me had cars next to me and another person who came in after us and ordered all had their orders delivered to their cars and left. I went inside again and he fetched my order. By this point I'd been there for 30 minutes. My drive home is only 7 minutes but my fries were not cooked. They were chewy and slightly cold. My vegan tofu burger on the other hand was severely over cooked. The bun on top and inside was burned. The coating on the tofu was also so hard and burned, I had to remove it to eat the tofu. The avocado was thankful fresh and the dressings were flavorful. Due to COVID safety or lack there of and burned food, it's doubtful I'll be back. It was also pretty pricey ($16) for what it was. read more

El Torero - Bun burned inside and out - Mexican Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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A hidden Mexican restaurant with a large menu and fabulous Mexican food. I highly recommend this place. Be aware that the portions are very generous. read more

Great food, excellent service! We recommend it to anyone visiting town. My father in law is a very picky eater, but he loves this places and wants to go every time they visit. read more