Great atmosphere by the bar with football and music on. Great service and a wonderful place to take the family. Best fish tacos I have had all year and $10 on happy hour! read more

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El Torito in La Mesa is always a great experience. The food is consistently delicious, with generous portions and authentic flavors--especially the brunch . The chips and salsa are fresh and addictive, and the margaritas are perfectly made What really stands out is the service. The staff is welcoming and attentive, and Gilberto is very nice--friendly, professional, and made sure we felt well taken care of. read more

El Torito - Mexican Near Me - La Mesa, California

Well earned 5 Stars! I don't even want to leave this review in fear of it getting crowded now for brunch. Gone are the days of El Torito in Mira Mesa. I was a frequent visitor for their Sunday brunch. I knew there was one last location in La Mesa, I just discovered that this location offers brunch on Sundays. The food did not disappoint! Everything I tried was so good. They have a taco station that includes several meat choices like birria, carnitas, pollo, carne asada and el pastor. Omelette station. Ceviche, cocktail, and aguachile. So good! Several food stations and all of it tasted like authentic Mexican cooking! Chef's kiss. Price is not bad $39.99 which includes unlimited mimosas. Customer service was excellent. I believe her name was Amanda. She was so personable! She kept the champagne flowing and checked on us the whole time we were there. We got there early (they open at9:00am) but by the time we left it was getting crowded. It's a pretty big location so plenty of seating. read more

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We come with a group of friends just about every week for Taco Tuesday. You can't beat the price of the tacos here! The staff, especially Gilberto, who is awesome, knows our drink orders and we love to joke around with them...we always have a great time. The food is wonderful, they never rush us, and we always leave in a good mood. However, the restaurant on the whole could benefit from a deep clean and some TLC from top to bottom. The tile floors are sticky, the carpets need to be steam cleaned, and some touch ups like this are much needed. read more

I love the bar's happy hour and their bartender Sergio is amazing best drinks and amazing customer service !!! I recommend everyone to come and enjoy the drinks and food. read more

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They are always so friendly here. Like the Mexican causal vibe too. This is the last El Torito in San Diego. This burrito is huge and so delicious. I didn't know it had mushrooms in it which I loved. Going to come back for the happy hour. read more

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Our family and friends have a standing weekly dinner at El Torito, and the absolute highlight of our experience is Gilberto and Ramon. They are simply phenomenal! Week after week, they go above and beyond to make us feel not just like guests, but like family. Their attention to detail, kindness, and energy make every visit special. We've dined at many places, but the consistency, warmth, and genuine care that Gilberto and Ramon show us is unmatched. They're the reason we keep coming back, and honestly, we can't imagine our weekly dinner anywhere else. El Torito is lucky to have them, and we're so grateful for the joy they bring to our evenings! 10-07-25 Our family and friends have a standing weekly dinner at El Torito, and the absolute highlight of our experience is Gilberto and Ramon. They are simply phenomenal! Week after week, they go above and beyond to make us feel not just like guests, but like family. Their attention to detail, kindness, and energy make every visit special. We've dined at many places, but the consistency, warmth, and genuine care that Gilberto and Ramon show us is unmatched. They're the reason we keep coming back, and honestly, we can't imagine our weekly dinner anywhere else. El Torito is lucky to have them, and we're so grateful for the joy they bring to our evenings! read more

El Torito - Mexican Near Me - La Mesa, California

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I like this place and I'm glad it's still around. Some of the best salads. I just dislike when quality control goes downhill. I got 6 ass ends of the lettuce in my salad tonight. One... ok... two... meh, but 6?!? Unacceptable. read more

El Torito - 6 ass ends of lettuce in my FAJITA SALAD - GRILLED CHICKEN! - Mexican Near Me - La Mesa, California

Happy hour with my girlies!!! Such a good time. Gilberto took care of us so well and he's such a fun time :) we come here often and it only gets better. Plus how can you say no to $4 margaritas !? read more

El Torito - Our empty margs n wine - Mexican Near Me - La Mesa, California

I can't say enough good things about this place. The all you can eat brunch is absolutely amazing. If you are lucky enough to have Gilberto as your waiter you are in for an absolute treat, he is super attentive and a pleasure to be around 10/10 recommend brunch with Gilberto! read more

El Torito - Mexican Near Me - La Mesa, California

First time here one of the best experiences we've had in a long time the place is super clean and service is quick we were helped by Ramon he's the one that made the experience come together . Definitively will be coming back read more

We visit El Torito and it was delicious starting with the Mondays special margaritas $3 and then the yummy appetizers, finished with the best flan dessert. But what made our evening better was server Pantera, great, funny and fast server my kids loved him. We will definitely be back. read more

Nice and clean with very professional servers, we were here Saturday early eve, Happy hour options are great love it, Margarita flights appetizers delicious haven't been to el Toritos in many years I enjoyed it, I will come back to take advantage of the happy hour specials . Thank you. read more

Poor service. Dirty establishment. Mediocre food. But decent prices. I'm scared to even think about what the BOH might look like. Come here if you're looking for a cheap meal but don't expect much. read more

El Torito - "Street corn"?? more like can of corn with a tiny bit of cheese and a lime. Literally no other ingredients. Don't get this. - Mexican Near Me - La Mesa, California

Overall I'd give today's meal choices all together a strong 8.5 out of 10 only because the Birria shells weren't crispy/crunchy and the Carne Asada Fries tasted like old chopped up Carne Asada a little dry and not to my liking. The Chicken Flautas Were Bomb!! The Steak & Chorizo Tacos Also Were Bomb!! Birria Tacos Were Solid But Just Make The Shells Crunchy/Crispy. The Margarita Flights Were All Good Except The Original One Lol. Other Options Were Mango With Tajin Around The Rim & Blackberry With Black Salt Around The Rim. Both Were BOMBAY!!! All Choices Were From The Happy Hour Menu!!! Props To Mr Pedro The Server.. read more

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Gilberto was such an amazing waiter! He was very welcoming and funny! Super relatable and made sure we got taken care of. Was consistently make sure the food was great! And making sure we were nothing but smiles! Made my moms birthday very memorable! He's a great one to have there!! read more

Gilberto was our wonderful waiter. He provided top notch service and was very polite and super fun! We recommend this restaurant and ask for him, he's the best read more

El Torito's did it AGAIN! This is the 2nd-year we've held our Family Christmas Luncheon there and they did not disappoint! Special thank you to, Elizabeth (& Ivan)!! read more

El Torito - Elizabeth (Left) at El Torito's - Mexican Near Me - La Mesa, California

Miguel, our server, was awesome. Very friendly. Great sense of humor. I had shrimp tacos. He said he caught the shrimp fresh that day. Too funny. My friend and I had a great time. My friend has been going there for 20 years. Great service every time. I hope Miguel never leaves. 5 stars. read more

Sat down at the bar for a margarita. Waited a few mins. A good looking couple walks in after me and sits dow. The bartender shows up with chips and salsa, walks right by me without even turning her head, gives the beautiful couple the chips and salsa and takes their order. Thanks for making me invisible. Well, the margarita at Deano's pub is way better anyway. read more

First time visiting and it was great. Our group of 4 had a variety of entrees and all the food was great. Service was quick and Gilberto is very funny and kind, the kids loved him. Nice to know this is in the neighborhood for a casual night out. read more

Gilberto gave us great service again. Will come back for taco Tuesday!! Vibes were immaculate.

Came into restaurant for lunch. Air condition was not working. My bill was $37.00 but they tried to charge me 67.00

Wife and I are regulars usually for happy hours which is the best. This past Sunday we went with our good friends for brunch we had never gone before. One of the best brunches we have ever gone to. So much food selection and the unlimited mimosas is must so good. What always makes it better is the service outstanding the attention to detail is on point. To our server as we call him El Pantera best time every time. Viva el America! read more

Was contacted by the manager after my last review, decided to try one more time and went with a friend. Jay, our server very friendly, very personable very patient as we, my friend and I got to talk and hadn't had a chance to look at the menu. We did walk in right when they opened and they were still getting things situated so we had a little bit of a wait until someone brought us water, etc. but again I was with my friend so we were just talking away. Food was delicious (ordered off lunch menu) service was good and where we sat was a nice area off to the side where we could talk without too many people passing by. I did speak with the manager who reached out to me and we did kind of discuss what happened and so forth she encouraged me to continue to come back and after today, I will definitely will. Jay our server, spoke with the manager and then he came out and mentioned I guess you've been coming here for a very long time and I kind of shared with him, the history with El Torito. The area we sat was down by where the fireplace is which is very nice and again out-of-the-way not really a lot of people passing by. I hope when reading this, you will give El Torito's a try. read more

The service here was great! Gilberto was amazing and on top of everything. He was very attentive, friendly, and always happy and upbeat with all of his tables. He made sure we had everything we needed and really made the experience enjoyable. The food was really good too, with a great variety to choose from! read more

Food was great. Excellent service. Gilberto is always a great server and great attention to detail.

El Torito never fails us! The food is always great, price is very reasonable. Most of all, the service is always amazing. Gilberto is usually the waiter we get on Sunday brunch, and I am so happy because I would request him if I needed to. He is so attentive, always smiling, bubbly and has the best things to say to make your dining a great experience. read more

Good food and food is delivered really fast too. Really good service by Gilberto. Will be coming again.

The service was perfect. Gilberto did a great job on attending us and making every interaction meaningful. Thank you Gilberto!!

I was pleasantly surprised with the food, service and most of all prices for their happy hour. Met friends here on a Tuesday night and there was no wait for a table and quickly attended to. The restaurant was occupied but neither full nor empty. The happy hour is from 3-9 every day people! Unheard of! I enjoyed the food and cocktails. Also recently came with a large party reservation for Sunday brunch buffet. It was about $35 per person with mimosas. The buffet had breakfast, lunch and dessert items. Appreciate they do online reservations too. I hadn't been to this chain for years but will happily return soon. read more

El Torito - Grilled Chicken Sopes - Mexican Near Me - La Mesa, California

We came here our first night in town for happy hour. We sat at the bar and they gave us chips and salsa. The salsa was a bit spicy , which I don't mind. I got the margarita flight which was more sweet than anything but cute. I also got the mini tacos which came with 4. It was beef and chorizo tacos and they were really good. There happy hour specials were good for the price and I left full and happy. Would recommend for happy hour read more

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Gilberto and Arsha are highly attentive, friendly and knowledgeable. We enjoy our dinners here every time because of the great staff and service. A+++++ read more

I love this place. It's clean and big and everyone is friendly and the food is freakin fantastic. The brunch buffet + bottomless mimosas on the weekend are what dreams are made of. And, though I have always loved coming here, I've never had a standout server until we had GILBERTO. He was the best and a true delight and brought us special stuff and I just adore him. I will ask for him every time from now on and you should too!! read more

I don't normally leave reviews but this place was great. I came with a friend recently and the atmosphere was so warm and welcoming. We had street tacos and a steak quesadilla. I forget my server's name but the manager was super helpful, Anna E or something similar. Just wanted to say thank you!! read more

Well, where do I start? The bartender Miguel was really nice very attentive But let's start on the food The bacon wrapped shrimp was to die for. However, the picture that is shown is a verde sauce(green?) No, it was not green, so it was not verde! The tortilla soup could kill you My daughter threw up at the restaurant after she ate it And threw up u a past life when she got home All I gotta say is when you go to El Torito's here Choose wisely And don't order the tortilla soup read more

El Torito - This was supposed to be Carnitas Verde Does this look like a green sauce to you? So don't order any chili Verde from this establishment... - Mexican Near Me - La Mesa, California

My family was celebrating a birthday as we checked in they seem confused on where to sit seven people Even though we had a reservation. For a party of seven they're gonna sit us at a table for four. So we asked for another table so we could sit comfortably. Our waitress Stephanie was fantastic. She treated us with a smile and checked in on it periodically. The food was delicious. But for the restrooms for the men's the floor was sticky and my wife described the females as it hasn't been cleaned for hours. The restaurant wasn't busy, so the staff did have time to clean them. read more

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Went Saturday for their "Saturday Breakfast" and was first disappointed they no longer have buffet. Once again the wait staff were a complete letdown, slow, had to ask for refills, never checked on our order after it taking totally too long to receive. There was additional time as by the total lack of the food barely being warm our waitress left it suiting too long before serving. I can understand why the place was virtually empty when we arrived and now know why. read more

OK, I think this is the last El Torito's out here in San Diego. Happy hour wasn't bad. The only thing that didn't like is that the bartender tricked us into getting the skinny margaritas that were $15 instead of getting the $8 happy hour margarita price he told us that it did have two shots, but it had it would be less acidity than the regular margarita now thinking about it. I should've just taken out all the acid and just left it alone and not spent 80 bucks on margaritas either way I was fine. They had an anniversary party. It's kind of dead run down. Food was OK tortilla soup was delicious. read more

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The food here is outstanding and the service we got was top level!! The reason for the 2 stars is that the carpets in this place are worse than filthy. They are black from not being cleaned in so long and are so bad that your feet stick to the carpet when you walk on it. I had to wash off the bottoms of my shoes when I got home. Its disgusting!!! Makes me wonder what the kitchen looks like!! read more