I'm heartbroken. This used to be one of my favorite Monterey spots. My family and i dined here on Saturday 6/12 for our cousins bridal lunch. This is her favorite restaurant so we made a reservation for 7 of us ladies. We arrived and we're promptly seated. While seated at our tables some staff was standing close by loudly counting and swapping tips, not a huge deal but seemed slightly unprofessional. We were informed that the restaurant had run out of chips since we were there shortly after lunchtime and we were informed that they are making more, which again is fine but it took over an hour for us to receive any chips. Our biggest issue and annoyance was several people from our party received their food and we had NO silverware. Nothing. We asked one server and they said they would grab some, they never returned. We asked another server for silverware and we were informed that it was all in the dishwasher at the moment and we were offered no alternative or options. We were just sitting there with food clearly getting colder by the minute with no way to eat it. We finally asked a THIRD server who FINALLY helped and grabbed us some of those packaged to go silverware for take out orders. We also some minor issues such as sides being wrong but by that point we were exhausted of trying to track servers down to help. We felt like there was no structure or management in charge. Nobody seemed to care or take pride in their job and we were never offered even a simply apology which would have gone along way with us. We are saddened because we used to love this place but now i don't even think i could ever recommend this place to any friends or family. read more

We eat at the restaurant yesterday and the service was great. Gorge our waiter had excellent customer service. He recommended a few items in the menu and the were delicious. We had a great time. read more

We had a great happy hour at here with Tami as our server and Kyle. The papas was and sliders were amazing.

Delicious food for a great price. I had the tacos al pastor which were very flavorful and delicious. The corn cake they give you on the side is very good too. We were seated with an ocean view and served quickly with great customer service by Maria. If you're looking for a cheaper place to eat while downtown, this will deliver affordability and flavor. read more

i had a reservation for 5:30 pm. i came on time and host told me to wait a few minutes for the next table to open up. i patiently waited with my 3 friends. We had our senior prom shortly which is why we made a reservation. i check the time and its already 6:15. Whats the point of taking reservations if you arent going to sit us down by time? We watched as parties who were just walk ins get sat down before us. We finally get sat down and the forks and knives have leftover food stuck on them. very unsanitary. tables still had food on them from the last party who sat there. When asking for a refill, server rolls her eyes and has attitude. the food took 45 minutes to come out. i have been a server for 3 years now. I am not clueless as to how customers should be treated. felt very unwelcomed. will not be returning. read more

I have had the worse experience ever here I brought all my nieces and nephews on my day off party of 15 I use to be a server mind you first time off with my family my 9 nieces and nephews and my son. Mind you I asked for silverware multiple times and napkins and never were brought. I made reservations one week prior. I have never felt so disrespected and degraded ever in my life until I came here. I don't want to say my name nor my families but we were so disrespected by staff because we had kids and a lot of them my brother had adopted and raised kids for years so this was my first experience to take them out and pay. I tried to make sure everthing was right to make everything go right. To be let down we had a server that shaked his head and didn't smile but greeted the party next to us the up most respect to let these kids down and see how divided this world is today. I will never come back there for the way my family was treated. I got brought my food with no silverware and asked multiple times for it . Then for our kids to sit alone and no one brought them silverware or napkins until I walked up and did it myself. Mind you I have been a server since I was 14 and managed a restaurant for a while and never disrespected a customer ever to just be disrespected. I work now in a hospital and realize how much people judge a book by its cover I'm so sad that I had my family experience this and el Toronto management never stepped in. I watched the host walk by multiple times and never once did they help. I will never come back nor tip normally I tip well but I didn't this and felt bad why do i feel bad after he very disrespected me and my family no compassion for a first family outing!! so disappointed!! will never come back. shame on you for being my own server and shame on you for the disrespect! read more

Saul is the best bartender ever! His drink creations are out of this world! His food recommendations are so delicious! You will have a fantastic experience at El Torito with Saul as your bartender! We highly recommend him! read more

TACO TUESDAY! Yes delicious $1 tacos! Cheap a** margaritas! Its the spot to go to Tuesday nights in Monterey! Now to find a place like that in the bay! read more

The place and people are nice. I went over there at least three times. Tried several dishes, and I was always disappointed. The food is simple not good. read more

Wow, they have really reinvented themselves! This place is great, if you have not been here in a while...go!! The new happy hour menu is great! read more

Cadillac margarita at happy hour prices is AWESOME!! not to mention it tastes great too. Food was above average mexican fair. Steak tacos....mmmmm. Views are spectacular. read more

Pomegranate Martini - to die for! Yum! You can't beat the view from this place. You can leave your vehicle in the parking lot (you have to pay to park elsewhere) after you eat - then you can walk down to Cannery Lane & the aquarium. Great place! read more

Great food and great service from our server, Cres!

Can't beat the view of basking harbor seals and foraging sea otters. Tasty Mexican dishes and friendly staff. Make reservations for dinner on the weekend or come early for a spot by a window overlooking the bay. read more

This is a great place to go for a relaxing meal that won't break the bank. You can't beat the location right on the waterfront at Cannery Row. My husband and I come here about once a month. We always request a window seat so we can enjoy the wildlife and the amazing bay view. The food is typical Mexican chain but we've found a few items we really enjoy and tend to stick to them. The cocktails are yummy and the service is usually pretty good. It is always packed on the weekends so plan to wait a min of 30 minutes. read more

The wait staff were very prompt and impressive. The food was nothing to go back for, just not sure where the seasonings were.

Great waitress fast service she never left us without a drink even though she was busy she was great sucks I forgot her name. Food was good and drinks were even better thank you so much KCCO!! read more

The view is incredible but the service and food is something to be desired. I came here with my parents and we peered very simply--2 salads, a fish taco, and a cheese enchilada. It took a good 20 minutes to get water, and another 30 for food. Once the food came out, the enchilada and fish taco were luke warm and had obviously been sitting out for a while. They brought out egg rolls instead of a salad, then forgot the avocados on the salad, which was the main ingredient. The staff is nice, however they seem overworked and the food can be missed. We were looking for a simple low key Mexican dinner and were very unpleased. Luckily we had a great view to pass the time. read more

This was by far the most beautiful El Torito we had ever been to, because we sat by the large arched windows in the main dining area overlooking the ocean at sunset! If you can score one of these seats, the view is amazing. We even saw otters outside the window during dinner. We had to wait for quite a while on a Friday evening for our party of 6 (about 35 minutes) but the view made up for it. We had a great server, great margaritas, normal El Torito food. Overall the kids, my husband and I had a great time. read more

This place is great for kids! Kid friendly menu and it has a great view! Food and service were just ok. The waitress messed up on a few things, but was very apologetic! The reason for going here was that we were able to make reservations and have a window seat. While here we saw: whales, dolphins, sea lions and sea otters. Even though I am only giving it 3 stars I would go back again just for the view. read more

The view is the best thing going here. The food is mediocre. Service is consistently SLOW and between bad and ehhh. Don't waste your time with so many other options in Monterey. read more

It is an El Torito's - take it as that- hit or miss with food: great drinks & specials- lots of nice people in a great ocean front view--- makes up for any food deficiencies --- it's a fun place - so enjoy it as it is: read more

Horrible horrible service. Took forever for food and even longer for our checks and ended not even getting our discount but we were over it and just wanted to leave. It was our friends birthday and it was just a horrid experience. Food was cold as well so that didnt even make it better. Do not recommend! read more

Good thing tacos are so good and the taco lady was so sweet because the service sucks. Took waiter 15 min to bring us drinks and another 30 to bring the bill after we asked. BUT I will be back next Tuesday ;) read more

By far the worst restaurant I have Ever been to. We Had reservations for 13 (7 kids) for 6pm. When we arrived at 5:30 they said they were running late. Waited for over 1 hour before we were seated. When I mentioned to the General Manager that had we been 15 min late they would have given our reservation away, he said there was nothing he can do. To top it off the food was HORRIBLE. By far the worst restaurant in the Monterey Bay Area. Seriously, I am not being sarcastic. Only decent thing was the view. If I could give 0 stars or even negative stars I would. Will never come back here again, and I'll make sure all my friends, colleagues, and family know not to come to this place. I actually feel like taking out a full page add in the local newspaper to worn people about this horrible place. Would have rather had tacos from a taco truck then come to this despicable place. Seriously, stay away!! And as you can see, I do not yelp @ all, but I felt that I needed to let people know to stay away from this place. Waste of time, money and energy. read more

Poor service. Had to wave someone down to take my order. And again to get my bill. While I waited for my bill, noticed floors and walls were very dirty. Needed maintenance work and started to smell a foul order.... Hope I don't get sick! read more

Amazing location on Cannery Row and a fun atmosphere. The food is decent, chips and salsa are great. Ocean views, great for families or groups. Daily dining specials and a busy bar. It hasn't changed much in 16 years and that is a good thing. Depending on the night, the wait time can be 20-45 minutes to get a table. Waiter was great. I return every time I'm in town. read more

I want to El Torito for Happy Hour yesterday, and I loved it! The Happy Hour specials are awesome ($3 off appetizers, $5 margaritas, beer & wine specials). My friend and I split the Fiesta Platter (flautas, cheese quesadillas, spicy buffalo wings, and nachos served with guacamole). Yum! We definitely got the bang for our buck! On top of that, El Torito has a great view of the water. I plan on going again soon. read more

My three stars are mainly for the view. This restaurant has beautiful picture windows that show the water below!! I got the cheese quesadilla and my mother got the mahi mahi tacos. The cheese quesadilla was LOADED with cheese (a little too much for me personally) and the mahi mahi tacos were not that good. The waitress was uninterested in us and the food took forever. You are definitely just paying for the view. read more

Had a bad experience at first, but the management did right in addressing the issues. The place does have a great view and I will visit again read more

Food was not bad. Nachos were a bit tasteless. The flautas were excellent as long as paired witht the jalapeno jelly. Drinks were good, and i definately recommend taking advantage of happy hour. read more

Worst Mexican food I've ever had, my wet burrito tasted like they dipped it in Campbell's tomato soup. Enough said .

Walked in and 3 people were standing at the host stand with their backs to us. We said "excuse me", and they ignored us and started talking to each other. Then we asked if we are supposed to seat ourselves and a guy turned to us and said "I don't know what's going on" with a rude ass tone. Finally someone else came and seated us. View was great but that was the only great part. We waited over 45 minutes for our food when it wasn't even busy, then our waiter brought us 2/4 of the right plates and 2 plates that were someone else's. Whenever we asked for something he would forget and we would have to remind him multiple times. The food wasn't particularly good Mexican food either. Afterwards we all went to wash our hands and the women's bathrooms were trashed with toilet paper all over the floor. I'd definitely recommend skipping this place read more

Came in on a Saturday night, we were told it would take 30 mins to get seated, no problem the place smelt yummie. Within 20 mins we were already seated at our table, SCORE! Once we were seated it took our server 10 mins to acknowledge us (seems like he only had a few tables to wait on, not sure what the deal was). Ordered our food and it did take some times as there was 3 parties in that night. Once our food finally arrived it was actually pretty good, my Fiance and I both ordered the Fajitas. Tortillas were cold though, and our waiter was no where to be found to ask for heated ones, oh well. read more

Used to be better. Still have good food. Strawberry margarita was real good. Service is average. With their location they could turn this back into a higher class place. read more

Great seaside location, good food, slightly understaffed for my summer lunchtime visit . Had two meat combo,it was good

The service was horrible. 15 min wait with no line. They say us down at a huge booth with only two of us (awkward) We got chips and salsa quickly but no drinks order for 10 min. The food look about 15 min to come out. It was a good meal. The service was just not very good. Slow and not attentive. read more

Ate at the bar side -best window onto the pacific we have experienced in Monterey with lots of fun watching a seal hanging out on a rock with lots of nature. Great happy hour drinks - great taste and good value Had family style meal - it rocked ! Lots of great flavor and lots to eat! Best part was our server - took great care of us They were slammed at happy hour but took great care of us read more

I continued my love affair with fish tacos here. They were really good and my husband enjoyed his meal. While we waited we watched all the activity in the bay. Pretty good place to eat! read more

This place is better than the reviews. We ate in the bar. Great bartender! Had the 1800 fajitas and several mojitos. Everything was great!