We like to come over to enjoy a nice breakfast and a nice view the buffet is always incredible for the price and view is a good deal read more

El Torito - Enjoy a good breakfast - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

It's surprising that this place was open. We got a free appetizer by just checking into Yelp! We chose the guacamole! It was the best of all! I ordered the shrimp enchiladas it was ok. I think it can be better if they had put bigger shrimps. The tortilla was too thick. The staff was excellent! The location is nice. read more

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Came here for a bachelorette brunch. Food was so good. I loved the bottomless mimosas. Our server Rose was amazing. I definitely would come back especially for their Sunday Brunch Buffet. read more

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Me and my fiancé have dined at this place roughly three times. The main reason we came back is because of the beautiful scenery, on a nice sunny day the ocean view looks amazing. Also we wanted to give the food another try. I don't see myself returning soon unless its a on a sunny day... The food is not the best and overpriced. We ordered the fajitas, the steak was chewy and tough felt like I was chewing gum. The chicken was a bit dry but had decent flavor, and the shrimp was just okay. The complimentary chips and salsa were not that great, the salsa appeared to be water down. Another time we ordered tacos and enchiladas and they were decent. The service was okay nothing to really complain about, only thing is service could've been more friendly and attentive other than that it was fine. I would recommend this a try for the view. read more

I went for a long walk today in Monterey and I saw this restaurant on my way. I made my decision I wanted to eat there, I would wait as long as needed to get a seat next to the window overlooking the ocean. I approached the hostess, asked for a window seat and she had me seated almost immediately. I sat there for about 10 minutes before someone talked to me, I was given chips and salsa and told my waitress would be with me shortly. I asked her for a water with lemon and told her to tell the waitress to take her time, I was in no rush. About 5 minutes later my waitress stopped by to introduce herself and tell me she'd be right back. I told her no worries, I'm in no rush. She was only gone for a few minutes, came back and took my order. The chips were a bit more salty than I like and the salsa wasn't spicy at all which I personally prefer. I like the salsa to at least have a little kick to it, this had absolutely no kick. I ordered the chicken enchiladas and sour cream with rice and beans. The enchiladas were tasty, very tasty, but a little smaller portion size than I had hoped for. I destroyed the entire plate including the beans, but didn't touch the rice. I don't really eat rice anymore. I was happy with the taste of the food, I just wish there was a little more to it. I also ordered a Margarita, which was amazing. I personally thought it was overpriced, but considering the view I was enjoying, I was already expecting the prices to be elevated. I'll absolutely go back, most likely sometime in the next week or two during my one month trip here in Monterey. Everyone was very friendly and everything tasted great, especially the margarita. :) read more

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The view is amazing! The service decent and the food is fine. But the view is amazing! The fresh chips and salsa is great to start. I tend to order salads and they are good - respectable. This is a Tex mex kind of place not overly authentic. But the view takes it over the top for us. read more

Usually we come to Monterey four or five times a year. When we go out to eat we usually eat at least one night at El Torito restaurant as it usually has good drinks and food and we can sit looking out on the Bay. The last couple of meals at the restaurant the service has been off but the food and drinks have made up for it. Today we decided to have lunch at about one pm. The parking lot was empty and the restaurant it's self was sparsely packed. There were no patrons in the bar area, so you can imagine my surprise when the hostess said it would be an hour wait. Also, I might add that the hostess was very curt and offered no explanation as to why the restaurant was not seating customers. I might also add there were no other customers waiting for tables when we went in. I guess we will find a new place to hang out at. read more

Folks, If you are looking for an amazing place with great food and a fantastic ocean view that is also family-friendly, look no further than El Torito!! An amazing Mexican Restaurant right on the water looking over the beautiful bay view! My personal favorite time to visit this Monterey favorite is their all you can eat Sunday Brunch Buffet! Not only can you see the amazing sea life but the food!! I mean from the many options, enchiladas, tostadas, tamales, salads, tacos, seafood to the bottomless mimosas eating here is definitely an astounding experience. There is even a chocolate fountain and dessert bar!!! The buffet set up is easy to maneuver for everyone and anyone of all ages, the placement of the food options are very easy to read and to know what is what. The staff needs to get a special shout-out themselves!! Especially my own waitress, Luce!!Always checking in, providing friendly conversation and making sure I have an excellent time! The hosts? Respectful, friendly and do their hardest to accommodate! The wait staff? Fast, charming and provide excellent service! The cooks? The food perfect, never have to wait longer than 5 minutes for fresh food (I mean come on?? All the options run out so fast from how good it is)!! Let me not forget the bussers and managers!!! Just all around excellent services and amazing attitude and atmosphere! Definitely a 100/10! Would recommend!! read more

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The absolute worst service, 30 minutes to sit which was fine but another hour for our food. Hostess was an imbecile, we came when it was partially empty and she had people waiting then when it got busy they sat people anywhere she could because it was getting too crowded. (I think they were replacing her that day) Our waitress was just as bad, we wanted to order from the bar while we waited for our food and she forced us order at the table so we couldn't get happy hour drinks and wait on her. What a terrible restaurant experience. They should have taken the tip option off the receipt because they don't deserve it. They deserve one good star because the food was good. read more

Yummy.I love this place.Its been a while since my last visit here but this place never disappoints .Very good food.Awesome service and the restaurant is always clean.I ordered their combo with two items and my two items choice was shredded chicken enchilada and also I got the chicken tamale.The meal comes with rice and beans and corn cake.As I said before Yummy.Oh, I also ordered a diet Pepsi and they offer complementary chips and salsa.Also very yummy.I recommend this place read more

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El servicio muy bueno don cresensio brinda un excelente servicio con mucha atenSion y amabilidad muchas grasias el torito en especial a don cresensio read more

We came here for lunch on a Monday . The staff was amazing and food was delicious. This el torrito is much better than the one in San Leandro . Rose was our server . She was friendly and helpful with the menu . She is very sweet and accommodating. She even recommended some nice spots to check out in Monterey ! Thankyou Rose ! Will definitely be coming back to see you ! read more

What a fantastic brunch presentation... Service was over the top and food; Both variety and quality was outstanding. Price was a little high at $150 for three people for breakfast but overall was a very pleasant experience. read more

The worst! I have eaten at this restaurant every time I have come to Monterey for 25 years. Whoever manages it now should be replaced. My family got seated and waited for 15 minutes, no one said anything. We asked a server if we had a server, he told us to wait. 10 more minutes, we spoke to the hostess who took our order and told us she would bring chips and salsa. Never came. The appetizers we ordered...never came. I took my daughter to the restroom...it was dirty and since it is upstairs you can see all of the years of uncleaned cobwebs over the restaurant. After 55 minutes the food came, and it was wrong. We paid for the soda's and left. There were maybe 7 families in the whole restaurant and just as many servers who spent most of their time chit chatting in the empty section. It was probably the worst restaurant experience I have had read more

One of the worst restaurant experiences in my life. Was told by host that there will be a 1 hour wait for a table @ 2:30pm on a Monday afternoon Was then told we can be served at a hightop at the bar. We waited 10 minutes at the hightop table and was never even approached by staff or servers. We then went to the bar (bartender was nice, only positive note on here). Was then told that it would take 45 minutes for any food to come out of the kitchen. We ordered a $13 bowl of guacamole which was tiny, about half an avocado. Ridiculous! Public Service Announcement: Avoid this place like it was the plague read more

Glad indoor dining is back open!!! Got to see the ocean view while enjoying good food. Grisel (please forgive me if I spelled it wrong) was amazing. Very attentive with out being pushy. Made sure to tip her well. Please remember that adjustments are being made to keep us safe, so 'Karens' if you can't handle it please stay home. I had the beer battered fish. Omg! Delish. I can't pick between the mahi mahi and the shrimp. I was there on Friday so it's all you can eat beer battered fish tacos. I ate very well. Thank you for such a positive experience. Will be back. read more

El Torito - Beer battered fish tacos. - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

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This used to be one of our favorite places to eat in Monterey. NO MORE! The food looked nothing like the pictured items on the menu. The carne asada was little pieces of chipped beef, dry and cold. The portion was so skimpy it wouldn't have satisfied a small dog. The enchilada was dry and looked like a little red cigar on the plate. Only one of the two orders was brought to us, but no silverware was provided. After waiting over 10 minutes for help and the rest of our order, we left. read more

This place was recommended by our hotel and with in walking distance. It's on the water with great views. We called ahead to make rsvp and window seat. We got there the line was long. We checked in 10 min early. The kid said it will be awhile and checked us in. Waited 2o mins so 10 past and people were getting seated before with no rsvp. Talked to manager and we were skipped. No seat or window seat available. Asked to sit in bar. Waiters brought water then gone for 10 15 mins. Others got drink order before us . We ordered food and drinks same time. Food was average for chain restaurant. Salsa was watery like they opened a can of stewed tomatoes. No heat or seasoning , not even cilantro in it. Ask about churros because I try them everywhere. Waiter said all the food Is premade frozen from Sisco food services and not good like the rest of the menu. Appreciate the honesty aand did not try. Do not even recommend this place for drinks. Way better Mexican food other places. read more

El Torito - Tacos - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

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If I could give zero stars, I would. Had reservations and got seated right away. After ordering it took an hour to get our food. When it arrived it was cold, all 7 dishes ordered. When the dishes came out after an hour, cold, that's when they told my grandmother that there was no shell for her taco shell and asked her if she wanted anything else! That, on top of all the little things, very hot and stuffy, Kids Mac and cheese is kraft out of a box, asked for applesauce, got fruit, asked for plain lemonade, got strawberry, made this the worst experience ever. The food was horrible and we ended up tossing it all and went somewhere else to eat. Unfortunately, they still charged us $100. DO NOT RECOMMEND! Btw, it was my grandmothers 80th birthday. read more

Amazing The food and atmosphere are very suitable and the behavior of the staff is excellent read more

I came here for their Sunday brunch and it did not disappoint. Their taco station was probably the best part of it along with their mimosas. The server we got was bringing the drinks quick to serve and to take our dirty plates away. Ambiance is nice. Only reason why this place didn't get 5 stars was because the restroom was dirty and they told us it was a 10 minute wait but ended up waiting about 25 minutes to be seated. Although I don't know if I would come during their non brunch days because of the reviews about it on here... read more

El Torito - View from within the restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

We have eaten here before on previous trips. I know we were there on a "holiday" weekend... but it is crazy to watch multiple other tables of people who look different than you, filter multiple times when you have waited 35+ minutes just to get drinks from the bar, and waters which we had to ask for twice. Food took over an hour to get... food was ok when it arrived, but we were not otherwise checked on. We finally caught the manager who apologized and said many of her people had been there since 830am, and offered to comp the meal. That is not what we were after... we wanted to enjoy and pay for a quality meal. Our kids meals were supposed to include sundaes, which we had to ask for after receiving the bill...The manager is the only one who made an effort this night, we appreciate her efforts, but service as a whole was truly disappointing. This restaurant needs an overhaul. read more

Beautiful views at El Torito and great service -- Rose was fantastic and made sure we had a wonderful celebration! The shrimp fajitas and margaritas were delicious. read more

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We come to El Torito every year and Pancho is a bartender and an amazing bartender. Talk about fast worker tuned in to so much and when it's busy he's like Speedy Gonzales. It's great to come and enjoy the scenery, the food is amazing. We enjoyed the tacos at the buffet. The hot sauce was amazing. You have to eat it while you are here. We're just so surprised how well he can maneuver and work with all these customers. It's our favorite place to come out to when we come to Monterey. read more

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Great meal, great service, great view. We had a delicious dinner and the pinto whole beans reminded me of my childhood and how my mom prepared them. Adriana our server made us feel at home and treated us like family. She was efficient and checked on us during our meal. We also met Mike the manager and he too was very nice. Look forward to returning to Monterey and El Torito. Thanks, Conrado and Cindy read more

A chain Hispanic restaurant that offers validated parking in their lot, El Torito has a large menu with lots of options. Unfortunately, the restaurant is dirty and the food quality is subpar. Staff is friendly, but with so many other options I'd recommend something else. read more

While visiting my son in Monterey I went with my sister, my niece and her friend for a quick lunch. Our bartender Raul was very attentive. According to my nieces friend "he made the best Paloma I've ever had." Now mind you he's only 22 so not a ton of Paloma's have passed his lips but still...we ordered the bacon wrapped shrimp, queso with carnitas and the flautas. All I can say is YUM! We got to watch a seagull eat a sea urchin right out our window. We watched otters frolic in the ocean. It turned into not a quick lunch but a lovely afternoon with my family. Dee, our waitress was the bomb. She was the only one on shift but she was always checking on us. Great food great service, I know it's a chain but I definitely recommend. Didn't take pics...sorry but trust if you want some good quick yummy food and good strong drinks check them out. Plus they validate parking for cannery row!! read more

Easter Brunch at El Torito...Yum! Bottomless Mimosas and Churro Pancakes are the bomb! Server Maria C was terrific! read more

El Torito - Easter Buffet Posole/Menudo bar - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

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We had a great and wonderful lunch. It is a great location and we had fantastic service.

Bartender Nicholas would not acknowledge us for 10 minutes while standing at the bar (only 6 other customers seated) when Nicholas finally decided to make eye contact as I said "good afternoon" and asked for a glass of water alongside my drink order, he said he was swamped for the water. This is just bad customer service. read more

Great Service nice Sunday Brunch... we had a awesome Server Maria C. Great Views of the ocean!!! read more

This place is fabulous. If you are looking for good food, great views and great service, this is the place for you. Our server Johnathan was excellent and provided us with a pleasant experience and tasty guac! I highly recommend this eatery. Ask for Johnathan, he is a stand up professional. read more

We waited for 1 hour and 20 minutes for our food. Mind we arrived at 11:10 on a Monday and the restaurant was not packed. Getting our food only after flagging down the waiter to ask how much longer. He gave no apologies, never checked in on us. Just said let me check. Kids food was served at room temp. I asked the host for 4 to go boxes and she snarled that our waiter would be with us! The guy that never checked on us or gave us a heads up that they were backed up? We were really just forgotten about. 10 minutes later the hostess comes back with 2 boxes. Then we wait for our waiter and ask for two more boxes and he says give me a minute! The only reason I give two stars is that the fajitas were edible. My mom burned her wrist on the flaming hot dish that the meat was served on but somehow the meat wasn't hot? Don't waste your time and money at this place. Plenty of other places to dine. read more

The food is delicious and service is speedy and spectacular. We were here for Sunday brunch and it was awesome! Tons of options and great choices for our picky kids! Thank you to, Luz who took car of us! read more

El Torito - Churro pancakes - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

Asistí con mi familia y el mesero Omar fue muy amable y atento, siempre estuvo al pendiente de nosotros, la comida estaba rica y sabrosa.!! El ambiente estaba muy agradable y con una gran vista al mar. Sin duda alguna volveré. Este lugar, read more

Jonathan made our night with his attentive service and positive attitude! I wish I lived near here to come back and have Jonathan serve us again at this beautiful restaurant! Also food was insanely delicious. read more

Food was amazing and would have never picked what I got if it wasn't for the recommendation from an amazing server Cres Would come again for breakfast! read more

Amazing ocean views, ask for a window seat. I suggest sitting at the bar, Pancho the main bartender is the best in Monterey! Restaurant offers their own parking and will validate your ticket. read more

People are giving this place a lot of bad reviews and complaining about service, this place is huge and caters to families, if you have to wait that should be ok, seems like people are just impatient and don't understand that they aren't the only customers in there, not everything is about you. Food was good but not incredible, it's americanized mexican but thats not uncommon, we actually had great service and we came on a saturday night and it was pretty busy, don't trust the bad reviews and give this place a try, they deserve it. read more

Beautiful view, for an amazing brunch! Givin how big this restaurant is I was suspicious about how the service would be, but Rose was very attentive, and helpful, her cheery personality was also a blast! Definitely will be back soon read more

El Torito - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California