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El Torito - El Torito - La Mesa, La Mesa, CA

El Torito - La Mesa

4.6
4.6
444 Reviews
$30 and under
Mexican

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 36 times today
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
  • Good for groups
The authority in great Mexican food for over 70 years! Visit us for weekly celebrations where we infuse tradition with authentic Mexican cuisine, including $4 happy hour, $3 Taco Tuesday, Saturday Breakfast and All-You-Can-Eat + Drink Sunday Brunch. Experience a celebration of Family, Food & Community!

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Mexican
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Thu 11:00–22:00 Fri 11:00–23:00 Sat 09:00–23:00 Sun 09:00–22:00
  • Phone number
    (619) 698-7404
  • Website
    https://www.eltorito.com/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Catering
    Bring the flavor of El Torito to your office or off-site event! We can accommodate groups from 10 to 10,000 and everything in between! Enjoy Taco Bars, Fajita Bars, Enchilada Bars & much more. Order online or call 1-888-TORTILLA. https://www.eltorito.com/catering/
  • Private party facilities
    Show your friends, family, and co-workers how to throw a real party. Book one of our rooms, patios, or semi-private dining areas for your next celebration, event, or meeting. Choose from Plated Menus, Buffet Menus or Mix & Match your favorite individual Trays. Inquire online or call 1-888-TORTILLA. https://www.eltorito.com/private-events/

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 444 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.3Ambience
  • 4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Diners' Choice Awards

  • East County

    Best Overall

  • East County

    Best Service

  • East County

    Great for brunch

  • East County

    Good for groups

  • East County

    Healthy

  • East County

    Hot spot

  • East County

    Neighbourhood gem

  • East County

    Great for outdoor dining

  • East County

    Good for special occasions

  • East County

    Lively

  • East County

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
El Torito - La Mesa is celebrated for its "amazing" Sunday brunch, featuring a variety of delicious dishes and "bottomless mimosas." Guests appreciate the friendly and attentive staff, with mentions of "outstanding brunch" and "great service." While some note service charges and wait times, the vibrant atmosphere and "excellent food" shine through.

444 Reviews

  1. Connie

    San Diego

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined today

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    It was Christmas Day and we knew it was going to be busy but when we arrived 10 minutes before our reservation, It was clear that the hostesses were overwhelmed with hangry customers. It took us 20 to get checked in for our reservation, with only three people ahead of us in line. We got seated in 15 minutes. The waitress was awesome! The service was fast and food was delicious.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Lashon

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    My family had so much fun. They food was delicious and fresh. Endless mimosas. Waiter was amazing. Best Christmas 2024🥰

    Is this helpful?

  3. Lakiesha

    San Diego

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Thank you El Torito for the Christmas Buffet. We love it here!

    Is this helpful?

  4. Kristi

    VIP

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Celebrated our (large) Family Christmas here 12/21/24. Lizette (& staff) were wonderful and patient! Thank you!

    Is this helpful?

  5. William

    VIP

    San Diego

    14 reviews

    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on 13 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    Service was slow we were told people didn’t show up for work. Orders were not received correctly due to waiter being distracted with other customers calling him. Requested a Caesar salad and I had to remind the waiter my salad was not delivered. Requested no onions or peppers on the quesadillas and there were onions and peppers in the quesadillas. Did I mention service was slow

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  6. Kenya

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 8 December 2024

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 1
    Difficulty with seating a larger party. Dirty tables!!

    Is this helpful?

  7. Nicole

    San Diego

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 8 December 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    Overall the experience was just ok. The food was cold and we were seated under a vent.

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  8. Laura

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 7 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Every staff member we came across was very friendly. Our server was attentive and food was delicious and hot. Definitely will return.

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  9. Karen

    San Diego

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 1 December 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    The restaurant was a bit dirty but the waiter was amazing. I didn’t realize they just set up foldable tables for some parts. We had a reservation and still had to wait and no one let us know our table was ready even thought they knew we were there waiting. All the food was like warm. Overall it was just ok for the price.

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  10. Daughn

    San Diego

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 1 December 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    My family and I had a nice time. I had been there a while ago, and I remembered the food being a lot better than it was yesterday. Our server was great, but the food left me wondering why I had been so excited about going there.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

El Torito - La Mesa offers delivery in partnership with Postmates and Uber Eats. El Torito - La Mesa also offers takeaway which you can order by calling the restaurant at (619) 698-7404.

El Torito - La Mesa is rated 4.6 stars by 444 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 36 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for El Torito - La Mesa

5024 Baltimore Dr, La Mesa, CA 91942

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Area
    La Mesa
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Thu 11:00–22:00 Fri 11:00–23:00 Sat 09:00–23:00 Sun 09:00–22:00
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Mexican
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Patio/Outdoor Dining
  • Website
    https://www.eltorito.com/
  • Phone number
    (619) 698-7404
  • Catering
    Bring the flavor of El Torito to your office or off-site event! We can accommodate groups from 10 to 10,000 and everything in between! Enjoy Taco Bars, Fajita Bars, Enchilada Bars & much more. Order online or call 1-888-TORTILLA. https://www.eltorito.com/catering/
  • Private party facilities
    Show your friends, family, and co-workers how to throw a real party. Book one of our rooms, patios, or semi-private dining areas for your next celebration, event, or meeting. Choose from Plated Menus, Buffet Menus or Mix & Match your favorite individual Trays. Inquire online or call 1-888-TORTILLA. https://www.eltorito.com/private-events/
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