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

El Torito - La Mesa

4.7
4.7
431 Reviews
$30 and under
Mexican

Make a booking

2 people
22:00
Booked 6 times today
  • Great for happy hour
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
The authority in great Mexican food for more than 65 years. Offering a memorable experience to make each guest feel like family.

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!
  • Private party facilities
    Show your friends, family, and co-workers how to throw a real party with El Torito. Book one of our rooms, patios, or semi-private dining areas for your next celebration, event, or meeting.

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 431 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Diners' Choice Awards

  • East County

    Best Overall

  • East County

    Best Service

  • East County

    Best Ambience

  • East County

    Best Value

  • East County

    Good for groups

  • East County

    Healthy

  • East County

    Hot spot

  • East County

    Neighbourhood gem

  • East County

    Good for special occasions

  • East County

    Lively

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
El Torito - La Mesa offers a vibrant dining experience, particularly with its "amazing Sunday Brunch" featuring a wide variety of delicious dishes and "bottomless mimosas." Guests appreciate the attentive staff and festive atmosphere. While some logistical improvements are suggested, regulars praise the "always incredible" food and "great" service, making it a popular choice for celebrations.

431 Reviews

  1. Karen

    San Diego

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This was our third Thanksgiving we have had the buffet at the La Mesa El Torito and every time it has been excellent. The food is awesome with a mix of Mexican cuisine and traditional holiday favorites. Their staff is very friendly and the waiters make sure you are well taken care of.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Castlecat

    San Diego

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The two of use went for the Thanksgiving day buffet. It was crowded, but we were seated after a short wait. Our server, Jay, was very attentive and the rest of the staff was working hard on a busy day.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Steve

    San Diego

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food selections were very good, Thanksgiving All you can eat. Reasonable price. And our server, Gilberto was amazing. And also the Manager was very good too. They were all attentive. Be back soon.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Carolina

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Very nice restaurant! Nice and friendly staff. We loved it here.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Kyndel

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 17 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We had a group of 8 for Sunday brunch. Service was great, especially the free glowing champagne. There were many food choices, buffet style. So many choices there’s no way to try everything. Price was fair. I’d definitely go back!
    El Torito - La MesaResponded 5 days ago
    Dear Guest, thank you so much for your 5 star review! We appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback and we look forward to serving you again soon!

    Is this helpful?

  6. William

    San Diego

    13 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on 16 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great service from the staff. Did not have to wait for our table requested for happy hour. Reservation works

    Is this helpful?

  7. Marc

    Orlando

    38 reviews

    5.0

    38 reviews

    Dined on 10 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It was a great afternoon lunch but- we did have a reservation and had to wait for a period of time with nobody else on the waiting list, so I made a comment to the hostess staff that I had a reservation and what was the deal? I got sat immediately and all was well.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Alex

    San Diego

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 10 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Brunch here is always great at the La Mesa location! Food, service, drinks are all wonderful. I've been to other El Torito locations in the LA area but none are even close in any of the categories

    Is this helpful?

  9. Bonnie

    San Diego

    10 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on 7 November 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    We had a reservation for 5pm, our party arrived a little before 5, no one was at the hostess stand I had to find someone and was told someone would be right with us, approximately 15 minutes later we were seated, our server was great. I ordered the chicken tortilla soup(which is my favorite) and it was terrible the worst soup I have ever had. It was a very disappointing evening.
    El Torito - La MesaResponded on 18 November 2024
    Dear Guest ,Thank you for telling us about your recent experience and Thank You for your honest feedback. I'm so sorry we let you down and hope to get the chance to serve you again soon so we can regain your confidence in our restaurant again.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Robert

    Las Vegas

    19 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on 3 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great brunch. Great service amazing food great atmosphere

    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 4.7 stars by 431 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a booking

2 people
22:00
Booked 6 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!
  • Private party facilities
    Show your friends, family, and co-workers how to throw a real party with El Torito. Book one of our rooms, patios, or semi-private dining areas for your next celebration, event, or meeting.
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