Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. San Diego
  4. East County
  5. La Mesa
El Torito - El Torito - La Mesa, La Mesa, CA

El Torito - La Mesa

4.7
4.7
438 Reviews
$30 and under
Mexican
A photo of El Torito - La Mesa restaurant

El Torito - La Mesa

4.7
$30 and under
Mexican
La Mesa

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 13 times today
  • Great for happy hour
  • Neighborhood gem
  • Great for creative cocktails
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
    Brunch: Sunday: 9:00am - 2:00pm; Lunch: Monday - Saturday: 11:00am - 3:00pm; Dinner: Monday - Thursday: 3:00pm - 10:00pm, Friday & Saturday: 3:00pm - 11:00pm, Sunday: 2:00pm-10:00pm
  • 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.
  • Location
    5024 Baltimore Dr, La Mesa, CA 91942
  • Neighborhood
    La Mesa
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 438 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
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.4Ambience
  • 4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • 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

    Neighborhood 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.

438 Reviews

  1. Kenya

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

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

    Is this helpful?

  2. Laura

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    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.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Karen

    San Diego

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 1, 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.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Daughn

    San Diego

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on December 1, 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?

  5. brian

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 1, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food was good and our server was great. He was attentive to our needs, friendly, and kept making sure our drinks were topped off

    Is this helpful?

  6. Michael

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 29, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    We go to the Thanksgiving buffet every year. Always outstanding. Highly recommend. First time using OpenTable. Impressed!

    Is this helpful?

  7. Eric

    Orange County

    96 reviews

    4.0

    96 reviews

    Dined on November 29, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 2
    We went for their Thanksgiving Buffet and it was very good. The food was hot, kept fresh, and juicy/moist. Our server was very attentive and friendly.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Karen

    San Diego

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 28, 2024

    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?

  9. Castlecat

    San Diego

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 28, 2024

    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.
    El Torito - La MesaResponded on December 2, 2024
    Dear Guest , Thank you so much for letting us know about your recent experience at El Torito - La Mesa, and for taking the time to write such a kind review. I will personally thank Jay for making your visit a memorable one. we hope to see you again soon!!

    Is this helpful?

  10. Steve

    San Diego

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 28, 2024

    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?

FAQs

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

El Torito - La Mesa is rated 4.7 stars by 438 OpenTable diners.

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

A photo of El Torito - La Mesa restaurant

El Torito - La Mesa

4.7
$30 and under
Mexican
La Mesa

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 13 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for El Torito - La Mesa

5024 Baltimore Dr, La Mesa, CA 91942

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    La Mesa
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch: Sunday: 9:00am - 2:00pm; Lunch: Monday - Saturday: 11:00am - 3:00pm; Dinner: Monday - Thursday: 3:00pm - 10:00pm, Friday & Saturday: 3:00pm - 11:00pm, Sunday: 2:00pm-10:00pm
  • 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
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • 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.
Discover
OpenTable
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Press
More
Our sites
Businesses
  • Delight more diners
Join us on
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2024 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo