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

El Torito - La Mesa

4.6
4.6
440 Reviews
$30 and under
Mexican

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 10 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Great for creative cocktails
  • Great for happy hour
  • Neighborhood gem
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

Experiences

  • Christmas

    Dec 25, 2024 only
    Join us on Christmas Day! Enjoy a Tri-Tip & Ham All-You-Can-Eat buffet featuring bottomless mimosas from 9am - 2pm for $39.50 Adults/$13.50 Kids, and all your EL Torito favorites from our main menu from 2pm - 8pm. Plus, $6 Drink Specials all day.
    Christmas Photo

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 440 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
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.3Ambience
  • 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.

440 Reviews

  1. William

    VIP

    San Diego

    14 reviews

    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on December 13, 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

    Is this helpful?

  2. Kenya

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 8, 2024

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

    Is this helpful?

  3. Nicole

    San Diego

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 8, 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.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Laura

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 7, 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.

    Is this helpful?

  5. 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?

  6. 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?

  7. 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?

  8. 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?

  9. 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?

  10. 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?

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 4.6 stars by 440 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 10 times today
Experiences are available.

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.
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