El Toreador Rest W Portal Ave

I love this place! I have to give praise to their HOT SALSA. The salsa of salsa's! Just order some beer with it and that's a meal in itself! ...and that's all I gotta say about that. more

I'm disappointed. The decor is ecclectic and fun, the food is marginal, and the service is horrible. I ordered a salad and it completely lacked flavor. This is the first time I have ever ask to return a dish to order another one. The owner indirectly resisted without outright saying no, When I finally asked if he was telling me no, he said it was fine and brought a taco plate. Unfortunaley, it was kiddie-sizee, but I was charged for a regular size dish. This was the worst sevice I have ever had. By the way, the replacement also lacked flavor. Pros: The ecclectic decor is fun to look at. Cons: bland food and terrible service more

This used to be one of my favorite restaurants until I ordered take out and found a FLY in my enchiladas. Because I know the owner, I let it slide. Then we had take out again and after getting home realized the guac we PAID FOR was not in the bag. A month later we ordered out again and when I asked to have the guac we never received, I was told no can do. So much for customer loyalty and repeat visits. Apparently you have to call in immediately when something is not included so they have a record of it...I cannot believe how cheap these people are. There are many other good places out there, so I am not going back. I advise you to check for insects and make sure you get your full order when you do pick up. more

I came to this restarnt for a birthday of a friend of mine not knowing what to expect. Knowing reservations were not accepted, I still tried to call because there were ten of us. The manager said he might be able to accomadate if we came in before the dinner rush (5pm). He then said if we were all not there by 5:15 he would pull the table and that we would all have to sit separately. I brushed off his matter-of-fact tone because (working in the restaurant industry myself) I understand the valuability of table-turnover. Anyhow, we all arrived promptly (except for one no-show). Our server was very friendly, quick, personable and precise. The food was excellent homestyle mexican. There is definitely a lot to choose from, and a million different combinations if you cant make up your mind. Our only issue with the place was the manager. The restaurant was very busy, and he came to inquire (impolitely) if the last guest was going to show. He then grabbed the chair and made an unnecessary insulting comment to a guest in our party. Throughout the rest of the dinner he stood by our table talking to some of the servers and some guests making snyde comments (which were audible), and giving dirty looks. Look, i understand the restaurant was busy and our spot was very valuable, but we are paying customers just like the John Doe sitting next to us with the screaming child who needs to eat within 5 min. to avoid embarrasment. In conclusion, I loved the decor, I loved the service, I loved the food.......Great Restaurant! Impersonable and rude manager. Pros: Great server: Joel.... Unique eclectic ambience. I like the ' Irish Only ' sign on the ceiling towards the front window. Cons: No liquor licence. Manager/host was having a bad day and was clearly annoyed with the fact that they held a table of 10 and 9 showed. more

The reviews here, which I consulted before going, were completely black or white. I had to wonder if the positive reviews were written solely by restaurant relatives. I am happy to report the food was delicious, they do serve a decent margarita rocks ($4.50) (one review said they don't serve a margarita at all), and I have absolutely no affilliation with the place. We had vegetarian spinach enchiladas and a enchilada/chili relleno combination-both highly recommended and at under 10 bucks reasonably priced. The relleno batter was airy and delicious, and all the sauces had integrity. A garlic prawn entree (I believe $13.50) was not quite as good. The service was very friendly and efficient. In the time it took for our entrees to arrive, however, it was difficult to not fill up on chips and salsa. The chotsky-filled interior was actually interesting to look at and not just gimmicky. more

I have been told to give it a try.Food is on average,nothing special,they DON'T SERVE MARGARITAS,they were vacuuming at 8.00 pm while people were still eating.Ater 45 minutes the waitress shows up with the check without asking if we wanted dessert or coffe.I asked for a coffe,she answered taht they had already close the coffe machine (at 8.30),the place closes at 9.00...probably dinner in hospitals are served later ...the ambience is fun,only positive note Pros: ambience Cons: , food, need to close later more

Great food... love the empalmada... sort of like a quesidilla. Great margarita's.. on the rocks, never frozen! LOVE the hot sauce... I always use a bottle for myself, and my mouth burns for hours afterwards! Be sure to get the vegitarian soup before the meal. It seems quite simple, with a hard crouton in it, but it is very good. You cannot see the walls of this place, pictures are everywhere, mini chairs hang from the ceiling, and almost each menu is different. Some may have trivia, others have stories. This place is always packed, and has been my favorite Mexican restaurant for years. You will not be disappointed. Pros: Margaritas, Hot sauce, GREAT FOOD Cons: , Busy more

Definitely the best Mexican restaurant in town!... and, last but not least, it's kid friendly (you could occupy them for minutes trying to list whatever is hanging on a sq. ft of one wall!) Pros: ambiance! more

This place has been consistenly good for a few years. Its really a gem. I've never had a bad meal there. The decor is fun and the staff is good. Be prepared to wait because it is a popular place, that is, if you're a party bigger than 2. (Parties of 2 get seated FAST). There's a pub next door to ease your wait. Pros: Food, Service, Ambiance more

So-so Mexican food served by a vaguely condescending, unfriendly waiter. Luckily, we went there on a Wednesday, because I would have been upset if we actually waited for this place. La Corneta Taqueria in Glen Park is better, more authentic, and half the price. Cons: Mean waiters, Overpriced more

since the place is small, it gets crowded quickly and there may be a wait for parties of 3+. but if you're not toooooo famished and opt to wait, your patience will be greatly rewarded. once seated the food comes quickly, is delicious and in big portions. try the sangria or one of the flavored margaritas with your meal. Pros: fabulous food, one-of-a-kind decor, reasonable prices Cons: place is small, wait time can be long, limited good parking more

Go early if you don't want to wait. They don't take reservations. The place is small. The decor is indescribable. But if you wait, it's worth it. Food is delicious. Service is good. Try it. more

A great place where you belong like part of the neighborhood. If the owner doesn't seat you, his son will. The food is good. A great stop for a margarita and a plate of hot comfort food. The service is usually friendly, and if its ever slow you won't notice because you'll have too fun fun looking at the walls or reading the placemats. Pros: Friendly, Fresh, Good Cons: closed Mondays, parking hard to find, sometimes a long wait more