El Torito - Monterey (CA)

4 /5 Vanessa Crane: El Torito has always been a family favorite for years!! I am visiting from Utah and I requested we stop here for lunch and it didn’t disappoint. We didn’t wait very long(less than 5 mins). My kids ordered the Bean and Cheese burrito and chicken tenders, both with apple sauce. They ate everything!!! I ordered the Chicken and Sour Cream Enchiladas, they were delicious!! My grandma ordered Sizzling Chicken Enchiladas and she said they were okay. She thought they were with red sauce but still liked them. The only odd thing while eating was the lights kept flickering(not horrible but noticeable). Our waitress Lucero was amazing and very attentive. She kept checking on us and made sure everything was to our liking.

5 /5 Kate Greeves: Had a great meal here, both the chicken and shrimp fajitas were absolutely delicious. We were seated and served really quickly, even without a reservation and with the place being really busy, which was a lovely surprise. The service was friendly throughout, and the cocktails were delicious too. I was so keen to tuck into the fajitas that I completely forgot to get a photo, but trust me, they were good. A great spot for tasty food, quick service, and a relaxed, welcoming vibe. I’d happily come back.

5 /5 T p: I stopped in for a simple lunch with my kiddos on our way back to Sacramento and ended up being pleasantly surprised by the buffet style meal. They offered bottomless mimosas and an endless spread of foods. There was traditional Spanish food, soups, desserts, breakfast options, and so much more. We ate more here than we did on Thanksgiving, this has been the best restaurant experience we’ve had here in Monterey!

5 /5 JAY MAC: I had an absolutely perfect dining experience here! While the current 4.3 rating is good, this place is easily a 5-star gem that far exceeded all my expectations. The food was incredible—every single dish was flawless, but the grilled meat was truly the star of the show. It was cooked to perfection, incredibly flavorful, and perfectly seasoned. What really set this night apart was the service. It honestly felt like the staff could read my mind; every detail was attended to before I even had to ask. Everyone was 100% friendly and made me feel so welcome. A huge, special thank you to Stephanie! You were absolutely perfect and made my night truly special. Your attention to detail and kindness are unmatched. Thank you for providing such a perfect evening. I will definitely be back!