El Torero Mexican Restaurant

Doesn't Recommend

Ginger75

Joined 2 years ago

Used to be great, major downhill changes recently. I went to El Torero regularly when I lived in Duluth with no problems - I don't expect a sophisticated atmosphere and actually I liked the simple place with neat photos. We always had great food. Over the last year I've visited the Peachtree Ind location since I've moved back south. The wait staff has become increasingly inattentive and at times flat out rude. They sit around in tables talking to each other while customers wait for service. On my last visit we spotted a roach eyeing our dinner from no less than 5 ft away! I'm patient but that's enough. I loved the food but I can't eat at a place that can't even post its Health Dept Inspection certificate anymore (we noticed they stopped posting it in the last couple of months). The food was always great but I can't do it anymore - I hope they get their act together someday..........

Doesn't Recommend

littlelo

Joined 4 years ago

overrated, overpriced, rude wait staff. The food at this place has DOUBLED in price over the last few years making it completely not worth your while. At this point the food isn't worth the grimy floors, ridiculously snotty wait staff, and terrible service in general. For years we've marveled that the staff are so consistently rude and obnoxious to paying and loyal customers, but it didn't seem to stop the flow of patrons, until the prices escalated and the service actually managed to get WORSE (bad tips, perhaps?) The margaritas are so inedible that you gag on them, so don't bother. If you must eat at this restaurant (even though they are patronizing to ALL their customers, even Latinos) take advantage of the giant beer. But don't bother paying extra for the Dos Equis, because regardless of what beer you order you'll get served Natty Light or Michelob Light on tap. Cross over to "authentic" Buford Hwy and eat at Poncho's. At least the margaritas are good there, and large.

Doesn't Recommend

NativeAtlantan1955

Joined 4 years ago

Use To Be Better. When this place first opened we decided to give it a try. We were elated to discover that the food was very good, much better than the other Mexican restaurants in the area. The beef was definately a better quality which was a selling point for us alone. At that time there were hardly any customers and we were worried that the place wouldn't survive, but that didn't last long. Soon enough they were packed! We were loyal cutomers for years. But then, over the last couple of years we have noticed a decline in the food prep and quality. The original waiters, which were there for a long time, started to vanish one by one. We dropped by a couple of weeks ago. A surly looking kid with a shirt on about 5 sizes too big came over and waited on us....if you want to call it that. The food was only passable at best. We decided that night that it would be the last time there. I guess good things don't last forever as they say. Too bad.

Recommends

SC05

Joined 4 years ago

Family Favorite for years!!. My family has been coming here for years. My parents lived in TX and they say that "El T" (as we like to call it) is the best Mexican food they've had since they moved back to GA. And that says a lot, because my family LOVES Mexican food. I eat at El Torero at least once a week; there have been times when I've eaten it for several meals in a row!! I love their Chili Rellenos---they aren't battered and fried like at so many other places, so they're way tastier!

The cheese dip is the best I've ever had, and their margaritas are a bargain!

I highly recommend this to anyone looking for great Mexican food!!!

Recommends

AtlBornNRaised

Joined 4 years ago

Great little mexican spot. These guys make the strongest margaritas on the planet. Never left this place sober. The menu is pretty standard for a Mexican restaurant, but it's all good. The flautas are excellent, as is the carnitas. Really fast service. The atmosphere is nothing to write home about, but there are some cool underwater photos and a giant marlin mounted on the wall. I no longer live in the neighborhood, but I make a few trips a year just for the stiff margaritas and some nachos.

Recommends

Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Jam-packed and bizarrely decorated, this cheap, fast Mexican restaurant draws legions of loyal fans.. The Scene
El Torero feels like a bustling, noisy high-school cafeteria, only with table service, families and huge looming fiberglass fish on the walls. Don't let the lack of sombreros put you off--as the swarming crowds indicate, the food is worth the wait. Service can be short-tempered, but the tasty food and good value help make up for the lack of charm.

The Food
If you're not afraid of liquid cheese, try the specialty white cheese dip, mild or spiked with jalapenos. Some people swear by it. El Torero's burritos are thin but well-filled, enchiladas are nicely slathered in sauce, and tamales come smothered in extra ground beef. Only the chile rellenos are disappointing: The poblano chiles are large but bland.

Recommends

drsloan

Joined 7 years ago

Great Basic Mexican Food and KICK-@$$ Margaritas!. Who cares if it's not "authentic" Tex-Mex? I'm sure there's better Mexican food elsewhere in Atlanta...for a lot more money. Bottom line: El Torero makes tasty Mexican dishes at reasonable prices. We've been regular customers for years now...we don't call it El Torero, we call it "the fish Mexican restaurant," for obvious reasons. Our kids love the fish on the walls. The Mexican Stew is my favorite. The salsa stands out...seems like dips are often too mild in other places but El Torero's has just the right balance of jalapeno. And if you go for the margaritas you may need a designated driver; people aren't lying when they say they're powerful, and yet the tequila somehow doesn't seem overbearing. This a sometimes-crowded "family restaurant" but if you try it I think you won't be disappointed.

Recommends

mdwards

Joined 8 years ago

Great Salsa!. One of my favorite mexican restaurants. Have been a customer for years. I have not found a better tasting salsa. El Torero salsa is very spicy, hot & taste homemade (not sure if it is)....also refill without asking! Their other menu items taste very good too. Nothing fancy but worth the price. Owner is an avid fisher so most restaurants display his trips all over the world. They seem to keep the same employees, another good sign!

Recommends

bmarin

Joined 10 years ago

I LOVE THIS PLACE!!. We only go to the El Torero on Peachtree Industrial. We're regulars there. Now they don't even ask and just bring us bean dip and a pitcher of the Texas Margarita (strongest margaritas in town, I promise!) Food is delicious and served piping hot. Place is very spartan and simple. Don't expect mariachi bands or anything. Just go if you want to drink the best margaritas in town and have a very happy and full tummy!

Recommends

jojo46

Joined 10 years ago

Best salsa & chips in town!. I have been going to El Torero Mexican Resturant for several years now. The service is always fast, except Friday evenings... I think everybody goes there after work on Fridays! The salsa & chips are the best. Everything on the menu tastes great. My personal favorite is the chalupa, enchilada & relleno combo. It makes my tummy happy, happy!

The service is usually fast, the food is ALWAYS served hot, not warm. Th staff is not overly friendly, but pleasant and the staff has been consistent for several years. I think it is the best little Mexican resturant in Atlanta!