El Torero
231 E 26th St, Tucson, AZ, 85713
El Torero Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Tucson for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Tucson for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Tucson for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
231 E 26th St
Tucson, AZ, 85713 - Phone (520) 622-9534
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 8:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Divey
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
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Shun L.
Okay, tried this place for dinner. It's cash only, a whole in the wall type of restaurant. Seat yourself, (sorry no hostes), the pricing is average (like any other mexican place) Food it great! If you like Mexican food don't forget this place.
(4)Tyla T.
Just. Don't. After the ASU-UA game, we were looking for a good little local Mexican food before the sorrowful drive back to Phoenix. Mi Nudito came highly recommended, and from the look of the packed parking lot and the line waiting for seating, probably rightly so. But we thought we could find something quicker. First mistake. Second, mistake, we didn't follow our gut and walk out of El Torero. Because if we had, I might not have been sicker than a dog beginning about 2 am this morning. Zero customers, zero customer service and zero appetizing food. Lesson learned, the hard and painful way. Zero Stars aren't an option, but that's the rating El Torero should have.
(1)Dustin R.
Just went here on a whim while driving through Tucson since the restaurant was only a block away. I'm happy we did!! I had the mole combination (chicken in mole sauce with rice, beans, and a tortilla). Excellent, excellent mole chicken! My only complaint is that the rice/bean portions were way too small for sooooo much mole chicken. The wife had the 2 tacos / 2 enchiladas special. It looks amazing, and tastes just as good. Everyone that waited on us was super nice and sincere. If I'm back in Tucson, I'll definitely come back to El Torero!
(5)G F.
Love the special 2 taco to enchiladas
(4)Bleep S.
Like going to someone's home for dinner.. Love the chile relleno. People swear by La Bandara. They accommodated 18 of us at the last minute on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Thank you, El Torero.
(4)Tina J.
Best Mexican food in town. We always order the 2+2 and a side of beans (do NOT forget to order the beans as they are the best I have ever had). The 2 cheese enchiladas are so good. The enchilada sauce is like heaven...not red but a brownish color that does not cause heartburn. And the 2 tacos, well, they are the fried patty sort with a nice amount of crumbled cheese like El Charro does...but better. The same 2 waitresses and the silver haired one treats you like family with honey and hugs. If you drink a lot during your meal I would advise asking for a pitcher because the glasses are very small. With ice tea and water they will usually just bring the pitcher anyway.
(5)Jennifer R.
So delicious! My favorite place for tacos and enchiladas! We have been eating here for many years and it is always delicious. The cheese crisp is bomb!!!! The salsa is good and if you are lucky you might get to taste the chunky!
(5)Lauren T.
I have been to many a great hole in the wall type places and have to say that even with that said (and no high expectations for amazing service) the service was crap. I asked for a wine and the guy with the cleaning rag brought me my wine with his had where my lips go to drink! Gross...thankfully the (cheap) alcohol and my immune system should take care of that. Oh and plus no margarita on the menu? Bummer. Oh and speaking of the service, there were four credit cards and they could not get it straight which card was paying for what meal. Oh and even before that two of the meals came once the rest of us were done eating our meal. No apology or excuse. And we all ordered at the same time....weird. That ALL being said the food was good. If I ever go back I would want to try the cheese crisp. It looked good! I had the chicken chimichanga. It could have used some cheese. Their beans were good. I honestly don't know what was wrong, but their tamales were nasty. Tacos and enchiladas were decent. Prices were good. Oh and it's in South Tucson...
(3)B e.
Is the restaurant still in the back of the bar? This was by far the best hole in the wall in South Tucson in the 70's Carne Seca chimi's were so good, and the salsa was so hot. Keep the beer, chips and salsa coming por favor
(5)Chris S.
Hole in the wall. Best restaurant in town. You'll never see new faces in there so they always remember you and take care of you. Sit under the marlin get a pacifico and the carne seca chimi enchilada style.
(5)Mark S.
Strange place. Obviously has history and potential. But much is wrong here. Of the owners, one spent considerable time smoking outside and moping at the counter. The other watched old re-runs on a television at the counter with his back to the dining room. Was there ever a more clear example of two people in denial? The dining room was near empty at 6 P.M. on a weeknight. The floor was filthy. There was a funeral home mood hanging over the place. The elderly waitresses, although charming and kind in a grandmotherly way, seem resigned to the slow, painful death of this business. The food... 2 +2, two tacos, two enchiladas was pretty good, even if there was way too much lettuce in a pile under everything. The price was right too. What's going on here? With the right management this place should be packed. Instead it seems the clock is slowly, quietly, and undeniably ticking.
(2)Mark A.
This is my go to Mexican place on the south side. The ambiance is funky, as in it makes me feel at home funky. It is one big room with a lot of tables, dating it would be like going to Tijuana 1960's. I don't know why but I love this place, it is always the same, and I infatuated with the waitresses, which is the big draw. The median age is 70 as near as I can guess, I am always greeted with welcome back honey or the Like's there of every time I go. I always get the same thing the 2+2, 2 tacos and 2 cheese enchiladas, and a side of beans. Most always I cannot resist the cheese crisp, this is not a want but a need. They serve the food on this cart, and the dishes are piping hot, and delicious. I have been going here for 15 years or more and will go until I am dead or they go out of business. I guess you could say I am a die hard fan.
(5)Scinminen N.
Sadly we no longer live in Tucson but when we do get back this is our number one go to place for the best Mexican food in town. Start with a cheese crisp, move on to a Carne Seca Chimichanga, and or green corn tamales when they are in season. Thirty four years of loving this place. Miss Ramon!
(5)Brian H.
This place is the greasy spoon of Mexican restaurants. Hidden away from a main street view, this dive serves up some pretty decent food. The dining room hasn't been updated since it first opened 50+ years ago and it smells of stale cigarette smoke. They still serve a soda in those wavy glasses that only hold about eight ounces, but the young man and granny servers are usually pretty good about keeping it filled. Their beans and rice are perfect. I had a chile relleno that was really pretty good despite the cook forgetting to fill it with something (cheese). At least the tender anaheim chile was prepared correctly and didn't have any seeds in it like some I have had in town. The batter and sauce had an excellent flavor and consistency. I also had a birria (shredded beef) taco. The shell was fried perfectly and the beef was tender and gamey. A couple things I have noticed the few times I have been are the chips were slightly stale the first time I went but not the second, the bathroom is in total disrepair, and the salsa isn't really that good. I also suspect they recycle the leftover chips from the tables. It's the kind of place you think you'd probably get food poisoning from, but most likely won't. They need to clean the joint up a little and pay attention to quality to really compete with the big boys down the street (S. 4th Ave).
(3)Simon E.
Chile rellenos in the Tucson Area rated according to the Homeland Security Advisory System with three word descriptors. El Torero: unstuffed canned chiles. Green See photos.
(1)Robert G.
It started with the dead fly on the table and ended with a significant error on the bill. I've been coming here for many years and it saddens me to see the decline that occured but that's the way it is. The cheese crisp was OK but the enchiladas were not as good as in the past. The buttered tortilla wasn't buttered. I've had some cramping and diarrhea but maybe it's just a coincidence. Sounds like a joke but it's not.
(2)E. A.
If you are looking for a mexican restaurant that has a homemade flavor this is it. This location has a bar and next to one of the oldest dance halls still around. the taco plate is what most moms would recommend if they weren't cooking that night. The chile Colorado (red chile beef) is what my dad would eat for lunch the lie about it when he got home because it would be almost like cheating on my mom! The beans are flavorful and the wallet leaves full!
(4)April D.
Nailbanger Here Again:Disappointed on every Level.I not sure where to begin. After reviewing other reviews ,I was expecting Service to be non existent and Excellent Food. Well I was right about the Service it was seat yourself and we will check on you when I get around to it.The place was filthy and there was very little decor. Table and chairs out dated, OK enough of that .They have a very limited menu. They serve soft drinks and Beer ,no hard liquor ,so no Margaritas.Beers are about $4.30. The Food was sparse and flavorless. Chips are .75 cent addition each , if you what more than one bowl, but they do have good salsa.I got the Beef Tacos and Cheeses Enchiladas ,with a side of beans $11.My wife got Cheese Enchiladas and a side of beans $8.00. The Enchiladas and the bean were the only thing that would pass for Mexican food.The Tacos were a joke.The value for your hard earned buck is just not there, portion size small.I will never be back. The have very limited parking ,unless you are out in the Street.The sad thing is they are a block away of the best Mexican dining in Tucson Mi Niditos, you will wait to get in ,but its every bit worth it.Why do you think they line up out the door to get in ?
(1)Cody T.
Rumors of the demise of this restaurant are greatly exaggerated! We ate there last night and found that the "2 and 2" is much alive and well! Still as good as ever. The place is still a hole in the wall, but has probably the best enchiladas in town, and some of the best tacos as well. Add Dos-X beer on tap and you've got a recipe for a great dinner! Don't expect anything fancy, but do expect good, inexpensive, genuine Mexican food! (Friendly and quick service too!)
(4)William B.
Eaten/drank here several times. I like the small out of the way location and funky little building. The food is good and sometimes very good, and the cheese crisp is humongous and hot and served on a platter. But this isn't a great place. The service can be iffy, sometimes waiting for your server and not getting much in the way of refills or occasional surly attitude. It's one of the few places I haven't left a tip once (and last time, haven't returned since). They have beer and such so it's nice if you want stronger drink than ice tea. The salsa and chips aren't as good. It's really just very average overall and plenty of better places.
(2)Peg P.
I have to admit I was excited to try this restaurant after reading all the good reviews. I went today and I was NOT disappointed. It's not fancy and reminds me of a cantina with a diverse menu of Sonoran-style food. I watched as the door opened frequently and local folks of South Tucson kept coming in. Obviously a very popular place. The cheese enchilada and bean tostado were superb! About the tastiest I've ever eaten. It was piping hot and the tortillas were fresh. Next time I will try their green tamales and famous dessert. We had very attentive service and didn't have to wait long for our food. Our bill was shockingly low for the great food and service we received. It's a little hard to find in the South Tucson neighborhood and you might be tempted to drive on by when you see it, but please don't! You will be missing one of Tucson's best Mexican restaurants if you do.
(4)George C.
I am sad that this place will probably not be open for too much longer. Based on what i was told by the owner, El Torero will probably only be around for about 2/3 more months. The 2+2 special is one of my favorite Mexican dishes in town. 2 taco and 2 enchiladas cooked to pure perfection, covered yellow cheese. Mmmmmm! I hope something or someone comes along and saves this place.
(3)Allan P.
My new favorite Mexican Restaurant!!! I felt like I was in Grandma's kitchen again. In my book, it doesn't get more authentic than El Torero! I had the shredded beef taco and beef patty taco. The shredded beef was nice and juicy and the taco shells were fried perfectly. Also the guacamole was very fresh and full of flavor. The rice and beans were soooooo tasty, and not too salty (like most other places). The service was really quick, and friendly.
(5)Michael R.
Haven't had a bite yet...and I'm ready to write my review. My first impression makes me wonder about the sanitary conditions. Waitress didn't seem to know the menu very well (didn't even know they had a vegetarian section).
(2)Shannon G.
Devastation! That's the only word that currently comes to mind when I think of El Torero. Every weekend I head to El Torero with my family for our favorite Mexican food fix. Just the other day we excitedly walked up to the front door to stumble across a horrific sign.....CLOSED/FOR SALE. WHAT?!?!? This can't be happening. Our favorite Mexican food restaurant in all of Tucson is closing and for sale!?!? This is a complete catastrophe. What are we going to do now? I am really going to miss you, El Torero, and I'm especially going to miss my favorite waitress Shorty and the BEST (I mean BEST) cheese enchiladas and ground beef tacos in the world. This family run business has been serving authentic Mexican food for years and was one of a kind! I've been going to El Torero with my family since I was a little kid. It was our weekend tradition and one that will never be forgotten. Thanks for all the great memories, food, and fun El Torero.
(5)Ray L.
El Torero has been a bastion of awesomeness for years. Their green corn tamales are fabulous, La Bandera (a tricolor ensemble of enchiladas) is a fixture of heartclogging deliciousness, and their menudo is subtle, mellow, and basically perfect. They aren't always consistent, but a poor day at El Torero is better than a good day at most restaurants. The family that owns and operates El Torero is very nice, too. They always maintain a welcoming atmosphere. Just remember that they are closed Tuesday and not Monday. I seem to rediscover this every few months.
(4)Brian H.
We came for the vintage juke box music, but stayed for the almendrado. This foamy, tricolour eggwhite custard is topped with crème anglaise. Descendant from France, to Maximilian-era Mexico, via the Camino Real to the American southwest, almendrado used to be standard dessert fare in Tucson's Mexican restaurants until the late 1980s. Today, El Torero is the only place in the city to still showcase this cloying yet refreshing confection. As for the restaurant, the interior looks like it did in 1956, giving it a truly a stoic sense of place. Not just quintessential qualities of Tucson, but ambience that no longer thrives in the prosaic of our modern world. In the end however, it was our charming waitress, with her old-world humor, that the carmelization on the flan!
(4)Dano O.
A refrehing, delicious blast from the past! The decor and service are reminiscent of its 1956 heritage. The food is delicious. We had the carne seca crisp to start off with chips and salsa...then we explored a variety of options tostadas, tacos, rellenos and more. As visitors to Tucson we couldn't be more happy to have discovered this place. If you're new to the area..don't drive by it without going in....it's a diamond in the rough.
(5)Phil H.
The food is great as well as the service. The atmosphere is awesome in a weird sort of way, as it is an old South Tucson ballroom.
(4)Michelle L.
I confess I am not a Mexican food aficionado... I am allergic to chilies and hot peppers, so my choices in Mexican joints are sometimes limited. But growing up in Southern California, I can definitely taste the difference in quality between Taco Bell, and the dirty little hole-in-the-wall taqueria run by the people who barely speak English. (the latter always being best) Some friends brought me to El Torero a few weeks ago. I meekly explained my situation to our server and asked what she could recommend. She was so kind and told me to order the shredded beef tacos, which were delicious (and not spicy at all). I also had the guacamole with fresh tortilla chips and enjoyed it. My friends all ordered standard spicy fare and were happy with their meals as well. It's kind of like visiting an old eagles' lodge, with big fold-up tables and lawn-style plastic chairs. The bullfighter posters and plastic flowers on the tables are awesome though. Also, it looks a little dodgy from the outside but don't let it scare you off. They get 4 stars because they don't serve margaritas!
(4)Ellen S.
I grew up in Tucson, so dinner at El Torero was a regular outing. Their green chili cheese crisp is a must-have starter, and the rest of the menu does not disappoint. It is one of the best, most authentic Mexican food restaurants in Tucson. It is seriously the restaurant I compare all other Mexican restaurants to. The waiters are very friendly and my grandparents enjoy speaking with them in Spanish. We found El Torero in the early '90s and it has not changed since we fell in love with it.
(5)Mary Theresa D.
We've been going to this place for years and years. They have the best frijoles in Tucson and I tend to judge Mexican restaurants by their frijoles. The service is great and the owner is really eccentric. We like to chat with him. Also, the room complete with a swordfish decorated with lights and the usual bull-fighting paintings (of course being El Torero!), has unusual acoustics especially when filled with people. It really sounds like a good time, which it is!
(5)Mindy S.
I ate here last night - what a find! Both salsas were fantastic, the shredded beef was the best I've had in ages, and the atmosphere was VERY relaxed. The service was good, and not "in-your-face", which I like. Also, the prices were really good. I'll be back!!!
(5)Mary R.
WINNER: Best Cheese Crisp Oh, El Torero, if only you had margaritas. Unfortunately, your unwillingness to accommodate my sugary alcohol needs means we can never marry, which is a shame considering some of your menu. The cheese crisp is by far the best in town; order it with perfectly roasted green chiles for an appetizer. You can also make a meal out of it if you order the kitchen-sink version, which has loads of other business on it (chicken, tomatoes, etc.), or you can sample some of their other fare. El Torero is known for its tampopo, which is essentially a cheese volcano with other food bits. I will forewarn you that there is enough cheese to kill a man, and if you tackle it alone, you will suffer a weighty food baby with a too-lengthy gestation. If you're looking for El Torero, note that it's easy to miss: it's between 4th and 5th Ave., tucked back away on the north side of the road between other buildings.
(4)