I Have been going to this place since I was little great family owned restaurant! I always get the cheese dip and beef and melted cheese tacos when I come back home!
(4)
Neesha B.
If you're looking to go to a Mexican restaurant that is an authentic and this is the place to go to. If you enjoy fake Mexican restaurants that puts a jar of enchilada sauce on their burritos this is the place to go to. The service sucks the waiter to 10 minutes just to get to the table. Just because you have a Mexican name doesn't mean you can actually serve Mexican food. This place was a complete let down I can't believe I wasted $15 on a horrible meal
(1)
michael w.
I am a big fan of mom and pop mex. restaurants. My sister took me here recently, when I was visiting kc. I thought the food was very good. Not cuisine, but definitely roadhouse style down home cooking. The atmosphere is great. A cozy little bar with absolutely no pretensions. And the wait staff was friendly and efficient. Cheap eats too.
(4)
Thomas M.
I got a so-so waitress, poor mex, dingy dinning-room, analog tvs, and a bill of $12+ for two tamales and a soda.
(1)
Janelle K.
I read the reviews and was apprehensive about going, however I did I loved the alacart choices. I liked the salsa very well and never was empty. I got a tamale and a quac enchilada. Very good will go again!!!
(5)
Robin H.
OK so this place is a little hole in the wall that has been here forever (waitress we talked to has been here 24 years). Actually places like these are usually my favorite destinations - I am not a chain fan. One of my students recommended it so a few of us ventured in for lunch. All this guy could talk about was how different and good the chili rellenos were. Since Chili rellenos are my number one favorite Mexican food item I just had to try them. They are different - not fried in batter but wrapped in like an omelet mixture and baked. They WERE different and good. The refried beans were pretty tasty too. I could see coming back from time to time for these no problem.
(3)
A J.
Let me start of by saying I can only speak to the finely crafted sopapillas this mecca of Mexican fine cuisine has to offer. Only this superb restaurant could so finely fry frozen puff pastry into pre-cut squares and deliver it to your table ready to assemble. THAT'S RIGHT they let you assemble your own dessert! After those wonderful pockets cardboard were delivered then came our beautiful antique salt shaker filled with the finest cinnamon and sugar mixture. We only had to open TWO coffee sugar packets to complete the mastery of this dessert. Least I forget the honey and its wonderful metallic flavor. MOI Bueno.
(1)
Shawn T.
Well, my wife and I usually go to Mi Ranchito or Salsa Grill and we saw this place when we parked across the street from Mi Ranchito and decided we would give it a shot. I really wish we would have walked in and turned around and walked out. we got seated in a booth right by what had to be some regulars. The food delivered was exactly what we should have expected, unoriginal, tasteless and well to be honest boring. If I had to describe a taste it was Ketchup. Anyway, we won't venture back, in my mind it is hard to screw up Mexican food, but they do. Sorry Torreador.
(1)
Sarah B.
Gross. I usually love greasy little holes-in-the-wall, but this was definitely an exception. They obviously put no thought or effort into any of their dishes. Everything is exactly the same--same limp lettuce, same slightly stale shredded cheese out of a bag, same canned tomatoes. I had a taco salad and my friend had a burrito. The only difference was that mine was in a bowl. The restaurant was also dingy and dark and our waitress was a bit scary as well. I agree with DL C. -- Mi Ranchito is right across the street. Go there!!!
(1)
Patti C.
I have only one wish after I left this place. I wish I had gone to the restroom BEFORE I ate lunch. I would have turned right around and walked out the door. I can't even explain how dirty the restroom was. And this wasn't "oh, it just needs to be picked up a little" dirty.... NO! I mean the toilet looked like it hadn't been cleaned in months. GROSS! I held it till I got home. Point is, if your restroom is that dirty, I don't want to eat your food!
(1)
Angela W.
This place is not for everyone. Really, it is like a bar with some Mexican-themed American food. Personally I've gone there many times and have never gotten sick and enjoy the food. However, with that said, I have to agree with the majority of Yelpers, Mi Ranchito is much better when you want what most Americans think of as Mexican food! Normally at Torreador I have guacamole or spinach cheese dip, a beef, bean & onion burrito and a diet Coke. My boyfriend's been going there for about 20 years and he has nothing bad to say about the place. It is what it is, and it's kind of a neighborhood hole-in-the-wall place. I can see how someone might be disappointed, the bathrooms appear to have not been updated since the '80s, most of the happy patrons are regulars or just come there for the bar, things like that. If you came looking for more than that, you probably won't be happy.
(3)
Suzy S.
I tried the tacos, figuring nobody could mess up a taco...well,Torreador can.
(1)
Emily O.
Worst Mexican food ever. Tried it once & that was enough for me. Recommends going to Mi ranchito across the street.
(1)
Dave L.
The food will not kill you, but it's not good. Don't even think about it, turn around and go to Mi Ranchito right across the steet.
(1)
Larry S.
What a downer! Cinco de Mayo became SuckO de Mayo! This review is not about the quality of food or service (although it's not much more than average) it's about the attitude of the owner! We invited friends to join us at this restaurant - we were told to come early if we wanted a table and that people stayed all night on Cinco de Mayo. We had just finished eating and was enjoying a drink and the music when our waitress brought us our check and said we would have to give up our table because they had a large crowd waiting (duh - it's Cinco de Mayo - what did they expect!) I complained to the owner and it was obvious she could care less - all she wanted to do was run people through like cattle so she could make more money - she could care less about developing a long term customer!!! What a lousy attitude! I told her she would not like the reviews I would be writing - she threated us by taking pictures of our license plates and calling the police! How petty is that! We will NEVER spend another dime at this restaurant! There are way to many good restaurants in the Kansas City area that really do care about customer relationships! NOT THIS ONE!
(1)
Erin W.
I've been going here since I was a little kid because this is my aunt's favorite restaurant. This place is incredibly cheap. Not a great spot for large groups because the seating options are for small to medium sized groups only. The food is okay. The waitress and bartender were friendly. The salsa is great. I'm sure I'll continue to come back
(3)
Amanda H.
I totally wholeheartedly disagree with the negative reviews that torreador has gotten. I was reading the reviews and I don't even think they were at the right restaurant. I know for a fact that they use only the freshest ingredients. They even grate the cheese fresh and boil there meat so that all traces of grease dripping down your arm are avoided.the guacamole is made fresh for every table and every item is prepared to order. I appreciate the pain staking process the chef, yes I said chef trained at le cordon bleu, takes to make this food as healthy as he can get it. They have done many upgrades including new hd tvs. I have been frequenting this place for 35 + years and have seen it go through some really difficult times. It has been around for over 50 years so they have to be doing something right. It is a family owned business and if you frequent it like I do you will be treated like family too. I miss it when I'm not there for awhile and have to stop in for a fix. P.s. for all you naysayers there sauce is also made fresh.
(5)
Rose L.
Sorry Torreador, but I didn't choose you, and after reading Yelp reviews prior to meeting friends here, I never would have. First of all, this pseudo-Mexican place is a for-real dive. Please, when it is 96 degrees outside and the inside of your vinyl booth-seated place is steamy, it is time to adjust the a/c accordingly. Next, the menus are torn, dingy, and greasy. Yuck! The beer selection?? Well, every BMC you could name, plus Dos Equiis. . . All in bottles, of course. Absolutely no Blvd or anything acceptable to my palate. I ordered the special, a chicken taco salad. It consisted of round tortilla chips with iceberg lettuce, a couple of slices of tomato and avocado, and some shredded cheddar, along with plain unseasoned bland shredded chicken. The regular salsa is pretty much tomato sauce out of a can, and the spicy is the same with some peppers in it. The saving grace (and the second star) was the rockinroll waitress we had, along with the rest of the friendly, helpful staff. Our water stayed full. With Mi Cocina across the street, I would never have a reason to return here, other than if my friends once again insist that we do. In that case, I may have to BMOB and eat before I come.
(2)
Kim N.
I have been going here since I was a kid. Some of the other reviews hinted it is the same food in all the dishes just presented different. I can not disagree with that. Although I love the chips they make them there fresh. It is like an upscale Taco Bell or Taco Via, but a very down scale Mi Ranchito. The owners and staff have been here for ever and I love it. It has been in the same little dive bar place since I was 8 years old. My husband doesn't like this place because the food goes right through him. I grew up on it and have a stomach of steel as long as there is no dairy in it. Dairy is my Kryptonite. The food is not spicy but more just tomatoey. I do like the guac and there is always beer to help the food. I think because I grew up eating this I am partial to it. I understand those that do not like it. It is a total local place that if you are a regular you are treated better and get better service, if you are not a regular, well then maybe you will or maybe you won't get good service. Give it a try. It is not the worse mexican food in town.
(3)
Chris O.
Chips and salsa are awesome. The food is always good and I will keep coming back.
(4)
Steven F.
Order the hot salsa if you want more flavor.Otherwise they will serve their regular sause. If you want less spicy they will mix half and half per request. All the difference in the world!
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
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.
Kristin F.
I Have been going to this place since I was little great family owned restaurant! I always get the cheese dip and beef and melted cheese tacos when I come back home!
(4)Neesha B.
If you're looking to go to a Mexican restaurant that is an authentic and this is the place to go to. If you enjoy fake Mexican restaurants that puts a jar of enchilada sauce on their burritos this is the place to go to. The service sucks the waiter to 10 minutes just to get to the table. Just because you have a Mexican name doesn't mean you can actually serve Mexican food. This place was a complete let down I can't believe I wasted $15 on a horrible meal
(1)michael w.
I am a big fan of mom and pop mex. restaurants. My sister took me here recently, when I was visiting kc. I thought the food was very good. Not cuisine, but definitely roadhouse style down home cooking. The atmosphere is great. A cozy little bar with absolutely no pretensions. And the wait staff was friendly and efficient. Cheap eats too.
(4)Thomas M.
I got a so-so waitress, poor mex, dingy dinning-room, analog tvs, and a bill of $12+ for two tamales and a soda.
(1)Janelle K.
I read the reviews and was apprehensive about going, however I did I loved the alacart choices. I liked the salsa very well and never was empty. I got a tamale and a quac enchilada. Very good will go again!!!
(5)Robin H.
OK so this place is a little hole in the wall that has been here forever (waitress we talked to has been here 24 years). Actually places like these are usually my favorite destinations - I am not a chain fan. One of my students recommended it so a few of us ventured in for lunch. All this guy could talk about was how different and good the chili rellenos were. Since Chili rellenos are my number one favorite Mexican food item I just had to try them. They are different - not fried in batter but wrapped in like an omelet mixture and baked. They WERE different and good. The refried beans were pretty tasty too. I could see coming back from time to time for these no problem.
(3)A J.
Let me start of by saying I can only speak to the finely crafted sopapillas this mecca of Mexican fine cuisine has to offer. Only this superb restaurant could so finely fry frozen puff pastry into pre-cut squares and deliver it to your table ready to assemble. THAT'S RIGHT they let you assemble your own dessert! After those wonderful pockets cardboard were delivered then came our beautiful antique salt shaker filled with the finest cinnamon and sugar mixture. We only had to open TWO coffee sugar packets to complete the mastery of this dessert. Least I forget the honey and its wonderful metallic flavor. MOI Bueno.
(1)Shawn T.
Well, my wife and I usually go to Mi Ranchito or Salsa Grill and we saw this place when we parked across the street from Mi Ranchito and decided we would give it a shot. I really wish we would have walked in and turned around and walked out. we got seated in a booth right by what had to be some regulars. The food delivered was exactly what we should have expected, unoriginal, tasteless and well to be honest boring. If I had to describe a taste it was Ketchup. Anyway, we won't venture back, in my mind it is hard to screw up Mexican food, but they do. Sorry Torreador.
(1)Sarah B.
Gross. I usually love greasy little holes-in-the-wall, but this was definitely an exception. They obviously put no thought or effort into any of their dishes. Everything is exactly the same--same limp lettuce, same slightly stale shredded cheese out of a bag, same canned tomatoes. I had a taco salad and my friend had a burrito. The only difference was that mine was in a bowl. The restaurant was also dingy and dark and our waitress was a bit scary as well. I agree with DL C. -- Mi Ranchito is right across the street. Go there!!!
(1)Patti C.
I have only one wish after I left this place. I wish I had gone to the restroom BEFORE I ate lunch. I would have turned right around and walked out the door. I can't even explain how dirty the restroom was. And this wasn't "oh, it just needs to be picked up a little" dirty.... NO! I mean the toilet looked like it hadn't been cleaned in months. GROSS! I held it till I got home. Point is, if your restroom is that dirty, I don't want to eat your food!
(1)Angela W.
This place is not for everyone. Really, it is like a bar with some Mexican-themed American food. Personally I've gone there many times and have never gotten sick and enjoy the food. However, with that said, I have to agree with the majority of Yelpers, Mi Ranchito is much better when you want what most Americans think of as Mexican food! Normally at Torreador I have guacamole or spinach cheese dip, a beef, bean & onion burrito and a diet Coke. My boyfriend's been going there for about 20 years and he has nothing bad to say about the place. It is what it is, and it's kind of a neighborhood hole-in-the-wall place. I can see how someone might be disappointed, the bathrooms appear to have not been updated since the '80s, most of the happy patrons are regulars or just come there for the bar, things like that. If you came looking for more than that, you probably won't be happy.
(3)Suzy S.
I tried the tacos, figuring nobody could mess up a taco...well,Torreador can.
(1)Emily O.
Worst Mexican food ever. Tried it once & that was enough for me. Recommends going to Mi ranchito across the street.
(1)Dave L.
The food will not kill you, but it's not good. Don't even think about it, turn around and go to Mi Ranchito right across the steet.
(1)Larry S.
What a downer! Cinco de Mayo became SuckO de Mayo! This review is not about the quality of food or service (although it's not much more than average) it's about the attitude of the owner! We invited friends to join us at this restaurant - we were told to come early if we wanted a table and that people stayed all night on Cinco de Mayo. We had just finished eating and was enjoying a drink and the music when our waitress brought us our check and said we would have to give up our table because they had a large crowd waiting (duh - it's Cinco de Mayo - what did they expect!) I complained to the owner and it was obvious she could care less - all she wanted to do was run people through like cattle so she could make more money - she could care less about developing a long term customer!!! What a lousy attitude! I told her she would not like the reviews I would be writing - she threated us by taking pictures of our license plates and calling the police! How petty is that! We will NEVER spend another dime at this restaurant! There are way to many good restaurants in the Kansas City area that really do care about customer relationships! NOT THIS ONE!
(1)Erin W.
I've been going here since I was a little kid because this is my aunt's favorite restaurant. This place is incredibly cheap. Not a great spot for large groups because the seating options are for small to medium sized groups only. The food is okay. The waitress and bartender were friendly. The salsa is great. I'm sure I'll continue to come back
(3)Amanda H.
I totally wholeheartedly disagree with the negative reviews that torreador has gotten. I was reading the reviews and I don't even think they were at the right restaurant. I know for a fact that they use only the freshest ingredients. They even grate the cheese fresh and boil there meat so that all traces of grease dripping down your arm are avoided.the guacamole is made fresh for every table and every item is prepared to order. I appreciate the pain staking process the chef, yes I said chef trained at le cordon bleu, takes to make this food as healthy as he can get it. They have done many upgrades including new hd tvs. I have been frequenting this place for 35 + years and have seen it go through some really difficult times. It has been around for over 50 years so they have to be doing something right. It is a family owned business and if you frequent it like I do you will be treated like family too. I miss it when I'm not there for awhile and have to stop in for a fix. P.s. for all you naysayers there sauce is also made fresh.
(5)Rose L.
Sorry Torreador, but I didn't choose you, and after reading Yelp reviews prior to meeting friends here, I never would have. First of all, this pseudo-Mexican place is a for-real dive. Please, when it is 96 degrees outside and the inside of your vinyl booth-seated place is steamy, it is time to adjust the a/c accordingly. Next, the menus are torn, dingy, and greasy. Yuck! The beer selection?? Well, every BMC you could name, plus Dos Equiis. . . All in bottles, of course. Absolutely no Blvd or anything acceptable to my palate. I ordered the special, a chicken taco salad. It consisted of round tortilla chips with iceberg lettuce, a couple of slices of tomato and avocado, and some shredded cheddar, along with plain unseasoned bland shredded chicken. The regular salsa is pretty much tomato sauce out of a can, and the spicy is the same with some peppers in it. The saving grace (and the second star) was the rockinroll waitress we had, along with the rest of the friendly, helpful staff. Our water stayed full. With Mi Cocina across the street, I would never have a reason to return here, other than if my friends once again insist that we do. In that case, I may have to BMOB and eat before I come.
(2)Kim N.
I have been going here since I was a kid. Some of the other reviews hinted it is the same food in all the dishes just presented different. I can not disagree with that. Although I love the chips they make them there fresh. It is like an upscale Taco Bell or Taco Via, but a very down scale Mi Ranchito. The owners and staff have been here for ever and I love it. It has been in the same little dive bar place since I was 8 years old. My husband doesn't like this place because the food goes right through him. I grew up on it and have a stomach of steel as long as there is no dairy in it. Dairy is my Kryptonite. The food is not spicy but more just tomatoey. I do like the guac and there is always beer to help the food. I think because I grew up eating this I am partial to it. I understand those that do not like it. It is a total local place that if you are a regular you are treated better and get better service, if you are not a regular, well then maybe you will or maybe you won't get good service. Give it a try. It is not the worse mexican food in town.
(3)Chris O.
Chips and salsa are awesome. The food is always good and I will keep coming back.
(4)Steven F.
Order the hot salsa if you want more flavor.Otherwise they will serve their regular sause. If you want less spicy they will mix half and half per request. All the difference in the world!
(4)