It was unfortunate about the damage that was done that caused a lot of repair work. What this place lacked in food quality and taste it made up for with charm previous to the remodel. That is, the food was only tolerable because the dining experience had a homey feeling. However, the recent remodel is not good and was done on the cheap. It’s super bright with cheap LEDs, everything is white, the molding on the wall is all crooked and weird, it is loud and uncomfortable. Back to the food: it is bad. This is not made by a chef. It’s someone who heats food up. Everything is cut with cheap beans or filler, and things are pretty bland. Prices don’t reflect what you should be getting. I’m sorry, El Toro Bravo - either you get with the times and improve or you may start losing business. I know I won’t be coming back.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 3
Andrena Duffy
Glad to see that this little place has reopened as it was a favorite of ours, especially for evenings when friends are visiting. Last nights meal and experience was a bit disappointing though, the new interior is very cute however the new lighting in the restaurant area was super bright it was very uncomfortable, it was also extremely loud that you couldn’t hear your own conversation even with the place not being full, inside could really benefit from some acoustic sound deadening (maybe some rugs on the floor).
The food was a bit of a let down for both of us while it came really quickly, but was covered in a very mild gravy that tasted like corn starch, the guacamole was very diluted overall everything was flavorless. I’m sure as this gets back up and rolling the vibe and flavors will improve.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 4
Nicholas Nilsen
Service was solid very friendly and kind, atmosphere was better than most places. Bathrooms were clean. That ends the nice things I can say about this place.
Mexican food is so great because the flavors are robust and the prices are affordable. I can say the exact opposite is what this place offers. The food was very bland. I asked for a table salsa and got what tasted like canned red enchilada sauce. I asked if they had a spicier one and she brought out a green salsa which was very mild and flavorless. I asked for Chili's to accompany my lunch because there was no spice in anything. They grilled them and served them on the side which I appreciated. I ordered steak and shrimp fajitas. I have never been served fajitas in a bowl of juices. This caused the state to be rubbery and flavorless. The shrimp took on the flavor of the steak rubber juice. And I have to say they were the worst fajitas I've ever had in my life.
My wife ordered a chicken taco and a chicken enchilada lunch plate. The chicken was dry and bland the taco is greasy and the enchilada was covered in a flavorless red sauce with the same dry chicken inside. I've never seen Mexican food so poorly executed.
Wait!!! Their ceviche was fantastic. I do have to say that it was fresh not spicy but the white fish it it was fresh and delicious.
So why such a bad review if everything else was great? The price.... Jesus! $125 for a horrible lunch is absolutely insane. We had one alcoholic beverage which was a beer. Ceviche appetizer and two main lunches should not equate to over $125 dollars.
Lesson learned. This is a tourist trap right on the water that doesn't have to be good because it's there. Would absolutely not recommed unless you're from the Midwest in which case this will probably be top tier.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 5
Kevin Maguire
El Toro Bravo was closed for 391 days following a Christmas Day gas explosion, that destroyed the apartment attached to the back of the restaurant. Luckily no one was seriously hurt!
We are so blessed to have El Toro Bravo back. The same great menu and warm friendly staff. I got the tacolotta and my wife enjoyed some taquitos. The sweet enchiladas sauce will entice you to eat the whole thing (pro tip ask for a to go box so you can save some)
The food is great and we ran into a lot of people we know so a fun dinner spot that you should leave full and happy
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tool Man
1/8/2026: Unfortunately this as of this writing, this place is still closed following a gas explosion in the area that took out the gas supply for several businesses in the area. I remember this place having outstanding authentic Mexican cuisine.
Food: 5
Robert Wilson
Great place to grab a taco or two and chill on the beach!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
DJ Z
Really hope they're back soon! I miss their food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Immortal ATV
El Toro is the best, been going there since the 80's. I can't wait for them to reopen after the explosion next door!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tiki Gonzalez
El Toro Bravo is one of my new favorite places to eat! Both in Capitola and Truckee!
L.Andres Espinosa.B
It was alright to eat here, it's just a typical like-tacoshop taqueria spot. Nothing fancy nor extravagant. Prices are fairly good and food it's good taste and fresh.
We were looking for dog friendly place to eat near the beach and El Toro Bravo fit the bill. The outdoor seating area is small, but cozy and offers nice view of beach area. The server was friendly and the food was tasty. I’d recommend the Sangria. My chili verde super burrito was good, but I couldn’t pick it up, needed to use knife and fork. I’d probably go with carne burrito next time.
Miguel Rodriguez
Terrible food and service, huge disappointment. Anyone that rated this place higher than one star has never had authentic Mexican food. The food was bland and lacked the authentic flavors you’d expect from a Mexican restaurant. My carne asada had meat that was dry and overcooked. The salsa tasted like it came from a jar, and the guacamole was watery and flavorless.
The service was also below par—our server seemed more interested in socializing with non customers and failed to execute a simple request (I.e., bring straws). There were only two tables being serviced and couldn’t even check on us. To top it off, the prices were way too high for the quality of food and service.
I rarely leave reviews, but I strongly don’t recommend this place.
sekelar2024
Went to Capitola and stopped in here with my family for lunch. Absolutely worst idea ever! I would not recommend this place to anyone. I would have rather eaten a pb&j sandwich. The food tasted like the aroma of someone's house. The food is NOT made fresh! I am betting they save whatever leftovers they have from previous days, freeze it, then reheat and serve to who they believe are unsuspecting customers, unaware of what authentic Mexican food should taste like. That's very unfortunate! Never have I ever had bland asada! Where is the FLAVOR?! The food is severely OVERPRICED and the the staff does not make you feel like a valued customer. Save your money or suffer disappointment.
Christine D'Amore
Great service, casual atmosphere and totally crave-able comfort food. The enchilada sauce is bar none, the best I have ever had.
Cynthia E
I have to be honest... the food is not great. Very little flavor. Service is great. Location is great.
It was unfortunate about the damage that was done that caused a lot of repair work. What this place lacked in food quality and taste it made up for with charm previous to the remodel. That is, the food was only tolerable because the dining experience had a homey feeling. However, the recent remodel is not good and was done on the cheap. It’s super bright with cheap LEDs, everything is white, the molding on the wall is all crooked and weird, it is loud and uncomfortable. Back to the food: it is bad. This is not made by a chef. It’s someone who heats food up. Everything is cut with cheap beans or filler, and things are pretty bland. Prices don’t reflect what you should be getting. I’m sorry, El Toro Bravo - either you get with the times and improve or you may start losing business. I know I won’t be coming back.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 3
Glad to see that this little place has reopened as it was a favorite of ours, especially for evenings when friends are visiting. Last nights meal and experience was a bit disappointing though, the new interior is very cute however the new lighting in the restaurant area was super bright it was very uncomfortable, it was also extremely loud that you couldn’t hear your own conversation even with the place not being full, inside could really benefit from some acoustic sound deadening (maybe some rugs on the floor).
The food was a bit of a let down for both of us while it came really quickly, but was covered in a very mild gravy that tasted like corn starch, the guacamole was very diluted overall everything was flavorless. I’m sure as this gets back up and rolling the vibe and flavors will improve.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 4
Service was solid very friendly and kind, atmosphere was better than most places. Bathrooms were clean. That ends the nice things I can say about this place.
Mexican food is so great because the flavors are robust and the prices are affordable. I can say the exact opposite is what this place offers. The food was very bland. I asked for a table salsa and got what tasted like canned red enchilada sauce. I asked if they had a spicier one and she brought out a green salsa which was very mild and flavorless. I asked for Chili's to accompany my lunch because there was no spice in anything. They grilled them and served them on the side which I appreciated. I ordered steak and shrimp fajitas. I have never been served fajitas in a bowl of juices. This caused the state to be rubbery and flavorless. The shrimp took on the flavor of the steak rubber juice. And I have to say they were the worst fajitas I've ever had in my life.
My wife ordered a chicken taco and a chicken enchilada lunch plate. The chicken was dry and bland the taco is greasy and the enchilada was covered in a flavorless red sauce with the same dry chicken inside. I've never seen Mexican food so poorly executed.
Wait!!! Their ceviche was fantastic. I do have to say that it was fresh not spicy but the white fish it it was fresh and delicious.
So why such a bad review if everything else was great? The price.... Jesus! $125 for a horrible lunch is absolutely insane. We had one alcoholic beverage which was a beer. Ceviche appetizer and two main lunches should not equate to over $125 dollars.
Lesson learned. This is a tourist trap right on the water that doesn't have to be good because it's there. Would absolutely not recommed unless you're from the Midwest in which case this will probably be top tier.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 5
El Toro Bravo was closed for 391 days following a Christmas Day gas explosion, that destroyed the apartment attached to the back of the restaurant. Luckily no one was seriously hurt!
We are so blessed to have El Toro Bravo back. The same great menu and warm friendly staff. I got the tacolotta and my wife enjoyed some taquitos. The sweet enchiladas sauce will entice you to eat the whole thing (pro tip ask for a to go box so you can save some)
The food is great and we ran into a lot of people we know so a fun dinner spot that you should leave full and happy
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
1/8/2026: Unfortunately this as of this writing, this place is still closed following a gas explosion in the area that took out the gas supply for several businesses in the area. I remember this place having outstanding authentic Mexican cuisine.
Food: 5
Great place to grab a taco or two and chill on the beach!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Really hope they're back soon! I miss their food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
El Toro is the best, been going there since the 80's. I can't wait for them to reopen after the explosion next door!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
El Toro Bravo is one of my new favorite places to eat! Both in Capitola and Truckee!
It was alright to eat here, it's just a typical like-tacoshop taqueria spot. Nothing fancy nor extravagant. Prices are fairly good and food it's good taste and fresh.
Restaurantji Recommends
We were looking for dog friendly place to eat near the beach and El Toro Bravo fit the bill.
The outdoor seating area is small, but cozy and offers nice view of beach area. The server was friendly and the food was tasty.
I’d recommend the Sangria. My chili verde super burrito was good, but I couldn’t pick it up, needed to use knife and fork. I’d probably go with carne burrito next time.
Terrible food and service, huge disappointment. Anyone that rated this place higher than one star has never had authentic Mexican food. The food was bland and lacked the authentic flavors you’d expect from a Mexican restaurant. My carne asada had meat that was dry and overcooked. The salsa tasted like it came from a jar, and the guacamole was watery and flavorless.
The service was also below par—our server seemed more interested in socializing with non customers and failed to execute a simple request (I.e., bring straws). There were only two tables being serviced and couldn’t even check on us. To top it off, the prices were way too high for the quality of food and service.
I rarely leave reviews, but I strongly don’t recommend this place.
Went to Capitola and stopped in here with my family for lunch. Absolutely worst idea ever! I would not recommend this place to anyone. I would have rather eaten a pb&j sandwich. The food tasted like the aroma of someone's house. The food is NOT made fresh! I am betting they save whatever leftovers they have from previous days, freeze it, then reheat and serve to who they believe are unsuspecting customers, unaware of what authentic Mexican food should taste like. That's very unfortunate! Never have I ever had bland asada! Where is the FLAVOR?! The food is severely OVERPRICED and the the staff does not make you feel like a valued customer. Save your money or suffer disappointment.
Great service, casual atmosphere and totally crave-able comfort food. The enchilada sauce is bar none, the best I have ever had.
I have to be honest... the food is not great. Very little flavor.
Service is great.
Location is great.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 5
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