We have enjoyed eating at El Torito Laguna Hills since moving to Orange County over 30 years ago. Our dinner today was excellent and our waiter Hector did a great job while they were short staffed. We have known Hector for years and he always gives a 100%. We had a very nice dining experience thus evening.
Edward K_2010
After 2nd time at this location all the meats taste reheated (multiple times) and not at all fresh. Maybe it's the time of day but un fortunate that the food quality was so inconsistent. Line up for waffle dessert was slow and disorganized. Loud obnoxious adults were allowed to cut the kids already waiting. Disappointing. Not returning do awhile.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Leslie Hopkins
We have been coming to this brunch for years. It's no longer a self serve brunch. The staff serves you a very small portion that is saturated in oil and cold while having to point to what you want like a child.Seems to be understaffed as well, we had piles of dishes waiting to be picked up on our table and the food was sparse or empty everytime someone from our party went back for more.The other locations of this restaurant chain is highly recommended which has a completely pleasant experience..I suggest management take a visit.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
R Livingston
We came for the tacos on their anniversary and was not disappointed.The staff were all very friendly and we really enjoyed ourselves!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Guacamole, Home
Beverly Simpson-Hobbs
Another chance, another fail!My daughter and I came for lunch, we arrived at 12:45 hoping to beet the crowd. Oh yeah, it was a ghost town. We ordered the lunch specail, all you can eat soup and salad with 8ced tea to drink.When we finished 1 each, she brought us the check. We each wanted more soup ..... she was annoyed, picked up the check, she returned 20 minutes later!! When ww finished, my daughter flagged her down and asked for a 3rd bowl of soup. WOW!! This time, she says something about the lunch special was over at 2. Reluctantly, she did bring more soup ..... NEVER have we ever had this tiny bowl of soup!!The bowl held the same portion as the salsa dish!! Why do you advertise it as all you can eat but hols back? We did not want more salad. It was terrible. I did not finish my salad because it tasted like it had cabbage in it, I can't eat cabbage.The waitress had a bad attitude, and although the soup was good, it was not great. There was no chicken in it. We won't come back to this location, we're done.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 1
Debby Lambert
We were surprised to find out that this location is closing its doors after being such a staple in the area! I really hope everyone finds another location (Dana Point) to move to...the service was always terrific! Michael, as a new Host/Server, was excellent!
Parking: It shares with several other stores, but always has spaces available
Kid-friendliness: Very
Wheelchair accessibility: Ramp is available
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
bassett mama
Went for the Sunday brunch. Never been to this location before. Never will go back again. VERY overpriced for what you get. This is not a "buffet " . A buffet is where you serve yourself from a selection of food items. This is "cafeteria "style where you point to what you want and the server throws it on the plate. (Remember grade school, the lunch ladies?) That was how it felt. Compared to pre-Covid really poor selection as well. It simply isn't worth the time or money. Restrooms were not clean as well.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
David Alexander
Place was pretty empty running close to dinner time. Men's bathroom was filthy of old urine. Been a while since we've gone to El Torito and not looking forward to going again.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Queso Dip
Nathan Brown (TsitraIrl)
Chicken and cheese enchiladas were great, the fried ice cream I remember tasting differently, but it was good. The server was exceptionally nice, and the host was great.
We went fir breakfast. We were the first ones in !The staff was very attentive. Our server was great !The chilaquiles were super tasty. The red sauce was a little spicy for my wife, but not so much for me.
Fantastic food, and even better service! The chicken tamales may be a bit small, but with their salsa verde, they are absolutely PACKED with flavor! Not to mention bottomless chips and salsa that are far better than most.Our server, Jose Garcia, was super patient with us, and was always quick to check in. In fact, there even ended up being a mistake on our bill, which despite me already putting down the tip and signing for it, he promptly brought back along with the new/correct bill that was $20 cheaper! Not a lot of places, or people, these days would be willing to point out their own mistake when the customer is already willing to pay more anyways, especially when percent-based tips are involved!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: All You Can Eat Lunch Buffet Chicken Tacos, Flan
ThomasN
The Sunday brunch buffet was really good. It was the first time being there in a while. All the food stations are no longer self serve. They have plexiglass barriers and a server so they're doing their part to keep everything sanitized. The food was tasty but the desserts were a little dry. Good value for the money. Lots of options.
Jennifer Jolin
We had Mauricio as a waiter and he made the dining experience great. Delish food and service. Will be coming back again!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Enchiladas
DougO
Waitress stated we could not change tables since it had previously been assigned. The table we wanted was not used the entire time we were there. We wanted the table because it was located at the end where only one side had an adjoining booth. We are older and wanted to be as safe as possible with the increase of Covid 19 cases. Very disappointed that accommodation were not explored or considered. May not visit your establishment in the future.
AM Fitness
Hector, our waiter,, and Jaimie, the manager, are excellent at what they do. They gave great service, the food was delicious, and they treated us like family! Thank you so much!
We have enjoyed eating at El Torito Laguna Hills since moving to Orange County over 30 years ago. Our dinner today was excellent and our waiter Hector did a great job while they were short staffed. We have known Hector for years and he always gives a 100%. We had a very nice dining experience thus evening.
After 2nd time at this location all the meats taste reheated (multiple times) and not at all fresh. Maybe it's the time of day but un fortunate that the food quality was so inconsistent. Line up for waffle dessert was slow and disorganized. Loud obnoxious adults were allowed to cut the kids already waiting. Disappointing. Not returning do awhile.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
We have been coming to this brunch for years. It's no longer a self serve brunch. The staff serves you a very small portion that is saturated in oil and cold while having to point to what you want like a child.Seems to be understaffed as well, we had piles of dishes waiting to be picked up on our table and the food was sparse or empty everytime someone from our party went back for more.The other locations of this restaurant chain is highly recommended which has a completely pleasant experience..I suggest management take a visit.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
We came for the tacos on their anniversary and was not disappointed.The staff were all very friendly and we really enjoyed ourselves!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Guacamole, Home
Another chance, another fail!My daughter and I came for lunch, we arrived at 12:45 hoping to beet the crowd. Oh yeah, it was a ghost town. We ordered the lunch specail, all you can eat soup and salad with 8ced tea to drink.When we finished 1 each, she brought us the check. We each wanted more soup ..... she was annoyed, picked up the check, she returned 20 minutes later!! When ww finished, my daughter flagged her down and asked for a 3rd bowl of soup. WOW!! This time, she says something about the lunch special was over at 2. Reluctantly, she did bring more soup ..... NEVER have we ever had this tiny bowl of soup!!The bowl held the same portion as the salsa dish!! Why do you advertise it as all you can eat but hols back? We did not want more salad. It was terrible. I did not finish my salad because it tasted like it had cabbage in it, I can't eat cabbage.The waitress had a bad attitude, and although the soup was good, it was not great. There was no chicken in it. We won't come back to this location, we're done.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 1
We were surprised to find out that this location is closing its doors after being such a staple in the area! I really hope everyone finds another location (Dana Point) to move to...the service was always terrific! Michael, as a new Host/Server, was excellent!
Parking: It shares with several other stores, but always has spaces available
Kid-friendliness: Very
Wheelchair accessibility: Ramp is available
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Went for the Sunday brunch. Never been to this location before. Never will go back again. VERY overpriced for what you get. This is not a "buffet " . A buffet is where you serve yourself from a selection of food items. This is "cafeteria "style where you point to what you want and the server throws it on the plate. (Remember grade school, the lunch ladies?) That was how it felt. Compared to pre-Covid really poor selection as well. It simply isn't worth the time or money. Restrooms were not clean as well.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
Place was pretty empty running close to dinner time. Men's bathroom was filthy of old urine. Been a while since we've gone to El Torito and not looking forward to going again.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Queso Dip
Chicken and cheese enchiladas were great, the fried ice cream I remember tasting differently, but it was good. The server was exceptionally nice, and the host was great.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cheese Enchilada, Chicken Enchilada, Enchiladas
We went fir breakfast. We were the first ones in !The staff was very attentive. Our server was great !The chilaquiles were super tasty. The red sauce was a little spicy for my wife, but not so much for me.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Fantastic food, and even better service! The chicken tamales may be a bit small, but with their salsa verde, they are absolutely PACKED with flavor! Not to mention bottomless chips and salsa that are far better than most.Our server, Jose Garcia, was super patient with us, and was always quick to check in. In fact, there even ended up being a mistake on our bill, which despite me already putting down the tip and signing for it, he promptly brought back along with the new/correct bill that was $20 cheaper! Not a lot of places, or people, these days would be willing to point out their own mistake when the customer is already willing to pay more anyways, especially when percent-based tips are involved!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: All You Can Eat Lunch Buffet Chicken Tacos, Flan
The Sunday brunch buffet was really good. It was the first time being there in a while. All the food stations are no longer self serve. They have plexiglass barriers and a server so they're doing their part to keep everything sanitized. The food was tasty but the desserts were a little dry. Good value for the money. Lots of options.
We had Mauricio as a waiter and he made the dining experience great. Delish food and service. Will be coming back again!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Enchiladas
Waitress stated we could not change tables since it had previously been assigned. The table we wanted was not used the entire time we were there. We wanted the table because it was located at the end where only one side had an adjoining booth. We are older and wanted to be as safe as possible with the increase of Covid 19 cases. Very disappointed that accommodation were not explored or considered. May not visit your establishment in the future.
Hector, our waiter,, and Jaimie, the manager, are excellent at what they do. They gave great service, the food was delicious, and they treated us like family! Thank you so much!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Guacamole, Omelet Bar, Home
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