been a while since i was last at el torito and i was greatly surprised by the quality of food and the amazing service! our server katelyn was quick to give us recommendations and provide a welcoming experience! i look forward to bringing my family next time.
Reese Fox
Katelyn was absolutely wonderful! She was friendly, attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout our meal. She checked in at the perfect times without ever feeling rushed and gave great recommendations from the menu. Her positive energy really made our dining experience special. We’ll definitely be asking for her again next time!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Yuriko Cruz
Alberto Alvarez provided amazing service
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sara Torpez
I am writing to share an extremely disappointing experience. Despite the restaurant not being busy, we were left waiting for a long time before anyone came to our table. When the server finally approached, I asked if he had been busy, and his response was simply “no,” delivered with an attitude that came across as dismissive and unprofessional. When I asked to speak with a manager, he immediately walked away. I asked if he could at least take our order before leaving, but he refused, saying only that the manager would come. I was left stunned, as I had not been rude and had actually wanted to discuss a future event with the manager. The server gave me no opportunity to explain.
When the manager, Britney, arrived, her only suggestion was to move us to another table. There was no apology, no attempt to address the poor service we had already received, and no accountability for the situation. It was clear that both the server and the manager lacked the customer service skills necessary to handle even a basic interaction respectfully.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Margaret White
I had one of the worst dining experiences at El Torito in Lakewood. The restaurant wasn’t even busy, yet I was left waiting over 20 minutes without service. The server was too busy chatting carelessly to do his job, and when I finally asked if I could place my order while waiting for the manager, he rudely told me “no” and walked away. Absolutely no apology, no effort, no professionalism.
When the manager Britney came over, she proved just as incompetent—her only “solution” was to move us to another table, which did nothing to fix the terrible service. This was supposed to be a birthday celebration, but instead it turned into a huge disappointment.
The staff here clearly lack basic customer service skills and any sense of accountability. Servers and management both showed zero effort to make things right. This place desperately needs better training, because the way it’s currently run is unacceptable. I will be reporting this incident to corporate.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Charles Wickergreen
Service was very good and food was good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Yuri Diaz
The wait staff was attentive and,
Timothy Branik
Good safe bet as it's a chain restaurant and you know what you're getting going in
Tanesha Thomas
My waiter Leo was great he checked on my table often was very friendly and efficient
Sandy Wells
Had father's day brunch today. Edwin was a fantastic server.
This restaurant that’s part of a whole group of chain restaurants claims it’s a “local business” charges a 4% surcharge that they only warn you about on a tiny placard at the host’s stand. Also, the house salsa is basically water with a slight tomato flavoring. They do have a decent salsa, but you have to ask for it specifically. Do yourself a favor and go to any of the thousands of actual Mexican places around, most of whom are honest about their prices and don’t add a secret surcharge.
Sofia Hernandez
We had a reservation, but it wasn’t honored—we ended up waiting over 40 minutes to be seated. While our server was kind and tried their best, the overall service was disorganized and frustrating. The food was disappointing: not worth the price, lacking in flavor, and definitely overpriced for the quality. To top it off, checkout was a mess—they couldn’t figure out how to properly charge us. Unfortunately, this was a really poor experience from start to finish. Would not recommend.
Daniel Hynes
Always make mistake Always have to explain what goes with my order
Kimberly
Amy, the hostess, was very rude!!! When she greeted me, I mentioned to her I had a reservation for 2 in the bar and gave her my name. After which she pointed to my sister, and said your party is waiting for u over there in the restaurant. I again said, my reservation is for the bar area, and she shop'd me away and proceeded to answer the phone. I mentioned this to y sister, whom was waiting for me, and she also said Amy was rude to her upon her arrival. She also mentioned the reservation and was still seated in the restaurant side. I will not be back.
Opentable Diner
I was really looking forward to leaving a positive review, but my experience did not go well. Heads up! They don't respect reservations. They rather sit down walk-ins than save the table for a reservation. I had reservations at 12pm for a party of 10 and confirmed via phone call at 11am. I checked in at 12pm and was told that I would need to wait a little. A little became an hour and 10 minute wait!! It was ridiculous!! We specifically went for the Sunday Brunch and we didn't get seated until 1:15 pm, which meant we got all the left overs. I didn't ask for an update until 30 minutes in and I was told that we would get seated shortly within 10 minutes. They kept beating around the bush when I asked for an update, saying give them 5 minutes they're cleaning the table, the table will be ready in 10 minutes. Apparently it takes 40 minutes to clean a table. I'm never coming back to this location. I recommend reserving and visiting the West Covina location. Oh the cherry on top was that the host even admitted that they sat walk-ins because sometimes the reservations don't come. Hmm.. that's why it's called a grace period. If you don't show up to your reservation within 10 minutes then your reservation is cancelled and they can sit walk-ins. A true disappointment.
been a while since i was last at el torito and i was greatly surprised by the quality of food and the amazing service! our server katelyn was quick to give us recommendations and provide a welcoming experience! i look forward to bringing my family next time.
Katelyn was absolutely wonderful! She was friendly, attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout our meal. She checked in at the perfect times without ever feeling rushed and gave great recommendations from the menu. Her positive energy really made our dining experience special. We’ll definitely be asking for her again next time!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alberto Alvarez provided amazing service
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
I am writing to share an extremely disappointing experience. Despite the restaurant not being busy, we were left waiting for a long time before anyone came to our table. When the server finally approached, I asked if he had been busy, and his response was simply “no,” delivered with an attitude that came across as dismissive and unprofessional. When I asked to speak with a manager, he immediately walked away. I asked if he could at least take our order before leaving, but he refused, saying only that the manager would come. I was left stunned, as I had not been rude and had actually wanted to discuss a future event with the manager. The server gave me no opportunity to explain.
When the manager, Britney, arrived, her only suggestion was to move us to another table. There was no apology, no attempt to address the poor service we had already received, and no accountability for the situation. It was clear that both the server and the manager lacked the customer service skills necessary to handle even a basic interaction respectfully.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
I had one of the worst dining experiences at El Torito in Lakewood. The restaurant wasn’t even busy, yet I was left waiting over 20 minutes without service. The server was too busy chatting carelessly to do his job, and when I finally asked if I could place my order while waiting for the manager, he rudely told me “no” and walked away. Absolutely no apology, no effort, no professionalism.
When the manager Britney came over, she proved just as incompetent—her only “solution” was to move us to another table, which did nothing to fix the terrible service. This was supposed to be a birthday celebration, but instead it turned into a huge disappointment.
The staff here clearly lack basic customer service skills and any sense of accountability. Servers and management both showed zero effort to make things right. This place desperately needs better training, because the way it’s currently run is unacceptable. I will be reporting this incident to corporate.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Service was very good and food was good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
The wait staff was attentive and,
Good safe bet as it's a chain restaurant and you know what you're getting going in
My waiter Leo was great he checked on my table often was very friendly and efficient
Had father's day brunch today. Edwin was a fantastic server.
Restaurantji Recommends
This restaurant that’s part of a whole group of chain restaurants claims it’s a “local business” charges a 4% surcharge that they only warn you about on a tiny placard at the host’s stand.
Also, the house salsa is basically water with a slight tomato flavoring. They do have a decent salsa, but you have to ask for it specifically.
Do yourself a favor and go to any of the thousands of actual Mexican places around, most of whom are honest about their prices and don’t add a secret surcharge.
We had a reservation, but it wasn’t honored—we ended up waiting over 40 minutes to be seated. While our server was kind and tried their best, the overall service was disorganized and frustrating. The food was disappointing: not worth the price, lacking in flavor, and definitely overpriced for the quality. To top it off, checkout was a mess—they couldn’t figure out how to properly charge us. Unfortunately, this was a really poor experience from start to finish. Would not recommend.
Always make mistake
Always have to explain what goes with my order
Amy, the hostess, was very rude!!! When she greeted me, I mentioned to her I had a reservation for 2 in the bar and gave her my name. After which she pointed to my sister, and said your party is waiting for u over there in the restaurant. I again said, my reservation is for the bar area, and she shop'd me away and proceeded to answer the phone. I mentioned this to y sister, whom was waiting for me, and she also said Amy was rude to her upon her arrival. She also mentioned the reservation and was still seated in the restaurant side. I will not be back.
I was really looking forward to leaving a positive review, but my experience did not go well. Heads up! They don't respect reservations. They rather sit down walk-ins than save the table for a reservation. I had reservations at 12pm for a party of 10 and confirmed via phone call at 11am. I checked in at 12pm and was told that I would need to wait a little. A little became an hour and 10 minute wait!! It was ridiculous!! We specifically went for the Sunday Brunch and we didn't get seated until 1:15 pm, which meant we got all the left overs. I didn't ask for an update until 30 minutes in and I was told that we would get seated shortly within 10 minutes. They kept beating around the bush when I asked for an update, saying give them 5 minutes they're cleaning the table, the table will be ready in 10 minutes. Apparently it takes 40 minutes to clean a table. I'm never coming back to this location. I recommend reserving and visiting the West Covina location. Oh the cherry on top was that the host even admitted that they sat walk-ins because sometimes the reservations don't come. Hmm.. that's why it's called a grace period. If you don't show up to your reservation within 10 minutes then your reservation is cancelled and they can sit walk-ins. A true disappointment.
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