This is a classic San Francisco Mexican restaurant. We arrived early for dinner on a Thursday night and were seated immediately at a nice table near the window.
I ordered a mango margarita, as did my daughter, and we loved them.
I ordered a standard bean and cheese burrito (lol), and it was exactly what I wanted. My daughter ordered a chicken quesadilla, and our two companions ordered enchiladas.
Service can be a little slow but it’s kinda what you expect. Place is colorfully decorated and very pretty inside.
We love this place and will be back.
Ben H
Still one of my favorites. Food hit the spot. Server, Aaron was helpful and attentive, took care of me and got me in and out quick on my lunch break.
Joshua Brewer
This place means a lot to me and my family. El Toreador is right in the heart of San Francisco and hands down serves the best Mexican food I’ve ever had. My dad used to come here back when he was a college student at SFSU, and now here I am, sitting in the same spot he used to, eating a massive burrito and soaking it all in. Kind of wild. The interior is super colorful and full of character it's like every inch of the walls and ceiling has something interesting to look at. Really feels like a family-run spot that’s kept its soul over the years. The rice was flavorful, the beans were perfect, and the burrito I got was huge, warm, and packed with well-seasoned meat and fresh ingredients. You can tell they care about the food. It’s cozy, feels like home, and there’s history in every corner. The staff was chill and welcoming, the vibe was relaxed, and everything about it just hit right. If you’re ever in the area and want real, honest, amazing Mexican food with some family history behind it this is the spot.
Noe de la Cruz
Food was okay, but never have I paid $30 for a shrimp burrito in my life! Super expensive not worth it! Barely had 7 shrimps in it.
Front guy in hat kind of arrogant/superiority complex? Seems to be attending white people nice, so maybe because I was latino? I don't know it could maybe just be my perception but I did not felt comfortable being there. Took my order to go.
It will be a one star but I have to give two stars because the orchata drink was really good!
Lauren J
I love this place. Great salsa, great decor, and exactly the service you hope for from a place like this. It’s a Mexican restaurant from an era that’s soon to be bygone. Kitsch on the walls, families of all stripes, reasonable prices.
I always get the enchilada plate. I’m a carnivore but I can’t resist their cheese enchiladas.
Kevin Chan
Best Mexican Food!
Soykan DENİZ
Yummy mexican foods 😋
Samet
nice place, friendly service and very delicious food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kevin Locci
This is not proper Mexican food. It's like an Indian hybrid with salsas that taste like powdered curry mixes. Tamales are all masa, no meat. You're much better going just about anywhere else for Mexican food. Don't be fooled by the charming interior, it's a ruse. Service is also lackadaisical and largely laissez-faire.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 1
Andrea F
Super cute place. I had the spinach enchiladas, and they hit the spot perfectly.
Dietary restrictions: they were great about accommodating gluten free
Fun atmosphere. Friendly staff, but not very attentive. Pork meat in tacos was very dry and did not seem fresh. At these prices I expect consistently better food and more attention from the wait staff. Their soup is not served anymore, so that was disappointing. I feel like they are off their game. I’ve been eating there fairly often over the past 15 years.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Taco
Carl dobe Compton
Very concerning Google is throttling the exposure of this website on their Google Maps Service… all the other restaurants showed up, this one was hidden from view… onto the review
This is a cozy home style restaurant, their salsa is unique and delicious, just the right amount of heat and a mouthful of refreshing flavor on every bite. I asked to sit outside and was given quality attention, they brought me chips when I wanted them… like they were reading my tastebuds.
I did the Flautas with shredded beef, comes two to the order with rice and beans…. Such a generous portion, I left full… but I did also get an extra side of guacamole :)
Very community centric environment, 5 stars
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rosie Reider-Smith
This is our go to spot for Enchiladas - nothing can compare! They have a great menu overall but the enchiladas are spectacular.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chris Fung
Looking forward to my next visit!!! Highly recommended. Family run… Delicious food… Fun atmosphere!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jack Tso
Fun little place with interesting decorations but the food is OK.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Salsa, Enchilada Taco and Relleno, Guacamole, Enchilada
This is a classic San Francisco Mexican restaurant. We arrived early for dinner on a Thursday night and were seated immediately at a nice table near the window.
I ordered a mango margarita, as did my daughter, and we loved them.
I ordered a standard bean and cheese burrito (lol), and it was exactly what I wanted. My daughter ordered a chicken quesadilla, and our two companions ordered enchiladas.
Service can be a little slow but it’s kinda what you expect. Place is colorfully decorated and very pretty inside.
We love this place and will be back.
Still one of my favorites. Food hit the spot. Server, Aaron was helpful and attentive, took care of me and got me in and out quick on my lunch break.
This place means a lot to me and my family. El Toreador is right in the heart of San Francisco and hands down serves the best Mexican food I’ve ever had. My dad used to come here back when he was a college student at SFSU, and now here I am, sitting in the same spot he used to, eating a massive burrito and soaking it all in. Kind of wild. The interior is super colorful and full of character it's like every inch of the walls and ceiling has something interesting to look at. Really feels like a family-run spot that’s kept its soul over the years. The rice was flavorful, the beans were perfect, and the burrito I got was huge, warm, and packed with well-seasoned meat and fresh ingredients. You can tell they care about the food. It’s cozy, feels like home, and there’s history in every corner. The staff was chill and welcoming, the vibe was relaxed, and everything about it just hit right. If you’re ever in the area and want real, honest, amazing Mexican food with some family history behind it this is the spot.
Food was okay, but never have I paid $30 for a shrimp burrito in my life! Super expensive not worth it! Barely had 7 shrimps in it.
Front guy in hat kind of arrogant/superiority complex? Seems to be attending white people nice, so maybe because I was latino? I don't know it could maybe just be my perception but I did not felt comfortable being there. Took my order to go.
It will be a one star but I have to give two stars because the orchata drink was really good!
I love this place. Great salsa, great decor, and exactly the service you hope for from a place like this. It’s a Mexican restaurant from an era that’s soon to be bygone. Kitsch on the walls, families of all stripes, reasonable prices.
I always get the enchilada plate. I’m a carnivore but I can’t resist their cheese enchiladas.
Best Mexican Food!
Yummy mexican foods 😋
nice place, friendly service and very delicious food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is not proper Mexican food. It's like an Indian hybrid with salsas that taste like powdered curry mixes. Tamales are all masa, no meat. You're much better going just about anywhere else for Mexican food. Don't be fooled by the charming interior, it's a ruse. Service is also lackadaisical and largely laissez-faire.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 1
Super cute place. I had the spinach enchiladas, and they hit the spot perfectly.
Dietary restrictions: they were great about accommodating gluten free
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Fun atmosphere. Friendly staff, but not very attentive. Pork meat in tacos was very dry and did not seem fresh. At these prices I expect consistently better food and more attention from the wait staff. Their soup is not served anymore, so that was disappointing. I feel like they are off their game. I’ve been eating there fairly often over the past 15 years.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Taco
Very concerning Google is throttling the exposure of this website on their Google Maps Service… all the other restaurants showed up, this one was hidden from view… onto the review
This is a cozy home style restaurant, their salsa is unique and delicious, just the right amount of heat and a mouthful of refreshing flavor on every bite. I asked to sit outside and was given quality attention, they brought me chips when I wanted them… like they were reading my tastebuds.
I did the Flautas with shredded beef, comes two to the order with rice and beans…. Such a generous portion, I left full… but I did also get an extra side of guacamole :)
Very community centric environment, 5 stars
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is our go to spot for Enchiladas - nothing can compare! They have a great menu overall but the enchiladas are spectacular.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Looking forward to my next visit!!!
Highly recommended.
Family run…
Delicious food…
Fun atmosphere!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fun little place with interesting decorations but the food is OK.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Salsa, Enchilada Taco and Relleno, Guacamole, Enchilada
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