Hours

Sun 10am to 10pm
Mon - Thurs 11am to 10pm
Fri - Sat 11am to 11pm

Cross Street

Santa Barbara

Parking

Parking lot or valet

Pricing

Medium ($$)

City's Best

El Torito Mexican Grill   

951 Newport Center Dr
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949-640-2875
www.eltorito.com

Rating: 4 out of 5  (3 Ratings)   Read Reviews (3)    Rate and Write a Review

The large bar serves up refreshing peach and strawberry margaritas and they have one of the largest selections of tequila around. The crowd varies, but it's mostly businessmen, families and anyone who enjoys a good happy hour. Southwestern is the decor motif and there is a large private room in the back for parties or large groups. The tortillas are made on the premises, literally in front of your eyes, and come with a sweet tasting butter. Tamales, tacos and enchiladas come with rice, beans and El Torito's famed sweet corn cake. Sundays offer a champagne brunch where the tour includes fajitas, Chipotle eggs benedict, a kid's station and heavenly chocolate flan. -- Victoria Namkung

User Ratings and Reviews Rate and Write a Review

3 Ratings and Reviews

Order by: Oldest | Newest
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Review rating 5 out of 5
Brunch is great
By amanda0781 on 06/18/2005
We like to go to El Torito Grill for brunch and happy hour. Their brunch is cheap and fun. The food is really good. For happy hour, they have an awesome appetizer bar (quesadillas, fruits, veggies, tosadas). The whole thing is free and the drinks are inexpensive. Highly recommend.
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Review rating 5 out of 5
It's improved dramatically!
By simplyspider on 05/24/2004
It's a Southwestern themed restaurant with a SoCal Twist. The food is great and their tortillas are addicting! Everyone should try to eat here at least once. Unlike any other Mexican restaurant I've been to. All their servers are friendly and great but these are the ones that stand out. Ask for one of the following servers for a great experrience : Rudy, Fernando, Jose, Elia, or Fabian. This restaurant used to get slammed on the weekends and it was obvious that they did need new help but lately everytime I've been there I've had no trouble with the service. I do however, see the people getting angry at the workers for things they have no control over like the wait over the tables or when the waiter has to do some guacamole (it's made tableside along with other items on the menu which do take up time and some people think that time preparing something for another table means that the server is ignoring them).
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Review rating 2 out of 5
Could Be So Much Better
By noserestaurants on 04/21/2004
This is not the first review of this place. Earlier negative reviews have been removed. Excuse me, but if restaurants can't take honest criticism they should get out of the business. This place could be so much better if a. they had more help on hand, b. they had some more talent in the kitchen. It's too bad.