El Torero Mexican Restaurant

I’ve been to El Torero many times before and the food has always been good. This time, unfortunately, I made the mistake of ordering carnitas. I have to say it was pretty much the worst carnitas I’ve ever eaten. To say the pork appeared and and had the consistency of shoe-​leather would be an understatement. On the positive side, the beans, rice, grilled onions & pico that came with the carnitas were delicious.

I used to frequent this place. However, my last visit about 2 months ago left me shocked. I was eating my food and a roach crawled across the table. I understand that most restaurants will have this at some point but I do not want to see it while I am eating. I just cannot return. :(

I would actually give this place NO Star rating if there were such a thing… the staff at this location are absolutely the nastiest most surely team of people I have encountered in a restaurant in a while. I actually had dinner there last night, and instantly remembered why I had stopped coming here. I chose to stop by because I was in the mood for Mexican food, and this weekend is a busy weekend in ATL — so I wanted to stay away from the traffic in the city.
The food here is typical Mexican «chain restaurant fare» meaning not superb but not bad… sort of average. The over arching issue however is coming to a place where you are spending your money to be treated like crap .when my partner asked for a refill of Salsa the young woman acted as if we were asking for her own personal food… just very «hateful»… There are too many other average Mexican restaurants in Atlanta that I can patronize and not be treated like and inconvenience but an appreciated guest… I will never return here… big loss right? I’m just one person… but I have a big mouth… I do not recommend this place and strongly encourage you to choose another place unless getting a healthy serving of attitude with your meal is appealing.

Don’t go here. They charged my debit account 3 times when I was there last night. When I called them today to have it corrected, they were rude, told me it was not their fault and hung up on me. They didn’t even ask me the receipt number or anything about the transaction. The food wasn’t that great either!

We were referred here after the Norcross location closed. I almost couldnt find it as it looked like a closed restaurant. Upon entering, same fishing décor as other locations just a bit more dated (maybe a 1970s look). Excellent food, however the drinks were way off par. I thought my margarita was a virigin since I could literally taste no tequila. Another thing that caught us off guard was the waitress carrying a baby in one hand and a cell phone in the other. She took our order after she placed the phone and the order pad on our table and wrote it there. We liked the staff at Norcross, just wished they were at this location. We might visit again for takeout, but definately not drinks, service, or ambience.

The cheese dip and steak quesadilla are awesome. Great drinks… and always consistently good at both locations.
You can get this awesome food to go and the cheese dip is sold by the pint with tons of free chips and salsa. Call ahead and it is ready in 15 minutes.

Wow, excellent find in Chamblee! Waiting for a meeting to start in the area and figured I’d stoping in for some Mexican food.
I had the pork fajitas and was provided a ton of food. The pork strips were very lean and tasty. Way too much food, even for a hungry person so I’d recommend splitting it or asking for a half order, if they do that.
Salsa was exceptional. Filled with veggies and spiced right.
Don’t let the exterior prevent you from visiting. It’s an old 80’s Wendy’s location but it’s all good inside, including the margaritas. Friendly staff too. We’ll be back!

The food is excellent.
I have been many times when I want a good meal. Just don’t expect anyone to act as if they care you are there.
Even the owner is a little rude at times.
Go for the food not for the service or atmosphere.

So delicious and the service is quick! Been here a thousand times. Other locations are equally as good. Wouldn’t recommend if you are looking for an upscale restaurant, but my co-​workers always have us bring food back for them whem we go!!!

A cockroach crawled across my table… Right next to my plate! The mgr couldn’t have cared less… I Moved Myself while he squished it. No apology nada. I can’t go back!

I live right next to this place. Cheap simple food that is good quality. Try the «el diablo» They need to wash there windows though.

Mexican my love. Easy to make but so easy to mess up. Love the food! You can taste the love. Sooooo unbelievable fast. Like faster than a drive thru. Lol Really. Service can be impersonal but eh. That is what I prefer. They set the bar for me. I like my steak cooked rare in my fajitas. I know its hard to do that in strips. It still was tender and very flavored. I just hate that its not near anywhere I live. I always have to come when I stop by and see a friend.

The BEST for combination menu style mex in ATL… very consistent, my service not bad… management of food is superb as food always consistent and in fresh prime form… enchiladas are about as good as they get… chili rellenos EXCelleNT. Guac is great especially on simple fresh crisp salad… soups are VERY GOOD… if you need to get full for 10 bucks. This is your place !!! Salsa very good… fajitas very tasty… quick service especially on to go orders… FOOD is good enough to overcome drab although clean atmosphere… for 5 STARS… One of my FAV «go to» spots in ATL GA

I’ve been coming here for years for lunch, 10 years ago, I was here at least once a week. The salsa as I remember was homemade and among the best I have had, thin, spicy, herbal and so tasty you could add vodka and make a spectacular «Bloody Mary» to those who like it spicy. Not today, salsa was thicker, more «stewed tomato» consistency and not that picante. I asked waiter and he said recipe had not changed but it has unless an ingredient wasn’t available. Too bad, salsa now is barely OK but and not close to the best in Atlanta as before and so consistent before. I’ll try it again, maybe today was an off batch. Standard Tex-​Mex always good, but salsa makes it and just average today. Flan was average too. Salsa is usually 5 star, not today, Standard Tex-​Mex favorites always good and usually above average. I’ll be back to see is salsa degrade is a just fluke. They always have packs of Mexican «Chicklets» or «Canels» which are so good and you can buy packs of 40 – 50 for $ 3.00.

El Torero has been sitting right outside my neighborhood for quite some time, and I only now have visited. This place has a very giant menu with a good selection. They also have giant draft beers for $ 4.50. The staff is super friendly. The lights are really ridiculously bright in there… which I guess is good for seeing what you’re eating.
I’ll be back to visit for certain. I still have to try their margarita, after all.

Can’t say I was very impressed, especially since the chicken tastes like cat (or something else one cares not to eat). The cheese enchilada is for those who like that «difference» cheese taste that one doesn’t get out west so be forewarned. Service was nice but I can’t shake that feeling of regularity coming and not because I had my fiber for the day.

I love eating here. They don’t sacrifice quality for quantity. The portions are huge and the food is delicious! The staff was very friendly and we had multiple people checking in on us (it wasn’t too busy at the time I guess).
The salsa was awesome, and the chips came out fresh (still hot). I ordered 2 burritos, one beef and one chicken, and I could only finish one :-). I love eating Mexican because I always have another meal to take home with me haha. I will be eating here again.

I went for lunch to this little family Mexican joint on Peachtree Ind. The food and service were great. I was welcomed right away and told to pick a seat. There were a number of other patrons, but my server was attentive and my food came faster than I would have expected.
I had the combo fajitas and loved it. My only complaint is that it only came with 2 tortillas, not enough to finish the pile of fajitas and condiments they brought me, but this seems to be the case with fajitas everywhere. The food was well prepared and delicious.
I loved all the photography on the walls. Obviously someone is an amateur photographer who loves animals and nature. In my section I was surrounded by fish and underwater scenes. Elsewhere I noticed some outdoors scenes, and by the register there was a calendar for sale.
Anyway, I was happy with my lunch and would recommend this place.

Warning… Another place with A bunch of Sad Sack servers. I have visited here several times and I really want to like it but… It’s the kind of place where the food is okay but the glum, depressing, rude servers bring It all down. One of the reasons I go to a Mexican Restaurant is for the food and usually friendly, warm Latin atmosphere. Not here.
You can never get more than maybe a facsimile of a smile here and that’s if you try really, really hard. Why is every worker here so depressed? I’ve worked in restaurants before and it is hard work but why do you have to bring me down?
If I didn’t know better they might be the same sad sacks that all work at San Francisco Coffee.
I wish you luck but Adiós for now El Torero.

A few language barriers on all 3 times, the food made it worth it. I can go back and eat the queso for days, if I gain anymore, you may think I have!
The food is relatively inexpensive, the margaritas by the pitcher, and always slow, never feel in a rush. As mentioned, they have random closing times, but it’s a surprise when I find it open.