El Toro Mexican Restaurant

Have you ever had a stomach ache and just somehow sensed that the answer was a bowl full of melted Chihuahua cheese? Just me then? That’s how I landed at El Toro last week.
I enjoyed the atrocious decorations. In a smaller space, the bright colors of the tables/​chairs and junk on the walls would seem over powering. The open area makes it tolerable, and some of the wall items are even pretty amusing.
The boy got a chimichanga, and at his request they agreed to make him one with chorizo instead of the other options. It was pretty good, though I’m not much a chimichanga fan. No need to throw things at me; they’re just not my favorite.
When I ask for a bowl of cheese dip, and you bring me a bowl of melted Chihuahua cheese, you’ve done something right. No need to mess with the cheese when it’s great already. I also had a chicken dish with rice and beans; I don’t remember the name because I chose it solely because I noticed it was topped with more cheese. I did notice that they sprinkled more cheese on the beans than some places. Are you sensing a theme here?
I left feeling overly full but also stomach ache free. Don’t ask me how. (My guess is magic.) Also, I noticed that they have a margarita special everyday. It’s like the said the magic words to make me come back.
Pros: fast service, price, cheap margaritas, cheese
Neutral: décor, food
Cons: weird location

Come for the salsa, stay for the Spanish music videos!
My quest to broaden my cheap Mexican food horizons landed me at El Toro, which quickly became a staple of my lunch routine. The advantage it offers over Mi Ranchito is that it is nearly always deserted.
For the most part, that means fast service and fresh food. On occasion, the chips have been cold and the food has lacked flavor. But if you’re in the neighborhood or want a Mexican meal in a hurry, you can’t go wrong here.
The décor is so tacky it’s almost charming. I think they finally took their Christmas stockings down by March.

I really wanted to like this place more, but I am true to Mi Ranchito in U City. We stopped by, hoping that this would be our new South City go-​to for Mexican, but it just can’t live up to our expectations.
We arrived early afternoon and the place was basically empty. That is probably because the heater was not turned on. It was 30 degrees outside and about 50 degrees inside. We kept our coats, scarves, gloves on until our meal came out!
There was only one server, poor thing. She had three tables besides us. One table was a family with three or four children under the age of twelve. Basically, the parents were shit-​faced, or at least, I am assuming they were because I have never seen such ineffective parenting. These little jerks were running around, screaming the duration of our visit. I don’t want to be a bitch, but I really think that the manager should have asked them to make their kids sit down and shut up. They almost tripped the waitress twice, tried to run into the kitchen and were annoying the hell out of the other patrons. But they are not the reason I give this place three stars…
Back to the server… who basically acted like she didn’t give two shits if we were going to tip her or not. Of course, we always tip well… but this was ridiculous. Slow motion to get our drinks. Chips and salsa didn’t come out before our food… they came with it… wth? I asked for cheese dip multiple times… Can I GET A FRIGGIN’ refill of soda in this piece?! Yikes. She was not in tune at all and very careless. My hubby’s food came out way before mine. It was just sad and a total lack of organization.
Then, to boot, the food was just mediocre, a hot mess (or cold, rather). We don’t order gringo food items either. We know our Mexican food, and ordered real tacos with lengua and corn tortillias. It was sad. The chorizo was cold… ugh, I could just go on and on. Not worth it.

El Toro is located in a strip mall at the corner of Chippewa and Kingshighway. The location and getting in and out of the strip mall is awkward, and the restaurant isn’t obvious from the street, but it’s a decent find once you get there. The restaurant has been empty every time I’ve been there. Only 3 – 5 tables full.
The restaurant is fairly big and the décor is bright and colorful. The food is a hybrid of Americanized Mexican and authentic. I’ve had the chicken taco salad and the tacos El Pastor (pork and pineapple soft tacos). Both were decent. Not the best in STL, but better than many of the local options in that neighborhood.
While the restaurant is colorful, it lacks ambiance. The main drawbacks are the size (big) and clutter. They could do a better job of laying things out and storing their supplies. I’ll be back to try more of the food, but it wouldn’t be my first pick for a date.

Mediocre food, alright service. Went in on a Friday around 9, and found it mostly empty. Food was flavorless, greasy, oily, and generally not that good. Very few authentic options.
Got a combo with a tamal and chile rellenos — both were bland, cold, and oily. A chicken soft taco ordered as a side had underdone chicken in the middle. Margaritas weren’t good and tasted mostly of commercial mix, not fresh lime.
Servers and were too busy singing off-​key karaōke in Spanish to be attentive. Both the singing and the constant feedback from the mic due to the DJ’s poor sound engineering skills were massive distractions.

Food was ok. Coffee was disappointing… then again, I guess you don’t expect quality coffee at a Mexican restaurant.

I have been a Unilocal user for over a year and this is the first review I’ve felt compelled to write. El Toro puts other Mexican restaurants to shame. The staff is friendly & service is prompt, but the food is the real star here. Everything tastes fresh and homemade. The salsa is perfect; not too hot, not too mild. The tortillas are wonderfully soft. And the guacamole is to die for! Seriously, THE best guacamole I’ve ever had. El Paisano used to be my go to for Mexican. Used to…

I am always looking for new Mexican restaurants, and I found one in El Toro. located in the starbucks plaza on Kingshighway and Chippewa, its hidden away off the road with no visible signs which could lead to a slower business having to rely on word of mouth, however I will do my best to spread the word.
The restaurant is decorated and themed out like a chain restaurant, which adds to the ambiance of the place, the waiters both times have been very efficient and friendly and know what to do, they show up at your table promptly and make regular return visits like a professional server should.
Both times I have had the lunch Chimichanga, it comes with rice, beans and a guacamole salad for 7.99 there is a large lunch special menu that runs until 3 pm and there is a full menu as well that goes all day long.
i have had several meals here, and all have been delightful, looking forward to returning again to the place, it certainly gets my seal of approval.