El Toro Carniceria-Meat Shop

Don’t even get me started with this joke of an establishment. First off the customer service is HORRIBLE. OF YOU’RE PLANNING ON PAYING WITH CARD DO NOT COME HERE! You will be disrespected because the two women behind the counter are too incompetent to use a card reader. YANELLE AND ROSA or rose I’m almost sure that’s the names of the two I dealt with on my brief visit to this hole in the wall market. Food looked and smelled delicious, but when I went to pay the girl ROSA swiped my debit card then looked at me and said «you only have $ 2» in your account WTF! like that little dinky screen can tell her how much I have in my account. WRONG! She then directed me to YANELLE (equally as horrible) accept this girl gave me a complimentary eye roll. God bless my soul and give me patients! She then fiddled with her screen swiped my card a million times then looked at me and said «Our system doesn’t take debit cards. Go use the atm in the market.» Which btw comes with a charge of $ 2.50 and is sketchy as hell! I was out of there! I hope the owner of this carniceria reads this and knows that those girls and their incompetence, attitude, and blatant disrespect is ruining their business. I WILL NEVER BE BACK!

If you are really in a mood for authentic Mexican tacos El Toro Carniceria is the place! The agua frescas along with the tacos are the bomb! The tasty carne asada tacos are my favorite but all the meats are great !
The parking lot is very jammed but its well worth the wait !

Holy moly they do not mess around with the tacos. they are HUGE. I was surprised by how heavy the bag was for just 3 tacos. Each taco had a fist full of meat, and ok, I do have small hands but this is still impressive. It had so much meat that I ended up making two tacos out of each with the second tortilla. The meat itself though, it was good, but that’s all there is to say, nothing to write home about. I’d go again, but there’s better out there! But if you want the biggest bang for your buck, look no further!

Definitely a must try for simple but great tacos. If that’s what you’re looking for, then this is the place.

I been to this place many times, brought many people to eat here many times and never had complaints… This time tho it was a different experience… The meat was chewy, tortillas were cold and a bit hard and the whole taco was flavorless… I’m not sure I’ll come back here

They need a bigger place!!! Other than that its bomb!!! All the tacos are fully loaded with tender meat! The sauces are all bomb!!! The wait is also pretty long on weekends, recc you come during the week

Best tacos in OC! I have tried the tacos asada, carnitas, pork ribs and tamales. All were killer. Portions are huge and packed with double the normal amount of meat. I can only eat 2 tacos even when I’m totally famished. My boyfriend cannot finish an asada burrito either. We usually pick up a dozen tamales to go because they are delicious when we need a fast meal during the week. It’s a zoo inside cause the lines are long but they move fast. They don’t have a seating area so be prepared to eat in the car or take it to go. The carniceria is on the left side of the supermarket. Good luck finding a parking spot!

One of the hidden gems of Orange County. Tacos, burritos, pico de gallo all of it is authentic mexican cuisine. Prepare for a line no matter what time of day because when the food is this good it is worth the wait.

Oh my goodness, there food is awesome. The service is good, and if you want the best tamales in orange county that’s real, and not tasting like a franchise this is the place to go. I pick up a dozen whenever im in the area

Its like a supermarket deli aisle. You choose what you want and they give you a number and you wait to be called. We got the combo 1. Which comes with beans, rice, meat, and tortilla. I loved the flavors and crispy carnitas. I also loved the fresh tortillas. I like that you put the tacos together yourself. The lines are LONG. I also wish there were more condiments for the tacos.

The place to come and get your meat on to go. I love the burritos here. They are huge packed with meat, beans, and rice. I’ve had their Assad and lengua. The lengua is my favorite since it’s so soft and full of flavor. You can also get fresh food to go. Their tamales are big also, the costillas are amazing. You can not go wrong here. Even their fresh waters are good.

I’ve been eating the food from here since I was a baby. The tacos are awesome. The meat here is pretty good and never fails. The carne asada is perfectly seasoned and the beef tongue is good as well.
Their tacos usually come with two tortillas and enough meat to make two separate tacos and they also come with cilantro and onion.
You do have to note that some days are busier than others and the area inside is tiny so sometimes the line goes all the way outside.
The parking area is also a pain in the butt because it’s tiny and not very many parking spots and for whatever reason people always drive in the wrong direction and also make it very annoying for you to get out of your Parking spot.
Regardless you come for the food and that’s awesome so check it out!

So this review is just in terms of service. There are many reviewers who swear by their word that this place’s food is the best on the west coast. I haven’t tried it quite yet, but I will say that the establishment was quite packed, so be sure to prepare for a wait. There were dozens of employees so it didn’t take hours. But a long line nonetheless. it was also incredibly hot, so be weary.
We ordered plenty of meat and tamales, the menu is quite extensive and very reasonably priced. For a meat market this place is pretty small, and yet popular. If you faint easily, definitely wait for an odd hour, or just go to another meat market. This one is HOT.

How I miss coming to this place almost every weekend to get my dose of carnitas and lengua.
«El Toro» has been there since I was a small child being carried by my dad and held my mothers hand while in line. So many memories so many yummy tacos, tortas, fresh water drinks «Horchata, Jamiaca «you get it. From Carnitas to Buche From Mexican style grilled chicken to pork ribs to other «Authentic Mexican cooked food styles». «Btw the tortillas are always fresh here (: «
This place is always busy on any given day, My tip is to actually look around if you are new to this place and find yourself a «ticket number» wait in line and give it to the person on the counter «Order all you want» from made tacos, tortas and other food, to cater preparation dishes. Make sure to say it loud since this place is always packed and dont be shy.
Staff is always Friendly but keep in mind that they are busy don’t try to rush them, «Roll with the flow»
El Toro, You are the Real MVP of, Orange County «Santa Ana».
«Si no conocese El Toro, No Conoses Santa Ana»

Been coming here for years since I was a kid, I’ve tried mostly everything on there menu, Really good tacos and combo platters, worth the money and they don’t skimp on the meat I always drive 20 to 30 min to get here and get hit food and groceries at the Carniceria sometimes there are very long lines but it’s worth the wait don’t forget to stop by the liquor store always nice and ice cold beers they sell the BEST BEER «Gallo beer» from Guatemala really good BEER and Regia from El Salvador .
Also for the cruda/​hangover try their Birria consome don’t forget to ask for cilantro and onion
Overall best place in OC for tacos
Best quality meat in town in their meat shop
Best liquor store in Santa Ana
Thank you guys at El Toro

Outstanding food. Some of the best carnitas I’ve ever had. And I’ve had a lot!
Wait in line and eat in your car or in the parking lot. There aren’t any tables. There’s a small ledge inside, so you can eat while standing but it will be fully occupied — I guarantee it.
Come for the food and plan on taking it away or roughing it in the parking lot. The food makes it worthwhile no matter how or where you eat it.

My family loves the tacos there, I on the other hand am a fan of the tamales! They are not dry, always have the right amount of meat and masa and are HUGE in size. You’ll fill up with 1, and maybe have a second one just because you wont be able to resist the second one.
Service is great. They don’t make you wait and the workers there are really friendly. Whatever you get, you wont regret it because its all very delicious. Trust.

I’ve been going to El Toro for a few years now and it still satisfies my burrito and taco cravings.
Before, you used to get a number and wait to be called; now, you wait in a zigzag line to get served.
The only warnings I would give is that some people may run into a language barrier but overall there is no difficulty in speaking «food language.» Also, be prepared to eat the food at home or somewhere else as it is to-​go.
Order carnitas, lengua, or asada and you’ll have a happy tummy! You may want to order a side of guacamole as theirs is fresh and has a kick to it!

Amazing.
I first discovered this at a taco party, I didn’t have any expectations as all since all the Mexican food I consumed in San Diego/​Mexico made me a snob.
This place is not a restaurant. There is absolutely nowhere to eat.
When you first get here, take a number!!! My boyfriend and I stood clueless as to the huge crowd fighting to talk to the workers until someone nicely told us about the number system. You need a number for anything meat related. If you’re here to get the ceviche or any of the salsas, you can just ask the guy at that side. There’s usually not really a line there.
This place is legit though… I hope if you’re going that you know some Spanish. If not, you might be dealing with a bit of a language barrier.
I really really wanted to try their al pastor when I went but they were out of it sadly :(.
But anywho, one burrito here is HUGE. You’re legitly getting at least a lb of meat just from the burrito (they’re just meat burritos and not full of crappy rice and beans). They have a great selection of meats: al pastor, carnitas, carne asada, lengua, etc.
They make practically everything fresh. From their tortillas to their chips, everything here you can see them make it. It’s really hard to go wrong with the food here. They have some of the best Mexican food in all of Orange County and you can’t go wrong with giving this place a try.
The only con about this place is the tiny parking lot it’s located in. Also, maybe the massive line you’ll have to wait in to get your food. Oh and maybe how it’ll ruin normal Mexican food for you.

I was a little lost when I first stepped in because it’s more of a meat market but they also sell tacos, food plates and etc. Good thing they understood some English otherwise so I was able to order. Tacos are around $ 2.20 or so. 2 tacos came out to be over $ 4 but under $ 5.
Tacos here are really big. I was satisfied and full after 2 tacos. They’re not the small street tacos.
The lengua was soft but lacked flavor. It just tasted plain and didn’t seem like they marinated it much. But I enjoyed the al pastor because it was flavored and had a kick of spiciness. Big tacos though! Very very filling.

Esta carnicería ya tiene tiempo establecida aquí en Santa Ana. Mis primeros recuerdos son de los domingos atorado en el asiento trasero del pinche mustang de mi papa con mi carnalito chillando por que ya estábamos artos de estar dando vuelta y vuelta y vuelta en el estacionamiento para poder comprar 2 pinches libras de chicharrón de lonja, una cabeza de chivo, 2 riñones, 1 de tripas y un paquete de tortillas recién echas por la máquina que tienen allá atrás en el fondo del local .
Si no naciste o viviste más de 15 años en mi querido Santa Ana no tienes derecho de juzgar este lugar por que básicamente ¡El que no conoce el toro, no conoce a Santa Ana!
If you are a first timer at this historical landmark remember to always take a number and keep an eye on the counter or you will be skipped they are equips with a panaderia liquor store for beverages and a butcher/​market shop along with a hot food vending area and a full scale tortilleria operation in the back. Parking is a bitch but all good things come to those who wait and my homeboys are proof that the products sold and food here are top quality

pretty much, best carnita tacos ever. fuck im hungry.