El Torito - La Mesa

Name: El Torito - La Mesa
Address: 5024 Baltimore Dr, La Mesa, CA, United States, 91942
Telephone: (619) 698-7404
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 3.9

3.9 (497)

$30 and under

Mexican

5024 Baltimore Dr, La Mesa, CA 91942

Make a reservation

2 people

Jul 1, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 3 times today

About this restaurant

Good for groups
Great for happy hour
Good for special occasions

The authority in great Mexican food for more than 65 years. Offering a memorable experience to make each guest feel like family.

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Mexican
Hours of operation
Brunch: Sunday: 9:00am - 2:00pm; Lunch: Monday - Saturday: 11:00am - 3:00pm; Dinner: Monday - Thursday: 3:00pm - 10:00pm, Friday & Saturday: 3:00pm - 11:00pm, Sunday: 2:00pm-10:00pm
Phone number
(619) 698-7404
Website
https://www.eltorito.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Catering
Bring the flavor of El Torito to your office or off-site event! We can accommodate groups from 10 to 10,000 and everything in between! Enjoy Taco Bars, Fajita Bars, Enchilada Bars & much more. Order online or call 1-888-TORTILLA. https://www.eltorito.com/catering/
Private party facilities
Show your friends, family, and co-workers how to throw a real party. Book one of our rooms, patios, or semi-private dining areas for your next celebration, event, or meeting. Choose from Plated Menus, Buffet Menus or Mix & Match your favorite individual Trays. Inquire online or call 1-888-TORTILLA. https://www.eltorito.com/private-events/
Delivery & takeout
Order direct

Location
5024 Baltimore Dr, La Mesa, CA 91942
Neighborhood
La Mesa
Parking details
Public Lot
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 497 people are saying

El Torito - La Mesa reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

3.9

3.9 based on recent ratings

4.0Food
3.8Service
3.7Ambience
3.9Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

East County
Great for brunch
East County
Healthy
East County
Romantic
East County
Lively

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

El Torito - La Mesa offers a rich variety of Mexican dishes, making it "probably the best deal in town for Sunday brunch." Diners appreciate the friendly and knowledgeable staff, with standout service from waiters like Ozzie and Gilberto. The restaurant is a "great festive place to celebrate an occasion," ensuring "great food and service."

497 Reviews

T
Tanya
Orange County4 reviews
2.0
Dined on June 15, 2025
1. Overall 2
2. Food 1
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 2
We went in for All You Can Eat Brunch and were told to wait by a lady while they cleaned tables. It was just 2 of us. After we waited over 30 minutes past our reservation time my husband went to the hostess and asked if they’d be able to seat us soon and the man ended up saying there was no reason for us to be waiting since they had plenty tables for 2 people. Once seated we had to wait for our waiter to make her way over since we just wanted to do the brunch buffet we didn’t necessarily need her so we got up and went to get food. The food was not fresh besides the omelet bar, seafood station, and taco station. The rice, beans, chilaquiles, enchiladas, corn cake, and tamales were pretty much all gone. There were no waffles. We headed back to our table and got drinks but they were out of ice near the agua frescas so we had to drink warm drinks until our waiter finally came to our table. I say all this to say that charging almost $50 per person for brunch with what my husband and I experienced is a bit much. We went back multiple times to see if we could get fresh food and we had no luck. I understand a Sunday brunch can be busy especially on Father’s Day, but I feel like there should’ve been more organization and communication between staff. The woman and man at the hostess desk were bickering the entire time we were there. The waiter seemed like she was out of it and took her time with small requests. I’ve been going to El Torito for years and what I experienced at this location was so disheartening.
Is this helpful?
B
Brett
San Diego1 review
1.0
Dined on June 15, 2025
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
We went on Father's Day we stayed for about 45 minutes. The food was cold, not edible and most of it did not have flavor. I had to bus my own table. There was no plates to try to get more food options. We paid $45 a person the manager comp us one person. I paid $200 for us to leave and for me to come home and make breakfast at home.
Is this helpful?
M
Michael
San Diego1 review
2.0
Dined on June 14, 2025
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 2
The buffet was anemic. so few items and was not available until 30 minutes after posted start time. They had ribs (which even when ribs are bad I like them) and they were a valiant effort but should have stayed with Mexican food. I had a reservation and was not expediated. the restaurant was empty and when I asked the boy always at the host stand, he acts like a request such as a table vs a booth is such a big problem.
Is this helpful?
D
Debaditya
San Diego5 reviews
3.0
Dined on June 14, 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
We go to this place once in a while. We used to love the salsa and the food. The food was still good; salsa was also quite decent.
Is this helpful?
J
Jan VIP
San Diego2 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 12, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Our server Bailey was very friendly and knowledgeable. Great food.
Is this helpful?
M
Margaret
San Diego2 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 1, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Our waiter Ozzie (I think that was his name?)was excellent!! I think that may have been a problem because although we had made reservations we had to wait for quite a while and were basically ignored for about 15-20 minutes. BUT our waiter made everything much,much better!! Thank you Ozzie!
Is this helpful?
G
Gladis
San Diego1 review
1.0
Dined on May 26, 2025
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
This restaurant looks rundown and in desperate need of a cleanup. The mango margarita didn’t taste like mango at all. The food was planned. Not ever going back to this restaurant.
Is this helpful?
W
William
San Diego18 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 25, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Enjoyed the food and service. Did not have to wait to long with our reservation
El Torito - La MesaResponded on May 28, 2025
Hi William, thank you so much for your 5-star review! We appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback and we look forward to serving you again soon!
Is this helpful?
C
Christine
San Diego16 reviews
4.0
Dined on May 17, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
We went for happy hour; the food was delicious and our waiter was outstanding!
El Torito - La MesaResponded on May 22, 2025
Hi Christine, Thank you for the 4-star review! We appreciate your feedback and are always striving to improve. If there's anything specific, you'd like to share to help us earn that 5th star next time, please feel free to reach out. We value your business and look forward to serving you again soon!
Is this helpful?
B
Beatriz
Unspecified1 review
5.0
Dined on May 11, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food that we order was outstanding, the gentleman server was fast and courteous, the prices not bad at all.i recommend El Torito
Is this helpful?

FAQs

El Torito - La Mesa offers delivery in partnership with Uber Eats. El Torito - La Mesa also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (619) 698-7404.

El Torito - La Mesa is rated 3.9 stars by 497 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Jul 1, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 3 times today

5024 Baltimore Dr, La Mesa, CA 91942

Dining areas

Additional information

Neighborhood
La Mesa
Hours of operation
Brunch: Sunday: 9:00am - 2:00pm; Lunch: Monday - Saturday: 11:00am - 3:00pm; Dinner: Monday - Thursday: 3:00pm - 10:00pm, Friday & Saturday: 3:00pm - 11:00pm, Sunday: 2:00pm-10:00pm
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Mexican
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Public Lot
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
Delivery & takeout
Order direct

Website
https://www.eltorito.com/
Phone number
(619) 698-7404
Catering
Bring the flavor of El Torito to your office or off-site event! We can accommodate groups from 10 to 10,000 and everything in between! Enjoy Taco Bars, Fajita Bars, Enchilada Bars & much more. Order online or call 1-888-TORTILLA. https://www.eltorito.com/catering/
Private party facilities
Show your friends, family, and co-workers how to throw a real party. Book one of our rooms, patios, or semi-private dining areas for your next celebration, event, or meeting. Choose from Plated Menus, Buffet Menus or Mix & Match your favorite individual Trays. Inquire online or call 1-888-TORTILLA. https://www.eltorito.com/private-events/

El Torito - La Mesa

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Dining areas

Additional information

Menu

What 497 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does El Torito - La Mesa offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is El Torito - La Mesa restaurant rated?

Is El Torito - La Mesa currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Dining areas

Additional information