El Torito - Northridge

Name: El Torito - Northridge
Address: 8855 Tampa Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, United States, 91324
Telephone: (818) 349-1607
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 3.8

3.8

189 Reviews

$30 and under

Mexican

Top Tags:

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

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Aug 18, 2022

7:00 PM

Booked 6 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Takeout

(818) 349-1607

Other options

Order online

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Cuisines
Mexican
Hours of operation
Brunch: Sunday: 9:00am - 2:00pm, Saturday: 10:00am - 2:00pm; Lunch: Monday - Friday: 11:00am - 3:00pm; Dinner: Monday - Thursday: 3:00pm - 10:00pm, Friday & Saturday: 3:00pm - 11:00pm, Sunday: 2:00pm-10:00pm
Phone number
(818) 349-1607
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!
Private party facilities
Show your friends, family, and co-workers how to throw a real party with El Torito. Book one of our rooms, patios, or semi-private dining areas for your next celebration, event, or meeting.

Location
8855 Tampa Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 91324
Neighborhood
Northridge
Parking details
Public Lot
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Fresh Tableside Guacamole$10.99
Prepared just the way you like it - with fresh avocados, spicy serrano chiles and a special blend of herbs and spices
Crispy Flautas$9.49
Four crispy flour tortillas filled with grilled chicken and jack cheese. Topped with cotija cheese, crema fresca, pico de gallo. With jalapeño jelly and red pepper dip
Cheese Quesadilla$10.99
Grilled with a hint of jalapeño butter until crisp and golden brown with pico de gallo, salsa picante, guacamole and sour cream
Mexican Buffalo Wings$9.99
10 wings with our Mexican twist on a classic favorite served buffalo-style with ranch dip
Nachos Supremos$10.99
Chicken on a mound of warm chips, melted cheese, refried beans and guajillo chile sauce topped with fresh jalapeños, tomatoes, green onions and guacamole
Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp$12.99
Four large grilled shrimp wrapped in roasted pasilla chiles, manchego cheese and bacon
Grande Fiesta Platter$16.99
Buffalo Tenders or Wings, Crispy Flautas, Nachos Supremos, Cheese Quesadilla. Served with guacamole and dipping sauces
Queso Dip$7.99
Two cheese blend, pico de gallo, roasted pasilla peppers and cilantro. Served with warm tortilla chips

Soup & Salads

House-Made Tortilla Soup$7.99
Our original recipe made fresh throughout the day! Chicken broth, tender chicken, garden-fresh vegetables, jack cheese and fresh avocado
Tableside Fajitas Salad$14.99
Grilled chicken breast, romaine lettuce, cotija cheese, fresh avocado, roasted pepitas, fresh pico de gallo, crisp tortilla strips. Tossed tableside with serrano-grape vinaigrette
Grilled Chicken Mexican Caesar$13.99
Romaine lettuce, cotija cheese, tomatoes, roasted pepitas and crisp tortilla strips tossed in our Cilantro-Pepita Dressing™
Grilled Chicken Taco Salad$14.99
Homemade tostada taco shell filled with romaine lettuce, refried beans, pico be gallo, cotija and jack cheese. Topped with grilled chicken, roasted pepitas, sour cream, guacamole and your choice of dressing

Flame-Grilled Fajitas

All fajitas are drizzled with guajillo butter sauce. Served with rice, frijoles de la olla, guacamole, sweet corn cake and choice of flour or corn tortillas

Ignited Fajitas Supremas$21.99
Our premium fajitas with citrus-chile ancho marinated grilled steak*, chicken breast and sautéed shrimp, sizzling together and flamed right at your table with 1800 Silver Tequila
Grilled Chicken Fajitas$17.99
Citrus-chipotle marinated chicken
Shrimp Fajitas$20.99
Tender shrimp sautéed in jalapeño-garlic butter and guajillo chile sauce
Seafood Fajitas$20.99
Succulent sautéed shrimp and mahi-mahi
Grilled Steak* Fajitas$19.99
Citrus-chile ancho marinated steak*
Fajitas Combo$19.99
Grilled chicken breast fajitas, grilled steak* fajitas and a cheese enchilada
Veggie Fajitas$17.99
Fresh vegetables, rosemary and mint leaves with a grilled chile relleno

Fajitas Duo

$19.99. Select two of your favorites!

Grilled Chicken Breast
Grilled Steak*
Sautéed Shrimp

El Torito Presents Family Style Fajitas

Serves up to 4! Sides are endless, just ask for more!

Family Style Fajitas$59.99
Steak*, Large Shrimp, Chicken and Carnitas Fajitas, served with rice, refried beans, guacamole, sweet corn cake and choice of tortillas

Create Your Own Combo

All combos include refried beans, rice and our signature sweet corn cake. Pick Two $13.99, Pick Three $14.99

Tacos
Chicken Machaca, Crispy Taco, Beef Barbacoa, Crispy Taco
Enchiladas
Cheese Enchilada, Beef Barbacoa Enchilada, Chicken Machaca Enchilada
Classics
Chicken Tamale, Chile Relleno, Crispy Chicken Flautas

Combo Classics

Macho Combo$15.99
Four of our most popular items on one platter: a fire-roasted pasilla chile relleno, a chicken and sour cream enchilada, a beef barbacoa crispy taco and a hand-made chicken tamale. Served with refried beans and rice
Sizzling Combo$17.99
Shrimp sautéed with fajita vegetables and a grilled chicken enchilada served on a sizzling skillet with a grilled steak* soft taco, frijoles de la olla, rice and warm tortillas
Baja Combo$17.99
Two bacon-wrapped shrimp, a mahi-mahi fish taco and a shrimp Mazatlán enchilada. Served with rice

Specialties

Our Favorite Meals Plated Just for You!

Carne Asada and Cheese Enchilada$19.99
Tender grilled skirt steak* marinated in chile de árbol adobo, topped with nopalitos salsa, with a cheese enchilada and tomato-jalapeño sauce. Served with rice, frijoles de la olla, fresh guacamole and warm tortillas
Slow-Roasted Carnitas$17.99
Slowly simmered in garlic, oranges and spices, our tender pork is served with fresh avocado, frijoles de la olla, rice, pico de gallo, marinated cabbage and warm tortillas. Make your Carnitas Chile Verde or Chile Colorado Style
Pollo Fresco en Adobo$15.99
Chicken breast marinated with chile de árbol adobo, grilled and served atop sautéed fresh spinach. Served with a grilled stuffed pasilla chile and rice
Carne Asada and Shrimp$21.99
Skirt steak* and sautéed shrimp topped with nopalitos salsa. Served with frijoles de la olla, rice, fresh guacamole and warm tortillas
Salmon Veracruz$17.99
Grilled filet of salmon in jalapeño butter with salsa Veracruz, served atop fresh spinach and sautéed vegetables. Served with rice and pico de gallo

Enchiladas

Chicken & Sour Cream Enchiladas$14.99
Tender chicken simmered and smothered in a savory sour cream sauce topped with jack cheese. Served with refried beans and rice
Shrimp Mazatlán Enchiladas$15.99
Sautéed with tomatoes, pasilla chiles, onions and jack cheese with fire-roasted tomatillo and tomato-jalapeño sauces. Served with frijoles de la olla and rice
Spinach Enchiladas$12.99
Sautéed fresh spinach, pasilla chiles, onions, pico de gallo, melted jack cheese and fire-roasted tomatillo sauce. Served with frijoles de la olla and rice
Sizzling Enchiladas$13.99
Served sizzling on a skillet! Grilled chicken with fire-roasted tomatillo sauce and jack cheese. Served with frijoles de la olla, rice and fresh guacamole
Enchiladas Rancheras$12.99
Melted jack cheese with ranchera sauce served with guacamole, refried beans and rice

Tacos & Burritos

Make any Burrito a Chimichanga add $1

Street Taco Trio$12.99
Three chicken or carnitas street tacos served with frijoles de la olla and rice
Seafood Taco Trio$15.99
Three grilled or Dos Equis beer battered mahi-mahi or shrimp tacos served with frijoles de la olla and rice
Tacos al Pastor$13.49
Three guajillo-citrus marinated pork tacos served with frijoles de la olla and rice. Served in a cast iron pan
Burrito Especial$13.99
Chicken machaca or beef barbacoa, jack cheese and ranchera sauce. Served with refried beans and rice
Grilled BBQ Burrito$14.99
Shredded BBQ carnitas, rice, frijoles de la olla, roasted pasilla chiles and corn. Topped with BBQ sauce and grilled onions
Carne Asada Burrito$14.99
Grilled steak* rubbed with chile de árbol adobo, roasted pasilla chiles, onions, frijoles de la olla, guacamole, jack cheese and salsa picante. Served with refried beans and rice

Daily Dining Deals

Mondays - Fajita Fiesta$13.99
Choose chicken or steak* fajitas for only. Served with frijoles de la olla, rice & warm tortillas
Tuesdays - Taco Tuesdays$13.99
All-You-Can-Eat Tacos. Choose steak*, chicken or carnitas. Served with frijoles de la olla and rice
Wednesdays - Kids Eat For $1
Get a kid's meal from the kid's menu for $1 with the purchase of an adult entrée. Offer applies to kids 12 and under
Thursdays - All-You-Can-Eat Enchiladas$13.99
Choose from chicken machaca, cheese or beef barbacoa only. Served with refried beans and rice
Fridays - All-You-Can-Eat Dos Equis Beer Battered Tacos$14.99
Mahi-mahi or shrimp. Served with frijoles de la olla and rice

Desserts

Home-Style Flan$5.99
A traditional house-made favorite. Rich vanilla custard topped with decadent golden caramel sauce and cinnamon whipped cream
Sopapillas$5.99
Mexican pastry tossed in caramel sauce and topped with vanilla ice cream and cinnamon whipped cream
Chocolate Volcano Cake$8.99
Rich chocolate cake served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, chipotle-chocolate sauce and cinnamon whipped cream
Deep-Fried Ice Cream$6.99
Vanilla ice cream in a cinnamon-sugar coating with chipotle-chocolate sauce, caramel sauce and cinnamon whipped cream

Refreshing Sips

These flavorful non-alcoholic beverages are refreshing!

Agua de Jamaica
Strawberry-Cilantro Soda
Cucumber Cooler

What 189 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

3.8

3.8 based on recent ratings

3.7Food
3.7Service
3.9Ambience
3.7Value

Noise • Moderate

Sort by

Filters

n
nataliev
Los Angeles
8 reviews
vip
2.0
8 reviews
Dined on July 29, 2022
overall2food3service1ambience4
The food is always a hit and miss. This time it was good. The service was horrible. We went at 3pm and it was dead yet we waited so long to order! We ordered drinks and table side guac. Got our guacamole order, they made it at the table, ate it all and still did not have our drinks. Guacamole tasted good but was made from 2 of the smallest avocados ever seen! Definitely not enough for 3 people like we needed. My taco came out just with meat and onions (was missing guacamole, pico de gallo, cilantro and fire roasted salsa as was stated in the menu!). We asked for our receipt and waited 20 minutes to get! Only to realize we were overcharged by over $15 for a whole plate when I only ordered 1 taco. For a bill that came out over $120 bad service but decent food when served right.
MM
MarvM
Los Angeles
6 reviews
2.0
6 reviews
Dined on July 4, 2022
overall2food2service4ambience3
chips were cold and tasted stale...did not have mild dip for chips, only hot dip. food was ok, bit just barely warm. service was very good.
RG
RosieG
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 24, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Been long time I've been Ek Torito loved it!..I will be back Happy Hour in Sherman oaks
TL
TLUE
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on June 9, 2022
overall3food2service2ambience2
The waitress was friendly. Food took almost an hour to come out, and the restaurant was pretty empty.
A
Ape4u67
Los Angeles
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 27, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
The waitress was new it was her first day she did well and was friendly
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on May 24, 2022
overall4food5service4ambience4
It was graduation night so service was a bit slow. Almost an hour before we had food. Server was friendly but it didnt seem that busy that drinks etc should have taken that long. Food was excellent! So were the cadillac margaritas
F
Funfood
Los Angeles
15 reviews
vip
5.0
15 reviews
Dined on May 19, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Reservations were not acknowledged including request for a booth. Aware never a guarantee but an acknowledgment would e been appreciated.
SH
SarahH
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on May 15, 2022
overall3food4service3ambience3
It was okay. I was disappointed that the buffet was not self-serve. They were short-staffed, creating long lines, or no one at all manning stations. The servers at stations made me feel rushed to choose what I wanted and then put way more than I wanted on my plate, and then quickly moving on to the next person. When I go to a buffet, I like to take small portions of many different items so I don't fill up too quickly. The food itself was very tasty. The table service was very good. The gentleman taking care of our table was very attentive -- always there to remove a plate or refresh a drink. Not sure that I would return for brunch.
j
jamess
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on May 9, 2022
overall1food2service1ambience2
The server stole some of my change and made us wait forever. She was chitchatting while at work. She id rude very very rudem
T
T007
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on May 8, 2022
overall2food2service4ambience4
They needed more people making the food line. One person per station. Lines we long and couldn’t social distance. Our table cloths were dirty. No water or chips and salsa were served. The star of the show was our waitress but she could have even done more by bringing new table coverings and water/chips. Wasn’t worth the amount pp.
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 8, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Very good food. Friendly staff. Nice Atmosphere
JD
JuliDB
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on May 6, 2022
overall1food1service1ambience1
My review is for the restaurant’s reservation system not the food. This was the 2nd time we made a reservation that this restaurant could not honor. We were called to our table 1.5 hours after our reserved time, but we were already eating somewhere else! The restaurant should only take reservations that it can realistically keep, and put all others on waitlist. Not everyone wants to wait 1.5 hours to eat at a chain restaurant, so the wait time information should be given up front.
c
cakes
Los Angeles
29 reviews
vip
2.0
29 reviews
Dined on May 6, 2022
overall2food3service1ambience3
Came for Cinco De Mayo. Had a reservation at 6:45pm. Did not get seated until 745pm. It was crowded, the restaurant was not prepared. Service was incredibly slow. They ran out of avocado so we couldn’t order guacamole with our chips. Just very poor.
LS
LuisS
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on May 5, 2022
overall3food1service3ambience4
A was little difficult with the reservation and personal needs more training to deal with public.
WN
WillieN
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on April 30, 2022
overall1food1service1ambience1
My wife had a fly in her margarita and gave the drink back she declined a second drink and they still made us pay for the drink. We payed the bill with no problems but we will never dine there again
B
Briana
Los Angeles
7 reviews
3.0
7 reviews
Dined on April 23, 2022
overall3food4service3ambience3
Great service and food! It is busy so be patient or even better make a reservation
a
amandar
Los Angeles
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 16, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food was delicious and staff was very friendly and on top it .
A
Ape4u67
Los Angeles
2 reviews
2.0
2 reviews
Dined on April 10, 2022
overall2food3service1ambience4
For 30 dollars it wasn’t worth it you couldn’t even order off the regular menu plus the service was bad the waitresses were all over the place
C
Claudw
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on March 27, 2022
overall4food1service5ambience4
In all the years I have ordered the chicken sizzling enchiladas, this is the first night that my plate was not sizzling and my rice and corn were just warm. I was surprise to see that the shift manager who brought my food didn’t notice that my plate was not making a sizzling sound.
LK
LynnK
Los Angeles
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on March 11, 2022
overall4food5service5ambience4
Food was tasty. Server was excellent! Poor acoustics…it was really noisy!
CF
CamilaF
Los Angeles
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on March 6, 2022
overall4food4service4ambience4
I like the changes, the restaurant is cleaner food still great in my opinion the menu needs a little refinement
OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on March 4, 2022
overall1food1service1ambience1
Terrible Service and didn’t get the order right
TO
TerryO
Los Angeles
6 reviews
4.0
6 reviews
Dined on February 22, 2022
overall4food5service4ambience5
Staff was very professional and friendly. Food was great!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Orange County
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on February 21, 2022
overall3food2service5ambience5
I ordered chicken taco Chicken was too dry and burnt & also I didn’t want rice I changed to the salad but salad came late not the same time with the food or before Thanks 😊
OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on February 15, 2022
overall1food2service1ambience2
I’ve been to this same location before and had far greater service. On this trip the food was not right, took 1 hr to get the food and $45 mins for the bill
JA
JosieA
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on February 15, 2022
overall3food5service2ambience3
The sitting area we had was dirty. The floor was very dirty. We told our host If. We could have another table to sit because the floor was dirty and around the table. The host cleaned it with a broom. Now the server was not happy that we mention to the host that the table was dirty. Server never got us more drinks. And didn’t ever introduce himself at the beginning. I won’t be going again to El torito after this service :(. Very disappointed because it was not even busy
NN
NowayNoe
Los Angeles
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on February 15, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our server Ari was quick, bubbly, professional and so sweet! Food was hot, flavorful and a good take on Mexican cuisine. Recommend for comfort food and casual dining.
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on January 30, 2022
overall4food5service4ambience5
Great brunch , affordable compare to other spots!
B
Bird
San Diego
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on January 18, 2022
overall1food1service1ambience2
Food was received cold. Very disappointing because the tacos were cold and the cheesecake was FROZEN!!
J
Janana
Los Angeles
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on January 16, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
My husband and I went to El Torito for a Sundate to end our busy weeks. I love the margaritas at the El Torito locations which is what prompted us to make a reservation. The portions of the meals are huge and easily shareable. We started off with the chicken flautas appetizer and shared the steak and cheese enchilada plate. The food tasted amazing and was very affordable. We will definitely be visiting again in the future.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on January 1, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
New Year’s Eve celebration with family.
LG
LilianaG
Los Angeles
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on December 26, 2021
overall3food3service3ambience3
I still had to wait 20 minutes even though I had reservations
BH
BrettH
Los Angeles
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 26, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food, and the service was terrific - especially since it was Christmas and the place was very busy!
MK
MelindaK
Los Angeles
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on December 25, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience4
I'm so glad we decided to go out Christmas Day. The Brunch was wonderful, fresh food and a large variety. Spacing and masks were worn by all and seating was spaced appropriately. El Torito once again does not disappoint!
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on December 25, 2021
overall2food3service3ambience3
Food was cold. Restaurant was very cold.
RO
RogelioO
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on November 29, 2021
overall4food3service4ambience4
The service is very good and most of the food is very tasty.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on November 26, 2021
overall3food4service3ambience3
Thanksgiving dinner. Not enough servers. No menú. Buffet only. Disappointed overall.
B
Baby
Los Angeles
2 reviews
2.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 26, 2021
overall2food2service2ambience2
Our reservations was at 4:45 yesterday and 8 of us were there 5 minutes before the time. Our table was not ready and they keep telling us that they were working on it. We waited for more than 30 minutes standing for the table to be ready. What I don’t understand is we made a reservation ahead of time and it seems that they treated us as walk ins. The most glaring observation we noticed is that they are not asking for the vaccination records for all diners which is a violation for the LA County ordinance effective November 4, 2021.
MA
MartinA
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 25, 2021
overall5food4service5ambience5
Great service , delicious Thanksgiving dinner and bang for your buck!
G
carolG
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on November 25, 2021
overall4food4service4ambience3
children running around unmasked, crowded together, loud

FAQs

You can order delivery directly from El Torito - Northridge using the Order Online button. El Torito - Northridge also offers delivery in partnership with Postmates and Uber Eats. El Torito - Northridge also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (818) 349-1607.

El Torito - Northridge is rated 3.8 stars by 189 OpenTable diners.