El Torito - Riverside Plaza

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1. JZ

   JeanetteZ

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Great staff and excellent food! Lunch is the preferred time to dine, quieter and very enjoyable!
   

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2. E

   Enjoyable

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined on May 24, 2023

   overall4food3service4ambience4

   We visited this location in celebration of our granddaughter's middle school graduation. We were seated quickly and our waiter was very attentive. some of the food was a little overcooked but no one complained. We will definitely be going again.
   

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3. CL

   CidL

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined on May 14, 2023

   overall2food2service1ambience1

   If you want to wait an hour for food, if you want it so loud you can't hear yourself think, and if you never want to see your waiter, then by all means dine at this El Torito. It was a terrible Mother's Day experience. Seriously, there is no need to have music blaring so loudly that you throat hurts when you leave from yelling!
   

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4. M

   Marko

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on May 14, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience4

   We Had a Good experience for dinner. Food was as expected, very tasty and the servers were attentive.
   

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5. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined on May 5, 2023

   overall1food5service4ambience4

   Cinco de Mayo. We reserved for outdoor seating and where told when we arrived that they could not place us outside. It was first come first serve outside. Very disappointing.
   

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6. GT

   GeorgeT

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined on May 1, 2023

   overall1food1service1ambience2

   Food was awful. Waited 30 minutes after getting our food for plates and napkins.
   

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7. MC

   MitchC

   Los Angeles

   112 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   112 reviews

   Dined on April 22, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Lorenzo our waiter was great as usual! Great food and service!
   

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8. M

   Majwood

   Orange County

   8 reviews

   4.0

   8 reviews

   Dined on April 14, 2023

   overall4food4service4ambience3

   El Torito is a popular place and very convenient for us. The food is alway of very good quality and the restaurant is kept clean and presentable. Service is typically very good and sometimes very excellent depending upon the server. The noise level is high in the bar area so if you want to have conversations I would suggest the regular dining areas. Overall the quality has always been very good.
   

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9. DC

   DarrellC

   Los Angeles

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined on April 9, 2023

   overall2food2service3ambience1

   It was extremely noisy and for the price of $40.00 per person the selection of food was poor. What they did have was good.
   

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10. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    My experience was great from the beginning with the drinks to the appetizer to the entrees all the way through to an excellent dessert. The service was spectacular.
    

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11. MC

    MitchC

    Los Angeles

    112 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    112 reviews

    Dined on March 31, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Manager Jose C was great and the food and service was great as well!
    

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12. KR

    KatR

    Las Vegas

    16 reviews

    4.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on March 27, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4

    Love coming here, food was delicious and service excellent. Got table side guacamole, but was a little to much lime used.
    

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13. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 26, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience1

    Laura Our waitress so rude to us. Food was cold . I had a group of 10 and was so disappointed
    

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14. CO

    COQUI

    Los Angeles

    15 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on March 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great service.
    

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15. P

    Phyllis

    Los Angeles

    16 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on March 23, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    Love our server Vicente! So attentive and courteous.
    

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16. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    5 reviews

    3.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on March 5, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience4

    I’ve been here numerous times and this is the only time I fell ill. Food wasn’t as fresh as usual. Got a shrimp taco and the shrimp was like rubber. Not sure what made me sick but I was on the toilet for 2 days. My sister and husband were fine but they didn’t consume the same things as I did. Will not be returning to this location.
    

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17. JM

    JamesM

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 21, 2023

    overall3food1service3ambience2

    Carne asada and pollo tacos were so bland and plain , margarita flight was warm no ice in it and extremely strong …staff seemed bored and miserable
    

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18. AA

    AlbertA

    Los Angeles

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on February 15, 2023

    overall4food4service3ambience5

    Great quality food, service was good for valentines days, however we had multiple parties i referred that did not get the full valentines menu when visit. Great ambiance and choice of music and music level not being to loud. Overall great experience.
    

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19. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    It was very nice and decorated nice
    

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20. MC

    MitchC

    Los Angeles

    112 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    112 reviews

    Dined on February 10, 2023

    overall3food5service1ambience5

    The service was terrible! We didn’t see a waiter for 15 minutes after we were seated! I had to ask the manager for our drinks! It wasn’t even busy there! Then it took forever to get our food! I had to ask the hostess to find my waiter again. And honestly , he never came back to check on our drinks, I had to flag down another waiter! Then at the end there was a kid’s dessert we waited on and it took forever! I used to go every week to this El Torito for years! I took off a month waiting for the Manager Jose to respond to my reply of his to make my meal right, and I never heard back! I usually request Lorenzo because he’s the best! He can be extremely busy, but he still delivers first class service! This time we had Vicente! I’ve had him several times over the years and try to avoid him because of poor service and that’s still the case! A month ago I ordered the Veggie Fajitas and sent it back 3 times because it was still raw, the veggies were still hard! By the time I received my food, all the others in my group finished their food! So they had to wait and watch me eat! Jose responded by saying he’d make it right the next time, just let him know before I come! I let him know twice, and never heard a response! When Andy was there, he took care of me! Not sure about this place anymore!
    

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21. G

    Greekgal54

    Orange County

    179 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    179 reviews

    Dined on February 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Always great Food & Service... Thank you!
    

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22. D

    Dubby

    Orange County

    8 reviews

    4.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on January 20, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience3

    We were seated right away and our server (Juan) was terrific. He was very attentive throughout the night. Drinks/chips/salsa were all delivered quickly and checked on frequently. The side Caesar salad was yummy, and the flautas appetizer & their dipping sauces were good. Albondigas soup wasn't very good, just didn't taste quite right. The shrimp tacos were delicious, although the rice & beans that came with it were both barely warm. Portions were nice sized, big enough to share.
    

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23. MC

    MitchC

    Los Angeles

    112 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    112 reviews

    Dined on January 14, 2023

    overall5food3service5ambience5

    I never ever get a response when something didn’t turn out right! I really hope that the Manager reaches out this time! They only reach out when everything is great! Again a problem with the Veggie Fajitas! They came on a sizzling plate, but all the vegetables were completely raw and hard! I showed the waiter Lorenzo, who is fantastic! He sent it back! After 10 minutes he brought the plate back! Again it was not cooked! I had Lorenzo send it back again and another 15 minutes the plate returned, and this time everything was cooked great! The problem was, everyone that was with me had already finished all their meals! So they had to sit there another 40-40 minutes and watch me eat! Not cool from a customer that has been supporting El Torito every week for years!
    

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24. AG

    AllisonG

    Los Angeles

    3 reviews

    1.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on January 8, 2023

    overall1food4service1ambience3

    I did not appreciate that my reservation caused us to sit in the bar. That was not the experience I was hoping for, if it were, I would have walked in to sit at the bar, not made a reservation. This also caused the service to take a long time.
    

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25. GD

    GaryD

    Los Angeles

    15 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on January 2, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5

    Good food and great service!
    

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26. KS

    KarenS

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 26, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Wonderful relaxing Dinner with my daughters on Christmas Day!
    

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27. PA

    PaulaA

    Los Angeles

    5 reviews

    2.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on December 24, 2022

    overall2food3service3ambience3

    We have been going to this restaurant for years. This year was extremely disappointing. Our party of 7 had to pay a 20% event gratuity and a 20% tip on all the bills. The manager was unclear as to why these fees were generated yet did not adjust it and couldn’t explain. A total disappointment. We always tip high but this way felt sneaky.
    

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28. MC

    MitchC

    Los Angeles

    112 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    112 reviews

    Dined on December 24, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great food and service, Lorenzo is the best!
    

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29. TR

    TRICIAD

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 14, 2022

    overall2food2service1ambience1

    Reservation was at 12 pm, was seated in a small booth within 5 minutes for a party of 6. Our order was not taken till after 1 pm (mind you we were on a lunch break for our annual christmas lunch so we only had 2 hours). Food came out about 25 minutes after which only gave us 30 minutes to enjoy our lunch. Rice and bean portions very small and enchiladas came out warm.
    

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30. MC

    MitchC

    Los Angeles

    112 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    112 reviews

    Dined on December 13, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    I’m a regular at this location every week for years! I’m always treated like family there! Lorenzo and Ivan are the last familiar faces there and they’re fantastic! My last visit was terrible! Must have been a change in cooks! I always write a great positive review, and I always get a nice response back! Last visit I wrote my first negative review, and I never heard a word back from management! Not surprised! This time I mentioned to Lorenzo what happened last time, and he overlooked everything! Very enjoyable again! Very Happy!!!
    

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31. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Las Vegas

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 7, 2022

    overall2food2service1ambience2

    Food was cold, service was non existent
    

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32. WC

    WoodCrest

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 4, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Sunday Brunch. All you can eat, including mimosas. Our server was very attentive. Love the corn cake. Good drink specials.
    

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33. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 26, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Restaurant Accommodated a party of 12 quickly by making the reservation on the app and the app was so easy to use ! We were happy not to wait.
    

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34. JD

    JoaquinD

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 25, 2022

    overall1food1service2ambience2

    The Thanksgiving buffet was limited in food selection. The food was not good. I would have been happy with the regular menu.
    

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35. GI

    GINAE

    Orange County

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 25, 2022

    overall3food2service4ambience4

    El Torito needs to stick with what they do best. Not buffet style either. Turkey was dry and not plentiful, items advertised on the menu were not available and most employees asked had no idea. Buffet was confusing, no real starting point. Food was warm and not enough buffet servers. Our waitress was very nice, had a smile and helped direct us the best she knew. Not real crowded. They served the cheapest dishes. But the array of meat without tortillas was odd. They advertised a taco bar with no tortillas? No pumpkin pie, it was slivers of dark looking pie cut badly. Not appetizing at all. Nothing was filled quickly. It had the potential to be successful however they should just be open with a limited menu instead of buffet style or all you can eat. I would rather pay $35 a plate for hot satisfying food then what was trying to be put forth as a dinner. Won't do it again.
    

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36. CN

    ChristineN

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 24, 2022

    overall4food3service3ambience4

    Turkey was dry the yams were hard very undercooked. We have done El Torito buffet many times on Thanksgiving and it was always better than this time. Sadly to say we will have to rethink next year.
    

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37. RW

    RickW

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 21, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Carnitas and fajitas were excellant. Portions were on the small side.
    

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38. MC

    MitchC

    Los Angeles

    112 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    112 reviews

    Dined on November 19, 2022

    overall2food1service5ambience5

    Our waiter Lorenzo is Awesome! The food on the other hand was not good! Although it was edible, the taste this time was not good! There must be a change of cooks! I’ve been coming here every almost every Friday meeting friends for 3 years straight! The salsa I was able to eat because I like extra hot, and it was even hot for me, no one else could eat it! We all ordered salads and we didn’t finish them, a completely different taste, not good! One of my friends ordered 3 tacos and he only ate 1. I ordered the Veggie Fajitas which I always order, and they only brought a small half order that was burnt! I ask them for more veggies and they brought more that were undercooked! Not happy at all with the food this time! I really enjoy Lorenzo, but I really don’t think we’ll be back! Sad after going there regularly every Friday!!!
    

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39. CG

    CorneliusG

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 19, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    As I stated the food was good the price was good the location was excellent the waiter was great the only thing that I felt could have been upgraded where the table tops.
    

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40. P

    Pearshapediva

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 10, 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience4

    Server was AWESOME! Will be back!
    

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