El Toreador - Reviews

My experience at this restaurant was overwhelmingly negative, particularly concerning the food. We arrived 30 minutes before closing on a Saturday night. The chicken enchiladas were dry and incredibly bland, lacking any seasoning. The tortilla shells for the enchiladas were hard on the edges, suggesting they might have been over-microwaved. The food tasted like cardboard, and I honestly felt hospital food would have been better. The green sauce had a nasty, "fresh out of the can" taste. Even the child-sized portion of rice was flavorless. The best items were the small portion of refried beans and the tiny salad. The tortilla chips and salsa served while waiting were superior to the actual meal. While the sauce could be milder for those sensitive to spice, the main issue was the overall poor quality. The enchiladas weren't even hot or soft, and the sauce was described as "crapy and NASTY! " I would strongly advise skipping this place; the good reviews likely come from friends and family. It's worth waiting for a table at Elena's, my preferred restaurant down the street. I could have been more satisfied with a hot dog from a street vendor or even a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. The food at Elena's is vastly different. If I could give zero stars, I would. I will never return. #Yuck🤢 #nastyfood🤮

My experience at this restaurant was extremely disappointing. The customer service was the worst I've encountered in San Francisco. From the moment we walked in, the staff was unfriendly, and this attitude persisted throughout our visit. I ordered the "famous bean soup, " which arrived with no beans. When I questioned the waiter, he rudely stated it was a "bean broth soup" and that the menu didn't specify whole beans. This is a dumb menu, and it would have been a minimal cost to add beans. Due to the rude staff and the misleading menu, we will not be returning.

My experience at this restaurant was a delightful taste of Northern Jalisco, right here in the West Portal neighborhood. The food was delicious, and the service was great. I visited for lunch and experienced a quiet atmosphere, making it easy to talk. There was no wait, and the atmosphere and service were rated a perfect 5 out of 5.

We ordered out through DoorDash and encountered a confusing menu. It stated we had to pick only one side (beans, rice, or salad) with our entrée, but I wanted all three and couldn't find an à la carte option. I assumed this was a San Francisco thing, but upon delivery, everything was included – the rice, beans, and salad! They really need to fix their DoorDash menu. I had the chicken enchiladas, which were so, so good! I especially loved their red sauce. My husband had an enchilada and a chili relleno, and he found them to be really good too. In my opinion, the salsa is too hot, but that's a common sentiment for me as I always prefer a milder option.

My experience at this restaurant has been absolutely great for over 40 years. The food is consistently great, and the overall experience, including service and atmosphere, has been a perfect 5 out of 5.

My experience at this classic San Francisco Mexican restaurant was very positive. We arrived early on a Thursday evening and were promptly seated at a nice window table. The mango margaritas were a hit with both myself and my daughter. I ordered a simple bean and cheese burrito, which was exactly what I was craving. My daughter enjoyed her chicken quesadilla, and our companions were pleased with their enchiladas. The decor is colorful and very pretty, creating a pleasant atmosphere. While the service can be a bit slow, it's generally what one expects. We love this place and are eager to return.

This place means a lot to me and my family. El Toreador is right in the heart of San Francisco and hands down serves the best Mexican food I’ve ever had. My dad used to come here back when he was a college student at SFSU, and now here I am, sitting in the same spot he used to, eating a massive burrito and soaking it all in. Kind of wild. The interior is super colorful and full of character; it's like every inch of the walls and ceiling has something interesting to look at. Really feels like a family-run spot that’s kept its soul over the years. The rice was flavorful, the beans were perfect, and the burrito I got was huge, warm, and packed with well-seasoned meat and fresh ingredients. You can tell they care about the food. It’s cozy, feels like home, and there’s history in every corner. The staff was chill and welcoming, the vibe was relaxed, and everything about it just hit right. If you’re ever in the area and want real, honest, amazing Mexican food with some family history behind it, this is the spot.

This restaurant remains one of my favorites. The food truly hit the spot. Our server, Aaron, was incredibly helpful and attentive. He took great care of me, ensuring I was in and out quickly during my lunch break.

My experience at this restaurant was mixed. While the food was okay, I found the price to be extremely high, especially for a shrimp burrito that cost $30 and contained barely 7 shrimps. I felt the service from the front staff member in the hat was arrogant and possibly discriminatory, as I perceived he was more attentive to white customers than to me, a Latino customer. This made me feel uncomfortable, so I opted for a takeaway order. Despite these issues, I have to give two stars because the orchata drink was really good!

My experience at this restaurant was wonderful. I loved the great salsa and the great decor. The service was exactly what you hope for, and the atmosphere was a perfect 5/5. The food was also a perfect 5/5. It's a Mexican restaurant from an era that’s soon to be bygone, with kitsch on the walls and families of all stripes. The prices were reasonable. I always get the enchilada plate, and even though I'm a carnivore, I can't resist their cheese enchiladas.