Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
oChef » El Toro – San Francisco
El Toro - San Francisco
Photo from El Toro
El Toro at a glance
San Francisco Mission District
- 🌮 Mexican Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 72 of the guests
#1776 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#92 Mexican Restaurant out of 134 in San Francisco
Good
6.8 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
340
Reviews
65.9%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious food
- Great value
- Friendly staff
Frequently criticized
- Poor service
- No restroom
- Hidden fees
The restaurant El Toro Taqueria is a vibrant Mexican Restaurant located in the heart of San Francisco’s Mission District. You’ll find it’s a perfect spot for a quick bite or a relaxed meal, offering delicious late-night food options.
The atmosphere is both casual and trendy, making it an ideal destination whether you’re craving authentic flavors or just looking for a lively place to unwind.
Overview: Introducting El Toro
El Toro offers a mixed experience, with many patrons appreciating the friendly folks providing service and the generally delicious tacos and burritos. The atmosphere is often described as casual and clean, making it a comfortable spot for a meal.
However, some visits have been marred by an impatient server or issues like a lack of a public bathroom. While the food often hits the mark, there are instances of bland carnitas or concerns about preparation, suggesting inconsistency in execution.
Good
6.8
out of 10
340
Reviews
65.9%
Satisfaction
98
negative
18
neutral
224
positive
Overall, El Toro garners a respectable 6.8 out of 10, indicating a generally good dining experience. However, customer sentiment is a bit more mixed, with 65.9% satisfaction.
This suggests that while many find it a solid choice, there’s a notable portion of diners who leave feeling less impressed. Looking closer at the details, Food leads the way with a strong (7), frequently praised across 224 positive comments.
Value also performs well (6.9), particularly with its deals. While Ambience is rated (6.7), Service (6.4) falls into the average range, drawing a significant number of the 98 negative remarks, despite a high review share.
What people like
- Delicious, fresh food
- Affordable happy hour
- Friendly staff
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service
- No public restroom
- Extra charges
El Toro earns a solid 7 for recommendation, suggesting it’s a place worth considering, especially if you prioritize tasty, fresh food and good value. It’s a strong contender for a casual meal, particularly during their popular happy hour.
However, be prepared for potential inconsistencies in service and be aware of the lack of a public restroom. If these aspects are not deal-breakers for you, El Toro could be a satisfying and affordable option for Mexican fare.
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Verdict: Our expert take on El Toro
Food (7 out of 10)
mentioned by 90% of the guests
When it comes to the food, theres a lot to love here! With a solid score of 7 and a respectable 68.8% customer satisfaction, many diners rave about the fresh ingredients and flavorful Mexican dishes. Out of 186 comments, 128 specifically praise items like authentic Mexican foods, great burritos, and delicious tacos, often highlighting the freshness and variety.
However, its not always a perfect plate. About 47 comments point to some areas for improvement, with concerns about food being cold, portions having little meat, or some dishes being described as greasy and bland. It seems consistency might be a bit of a mixed bag, so keep that in mind.
Food
186
Reviews
68%
Satisfaction
47
negative
11
neutral
128
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh ingredients used
- Flavorful Mexican food
- Great burritos, tacos
What people don't like
- Food can be cold
- Small meat portions
- Greasy, bland items
Often praised
- foodI haven't been to this establishment in years, and it is just as good as the last time I visited 😋. The food was excellent, and the service and atmosphere all received a perfect score of 5.
- tacosMy experience at the restaurant was great, especially during their happy hour from 2-5 pm. They offered $1 tacos and $1 agua frescas. I found it to be worth eating here if you're in the area and looking for good tacos.
- burritosLos burritos están muy bien también. Los cargan mucho.
- FoodFood:5
- agua frescasMy experience at the restaurant was great, especially during their happy hour from 2-5 pm. They offered $1 tacos and $1 agua frescas. I found it to be worth eating here if you're in the area and looking for good tacos.
- burritogood and delicious burrito to eat
- chickenthe chicken was tender
- freshAlways fresh
- grilled chickenI picked up food using the Too Good to Go app and the amount of food that we received was insane. We got Carnitas birria, grilled chicken, carne asada, and salsas flautas. It was amazing that all of this food would have otherwise been thrown away at the end of the day.
- Al pastorThe Al pastor and chicken asada are delicious
Frequently criticized
- foodMy experience at the restaurant was that the food was edible but definitely not good. I witnessed them throw my food in the microwave ðŸ˜. The service and atmosphere were rated a 3, while the food received a 2.
- meatthere was 8 little chunks of meat
- tacosThe tacos are loaded with cilantro and a little onions.
- avocado blended with mayothe rest was avacado blended with mayo
- beansso much salt in the beans
- birria tacospaying $17 for food I didn’t want
- blandI felt rushed to have my order taken, even though I communicated that I wasn't ready. The carnitas tacos I ordered were both greasy and bland.
- breadI ordered the steak sandwich, and it was awful. The bread was doughy, there were only 8 little chunks of meat, and the rest was avocado blended with mayo, with a small slice of tomato and a few shreds of lettuce. The food was cold and had no flavor.
- burritocharged $10.99 for a regular burrito
- burritosThe burritos tasted like cat food
If youre looking for a spot with potentially delicious and authentic Mexican food, its definitely worth a try. Just be aware that while many find it fantastic, there's a chance you might encounter some inconsistencies in temperature or portion sizes.
Service (6.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 54% of the guests
The service here generally hits the mark, with a solid 6.4 score and 61.8% customer satisfaction showing a mostly positive, if somewhat mixed, reception. Many of the 42 positive remarks out of 68 total praise the friendly staff, quick service, and welcoming atmosphere, often noting the ease of ordering. However, not everyone had a smooth experience.
The 24 negative comments point to areas needing improvement, such as slow service, impatient servers, and issues with ignored requests or a language barrier, which can make ordering frustrating.
Service
68
Reviews
61%
Satisfaction
24
negative
2
neutral
42
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Quick service
- Welcoming atmosphere
What people don't like
- Slow service
- Impatient staff
- Ignored requests
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The food was great, and the service was a 10/10. The staff were very welcoming and friendly.
- staffnobody on the staff has shown an inclination to make fun of me
- customer serviceEverything is so fresh and delicious. The place is clean and tidy, and the customer service is "fun"tastic! Everyone is so kind and patient when we order.
- ServiceService:4
- No waitNo wait
- friendliness of the workersthe friendliness of the workers is very good
- friendly folksThe friendly folks provided great service
- grill itsometimes I can convince them to grill it
- lady at the counterThe lady at the counter was really friendly too
- old school serviceOld school service
Frequently criticized
- serviceEven during non-peak hours with only two customers, I experienced a long wait at the counter without any greeting or acknowledgment. After 10 minutes, my order was finally taken, but the service remained slow. The server was impatient when I asked for clarification, which was frustrating.
- cashierShe refused and told me I have to order first.
- staffstaff does not remember if thee description of the food.
- additional requestWhy have the extra space for additional request when it is just ignored.
- argument between costumer and employeesstart argument between costumer and employees
- bad serviceI've never seen such bad service
- bathroom keyShe refused and told me I have to order first.
- clarificationasked for clarification since I ordered birria tacos
- customer serviceLe pregunté en dónde puedo dejar mi comida mientras que este en el baño y ella no quizo contestar. Que brutalidad y falta de prudencia. Fui a otra taqueria y nunca voy a volver.
- extra salsasI had reservations because I figured I would not be able to get the extra salsas I wanted, but to my surprise, they had a section where you could request extra items, so I did. When I received my order, I didn’t receive any of my extras or the On the House salsa. There were no napkins or forks in the bag, just the Burritos and a bag of chips.
If you prioritize friendly and quick interactions, you'll likely have a good experience here. However, be mindful that some guests have encountered slow service or communication issues, which could be a drawback for you.
Ambience (6.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 32% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot offers a pretty good experience overall, scoring a solid 6.7. Many guests loved the casual neighbor atmosphere and praised the impressive cleanliness and tidy spaces. With 22 positive remarks out of 35 total, the welcoming ambiance and even a quiet atmosphere for easy conversation really stood out, giving it a charming taqueria heritage vibe.
However, customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 62.9%, indicating some areas for improvement. A common frustration, mentioned in 10 negative comments, was the difficult parking situation nearby. Some also noted issues like flies, the lack of a public restroom, and the atmosphere being a bit loud, which could make it hard to fully enjoy.
Ambience
35
Reviews
62%
Satisfaction
10
negative
3
neutral
22
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Clean, spacious environment
- Casual, welcoming atmosphere
- Quiet, easy conversation
What people don't like
- Difficult parking
- No public restroom
- Flies, loud atmosphere
Often praised
- atmospherecasual neighbor atmosphere in this small beautiful space
- cleanlinessMy experience was fantastic! The tacos were delicious, made with super fresh ingredients, and the place was very clean. The service was extremely quick and kind; they really make you feel at home.
- placetheir place is tidy. No stains on table not the floor.
- ambianceI loved the casual neighbor atmosphere in this small, beautiful space. You get good quality food for less money in a great ambiance, conveniently located right off Valencia Street.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:4
- busyalways busy!
- clean and spaciousclean and spacious environment
- easy to talkMy experience at the restaurant featured a full taqueria menu that was both fresh and good. The hot pico with serrano chiles was a standout, making my eyes water : -) The indoor dining area offered a quiet atmosphere, making it easy to talk. Service and food were rated a 4 out of 5.
- indoor dining areaMy experience at the restaurant featured a full taqueria menu that was both fresh and good. The hot pico with serrano chiles was a standout, making my eyes water : -) The indoor dining area offered a quiet atmosphere, making it easy to talk. Service and food were rated a 4 out of 5.
- place to sit inlooks like a nice place to sit in too
Frequently criticized
- parkingParking is paid on the streets. Because it is the mission, it can be a struggle to find parking
- atmospherethe taqueria is a bit loud
- bathroomWhat’s up with no bathroom???
- flieslots of flies in the restaurant
- loudpretty loud in there
- public restroomtold no public restroom, so I didn’t even wanted to order anything
If youre looking for a clean, casual spot with a good vibe and dont mind a bit of a hunt for parking, you'll likely enjoy the atmosphere here. However, be prepared for potential noise and the absence of a public restroom, which might be a dealbreaker for some.
Value (6.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 45% of the guests
When it comes to value, many customers find plenty to cheer about, especially with those fantastic happy hour deals like $1 tacos and $1 aguas frescas. People often praise the affordable and reasonably priced options, calling it a great buy and definitely worth eating here. With 32 positive remarks out of 51 total, there's a clear appreciation for the deals.
However, the overall value experience is a bit of a mixed bag, reflected in a 62.7% customer satisfaction and an average score of 6.9. Some diners express frustration over increased prices, bag fees, and random taxes, feeling they are charging extra for items or toppings. These 17 negative comments suggest that while deals exist, hidden costs can sometimes sour the experience.
Value
51
Reviews
62%
Satisfaction
17
negative
2
neutral
32
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- $1 taco happy hour
- Affordable prices
- Great price/quality
What people don't like
- Increased prices
- Extra charges
- Hidden fees
Often praised
- priceHowever, I wish the food could've been prepared fresh, as the meat in the tacos was a little dry and the nacho chips were cold. Overall, everything tasted good and delicious for the price we paid.
- $1 tacosMy experience at this incredible spot, located right on Valencia and 17th, was fantastic. They offer a happy hour from 3-5 pm, Monday to Friday, with amazing deals of $1 tacos and $1 aguas frescas. The tacos are packed with so much flavor and variety.
- happy hourMy experience at this incredible spot, located right on Valencia and 17th, was fantastic. They offer a happy hour from 3-5 pm, Monday to Friday, with amazing deals of $1 tacos and $1 aguas frescas. The tacos are packed with so much flavor and variety.
- $1 aguas frescasMy experience at this incredible spot, located right on Valencia and 17th, was fantastic. They offer a happy hour from 3-5 pm, Monday to Friday, with amazing deals of $1 tacos and $1 aguas frescas. The tacos are packed with so much flavor and variety.
- great pricesthe great prices made it even better
- $1 small agua frescaAh $1 small agua fresca !!!
- $1 taco happy hourMy experience at the restaurant was marked by great customer service. I also enjoyed their great $1 taco happy hour, which runs from 2 PM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday! :)
- Good priceGood price good good= happy 😊 me !!
- affordableVERY affordable
- dealI also received a deep fried flour tortilla chicken wrap. It was a pretty good deal for $5. 99.
Frequently criticized
- priceThey have a huge menu and the food was very good. However, it is a little more expensive than similar places; I would budget at least $15. 00 per person for a burrito.
- added toppingsThey over charge for added toppings.
- all foods‘all foods’ have become so expensive
- bag feescharged me double bag fees
- charging extracharging extra bag fees and adding extra taxes
- cost17.00$ was the cost. What a waste.
- extra chargeask 4 carne azada they charge 1.50
- extra chargesThey charge you extra.
- food chargeshow charge you for your food
- full pricecharged me full price for those
If youre looking for a great deal, especially during happy hour, this place can be a fantastic option for affordable eats. Just be mindful of potential extra charges or price increases that some customers have noted, as these can impact the overall cost. Its worth checking out for those specific deals, but be prepared for a potentially mixed experience otherwise.
How are the prices at El Toro?
You’re looking at roughly 16 $ per person – reported by 72 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Mexican Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Most guests tend to spend in the 1 – 20 $ range, with a clear cluster around the $11–$20 mark, showing prices generally stick close to that average.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 72 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Mexican Restaurant, especially given the general spending patterns. It seems like a solid choice for a good meal without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about El Toro
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Solo Dinner
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
10
Best Taqueria in the Mission!
Hands down, this is one of the best taquerias in the Mission. My experience was fantastic! The tacos were delicious, made with super fresh ingredients, and the place was very clean.
The service was extremely quick and kind; they really make you feel at home. Plus, the prices are extremely affordable. It's an unbeatable price/quality ratio, a solid 10/10 experience.
- tacos10
- fresh ingredients10
- cleanliness10
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
Noise Level
- Loud
8
Affordable and Tasty Tacos in SF
My experience at this taqueria was surprisingly positive, especially considering the affordability in the heart of San Francisco. I was genuinely shocked to find a tasty and filling meal for $10, even on a weekend lunchtime. The service was fast, and the tacos were great.
I particularly enjoyed their veggie tacos. The only downside was that the taqueria was a bit loud with constant foot traffic.
- tacos9
- veggie tacos9
- service8
- atmosphere3
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Large Group
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Loud
9
Top Notch Dodgers Fan Experience!
As a Dodgers fan, my experience at this restaurant was top notch. The food was great, and the customer service was excellent. The atmosphere was lively, rated 5 out of 5, and the service also received a perfect 5.
Despite the noise level being loud, conversation was still possible. Parking was difficult to find, but there was a free parking lot available. The price per person was between $20–30, and there was no wait time.
- food10
- customer service10
- atmosphere10
- parking3
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
1
Terrible Burritos, Avoid Heartburn
My experience at this restaurant was extremely disappointing. The burritos tasted like cat food, and I can confirm they will definitely give you heartburn for the next 24 hours. The service, atmosphere, and food were all rated very poorly.
- burritos1
- heartburn1
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Takeout
2
Disappointing Surprise Bag
I used the Too Good To Go app and picked up a "surprise bag. " Unfortunately, all I received was a single burrito. This was not worth the gas or the money.
- surprise bag2
- gas or money1
What El Toro offers
Crowd
- Transgender safespace
- Tourists
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Family-friendly
- Groups
- College students
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
- Restroom
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Late-night food
- Happy hour drinks
- Quick bite
- Beer
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Brunch
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Parking
- Usually difficult to find a space
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What service options and accessibility features does El Toro Taqueria offer?
At El Toro Taqueria, you can enjoy various service options including no-contact delivery, takeout, delivery, and dine-in. The restaurant is also fully accessible, featuring a wheelchair accessible entrance, seating, and restroom for your convenience.
What kind of food and atmosphere can you expect at El Toro Taqueria?
El Toro Taqueria is a Mexican Restaurant known for its diverse offerings, including healthy options, late-night food, and small plates. You can also find happy hour drinks, beer, and vegetarian options. The atmosphere is casual and trendy, perfect for a relaxed dining experience.
What is the overall rating for El Toro and its key aspects?
El Toro holds an overall score of 6.8. Its Food is rated 7, Value at 6.9, Ambience at 6.7, and Service at 6.4.
What are the standout positive features of El Toro?
Customers frequently praise the delicious tacos and burritos, often highlighting the freshness of ingredients. Many also appreciate the affordable happy hour deals and the generally friendly staff.
Are there any common drawbacks or issues at El Toro?
Some patrons have noted inconsistent service experiences, including long waits. The lack of a public bathroom and occasional extra charges have also been mentioned as concerns.