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Matador Cantina Reviews List
Matador Cantina
Located in the heart of Historic Downtown Fullerton, the Matador Cantina offers a fresh fusion of traditional and contemporary Mexican-inspired cuisine, as well as a full bar with premium tequilas and signature Margaritas. In addition to fresh house-made sangria, the Matador also features a boutique selection of Spanish, Californian, and South American wines. Guests may dine in cozy leather booths and traditional high-top seating in the main bar/dining area, or in the lounge with wraparound leather banquette, lounge tables and cushion ottomans. Exposed historic brick walls, hand-made wrought iron chandeliers, and an impressive candle-lit wall creates a warm and decidedly intimate ambiance. Original oil-on-canvas paintings and a magnificent iron bullhead statuette further hint to the space’s extraordinary décor. Ample and convenient parking located at the rear of the restaurant off Commonwealth Avenue. Open for Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, and late night.
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17 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.6
/
5
Rating Breakdown 17 reviews
5 stars
(12)
4 stars
(4)
3 stars
(1)
2 stars
(0)
1 star
(0)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.6
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- vibrant bar scene(12)
- fit for foodies(10)
- neighborhood gem(10)
- good for groups(9)
- hot spot(9)
- special occasion(7)
Matador Cantina Reviews List
Review 1 for Matador Cantina
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Simply great Mexican food
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"BEst mole I ever had. Everything down to the rice and beans is great. The bar features fantastic tequilas sensibly priced."
Dined on 6/15/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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Review 2 for Matador Cantina
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great Mex in Downtown Fullerton
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The fols at Matador had our table all ready for us and were very welcoming. The food is not standard Mexican fair (you can still get an Enchilada if you want) some of the menu had elements of Quintana Roo cuisine (Caribean side of Mexico). The shrimp with garlic cream sauce was delicious. The margaritia were wonderful and the bartender made a killer appletini. And a nice ambiance too."
Dined on 5/25/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, neighborhood gem
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Review 3 for Matador Cantina
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Food is always good and service is fine. It was very noisey on a Sunday afternoon."
Dined on 5/19/2013
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Review 4 for Matador Cantina
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Newfound gem
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Loved this restaurant! Service was great, the food was great, and so were the specialty cocktails!"
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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Review 5 for Matador Cantina
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Pre-Theater Dining and Drinks
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We always enjoy a quick and delicious mexican dish with excellent margaritas before going to the local theater and this is one of our favorite places locally. We tend to go a little early and we have never had to wait and they get us in and out quickly. Always a positive experience for us."
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: good for groups, vibrant bar scene
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Review 6 for Matador Cantina
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Cinco de Drinko
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Not sure I can give a fair assessment as I was there to "eat" on Cinco de Mayo. The food was at best ok. The place extremely loud and service a bit slow but all of that may be explained by the chaos of that day/night. I'd go back again if I was in the area and it was convenient but I wouldn't travel specifically to go there."
Dined on 5/05/2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene
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Review 7 for Matador Cantina
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Sangria braised short rib all the way! :)"
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, vibrant bar scene, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 8 for Matador Cantina
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Growing up in LA, I love all
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Growing up in LA, I love all kinds of different foods. One of my favorites is Mexican cuisine. I love street tacos, burritos, combo plates you get at your local joints. This is an upscale experience that I haven't had a lot of for this type of food. It's easy to get good steaks or upscale sushi but Mexican? Not common. I have to say it was quite pleasant. The quality of ingredients and excellent presentation just shines through. Great place. Give it a try!"
Dined on 02/28/2013
2007
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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Review 9 for Matador Cantina
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
We were on our way to a play
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We were on our way to a play and walked right in and got seated right away. We told the server we were in a hurry to get to a play - "no problem" she said, and within a few minutes we had our drink order and our food order (street tacos were very good). Good food, good drinks (house margaritas) and great service. Hard to beat...we will be back."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2005
Special Features: good for groups
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Matador Cantina
Based on the average of (8) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.6
/
5
2 out of 2 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.8
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4.4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic