Reserve now:
El Torito Grill - IrvineReservations
Restaurant Reviews List >
Los Angeles / Orange County Restaurant Reviews >
Orange County Restaurant Reviews >
Irvine Restaurant Reviews >
Latin / Spanish Restaurant Reviews
El Torito Grill - Irvine Reviews List
El Torito Grill - Irvine
El Torito Grill features specialty menu items created by the Company's executive chef, Pepe Lopez, including mesquite broiled fish and steaks, as well as Mexican combination platters. Salads and soups are also available for both lunch and dinner. To compliment the range of specialty items, El Torito Grill offers a wide selection of upscale margaritas, in addition to a complete list of Mexican beers and cocktails.
See more El Torito Grill - Irvine details
41 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Rating Breakdown 41 reviews
5 stars
(15)
4 stars
(19)
3 stars
(1)
2 stars
(4)
1 star
(2)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- good for groups(18)
- great for brunch(14)
- great for lunch(14)
- kid-friendly(10)
- fit for foodies(9)
- special occasion(9)
El Torito Grill - Irvine Reviews List
Review 1 for El Torito Grill - Irvine
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great Service
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I had the opportunity to host a business dinner for a party of 10 recently and found the experience excellent. A semi private area was set up as requested.
The hostess made my party feel welcome with a friendly hello and smile. Our server, Jorge P was fantastic and explained all the specials and provided very attentive service the entire evening. Food was great.
Our party commented how impressed they were with the food quality ands service provided.
We will be back again."
Dined on 5/14/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for lunch
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 2 for El Torito Grill - Irvine
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great Sunday Brunch!
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The price is great, a nice variety of dishes, wonderful staff and servers - and they kept the champagne flowing! We'll be back!"
Dined on 5/05/2013
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, great for brunch, great for lunch, kid-friendly
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 3 for El Torito Grill - Irvine
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
So upset
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"On time for reservation and got seated. Shortly after we were told we couldn't order off their regular menu until 1:30 because then they told us that we had to give up our table because they had people waiting. So we could stuff the 3 of us into a 2 person table at the bar or sit outside on their patio. I said no way it's cold outside and we had a reservation we can just stay here at this table. They said no and pretty much kicked us out of the table we reserved. We would have spent so much more money on out lunch/drinks (we were celebrating) than we would have on brunch. Just unbelievable...I have never been treated so poorly."
Dined on 5/05/2013
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 4 for El Torito Grill - Irvine
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
A cut above
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"El Torito Grill is always a cut above the neighborhood and chain Mexican restaurants. Even though it is part of the El Torito chain, the menu and presentation is different -- more inventive and well executed. From the on-site made flour tortillas, to the extensive range of appetizers and entrees, to the flan for dessert, the meal was great. Their Cadillac Marguerita is always a winner, too. Attentive service. Enjoyed the night out. Ambience is nice but not over-the-top; maybe it could use some freshening in decor."
Dined on 5/04/2013
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 5 for El Torito Grill - Irvine
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
I called to confirm the day
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I called to confirm the day before my reservation and they had no record of my open table reservation. Luckily they were able to accomadate us."
Dined on 04/28/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups, great for brunch
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 6 for El Torito Grill - Irvine
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Great food but slow service.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Restaurant was over-booked and under-staffed. Our reservation did not show up on their records, and it took a long time to be served. We enjoy the food, but they had several large groups and the wait staff was spread too thin."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 7 for El Torito Grill - Irvine
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great Sunday brunch... Chef
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Great Sunday brunch... Chef Baldo came out n chatted with us n sing happy birthday to my daughter.. It was Awsome."
Dined on 04/07/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups, great for brunch, neighborhood gem
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 8 for El Torito Grill - Irvine
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Worth coming back!
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"This is our second visit to this particular El Torito Grill. The handmade tortillas were great as usual; the poblano chili rellenos are excellent as was the carnitas. Everything was tasty. The salad selection was ok; fruit was good, especially the pineapple. The taco bar was really good, offering 3 choices. Omelet bar was available. We really missed, however, the fire-roasted tomato bisque soup that the Fashion Island El Torito Grill used to serve--that was a main reason for going to El Torito Grill. On our last visit we asked if they could bring us this soup and they did; this visit they did not accommodate us. The desserts were adequate. Bananas Foster excellent as usual and they have a chocolate fountain."
Dined on 03/24/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 9 for El Torito Grill - Irvine
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Not the Grill of old
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Used online reservation which was nice, only complaint nothing telling you what menu is available atthe time you select for your reservation. Reservation was for 10, table was only set for 8, was told by desk that server would add the extra chairs, didnt happen until just before last couple arrived. We went to the buffet and returned and realized we only had 6 place settings. Spoke to server and she said she'd take care of it, saw her then go out to the patio, I then had to ask another employee about silverware. Just seemed that they were either understaffed for Sunday brunch or didnt care. Food was not what I remember from the Grill in the past."
Dined on 03/24/2013
2013
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 10 for El Torito Grill - Irvine
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Waitress over sold the special,
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Waitress over sold the special, which ended up not being very good. Also, two of us wanted to split fajitas. The waitress said it would not be enough food...so we ordered two. Ended up being more than enough. We feel she was just trying to increase the bill for more tip."
Dined on 03/15/2013
2006
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 11 for El Torito Grill - Irvine
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Sunday Brunch: 1 of the Best in OC
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We really enjoyed Sunday Brunch at El Torito Grill. Everything was very good, and good value for money. ETG provides one of the best Sunday Brunches in Orange County; highly recommended."
Dined on 03/10/2013
2006
Special Features: great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 12 for El Torito Grill - Irvine
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Not a fav spot
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"El torito used to be a favorite, no more!"
Dined on 03/08/2013
2013
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 13 for El Torito Grill - Irvine
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
We had such great service
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We had such great service here and the fresh tortillas were so much better than plain old chips. Our food was good overall, but the BBQ shrimp was a bit drowning in sauce for my taste, and slightly overcooked. Still good flavor though. Stellar service made it an overall great meal we would definitely want to come back."
Dined on 03/08/2013
2009
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 14 for El Torito Grill - Irvine
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
Waitress changed the grilled
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Waitress changed the grilled vegetables twice but aparagus, yellow & green zucchini were so, so, so BAD... because they weren't fresh! How can this be??? We are not in Alaska???"
Dined on 03/06/2013
2009
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 15 for El Torito Grill - Irvine
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
What a fantastic brunch and
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"What a fantastic brunch and at such a value!"
Dined on 03/03/2013
2012
Special Features: great for brunch
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 16 for El Torito Grill - Irvine
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Disappointed with Service- Food OK
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Although the food was okay, I was very disappointed with the service. I had a reservation yet had to wait for over 15 minutes to get seated while others without reservations got seated.
However, the worst part of my visit was my server who did not refill my champagne despite coming to my table 3 times. He was able to refill the glasses of my other 3 male family members yet walked by me without even acknowledging me. Very rude."
However, the worst part of my visit was my server who did not refill my champagne despite coming to my table 3 times. He was able to refill the glasses of my other 3 male family members yet walked by me without even acknowledging me. Very rude."
Dined on 03/03/2013
2010
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 17 for El Torito Grill - Irvine
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
I like that there was plenty
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"I like that there was plenty of room out group didn’t feel crowded; the ambience of the room was energetic and fun. We had great service and the food was amazing"
Dined on 02/08/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups, great for lunch
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 18 for El Torito Grill - Irvine
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great service and attention
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"My father-in-law really enjoyed spending his birthday here. The food was OK, normal dining is usually better but the location and service at our table was outstanding."
Dined on 02/03/2013
2008
Special Features: kid-friendly
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Ratings-Only Reviews for El Torito Grill - Irvine
Based on the average of (23) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.5
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.6
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic