El Torito Information

Tucked along 17th Street in Tustin, El Torito has that familiar neighborhood vibe that makes you feel like you’ve been coming here for years, even if it’s your first visit. The location is easy to spot, with plenty of parking, and it’s the kind of place locals seem to gravitate toward for both casual dinners and weekend gatherings.

Walking in, the atmosphere leans warm and lively without being overwhelming. There’s a mix of families, small groups, and the occasional solo diner at the bar, all contributing to a relaxed, welcoming energy. The decor sticks to a classic Mexican restaurant style-colorful accents, comfortable booths, and a bar area that looks like it’s seen its fair share of margarita orders.

The menu is broad and approachable, covering everything you’d expect from a long-standing Mexican grill. Their fajitas arrive sizzling and aromatic, drawing attention from nearby tables, while staples like enchiladas and burritos are generously portioned. One standout during my visit was the carne asada, which came out tender and well-seasoned, paired with rice and beans that felt freshly prepared rather than an afterthought. The chips and salsa set the tone early-crispy, warm chips with a salsa that had just enough kick to keep you reaching back for more.

Service here feels attentive without being overbearing. Servers check in regularly, keep drinks topped up, and are quick to offer recommendations if you’re unsure what to order. From what I could tell listening to nearby tables, this consistency shows up in many reviews, with diners often mentioning friendly staff and reliable service as a big reason they return.

Drinks deserve a mention too, especially the margaritas, which come in a variety of flavors and sizes. They’re balanced rather than overly sweet, which is surprisingly rare and definitely appreciated. It’s easy to see why this spot works well for both a casual dinner and a low-key celebration.

While it may not be pushing culinary boundaries, El Torito delivers on what it promises: dependable Mexican comfort food, a welcoming atmosphere, and a menu that has something for just about everyone.

Most Popular Dishes

  • LEMONADE $4.40
  • AGUA DE JAMAICA $6.60
  • MOUNTAIN DEW $4.40
  • SIERRA MIST $4.40
  • SUGARFREE RED BULL ENERGY DRINK $4.40
  • FRUIT PUNCH $4.40
  • STRAWBERRY-CILANTRO SODA $6.60
  • RED BULL ENERGY DRINK $4.40

Open Times

Monday 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Tuesday 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Wednesday 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Thursday 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Friday 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Saturday 09:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Sunday 09:00 AM - 10:00 PM

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Location & Contact

Contact Details

  • 17420 17th St, Tustin, CA 92780, United States
  • Right Now :

What People's Say About Place

I only met friends here for drinks however I have eaten here before and from what I remember the food was freshly cooked and came quickly. Easy to find parking. Plenty of room. Nice atmosphere for a party of group of friends meeting up for a night out.

Just ate here for Sunday Brunch for my moms 65th birthday and we had the best time. Food was excellent, atmosphere was great. However, Ernesto is the star of the show, he made us feel like family, incredibly attentive and friendly. We will be back and always request to sit at his tables.

So for some reason I had it in my head that El Torito had bad food. I don't know where it came from as I used to hit up their Taco Tuesdays weekly when I was in college. I recently visited this location with a friend and was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food. The wings were amazing. We got the Chorizo Queso Fundido which was the bomb. My mouth waters just thinking about the warm flour tortillas it came with. Then there were the Margaritas. Oh yes! I will definitely be back. This place rocks! Also, the staff was awesome. We sat in the Cantina and our server was so attentive even while managing a large birthday party table. We never felt neglected. He also gave us great advice on what to order and pointed out ways to save. For instance we were there to watch the Laker game and he suggested getting the larger size margaritas because it was cheaper than just buying the one by one when we knew we were going to have more than one. All in all, I had a great experience!

My husband was craving some Mexican food and we decided on El Torito. The food was great. The tamale and chicken flautas are sooo good, definitely recommend. Thank you to our server Ernesto he was absolutely wonderful and made our experience even better

As we walked in this morning, we're were greeted by the personal first time coming here for Bunch. After they took it to our table and explained it to us. If you like mimosas, they are good. Must say it was really I was impressed with the pozole and menudo. But most I was impressed with the hand-made tortillas and omelets. If you like Brunch on Sunday, bring your family or friends to come alone and meet people . I didn't go to the bar area, I was with my young girls. But I will let you know next time. Rito V. Was an amazing server.

We ordered the shrimp tacos, which were fresh and packed with flavor, and paired them with a classic Cadillac margarita — smooth and strong in the best way. Rito made the whole experience seamless and fun. Great food is expected, but great service like his keeps us coming back!

Had an absolutely fantastic brunch , largely thanks to our server, Gino! He was attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable about the menu, making some great recommendations. Even though the place was busy, Gino made us feel well taken care of without being overbearing. We will definitely be back and will be asking for him!

We had such a great time for brunch here at El Torito, our waiter Tomas was so helpful and would constantly check in with us to make sure everything was okay. We will definitely be back for the amazing service and delicious food!

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