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El Torito Pasadena - El Torito - Pasadena, Pasadena, CA

El Torito - Pasadena

4.2
4.2
253 Reviews
$30 and under
Mexican

Make a reservation

2 people
10:30 PM
Booked 28 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for brunch
  • Kid-friendly
The authority in great Mexican food for over 70 years! Visit us for weekly celebrations where we infuse tradition with authentic Mexican cuisine, including $4 happy hour, $3 Taco Tuesday, Saturday Breakfast and All-You-Can-Eat + Drink Sunday Brunch. Experience a celebration of Family, Food & Community!

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Mexican
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch: Sunday: 9:00am - 2:00pm; Lunch: Monday - Saturday: 11:00am - 3:00pm; Dinner: Monday - Thursday: 3:00pm - 10:00pm, Friday & Saturday: 3:00pm - 11:00pm, Sunday: 2:00pm-10:00pm
  • Phone number
    (626) 351-8995
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Catering
    Bring the flavor of El Torito to your office or off-site event! We can accommodate groups from 10 to 10,000 and everything in between! Enjoy Taco Bars, Fajita Bars, Enchilada Bars & much more. Order online or call 1-888-TORTILLA. https://www.eltorito.com/catering/
  • Private party facilities
    Show your friends, family, and co-workers how to throw a real party. Book one of our private rooms, patios, or semi-private dining areas for your next celebration, event, or meeting. Choose from Plated Menus, Buffet Menus or Mix & Match your favorite individual Trays. Inquire online or call 1-888-TORTILLA. https://www.eltorito.com/private-events/
  • Neighborhood
    Pasadena
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • Christmas

    Dec 25, 2024 only
    Join us on Christmas Day! Enjoy a Tri-Tip & Ham All-You-Can-Eat buffet featuring bottomless mimosas from 9am - 2pm for $39.50 Adults/$13.50 Kids, and all your EL Torito favorites from our main menu from 2pm - 8pm. Plus, $6 Drink Specials all day.
    Christmas Photo

What 253 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.2
4.2 based on recent ratings
  • 4.1Food
  • 4.4Service
  • 4Ambience
  • 4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Pasadena

    Great for brunch

  • Pasadena

    Kid-friendly

  • Pasadena

    Good for groups

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
El Torito - Pasadena impresses with "great service and food fresh and delicious." Guests appreciate its accommodating staff, especially for large groups, and memorable celebrations, like birthdays and retirements. The brunch is a hit with bottomless mimosas and delightful atmosphere. Despite occasional hiccups, the attentive servers ensure a pleasant dining experience.

253 Reviews
  1. Marlene

    Los Angeles

    45 reviews

    5.0

    45 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was outstanding, as always. Had a great time with out-of-town family.

    Is this helpful?

  2. alan

    Los Angeles

    142 reviews

    4.0

    142 reviews

    Dined on December 16, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    Very accommodating for changes in menu items. Food was freshly prepared and very reasonable priced. Much better than I remember from year ago! Will return

    Is this helpful?

  3. karen

    Orange County

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 1, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    At the end we left the check with gift cards and cash to pay our bill. While I went to restroom my family headed outside and the server came out to tell them they needed to wait but was aggressive voice instead of letting us know we needed to stay until they made sure gift cards went through in a calm voice.
    El Torito - PasadenaResponded on December 2, 2024
    Karen, thank you for taking the time to give us a review, we appreciate your business

    Is this helpful?

  4. Leslue

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 29, 2024

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 1
    Based upon the Thanksgiving buffet advertisement, my family attended El Torito tonight. Unfortunately, the food stations were not stocked. Most of the bowls were empty, there was only one carving station with one employee, so the line was long and the food was not hot. We were very disappointed in the meal. Also, the carving station was in one part of the restaurant and the "mexican food bar" and dessert was in another section which made it difficult to go back and forth to our table. The self service drinks were empty and they ran out of plates. The value of the meal was worth $9.99, NOT $39.99. The only thing that was positive, was our server (Joseph/Joe) who brought drinks and cleared plates was very good. We were very disappointed in our experience.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Philip

    Los Angeles

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on November 28, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great service, comfortable seating, food met expectations. Had trouble paying with the InKind app, which rejected the first two credit cards I tried to use with it. The third credit card I tried worked. I found the InKind app more of a nuisance than a convenience.
    El Torito - PasadenaResponded on December 2, 2024
    Thank you, Philip, we appreciate your business and time, Happy Holidays to you and your family

    Is this helpful?

  6. Aida

    VIP

    Los Angeles

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on November 25, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our server Mark is exceptional!! He quickly approached our table greeted us and brought chips and salsa. He took our order in a timely manner and brought our drinks. He is kind, respectful, and a valuable employee! Thank you Mark for taking care of our table especially having our 5 year old granddaughter! She said you are very nice and she wants us to take her back to El Toritos upon her next visit with us, her grandparents! She loves the kids meal especially the ice cream sundae! Kudos to Mark!!!!
    El Torito - PasadenaResponded on December 2, 2024
    Thank you, Aida, we appreciate your business and time, Happy Holidays to you and your family, please come back soon

    Is this helpful?

  7. Patricia L.

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 24, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    Very cold in dining area. Uncomfortable for my 80 yr old parents.
    El Torito - PasadenaResponded on December 2, 2024
    Thank you, Patricia, we appreciate your business and time, Happy Holidays to you and your family

    Is this helpful?

  8. Jason

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 22, 2024

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1
    Terrible service, had reservations for 8:15 for my wife and I, we’ve never been this place and wanted to try something new. Upon arrival, no front desk person and no greeting or any type of acknowledgment which was surprising given that besides the bar the place was EMPTY. My wife and I sat for 15 minutes while servers walked back n forth just looking at us so I finally stop a server to ask if we can be seated and he said “oh wait for that lady that was out here” i responded with “nobodies out here” and he just shrugs and walks away. So my wife and I decided to leave. Absolutely ridiculous behavior for a place that wasn’t busy at all.

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  9. Robyn

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 15, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Always great there. Service is wonderful and food always good. Easy parking as well.
    El Torito - PasadenaResponded on November 16, 2024
    Thank you for taking the time to give us a review, we appreciate your business

    Is this helpful?

  10. Jay

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 9, 2024

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 2
    Food was absolutely terrible. Not up to El Torito's standards. Must be independent. Remodeled interior is really ugly and doesn't look like brand colors. Tacos were burnt and extremely greasy. Chile Relleno was not fresh. Had the table side guacamole and the server had to throw away about 5 bad avocadoes she sliced before she got to two good ones she could use.

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FAQs

El Torito - Pasadena offers delivery in partnership with Postmates and Uber Eats. El Torito - Pasadena also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (626) 351-8995.

El Torito - Pasadena is rated 4.2 stars by 253 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
10:30 PM
Booked 28 times today
Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for El Torito - Pasadena

3333 East Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Pasadena
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch: Sunday: 9:00am - 2:00pm; Lunch: Monday - Saturday: 11:00am - 3:00pm; Dinner: Monday - Thursday: 3:00pm - 10:00pm, Friday & Saturday: 3:00pm - 11:00pm, Sunday: 2:00pm-10:00pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Mexican
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (626) 351-8995
  • Catering
    Bring the flavor of El Torito to your office or off-site event! We can accommodate groups from 10 to 10,000 and everything in between! Enjoy Taco Bars, Fajita Bars, Enchilada Bars & much more. Order online or call 1-888-TORTILLA. https://www.eltorito.com/catering/
  • Private party facilities
    Show your friends, family, and co-workers how to throw a real party. Book one of our private rooms, patios, or semi-private dining areas for your next celebration, event, or meeting. Choose from Plated Menus, Buffet Menus or Mix & Match your favorite individual Trays. Inquire online or call 1-888-TORTILLA. https://www.eltorito.com/private-events/
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