El Trompo — Restaurant in Toronto

This was the second time i had a bad experience at this restaurant.

We were seated inside group of 4 adults and 1 toddler. (mind you I am also pregnant)

Same thing that everyone says they really try to rush you out. I brought my toddler in, they don't offer you a high chair didn't know they had them. Last time i came i had to keep my toddler in the stroller. Had to ask if they even have them. Then she brought me one.

When we ordered the manager would rip the menus out of our hands. We asked if we could keep one she said we could ask her for one if we decide later we want something. And left them on the counter where no one else was using it.

When we ordered she asked us if we wanted Guacamole. We said sure. (not realizing it was something we had to pay for - that was on me for not checking. Thought it was a complimentary app) But 13 bucks for 1 small little bowl and small paper bag of chips. For 4 adults.

I ordered Pozole which was watered down and not flavourful at all which was disappointing. The whole reason for coming and it was a SMALL bowl.

We had ordered a jug of Horchata but had left half and asked if we could take it home. They said yes.

Later a waitress just puts this strange bottle. That we had no idea what it was. We asked her when she walked by what that was? She told us it was for the horchata. My husband had said it had a strange scent. I said oh do you not have the containers you use for soup? She ignored me and very SARCASTICALLY opened the jug and proceeded to show me how to pour into the jug.

After i poured the rest i noticed some strange smell coming from the bottle something like chemical smell like a scent from a floor cleaner. I confirmed with everyone at the table to check.

We decided to leave it and i informed the SAME waitress that it has a strange smell and that in pregnant and not willing to take that risk. All she said was "sorry" and kept cleaning our table.

We left the restaurant. And i was so angry that i went back in to speak to the manager or owner no idk and i had explained what happened with the jug. She reassured me that they wouldn't give me something with a chemical and i told her everyone smelled it and as I'm pregnant i am not willing to take a risk like that.

She then said sorry i can give you a refund and proceeded to give me an apology which didn't feel as sincere.and a refund for Horchata.

Overall I've been to this restaurant for many years and they have really gone downhill in service and quality in my opinion. This is the LAST time I will be going. I do...

I found this place while strolling through the area on the afternoon I arrived in Toronto for a weekend conference. I love Mexican food, it was a hot afternoon, so it was perfect. I sat on the patio, and my first experience was that the table was still sticky from the previous patrons. The young waitresses were a bit uncertain of their English, but their service was relatively good - it was a very busy afternoon. I made my order and then after a few minutes I asked my waitress if I had seen correctly that there was complimentary chips and salsa. I repeated the question a couple of times, using the words complimentary and free, because I could tell she wasn’t sure. I felt she finally understood, and she went to put the order in. I waited awhile and it was apparent the chips and salsa wasn’t coming. I asked another waitress if they were coming, and when she also seemed uncertain, I repeated my original questions of whether it was complimentary chips and salsa. She seemed also to understand finally, and she retrieved the small portion of chips and salsa. I then received my main meal. Do not expect large portions or accompaniments at this restaurant. When the bill came, the waitress had charged me for the chips and salsa. I said no, that she and the other woman had confirmed they were complimentary. I was polite and did not create a scene. She went into the restaurant, and a few minutes later a woman (I’m guessing the owner) came out and literally seethed at me that there was nothing free in this world and that I better pay for the chips and salsa. I was stunned. And not particularly afraid of her. I explained what had happened - politely and quietly. I asked her to please bring the amended bill, as I simply wanted to pay and leave. She told me off for a few more minutes and then stormed back into the restaurant. I was mortified. A gentleman at the table next to me took a photo I think — I’m not sure what he thought he was taking a picture of. The poor waitress brought me my amended bill, and I tipped her 20% for having to work for that woman. How horrible! I have never, in 45 years, ever been treated like that at a restaurant in my life. Not only was it horrible customer service, but it was outright bullying (and I hate using that word with adults). I was a tourist, so she has nothing to lose by me not going back. Food was tasty enough, but this business is obviously open because they benefit from a tourist location. Not a good representation of customer...

Food and service was a 1 star, bonus star for the live music and ambience during dinner that made the dining experience a bit more pleasant.

We got al pastor, lengua tacos, a soup that came with the combo and the molten cheese with chorizo. Also got horchata and jamaica (hibiscus tea) drinks. The Al Pastor tacos was 2/5, a bit dry and had a piece of plastic wrap that I luckily picked out, but flavor was decent and close to the one we had in Mexico. Everything else was 1/5.Lengua tacos had 0 flavor, barely any salt, I had to drench it in hot sauce to make it edible. The soup on the other hand was overly salty, which came in handy to season the lengua tacos. The chorizo molten cheese tasted like taco bells beef on melted mozerella which was also very disappointing. The price of things are cheap, but the portions are also small. Horchata had no flavor except sweetness. Jamaica drink was slightly better but also overly sweet. The restaurants seem to be very popular with Mexicans and the food on some other tables looked a bit better so perhaps we just didn't order the right things.

Service was also very frustrating. There were 3 empty tables when we arrived and waitress offered us the one that was so crammed one person could barely get in. We chose to sit ourselves in a slightly more spacious table. Throughout the meal, we felt rushed as they kept trying to clear our plates, even though we were only 1/2 done and only took a 30s pause to chat. Meanwhile, nobody came to check in on our food. Took a while to get our bill as the first person forgot and had to ask again.

Overall, live music was the best part of the meal, will not be back and stick with the many other tacos places...