Torchy's Tacos — Restaurant in Leander

I always enjoy eating at Torchy's Tacos. The food is consistently delicious, and the variety of tacos and sides keeps me coming back. That said, I’ve noticed a pretty big difference in portion sizes when you dine in versus ordering takeout. When we eat at the restaurant, the portions are noticeably larger, which always leaves me feeling more satisfied. On the other hand, takeout portions seem a little on the lighter side, which can be disappointing, especially when you’re paying the same price. Sometimes to avoid the rush, we’ll order takeout but still sit down to eat inside the restaurant—kind of the best of both worlds.

One thing I always appreciate about Torchy's is the atmosphere. The vibe is upbeat, the music is great, and the restaurant is always clean and well-kept. The staff is super friendly, and they do a great job of creating a welcoming experience. Whether it’s your first time there or your hundredth, the energy of the place makes the food taste even better.

Now, something I wish they would change: the tipping process for takeout orders. When you place an order through the app, it automatically prompts you to tip, with default options like 10% or 15%. Personally, I don’t see why this is necessary for takeout. What are they doing differently from fast food workers at places like McDonald’s? I’ve never thought to tip at a fast-food spot unless someone went above and beyond, and it feels like tipping has become too normalized in situations where it doesn’t really make sense. Plus, you’re tipping before you even get your food, which feels awkward because if something goes wrong—like an incorrect order—you’ve already tipped. I’d honestly rather pay a bit more for my food upfront and know the staff is being paid well instead of feeling pressured to tip.

Speaking of mistakes, I don’t know if the kitchen staff can see whether or not a customer tipped, but sometimes it feels like orders come out wrong more often when I don’t tip. Maybe that’s just a coincidence, but it’s crossed my mind a few times. Either way, I think there’s room for improvement here because it would be better if tipping wasn’t expected for takeout in the first place.

Despite that, I still love Torchy’s and eat there probably once a week. The food is always fresh, and I’m obsessed with their Chipotle Ranch and Diablo Sauce—they’re the perfect complements to just about everything on the menu. I’d also recommend trying the Tractor drinks. The Strawberry Fields flavor is my favorite, but the lemonade is also fantastic. Plus, free refills on those are a nice bonus!

If you’re ordering takeout, I recommend using the iPhone or Android app because it can save you a lot of time waiting. The only thing I’d suggest improving is making the portion sizes for takeout the same as what you get when dining in. It would be interesting to actually go in with a scale one day and weigh the portions to confirm the difference—I’m tempted to do it!

Overall, Torchy's is a great spot with amazing food and a fun atmosphere. While there are a few things I’d tweak, it’s still a place I highly recommend, whether you’re dining in or...

TLDR: My first visit to Torchy's Tacos was marred by poor cleanliness, unprofessional service (tacos delivered with thumbs in the food), and overpriced portions that didn't match their size. While the tacos were decent and the menu creative, the overall experience left much to be desired. Unless they improve hygiene and service, I'm hesitant to give them another shot.

Torchy's Tacos gave me a first impression I won't soon forget — though I wish I could. Walking in for the first time, I was greeted not by the aroma of sizzling tacos but by an overwhelming sense that cleanliness wasn't high on the day's to-do list. Sticky floors, unkempt tables, and a trash bin overflowing like an ill-timed piñata were enough to give pause. Still, I decided to soldier on, lured by the promise of their "damn good tacos."

Things went from questionable to downright appalling when the manager emerged with my order. Rather than a tray, my tacos were hand-delivered — literally. The man carried the baskets with his thumbs prominently placed in my food. If this was Torchy's idea of "hands-on service," I'd like a refund on that experience. As someone who had never eaten here before, I began to wonder if this was just their quirky style or a health code violation in the making.

The tacos themselves? They were…fine. Certainly not good enough to salvage the rest of the experience but adequate in a "if you’re already here, you might as well eat" sort of way. The real sting came when I realized the serving sizes didn't quite justify the hefty price tag. I'm all for premium tacos, but at these prices, I expected to leave full, not debating whether to hit a drive-thru on the way home.

In all fairness, Torchy's has a reputation for bold flavors, and I did appreciate the creativity of their menu. But no amount of Diablo Sauce can mask poor hygiene and unprofessional service. Perhaps it was an off day, but when your first impression involves tacos served with a side of thumbprint, it's hard to justify a second chance.

In the end, Torchy's might be "damn good" to some, but for me, it was just damn disappointing. Here's hoping they clean up their act — literally and figuratively — because there's potential here, buried somewhere...

I absolutely love Torchy's Tacos and often come here for lunch. The food is phenomenal, and the atmosphere is generally fantastic. Some of my favorites include the Chili Green Queso, which is rich, creamy, and perfectly spiced with green chiles – it's the ultimate comfort food. The Airstream Salad is a delightful, refreshing option with fresh greens and vibrant flavors. And the Trailer Park Taco? It's heaven in a tortilla! The fried chicken is crispy and succulent, paired with green chiles, pico de gallo, cheddar jack cheese, and that amazing poblano sauce. If you "get it trashy" with queso instead of lettuce, it's even better!

The Tipsy Chick Taco is another must-try, with marinated and grilled chicken that's incredibly tender, spinach, grilled corn, green chiles, and cheddar cheese. The chipotle sauce adds a smoky kick, and the side of bacon bourbon marmalade is a game-changer.

I also love sitting outside with a nice, cool beer on a hot day – it's the perfect way to unwind. The service at the bar is always top-notch, with friendly and attentive staff who make the experience even better.

However, there's a recurring issue with the gates outside. While patrons gently close them when entering or leaving, employees repeatedly slam the gates without any consideration for those sitting nearby. In the past 40 minutes, I've observed this about 12 times, and I've heard similar frustrations from other customers.

I want to continue coming here to use the Wi-Fi and enjoy the tacos, but this issue is becoming increasingly annoying. With a new Mexican restaurant opening nearby and a Chili's coming across the street in mid-August, I hope Torchy's addresses this...