El Toro Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in Lexington

Appetizers had to be 'reheated' (cold in the middle -aka frozen). Salsa was runny, but it DID have semi fresh cilantro coarsely chopped (semi-browning on 🍁). Servers were attentive, but did not cut slack in the bill for the 'needing to be reheated food'. The server did ask if I would like the 'special' sauce in lieu of the bottled (which was a nicely mild green sauce aka Verde salsa). They did not speak much Spanish around me even though they were all wearing headsets. I could have assumed I would have been able to understand them due to my interaction with them (firm believer- "When in Rome"- even if it is a 'Salsa' or 'Waltz' at a 4x4 seated dinning area.) The decor was El Toro! ('The Bull'). Bold beautiful warm colors. (Bold Red and Vibrant Yellow- Roja y Amarillo always my two favorite colors make me happy). The Specials 'sounded good' but were definitely something tossed together which were days old leftovers (I'm assuming lunch is quite different from the dinners they were to have due to the food truck still unloading when we were leaving). Hopefully, someone else will share a more favorable flavor sensation than I because when it first opened eons ago it was one of my favorite restaurants - now it's taste test.... I'd rather have spent my money at Taco Bell and at least have a reason for the overly American food in which I was served. Or just gone to the frozen food section in Kroger's... Still the two for one drinks were nice. Allowed for my companion and I to each have a mild yet very tasty Margarita and not feel horrible for the time of day in which it was - of course this is coming from someone who wants the drink to complement their meal; not to BE the meal. In this case, the best part of the meal were the Margaritas and the freshly cut lemons which I had in my water. EL TORO! Que pasa? No es bueno...

Ok, so this review has many parts. Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed my meal here. It wasn't the best Mexican I've had but it was still delicious. Ok first and foremost.

Chips and Salsa: their chips and salsa is phenomenal. The Salsa is very tasty and refreshing. Their queso may have been some of the best I've ever had. I had the quesobirria tacos. The dipping sauce lacked luster. Somewhat bland, and really needed some additional seasoning in the meat inside the taco. The way it is served just seems to be an after thought. It's grilled, and sealed with cheese. They serve your onions and cilantro on the side? If you open the taco it will fall apart. The onions and cilantro need to be fried inside. STILL, absolutely delicious just underwhelming. Would I eat it again, yes.

The service. This is a true GEM when discussing service. You are taken care of from the moment you sit down until you are ready to go. I was extremely impressed. The staff are truly top notch.

I give it 4/5 stars on atmosphere just because of proximity. The establishment really does get overwhelmed with customers and this is why I feel the food took a slight hit with 3/5 stars for me.

It honestly would not take much for this to be a 5/5 star establishment for me. They need a bigger establishment to allow customers more space to enjoy their meal. Will update my review with...

Guys n' gals, wait 'til you try this place out! El Toro is one of the best Mexican restaurants in the city. Sure, the tortilla chips look a bit like those white $2 Santitas from the grocery store, but you will not care after you order and eat them with "El Toro Dip", cheese dip with beef and more added. I devoured the chips and dip so fast, I must've resembled Cookie Monster with chip debris flying out of the corners of my mouth. I didn't eat it; I inhaled it. Indeed, I nearly coughed up a lung, as did another nearby customer. Food to die for! Next, I ordered "Camarones Nostreños", jumbo shrimp stuffed with cheese and poblano peppers AND THEN wrapped in bacon and lightly covered with barbecue sauce! Say whaaa! It was like receiving a buried treasure and hoarding over it as I scanned the room for any would-be food pirates and gluttoned with glee on each piece. A delightful finger food! I walked into El Toro with a massive headache and growling tummy. Nonetheless, I walked out with that same massive headache but then with a stuffed tummy, very satisfied and amazingly impressed. Highly...