El Torito — Restaurant in Madison

They are new and need a little time, I think. Food was ok, a little under-seasoned? They don't seem to have a less spicy salsa and the salsa was too spicy for me. The horchata tastes like it comes from a mix. They are fast food quality for sit-down restaurant prices and they have their machines set up to tip for sit down restaurant percentages. Not only do you stand in line to order your food, you bring your plates and garbage to a bin. They do bring your food out to you, but our table got our food delivered plate by plate as it was done in the kitchen so they might need to get the timing down yet. The menu is large and read from the TVs on the wall. I wish they had a paper copy I could have looked at ... Staring up at the menu is overwhelming. The plates come with extra things that aren't listed on the menu, like lettuce and tomatoes and cucumbers and other things, so if you have an allergy, make sure to ask what else comes on the plate because they don't ask or let you know anywhere we saw. The tables were coated in resin or some other sealant that did not properly harden and it feels gross. The employees were friendly enough but I could barely hear them and after asking what too many times, I just let my partner speak for me. I'm not sure I would say it is necessarily loud in there, but voices behind the counter didn't travel well to my deaf ears. I might be back to try the biracha pizza everyone is racing about, but it's not my current choice of Mexican...

The greatest birria tacos you'll ever have the immense pleasure of consuming. Seriously. All the food here is the greatest I've ever had the honor to eat. Well worth the visit and absolutely worth every penny it costs. Plus, this restaurant of awesome cuisine allowed me to create my chorizo-guac mix, which no other restaurant ever made it for me besides Super Street Tacos in Onalaska, WI. I'm sorry, Super Street, but El Torito just beat you with this place being my favorite place for exquisite Mexican food. Sorry, not sorry. The staff at El Torito were very social and warm and very caring. Awesome place, awesome people, and awesome food. If you haven't been, now's the time because otherwise you'll forever contemplate existence without ever knowing Heaven on Earth in a chill atmosphere that's known as El Torito. I LOVE THIS PLACE!!! ❤️ 😍 💖 ❣️ 💕 💘 🌮 🌯 🌮 🌯 🌮 🌯 🌮 🌯 🌮 🌯 🌮 🌯 🌮 🌯 🌮 🌯 🌮 🌯 🌮 🌯 🌮 🌯 🌮 🌯 🌮 🌯

TRY IT BEFORE YOU LEAVE THIS PHYSICAL REALM WE CALL LIFE!!!

Seriously. It's that effin good 4 real!!! I see the 🌎 in a brighter light because of my first time experience...

I've been seeing this spot under construction for months now and was excited to check it out. As I walked in, I came into a nice, welcoming environment. I took a look at the menu and could tell this was going to be good Mexican food right away.

I asked about what was recommended and landed on the al pastor and steak tacos with a side of rice and beans.

The al pastor taco was very good, moist meat but not too moist. The toppings were fresh, though I do wish the onions were chopped more finely.

The steak taco had potential, but like another reviewer, I found the steak to be a bit dry. Same problem with the onion size.

The rice and beans were really good, and not overly salty, which some places make the mistake of doing.

Overall, I did enjoy my food; just some fine-tuning is needed to make it a true 5-star taco spot. But I know they can make it there, and the east side needs it too! Welcome to the neighborhood!

I will for sure be back to check it out and give them another...