El Torero Restaurant — Restaurant in South Tucson

A deeply confusing and disappointing time was had at this establishment. Their version of a chimichanga is unique. I paid $7 for a bean and cheese burro, $0.50 for “chimi style,” and another $6 for “The Works,” which includes beans, rice, cheese, salsa, and sour cream.

If you’re like me, or any fucking normal person on the goddamn planet, you probably envisioned a fried burrito with a side of beans, rice, salsa, and sour cream. The lack of guacamole is odd, but whatever, I moved forward and ordered anyway.

To my utter surprise and complete chagrin, my plate arrived and featured a fried burrito and a pile of lettuce. Not only was the presentation laughable and boring, but I was as equally perplexed as to the location of my beans, rice, salsa, and sour cream. Surely they just missed the “The Works” part of my order, right? In an instant, a thought graced my mind, and I wondered if perhaps they’d placed the ingredients within the confines of the tortilla, but as quickly as the thought had arrived I dismissed it without deference.

Needless to say I was dumbfounded when I cut into my chimi. I stared at my food, totally aghast, and laughed helplessly, as I tallied up “The Works” ingredients, only to find the sour cream was missing. What the fuck was on my plate? It felt like a prank, and the staff had punked me. Is my real chimi about to arrive from the kitchen, accompanied by an apology? Instead, the server incredulously thrust his face in my burrito when I told him the sour cream was missing. Jesus Christ...

It would have been impossible to get a refill on chips or beer without flagging down our server, whose only mission appeared to be prepping the restaurant for close (we showed up at 7:45 and they closed at 9pm). He never fucking refilled our waters. And the one time I asked for a beer refill he stomped off without even acknowledging the empty beer glass of my partner. Pure insanity.

Call me Karen, if you want. Fuck off. There are minimum standards for restaurant service, and these guys failed from the moment we walked in, un-greeted, to the moment we left, as the owner, with his back to us, muttered “thanks for coming in.”

How was everything? Well, dear reader, you’re the only one to entertain that question. The staff seems to know just how everything is, and for fear of retort, or maybe it’s pure exhaustion on their part, they refuse to even ask.

(One star experience, plus one star for the perfectly fried tortilla on my non-chimi...

Sometimes you really get lucky with the neighborhood you move into and have the opportunity to have an awesome place within walking distance to enjoy over and over again.

One of the biggest things I appreciate and admire about El Torero is their dedication to creating delicious tinctures and hot sauces. Chef Mikey and Jon behind the bar are constantly creating, fermenting and playing with different flavor combinations and if you are lucky enough to get to know them well enough, they will shower you with all these delicious creations. If you don't get that opportunity, just ask your server and they will gladly hook you up as well.

Do not sleep on the bar program here either. Jon is one of the most seasoned and talented bartenders in the city. Truly, he's maybe the only bartender where I can comfortably say "dealer's choice" and I'm guaranteed something creative and delicious.

This place is deeply rooted in family tradition as well as looking forward to future, and right now they are perfectly straddling that line. The more traditional fare and original menu items from 1956 can still be found on the main menu, while an accompanying rotating specials menu of Asian inspired and a delicious nod to an In n Out classic can be found alongside some of the best vegan food I've had in Tucson so far.

Personally, I find myself going back to the seafood items again and again, but I have not been disappointed once by anything I have tried or experienced here. I will add that if you are in any kind of hurry or are not the kind of person who can slow down and enjoy living in the moment, then this is not the restaurant for you. The service has always been attentive, warm and kind but you should never expect to get in and out in a rush, it's just not their style.

Please come give these guys the support and love they deserve. You will be charmed by their humility, hospitality and sense of humor and who knows you might even become as obsessive as the regular crowd here...

I am very picky about my Mexican restaurants. We are new residents of Tucson, and when a friend of ours recommended this place, I won't lie. I was skeptical. Granted, she is very discerning herself, but tastes vary and well, I thought it would be a hard sell.

This is absolutely one of the best restaurants, anywhere, I have ever eaten at! And when speaking to Mexican restaurants? This is a top 3 for me, and my partner and I have traveled in all 48 of the contiguous states in the past two years.

It's not quite where Google says it is (I was in walking mode), but I saw people returning to their car with takeout and went in their opposite direction, following the wonderful aroma. It looks like a shady dive on the outside, but omg. Inside, it's bright, fun, clean ... and the staff is the most professional and attentive I have ever had the pleasure to experience.

Normally a beer drinker, I wanted to switch it up, but after a day of hiking in near hot temps, I didn't want anything sweet. When our server asked the bartender for a suggestion, he came over to the table himself, asked me more about what I was craving, and then proceeded to make an incredible Southside Mule with tequila. It was perfect. I even ordered a second one.

The food was beautiful, too! It had this rustic charm, yet it was simply elegant. I met five others, and their dishes were equally as appetizing to look at. Everyone raved about the taste, too, including me! (I ordered two enchiladas, one spinach and one chicken, with an optional side of rice and beans.)

I was going to save half for my partner to try, but I ended up cleaning my plate. It was that good. I'm salivating, just reliving the whole experience.

The owner, Mike, even came to our table to welcome us and proceeded to tell us his story. It was just one of the best dining experiences ever. Can I give 10 stars? If I...