El Toro Mexican Restaurant & Cantina — Restaurant in Washington

I’m fairly certain people who like the food here don’t have functioning taste receptors or their sodium is just real low. The food was basic, run-it-through-the-heater-to-melt-the-cheese Mexican food. Nothing was fresh. I’m pretty sure nothing was made in house. Maybe the corn tortillas were but it was hard to tell because the tortilla station in the lobby had glass windows that were so fogged up you couldn’t see what the lady was doing. She could be back there picking her nose for all I know. No one could see. Anyway, the ventilation in the building was bad and it was really hot in there. Uncomfortably hot. And I’m always cold. So I guess it was authentic because I felt like I was in Mexico.

When we walked in, we weren’t greeted but I walked up to the hostess station anyway and said hello (don’t worry. They weren’t friendly enough to respond) and stated that I would like a table for 2 adults, a child and a baby. Her response? “So…5 people?” Well, no. That’s 4 people. Already not looking good but, hey, whatever. Maybe I said it wrong. I wait and she seems confused but finds someone who wants to seat us. We’re taken to a nice table where we were ignored by at least 5 people - one of which was the manager. FINALLY someone comes by and says hello and takes our order. I don’t remember his name but once he showed up he was attentive and friendly enough but nothing to write home about.

The food came out quickly (11 minutes) and as mentioned above, was a salt lick. We both ordered enchiladas. My husband did comment that the chicken was seasoned which is unusual for some reason in Mexican restaurants. That was a nice surprise though. He enjoyed that part of it. The margaritas were made from a mix so that was disappointing. My daughter’s cheese quesadilla wasn’t melted and she wasn’t even impressed - and she’ll say she likes the worst food because #child.

Needless to say, we won’t be back but they probably won’t miss us anyway. This place always has a full parking lot and clearly there’s enough people who enjoy it. If you want better food though, check out Mazatlan Grill on 176th or if you’re looking for a drive and some WONDERFUL food and drinks, head out to...

We have eaten at the canyon rd location several times before and enjoyed it. We started just doing take out orders because we dont have time to dine in and dont want to be around a lot of other people. First time i called in an order, they had no issues taking my order and said it would be 10 minutes. So we show up 10-15 minutes later and i walk in to pay and get our food. I am the only person in the entry area with the hostess and she watched me walk in. She didnt talk to me or ask me if she could help or anything. 10-15 more minutes go by and i step up to talk to her and i pay and get our food and go. Fast forward to tonight. I call in an order for my wife to pick up on her way home. Wife goes in and wait 15 minutes before stepping up and talking to the hostess who has ignored her. She pays and the hostess disappears to supposedly get out food. 10-15 minutes pass and no sign on the hostess. My wife grabs a waiter and asks whats going on. Waiter has to go get the hostess and she finally goes back and gets our food. My wife mentions that we were supposed to get 2 of their margaritas and they werent in the bags. Hostess disappears to the back but not the bar. More time goes by and the hostess comes out and sets the bottles of margaritas on the counter. Doesnt put them in a bag or anything. Wife gets home and we talk about the situation. Ok, sucks but the food is good right? I ordered carne asada rare/medium rare. Its super well done, no flavor, tough as leather. I ordered flour tortillas and they gave us corn tortillas. Needless to say we will not be going back nor ordering to go food from el toro again. On a side note, after being put on hold to wait for the manager about 3 different times, the manager was super nice but really not helpful. Said i can drive in and pick up a new order of carne asada and a gift card... no thanks.. im home and dont feel like driving back into town for that... other option was a mailed gift card. Naww im good i will just take my business elsewhere if you cant keep your hostess’s on point or make sure orders are even...

Came to the restaurant on Valentines with our 2 kids and just left 15 minutes ago. We were told there was a 25 minute wait but got a table in maybe 15. No big deal because I really wanted to try this place that looks so beautiful on the outside. Someone came by and dropped off waters. Not long after, we had chips and salsa dropped off. And then 10 minutes later some more chips. Finally about 25 minutes in total we had the waiter show, didn't introduce himself or ask how we were. He asked if we wanted drinks finally. He took our order and about 15-20 minutes later, I got my sides for the fajitas and my daughter her food. 5 minutes later, my son's grilled cheese, 5 minutes again, my husband's tacos. The food was bland. Rice was mushy, beans tasted like oil, the fish tacos were not marinated. The fajitas had dry tasteless meat and very few pieces. Oh we ordered a quesadilla and that was folded, so half basically and the chicken on half of one side. Tasteless and no salt on the table. The chips and salsa were the highlight but even then, you can get that same quality at the safeway next door. So disappointed. The cost today for food is outrageous but when the service and quality is terrible, it makes for a...