Very concerning Google is throttling the exposure of this website on their Google Maps Service… all the other restaurants showed up, this one was hidden from view… onto the review This is a cozy home style restaurant, their salsa is unique and delicious, just the right amount of heat and a mouthful of refreshing flavor on every bite. I asked to sit outside and was given quality attention, they brought me chips when I wanted them… like they were reading my tastebuds. I did the Flautas with shredded beef, comes two to the order with rice and beans…. Such a generous portion, I left full… but I did also get an extra side of guacamole :) Very community centric environment, 5 stars

Great food. I went there while growing up in this city with family ,later with friends , then with my kids, and again with my husband. The food has been delicious through my life and the staff are exceptional. It was so good to enjoy their special food and atmosphere made with the love I remember from the 60's , they have been their since 1957.

I really enjoyed this Mexican restaurant. We had the enchiladas and they were delicious. The ambiance was really unique with figurines hanging from the ceiling EVERYWHERE. It's really unique and fun!! The service was also great. Sarah was our server and she was fantastic. Will definitely come back next time I'm in town!

Still one of my favorites. Food hit the spot. Server, Aaron was helpful and attentive, took care of me and got me in and out quick on my lunch break.

Great food and service. The restaurant has a really cool vibe to it with lots of neat decorations all over the walls. An extensive beer list is also a big plus. Tends to get a bit busy, but they partner with the pub next door so that if there’s a long wait, you can grab drinks at the pub and then El Toreador staff will get you when your table is ready.

This place means a lot to me and my family. El Toreador is right in the heart of San Francisco and hands down serves the best Mexican food I’ve ever had. My dad used to come here back when he was a college student at SFSU, and now here I am, sitting in the same spot he used to, eating a massive burrito and soaking it all in. Kind of wild. The interior is super colorful and full of character it's like every inch of the walls and ceiling has something interesting to look at. Really feels like a family-run spot that’s kept its soul over the years. The rice was flavorful, the beans were perfect, and the burrito I got was huge, warm, and packed with well-seasoned meat and fresh ingredients. You can tell they care about the food. It’s cozy, feels like home, and there’s history in every corner. The staff was chill and welcoming, the vibe was relaxed, and everything about it just hit right. If you’re ever in the area and want real, honest, amazing Mexican food with some family history behind it this is the spot.

I was invited to El Toreador (The Bullfighter) for dinner and here is my review. The food was definitely authentic Mexican food with great sauces. Our dishes included Mole sauce, Verde sauce, and Chipotle sauce. The Mexican rice was perfectly made with tomato sauce. I particularly enjoyed the salty flavor in the rice. We ordered refried pinto beans vs black beans and we also enjoyed the creamy texture with the topping of melted cheese. I am not sure if the tortillas are freshly made but they were fine since the sauces smothered the tortillas. I would return to El Toreador in the future.

This is a tried and true go-to for my boyfriend and I when we are looking for a delicious place to eat in West Portal. Yummy Mexican food that is really reasonably priced. They bring you house made tortilla chips and house made roasted salsa. Both fresh and delicious. The salsa is spicy HOT, so be careful. It's not for the faint of heart. The entree portions are huge. The decor is super fun and festive. I could seriously stare at all the colorful chachkis for hours. The staff is really friendly and attentive. They make you feel really welcomed. Lastly, it can get busy here, especially at dinner time. There may be a wait, but it's definitely worth it.

Our go to place. Javier always take care of us. Making sure our chips and salsa always full. The place is a little small but busy. The table salsa is one of the favorites. The red sauce. It is a little spacey for my kids, so they gave them the green sauce. I had beef burritos, my family had Mexican bowl, enchiladas, beef tacos, fish tacos, empanadas chicken. Ronaldo was our server this time. He was very good and making sure food allergies. The portion was pretty good. Reason I did not finish my burritos was because had too much chips. Every time we come here, always get good service.

The salsa is so flavorful but not for the faint of heart... ask for the verde sauce. I absolutely love this place, the food is tremendous, always hot. I've had the almanecer, albondiga soup, Mission burritos and each one keeps me coming back. The food is seasoned well but not salty, always fresh ingredients. Ask for Sheldon or Aaron and they'll treat you right. A must in the West Portal area

The chicken mole, the last item on the entrees, is amazing. Great salsa and decent free small bowl of tomato soup before the meal. The pork "crouton" in the soup is great.

Joshua Brewer

This place means a lot to me and my family. El Toreador is right in the heart of San Francisco and hands down serves the best Mexican food I’ve ever had. My dad used to come here back when he was a college student at SFSU, and now here I am, sitting in the same spot he used to, eating a massive burrito and soaking it all in. Kind of wild. The interior is super colorful and full of character it's like every inch of the walls and ceiling has something interesting to look at. Really feels like a family-run spot that’s kept its soul over the years. The rice was flavorful, the beans were perfect, and the burrito I got was huge, warm, and packed with well-seasoned meat and fresh ingredients. You can tell they care about the food. It’s cozy, feels like home, and there’s history in every corner. The staff was chill and welcoming, the vibe was relaxed, and everything about it just hit right. If you’re ever in the area and want real, honest, amazing Mexican food with some family history behind it this is the spot.

Eddie Valadez

I was invited to El Toreador (The Bullfighter) for dinner and here is my review. The food was definitely authentic Mexican food with great sauces. Our dishes included Mole sauce, Verde sauce, and Chipotle sauce. The Mexican rice was perfectly made with tomato sauce. I particularly enjoyed the salty flavor in the rice. We ordered refried pinto beans vs black beans and we also enjoyed the creamy texture with the topping of melted cheese. I am not sure if the tortillas are freshly made but they were fine since the sauces smothered the tortillas. I would return to El Toreador in the future.

Jennifer Low

This is a tried and true go-to for my boyfriend and I when we are looking for a delicious place to eat in West Portal. Yummy Mexican food that is really reasonably priced. They bring you house made tortilla chips and house made roasted salsa. Both fresh and delicious. The salsa is spicy HOT, so be careful. It's not for the faint of heart. The entree portions are huge. The decor is super fun and festive. I could seriously stare at all the colorful chachkis for hours. The staff is really friendly and attentive. They make you feel really welcomed. Lastly, it can get busy here, especially at dinner time. There may be a wait, but it's definitely worth it.

Hugh Do

Our go to place. Javier always take care of us. Making sure our chips and salsa always full. The place is a little small but busy. The table salsa is one of the favorites. The red sauce. It is a little spacey for my kids, so they gave them the green sauce. I had beef burritos, my family had Mexican bowl, enchiladas, beef tacos, fish tacos, empanadas chicken. Ronaldo was our server this time. He was very good and making sure food allergies. The portion was pretty good. Reason I did not finish my burritos was because had too much chips. Every time we come here, always get good service.

Jobie Low

The salsa is so flavorful but not for the faint of heart... ask for the verde sauce. I absolutely love this place, the food is tremendous, always hot. I've had the almanecer, albondiga soup, Mission burritos and each one keeps me coming back. The food is seasoned well but not salty, always fresh ingredients. Ask for Sheldon or Aaron and they'll treat you right. A must in the West Portal area

Ryan Dooley

The chicken mole, the last item on the entrees, is amazing. Great salsa and decent free small bowl of tomato soup before the meal. The pork "crouton" in the soup is great.

We ordered out through DoorDash and the menu is so weird because it says you have to pick either beans or rice or salad with your entrée and I wanted all three! And I couldn’t figure out a way to order them à la carte. I’m like OK I guess this is the way they do it in San Francisco. But when we got it delivered Everything was there the rice and the beans and the salad so they really need to fix their DoorDash menu. I had chicken enchiladas. They were so so good! I loved their red sauce. Hubs had an enchilada and a chili rellano and they were really good too! In my opinion the salsa is too hot but that’s usually my opinion. I always like to have a milder option.

Walked in on a whim for lunch on a Saturday. Didn’t look up reviews beforehand. We loved this place. The food tasted delicious and the atmosphere was fun, casual, and friendly. Highly recommend the mole and tamale. Homemade authentic Mexican vibe

Ate here last weekend and I'm still thinking about the food. It reminds me of the kind of home cooking that only the best cooks in my family can pull off. The refried beans were great.

Sarah Carrillo

Ate here last weekend and I'm still thinking about the food. It reminds me of the kind of home cooking that only the best cooks in my family can pull off. The refried beans were great.

Charles L

Walked in on a whim for lunch on a Saturday. Didn’t look up reviews beforehand. We loved this place. The food tasted delicious and the atmosphere was fun, casual, and friendly. Highly recommend the mole and tamale. Homemade authentic Mexican vibe

Dori

We ordered out through DoorDash and the menu is so weird because it says you have to pick either beans or rice or salad with your entrée and I wanted all three! And I couldn’t figure out a way to order them à la carte. I’m like OK I guess this is the way they do it in San Francisco. But when we got it delivered Everything was there the rice and the beans and the salad so they really need to fix their DoorDash menu. I had chicken enchiladas. They were so so good! I loved their red sauce. Hubs had an enchilada and a chili rellano and they were really good too! In my opinion the salsa is too hot but that’s usually my opinion. I always like to have a milder option.

Lauren J

I love this place. Great salsa, great decor, and exactly the service you hope for from a place like this. It’s a Mexican restaurant from an era that’s soon to be bygone. Kitsch on the walls, families of all stripes, reasonable prices. I always get the enchilada plate. I’m a carnivore but I can’t resist their cheese enchiladas.

Very popular authentic Mexican restaurant in West Portal area . Fast service and friendly wait staff. A must see is the eclectic decorations inside.

Great ambience inside, love the food. Their salsa makes everything taste even better, and having their tortilla soup is always a treat. Great beer selection and yummy margaritas. Their chicken mole is good, but not something I'd get again (too sweet for my liking). I'd give them 5 stars if the service was better, but my last few trips involved a waiter that made me feel like I was bothering him.

Very Good 😊 I adored their Rice and Beans (which is important to me!) Ordered the 3 item plate crispy shredded beef taco, chicken enchilada, and a ground seasoned beef tostada. The chicken enchilada was a delight as was the crispy beef taco 🌮 the tostada was what it was supposed to be but nothing extraordinary. Would go again:)

Been coming here for 25 years. It is very refreshing to see charming places like this still exist in San Francisco. Always loved the food and Margaritas, excellent selection of beers (75 to choose from!). Always get good service here. Sometimes there is a wait, but you can sign in and wait at the bar a couple of doors down! Highly recommended. A++

Normally I don't think of going to taravel for Mexican food but I decided to come on a lark because I wanted to try this place that's been around for as long as I can remember. The food is filling and they give you a great value for your money which makes this a great choice if your looking for a festive atmosphere for a fun date night or just an affordable dinner in this area. I will probably come here again when I'm in the mood for a burrito and I don't want to drive all the way to the mission.

Nice fun place by West Portal. I sat and was brought hips and a really good salsa roja, the salsa was medium hot and had a great flavor. There was not an empty space to fill on this colorful space. I ordered the Chile Verde plate, a mouthwatering plate that came with small chunks of pork, slow cook in green chiles, garlic, cumin and tomatillo, it was a accompanied by a crisp chopped iceberg lettuce salad next to delectable order of refried beans and fluffy Spanish Rice, (Arroz Rojo) that paired perfectly with the green sauce. The flavors of this homemade meal reminded me of the original Mexican recipes that I used to eat at Los Angeles.

Delicious salsa roja with the tortilla chips. I ordered a carne asada burrito and the asada was perfectly seasoned, charred, with a slight lime flavor. The only concern was the rice and beans ratio to carne asada was too high, likely an effort to keep costs low due to the high beef cost. The price for the burrito was also insanely high priced ($18.99). Bizarre ordering process as they do not wait tables. There is a window outside, but it was closed so we walked in. The checker kept his back to us while inside when ordering. Friendly customer service for what it is.

Good food and big portions. I think the price is good. Not as cheap as a regular taqueria but this place definitely have another level. The ambiance is very nice and colorful. Really makes you feel a little bit in mexico. Though the music is much modern and not so mexican. Totally recommend it.

This place was solid. The fish tacos were really good, and we enjoyed the margarita pitcher. Fun and interesting inside decor really added to the experience!

This is a good place to get Instagram photos. Portion is big but the food & service is just ok. Always busy though.

Emilio

Nice fun place by West Portal. I sat and was brought hips and a really good salsa roja, the salsa was medium hot and had a great flavor. There was not an empty space to fill on this colorful space. I ordered the Chile Verde plate, a mouthwatering plate that came with small chunks of pork, slow cook in green chiles, garlic, cumin and tomatillo, it was a accompanied by a crisp chopped iceberg lettuce salad next to delectable order of refried beans and fluffy Spanish Rice, (Arroz Rojo) that paired perfectly with the green sauce. The flavors of this homemade meal reminded me of the original Mexican recipes that I used to eat at Los Angeles.

James Gomez

Delicious salsa roja with the tortilla chips. I ordered a carne asada burrito and the asada was perfectly seasoned, charred, with a slight lime flavor. The only concern was the rice and beans ratio to carne asada was too high, likely an effort to keep costs low due to the high beef cost. The price for the burrito was also insanely high priced ($18.99). Bizarre ordering process as they do not wait tables. There is a window outside, but it was closed so we walked in. The checker kept his back to us while inside when ordering. Friendly customer service for what it is.

Erick Vivas

Good food and big portions. I think the price is good. Not as cheap as a regular taqueria but this place definitely have another level. The ambiance is very nice and colorful. Really makes you feel a little bit in mexico. Though the music is much modern and not so mexican. Totally recommend it.

This is a classic San Francisco Mexican restaurant. We arrived early for dinner on a Thursday night and were seated immediately at a nice table near the window. I ordered a mango margarita, as did my daughter, and we loved them. I ordered a standard bean and cheese burrito (lol), and it was exactly what I wanted. My daughter ordered a chicken quesadilla, and our two companions ordered enchiladas. Service can be a little slow but it’s kinda what you expect. Place is colorfully decorated and very pretty inside. We love this place and will be back.

Carol Larimer

This is a classic San Francisco Mexican restaurant. We arrived early for dinner on a Thursday night and were seated immediately at a nice table near the window. I ordered a mango margarita, as did my daughter, and we loved them. I ordered a standard bean and cheese burrito (lol), and it was exactly what I wanted. My daughter ordered a chicken quesadilla, and our two companions ordered enchiladas. Service can be a little slow but it’s kinda what you expect. Place is colorfully decorated and very pretty inside. We love this place and will be back.

Fun atmosphere. Friendly staff, but not very attentive. Pork meat in tacos was very dry and did not seem fresh. At these prices I expect consistently better food and more attention from the wait staff. Their soup is not served anymore, so that was disappointing. I feel like they are off their game. I’ve been eating there fairly often over the past 15 years.

I got one of the big combo plates. The chicken enchilada was actually fine but the relleno was hilariously bad. It was half of an anaheim chile around a half-melted half string cheese stick. The rice was overcooked and exploded and the refried beans had the consistency of play-doh. I wish I was exaggerating. I told the waiter and showed him and he just smiled and said there was nothing they could do; this is the rice and beans for the rest of the night. They were really going to keep serving it! I sent the food back. Yikes. Great atmosphere though; it’s what got me in the door this time, but it won’t get me in there again.

I haven't dined here for over 20 years. Mexican dishes are not my favorite food but my spouse loves it. So, we tried it again and I have to admit it was good with large servings. Service was good too with very reasonable prices. One cannot beat the decor with so many fun items to enhance your dining. It was a fun evening and we we return soon The Negra Modelo draft beer was a perfect addition.

Few things: food is great here, beer list extensive. Getting a table here is tricky after the evening's first seating (6-630) has begun. So come early or come later (~8pm) if you want to avoid the wait. All things considered, I really wish service was better because the food is excellent. I didn't get the impression that the servers really cared for the business and the customers. Here's to hoping it was just a tough night for all.

Good food, but they are really bad with water service. What is up with that?! I mean really! I need water! The lack of refilling my water glass brings down the quality of this place significantly, because I asked several times before they refill it. Without refreshing water, I cannot even eat the food, so I sit there waiting. That is very poor service. 3 times now. This time I got enough water & had attentive service. I was happy

I like the soup they serve with dinner. The fried croutons in the soup are tasty. I found the beans didn't have much flavor. The $15 guacamole was the highlight of the meal.

Webster, NY

Good food, but they are really bad with water service. What is up with that?! I mean really! I need water! The lack of refilling my water glass brings down the quality of this place significantly, because I asked several times before they refill it. Without refreshing water, I cannot even eat the food, so I sit there waiting. That is very poor service. 3 times now. This time I got enough water & had attentive service. I was happy

Camila

I like the soup they serve with dinner. The fried croutons in the soup are tasty. I found the beans didn't have much flavor. The $15 guacamole was the highlight of the meal.

This was some of the best salsa I’ve ever had and the atmosphere is very nice. However we ordered the vegan burrito and some enchiladas and it might have been some of the worst food we’ve ever had. If you’re gonna have a veggie burrito please don’t steam large vegetables and just add it in. It was bland and gross. Enchiladas were ok but also lacking flavor.

Server was friendly, atmosphere is cute, but the food was pretty bad. Never had soggy flautas before eating here. For these prices, I was really expecting higher quality food.

I first came to this place in 1976. The restaurant has a cool vibe and decor. My parents were in SF, it used to be the place we go as a family. Sadly the quality of the food has gone down hill, I would rather have Taco Bell now.. expensive, poor quality, bland. The service, I think it was the current owner.. I got the feeling he would rather be doing his taxes then serving us. It's too bad.. we have had some great memories there... Never going back

This is not proper Mexican food. It's like an Indian hybrid with salsas that taste like powdered curry mixes. Tamales are all masa, no meat. You're much better going just about anywhere else for Mexican food. Don't be fooled by the charming interior, it's a ruse. Service is also lackadaisical and largely laissez-faire.

Food was okay, but never have I paid $30 for a shrimp burrito in my life! Super expensive not worth it! Barely had 7 shrimps in it. Front guy in hat kind of arrogant/superiority complex? Seems to be attending white people nice, so maybe because I was latino? I don't know it could maybe just be my perception but I did not felt comfortable being there. Took my order to go. It will be a one star but I have to give two stars because the orchata drink was really good!

Literally anywhere else in SF for Mexican food than here. It's old and overpriced. Beans are straight out of the can.

I get that this is a neighborhood favorite but that doesn’t make it a good Mexican restaurant, specially in SF. After waiting 35 minutes, they messed up my order and I ended up packing it up. Now that I’m eating it, it’s pretty average and feels old, like it’s been microwaved.

The worst Mexican food in San Francisco. We got there 30 mins. before closing on a Saturday night. The chicken enchiladas were dry, super bland, there was no seasoning on anything! The tortilla shells that they rolled up the chicken enchiladas in, were so hard on the edges, almost as if they kept it in the microwave too long. I was so hungry that's why I ate cardboard cuz that's exactly what their food tasted like! Hospital food is better than that! Customer service was good 👍🏽!!! Beautiful decoration 👍🏽!!! But, the green sauce on top had a nasty fresh out if the can taste! It actually tasted like it came straight out of a can and they just dumped it on top! The child size portion of rice had no flavor at all. The best thing on the plate was the child size portion of refried beans and the little tiny salad in the middle of the plate. The tortilla chips and the salsa dip they give you while you wait for your food, was better that the entire meal. However, the sause could be a little milder for folks or children who have sensitivity to hot or spicy foods. Honestly, the only reason we ended up here was because my favorite restaurant Elena's down the street was packed and we were not going to get a table until 2 hours later. So, my associate recommended we go to this restaurant. I WILL NEVER IN LIFE TAKE HER WORD ON ANYTHING! NEVER LISTEN TO A DRUNK, LOL😂🤣THEY EAT ANYTHING 😂🤣😂🤣! It was horrible the enchiladas weren't even hot and they were not even soft the sauce on top was crapy and NASTY! PLEASE, do yourself a big favor and skip this place all together. They must have friends and family members writing the good reviews. It is worth the wait at Elena's. Honestly I could have took a hot dog from a street vendor on Mission Street & been more satisfied than what I ate there! I could have eaten a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and that would have been better, than what I ate there! Elena's food is a big difference. If I could give them no stars that's exactly what I would give them. Never coming back here! #Yuck🤢 #nastyfood🤮

Shivani Kaw

I get that this is a neighborhood favorite but that doesn’t make it a good Mexican restaurant, specially in SF. After waiting 35 minutes, they messed up my order and I ended up packing it up. Now that I’m eating it, it’s pretty average and feels old, like it’s been microwaved.

DAUGHTERofThe MOSTHIGHGOD

The worst Mexican food in San Francisco. We got there 30 mins. before closing on a Saturday night. The chicken enchiladas were dry, super bland, there was no seasoning on anything! The tortilla shells that they rolled up the chicken enchiladas in, were so hard on the edges, almost as if they kept it in the microwave too long. I was so hungry that's why I ate cardboard cuz that's exactly what their food tasted like! Hospital food is better than that! Customer service was good 👍🏽!!! Beautiful decoration 👍🏽!!! But, the green sauce on top had a nasty fresh out if the can taste! It actually tasted like it came straight out of a can and they just dumped it on top! The child size portion of rice had no flavor at all. The best thing on the plate was the child size portion of refried beans and the little tiny salad in the middle of the plate. The tortilla chips and the salsa dip they give you while you wait for your food, was better that the entire meal. However, the sause could be a little milder for folks or children who have sensitivity to hot or spicy foods. Honestly, the only reason we ended up here was because my favorite restaurant Elena's down the street was packed and we were not going to get a table until 2 hours later. So, my associate recommended we go to this restaurant. I WILL NEVER IN LIFE TAKE HER WORD ON ANYTHING! NEVER LISTEN TO A DRUNK, LOL😂🤣THEY EAT ANYTHING 😂🤣😂🤣! It was horrible the enchiladas weren't even hot and they were not even soft the sauce on top was crapy and NASTY! PLEASE, do yourself a big favor and skip this place all together. They must have friends and family members writing the good reviews. It is worth the wait at Elena's. Honestly I could have took a hot dog from a street vendor on Mission Street & been more satisfied than what I ate there! I could have eaten a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and that would have been better, than what I ate there! Elena's food is a big difference. If I could give them no stars that's exactly what I would give them. Never coming back here! #Yuck🤢 #nastyfood🤮

This place has the worst customer service in all of SF! Unfriendly when we walked in and that only continued. I ordered the “famous bean soup” that came with no beans. I asked the waiter why there were no beans and he rudely told me it was a bean broth soup and R that the menu doesn’t say there would be beans. How dumb. Would it be too much to add $.50 worth of beans. They’re rude and the menu is dumb and we won’t be back.

penultimate Fantasy

Literally anywhere else in SF for Mexican food than here. It's old and overpriced. Beans are straight out of the can.

Amelia West

This place has the worst customer service in all of SF! Unfriendly when we walked in and that only continued. I ordered the “famous bean soup” that came with no beans. I asked the waiter why there were no beans and he rudely told me it was a bean broth soup and R that the menu doesn’t say there would be beans. How dumb. Would it be too much to add $.50 worth of beans. They’re rude and the menu is dumb and we won’t be back.