El Torito Menu Prices & Happy Hour Deals (2023)

When I started dating my wife, we used to visit an El Torito near her apartment all the time so this Mexican restaurant holds a special place in my heart. As an added bonus, the El Torito location we frequented was right off the water in Long Beach, California. The restaurant had a nice patio where you could sip on cheap margaritas and half-priced apps during happy hour.

Fast forward to 2023 and El Torito still offers incredible specials, including a happy hour, Taco Tuesday, and Sunday Brunch and an all-you-can eat lunch buffet on weekdays. View the updated menu prices and other deals below.

Appetizers

Soups And Salads

Fajitas

Combinations

El Torito Specialities

Taco & Burritos

Enchiladas

Desserts

A La Carte

Fountain Drinks

Kids Menu

El Torito menu poster.

Happy Hour Specials

I’m quick to admit I usually time our visits around the Cantina’s Happy Hour, which not only offered an extensive menu of culinary delights but also coincided with the most beautiful views of the setting sun if you live near the Long Beach location. Whether we were in the mood for something light like the $4 Papas Calientes or indulging in the $10 Salmon Tacos, there was something for almost everyone to enjoy.

The Happy Hour is available each day of the week from 3 PM to 7 PM at many locations. The deals are categorized based on their prices, ranging from $4 to $15. Here’s a quick rundown:

• $4 options: Include favorites like Street Corn, Queso Dip, Papas Calientes, as well as beverages such as Draft Beer Pint, Well Drinks, and House Wine.
• $6 options: Offer more filling choices like Potato Chorizo Taquitos, Mini Tacos, and Sopes Grilled Chicken, alongside Signature Margaritas, Tequila Shots, and Call Drinks.
• $8 options: Present heartier dishes such as Beef Birria Tacos, BBQ Carnitas Sliders, and Chicken Flautas, complemented by drinks like Watermelon Candy Shot, Mojitos, and a special Jalapeño Cucumber Margarita.
• $10 options: Feature premium items like Shrimp Tacos Gobernador, Salmon Tacos, and Mexican Pizza, with a variety of drink choices including a Margarita Flight and a Spicy Piña Margarita.
• $15 option: Offers a Bud Light Bucket containing 5 beers, perfect for sharing.

Even the Orange County Register has recognized El Torito as one of the best happy hours in Southern California according to their readers.

Additionally, Happy Hour is extended in the Cantina during all Pro Football games. That’s a touchdown in my book.

What will you order during happy hour?

Free Rewards and Ways to Save 

Would you like to earn free food at El Torito? Who wouldn’t? The Xperience Rewards loyalty program is unique in that the program works across the restaurants of El Torito in addition to Acapulco and Chevys Fresh Mex. When you dine at any of these restaurants for every $1 you spend you earn 10 points or “chips” as they are referred to in this program.

These chips are earned automatically when ordering online for to-go orders or when the member number is provided to the server in the restaurant. Here’s what you get after accumulating chips:

• 500 chips or $50 in spend = Free cheese queso.
• 1,000 chips or $100 in spend = Free dessert.
• 2,000 chips or $200 in spend = Free entree.

There’s no cap on the number of chips one can earn. However, chips do expire after twelve months of no purchase or redemption activity.

Fortunately, you don’t need to wait to get free rewards from the rewards program.  You’ll get a coupon for a free order of chips and guac when you join. You’ll also get a free entree on your birthday month as a member. You’d be Loco not to join this program!

Outside an El Torito location.

Taco Tuesday 

I can’t think of a better Taco Tuesday option than to visit El Torito’s renowned Taco Bar? And we’re not talking just any tacos; we’re talking made-to-order, handcrafted perfection. For a mere $3.00, you get to indulge in tacos that are as fresh as they are delicious, with choices including succulent Steak, tender Chicken, traditional Carnitas, or zesty Al Pastor. But that’s not all! What’s a taco without all the sides and fixings to make it your own? Load up your plate with an array of toppings and dive into a taco that’s uniquely yours. This deal starts at 3 p.m. on Tuesday.

Sunday Brunch

El Torito invites you to partake in a brunch experience that’s as indulgent as it is diverse for $36 plus tip. From 9 AM to 2 PM, you get all-access to different stations offering different food options including hand-made omelettes, menudo, taco bar, dessert and salad bar.

If you get thirsty, don’t worry. That’s why they offer an array of drink choices from refreshing mimosas to classic champagne, and of course, the crowd’s favorite — bottomless mimosas. Not to mention the staple beverages like coffee, iced tea, soft drinks, and orange juice to round off your meal.

Fried ice cream.

Does El Torito Have a Lunch Buffet? 

El Torito offers an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet available from Monday to Friday, between the hours of 11 AM and 2 PM. The pricing for this buffet is $15.50 for adults and $7.50 for children. However, it’s important to note that this offer is only available at participating locations, so it’s recommended to check with your local El Torito to ensure they’re offering this deal.

Related Reading: Qdoba Mexican Eats & Menu Price Increase? 

The buffet is divided into four stations:

1. Taco Station: At this station, guests can enjoy tacos made with freshly prepared tortillas and a choice of chicken, steak, or carnitas. Additionally, all the necessary toppings and fixings are provided to customize your tacos to your preference.
2. Taco Salad Bar: This section offers a variety of ingredients to assemble your own taco salad, allowing for a potentially lighter or vegetarian option if preferred.
3. Hot Entrée Station: This station features a range of hot dishes including a chef’s special dish, cheese enchiladas, an assortment of veggies, rice, beans, and sweet corn cake. These items provide a heartier meal option with a focus on traditional Mexican entrees.
4. Dessert Station: For those with a sweet tooth, the dessert station includes options such as flan, chocolate cake, and a special dessert prepared by the chef. This allows guests to end their meal with a sweet treat.

The buffet operates on a self-service basis, but with a notable exception due to potential ongoing health and safety measures: guests visit each station and the staff serves the food to them. This minimizes contact with serving utensils and food by customers.

Remember, since it’s an all-you-can-eat setup, you can return to the stations as many time as you can handle. Of course, the buffet is limited to a strict 3-hour time period. Here are the El Torito locations you’ll find offering this deal Monday – Friday: Cypress, Ontario, San Bernardino, Northridge, Long Beach, Lakewood, Milpitas, and Anaheim.

The California Burrito. One of my go-to entrees.

Where Can You Find an El Torito? 

At the time of writing there are 29 El Torito locations. Most are located in Southern California with a handful in the Central Valley and the Bay Area. You can find their locations here.

What does El Torito mean?

‘El Torito’ is Spanish and translates to ‘The Little Bull’ in English. But don’t let this name fool you, there’s big time flavor at this little bull of a restaurant.