El Torito – Mexican
Step into a vibrant celebration of Mexican flavors where the air is thick with the scent of charred street corn and slow-simmered chile verde. The table becomes a mosaic of shared plates, from crispy chicken flautas and loaded carne asada fries to tender steak and chorizo mini tacos that burst with authentic spice. Whether you're diving into a bowl of velvety queso dip or savoring a hearty beef machaca platter, every bite captures the festive spirit and bold, sun-drenched soul of traditional cantina cooking.
3333 East Foothill Boulevard, Pasadena CA 91107 https://eltorito.com/location/pasadena/Rating: 4/5 (1 reviews)
Cuisine: Mexican
Price range: $
Dietary options: high-protein, vegan, vegetarian, low-carb, keto, heart-healthy, low-sodium, pescatarian, plant-based, low-fat, whole30, paleo, anti-inflammatory, dash-sodium-reduced, high-fiber, south-beach, low-cholesterol, gerd, atkins, tlc, renal, volumetrics, zone, alkaline, carnivore, aip, macrobiotic, slow-carb, lectin-free
Currently closed
Hours
- Monday - Thursday
- 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
- Friday
- 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
- Saturday
- 9:00 AM - 11:00 PM
- Sunday
- 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
What diners are saying
Celebrated for its savory dishes and perfectly portioned plates, guests consistently praise the inviting space that sets the stage for a memorable dining experience. Reviewers highlight the attentive service, noting that the helpful staff is exceptionally knowledgeable about the menu and eager to provide recommendations.
Menu
Appetizers
- Street Corn - $4: Grilled corn with traditional toppings Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Renal, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Queso Dip - $4: Melted cheese dip
- Guacamole & Chips - $6: Fresh guacamole served with tortilla chips Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based Available at: dinner, lunch
- Mini Tacos Steak & Chorizo - $6: 4 mini tacos with steak and chorizo Available at: dinner, lunch
- Sopes Grilled Chicken - $6: 3 sopes topped with grilled chicken Dietary tags: High-Protein, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Chicken Flautas - $8: 4 crispy chicken flautas Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, DASH Sodium-Reduced Available at: dinner, lunch
- Carne Asada Fries - $8: Fries topped with carne asada and cheese Available at: dinner, lunch
- Wings - $10: Choice of Buffalo, Mango Habanero, or Ghost Pepper BBQ Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Sodium, Renal Available at: dinner, lunch
Main Courses
- Beef Machaca Eggs Platter - $12: Shredded beef with eggs, rice, beans, and tortillas Available at: breakfast, brunch, lunch
- Chile Verde Platter - $14: Pork in green sauce, rice, beans, and tortillas Available at: dinner, lunch
- Chile Colorado Platter - $14: Beef in red sauce, rice, beans, and tortillas Available at: dinner, lunch
- Carnitas Platter - $14: Slow-cooked pork, rice, beans, and tortillas Available at: dinner, lunch
- Beef Birria Platter - $14: Slow-cooked beef birria, rice, beans, and tortillas Available at: dinner, lunch
- Cheese Enchilada Platter - $12: Cheese enchiladas, rice, beans, and tortillas Available at: dinner, lunch
- Beef Birria Tacos - $8: 3 beef birria tacos Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Sodium, High-Fiber, Volumetrics, Renal Available at: dinner, lunch
- Mahi Mahi Tacos - $10: 3 mahi mahi fish tacos Dietary tags: High-Protein, Pescatarian, High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
- Breakfast Burrito - $12: 2 breakfast burritos Available at: breakfast, brunch
Soups & Salads
- Tortilla Soup - $6: 16oz traditional tortilla soup Dietary tags: High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
- Menudo - $8: 16oz traditional tripe soup Available at: breakfast, brunch, dinner, lunch
- Caesar Salad - $7: 6oz Caesar salad Dietary tags: Pescatarian, Anti-Inflammatory Available at: dinner, lunch
Sides
- Scrambled Eggs - $4: 10oz scrambled eggs Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Carb, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Mini Waffles - $4: 4 mini waffles Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Roasted Potatoes - $7: 10oz roasted potatoes Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Alkaline, Slow-Carb Available at: breakfast, brunch, dinner, lunch
- Bacon Slices - $3: 6 slices of bacon Dietary tags: Keto, Low-Carb, Whole30, Paleo, Low-Sodium, Atkins, South-Beach, Carnivore, AIP, Renal, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free Available at: breakfast, brunch, dinner, lunch
- Rice - $3: 10oz Mexican rice Dietary tags: Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics, TLC, Renal Available at: dinner, lunch
- Beans - $3: 10oz beans Dietary tags: High-Protein, Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Alkaline, Renal, Macrobiotic, Slow-Carb Available at: dinner, lunch
- Sweet Corn Cake - $3: 6oz sweet corn cake Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, Renal Available at: dinner, lunch
- Flour Tortillas - $1: 4 flour tortillas Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Macrobiotic Available at: breakfast, dinner, lunch
- Corn Tortillas - $1: 4 corn tortillas Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
Beverages
- Signature Margarita - $6: House tequila, triple sec and sweet & sour Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Renal
- Margarita Flight - $10: Blackberry, Mango & Signature
- Watermelon Candy Shot - $8: El Jimador Silver Tequila, watermelon liqueur, lime, chamoy, agave nectar Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian
- Sangria Roja - $8: Red wine, brandy, citrus, hibiscus, raspberries
- Horchata - $5: 32oz traditional rice milk beverage
- Draft Beer Pint - $4: Selection of draft beers
- Well Drinks - $4: House spirits and mixers
- House Wine - $4: Selection of house red or white wine
Frequently Asked Questions about El Torito
- Which dishes work for multiple diets at once (e.g., keto + gluten-free)?
- Beans, roasted potatoes, and corn tortillas all qualify as both gluten-free and vegan, while carnitas and chile colorado platters are high-protein.
- Is this a good spot for a date or special occasion?
- This budget-friendly Mexican spot is ideal for special occasions, offering an inviting space, attentive service, and a memorable dining experience.
- What are the main concerns mentioned in customer reviews?
- Customer reviews for El Torito mention no specific concerns, instead praising the savory dishes, perfectly portioned plates, and attentive service.
- Is this restaurant suitable for families?
- This budget-friendly Mexican restaurant is family-friendly, offering an inviting space, attentive service, and shared plates like mini tacos and flautas.
- Which diets does this restaurant support based on its menu?
- The menu supports diverse diets including keto, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo, whole30, high-protein, and several heart-healthy or low-carb options.
- What makes this restaurant unique or special?
- This restaurant is unique for its exceptionally knowledgeable staff, perfectly portioned savory dishes, and an inviting, festive dining atmosphere.
- How can I contact this restaurant?
- You can contact El Torito by visiting their official website at https://eltorito.com/location/pasadena/ for location-specific information and inquiries.
- How many reviews does this restaurant have?
- The provided restaurant data does not specify the exact number of reviews, though the establishment maintains an average rating of 4.0/5.
- What type of diner would most enjoy this restaurant?
- Diners seeking budget-friendly, authentic Mexican cuisine in a vibrant setting with extensive options for keto, vegan, and high-protein diets.
- Does this restaurant have good options for group dining with mixed dietary needs?
- The menu accommodates diverse needs with high-protein, gluten-free, vegan, and keto options like carnitas, roasted potatoes, beans, and corn tortillas.
Restaurants near El Torito
- Kulturas Latin Kitchen & Cantina — Mexican
- Teddy's Cocina — Mexican
- Burrito Express — Mexican
- El Metate — Mexican
- Baja Cali Fish & Tacos — Mexican
- Mercado — Mexican
- Pepe's Finest Mexican Food — Mexican
- Anaya's — Mexican
- Casa Del Rey — Mexican
- Baja Fresh — Mexican
- King Taco — Mexican
- El Dorado Pollos A La Brasa — Mexican
