Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
El Torito - El Torito - La Mesa, La Mesa, CA

El Torito - La Mesa

3.8 (578)
$30 and under
Mexican
5024 Baltimore Dr, La Mesa, CA 91942

About this restaurant

  • Great for happy hour
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Great for brunch
The authority in great Mexican food for more than 65 years. Offering a memorable experience to make each guest feel like family.

Not bookable

This restaurant is temporarily offline. Please contact the restaurant directly or check back shortly for availability.

There’s more to explore

Discover countless more restaurants like this one with our app.

Scan the QR code to discover countless more restaurants like this one with our app.

Open app

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Mexican
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Thu 11:00–22:00 Fri 11:00–23:00 Sat 09:00–23:00 Sun 09:00–22:00
  • Phone number
    (619) 698-7404
  • Website
    https://www.eltorito.com/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Catering
    Bring the flavor of El Torito to your office or off-site event! We can accommodate groups from 10 to 10,000 and everything in between! Enjoy Taco Bars, Fajita Bars, Enchilada Bars & much more. Order online or call 1-888-TORTILLA. https://www.eltorito.com/catering/
  • Private party facilities
    Show your friends, family, and co-workers how to throw a real party. Book one of our rooms, patios, or semi-private dining areas for your next celebration, event, or meeting. Choose from Plated Menus, Buffet Menus or Mix & Match your favorite individual Trays. Inquire online or call 1-888-TORTILLA. https://www.eltorito.com/private-events/
  • Delivery & takeout
    Order direct
  • Location
    5024 Baltimore Dr, La Mesa, CA 91942
  • Area
    La Mesa
  • Parking Details
    Public Parking
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

Videos

Shared by creators who recently dined at this restaurant.

  • Profile image

    princesspurpley

    🌮🔥 A California institution since 1954! 🇲🇽✨ Partnered with El Torito in La Mesa for a Mexican food experience that’s all about fresh flavors and tableside fun! 🥑💃 🥑 Tableside guacamole made fresh right in front of you 🔥 Sizzling fajitas arriving hot at the table 🌮 Fresh tortillas being made right before your eyes! And the best part? We paid for our meal using @inkind.app 📱💜 A convenient way to pay at participating restaurants while enjoying your favorite foodie spots. 📍 @eltoritorestaurants — 5024 Baltimore Dr, La Mesa, CA 91942 Save this spot for your next Mexican food craving! 🌶️ @localrelishers #ElTorito #LaMesa #MexicanFood #inKindeats #guacamole

Videos are powered by Seekeasy. How this content is generated

Menu

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at El Torito - La Mesa.

3.8

3.8
(578)
  • 3.7Food
  • 3.9Service
  • 3.5Ambience
  • 3.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • East County

    Great for brunch

  • East County

    Neighbourhood gem

  • East County

    Lively

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
El Torito - La Mesa offers a lively atmosphere with "outstanding food and staff." It's a favorite for birthdays and memorable occasions. Diners appreciate the "great food and drinks," especially the carne asada. While there are some service delays, the brunch and attentive servers like Juan A. make visits enjoyable.
578 Reviews

  1. Daniel Gold

    San Diego18 reviews

    1.0

    Dined on 22 October 2026

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 1
    This El Torito looks in terrible shape. We walked in with a reservation and there were only two staff members visible and two or three occupied tables. We were asked to wait a few minutes due to it being short staffed. We waited in the lounge area. The carpet looked filthy and was sticky on our shoes. The place looked dirty to the point where we didn’t feel comfortable eating there and decided to leave. Walking out, I noticed that even the sign outside only had three letters that illuminated.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Eric Gold

    Coastal North Carolina79 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 20 October 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food and service were great! We got great recommendations and everything tasted wonderful.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Grace Gold

    San Diego20 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 16 September 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Great food and drinks as usual. We love the carne asada.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Ria

    San Diego1 review

    3.0

    Dined on 14 September 2026

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    It's okay. Food is not the same. We only came for the corn cake and even the quality of the cake is not the same. I had the chicken enchilada and my husband had the birria taco. It's the quality of food and how it's cooked. Maybe the timing is off it's towards the end of the day. We will try their brunch or an earlier timeframe.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Lyg33

    San Diego4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 13 September 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Food and service were great. We came for the brunch and got stuffed. Make sure to ask for pancakes if you want. Ambiance wasn’t great as their ac was broken and they sat us by a big loud rowdy group.

    Is this helpful?

  6. everette

    San Diego3 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on 13 September 2026

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    I normally visit once a month. Always have a great time. I totally understand staff shortage. I’m just leaving a comment so your restaurant will know a customer noticed. At one point for at least 30 minutes there were no tamales nor enchiladas at the same time. Coffee was out was for at least 15 minutes there were or more . I just ended up having a server bring me coffee. I will say again first time I’ve experienced this.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Norma

    San Diego2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 30 August 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It was great experience, we were celebrating my friends Birthday and the food was point, as it was the service. Gilberto our waiter was great!

    Is this helpful?

  8. Jan Gold

    San Diego15 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 9 August 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food is outstanding as well as the staff, ambiance, and joyful, fun, lively, atmosphere. My friends and I love El Torito for memorable occasions or just meet up to catch up on life. Easy ingress and egress with a lot of parking spaces. Thank you El Toritio for a wonderful dining experience.

    Is this helpful?

  9. David

    San Diego3 reviews

    2.0

    Dined on 2 August 2026

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 1
    I used to love this place but now food has been downgraded from what it used to be. Enchiladas with NO sauce just one example. Place was dirty and smell of burt oil. Also no AC in resteraunt. On top of all of that you have to watch out for hidden fee on check that server refused to remove and said there is a sign at door but none to be found at entrance. Will not be back.

    1 person found this helpful

  10. Robert Gold

    Las Vegas28 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on 26 July 2026

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    Returned after several months away and food was great tasting but unfortunately items were not being replenished and it was only 12:30. When we sat the first thing the waitress said was buffet only goes into 2:00. We thought it was strange being it was only 12:30. Once we went to buffet lines we noticed many items were low or empty. Didn’t think anything of it on first pass. During past visits things were refilled quickly. Two more trips and nothing was replaced except for rice pudding. A bit disappointed

    Is this helpful?

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Mexican
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Thu 11:00–22:00 Fri 11:00–23:00 Sat 09:00–23:00 Sun 09:00–22:00
  • Phone number
    (619) 698-7404
  • Website
    https://www.eltorito.com/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Catering
    Bring the flavor of El Torito to your office or off-site event! We can accommodate groups from 10 to 10,000 and everything in between! Enjoy Taco Bars, Fajita Bars, Enchilada Bars & much more. Order online or call 1-888-TORTILLA. https://www.eltorito.com/catering/
  • Private party facilities
    Show your friends, family, and co-workers how to throw a real party. Book one of our rooms, patios, or semi-private dining areas for your next celebration, event, or meeting. Choose from Plated Menus, Buffet Menus or Mix & Match your favorite individual Trays. Inquire online or call 1-888-TORTILLA. https://www.eltorito.com/private-events/
  • Delivery & takeout
    Order direct
  • Location
    5024 Baltimore Dr, La Mesa, CA 91942
  • Area
    La Mesa
  • Parking Details
    Public Parking
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

FAQs

Yes, guests report dining outside at El Torito - La Mesa, with a number of visits noting they "sat outside" and enjoyed their meal there.

El Torito - La Mesa feels like a classic hacienda, open beams, plaster arches and a veranda-style layout with multiple food stations, a bar area with TVs, and a welcoming, family-friendly dining room.

Yes, El Torito - La Mesa is family-friendly: guests note a dedicated kids station (mini corn dogs, mac & cheese, chicken tenders, cereal and milk) at brunch, caring staff who accommodate children, and seasonal kids-eat-free promotions.

Sunday is the standout, the restaurant’s Sunday brunch (9:00am–2:00pm) is a guest favorite, celebrated for its wide buffet and lively atmosphere; Saturday brunch is also praised as a great, lower-cost alternative.

Sunday brunch is the sweet spot, El Torito - La Mesa serves brunch 9:00am–2:00pm and guests say arriving early (when it opens) helps avoid crowds and enjoy the full buffet.

Yes, El Torito - La Mesa accepts private parties and can host group events as part of its offering.

Expect the biggest crowds for brunch, especially the Sunday buffet and holiday brunches, while some visits during off-peak times feel noticeably calmer and not busy.

Casual dress is the guide, comfortable, everyday clothing is appropriate for this casual dining spot.

How FAQ content is generated

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. San Diego
  4. East County
  5. La Mesa

Not bookable

This restaurant is temporarily offline. Please contact the restaurant directly or check back shortly for availability.

Discover
OpenTable
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Press
More
Our sites
Businesses
  • Restaurant Management Solutions
  • Restaurant Booking Software
  • Restaurant Marketing Software
  • Restaurant Event Software
  • OpenTable For Restaurants
  • OpenTable For Restaurant Groups
  • Restaurant Resources
  • OpenTable Pricing & Plans
Join us on
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2026 OpenTable Australia Level 22, 357 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo