Family-owned joint earns buzz for its hefty plates of Mexican fare, large margaritas & festive vibe.
Ken Durbin
Decent Meal with a Side of Spooky Decor
Stopped by El Toro Bar & Grill in Pontiac, MI, and overall had a pretty good experience. The service was fine—nothing exceptional, but attentive enough. I ordered a meal that came with generous portions, which was definitely a plus. You won’t leave hungry.
The atmosphere is colorful and lively, though I have to admit the Day of the Dead skulls in the decor caught me off guard. They’re artistically done, but something about them felt a little creepy to me—not quite the vibe I expected when sitting down to eat. Might just be personal taste.
All in all, it was an okay visit with solid food and a festive setting. Worth checking out if you’re in the area and curious.
… moreMike Morgan
I was at a work event and could walk here. I am very happy with this place. $5.99 mojitos, what a deal. I got the chicken and steak fajitas. The meat was not as big as I would like however, everything still tasted fantastic in the service was great. Stop in.
… moreMB
We wanted to go somewhere “different,” and usually rely on reviews to help us. We noticed a real mixed bag of reviews for this place so we were a little unsure whether we should venture over, but I’m glad we did. Service was great. The food was good (not mind-blowing but really very good and fresh!). The portions were generous. Prices were amazing and considering the price I don’t know how anybody could complain at all! Two adults with two large meal combos and two margaritas was under $60. Do yourself a favor and tap on the people who leave the one star review and you will see that they leave one star reviews for almost everybody. It is a shame that somebody would try to ruin the reputation of a hard-working team of people. This is a really tough economy and market still and I think if we find good service and good food we should be grateful and not critical. I hope you give this restaurant a chance.
Also I am giving this restaurant five stars based on what I would expect from a midrange bar and grill.
… moreMelany Esparza
Unfortunately, my experience here was disappointing from start to finish. The service was mediocre at best. The staff seemed disorganized and inattentive, and there was a general lack of professionalism throughout the visit. They even waited until the lunch specials were over to finally take our order, which felt intentional and left a bad taste before the food even arrived. Speaking of the food, it did not appear to be handled with care, arriving messy and looking like it had been hastily thrown together. Overall, it felt like neither quality nor customer experience was a priority.
I won’t be returning.
… moreChad Chilton
I’ll start by saying—I love going to Mexican restaurants, and I’m always up for trying new places. When my buddy suggested El Toro Mexican Bar and Grill, I was all in.
When we arrived, the place was packed, but surprisingly, we didn’t have to wait long to be seated. The service was quick and friendly from the get-go. Our Margaritas came out fast—and wow, they were fantastic! Honestly, their Margarita game is on point—delicious and refreshing.
The chips and salsa were also a hit. The salsa had great flavor with just the right amount of kick, and the chips were perfectly crispy—exactly how they should be.
I ordered something I wasn’t totally sure about (it came with soft taco shells, which threw me off a bit), but it turned out to be a T-bone steak with sauce. Even though I was a little confused at first, it was a solid meal. The steak was tasty, and the rice and beans on the side were great too.
All in all, I had a great time and a great meal. I’ll definitely be coming back to try more of the menu. If you’re looking for a lively spot with flavorful food and awesome drinks, El Toro is worth checking out!
… moreKevin Taylor
I got the carne asada plate, it is dry as hell and way over cooked with no flavor. It has to be some of the worst carne asada steak I have ever had. Server not bad she has come and asked me if I’m doing ok and she is attentive. It’s just carne asada is no bueno!!!!!!! This is my first time so can’t say the rest of the food is this bad on taste.
… moreT.J. Miller
This place is really good. Went on an off time, so it wasn’t really busy. We were seated quickly. The food had great flavor, and the portion size was great. The atmosphere had a nice Mexican vibe, has a bar area, and had TVs throughout the restaurant as well.
… moreErika Jill Zuckerman-Richter
I would not recommend this establishment for Mexican cuisine, as it failed to impress with overly salty and stale chips, as well as bitter and unfresh salsa. The waiter seemed rushed and indifferent to customers, merely apologizing for the salty food without any offer by help! It caused my food poisoning and vertigo attack after leaving the restaurant. While customer service was somewhat acceptable, it requires improvement in terms of reliability. For individuals with sodium sensitivity or intolerance to extremely spicy food, I would advise against dining here. To avoid health issues, it is recommended to explore alternative options that offer superior quality and service. Opting for a more reputable establishment will ensure a five-star experience without compromising your well-being!
… moreSean Powers
Only had two drinks. They changed my $2 tip to a $7 tip. Maybe my 2 looked like a 7, but not sure how you mix up the total by accident as it turned into a 60% tip. You should grab a copy of your receipt just in case.
… moreNance K
Always fire. Free chips and salsa, always fresh. Food comes out hot! Super friendly staff! Every time
… more