El Torito's extensive menu may take a few minutes to navigate, but the wide selection offers something for everyone. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)
El Torito, a well-regarded U.S. chain of Mexican restaurants, brings the feel of old-country cuisine to central Tokyo, with two independently operated locations in the city.
One restaurant is in Ikebukuro, and the other — visited for this review — sits in Nishi-Kasai, a neighborhood sometimes called Little India. The spacious dining area seats approximately 130 and had plenty of room on a recent weeknight, when seating was immediate.
The extensive menu may take a few minutes to navigate, but the wide selection offers something for everyone.
A meal for my family of three began with large grilled chicken salads, each topped with crispy taco strips, avocado, pumpkin seeds and cheese, accompanied by a zesty cilantro-lime dressing (1,580 yen, or about $11). An appetizer of crispy fried cream cheese and avocado taquitos — rolled tacos — was a highlight.
El Torito's half-size combination platter of sliced grilled chicken and beef fajitas came with warm tortillas, onions, avocado and a choice of salsa or guacamole. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)
For the main course, the half-size combination platter of sliced grilled chicken and beef fajitas (1,490 yen) came with warm tortillas, onions, avocado and a choice of salsa or guacamole. Another dish — a pair of crispy beef picadillo tacos served with refried beans — added variety for 890 yen.
El Torito offers full-course meals at competitive prices: a light course for 2,480 yen, a standard course for 2,980 yen and the Azteca course for 5,480 yen. Each includes appetizers, salads, entrées, drinks and desserts.
Beverage options range from nonalcoholic cocktails and soft drinks to alcoholic selections. The house iced tea-lemonade mix and ginger-mint soda water were refreshing, while the virgin piña colada was a shared favorite.
The dessert menu features Mexican flan, churros with vanilla ice cream and cinnamon tortillas.
All dishes were well-prepared and flavorful. The bill came to just under $65 — a good value for the generous portions. A return visit is already planned, with dessert at the top of the list.
El Torito offers full-course meals at competitive prices: a light course for 2,480 yen, a standard course for 2,980 yen and the Azteca course for 5,480 yen. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)
El Torito
Location: 6-10-15 Nishikasai, Edogawa-ku, Tokyo 134-0088
Hours: Open daily, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; last order at 10 p.m.
Prices: Expect to pay between 1,000 and 3,000 yen, including tax, per person.
Dress: Casual
Directions: A short walk from Nishi-Kasai Station’s south exit.
Information: 050-3543-7980
