El Toro
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We are a family-style restaurant with the best-tasting Mexican food in the Alachua and Gainesville area. We strive to make you feel at home. Our food is prepared fresh, to order. Come dine with us, stay awhile and get to know our friendly staff. We want you to enjoy your meal and your service at El Toro!.

You'll find us conveniently located in the Rolling Oaks Plaza near Hitchcock's Market in Alachua. Less than two miles from the I-75 exit. Take a look at our map. Along with the excellent choice of foods, we pride ourselves on our award-winning salsa. It's been a regional favorite of North Florida and University of Florida Gator fans for years.
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El Toro strives to make you feel at home. That has been the goal since we began in Gainesville in 1990. Owners Patty and John Stockwell create a family style atmosphere and enjoy getting to know every customer. Since relocating to Alachua in 2008, John says, "It's been wonderful and it's been a blessing."
We moved to Alachua from Fort Worth, Texas and knew what real Mexican food should taste like. We tried several places and could not find it until El Toro came to town. We go often for the great food and good service and we have come to know the staff as individuals and family. We really enjoy their company and they always seem glad to see us.
Reviews (9)
Danielle Cruise
Danielle Cruise
Jan 19, 2022
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Our favorite restaurant to go to! We have been going for well over 7 years. Our favorite waitress is Ronna (I hope I spelled it right). She knows us so well that we don't even have to tell her our order! It is our weekly dinner spot!
Brandon Hodge
Brandon Hodge
Jan 10, 2022
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AWEFUL!!!!!! I mean what else can I say. The food is very bland. No seasonings. Chicken was chewy. Store bought everything. Nothing from scratch. I bet the refried beans is from a can. Just not a great place to eat. Service is subpar. Server got rude when I told her food was horrible. No liquor or margaritas. Playing Christian music in the background, this is suppose to be a Mexican restaurant, not church. The reviews have to be fake. There is no way this place has ever been this good. I do not recommend this place. Save yourself time and money… also wouldn’t comp total meal even tho my lady
Keyla Virgilio
Keyla Virgilio
Jan 10, 2022
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I rarely make reviews, but I had to for this place. All the food was bland and for a Mexican restaurant that’s important. This is the white mans version of a Mexican restaurant. The rice was flavorless, hard, and burnt on top. Everything else was smothered in cheese to try and hide how truly disgusting it was. I had two beef enchiladas and two beef tacos. After eating a couple bites of the enchiladas I knew the tacos would be worse. Their salsa claims to be award winning and looking at the plaques on the wall they’re from the 1990s, like that’s something to be proud of. To top it all off
Linda DeLaney
Linda DeLaney
Jan 05, 2022
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My two friends and I had lunch here yesterday. It was a wonderful experience with excellent service. Our server, Allie was amazing! She made sure we were taken care of! Thank you, Allie!
Mike D.
Mike D.
Dec 25, 2021
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The food and service was great. We will be back! I ordered fajitas and everything was very fresh. Although it may be a bit hard to find because it is not DIRECTLY on 441- it is near Hitchcock's in the plaza directly west , near anytime fitness, it is worth discovering!
Colby Lockard
Colby Lockard
Nov 02, 2021
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This is not a Mexican restaurant. It is white people serving their idea of Mexican food. It was a first concern when they said they did not have green sauce and the salsa they did have was sweet and very clearly store bought. They only serve pork tamales, no beef or chicken. I had the dinner with the chicken enchilada, chicken burrito, beef taco, Spanish rice, and refried beans. The enchilada was incredibly dry and seemed to just be chicken rolled up in a tortilla with melted cheese on the top. The burrito was the same exact item, just larger but just as dry and bland. The soft taco was pretty
Holly Harden
Holly Harden
Nov 01, 2021
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Called ahead to let Mgr know our group of 20+ was coming for lunch following a memorial svc. When we arrived, tables had been arranged for us and servers were ready. Such a GREAT restaurant! Awesome food! Highly recommend!
Angela Sheffield
Angela Sheffield
Oct 04, 2021
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Had the most wonderful and attentive waitress. You could tell she loved her job. Checked on us often, remembered specific details on our order. We have always enjoyed our meals there. Today it was over the top. We will be back very soon.
Lee Skeen
Lee Skeen
Sep 19, 2021
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Blown away. The food was delicious, hot, and a large amount. The waitress J was best service I've had this year. She has a personality and it shows. She also was on the spot with refills of drinks and chips. I noticed the sign stating closed Sunday's for a day of rest and I was even more impressed. #supportlocal