El Toreo

3133 Franklin Rd SW, Roanoke - 24014
136 reviews
Mexican
(540) 982-2174

Had dinner on a rainy Monday night. The service in the largely empty dining room was quick and attentive. There was no let down in service on a slow night. I was very hungry and the food hit the spot! My only quibble was I thought my food could have been a little warmer. I still thoroughly enjoyed my meal and the service was great.

This was my first experience dining in this restaurant. The inside decor was very colorful, cheerful and comfortable. The service was immediate and consistent, from friendly smiling wait staff. I ordered the lunch buffet and on initial view noticed that some of the food looked like it had been sitting awhile. I then realized that the buffet started at 11am, I had arrived at 11:30am, and I was the first diner of the day, explaining why some of the food looked a little dry on top. As the minutes passed, more and more diners entered, with most of them choosing the buffet. The food was refreshed quickly and looked much better in appearance. All the buffet food was hot or chilled in temperature as needed. The food I tried was tasty but not spicy. There was a big bottle of hot sauce on the table, as well as several spicy sauces on the buffet to choose from if you wanted the heat. The chicken for the fajita was tasty, but a little chewy, and the ground beef needed salt. There were pre-made burritos of beef and chicken, but most of the other dishes were self-assemble anyway you wanted. There were non Mexican selections such as fried chicken, french fries, potatoes (I could find no ketchup!) and a salad bar with pineapple, boiled eggs, fresh vegetables and fruit, with all the other frequent salad items. The buffet had many different kinds of salsas, sour cream, grated cheese sauces and other tasty things to include with your food which greatly enhanced the selections. Overall, the buffet was tasty, pleasant and plentiful. With tax, the buffet totaled $11.79 and this was definitely a bargain compared to the regular menu. I noted no lunch specials on the menu, so I'm assuming the buffet is the lunch special, as it seemed to be the favorite of most diners. Meal payment was taken by the waiter, to reduce contacts. I noted a sign on the buffet instructing diners to use plastic gloves, but none were available. I would return to this location, maybe just a little closer to noon. Parking was plentiful, and I noted wheelchair accessibility.

Walked in a few minutes before 2 wanting the buffet. It was pitiful and wasn't planning on replenishing anything. Ordered from menu.

Wish I could leave no stars me andMy mother went in today and we decided to get buffet. Took awhile to get the drinks but we were fine with it. Went to the buffet everything looked okay. We grab a plate with our food and food was cold and not good at all couldn’t even finish the first plate I will not recommend this restaurant to nobody 0/5.

It was an absolutely excellent prepared lunch with the taste of Mexican food that we were looking for. Great service also with fair to good pricing. Thank you

Overall was pretty good ,buffet needed attention and refreshed but was descent and service was good .Kids est free on Sunday's so that was nice

Went for lunch buffet tea was awful tasted like they don't wash their urns buffet food was very sup par

Used to love this restaurant but it seems to have different owner/managenent now. The last few times have been not as good food & service. The lunch buffet does not have the good white sauce chicken or ranch anymore which are my son's favorites. Also buffet items were not warm enough and had dirty plates.

I drove up for takeout. Took less than 10min and yet the food was still cold. Almost like they were trying! Poor flavor. Won’t be going back

Just good food. Economical. Great buffet for lunch