El Torito on Lakewood Boulevard is a full-service Mexican restaurant in Lakewood’s main commercial corridor. Locals come here for sizzling fajitas, oversized burritos, and margaritas. The chain dates to 1954, when Larry Cano opened the first El Torito in Encino, and it remains a reliable choice in Southern California for an easy family dinner or after-work drinks.
Expect a casual dining room with booths, a separate bar area, and the steady hiss of fajita platters carried from the kitchen. Steak, chicken, and shrimp fajitas arrive with warm tortillas and the usual fixings. Burritos, enchilada combination plates, and tacos fill out the core menu, and many diners order guacamole as a starter. At the bar, house and flavored margaritas lead the list, alongside Mexican beers and classic cocktails. The full lineup appears on the brand’s official menu page (source: [EL Torito](https://www.eltorito.com/menus/)).
Visitor Highlights & Practical Info
Weekday afternoons are the calmest time to visit. Friday and Saturday evenings fill quickly with families and groups, so arrive before 6 p.m. or call ahead for larger parties. Happy hour pricing in the bar area offers the best value, but hours and deals vary by location, so confirm with the restaurant before you go. The restaurant has on-site parking, which makes it a convenient stop if you are shopping in Lakewood or flying through Long Beach Airport, a short drive south. Hours and menu items can change, so check the official website before your visit.
