Carne Asada {Photos by Han Okcuoglu}
Something happened to Torero’s Mexican Grill not too long ago, but I can’t place my finger on it.
We went years ago and found the prices great, but most dishes bland. Then I gave it another shot, ordering a quick cheap lunch to pick up. No better. After two chances, I think we gave it enough tries. The 4.0 rating was justified in my mind.
A couple of months ago, we were so famished we only wanted Mexican (you will never eat faster than when sitting at a Mexican restaurant, getting your obligatory chips and salsa within minutes). I went on Google Maps to look around, and after filtering for the highest-rated in the area… there was Torero’s. A 4.5-star rating? Impossible. I started reading recent reviews… and people were gushing about almost everything. So I convinced my wife to give it another crack, and we left that visit a bit stunned and delighted. We’ve been back 2 times since.
One thing I find particularly interesting is that the menu seems to be more substantial than you might expect from a generic Americanized Mexican restaurant. The menu is massive, with a strong emphasis on fresh, homemade food, including homemade masa tortillas, classics like carne asada, Texas fajitas, and ceviche.
There’s also some fantastic larger dishes including molcajete, seafood molcajete, parrillada, lamb shanks, whole fried fish, and several “Grande Platos”, including Pina Loca in a half hollowed out pineapple. It’s a bit overwhelming trying to figure out what we want each time.
Almost everything was way better than we remembered. Even the chips and salsa, which were peppery and rich but not spicy. It was wetter than chunky, with big bits of cilantro and onions floating around.
Elote at Torero’s.
The elote ($4.99) was elite. A giant husk of sweet corn slathered in a tangy sauce with tahjin and salty cojita cheese. What separates it is the quality of the corn. In the Middle East and Europe, many large cities have street vendors selling the absolute most luxuriously milky boiled sweet corn you’ll ever have. This was that.
Torero’s might also be one of the best-value restaurants you’ll find in the area. They have a whiteboard right by the hostess stand with a different dinner deal every day. And today’s deal was a doozy. An Enchilada, Chimicanga, and a hard taco, all in whichever style you want with whatever protein you desire. All for only $12.50. When you see the enormous plates covered in refried beans and rice, the deal looks even better.
Daily Dinner Special at Torero’s.
Having been there before, I chose the Cheese Enchilada. It’s just something you have to experience. Layers of rich, gooey Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese in a baked tortilla covered in a rich red chili gravy. Definitely one of the stronger items on the menu.
The hard taco was not as strong. The chicken was boiled and sufficiently tender…, but there was a lot of it, and it was a bit bland, so it overpowered the lettuce and cheese. I found myself requesting guacamole and pico de gallo from my wifes plate to use a garnish and get some flavor. The ground beef chimichanga was right in between the other two dishes in terms of flavor, and quite good…but not at the level of the Enchilada.
Torero’s in Coconut Creek.
The Carne Asada ($25.00) is charbroiled steak filets with Toreros’ special seasoning they also use for all the fajitas. We asked for medium rare, and it came out perfect, with a great second wave of char as you chew. Another giant dish on a giant plate, covered in all the accouterments, including our choice of a corn Tamal with shredded beef, topped with more chili gravy.
Honorable mention goes to the Molcajete ($25.00), which we had on a previous visit. A delicious bowl of chicken and beef strips, sautéed with mushrooms, onions, and tomatoes, topped with melted Monterrey jack cheese, served in a traditional Mexican mortar and pestle made from volcanic rock, which retains heat very well. It’s so deep and rich that you would think it’s been cooked in that for a week.
Torero’s in Coconut Creek.
And possibly the best part of the night? We were in and out within an hour. Besides our separate Molcajete trip, even with two sodas included, tonight’s entire bill was under $50 before tip. We even had a bunch of leftovers. Torero’s proved why it’s an incredible bang for your buck and a Coconut Creek staple.
Torero’s Mexican Grill
6588 N State Rd 7, Coconut Creek, FL 33073
Sun – Thurs – 11:00 a.m – 10:00 p.m.
Fri – Sat 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
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