El Torito Mexican Grill is a casual Mexican restaurant at 300 S 44th St, Mt Vernon, IL 62864. It is a friendly stop for tacos, burritos, fajitas, enchiladas, chips, salsa, margaritas, kids’ meals, and relaxed group dining near a busy travel route in Southern Illinois.
The restaurant has a warm, colorful, family-friendly feel. It suits a quick lunch, a casual dinner, a road-trip meal, or a table with friends who want big portions at fair prices. Public guest notes often point to friendly staff, fast service, good value, tasty salsa, and filling plates. The mood is easygoing rather than formal, which fits the menu well.
The menu covers many Mexican favorites. Burritos are a clear highlight, with choices such as beef, bean, chicken, fried beef or chicken, burrito special, and burrito deluxe. These are good picks for diners who want a full meal without ordering several small plates. A burrito with rice, beans, chips, and salsa gives the table a familiar Mexican grill experience.
Fajitas are another strong choice. The sizzling plate style makes them a good option for guests who like grilled meat, peppers, onions, tortillas, and sides. Chicken, steak, shrimp, or mixed fajitas work well for sharing, mainly when paired with queso, guacamole, or a simple salad.
For classic comfort, enchiladas and combos are easy to recommend. Enchiladas bring tortillas, sauce, cheese, meat, beans, or chicken into a rich plate that feels hearty but familiar. Combo meals help first-time guests try several items at once, such as tacos, tamales, chile relleno, burritos, rice, and beans.
The appetizer section adds more crowd-pleasers. Cheese dip, guacamole, nachos, quesadillas, and chips with salsa fit well before the main plates arrive. The salsa gets positive mention from guests, and that matters at a Mexican restaurant. A bright salsa can make even a simple taco taste more lively.
El Torito Mexican Grill also works for mixed diets. Public notes mention a vegetarian section, plus items such as veggie plates, salads, beans, rice, and guacamole. Guests seeking strict vegan meals may need to ask staff about cooking surfaces or ingredients, but casual vegetarian diners have menu options.
The restaurant’s best fit is simple: people who want generous Mexican plates, friendly service, and a relaxed place to eat in Mt Vernon. A strong first order could include chips and salsa, cheese dip, chicken fajitas, a burrito deluxe, enchiladas, and a margarita.
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Claim this listing →Rodney Groff
My wife, granddaughter, and I recently visited for lunch, and our experience began with a significant delay in receiving our order. Despite the restaurant being largely empty, we found ourselves waiting nearly 30 minutes after placing our food requests. I opted for the Chicken con Chorizo, a dish I generally enjoy, and found it to be fairly satisfying; the Mexican sausage was seasoned perfectly, and the chicken itself wasn't overly tough. Unfortunately, my wife's Chicken Chipotle burrito presented a major issue, as the chicken was incredibly tough, likely overcooked, making it inedible for her. Our granddaughter's chimichanga platter was described as merely "okay," adding to the mixed culinary feedback. Given these points, we've decided that a return visit isn't in our plans. On a positive note, our waitress was both friendly and attentive throughout our meal, and the salsa truly stood out. It was exceptionally good, packed with large, chunky pieces of tomato, easily ranking among the best we've ever encountered.
JJ Passalacqua
Chicken fajitas are my favorite! My husband tried the steak fajita bowl and he loved it. Reasonably priced, great service, and we even had plenty left over for dinner! Recommended dishes
Gabrielle C.
To all my fellow truckers, this is a must-stop for a truly savory and flavorful meal! You can easily pull in with your entire truck and trailer; while you might need to utilize the adjacent lot, access is always straightforward for a quick stop. The food itself is absolutely delicious, consistently served hot and fresh, and thoughtfully sealed in excellent packaging. I highly recommend exploring their menu.
Nevaeh Jones
I highly recommend El Torito! Me and my boyfriend always come eat here. They have amazing food, good prices, and the staff are very friendly and welcoming! I am vegetarian and have no problem finding food here either. I recommend everyone come stop by and support their business, it is #1 in our book!
Paul
Stopping in Mount Vernon for an overnight and found this excellent restaurant. Start with chips and salsa along with a marvelous margarita and a great beer selection. We shared a ranchero fajita for two. There was enough food for six and it was delicious. The wait staff were attentive and friendly. They get all five stars from me. Recommended dishes
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300 S 44th St, Mt Vernon, IL 62864
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