The other day I noticed that El Torito (in Valencia, across from Magic Mountain) was advertising a new fajita buffet for only $8.99, which to me sounded like a good deal. The only dilemma is that I work all day and I don’t have enough time for a real lunch break.
Seriously, some people may not realize it, but as a teacher? A lunch break is really hard to come by. There is always something to do, children visiting, and papers to grade. It is never a dull moment and I often go the whole day without stopping to eat. Which is why I’m always starving by the time 3:30 rolls around…and I usually get on Twitter to announce it.
Anyway! The other day I had the day off from work and even though there are so many other places that I could go for lunch (Maru), for some reason I was really curious about this $8.99 buffet.
In my mind, I figured the buffet would be near the entrance where the Sunday brunch is, so I was a little surprised to see that it was actually located in the small room to the left of the restaurant. We must have gotten there at a great time because we were given one of only two tables inside that room! It was PERFECT! I saw other people that had to walk across the restaurant to get to the buffet, so I realized what a great seat we had.
The buffet is very simple. Salads, beans, rice, enchiladas, steak fajitas, chicken, tortillas, salsas, fruit. It is very easy to get your $8.99 worth of food. I primarily stuck with the salad (I love that green dressing they have), enchiladas, and steak fajitas.
They are heating the fajitas up as you order them which was great because I was able to order without vegetables! I ended up making myself some tacos because as it turns out, there is a woman making corn tortillas by hand. Not something you see everyday in Valencia. They weren’t the best handmade tortillas, but it was still a nice detail.
I liked my tacos and I liked the salad. I don’t have to eat authentic Mexican food all the time, right? Once in a while the Americanized version will suffice. And hey, if the chef eats at his own buffet, then it can’t be that bad, amiright?
El Torito
27510 The Old Rd
Valencia, CA 91355-1040
(661) 254-2994
Have you tried Taco Madre’s $6.99 buffet?