I never like to eat the same meal day after day, so when I eat Mexican food, I’m looking for the right experience. Best choices offer up fresh ingredients cooked well with a good range of menu options plus all the fun of being in Mexico. Renton, WA has quite a variety of Mexican restaurants, most of which are affordable and fun to visit.
Here’s a quick review of the ones I’ve sampled and what they have to offer:
Torero’s
There’s two Torero’s in Renton, almost three since when Torero’s initially moved, they left in place a restaurant on Main Ave in Renton that looked like the old one, offered much of the same services, and added strolling musicians that livened up your meal.
Torero’s is probably the most popular of any of the Mexican restaurants. The offer a full dinner with daily specials of tasty cooked steaks served along with Spanish rice, beans, salad, tortillas. They offer up individual orders of tacos, chili rellenos, enchiladas, and more. They also offer many combination plates with two of the individual selections served with beans and rice. I don’t eat cheese, so I love their menus because I can often eat Mexican at their restaurant, without worrying that my meal will be messed up with something I can’t eat. They also offer some American style menu selections. Particular specialties include Steak ala Chicana (my sister’s favorite), taco salad which I normally order and many more. Drinks are served with plenty of chips and salsa. The do a pretty good Margarita. My husband likes seafood and they have a few items offered on their menu including on one of their tostado salads.
The Torero’s at 3901 Ne 4th St, #112, Renton, WA, Phone: ( 425) 271-5400, has the neat feature of a tortilla machine that heats them before they’re served to you and a modernized restaurant. Sometimes, they too offer strolling musicians to serenade your meal.
Torero’s at 10707 Se Carr Rd, Renton, WA, Phone (425) 227-9104 is a smaller restaurant than the one in Renton, but otherwise very similar.
La Hacienda
La Hacienda at 811 S 3rd St, Renton, WA, Phone (425) 228-0882, is what I implied as the “third” Toreros restaurant, but not really. They’re located at Torero’s original location but is under different management. But like I said, much of their menu is similar to the Torero’s offerings but they also have live music many times. You’re sure to get good service and good food here. You’re more likely to find a table for a really large group at this restaurant than at any of the others. The décor is darker and the atmosphere much more old-fashioned. They have good mints at the counter when you arrive and leave.
Mazatlan
I guess I was a fan of Torero’s for so long that I seldom tried Mazatlan, at 540 Rainier Ave S, Renton, WA, Phone : (425) 226-8299. When I did, I was never sorry, but I don’t remember anything special about them. They have tile covered table tops, good chips and salsa. Service is good. Often, they have hours that allow them to be open when the other restaurants have closed.
Taco Time
Taco Time is my favorite of the fast food restaurants. The Taco Time at 14006 SE Petrovitsky Road Renton, WA 98058 Phone: (425) 271-7271 is always clean, well-staffed and the food is good. They will add guacamole and sour cream to their soft tacos for my husband and leave off the cheese on my tacos, substituting either lettuce or more meat. Their Mexi-Fries, or Tater Tots are a favorite part of any meal and the occasional order of their cinnamon-sugar tortillas for dessert is only a little naughty. Taco Time does not serve cocktails.
