El Matador Mexican Restaurant
“I ordered the soup of the day: spicy beef soup with potato and mexican squash and vegetarian tacos.”
“The new location is also a big step up, much more room and easier to park, and just looks better overall.”
“I no longer have to engorge myself on burritos, tacos, and tostadas during my trips to Southern California.”
El Matador Mexican Restaurant
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Accepts Apple Pay: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Caters: Yes
Price range.
$ Price range Under $10
8 reviews
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I came back and dined at their new location. I had the special which was the chicken with mole sauce. it took forever to come out and the chicken was overcooked and tough. I feel the price has went up and the food is not on par as they used when they were near the parkway.
And to get a discount or free check-in special the owner needed me to post a pic, hashtag it, pretend to say it was the best mexican food you ever tasted.
This place is fortunate that there isn't much competition nearby.
I really really wanted to like this place. Especially after all the amazing reviews! Unfortunately my experience did not compare to many of my fellow elites'.
I was expecting authentic Mexican food, and that's what I got when I ordered the Vegetarian Sopes; black beans, cheese, cream and salsa verde on what seemed like a thick corn tortilla. I commend them for sticking to traditional methods and ingredients but they just did not taste very good. The sales verde overpowered everything and everything else on it was bland. The good part was the dough, which tasted very homemade and flavorful, it is just a shame the rest didn't compare to it. My girlfriend order the pork Sopes and said she thought the pork was flavorful but again the salsa verde overpowered.
If I had only problems with the food, I would be inclined to give them a four star review because it really wasn't that bad or anything, but my time here deteriorated from the beginning before even tasting anything. The service was slow and there were only a few tables, the place felt dead and without energy (not lively whatsoever, they could have cranked up the music or put some mood lightning), and on top of that the servers weren't the friendliest. No one was rude, but I didn't feel welcome to be there or talk to anyone.
Overall, I don't really understand how El Matador deserves the ratings it has, but maybe it was just my unfortunate experience there. Perhaps one day I'll return and encounter a five star experience.
I used to frequent the old location and the only thing that has changed has been the location- the food still remains very much delicious and very authentic….( and same prices, no need for lunch specials here although there are specials of the day…)
Even better with Mucio still remembering hubby and I…
If u still haven't tried this restaurant…
What are you waiting for???
BTW the portions are so big I ate around 2ish and didn't eat the rest of the day…
My second time here, after a fantastic Elite event weeks ago. Brought my husband on a quiet Monday. We both agreed: this Mexican food tastes delicious and different from any other NJ Mexican we have ever eaten.
Started with two tamales wrapped in corn husks. $2 bucks each and delicious comfort food like we never had before. Next we over ordered, planning left overs. All corn-based foundations. You know tacos, yes. How about sopas? And another starting with h– more bready and chewy! One with short ribs and cilantro, pretty good. One with pulled pork, fantastic. One with enchilada carne sauce, red and really tasty. You can try the meat toppings and sauces on the various bases including tostadas. Which we did not try tonight. They serve huevos rancheros and some Mexican sandwiches too. Most menu items cost $8-12. Our bill with tip came to $60, but we have lunch for tomorrow. Honestly! We ordered double what we actually ate. Left over boxes for the rest.
Got the tres leches cake as take out, just had it at home two hours later. Really fine!
I have had Mexican food in Cali, Colorado, Mass, NYC, NJ, FL, TX. And Mexico! This place serves very different Mexican from what I have had that is absolutely delicious. Prices good. Try it. Nice decor for a little place. Owner and staff friendly and attentive. Owner is using family recipes. My husband agrees El Matador hits the home run.
Let me start with saying, I promise I'm not crazy! I know majority of Elites have given El Matador 5 stars so you're probably thinking I'm being super harsh for giving them a 3. However, my BF (a fellow elite) and I went there with open minds and without high expectations despite the amazing reviews. However, we were let down in all departments: service, food, and by the "vibe".
The worst part of our experience was by far the service. Almost all of the elites mentioned how welcomed they felt by the owner. I don't know who the employees were the Saturday we visited, but I can't remember the last time I felt so unwelcome at a restaurant. The employees didn't even crack a smile the entire time, were getting irritated when we had questions about menu items, and literally didn't even check on us.
As others have mentioned, prices are definitely above average for Mexican. Majority of dishes range from $11-12, and most don't even come with a side of rice & beans. My (irritated) server recommended the Pulled Pork Sopes after I told him I didn't like very spicy food– there are no descriptions under items so you're unsure of what sauces they include. He even whipped out an obnoxious IPad in my face to show me a picture of the sopes…Of course my Sopes were topped with a super spicy house salsa. He should've mentioned that and I would have ordered it on the side! I managed to scrape some of the salsa off at least. I have to give them some credit- I loved the dough and the pork was super moist and tasty.
Everyone goes nuts for their tres leches cake so of course I had to try it! My only conclusion is that these people aren't true "dessert people" if they consider that cake to be spectacular. My BF and I didn't even find it worth finishing so we brought the leftover cake to my parents. They were very unimpressed as well. For $5.50 per slice, don't waste your money!
The vibe was horrid. Even though they recently upped their decor, I still felt like I was sitting in a takeout place. AND they had screens playing slideshows of pictures of their food. Some were sooo unappealing– they looked like someone took a picture of dog food on a blurry iPhone. It was hilarious, but SO tacky and ruined the entire vibe. Even though it was BYOB, I'd rather pay for drinks elsewhere.
There was an elite event at El Matador a few months back, which sounded like a great time. I do think that led many elites to give this place a 5 star. I think they may have felt differently if they tried it on their own. The owner also sounds like he has a huge impact on his customers' experiences. Customers must be much more positive when he's around, and unfortunately he wasn't around when I was in.
I highly doubt I'll go back to El Matador anytime soon whatsoever. I prefer other Mexican spots in the area- same quality of food for a lower price, a better environment, and a staff that actually makes me feel welcome. But if others seem to feel it deserves a 5, it's worth giving it one more shot.
I was here for a Yelp Elite Event back in February. The food was excellent, so I returned on a Tuesday for lunch. The food is very good, but the menu is pretty limited. It's mostly tacos, quesadillas, tostadas, and other handheld Mexican food. But still, everything I've tried was delicious.
I've had the tacos dorados, tacos de chorizo, and tacos de alambre. They were all delicious, but I think the tacos de alambre were the best. The owner of the restaurant is very friendly, he checked on us frequently to make sure we had everything we needed to enjoy our meal.
First of all for those who have not made the connection. This is there new location 418 Broad St, Bloomfield. They have moved from their old location on Montgomery. This spot is larger with more room and tables.
Nooooow, What is there to say that other Yelpers have not echoed already in their raving reviews. A family run business where the Son Mucio runs the front of the house as smooth as a Casanova surrounded by beautiful women. He took the time out to answer the 50 questions that we had over the different options of food. Was patient and even showed us what the food looked like by scrolling it up on his phone.
They strive on being as good and authentic as the Mexican dishes back in their homeland….We ordered a special, the Red Snapper and according to my father in Law it was one of the best he's had. My Steak Huaraches with Onions, Salsa, Beans, Cheese & Crema, had a nice kick to it. In addition we also ordered pork enchiladas and everything was good and spicy.
Now if you go after 5pm the parking lot at the PNC Bank is available for using. Also there is a Municipal Lot on Pitt st just 2 blocks past the restaurant. Or if your lucky as I was a metered parking spot smack in front of the restaurant became available.
So what are you waiting for. Get ready, bring your appetite and wallet and join the many of us fortunate to experience good authentic Mexican food at El Matador. BYOB!!!!!
MMMM….Tacos! The majority is right, the food here is authentic, delicious, and worth a trip. There is something so perfect about a taco made with perfectly seasoned meat, fresh herbs, and a tasty…possibly spicy..sauce. El Matador does it right. The veggies are fresh, meats tender, and sauces tasty. If you love authentic Mexican food, and happen to be in this part of Essex county, come check out El Matador.