GREAT EATS HAWAII: TORITOS MEXICAN FOOD

Sunday, October 27, 2013

TORITOS MEXICAN FOOD

TORITOS MEXICAN FOOD

HONOLULU, HAWAII

TORITOS MEXICAN FOOD

MARKET CITY SHOPPING CENTER

2919 KAPIOLANI BLVD

HONOLULU, HI 96826

808-735-7991

We had not been back to Toritos at Market City Shopping Center in one or two years. After today, I can remember why. The food here is not bad but it does not deliver the Mexican flavors we crave. The Chips and Salsa were good. Liked the bit of heat the salsa delivered. I ordered a Shredded Beef Taco and Chicken Enchilada for around $12. What I got was a pre-made taco shell filled with ground beef with some lettuce, cheese and tomato and a pretty dry enchilada. The taco tasted like something you can make at home with some ground beef and taco seasoning. I would never go to a Mexican restaurant for a ground beef taco. I specifically asked for Shredded Beef and the waiter said o.k. The Chicken Enchilada looked good but there was not really any enchilada sauce to make it taste like an enchilada. The chicken inside was plentiful and tasty but there was no sauce to bring this together. I thought the rice and beans were o.k. but my wife said they were too oily. Toritos has one of the best locations you could ever ask for in Honolulu. Really wish they could step of their game and deliver better Mexican food. The place is pretty run down and could use a makeover. Don't think we will be returning again. One positive here was the service. The place was almost full when we dined here for lunch. A single server and busboy handled all of the customers politely and very efficiently. We had Chips and Salsa on the table within minutes of sitting down and our water was refilled regularly. Food came out fast considering the number of people eating here at one time. The single waiter did an excellent job taking orders, running food, generating checks and bartending all at the same time. My hats off to that dude!