new mexican eatery

El Toro is renovating that spot according to signs.

... and they appear to be spending a ton of money on the renovation. I'm really quite surprised, and hope they don't bury themselves before they get the place open. That location has always had a hard time building traffic.

The building really needed renovation! It was really falling apart in many ways, that's the biggest reason Ernesto's moved. I almost think he would have been cheaper to tear down the building and build a new one than renovate it. It's quite a change from the other location of El Toro which is in a strip mall.

I've never been to El Toro. Is it all that diffrerent from Ernesto's? That's rather close proximity for two Mexican/American places.

[Robin Garr]

I've never been to El Toro. Is it all that diffrerent from Ernesto's? That's rather close proximity for two Mexican/American places.

El Toro (based on my one review visit) is unusually good for a restaurant of that type, and tended toward a more interesting menu than the standard that Los Aztecas/El Nopalito/El Torasco all seem to more or less share. I remember an unusual selection of seafood dishes in particular.

Is this the "ghost of taco Bell"?? Isn't that what was housed in this location originally??

I have to agree, El Toro is at the top of the "authentic Mexican restaurants".

But alas, I still remember the $2.50 Michelob Light 32oz mega-mugs back during the La Cuezela days!!

Is this the "ghost of taco Bell"?? Isn't that what was housed in this location originally??

That building was built as a Cork' N Cleaver and was a very popular Junior Prom dinner spot. Resplendent in our wide lapel jackets and smelling of Old Spice and Vitalis we would sup at the height of Middletown sophistication.

It later became the starter restaurant of the "Chicken by George" empire, I think the name was actually By George. After that closed it was vacant for a very long time until a series of mexican eateries went in, with Ernesto's being the longest running of them all.

And for a brief while in the 90's it was an outreach of Cunninghams!

Ye Ole Cork' N Cleaver competing with the long gone Steak' N Ale. Known to some who worked there as Ache' N Stale.