On the heels of Gulliver’s announcing its upcoming closure after 56 years, neighboring restaurant El Torito has shuttered after several decades on MacArthur Boulevard. Its final day of service was May 30.
Read more Fullerton Arboretum’s apiary is abuzz with opportunities for research … and honey
The Irvine El Torito opened sometime in the mid-1980s after the chain restaurant took over the former Casa Maria space.
The closure brings the total number of operating Orange County El Torito eateries to two, located in Anaheim and Cypress, with one El Torito Grill, a sister concept, operating in Brea. Over the last three years, the Mexi-Cali chain restaurant, now owned by Xperience Restaurant Group, also known as XRG, has closed longtime locations in Dana Point, Laguna Hills, Orange, Westminster and Tustin.
Founded in 1954 by Larry Cano, El Torito, in part, popularized Mexican-American fare in the United States, as well as Taco Tuesdays, the day of the week where tacos were discounted and drew in crowds.
Read more More than half of Latin Americans deported from US to Congo are now back home
Over the years, the brand went through several acquisitions. Xperience Restaurant Group, billed as one of the largest operators of full-service Mexican restaurants in the U.S., also includes Chevys Fresh Mex, Sol Mexican Cocina, Acapulco and Las Brisas in its portfolio.
The Irvine location, across the street from John Wayne Airport, sat on a parcel of land that also included Gulliver’s. The storied steakhouse, founded by Al Levie and Hans Prager, will close its doors on June 30 after 56 years in the same plaza a El Torito.
Read more Former supermodel Carré Otis files Paris rape complaint against ex-Elite boss