West Hartford welcomes a vibrant new culinary experience with the arrival of Toro Mexican Street Food, the latest venture from the renowned Toro Restaurant Group. Located at 22 Raymond Rd., this eatery brings the authentic taste of Mexican street fare to Connecticut, promising a quick, delicious, and genuinely flavorful dining option. Chef Tony Camilleri, the experienced culinary mind behind Toro Loco in Farmington and Toro Taberna in West Hartford, introduces this new concept designed for those seeking authentic Mexican flavors on the go.
Building on the success of Toro Loco, known for its Mexican tapas, Toro Mexican Street Food offers a streamlined menu focused on speed and portability without compromising on quality or taste. This is the third local restaurant from Camilleri and his partners, Stretch Altenhein and James LaFond, joining Toro Loco and Toro Taberna. Adding to their portfolio is Loco Urban Street Food, a ghost kitchen concept that will eventually find a physical home within Toro Mexican Street Food, expanding their reach and offerings.
Alt text: Close-up of a vibrant Oaxaca Street Pizza from Toro Mexican Street Food, showcasing melted cheese, black bean mole, and colorful slaw on a masa tortilla.
“We’ve taken the most popular elements from our Farmington location and refined them into a quicker service model,” Camilleri explains. The intimate space, previously occupied by Petals & Paws, now comfortably seats around two dozen patrons indoors, with additional picnic tables outside for al fresco dining. The emphasis, however, remains on food crafted for easy takeout and enjoyment anywhere.
Perfect for a swift and satisfying lunch, Toro Mexican Street Food aims for an impressive 8-10 minute order turnaround time. Camilleri also leverages the triumph of Toro Loco’s family meal offerings, which became a cornerstone during the pandemic. The Taco Family Meal, priced at $65, generously serves four to six individuals, featuring a selection of three taco proteins from options like beef barbacoa, chicken tinga, pork pastor, and more, accompanied by a full array of traditional sides. For solo diners, “El Soltero” offers a personal taco feast with all the trimmings for $12.95.
Camilleri emphasizes the uniqueness of the menu, positioning Toro Mexican Street Food distinct from the growing number of Mexican restaurants in the region. A cornerstone of their authenticity is the in-house preparation of tortillas, crafted daily from organic, non-GMO corn imported directly from Mexico, using their own masa dough. Reflecting a commitment to inclusivity, the entire menu at Toro Mexican Street Food is 100% gluten-free, catering safely to those with celiac disease and gluten sensitivities.
Alt text: Colorful mural art by Ben Keller adorns the exterior wall of Toro Mexican Street Food in West Hartford, featuring vibrant Day of the Dead and sugar skull motifs.
Must-Try Mexican Street Food Creations
Toro Mexican Street Food boasts menu items that set it apart. The “Perro Elote” ($8.95), a Mexican twist on the corn dog, features grilled chorizo sausage encased in masa and fried to crispy perfection. “The exterior crunch beautifully complements the savory chorizo,” Camilleri notes. Served nestled in a warm tortilla, it’s topped with taco slaw, curtidos (pickled vegetables), and a zesty gringo sauce (chipotle aioli and garlic).
Another standout is the “Oaxaca Street Pizza” ($8.50). Served on a large masa tortilla, it offers customizable toppings, typically including chihuahua cheese, rich black bean mole, refreshing slaw, and a drizzle of chipotle crema. While termed “pizza,” its street food essence lies in its portability – served on foil, it’s easily folded and enjoyed while exploring West Hartford Center.
Alt text: A Machete Quesadilla from Toro Mexican Street Food, showcasing its long, machete-blade shape, crispy exterior, and savory fillings wrapped in foil for easy handling.
Exploring further, the menu features Street Corn Esquites ($5.95) from the tapas selection, and the Totopos “Nachos” ($8.50). These nachos are uniquely prepared with tortilla chips coated and fried with a spicy ranchera salsa, then generously topped with cotija and queso fresco cheeses, and pepitas. Protein additions are available, and the Totopos Grande ($19.95) is designed for sharing among four or more.
The “Machete” Quesadilla, aptly named for its elongated shape resembling a machete blade, is tightly rolled and crispy. Its portable design, wrapped in foil, makes it another excellent option for enjoying authentic Mexican flavors on the move. “We are committed to keeping our offerings fresh and exciting,” Camilleri states, emphasizing their dedication to quality and flavor.
Alt text: Perro Elote, Toro Mexican Street Food’s Mexican corn dog, highlighting the grilled chorizo wrapped in masa, crispy fried, and topped with slaw and sauces.
More Than Just Tacos: A Diverse Menu
While rooted in authentic Mexican street food, Toro Mexican Street Food also caters to diverse tastes. “We aim to be food-friendly to everyone,” Camilleri explains. The menu includes familiar favorites like wings (bone-in or boneless) with various sauces, classic and spicy fries, burgers on gluten-free potato rolls, and crispy pork rinds. Salad options are also available, ensuring there’s something for every palate.
“I’m not sure I have a personal favorite,” Camilleri admits, “I appreciate the customizable nature of the menu. That’s my favorite aspect.” Vegetarian options abound, and most dishes can be made vegan by omitting cheese, making Toro Mexican Street Food a highly inclusive dining destination.
Desserts will rotate, featuring treats like pumpkin flan and gluten-free churros, crafted from yucca and rice flours. Camilleri, a recent West Hartford resident himself, expresses his long-held interest in the Raymond Road location, now realized with the opening of Toro Mexican Street Food.
Alt text: A plate of golden Totopos (nachos) from Toro Mexican Street Food, showing the crispy, salsa-coated chips topped with cheeses and pepitas.
The restaurant’s exterior is as inviting as the food, with a vibrant mural by artist Ben Keller adding a splash of color and personality. Keller’s “Day of the Dead” inspired artwork transforms the formerly plain wall into a captivating visual landmark. He has even extended his artistry to the adjacent building, creating a “West Hartford” mural to enhance the neighborhood’s aesthetic.
While awaiting a liquor license, Toro Mexican Street Food offers refreshing non-alcoholic beverages like Mexican cold brew, agua fresca, and a variety of Mexican sodas and juices. Despite a late-season opening, Camilleri notes the warm community reception. Toro Mexican Street Food is actively engaging with the community, planning events like a Dog Star Rescue adoption day and a fundraiser for the Connecticut Breast Health Initiative. They also participated in the Halloween Stroll and host a Taco Tuesday Challenge, inviting diners to test their taco-eating prowess for a chance to win a Super Bowl feast.
Alt text: A serving of Street Corn Esquites from Toro Mexican Street Food, with visible kernels of corn, spices, and creamy sauce, alongside a non-alcoholic tropical drink.
Looking ahead, Camilleri hints at future expansion, stating, “I’m sure there will be a fourth [local restaurant] at some point. I have no plans to slow down.” Toro Mexican Street Food is conveniently located at 22 Raymond Rd., West Hartford, next to Whole Foods Market. Current hours are Sunday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. By late October, a breakfast menu featuring tacos, burritos, and street pizza is planned, further expanding their offerings.
Alt text: A view of the interior of Toro Mexican Street Food in West Hartford, showing the counter area, menu boards, and casual dining space.
For more information, connect with Toro Mexican Street Food on Facebook and Instagram (@toro_mexican_street_food) or by calling 860-773-4004. Discover the authentic taste of Mexico right here in West Hartford!
