The Matador Cantina, Fullerton

Great food and drinks. Super atmosphere. Service was the worst possible except for Angel. We were largest group in the place but ignored for at least 25 minutes and the place was almost empty. Monica was too busy putting out candles to even answer a question. One in our group was a minority. I hope that was not the problem. Because the place was great we would go back and hope for a different staff.

This place was the worst. My husband and I ate there this week even though we've heard mixed reviews. The service was unprofessional in general. Water glasses didn't get filled, the hostess didn't seem to know what was going on and didn't remember what we told her a couple minutes before, in general it felt like the staff was just going through the motions. They also gave me the wrong order but since neither of our served meals tasted good it wasn't worth sending back. Normally I would and do understand that mistakes get made sometimes. We just wanted out of there. My husband had the signature Chili Relleno which was over fried and had no flavor. I ended up being served a burrito with carne asada which was chopped so small you couldn't taste the meat, but you could get the feel of the two large pieces of fat that ended up in the napkin. The salsa lacked flavor - the tomatoes tasted canned with a little spice added. There was so much sauce on my burrito was so overpowering that it made what was inside (I'm not sure what all was there) taste bland. I would never go back to this place.

The decor is beautiful! They out did themselves on that part.The drinks are ok, the food is meh.I'm not very picky about food, I love food and normally don't care what the tab is, BUT, I cared this time.Kind of expensive but food wasn't that great.Like I said, I'm not usually picky.You may as well go to Acapulco or El Torito for cheaper AND tastier food but you won't get the ambience.

Average is the best I could write. They could not have been nicer. So, that part was good. Our waitress was really attentive. The drinks were good. The chips and salsa were good. Lets see what else..ceviche tasted fresh and clean. Taquito appetizer was just ok. the chicken was bland. As for the entrees. The Mahi was given a thumbs up. But It didn't seem like anyone was hurrying to eat their whole plate. The seafood enchiladas were not good at all. The rice had a really strong flavor, that I didn't quite like. The beans were a horrible texture. How do you screw up refired beans?? I would stop at the drinks and appitizers. I don't care if the chef spent two years researching in Mexico. I have had food from different regions and there was NOTHING different or exciting about the food. You can find better mexican food at any local mexican food restaurant. With the economy bad, this was a treat to go out for some really great food. I was dissapointed and I am out quite a bit of money.

I just got hired as a server at the New Matador Cantina. www.Thematador.com. Place is scheduled to open first or second week of April comming up. We just had our orientation meeting today and training for the next two weeks to follow. Top Notch management and Chef! The owners spent some serious $$$ on the remodel and its NOTHING like the old Rock-in-Taco at all. Literally EVERY single thing has been ripped out and replaced. Plush leather booths, all hand made iron chandeliers, wine displays, candle lit walls etc.. Easily the coolest place in Fullerton! Unfortunately, some of the other reviews below are from the old establishment and do not reflect the new Matador Cantina. Just wanted to clarify that...

It's going to be The Matador Canitina. Check it out at www.thematador.com and on Facebook and MySpace.... there are pics. New owners with many other locations under their belt. Check out landmarksteakhouse.com as one of their other locations.

Going out of buisness but most of the old bartenders are staying on, going to be called the Velvet Matador.

Not much here to impress, the food is almost worth the cost. Better mexican food for same or less can be had else where. If you wanna drink show up for the college specials.

VENDORS BEWARE!!!!!!If you do business with this establishment do so at your own risk. The owners have a problem with paying vendors for their goods and services. After being told by others about this we chose to continue doing business with them, this was a big mistake. Just like the others we were always having to call them regarding bills and eventually we would get paid. We now have been owed money for quite some time and had to stop doing business with them. They do not take nor return phone calls. They are quite rude. We used to eat this restaurant and always paid our bill before we left, we only ask for the same courtesy to be paid.