Want a place to celebrate Cinco de Mayo every week? Make a fiesta out of every Tuesday night at El Torito’s “Taco Tuesdays!” This Mexican restaurant is known for its fancy atmosphere and pricey entrees, but on Tuesday nights, it’s anything but.

Just head directly to the Cantina, where it’s self-seating. Guests are immediately served free chips and salsa. Margaritas are less than four bucks, but the greatest deal is the 99-cent taco. Order drinks and the amount of tacos desired; the server will then give the guests a taco ticket, which is brought up to the taco bar.

Corn tortillas are pressed and cooked right there. Choose from steak, chicken or carnitas. All choices of meat are deliciously seasoned to perfection. Then move on to the salsa bar, where you can top your taco with lettuce, cheese and three different types of salsa. Don’t forget to try the cool avocado sauce, which is a liquefied form of guacamole. It’s very delicious and literally gives the mouth a cooling sensation. An average tummy will get full from three or four tacos. Walk out of this place stuffed and satisfied at the cost of only a few dollars – that’s quite a bargain considering the quality of the food.

The bright red and orange walls are decorated with colorful banners and flags. It’s always noisy and packed in the Cantina on Tuesday nights, just like a real fiesta. If you are claustrophobic, don’t eat here. The Cantina is small, tables are close together and there are usually many people walking around. Dodge the 6 o’clock hour if you don’t want to wait for a table and wait in line at the taco bar. It tends to get overly crowded during dinnertime. There are El Toritos located at 1212 Howe Ave. and at 1598 Arden Way. Taco Tuesday gets four forks! Mindy Yuen can be reached at [email protected]