A new restaurant opened three months ago in Cabo San Lucas – Mr Toto Steak and Tacos. Located on Calle Libertad just south of Calle Cabo San Lucas (the one way street going to downtown from the north), the restaurant is beautifully done with four different areas – a air-conditioned cafe to the left of the entrance; an outdoor covered dining area with tables on a sandy floor; a large bar with seating at the back on the left and a covered dining area with a tile floor at the back of the restaurant, adjacent the kitchen. As you enter the restaurant, the first thing you see on the right is a large wood-burning grill with a woman making fresh tortillas for the tacos at the front. The restaurant is themed Mexican and western with cowboy hats on one wall in the back, skulls on the wall in the outdoor dining area and hay bales in the area set up for entertainment.

As we were early, the hostess offered us our choice of tables. We decided to sit at the front of the dining area with a view of the grill and the area where the live entertainer would perform. We were offered the food menu and a cocktail menu and asked what we would like to drink. The menu, while simple has great offerings of appetizers – beans, mollejitas, empanadas, salads and more – tacos of pork belly, arrachera, octopus, fish, scallops, rib eye and even pumpkin blossom quesadillas – steak and grilled chicken, and of course, desserts. There are also a number of sides – cactus, mashed potatoes, French fries, grilled onions, and grilled vegetables. The restaurant has two chefs – Chef Daniel, the executive chef in the kitchen and Chef Alejandro on the wood-fired grill.

There is also an amazing salsa bar in the middle of the front dining area that includes 15 different types of salsa and large bowls of guacamole and Pico de Gallo. Our server described the spice level on each to me. You can choose these to complement your appetizer, tacos or meat or just to taste as a appetizer. I took a small plate of guacamole, Pico de Gallo, and a crushed tomato salsa just to try them. They were excellent.

Beth decided to order the Empanada de Carne as an appetizer. It was quite large and very good and was served with a chimichurri sauce. I had a little taste just to enjoy the flavor. For our main courses, Beth chose the grilled chicken and I selected the Rib Eye Steak. She ordered a side of mashed potatoes and I asked for the grilled onions. When I saw them putting everything on the wood-fired grill, I walked over to take a look. There were three chicken breasts and the rib eye was very large as were the giant leeks that were being grilled. I now understood why our server had asked us if we were going to share the grilled chicken.

We were listening to Eduardo, the guitarist and vocalist who provided the live entertainment for the evening. His repertoire was light rock played both instrumentally and with vocals on the some of the hits from the 70s. When our main courses were served, we were amazed by the portion sizes. Both dishes came with a lettuce, tomato, and onion salad with a lemon vinaigrette dressing that was very nice. The sides were also large enough portions to share. The chicken was plump and juicy – not overcooked. Beth ate one of the breasts and took two home for another meal. The rib eye was about 10 ounces, cooked perfectly and very tender, with just the right amount of fat along the edge. I also took more that half of it home for the next day’s dinner.

The portions were large enough to share, with great presentation, and terrific flavor. The atmosphere is very pleasant with good music and the right level to enjoy the meal and the music. The service was exceptional from both our server and the helpers that cleared the table. It was overall a great experience and someplace where we will come back with guests.