Chicken & Waffles

Like many in the DC area, I fully enjoy brunch, especially when it is a truly bottomless brunch (all-you-can-eat-and-drink). I’ve been to many bottomless brunches, but Toro Toro is one of my favorites. A pan-Latin restaurant that started as a South American steakhouse and has been through a few iterations, Toro Toro, part of the Sandoval restaurant group, has a sexy yet chill vibe.

Their brunch menu is completely revamped. You can order as many small plates as you like, and as many drinks as well. For drinks, I tried the caipirinha, the passion fruit mimosa, and the margarita. I love the caiprinha–it’s strong and not overly sweet. Their passion fruit mimosa has always been a favorite, and the margarita was perfect.

For food, I tried the Lomo Saltado, Fried Chicken & Corn Waffles, Chilaquiles, Crispy Bacon Guacamole, and Braised Short Rib Arepa. The standouts were definitely the Arepa and Chicken & Waffles. The Arepa was quite flavorful, and the crisp corn cake provided a nice textural contrast with the tender short ribs and creamy guacamole. The chicken and waffles pair perfectly cooked Fried Chicken and Waffles with a chipotle honey agave and pickled chiles for sweetness and heat. The Lomo Saltado had plenty of delicious steak, and the crispy bacon guacamole benefited from the added smokiness of the bacon. The chilaquiles had one of the best black bean sauces I’ve ever tried. I was too full for any of the dessert offerings at brunch, but will return to try them.

Service was fantastic, as our drinks were never empty, our server was knowledgeable, and the manager checked on us several times.

The brunch at Toro Toro offers a good variety of breakfast and lunch options, and desserts to please most palates. The Latin American flavors make this a departure from the usual and the perfect way to liven up your weekend meal.

-LEM (Lia)