If you’ve wandered along the Truckee River lately, you might’ve noticed a familiar spot with a new name. Toro Bravo, a collaboration between Sergio Romero of La Condesa and Rene Preciado of Mexcal, opened in mid-March 2025 on the Riverwalk, taking over the Sierra Street space that once housed Smith & River. The result is an upscale Mexican steakhouse that feels approachable, inviting, and perfectly suited for a leisurely lunch — inside or out on the patio, where the river hums just a few feet away.
We stopped in for lunch to see what this new riverside addition had to offer. The guacamole was fresh, creamy, and beautifully presented with a crown of thinly sliced radish — the kind of guac that makes you pause mid-conversation and reach for one more chip before you even realize it.
Next up, the Toro Chicken Wings — sticky, tangy, and unapologetically saucy. They were substantial, with plenty on the bone, and full of flavor in every bite.
For mains, we went with the Beef Short Rib Grilled Cheese and the Tacos de Black Angus Ribeye. The grilled cheese was comfort food with ambition: tender short rib tucked between buttery sourdough with melted cheese oozing out in all the right ways. It came with fries we ordered extra crispy — and they nailed it. Perfectly golden, hot, and worth mentioning twice.
The tacos were generously filled with flavorful ribeye, though the double tortilla setup was unnecessary; a single crisped shell would’ve made them shine. The steak came in long strips, which made for a slightly messy eating experience — smaller, bite-sized pieces would’ve made them even better.
Across the board, the presentation was lovely. Each dish arrived thoughtfully plated, colorful without being fussy, and clearly designed to look as good as it tasted.
As for the service, it leaned a little toward the leisurely lunch side of things — our appetizer dishes stayed long enough to feel like part of the conversation. But with a view like that and sunshine on the patio, lingering didn’t feel like the worst thing in the world.
A quick tip for visitors: parking downtown can be tricky, so plan ahead or use the garage across the street. It’s the easiest option if you’d rather focus on your meal than circle the block.
We only sampled the lunch menu this time, but Toro Bravo also serves dinner — and we’re already planning to return when the sun dips low and the river takes on that golden-hour glow.
Toro Bravo brings fresh energy and flavor to Reno’s riverfront dining scene. Between the guacamole, wings, and that melt-in-your-mouth short rib, it’s a spot that blends the creativity of its seasoned chefs with the relaxed charm of riverside dining — and it’s one we’re eager to experience again.
