Torres is best known for her role as Mahalia Sanchez in the NBC comedy series The John Larroquette Show (1993–1996), for which she received two Primetime Emmy and Golden Globe Award nominations.

She is also known for her role as Patricia "Miss Patty" LaCosta in The WB family comedic drama series Amy Sherman-Palladino's Gilmore Girls (2000–07) starring Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel.

From 1975 to 1976, she was a regular cast member on the CBS sitcom, Phyllis, Cloris Leachman's spin-off series from The Mary Tyler Moore Show, succeeding the late Barbara Colby in the role of Julie Erskine.

[4][5] She had the recurring role on All in the Family as Teresa Betancourt, a wise-cracking nurse who checked Archie into the hospital when he needed a gallbladder operation and then became a boarder at the Bunker house.

She also guest starred on Starsky & Hutch, Love, American Style, Hill Street Blues, L.A. Law, Knots Landing, Mama's Family, Tracey Takes On..., Ally McBeal, The Nanny, and Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child.

In theater, she has appeared in The Ritz as Googie Gomez, Man of La Mancha as Aldonza, The House of Blue Leaves as Bunny, and A Million To Juan in 1994 as Mrs.