Mexican Restaurants in Gallup

Explore a foodie’s paradise with scrumptious Mexican meals.

Whether you’re craving a hearty burrito or taking a lunch break from exploring outdoor activities, Gallup’s Mexican food scene offers mouthwatering eats for all palettes. Here are some restaurants in Gallup that specialize in traditional Mexican cuisine.

Alicia’s Burrito Express

Location: 1120 E Highway 66

Step into a home-away-from-home experience with a cozy atmosphere and hearty meals. Based in the back of a supermarket, Alicia’s Burrito Express specializes in classic Mexican dishes, featuring chimichangas, fajitas, tacos, and burritos. Local-favorite dishes include the carne adovada and carne asada plates, where rich textures unveil flavorful experiences. While waiting for your meal, don’t miss dipping complementary nachos into housemade salsa, tasting a startling freshness and a burst of flavors.

Anthony’s A Taste of the Southwest

Location: 1219 US-491

Looking for a dog-friendly place to eat? Explore outdoor seating at this dining spot and soak in Gallup’s sunshine while enjoying your meal. Visitors will enjoy diving into the culinary side of the Southwest with dishes such as the Navajo tacos, chile-infused tamales, decadent enchiladas, and more. For foodies with a spice tolerance, the green chile salsa gives a fiery kick with every bite. Indulge in dishes such as steak with enchiladas or a chicken burrito, and pair your dish with a refreshing beer.

Cocina de Dominguez

Location: 1648 S 2nd St

Dive into generous portions of Mexican cuisine and settle into a laid-back ambience with charmingly retro seating. With friendly, welcoming service, Cocina de Dominguez ensures a top-rated dining experience for all visitors. Seeking kid-friendly places to eat? This restaurant has a children’s menu that's sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. Brunch enthusiasts will love the huevos rancheros, with eggs, tortilla base, and chile sauce. For a filling lunch or dinner, enjoy the stuffed sopapilla, which is filled with beef, beans, and sour cream.

David's Restaurant

Location: 1377 Highway 491

For those who can't decide between Mexican and Italian food, head to David's Restaurant for your next dinner date. Enjoy entrees like steak Oaxaca, arroz con pollo, camarones a la plancha, and tons of Mexican breakfast specialties, along with tasty Italian dishes as well.

A white plate with rice, beans, and cheese from David's Restaurant in Gallup, NM

Don Diego’s Restaurant & Lounge

Location: 801 W Historic Highway 66

Melted cheese, sizzling sausages, and crispy potatoes are some of the decadent ingredients in this restaurant’s breakfast burritos. Don Diego’s Restaurant and Lounge features family-style seating to make you feel right at home. Feeling a deep craving for enchiladas or studded sopapillas? This Mexican restaurant offers vegetarian options, such as the bean burrito. Try pairing your meal with a sweet and tangy margarita, and don’t miss indulging in the pork carnitas.

El Charrito Restaurant

Location: 2003 U.S. Route 66

Make your way to this old school diner and explore traditional Mexican dishes. With scrumptious options like the barbacoa taco and the chile relleno, you’ll find it easy to devour each plate. El Charrito is a family-owned restaurant that serves authentic Mexican cuisine that will remind you of staying at your grandparents’ home for dinner. Falling in love with the Chile sauces? Visitors can buy quarts of the house-made sauces to take home. Locally popular meals include menudo with sopapillas and chile relleno, which is filled with balanced portions of cheese and pan-fried with an egg batter coating.

El Rancho Restaurant

Location: 1000 E Hwy 66

This restaurant travels back in time with old-Hollywood glamor and southwestern decor. Be immersed in exposed wooden beams, high ceilings, and cowboy-themed interiors. Connected to the historic El Rancho Hotel, you’ll discover a variety of breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. Start your day with the El Rancho Classic, with eggs, hash browns, and bacon on a warm tortilla. As for an afternoon or evening meal, El Rancho has a wide menu of items, ranging from western movie-inspired burgers to celebrity-themed fajitas and tamales. Don’t miss relishing the trio of dips and chips, enjoying tortilla chips with house-made guacamole, salsa, and queso.

A Mexican dish with a margarita at El Rancho Restaurant in Gallup, New Mexico.

El Sombrero Restaurant

Location: 1201 W Highway 66

El Sombrero has been serving Gallup since 1946 and is still family-owned today. Roberto Landavazo bought the restaurant in 1961, and it is still operated by the Landavazo family. Come enjoy recipes passed down throughout generations with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.

Garcia’s Sunset Grill

Location: 1605 U.S. Rt. 66

Taking a break from a day-long outdoor trip or an exploration of Gallup’s arts scene? Unwind in a delightful atmosphere and satisfy your chile cravings at Garcia’s Sunset Grill. This intimate-sized restaurant features a decadent menudo that’s submerged in a spicy red chili broth. Wander into this family-owned restaurant with services that exude a neighborly charm. Enjoy a local favorite, the carne asada tacos, served with lime-marinated vegetables.

Genaro’s Cafe

Location: 600 W Hill Avenue

This casual eatery serves a variety of Mexican-American fusion dishes, including jalapeño-seasoned bacon and green chile-covered pork chops. Looking for a family-style dinner at home? Place an order for generous portions of enchiladas, tamales, or tostadas. Genaro’s Cafe is just a five-minute drive from outdoor activities such as exploring We the People Park or hiking across Sunshine Canyon.

A colorful array of enchiladas, green chile, refried beans and rice from Genaro's Cafe in Gallup, New Mexico
Credit: @sweetthings.hi

Gordo’s Cafe

Location: 800 W Coal Avenue

With a brightly colored exterior and a neon sign, you’ll find a bright and fun atmosphere at Gordo’s Cafe. Each dish is served with large portions of fresh ingredients and rich flavors. This casual eatery unlocks a golden ratio of spiciness with every meal, ensuring that your food is kicking with genuine Mexican ingredients. With brunch, lunch, and dinner options, this restaurant ensures a seamless dining experience at any time of day.

Grandpa’s Grill

Location: 2001 E Aztec Avenue

Explore mouthwatering eats, rustic decor, and a welcoming atmosphere. Grandpa’s Grill features an old-school diner-like ambience with cowboy-themed accents. Be immersed in road signs, vintage license plates, and traditional wooden seating. Must-try meals include the chile rellenos, chicken quesadillas, and the mega burrito. Settle into a casual atmosphere and enjoy fast service as you receive your meal from friendly staff.

La Carreta Mexican Restaurant

Location: 1910 E Aztec Avenue

La Carreta Mexican Restaurant is a family-owned business that features traditional Mexican cuisine. They post specials regularly on their Facebook page, including braised pork shank, birria pizzadilla, and various soups, as well as seasonal specials for Lent and winter holidays.

A quesobirria pizza from La Carreta Mexican Restaurant
Credit: La Carreta Mexican Restaurant

Jerry’s Cafe

Location: 406 W Coal Avenue

Feeling peckish after watching Gallup’s thrilling rodeos? Make a pit stop at Jerry’s Cafe, where diner decor and wooden wall paneling exude an old-timey ambience. Established in 1976, this restaurant has been an iconic staple in downtown Gallup. Don’t miss wandering around this dining spot’s exterior, finding a community-centered mural and a vibrant neon sign. For a comforting dish, dive into Jerry’s Special: a hamburger steak coated with cheese and green chile sauce.

Mama’s Kitchen

Location: 820 W Maloney Avenue

Housemade carne adovada, spicy red chili sauce, and sweet French toast are some of the breakfast and brunch staples that you’ll find at this diner. Mama’s Kitchen celebrates American breakfast foods and Mexican cuisine daily, with generous portions and an upbeat staff. Whether you’re looking for a filling lunch after traveling along Interstate 40 or seeking ways to enhance your morning routine, you’ll find a biscuit- and tortilla-filled experience.

Route 66 Railway Cafe

Location: 2150 E Highway 66

Be immersed in a lively space with quick services, budget-friendly prices, and decadent meals. Route 66 Railway Cafe offers delectable breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals. Bring your little ones to this dining spot for its fun, kid-friendly meals, including the Lil Conductor or Lil Railroader breakfast, which has pancakes, French toast, bacon, sausages, and eggs. For a traditional New Mexican dinner, savor enchiladas and sopapillas, served with a side of red or green chili sauce.

Sandra’s Place

Location: 1501 W Historic Highway 66

Find out why this intimate dining spot was awarded for top-rated chile and breakfast foods in the Gallup Journey Reader’s Choice. Along with a cozy space, Sandra’s Place offers a wide selection of appetizing breakfast options and a variety of Mexican dishes. Try the Hurricane burrito for a well-rounded bite of beef, beans, cheese, and chile sauce. Place an order for a Mexican combination of tacos, tamales, and enchiladas, and enjoy heaping portions at budget-friendly prices.

A breakfast plate of beans, rice, and potatoes from Sandra's Place in Gallup, NM

Looking for more? Traverse across Gallup’s thriving culinary scene with a variety of cuisines and find your new favorite meal.

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