El Gallo Giro

5 stars for food 2 stars for service. Food is excellent and for the most part service is good, not great, but good. After waiting 20 minutes for a check after I was done eating I had to leave because I was running late back to work. I left my wife there to pay the tab and 20 minutes after I left she was still there waiting on a check. So 40 minutes and still no check. She finally had to walk up the cash register to close out the bill. We eat there about once or twice a week and service is hit or miss. Fridays are busy for them, so do go there during lunch unless you get a two hour lunch break.

Pretty good food and really good prices! The burritos are really good for $ 4.50, and huge for the price. Quality ingredients as well, authentic and fresh. I had an asada burrito and a chicken taco, both were really good. Only reason for 4 stars is because the service was ok at first, but it was difficult to get someones attention for a drink refill. I will back again for sure though to hopefully bump it to 5 stars!

My husband and I stopped in here — starving — after a long, delay-​filled day of flights. We were immediately seated and provided with a heaping portion of tortilla chips and salsa. Most excellent! I ordered the enchiladas verde (a decent level of heat) and my husband ordered a steak burrito (minimal heat). We both cleared our plates by the end of the meal. It was that good. (And we were that hungry, having had no food all day…) The flavors were fresh and the quality very good. Price and service were on point, as well. Definitely on my list of places to go again should we be in the area.

I’ve only gotten take out from here so I need to come back and give it a proper run through. But what I did get I loved. They are right by one of the locations I’m often at for parties and they stay open late. From now on, I will always stop by here and get some salsa verde because theirs is thick. creamy, spicy, and delectable. So even if the party food is terrible the salsa from here will make it better! I also got a taco as take out one time and loved it. Though I need to check and see that it’s consistently good.
Loved:
— Salsa Verde
— Taco al Pastor

What an interesting place. This is definitely a different spin on the Mexican adventure. There are some good and bad, so it will take a couple more visits (and I will come back) for me to assess this business properly. For now I give it four stars and here is why:
I sat myself right in front of the door. No one to greet me. I do not like the high chairs with the short tables, it is uncomfortable. Everyone in there is bending way over. The place is beautifully decorated. There is a grocery attached. There are pastries that look really good. It is a really neat place.
I had to ask where the restrooms are since they are not visible. I found it very awkward to walk through the waitress serving station to get to the bathrooms. The bathroom was immaculate.
The menu is great. It is very colorful and it has a lot of different things on it. Not just the same same. Always refreshing to find something different. And there are plenty of lunch choices.
The menu has steak and bacon tacos. Hell yeah. And there were chorizo tacos too. Now I get to try something different that I like. I decided to go a la carte. I ordered a steak and bacon, a chorizo, and a beef taco with rice and beans. That way I could sample the tacos. I didn’t think to ask for hard shell, so I couldn’t complain when I got soft shell, but I did not get what I wanted and we discussed the matter immediately. What i got was two steak and bacon and a chorizo with rice and beans. She said she would get me a beef but I said I didn’t want all four. Then she’s bringing me a menu showing me what it says about the meal that includes the two steak and bacon like she’s trying to prove to me that I’m wrong. I don’t really care what the menu says because I’m telling you what I wanted. I almost walked straight out the door then, but she told me she would only charge me for the two instead of three or four. I told her I wanted to pay for the third but she would not let me. Anyway, I did only consume the portion I asked for and did pay at the counter for what I asked for. And still tipped four bucks. There are definitely some language barriers and they have a hard time improvising from what is on the menu. Or maybe I’m being difficult.
The food: first of all there is no hot sauce on the table. I’m sure I could have asked, but with all the miscommunication we had, I think they tried avoiding me, and I didn’t want to cause a hassle. So no hot sauce. They got it right with the salsa temperature. Probably 60 degrees. Chips and salsa, nothing special. I did not care for the two sauces they brought or the radishes and lime. Beans and rice probably 80 degrees. Plate was not warmed. There is no reason why the beans should not burn me when they are served. Trying to save money on utilities?
Steak and bacon taco: this is the very best thing ever. My favorite things combined into something so perfect.
Chorizo taco: much smaller than the s&b and the chorizo was more of a ground pork than the seasoned sausage I was expecting.
Beef taco: again smaller than the s&b. I did not notice any indication on the menu of the size differences. This was a soft shell taco and was really rather plain and tasteless.
My drink did not get refilled, although it didn’t quite go empty. It was a large glass and it was some of the sweetest tea. I waited for my ticket and finally went to the counter to pay. They keep up with your ticket by table location but I didn’t know. This is when I asked to pay for a third taco. I left the fourth one on my plate.
I noticed white trash cans visible behind register which I am assuming to contain nacho chips. If this is true, whether legal or not, I would suggest getting them out of view because it just seems wrong.
They seem to be dipping some kind of drink from containers as you would a soup. Again, no matter how sanitary you think this is, it just seems wrong. I asked what this was, but again there were language barriers.
I saw beer, but there does not appear to be a bar. The health score is behind the register where my eyes could not make out the numbers. This should be more visible whether good or bad.
This is my exhaustive and comprehensive review. While writing all this, I’ve decided the bad outweighed the good a little more than I thought and decided a three star would be more appropriate. Just because I can. the steak and bacon taco was really the only thing I enjoyed. I will return and adjust accordingly. First impressions are most memorable.
I am back the very next day, this time with a friend. Steak quesadilla is really good, but a little too cheesy for me and I love cheese. The steak asada is the best. The hard shell taco is awesome. El Grande was also good. Beans and rice were not warm again. Neither plates were warmed. I think I’ll still stick with three stars.

Great Mexican food here. I’ve eaten at El Gallo Giro three times since I moved to Memphis in June. Their lunch menu is a great deal if you’re looking for a large, quality meal.
I’ve had their quesadilla that’s bathed in cheese sauce twice and last time I tried the alambres. They were fantastic and I had leftovers. That doesn’t usually happen with me. Also, the chips and salsa are a good addition to any meal!

I just stopped here because it was on my route home. My husband wanted Mexican and Siri told us there was a restaurant on our path. I did not look at Unilocal until after I ate. I’m glad I didn’t let any of the negative comments deter me. I tried the Arroz con pollo and my husband had the carnitas. They are both delicious! We were brought two additional salsas– verde and some other red kind that was medium heat. I had the corn tortillas with mine, very nice and fresh! They brought a bowl of radishes and limes for garnish. Great addition! Sweet tea is sweet! The salsa verde is hot so if you are not a heat lover, use with caution. If you are… Yum!!! It is truly a Mexican food place!

Had tacos and steak torta for lunch it was all great
Wait staff did a great jobs not a bad place at all for a hole in the wall

I’ve tried really hard to like this place. My husband likes it as well as many of the reviews I see on Unilocal,but honestly I just don’t get it. I’m not a native of this area, I’m from the Northeast and have only been here for a couple of years — so maybe this is just as good as it gets around this particular area for Mexican food?
The location is not the greatest. They have decorated and the place has the feel of a traditional, casual Mexican restaurant. The times I’ve gone there it didn’t seem too clean. They have Mexican pastries in the counter up front which I have never tried.
Things I’ve had from here:
Chips — pretty good, standard chips
Queso — pretty good
Beans — average
Rice — average to good
Salsa — average, even the mild has a bite to it
Guacamole — average, has a lot of avocado but often too much onion (and I am an onion lover)
Chicken and Chorizo w/​Rice — sometimes good, sometimes not
Steak and Bacon taco — average, too salty
Ceviche — just did not like it, not to my preference
Chicken Quesadilla — greasy, tasteless and awful — quite honestly it was the worse quesadilla I have ever had
I also find that the food lacks consistency. My husband often brings half of his lunch home, he often gets the chicken and chorizo with rice and pineapple. He brought this dish home 3 times — once it was really good, once it was average, and today it was incredibly salty. Which is probably why he gave it to me instead of eating it himself. LOL.
The service here doesn’t win this place any extra stars. The manager or main guy in charge tries to be friendly, but there is definitely a communication barrier going on here for non-​Spanish speakers. They do not bring you utensils until you are served food or unless you ask… and maybe not even then. Don’t expect them to come around and refresh your water promptly. If they get your order wrong (which happens often), no apologies are offered nor monetary credit or anything — you will just have to sit there and wait for your corrected/​changed dish to come out, which will usually be around the same time that everyone else at the table is done eating.
I don’t think I’ve ever had dessert here. I don’t think they have it.
So that’s my honest review. Who knows, maybe you will like it but that’s my two cents… just my opinion. There are just way better Mexican places I’d choose to go to. I think the novelty has started wearing off for my husband as well.

Try it you’ll like it, better yet you’ll love it…
Best Mexican food in Memphis area, authentic family style great menu, fast service, great prices… Nothing fancy but the taste, it ain’t the palms…
But the palms doesn’t have salsa like this… Muy bueno

I’ve have been to this place before and ate in. That time I got the steak fajitas and they were great. Anyway today I got take out and as usual the food was good. I ordered the chicken burrito dinner and boy that was delicious. They also give you tortillas and salsa, which are so yummy! I would definitely recommend this place to everyone. :)

Delicioso el mejor lugar de sabor autentico de comida mexicana en memphis!!! :D.
Probe los chilaquiles, tacos, café, agua fresca y el pan casero y todo me encantó es el sabor verdadero de la cocina mexicana…

El Gallo Giro is on regular rotation for my husband and I as a lunch stop in the vast wasteland of industry that surrounds our workplace. Luckily Unilocal helped me sniff it out, because I probably wouldn’t have ventured down Lamar to find it on my own!
You really can’t go wrong with anything on the lunch menu. I’ve done the ala carte tacos (flavorful, traditional), the steak and bacon tacos (two to a platter, non-​traditional but muy delicioso), the enchiladas verde (get steak, it’s super tender), and the casserole (can’t remember the exact name, but it had a green sauce and little crunchy bits… very good). The drinks are realllly big so you’re not waiting on a refill. The sweet tea may be the sweetest I’ve ever had. Their salsa is killer – so fresh!
That being said, the wait staff is only so-​so. About half the time we go I end up going to the register to pay without my bill because it took too long to get it from the server. (I’m on lunch, people! Gotta get back!) But the guy at the register is always sweet and just asks us what we had and takes our word for it. Last time I received chicken enchiladas instead of steak, and when I decided I would send them back (I usually don’t but I made a stand this time), the waitress said «You ordered chicken???» Uh, nope, sure didn’t. (Why is it that places assume because I’m a woman that I want chicken?! Happens all the time, and never to my husband!) Anyway, I ended up with the steak in plenty of time and with (eventually) a sorry from the waitress.
The food is just too damned good to let the mediocre service deter me. Plus it’s always fun to get some crazy Mexican candy or a few groceries for dinner at the store next door.

Found this place online & decided to give it a go. Tasty, but pretty standard Mexican food in my opinion-I’ve certainly had better. I’ve eradicated dairy from my diet so when I ordered the burrito and there was ONLY chicken inside & the tortilla covered by a nasty sauce I was so sad. I really wish they offered vegan options or at least peppers or beans in the burrito. WHY oh why would I want chicken wrapped in a tortilla with nothing on or in it?! Thank goodness for the salsa which was their saving grace.
One thing I can say is the portion size was huge and I love getting the bang I feel I deserve for my buck. The chairs in there are really pretty and look like someone actually hand painted them. This joint is also connected to a convenience/​grocery store. Non-​Spanish speakers beware the television ONLY plays Spanish shows – I mean it is a Mexican restaurant after all.

The food is the best thing about this restaurant, can’t get a Margarita. Thus is the best Mexican food that I have ever had. I wish they serve Coke instead of Pepsi. The servers could learn a little bit more etiquette when server, rain I say this is my wife doesn’t care to come here because of this. So i come on Mondays for lunch.

Very good. Authentic. Friendly staff. Tostadas where fresh and delicious. My enchilada was not too salty like other places. We thoroughly enjoyed it.

The portions are huge… authentic food, and I judge Ethnic food if a lot of people of that ethnicity patronize the place. This is the norm. I’m addicted to their fruit drinks. Aguas like HORCHATA make the meal better.

Yes five stars. You will not regret a visit here… that is unless you get shot while driving down Lamar. When you walk in the door, you can smell the freshness. Clean, vibrant, and authentic.
The other amazing thing (that is comparable only to Las Delicious) is the price for the entrees. Amazingly, you can eat a great lunch here for under $ 6. And the guacamole is so natural and untainted you will have no doubt they prepared it straight from the avocado just before it was brought to your table.
The beef? Yes it really is steak. and pretty good too. How can it be cheap, fast, AND good??? Well I have eaten here several times and had a beef dish each time and I haven’t had a single bite that wasn’t tender and lean. LEAN! See? You can tell yourself it is very healthy. «Mas queso por favor!!»
Ok. Just go here and eat. If you are a Unilocaler who appreciates Mexican food, you owe it to yourself to stop by. They have a small variety of Mexican beer and a little bakery there too, plus it adjoins a Hispanic market via a connecting door. Give them a try and help make Memphis real!

05−08−13; Stopped here for a company lunch as a sendoff celebration for a departing co-​worker. Been here many times and have always found the food and service great!
I know this may seem petty, but I like the fact the place is bright (during the day) from the sunlight that pours through the massive glass windows at the front of the restaurant. So many Mexican places are dark — why is that?
Had the Fajita [Chicken] Taco Salad with no Guacamole. Just can’t get with the green stuff! The salad was delicious and filling.
Their menu is vast so you’ll more than likely find whatever you’re looking for in Mexican Cuisine and more.
Very popular spot and highly recommended.

¡Dios mio! Where the heck has this place been hiding? Oh yeah, wayyyyy down on Lamar. El Gallo Giro translates from Spanish as «the tacos are awesome»… no, sorry, that’s lie… it’s actually a term for the silver feathered rooster in cockfighting… not lying this time.
We made the trip on a Sunday afternoon, because it’s 25+ minutes away from downtown after taking 240 to Lamar and driving south for a while. We came into a relatively full house, and were likely the only native English speakers in the place. On the recommendation from Rob B.‘s review, I went with four a la carte tacos with four different meats. Fajitas for the Misses. The result… incredible. The quality of tortilla, meats, vegetables, spices… it was just excellent… and worth the trip.
The place is open, spacious, and clean. The chairs, tables, and booths are all nicely decorated, and the staff is incredibly friendly. (I apparently impressed the waitress with my love of tacos). So… if you’re not far from here, go, and if you are… find the time. It’s worth it!

For the past year I have been coming here virtually once a week (up to 3x a week) to get their tacos a la carte (no rice and beans). The carnitas (beef cheek) tacos are top notch, as are the asada, pork, and lengua (cow tongue). Get them with onion, cilantro and shredded cheese. #1 in Memphis.
(Everything is good here, but I can’t get enough of the tacos).
Tip: request to receive a plate of radishes and limes (it’s a traditional mexican accompaniment and FREE upon request) — think of it as the equivalent to pickled ginger that accompanies sushi to clense your palette. Also, use their homemade salsa verde on all things beef, and salsa roja on pork and chicken — not to be confused with the fresh salsa for tortillia chips.