Galitos

I am often hesitant to write reviews about secret hidden treasures for fear that they will be discovered and thereby ruin the good thing I got going for myself. Galitos is such a treasure trove, but I feel the need to sing their praises.
Located across the street from the Mt. Vernon Metro North Station you would not expect to find such a warm and typical European restaurant overflowing with old-​world charm. If you close your eyes the sound of the arriving train makes you think you are in some small town on the coast of Portugal, and by many accounts you are.
Typical of seaside European towns you find a cluster of men, of all ages, sharing a drink (and often a smoke) at the outside tables. There are no women here, as the tradition does dictate. As you enter, you find a large bar with a mixed crowd, however no one really comes here to just drink; they come to eat, and eat well, with leftovers that will last for days.
On this visit we started with the Caldo Verde, a wonderful broth infused with lemon and greens (maybe kale) and a couple of pieces of chorizo (Portuguese sausage). My father likes to call these pieces «premios» (prizes, like in a Cracker Jack Box) and in this small soup he always finds more than two. After that we had Bacalhau (cod) Fritters. Each order comes with three freshly fried fritters of cod and spices. It is hard to stop at just three. We shared two delightful seafood dishes, Shrimp Mozambique (a shout out to a former Portuguese colony) and a daily special of fish bouillabaisse of fish and potatoes and clams that was divine.
The décor is simple with white tablecloths and scenes of Portuguese fishermen and beautifully painted ceramic platters that are typically found in Portugal. Nothing fancy, just pleasant, and simple, and just plain lovely. It feels like you are eating in your grandmother’s dining room on a Sunday afternoon where the food is always hot, plentiful, and served with a smile and a nod. Each time a small bell rings in the kitchen I try to catch a glimpse of the chef, but the door is quickly closed behind the waiter which adds to my secret hidden treasure phenomenon. The specials change daily and I truly recommend you go with them. The fish is always fresh, the shrimp enormous, and the meat dishes perfect for a hearty meal on a cold windy night. The sides are also generous and where will you find french fries in Westchester made from scratch? Yes, real potatoes cut and fried… just like grandma.
I can not end without mentioning the wine. Large goblets for under $ 5 of some of the finest Portuguese wine, served cold or at room temperature as tradition will have it. Yes, red or white, both cold or room temperature. A no-​named wine that deserves a huge title because it is that good.
You never hear about Portugal in the news. You don’t hear about unemployment problems, or bank failures, or other economic woes that plague many European countries. The Portuguese like to lie low, under the radar, keeping their secrets and treasures to themselves. I have uncovered one of these treasures in Mt Vernon, on a side street, across from a train station. What a great place to hide out!

Decent food. My favorite is the grilled chicken (frango no churrasco) with fries. Convenient location, right across the street from the Mount Vernon East train station. Taking a way one star since they over charged me today for a meal that I get all the time. One day they charge one price, next week it’s another price. I don’t like that.

I admit that the reason I went here is because I wanted to meet the chef from «Chopped»… but it turned out that Luisa is not there anymore. Place looked nice and prices reasonable, so we ate there.
The grilled pork chops were marinated and delicious, The salad was fresh and crunchy with a delicious light dressing. I liked the mashed potatoes as well.
The curry seafood paella was Delicious. Fresh bread was placed on the table.
Ambiance in the bar area restaurant is very homey and warm with the wood trim on the bar made from wine box wood slats. There is a nice white tablecloth seating area as well.
The service was very friendly with smiles. The owner, waiter and barmaid are very nice and have a lot of interesting information about Portuguese history they can share.
I want to go back and try their bacalla!

I really enjoy the food here and while I am not an expert on Portuguese cuisine, the many Portuguese who eat here seem to confirm that this is the place to visit for that particular type of food. Service is always friendly and the prices are very reasonable. They also have a large room in the back and can cater for large parties.