Gordo’s

We are making a cross country trip and TRYING to find only local place to eat. GORDO'S was a terrific luch stop. We were seated as soon as we walked in even though the place was packed. Our waitress was so upbeat you would never guess how hard they were all working. Our food was delicious and FILLING!

Omg! I'm so full right now, I'll have to write another review really soon. This trip, I ordered the JUMBO combination plate. Jumbo is the right word to describe the quantity. The quality, omgosh. Let's just say my tamale didn't make the initial picture because it was stolen by my fellow foodie, and later my beef taco. I've been coming here for decades now. First with my grandparents and now with my daughter. I hope this place stays open forever. Thank you Gordos for all the food and memories. Look forward to making more memories, and trying more items on your menu.

I have not driven through Gallup in 15 years so I was looking forward to seeing the changes. I got off of Interstate 40 and onto old Highway 66 in order to truly taste the town. At the far northern end of town, a bit further than the historic Indian jewelry downtown, several Mexican food restaurants appear along the highway's edge. Fortunately for me I went around the block a time or two in order to examine my dinner choices. The Coronavirus Pandemic has made restaurant life a nightmare and just this last week New Mexico allowed a soft reopening of indoor restaurant seating. Mask rules, tables far apart, and copious cleaning by the staff make it all possible. At Gordo's, all the best practices were in full force. I evaluate Sonoran Mexican food by the frijoles, the refried beans. This is a telltale method for what will follow and is rarely wrong as an indicator in my book. Next I'll try something different like I did tonight at Gordo's when I ordered a side relleno to accompany my bean burro in red sauce. My choices were not only rewarded with excellent frijoles in the burro but also by a simply astounding relleno side in red sauce. The light breading of the relleno was unlike any other I have ever tasted and made it unique and crazy great. The staff here are all friendly to a fault, stopping by my table frequently to ask questions about my order and later to check if my meal was to my liking. The entire dining area here would hold mavbe 30 people so I could watch the satisfaction flowing from the diners with ease. Regulars have sought out this place since it opened in 1970.....yes, that's right, 1/2 a century ago! I feel myself fortunate to have just made it in time to place my order before the kitchen closed at 7:30pm, an early closure for sure based upon the crew's getting adjusted to indoor diners once again. It's a bit difficult to be wearing masks, cleaning surfaces immaculately, and making sure every order is delivered to the table properly so Gordo's hours are a bit limited until they are back in full measure. As perfect as they worked as a team tonight, like a dance ensemble moving in and out of each other's arc, I'm pretty sure it won't take long at all. They help each other seemlessly and have awesome bus boys hovering about the room at all times to add that "always on the spot" touch. I was a dishwasher once, then a busboy, and finally a professional waiter at a well-loved 4-Star Resort in Sedona, Enchantment. I love a good show on top of a great meal and can judge one when I see it because I know how to provide that same level of love and care in food service. Gordo's gets the gold star for tonight's performance. The dining world should have Oscars for food and call them "Gordos".