El Gallito

Our usual Mexican place was closed yesterday so we decided to return to El Gallito after a long 5 year drought. The reason why we hadn't been back was due to the use of raw yellow onions, which we didn't enjoy. I thought that maybe it was time to try again.Place looked the same inside. Not fancy, but typical for the kind of food. Overall it was quite cold inside. Chips were thin and crispy and tasted good. The salsa was spicy which was welcome, but there were those yellow onions again! And raw garlic. Way over the top sharp.raw onion flavors.I ordered cheese and onion enchiladas which came with rice and beans. The rice was crumbly and broken a bit, but tasty enough: the beans were quite good, with cheese on top. The enchilada sauce had a note of cinnamon (I think) or a similar spice - I missed the chile flavor I've had at other places, as well as any discernible heat.. I would say all things being equal, not bad, but I've had better. But again, those raw yellow onions were there. Such a sharp and unwelcome flavor here, as in the salsa. I've never seen yellow onions used in Mexican food this way. White onion is the usual onion of choice, because it is a clean flavor - sweeter and less sharp overall. In fact, usually onions which are used as a raw ingredient are generally soaked in water to remove the sulfurous taste. Yellow onions have a hard, extra chewy and strong flavor which is unpleasant. Even sweet yellow onions can be like this. I'm guessing someone made a choice to use yellow onions early on and despite being lessthan ideal, has stuck with it until the present day. In the spirit of providing a helpful constructive review, I would suggest El Gallito consider switching to white onion. Immediately. I think all of the food would be more palatable if they did this.

Is it authentic Mexican? Nope. Is it nostalgic for me as a white kid that grew up eating Americanized Mexican food? Definitely. Service is always friendly and attentive without being overly so. Of the dishes I've tried, the chile verde chimichanga was easily a 7/10 and the taco salad is nostalgic comfort food at its best for me and gets an 8/10. The one thing I get EVERY time is the guacamole. 10/10 and reasonably priced for how much you get with a half order. It is one of my go to lunch spots now.

If you're hankering for reliably tasty Mexican food in a no-pretense setting, then put El Gallito on your radar. My husband and I have been coming here for as many years as we've been married, and throughout those 30 years, it's been owned and run by the same family. Prices are realistic, and by Seattle standards, affordable. Service is kind and friendly; the chips, crisp and the salsa, piquant -- and both are supplied with generosity (wonderfully old style!) There's usually no wait for a table, and the space is roomy enough for larger gatherings. It's a great place to meet friends for a margarita and a heaping plate of delicious Mexican lunch or dinner. I personally love the chicken mole enchilada, sided with rice and beans, always a favorite.

This place is super clean inside and comfy. Staff were really attentive and kind. We got carnitas and chicken Mexicana. Both were solid. They grillThe flour tortillas for a special touch. The guacamole was really good. Clearly made to order with perfectly ripe avocados. Yummmmy on everything. Glad we tried this place. Wish I had taken a picture but I was hungry.

I tried the carnitas and I am not joking, it was the best carnitas I've ever had. We love El Gallito and come at least once a week.

Every time I have been here, this place is the best. Their service, the drinks, the CHIPS & SALSA, the food.Wonderful. What a gem in the heart of Capitol Hill. Please support this business!!!

Best Mexican in Seattle. Period. Everything made with quality ingredients and amazing.

I am not the type of man to ever yelped, or recommended a restaurant to anyone But today that changed. not only was the 4 taco dinner Amazing, the customer service was " hands down" the best I've had since I've been in Seattle, WA. Not even exaggerating. Please go.

Tried for the first time today after a friend recommended. Kind staff, good food, clean, and comfortable.

Family owned and operated for several decades now, it's a spot where the locals go so as a visitor from the other coast I'm thankful I'm in the know! Ambiance reminded me of all the mom and pop places I've visited all over Mexico, where you feel like you're being welcomed into someone's dining room and not just a cold commercial looking space. I was told that their menu used to be VERY extensive until the pandemic happened and it forced them to condense their menu down considerably. Regardless, everything from the freshly fried tortilla chips to the spicy and mouthwatering salsa, their flavor packed carne asada, the oozy gooey cheese packed chili rellano and the ginormous torta were all freshly made, deliciously seasoned and outstanding texturally too! I LOVED LOVED that their Mexican rice was not just colored steamed mushy white rice that most places quickly whip up but properly prepared Mexican rice: rice sauteed in a little oil til golden brown toasted, then seasoned with garlic onions and some peppers and colored and further flavored with some tomato puree. This was perfection. Their refried beans were also given lots of time and love as it was deliciously flavorful as well!Service was a little slow but it just gave us more time to talk and eat more of their addicting salsa and chips! It's a MUST visit every time you're in Seattle proper!