Gallego’s

From the outside, it was great with parking. A real plus here. Inside, a typical family Mexican restaurant. But the bathroom, next to a tarp covered stack of stuff was not clean and had a detached toilet seat. The food came super quick but it was at best lukewarm. The cheese was barely melted, the rice dry, and the chile verde a bit bland. Not the best, but not the worst. The people were super friendly and you could sense that this is an important part of the neighborhood, and that’s important. Overall, I’d come back.

Although I enjoyed the food (I got the chicken enchiladas), I am really concerned with the lack of cleanness at this restaurant. Whilst eating outside at the patio, I noticed four big rats rummaging though the trash cans and chasing each other. They even ran under my table. I was truly disgusted after that and could not finish my food. I left without even telling the staff. That is how grossed out I was. After reading the other reviews on here, I must say that this place is not a safe place to eat at. ¡Adiós para siempre!

My wife and I had a solid visit, overall. A couple of minor issues: the burrito fillings were all clumped together inside the burrito rather than spread out, and the refried beans, while tasty, didn’t really add to the overall flavor of the burrito. Prices were good and service was super fast. Chips were a little luke warm, but really, whatever.

This place used to be terrific and I still drop by occasionally. It’s really hit and miss, though. When it’s on, it fires on all cylinders – chile verde burrito (ask them to leave out the lechuga), tacos de carnitas o carne asada (ask them to put cilantro and onions only, then dress w Tapatio), even crispy tacos are tasty. When it misses, though… well, someone oughta be arrested, it’s that bad. Sadly, the misses are more numerous. I think the kind, elderly couple who own the place and work it need to bring in some younger, more dynamic, more conscientious workers/​managers – or sell the place.

Definitely got food poisoning from eating a small piece of that chile relleno… Didn’t think that was possible from eating at a Mexican place. These guys need to get their stuff together. I’m assuming the burritos and tacos are probably okay as they probably sell more of them, but the less commonly sold dishes are definitely a no-​go

Worst in Berkeley. No sour cream requested and whole beens. I get extra sour cream and refried for third time in a row. Never going back now.

Really great food. Furniture from the 1930’s and great service. It seems to be a family owned restaurant. We had shrimp tacos and a burrito… So fresh and delicious!

if i could give them a negative i would… so heres my rating –5.
restaurant with no menus. i sat down olé dude said order off the board, well there wasn’t no one to greet you. ok! order two soft shell tacos. who can screw that up! this place… soft shells because when you pick it up it was like soup so much juice everything inside broke through shell leaving me with a plate of slop!!! one bite, i left.
tasteless food. food on cups told the lady she just left it with the rest of the cups, asked for extra napkins handed me (1) one and the man blowing his nose wiping his hands on his pant leg.
all that in less in 10 minutes.
ps– the healtth department should take a visit.
seriously!!!

restaurant is clean and it really looks like you are in a restaurant in mexico. the flys flying around gives you the hint.

Came here for our first time and I have to say we were very disappointed. They have one big menu everyone hoards over and people are behind you waiting while you look and order… made me feel rushed. My wife got the Chicken Mole… I got cheese enchiladas, and our daughter had a bean, rice, and cheese burrito. They messed mine up and brought me chicken enchiladas instead of cheese… they fixed it and brought it back though. Also dude on the previous review isn’t lying… their food is so bland… no taste to it. no original flavor… We won’t be back. They also caught an attitude kinda because they had to correct my order after they messed up.

We ordered the pork tamales. They were excellent and the salsa homemade and very good. The owners were still there shortly before closing, cooking and serving. We will be taking our son and his family there upon their next visit from the City.

I go here too much but that’s a bad thing. I order the same thing all the time steak burrito two tacos… Its good n I bring back to work for me and my buddy lol. The lady with the white hair and the older man are always nice to me even with my backwards Spanish lol. If I’d live in Berkeley I’d come for dinner they even have pork ribs which I’m going to try next time. They have a big menu, everything is nice and fresh and there’s a parking lot and tables outside. IMA keep going here cuz they are that good.

The al pastor was really well prepared and had a great savory, rich flavor. The carne Asada was pretty good… Not the most amazing, but pretty good.
The two suggestions I have for this place is to warm up the tortilla chips before serving them, and maybe try playing some soft Mexican music to break up the silence. The place has a festive look but the ambience could use an upgrade, perhaps a cerveza? They currently do not offer alcohol.

Had lunch there. People were nice. Food came out fast. I like the decorations. I didn’t see any stoves on or see food cooking. I got a tamale and a chile relleno with beans and rice. The rice was definitely day old or older. You can tell when food is fresh. The tamale was bad and also seemed old. The chili relleno was a soggy blob. It should really be fried and at least a little crispy. The salsa was decent. I just worry now that the beans have been around a while and that salsa. 3 stars for ambiance, parking, friendly and fast.

The short version: STAY AWAY! The details: the interior is nicely decorated but when it comes down to what really matters, food, this place is severely lacking.
This order was to go. I ordered 2 carne asada tacos that were bland even with onions and cilantro garnishment. The red salsa on the side tasted like chopped tomatoes with a little heat.
My wife ordered chicken enchilada verde plate. The refried beans were dry and bland. Rice was similarily tasteless. The enchilada was the worst of all. Thin with little chicken inside. Verde sauce was memorable only because it tasted so bad. I think it may have been spoiled or something as it was sour. The taste got progressively worse after I swallowed and still is in my mouth after 2 hours. We promptly threw the food away and vow to never set foot in the place again.
The big hint we ignored was the fact that the CASHIER DID NOT WASH his hands before using them to fill a paper bag of chips to place with our order. Major ServSafe no-​no!

Been going to this place since they were in a tiny shack in a private parking lot near by, and was glad when they finally got a real restaurant space so I could sit and eat my food. There is a small, enclosed patio, a couple outdoor tables on the parking lot, as well as indoor seating.
Let me say, they don’t pretend to be special, or fancy, or even have anything different or particularly spectacular. But, what they do offer is consistent and decent. Over time, I’ve determined that my favorite thing is their carne molida (ground beef) crispy taco for ~ $ 1.99/per. Served with a small salad (which almost always has really tasty, ripe tomatoes in it and a drizzle of crema) is really good. One taco is satisfying light lunch; two is quite filling.
My husband usually orders the pollo super burrito, sometimes the carnitas. He likes them sufficiently for us to go regularly as Gallego’s is close to home, the prices are reasonable, and once we found our groove, we generally don’t shift gears to try new things.
Other reviewers complain about their refritos being watery (I’ve watched them add lard to these; they aren’t skimping); the salsa being watery (it’s a salsa fresca, that watery stuff is juice from the tomatoes), and that there are only gringos there (except for just about every time I’ve gone there in over 15 years and there’s always several Latinos eating there at lunchtime) and flabby chicken (they don’t claim it’s grilled, and they never have, It’s just pollo, cooked in a spiced broth) but in the end, this is just a mom and pop restaurant where the couple works hard and honestly, and they are friendly.
Is it the BEST Mexican restaurant I’ve been to? Hell no; but it serves the local populace and, as mentioned before, is always consistent and service is prompt and friendly.
Their albondigas, which as in tradition, is only served one day a week, is definitely a weak spot. The broth just doesn’t have the body and flavor, and the meatballs are not well spiced, so this is one thing I definitely do not recommend. But otherwise, I’d give them a thumb’s up on just about everything else (that I’ve tried).
Their carne asada, pollo, and carnitas are good, not terrific. Carne molido is flavorful. Refried beans are good. Sopes are pretty frickin’ good and a good value for the buck as are the crispy tacos.
I don’t venture far out of my zone here, as I have my faves, but overall, it’s decent.
They do accept ATM cards these days, though sometimes the machine is down. So be prepared with cash, just in case.
Open Monday — Saturday.

These guys totally get the retro Mexican food. Its completely what you would expect, complete with your Madre and Padre owners. The ground meat burrito so bueno, so drop by and eat one.
Prices are in the cheap eats. Great to sit outside in the sun and gobble up delicious traditional burrito loaded to your liking. I ordered the super burrito and felt it to be a lot of food and so very good.
It comes with a small handful of chips and some very traditional homemade salsa..

I’ve only been here for take out (I’m usually walking my dogs) but this is a wonderful neighborhood place. The burritos are reasonably priced, tasty, and well constructed. It’s the kind of good, wholesome daily food that doesn’t warrant photo reviews in the Sundaypapper food section, but it’s a great family meal when you need one. Good family food from a family restaurant!
I’m astonished that none of the previous reviews gave mention to the atmosphere and decorations at Gallego’s. The window sills around the entire seating area are filled with a collection of Mexican (?) artifacts, mostly dolls. Many show brilliant craftsmanship and design. Check them out while waiting for your order — they are beautiful and a benefit unavailable at Taco Bell… And how many other taquerias have a working piano?

**Cash Only Please**
I have always been curious of this Mexican restaurant but never had the opportunity to try it.
Upon walking it I was instantly mesmerized with all the colors the feeling of being in Mexico. I especially liked all the photographs on the walls and the Piedra Del Sol that is commonly known incorrectly as the Aztec Calendar.
Now to what I came here for:
I tried the tacos at $ 1.60 each not bad. carne asada, and chile verde were my favorite. I also had al pastor and chicken. Had chips and salsa; not a fan of the salsa not spicy, thankfully being a Tapatio girl I added some of that to give it spice.
In all I would definitely come back here, I like the fact that it is family owned and El Señor Gallegos was friendly.
dos 28 doce

Gallegos has a decent rating on Unilocal and is on the chron’s bargain bites list. BUT why isn’t the parking lot look empty? sadly, i;ve discovered the food isn’t all that and prices on entrees have gone up.
regular beef burrito (5.49) this didn’t go up
–chewy beef, semicooked rice, mushy pinto beans, lettuce. small thumb of hot salsa with above average chips.
–burrito size small by oaktown standards.
–taste on the bland side.
–rating 2.5 stars: chewy beef etc,
frijoles refritos:
–lots of parking in empty parking lot on early saturday afternoon. warning sign?
–empty dining room also, one table dining in patio.
–fast, friendly service
–food pricey for food served.
–eatery has cozy atmosphere
–cute pair of parakeets by bathroom door. not cute enough for me to return.