Earl’s Family Restaurant

OK… The breakfast was ok… But when I took my brother there a couple weeks ago for lunch. It was not so great. The food was a waste of calories. example the «stuffed sirloin» was stovetop stuffing rolled up in a piece of roast beef sandwich meat. Not to mention we could not hardly eat or talk because we had someone stopping by to get us to look at what they were selling every couple minutes!!! What a headache…

Lots of mixed feelings about good ol earls. Our family has been coming here every year for a long time. We ate here twice once for breakfast and once for lunch. The food was not bad, but it was universally blah. The owner, while very nice, is a bit handsy for my taste. I don’t need a shoulder massage while I’m eating… watch out for my bubble dude!
So in the end eat at earls because it is quintessentially gallup.
Just sit with your back to the wall.

Problem! I will preface this by saying that I called the manager on duty to report this issue.
But first my general impressions:
Warm welcome from hostess
The restaurant itself is bright and reminded me of a cafeteria.
Our server was very young but very efficient and personable
The vendors who move from table to table trying to sell their wares — polite, each one comes only once BUT, there are just too many of them and they come even when you are eating your meal.
The problem? The food or I should say the food poisoning.
Went to the ladies room on the way out just as a precaution as we still had 100 miles to go before stopping for the night. There was a short line. I was next up when… bam! Problem! I made it though. Figured it was the spicey food.
I registered the woman next to me who sounded like someone was stabbing her but didn’t put two and two together until a few hours later. Two hours and 4 stops.
I called the manager just before they closed as my husband also experienced problems (the women also). He was very polite and sympathetic. I informed him that I was calling because I felt he needed to check his kitchen thoroughly after close. He seemed a little confused by this.
Bottom line? The dining experience and food (primarily pre frozen) just weren’t that good… period. Add to that the chance of further problems, I’d steer clear. Definitely!

I love eating at earls. The Richards are such great people and not only have a very good restaurant they also do alot for their community, family, friends and employees. You just dont see that now days. The food is great and i always leave with a full belly and some great native american artifacts.

Not great. Food is really bland. Last time I ate there I was interrupted fourteen times by locals trying to sell jewelry. I enjoy the craftsmen outside but wish they didn’t constantly come inside and interrupt my meal.

I ordered the taco quesadilla which was pretty good. I could only eat half because it was very large which would be great for sharing. My husband ordered the breaded pork chops with spinach. He said the chops were the greasiest he’d ever had and the spinach was horrible.

AMAZING… I don’t generally have alot to say in the way of recommending ANYTHING in Gallup, NM. Get your gas and just keep riding. Boy howdy have I been missing out. We stopped at Earl’s for breakfast on the recommendation of a friend and all I can say is WOW. I had the Carne Adovado breakfast burro with green chili and it was simply wonderful. The staff was exceptional. The restaurant was clean. Not too busy and, except for being accosted by the Navajo knick knack and jewelery vendors on the way out the door our breakfast stop was pretty much perfect.

These vendors are breaking our Native American Indian Jewelry Act each and every day someone buys from them. Do not be a victim and buy items that are made from China and India that a nickel silver bracelet you personaly can go to Thunderbird Supply and they do not require you to have a Sellers Permit or License. You can go there and buy that bracelet that is copyrighted sold as Native American made and it is made either from China or Indian machine stamped for .90 cents usually. Biggest rip off of fake turquoise, plastic, no sales taxes. They should be closed for vendors selling tax free. Do you know any other city that doesn’t require sales tax oh that be Earls. The food is bad too. Don’t be there next victim please stay away if you want that plastic imitation jewelry go to Thunderbird Supply and buy it for one fourth the cost. Every time you support these cheats you are pulling money from legitamate artists who don’t deserve these possers rippinig you off.

I ate here for breakfast one time as I was passing through. Was as good if not better than Denny’s. Good prices and friendly service.

Man, where to start… the food here is just no bueno. I was brought here by a family member that was telling me how good this place was, and they were offering to pay for dinner, so who was I to say no???
I settled on the Mexican Combo #2 that came w/​2 enchiladas, a taco, rice, beans, side salad and some fry bread. This seriously was the nastiest Mexican food I had tasted in a while. The tortillas (corn) that made up the enchiladas were super greasy and were very rubbery. I would bet money that they took the tortillas, threw some cheese in them and then microwaved them. They really had ZERO flavor, there was no sauce on them just the cheese and then topped with tomatoes and chives. The rice tasted old and was rather bland. The fry bread was very oily and not very warm or soft as I am used to. Pretty sad that the beans were the most decent part of the meal.
What was really frustrating is all of the solicitation that goes on while you are eating. Now granted, I know that the people in the town make a living by hawking their wares, but to bombard people non-​stop while they are trying to eat, even if it is terrible, gets a little irritating. One person would come to the table and try to show me something, I politely declined and then BAM another person was right behind them shoving something else in my face!!! It got really old really fast. This is not the place to go if you would like a nice sit down meal without any interruptions, so you’ve been warned.
Also, while my waitress was friendly… she was a bit of an oversharer, lol. I did not need to hear about her boyfriend and his probation officer and how he got stopped with someone’s prescription pill’s etc. and it wasn’t his fault and so on. Way TMI.
I cannot in good conscience recommend this place, and I would suggest that others keep driving. There are other places in town that you can go. I am in no way a fan of fast food chains, but even they would be a better option than this. The food is not worth it, even on someone else’s dime!!!

I was a regular here 25 years ago. I used to come and eat here 2 – 3 times per week for several years. I returned recently to find not much has changed. My old favorites were still on the menu.
The Mexican food is good, but if this is what you’re after, there are better specialty restaurants in town. If you order Mexican, your table will be provided with homemade chips and salsa. The salsa packs some heat, so be ready. The enchiladas are all very good. I I recommend them with the green chile.
The dinners and sandwiches are hearty and well-​prepared. Overall, the service is very attentive and quick.
Also, the native sellers that come around selling their art while you eat is great. Some people don’t like it, but it is a unique experience. If you talk to them, you can catch a glimpse of the Navajos’ quiet kindness and warm-​heartedness. Plus, you can get some great bargains. :)

Ordered a smothered steak burrito, got a plain dry steak casidia with the cheese on top and green chile on the side, absolutely garbage, oh and it was 13.50! Rather go to Taco Bell

Top rated on Unilocal and #2 on TripAdvisor so I came here while on a visit to Gallup and it was absolutely awful. Service was OK but that was about it.
First off, while you are eating there are vendors coming around to your table trying to sell you stuff. I had read that you can ask for a sign to put up so they won’t bother you but while there none of the staff informed us that this was an option. Sometimes they would come by more than once even when you said you weren’t interested.
As far as the food goes, I was very underwhelmed. I got the Navajo taco, which is fry bread covered in standard taco stuff. The meat was quite tasteless and made most of the fry bread soggy, which is a bad thing. I’d rather have had the toppings on the side and the fry bread alone so I could tear off a piece and eat it and have it still be crunchy. We also got complementary tortilla chips and salsa. The tortilla chips were way too salty and very very close to Fritos in terms of taste, yuck.
The people I came with got chicken strips and the salad bar with soup. The salad bar was apparently very underwhelming, though the soup was decent. The chicken strips were not that great.
I probably wouldn’t go back here again — very bland food and a weird dining experience.

Went in with family and ordered and a minute later wanted to change the order and was told that I would still have to pay for the other plate since I ordered it then all meals come out in 5 minutes not even cooked the way asked then I asked to speak to the manager or at the time the owner Ralph Richards and told he is in a meeting when he was just walking around but server said she told him then a few minutes later I see him walking around again going to other tables so we just got up and walked out and made the server and business eat the food cost, hadn’t gone in awhile and now I know why

I’m torn. The chips and fresh salsa were great. The entrees were mediocre, at best. However, the place was clean and the staff were the friendliest.

Have to say something… I’m disappointed on how a couple was treated by the actual owner. Need to learn other ways to talk to people.

Was here earlier today (2−17−15).
Not going to write about the food or service because to me this is a bigger issue.
Another couple were sitting like two tables over from us and the owner came out to greeting them and asked if everything was okay. He guy right away told him he found hair in his soup. The owner offered another bowl of soup and he didn’t want it, nor would I. Then pointed out right away to the customer that he will not give him his money back. The couple didn’t want to stand up for themselves, they were too shy. Here’s the worst part. he proceeded to say that he ‘can’t control his worker’s hair and that it happens’. WRONG! How unprofessional! He said more than that, that was just the point he was making towards them. That’s not right. And my family and I have been going to this restaurant for years and years, until today.
Mr Richards, I’m appalled and hope you know that my sister and I heard everything you said. I know you will have your supporters but they weren’t there to hear what you said to that poor couple. I am NOT in any way trying to jeopardize your reputation, I just wish you told them in a more professional, sympathetic and mature way. You could have at least took off their soup or took off a percentage. You did nothing to make it better. Just made them feel like it was their lost. This is more than just a hair in someone’s food, it was the way they were treated.

The Navajo Taco is enough food for three people. The menu will tell you it feeds two but don’t believe it. The portion is huge! I sampled a friend’s and thought it was pretty tasty. I opted for a veggie quesadilla. It was served with hot salsa, sour cream and guacamole. Not bad at all. My side of spanish rice was just okay. In hindsight, I should have skipped it and opted for a dinner salad.
The service was great. Our waitress expertly handled a large group (approx. 16 people). She was friendly and organized.
I love that Earl’s supports the native vendors. I think that is so cool! However, I wish the process was a tad bit more orderly. It is hard to look over the vast menu and visit with the vendors. They stop by before, during and after your meal. It can be a bit overwhelming. They really are talented and have some beautiful pieces, though. Certainly worth any annoyance. I was happy to have had a good meal and knock out some of my holiday shopping simultaneously!

Navajo Taco!
I liked this place. I liked the food and the people working were incredibly friendly. The manager thanked me by name when I paid and left! That’s great customer service.
Dude, this Navajo taco is Indian fry bread topped with beans, chopped meat, red or green chili, cheese, lettuce and tomato. It’s huge! Definitely meant for two people but they will do a portion for one if you’re traveling alone.
Yes, the vendors selling trinkets do come inside and up to your table and it gets a little old, but be a grown up and just deal with it. A friendly «no thank you» after actually looking at their items is all it takes. Don’t be rude.
Totally worth pulling off the interstate!

One of the best restaurants you can eat at in Gallup! Don’t listen to people giving negative reviews and comments because of the people coming around and selling stuff. This is a very old tradition and is part of the atmosphere. The sellers are all very nice, if you politely put your hand up they will walk away.
As far as the food, its top notch! We had the fried zucchini as an appetizer which is some of the best I’ve ever had.
Main courses were the Mexican burger and the Navajo taco. Let me just say yum! Food was nice and hot and tasted home cooked and not out of a can/​frozen.
Service was awesome! Our server greeted us right away and took our orders in a timely fashion.
Overall A+!