El Giro Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in Alabama

While on travel, I asked a local for a Mexican restaurant recommendation. More specifically, I asked for an authentic Mexican restaurant. "Preferably a hole in the wall place with great food. No big chains." Two people suggested El Giro.

I was on my way to a hotel from the airport and it was raining so heavy I could barely see the road. It has been raining solid for an hour. I arrived at the restaurant thinking it was going to be empty due to the storms. I step in and the place is packed full! "If people are willing to fight through torrential downpours on a Wednesday evening just to go to this place," I thought, "it has to be good."

They were right. My friend, Juan, and I have been traveling to Mobile regularly for 10 years. Long ago we set out to eat at every Mexican restaurant in the Mobile/Daphne/Fairhope/Foley/Gulf Shores area. We've been to dozens and we thought we discovered the best. Until I found El Giro. In my opinion, this is THE best Mexican restaurant in the entire area.

I ordered Fajitas Del Mar and, despite the restaurant being full, I received my sizzling hot meal before my clothes began to dry. The shrimp and the fish (likely tilapia) were cooked perfectly. Vegetables, the same.

One test I have for all Mexican places is the rice; is it generic, out-of-the-box bland or did they make an effort to add their own spices? El Giro rice passed the test. The whole huge meal was excellent.

Given the size of the meal, how quick it arrived, the authentic feel of the restaurant, and, of course, the taste of the food, this a highly recommended as one of the best, if not THE best, Mexican restaurant in the entire Mobile/Daphne/Fairhope/Foley/Gulf Shores area.

(I should add that the microwaved leftovers the next day were also...

Excelente!! El Giro is our go-to Mexican restaurant. Three reasons: consistency, chili relleno and history. We’ve eaten at El Giro (in different locations) for over 30 years. If I understand correctly, it is, or related to, the original El Giro on Hwy 90 in Mobile that was near the Greyhound station. It has consistently been the best good we have had. The chili relleno is the best version of this dish I can find. Perfectly made. Finally, the original restaurant was a regular outing when my wife and I first started dating in 1991. Staff is always friendly, service is always good. Sometimes a language barrier issue but nothing that can’t be handled. We’re always pleased. Current restaurant could stand a little cleaning but, hey, so could my home kitchen right? I recommend El Giro when you crave Mexican food,...

The food and service are great. The only problem I have is when my ticket was brought to me there was a price adjustment listed on my credit card receipt, not the order receipt mind you, just the credit card receipts. It made me a little concerned and a little mad. So, I asked about it. Turns out the business got new credit card machines, they are charging customers a fee per transaction to cover this. It made me mad because I wasn't informed of this fee up front. Also if the fee is that much of an issue for the business the price should be worked into the menu items. Such incidentals are part of the cost of running a business (like paying for a business license) and should be either be transparent to customers or presented openly and honestly, not as a bonus surprise...