El Gitano Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in Bellingham

Used to be my favorite restaurant in town…the last two times we have gone it has been disappointing. I understand the world’s gone crazy and getting and keeping employees is a struggle but I doubt we will go back. We picked El Gitano because it was always solid-fast, good, friendly, it was none of those things last night. Our waitress was not one we have had before and she might have been having a bad night but I guess I just expect better. My MIL ordered a Chile relleno and received one that looked so weird compared to every one we have had in the past and came as a meal which was expensive, she had not ordered a meal. We paid $22 for a burrito, my nephew ordered burritos that were so mushy he hardly ate them. When we asked about the difference in what we ordered and what we had in the past she said there was a new cook who made dishes his own way…my husbands carne asada was so greasy he didn’t finish it. I had noticed a couple friends had been eating there last night too and when I chatted with them they said they had been waiting forever and also had the same waitress who was inattentive. She didn’t eat her carne asada because hers was as greasy and they took it off her bill and then threw away the meat she had packed to feed her dog-which ok I get, but seems petty AF. She messaged me this a.m saying they were not going back and sadly I agree. Our dinner was $170 and if I was paying for what I got, I’d have been hard pressed to fork out $40. I honestly prepare a better Mexican meal. I’m sad, maybe in a year I’ll try again but it isn’t our...

Though this is my 1st review for El Gitano, it is not the 1st time I've eaten there. The food here is always delicious, and although I didn't feel I could rate the service or atmosphere this time, I will say rhat the staff has always been super nice and makes you feel welcome. For this one, though, it was delivery, and honestly, it was a paid lunch while setting up the Boot Barn a couple/few doors down. They ordered a bunch of stuff and gave us a choice - fajitas burritos, 2 or 3 soft shell tacos, and a 3rd choice that I can't recall. I had the fajitas burrito, and was not disappointed at all. It was nicely large, therefore worth the price as far as I'm concerned, and not just big but perfectly filled for the size of tortilla they use. I don't believe anything else could have been added without it tearing. On top of that, the flavor of all the ingredients put together was fantastic. It had a little heat to it but not overly so, though I believe you'd be able to spice it up if preferred. Lastly, and also important to me, it was superbly filling - more so than I thought it would be when it was handed to me, in all honestly. I would definitely recommend anyone to eat at El Gitano if you haven't had the pleasure. Thank you, El Gitano, it...

I've been here twice now after recently moving to Bellingham. In addition to being very convenient to where I live the food is pretty good as well. They have your standard Mexican fare of tacos and borritos that are generally well made, if not a tad over priced. The interesting thing is that they also some more traditional Mexican style stews and chilies that you wouldn't find at a place like Jalapeños right down the road. I enjoyed their michelada as well. Certainly not the best I've had, but a perfectly acceptable beverage.

The staff is courteous and professional in my experience which always helps at these sorts of dine in restaurants.

Where Gitano suffers is in its accompaniments. While the rice and beans are expected on many Mexican dishes that doesn't mean they should be treated as an afterthought. The refried beans are closer to liquid than bean. The rice barely as any other flavor imparted apart from rice flavor.

Overall I would recommend El Gitano for the casual diner looking for some slightly more interesting...