El Gallo Giro — Restaurant in Provo

EDIT: I uploaded pictures of the tacos as well as the paper which I found in one of them. They should be in the photo section if viewing from mobile shortly.

I don't generally leave reviews. There are many other things I can do with my time, but I am appalled after my visit.

How this restaurant maintains a 4.3 rating and is rated #4 on Trip Advisor in Provo is beyond me. In short, AVOID, ADVID, AVOID. Nothing remotely authentic, nothing worth your money or time.

My wife per her usual self ordered a burrito as is standard when visiting a new Mexican restaurant. I went with a sampling of 5 of their street tacos.

My wife said, after talking a few bites from her burrito, that her carne was "so badly burned" and that "it's pretty hard to make a bad burrito; they've managed to succeed at that." She is far less exacting when it comes to food than I am. The fact that she said that of her food is shocking to me.

Moreover, I agree that a majority of the meat was badly burned—the chorizo looked like it was scraped from the leftovers from an earlier order, crunchy in texture.

The Al Pastor was rather under-done, and not properly prepared: it had a soupy consistency even in a taco, and was clearly not done on a spit, but likely done in a pot, as it was shredded like one would expect chicken, not pork, to be in a soup. This could be overlooked, but in this instance, it's a point I'm electing to visit.

The carne in my tacos was a mixture of greasy and undercooked as well as burned fairly well, past the point of a proper cook temperature.

The tacos were just sad. Clearly prepared from store-bought materials. The tortillas were half-assedly heated and looked like anything you'd get from Walmart or any other store; the lettuce looked like it was from a bag, colorless and limp, and the cheese they put on top was not cotija, as I was expecting, but honestly the Mexican fiesta mix you'd get from a grocery store in the shredded cheese section.

After deconstructing a taco I ordered to get a better look at it, I found paper with writing in it. Kindly I took it to the staff, who embarrassedly took it from me, and when asked if there was anything that could be done, I said I would appreciate a refund; I was brought $1.50 back of the $22 we spent. Between two botched orders, foreign object in the taco (that I noticed, who knows what else was in it), I was slapped in the face. Even a half-refund would have been appreciated.

Waste of time and money. Poor service after an issue was had. Do not go.

I wouldn't be surprised if they paid for...

I like this place because it is fresh Mexican food. I've traveled to Mexico A LOT!!! Gallo Giro is authentic Mexican food. No two ways about it. :-)

I like their salsa bar. I love their fresh homemade corn tortillas. This place never leaves me wanting. I am always satisfied.

I tend to eat here at least one lunch a week. It is my go-to place for food quality Mexican. Their menu can be mildly confusing. There are so many options that it can be intimidating.

Therefore, let me make a few suggestions. I love their Monterey Chicken. It is chicken breast cut up and cooked with peppers, onions, mushrooms and served with a creamy cheese sauce. With a side of beans and rice. I always get this with the fresh corn tortillas

I also recommend the Taconazo. This can be served with either beef or chicken. It also consists of peppers and onions that have been fried with bacon. With a side of beans and rice. I recommend the fresh corn tortillas.

And I have a buddy who always gets the Number 2. This is a traditional taco, enchilada, burrito combo.

Although, if you order that meal you don't get the fresh corn tortillas. :-). Can you tell that I like their corn tortillas?

I could go on and on. I've tried most of the things on the menu. But who would read a review that is too long? Nobody....

Therefore, let me close by saying.... Go give it a try. Ask for one of the dinners that I described so that you can have some of their fresh homemade corn tortillas. You'll be glad...

Went to El Gallo Giro today in Provo because I was craving some good Mexican food. If been friends with the owner Jose for a very long time and he has established a great staple in Utah County. I miss the days when you have the World Cup and had the restaurant at capacity and eating tacos and enjoying the company of whoever you were sitting next to. Hopefully covid will be better managed soon and restaurants like this wonderful place can fully open at capacity again. Seating is still available and the food is amazing.

I went and got the #6, which is 2 red enchiladas and a mini chimichanga. I chose steak as the meat and it came with a side of rice and beans. Everything was to perfection. The corn enchiladas were amazing and full of flavor and the steak inside was juicy and tender. The chimichanga was fried perfectly and not at all oily and just filled your mouth with a burst of flavor. Rarely do sides like these make it to any reviews because nobody thinks about the rice and beans. But Jose pays attention to everything and has passed his knowledge to his chefs. If I could, I could just keep eating the rice and beans because they are full of flavor and kind of addicting. 😁 They usually have fresh fruit juices depending on the season, but the horchata that they make is incredible, so that's what I went for. Please make sure to check this place out. Remember to support your local businesses.

#thisishowichow...