Pappa Gallo — Restaurant in Town of Hempstead

We are 100% Peruvian family. The picture includes the pickup order for this restaurant and another restaurant. Do not mix up the images. I highlighted the Pappa Gallo. Luckily we had another place to satisfy us. This was for today on Mothers Day. This review is for the pickup / Family To Go Dinner ($39+Tax)

Visit Context and Order Details 1.1. Visited on Mother’s Day (Today), May 11, for a family meal. 1.2. Order Placed For Pickup at 1:30 PM, picked up at approximately 1:36 PM, and eaten around 2:30 PM. 1.3. Ordered:

1 Whole Chicken

Fries

Mixed Salad (Greens, few carrot shreds, 2 tomato slices)

Rice (Half-filled container)

Beans (Three-quarters full, watery)

Two Salsas (Green and Yellow)

Food Quality and Experience 2.1. Chicken

Extremely dry throughout, including the skin which is supposed to retain moisture.

Entire family (5 Peruvians) agreed it was unacceptable.

Texture and moisture levels comparable to supermarket rotisserie chickens — or worse.

We ended up deciding to repurpose it for sandwiches with mayo, which should never be the case for "Pollo a la Brasa".

2.2. Salad

Basic greens with minimal vegetables, no seasoning, and nowhere near a proper Peruvian mixed salad (missing avocado, cucumber, onion, etc.).

2.3. Fries

Standard American-style fries, nothing Peruvian about them.

Comparable to fast food chains like Burger King.

2.4. Rice and Beans

Rice had some flavor, but nothing memorable.

Beans were watery and lacked texture, leaving us highly disappointed.

2.5. Salsas

Green salsa was overpowered by vinegar, making it hard to enjoy.

Yellow salsa was passable, though it lacked authenticity and failed to represent true Peruvian ají de huancaína.

Ambiance and Service 3.1. Location & Accessibility

Ample parking in front of the restaurant, which is convenient. 3.2. Venue Appearance

Visually appealing, modern, and inviting — matches online photos and descriptions. 3.3. Service

Quick and seamless pickup experience. Staff was courteous at the counter. 3.4. Atmosphere

Live band playing, adding to the positive ambiance, but sadly the food did not live up to it.

Overall Impression 4.1. Despite high online ratings and personal recommendations from a non-Peruvian friend, this experience was deeply disappointing for our Peruvian family (5 humans + dog who skipped the chicken and ate something else). 4.2. Food quality failed in every major category, especially the chicken, which should be the restaurant’s highlight. 4.3. After spending one hour driving (round trip) and the cost of this meal, none of us were satisfied. 4.4. This was a trial visit, and based on this experience, we will not return nor recommend this place to others seeking authentic Peruvian food.

Final Rating 1/5 – Highly Disappointed. Not...

We had a reservation for four people on a Saturday at 6. The restaurant looked beautiful on the inside and we couldn't wait to get seated. Our table was located right near the kitchen so we heard a lot of banging and clanging and on top of the music so at times it was hard to hear our waitress cause she also spoke low. One of my friends is dairy and gluten free and asked what options she could get. They said only the salmon dish and one other thing was safe. So she wound up ordering a salad with no dressing. She couldn't believe a chicken place didn't have an option for gluten free chicken. She said the salmon was good. The restaurant menu was a little different than what was on their website which was a little annoying. There was a cocktail my wife was looking forward to getting and it was not on the menu. We got the empanadas to start. For my entrée I got the Peruvian Chopped salad with chicken skewers (on their website it said you could pick a quarter chicken). Really good. We got the fried rice entrée which was a nice sized portion. My wife decided on two appetizers as her main and went with the pork belly because people raved about it online and the Palta Rellena . She said the Palta was just okay and the pork belly was chewy. For dessert she really wanted the lemon pie and when the waitress brought the dessert menu over they were out of the lemon pie and a couple other things. Very strange that on the busiest night of the week, at the start of dinner they were already out of dessert. I could see if we ate late and they ran out. It was only 6:30. So she got the mango cake and I got the Chocolate Dulce de Leche Cake. She said the mango was good, but my cake was all sugar and no taste. There was no rich chocolate flavor or caramel. Just okay. It also seemed like they were rushing to get us out. The reservation said we had a two hour slot. The empanadas came before our drinks, the drinks came right before our entrees came out and my wife wasn't even done eating her pork belly yet when the waitress asked if we wanted dessert menus. By the time we were leaving they had live music and they turned the bass up so loud, the walls were vibrating so we were shouting to hear each other. Overall despite the beautiful decor and pretty good food we were disappointed with this...

I had the pleasure of dining at Pappa Gallo recently, and I cannot speak highly enough of the exceptional service provided by our waitress, Emily. From the moment we walked in, Emily's warm demeanor and genuine enthusiasm set the tone for a memorable dining experience.

Throughout the evening, Emily's attentiveness and professionalism were truly remarkable. She greeted us with a genuine smile and made us feel welcomed and valued as guests. Her knowledge of the menu was extensive, and she patiently guided us through the diverse array of Peruvian dishes, offering insightful recommendations tailored to our preferences.

Emily's attention to detail was evident in every aspect of our dining experience. From promptly refilling our drinks to ensuring that each dish was presented beautifully, she demonstrated a level of dedication that truly elevated our evening. Her genuine passion for the cuisine and dedication to providing exceptional service were evident in every interaction.

What truly stood out was Emily's genuine warmth and hospitality. She took the time to engage with us, sharing stories about the restaurant's history and the origins of the dishes we were enjoying. Her personalized approach made us feel like valued guests, creating a welcoming atmosphere that enhanced our dining experience.

In addition to her impeccable service, Emily's professionalism and grace under pressure were commendable. Despite a busy evening, she remained composed and attentive, ensuring that each guest received the same level of exceptional service.

In conclusion, Emily's outstanding service truly made our dining experience at Pappa Gallo unforgettable. Her warmth, professionalism, and genuine passion for hospitality embody the spirit of Peruvian cuisine. I wholeheartedly recommend Pappa Gallo to anyone seeking an extraordinary dining experience, made even more memorable by the exceptional service provided by Emily. She is undoubtedly an asset to your establishment, and I look forward to returning soon to enjoy her exceptional...