Taqueria El Gallo Loco West Valley — Restaurant in West Valley City

Our dinner at Taqueria El Gallo Loco West Valley was nothing short of amazing. From the food to the service, this place exceeded our expectations—and we’ll definitely be back the next time we’re in Utah!

We’re from Texas, so being far from home, we were looking for an authentic Mexican restaurant—not Tex-Mex—and this place delivered. From the atmosphere to the food and drinks, it reminded us of dining in Mexico.

We all ordered agua fresca de horchata, our favorite, and it was incredible. This wasn’t a powdered mix—it was clearly homemade, rich, and creamy, just like what you’d find in Mexico. They also offered Mexican sodas in glass bottles, like Jarritos and non-alcoholic sangria.

I ordered the fajitas de asada and couldn’t believe the quality for the price ($16). It came with perfectly cooked bell peppers and onions, warm tortillas, rice, and beans. I shared with my 3-year-old, and we both loved every bite. The asada was full of flavor—so, so good!

We also ordered a kids quesadilla, and my 7-year-old loved it (and she never eats quesadillas with white cheese!). It came with fries, which she also enjoyed.

My husband had the birria tacos, which were full of flavor and perfectly seasoned.

But the service? Truly outstanding. Our 12-year-old is obsessed with spicy ramen, and while they had birria ramen on the menu, she wanted it without the meat. The waitress, who primarily spoke Spanish, kindly brought out the cook, who spoke English and was incredibly patient and helpful. They went out of their way to customize a spicy ramen dish using the birria consomé—no meat—just for her. He wasn’t annoyed at all—just friendly, accommodating, and kind.

And a small but meaningful gesture: our younger daughter saw cups of strawberries in the fridge, which were meant for a dessert with crema. She just wanted the strawberries, and they kindly let us purchase them separately. They didn’t have to, but they did—and those little acts of kindness stick with you.

This was one of our favorite dining experiences during our trip. Great food, generous portions, excellent prices, and above all, genuine hospitality. We’ll absolutely return when we’re back in Utah!

*I only took a photo of our fajitas asada. I wish I had taken more photos, but I just dove right in once...

This was our first time here and we were very disappointed. Food is disgusting and the place is ridiculously overpriced. We ordered 2 aguachiles, a shrimp cocktail, molcajete, and a plate of the birria quesadilllas. 5 plates and our total was over 180. They charge you 4% for using card and fail to mention it at any point and just say it was on the menu. It is a bit inconsiderate not to casually mention it to the customers as it’s often overlooked. Aside from that the food does not justify the price. This was the worst aguachiles I’ve ever had. The juice just taste like lime from the bottle. Sour with no spice and the shrimps were not clean and tasted dirty. Molcajetes typically always have charred onions and jalapeños, this one did not. Again worst molcajete we’ve had. The meat taste old and flavorless. No one was able to finish their plate, the food just seems improvised and sloppy. I don’t recommend this place. You are better off...

Okay so we go in and order tacos and some Horchatas to drink. We get 85% ice and 15% horchata. #1 👎 she asked if we want chips and guacamole, so say yes didn't let us know it was $8:00 for that and literally 8 ships k so we eat without knowing they charge that #2 👎 then she comes back and says would you guy's like more? Again does not tell us it's $8.00 so anyways, then we get our tacos and we tell her ( we waned the homemade tortillas) she tells us this are it 🤔 like if we don't really know #3 👎... so I said really? She said yes we just cut them smaller 🤬 so anyways, we get ready to pay and does not gives us the corre change and acts all like she doesn't know anything. I will never go back food is ok but pricey, dishonest waitress, and not worth getting lied to your face about the "homemade tortillas" that just blew my mind someone would even dare to lie when we both know clearly...