The Best I Ever Had: Mexican Southwest
Jerry’s Grill in Gallup NM: Online Review Consensus — Dive Dining At Its Best
The following piece was published on “Old Ones Dream” April 10, 2014, and as piece of “Magnolia Elegy: Place In the Edisto Fork” April 14, 2022.
We arrived in Gallup, New Mexico at dusk of the first full day of our 2014 Trak Trek Southwest. We had taken AmTrak from Greenville through NOLA to Tucson and had driven our rental car North through beautiful country including two Apache Reservations including the stunning Salt River Canyon.
Salt River Canyon - Photos by Tom T Traywick
In searching the web for dining in Gallup I encountered inconclusive contradictory information that seemed to suggest that Gallup is not an oasis for Supper Seekers. There was, however a constant in those reviews on Yelp, Trip Advisor, etc. Jerry’s Grill on a side street in the center of town was a head and shoulders consensus choice for best food in Gallup. We got in just after 9 PM and it was still crowded but they were getting ready to close the kitchen for a 10 PM closing. I had seen it described as “dive dining” and that description was apt. We were disappointed that they served no alcohol but the food was really good.
I had planned to have Chicken Fried Steak from their Americano Menu section but I sensed that I might be on “Mexican American” culinary hallowed ground and decided to have Jerry’s Special which had been on the menu since 1976. It is described as:
Jerry’s Special - Hamburger Steak smothered with Green Chile. Served with Rice, Beans, Tortilla and Sopaipilla. Choice of soup or salad $8.95
Jerrys Cafe - Photo by Tom T Traywick
T chose the Chicken a la Mexicana - Chicken grilled with Jalapeño, Tomato and Onion. Served with Rice, Beans, Tortilla and Sopaipilla. $9.50
Everything tasted very fresh and was muy sabrosa. Look at the fresh Jalapeños in T’s grill. She said it was delicious but more heat than she likes to endure. The heat of my Steak and Green Chili was perfecto. Made me ready for the Sopaipilla and Honey afterwards. Just look at Los Sopaipillas. I ordered Corn Tortillas instead of wheat but fell off of my wheat free regimen for Los Sopaipillas and the sore fingers next morning were worth it.
In the category of Mexican American or Tex-Mex food; Jerry’s Grill and Jerry’s Special are The Best I Ever Had.