Gilbert El Indio Gilbert's El Indio

Gilbert's El Indio

2526 Pico Blvd. (26th St.)
Santa Monica, CA 90405
310-450-8057
Map
Cuisine: Mexican
Family-run Gilbert's packs in the faithful, for straight-ahead versions of Mexican favorites, home-style specialties, margaritas by the pitcher and terrific chips, salsa and pickled carrots.
Openings: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner daily

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Gilbert's El Indio, Santa Monica, CA


Gilbert's El Indio Restaurant Review:


Even if the food weren't tasty, we'd come to this crowded family-owned Westside institution --- its walls covered with Mexican and Indian-themed memorabilia and photos of faithful customers --- for the freebies alone: thick, crunchy, hot tortilla chips with a slow-burning salsa and bowls of crisp carrot chunks marinated in vinegar with onions and hot chilies. Fortunately, the usual lineup of tacos, enchiladas, tostadas, quesadillas and other Mexican standbys are done well here, too --- nothing fancy, but with quality ingredients, authentic seasonings and home-style generosity. The guacamole is freshly made, and the whirl of a blender is an omnipresent part of the background noise, as the bar turns out pitcher after pitcher of straight-ahead margaritas. We also like some of the less common menu items, including pork steak in a rich mole-style sauce, "Valencia" chicken cooked in a Spanish red sauce, and a bracingly spicy chile with beef. When we're really hungry, we go for the "extra super mule," a huge burrito stuffed with your choice of meat, beans, lettuce and cheese, then smothered in enchilada sauce and more cheese. No wonder there can be a weekend wait of half an hour or more during peak dinner hours.