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Address and Contact Information
Address: 80 E Tennessee Ave, Oak Ridge, TN 37830
Phone: (865) 685-0686
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Gallo Loco Mexican Restaurant
80 E Tennessee Ave Oak Ridge, TN 37830 (865) 685-0686. Welcome to Gallo Loco Mexican Restaurant. Mexican restaurant. Food image prep. Side food item.
Gallo Loco Mexican Restaurant | Oak Ridge TN – Facebook
Gallo Loco Mexican Restaurant, Oak Ridge. 4207 likes · 8813 were here. Visit your old friends from Hidalgo for great atmosphere, food, and…
Gallo Loco Mexican Restaurant (East Tennessee Ave) – Uber Eats
Use your Uber account to order delivery from Gallo Loco Mexican Restaurant (East Tennessee Ave) in Oak Ridge. Browse the menu, view popular items, …
Reviews
Ash
A little neighborhood Mexican spot for a quick bite. Overall, the service was exceptional and the drinks were great. The food/experience was nothing spectacular, but that’s not really what you’re looking for when you walk into a hole in the wall. It was good for a cheap, no frills lunch… and the prices reflect that as well. We’d return for a fast lunch and margarita, but I’d hope they’d organize some of the clutter at the bar and front area a bit.
… moreB. B.
On our first visit, the food was incredible! Each entree and side dish was incredibly well seasoned.
As an appetizer we ordered guacamole and it was indeed delicious. Salsa and chips were also good.
The restaurant was pretty crowded, but our food came fast, and service was great.
Steak is tender and shrimp was not overcooked.
… moreAs an appetizer we ordered guacamole and it was indeed delicious. Salsa and chips were also good.
The restaurant was pretty crowded, but our food came fast, and service was great.
Steak is tender and shrimp was not overcooked.
Alexandra Botts
I absolutely love this place. I was disappointed for a while when ownership changed/ had some quality issues, but they are back baby! Definitely my go-to Mexican place. Not overpriced artisanal margaritas and street tacos… good “hole in the wall” Mexican. Queso and Margs, they got you. This is your place. I have had Mexican all over the city and surrounding. This is always where I am happiest and where I take out of town guests.
… moreTierra Sanders
I discovered this place about 8 months ago when moved to Oak Ridge. Large potions, great drinks, and prices. Being a sucker for Authentic Mexican food and salsa, i was so excited to find my new favorite restaurant in the area. But it no loger true after my latest few visits.
Most importantly to be noted that this restaurant is under the new ownership from what I heard since summer-fall of 2025, so all the good reviews were written when things were done “right” with the first owner. Horrible customer service, the portion sizes decreased, there are to go order charges, bean dip is no longer offered, and they are very stingy with giving you salsa (read below for details). There probably will be more changes in the near future, It is very sad!
Last 2 visits were my breaking points.
December 2025:
I came alone at 5.15pm. I gave my drink order to the male #1 who seated me and I asked him to come back and take my food order at 5.55pm, that I have hungry kids joining later. My husband was coming with 3 toddlers at 6.15pm, and the plan was for me to order food in advance, cool it off, cut it into small bite pieces, and portion into their plates. I understand it may not be traditional way of dining, but when you have multiple children and 6 month old baby who needs attention every hour, this is the only way that works for us. For 45 mins noone came back to check on me, it was 6pm already, I sat and sat there, and watched how 8 new tables got seated one after another and male#2 now was taking everyone elses orders. I started to get anxious seeing how busy the kitchen will get shortly with all these new tables who just ordered, and started to get frustrated that my plan on coming early was for nothing. I kept starring at the male#2 trying to get his attention, because my order should be cooking at this point, but the server #2 had a blindfold on and would NOT look in my direction! So for one, there was no communication between two workers about what needed to happen with my order. And for two, the main server should have checked on me when I sat there for over half an hour – REGARDLESS. Another table got sat right next to mine, and as I watched the server about to start taking their order, i had to yell “Maybe you can take my order first?!” I am usually not rude to servers, but after experiencing their ignorance, it was the only way to get their attention.
I was so angry, that I thought it would be my last time there then, but my husband talked me into giving them another chance.
Yesterday, I came back and I placed to go order of “Fajitas for Two”. I ordered large margarita in the meantime. The lady asked me if I wanted chips and salsa and I said “Yes”. When she went to the back, I heard some conversation in spanish with “to go” mentioned. (possibly they did not want to serve me salsa if I wasn’t dining in). So again, no service. The restaurant was pretty much empty, and later I saw the lady having a conversation on the patio. So i figured they told her not to bring me chips. Few mins later, I caught another server at the bar, and asked 2nd time for chips and salsa and he brought them to me. When my to go order was ready, I noticed a small single 1oz portion of salsa in the bag. I asked a server for another container since the food is for two people, and he told me he has to charge me for it! I said, “Are you serious?”, and his reply was “Yes”.
To my knowledge chips and salsa is usually offered even if you order an alcoholic beverage at the bar. So I guess $15 margarita was not enough to give me salsa, and two people at home suppose to share a single tiny container after ordering $30 worth of food. I left them $2.50 tip, instead of 25% that they would have gotten if not for this ridiculous salsa issue, and I wrote on their receipt “This is not the way to run business”. These guys are lucky to take over the restaurant with good reputation and established customer base, but once people discover, and hopefully share their similar negative experiences, it will hurt their pockets, unless they start caring more for their customers.
… moreMost importantly to be noted that this restaurant is under the new ownership from what I heard since summer-fall of 2025, so all the good reviews were written when things were done “right” with the first owner. Horrible customer service, the portion sizes decreased, there are to go order charges, bean dip is no longer offered, and they are very stingy with giving you salsa (read below for details). There probably will be more changes in the near future, It is very sad!
Last 2 visits were my breaking points.
December 2025:
I came alone at 5.15pm. I gave my drink order to the male #1 who seated me and I asked him to come back and take my food order at 5.55pm, that I have hungry kids joining later. My husband was coming with 3 toddlers at 6.15pm, and the plan was for me to order food in advance, cool it off, cut it into small bite pieces, and portion into their plates. I understand it may not be traditional way of dining, but when you have multiple children and 6 month old baby who needs attention every hour, this is the only way that works for us. For 45 mins noone came back to check on me, it was 6pm already, I sat and sat there, and watched how 8 new tables got seated one after another and male#2 now was taking everyone elses orders. I started to get anxious seeing how busy the kitchen will get shortly with all these new tables who just ordered, and started to get frustrated that my plan on coming early was for nothing. I kept starring at the male#2 trying to get his attention, because my order should be cooking at this point, but the server #2 had a blindfold on and would NOT look in my direction! So for one, there was no communication between two workers about what needed to happen with my order. And for two, the main server should have checked on me when I sat there for over half an hour – REGARDLESS. Another table got sat right next to mine, and as I watched the server about to start taking their order, i had to yell “Maybe you can take my order first?!” I am usually not rude to servers, but after experiencing their ignorance, it was the only way to get their attention.
I was so angry, that I thought it would be my last time there then, but my husband talked me into giving them another chance.
Yesterday, I came back and I placed to go order of “Fajitas for Two”. I ordered large margarita in the meantime. The lady asked me if I wanted chips and salsa and I said “Yes”. When she went to the back, I heard some conversation in spanish with “to go” mentioned. (possibly they did not want to serve me salsa if I wasn’t dining in). So again, no service. The restaurant was pretty much empty, and later I saw the lady having a conversation on the patio. So i figured they told her not to bring me chips. Few mins later, I caught another server at the bar, and asked 2nd time for chips and salsa and he brought them to me. When my to go order was ready, I noticed a small single 1oz portion of salsa in the bag. I asked a server for another container since the food is for two people, and he told me he has to charge me for it! I said, “Are you serious?”, and his reply was “Yes”.
To my knowledge chips and salsa is usually offered even if you order an alcoholic beverage at the bar. So I guess $15 margarita was not enough to give me salsa, and two people at home suppose to share a single tiny container after ordering $30 worth of food. I left them $2.50 tip, instead of 25% that they would have gotten if not for this ridiculous salsa issue, and I wrote on their receipt “This is not the way to run business”. These guys are lucky to take over the restaurant with good reputation and established customer base, but once people discover, and hopefully share their similar negative experiences, it will hurt their pockets, unless they start caring more for their customers.
Debbie Day
We had great service but were very disappointed by the salsa, the salsa with heat we asked for wasn’t disappointing. I ordered the Burrito Roqueta which had grilled chicken in it, well kinda as there was mostly onions with a little grilled chicken. I personally do not recommend this place and don’t plan to return. Except for employees there were no Hispanic faces there so there’s a hint. I did not bring home any leftover food by choice.
… moreShawn McFarland
Decent restaurant. It’s clean and the servers are friendly. Their food is good too. Try the baked potato fajitas!
… moreJ Landry
As always, the food was incredible and reasonably priced. The waiters were very friendly and get everything correct 100% of the time. Great selection of beer and the margaritas are awesome (ask for top shelf)
My only concern is that there may be too few waitstaff during certain hours. We did have quite a little wait this time. Not a huge issue, just nitpicking.
Again, phenomenal and we will definitely go back.
… moreMy only concern is that there may be too few waitstaff during certain hours. We did have quite a little wait this time. Not a huge issue, just nitpicking.
Again, phenomenal and we will definitely go back.
Cheryl Paterson
MARGARITAS Are AWFUL, SERVICE IS REALLY BAD. WOULD NEVER RETURN. YHE LOCALS LIKE IT, THEY CAN HAVE IT.
BARRIOS IS THE BEST IN OAK RIDGE
MANY OTHER REVIEWS, SAY THE SEVICE IS TERRIBLE, AWFUL, SUCKS, THE WORST
… moreBARRIOS IS THE BEST IN OAK RIDGE
MANY OTHER REVIEWS, SAY THE SEVICE IS TERRIBLE, AWFUL, SUCKS, THE WORST
Rebecca Treen
We were a party of 6. The service was the worst. Our server was not attentive at all. It seemed like she was avoiding our table. I have been there before and was not treated like this. I have not had this bad of service in a long time from anywhere. The food, I ordered the Tacos Locos. I got a plate of beans with a dab of cheese and three plain corn tacos with what tasted like over seasoned day old beef, nothing else. I did not order them plain or nasty. My drink. I ordered a Coke. The cup and Coke smelled and tasted like kerosene. I like the atmosphere. It is a nice fun place to eat usually. This was inexcusable and unacceptable.
… moreT Lawson
This is the worst Mexican food I’ve ever had. First of all we were here on a Thursday and you would think the service would had been better but we were not acknowledged until a good 15 minutes after being seated. I ordered steak and shrimp fajitas and my husband ordered chicken and steak fajitas. The food came out pretty fast which surprised me however, it was the most bland food I’ve ever tasted. When I asked for extra guacamole and sour cream they brought out regular guacamole and sour cream portions, but proceeded to tell me it was extra it was the same amount that my husband had so I kindly asked them to take it off of the ticket which they did. I will never eat at this restaurant again. I’m shocked they have a high rating. I could swear they just throw the unused chips back in a large bin and give them back out since none of our chips seemed fresh or in whole pieces.
… more