Jerry's Cafe

Jerry's Cafe

406 W Coal Ave, Gallup, NM 87301, United States

+1 505-722-6775

Restaurant, Breakfast restaurant
(2023)
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About This Place

Located in the heart of Gallup, New Mexico, Jerry's Cafe is a cherished local gem that celebrates authentic New Mexican cuisine with a welcoming and unpretentious atmosphere. Specializing in hearty breakfast and classic regional dishes, Jerry’s Cafe offers travelers and locals alike a genuine taste of the Southwest that lingers well beyond the last bite.

Step inside, and you’ll immediately feel the warmth of this cozy, no-frills diner, where friendly smiles and legendary service are part of the experience. The vibrant energy of locals filling the booths on a Monday morning is a testament to the cafe’s deep roots in the community and the consistent quality of its fare.

The menu reads like a love letter to New Mexican flavors. Dishes like the Flat Enchiladas and the Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas are standout favorites, boasting rich, slow-simmered sauces that deliver just the right amount of smoky, spicy heat. The Breakfast Stuffed Sopapilla—a warm, pillowy pastry enveloping a savory mix of meats and chiles—offers a comforting and indulgent start to any day. Lighter options such as their Vegetable Soup and Green Chili Cheese Hashbrowns are skillfully crafted to soothe and satisfy.

Jerry’s is also known for generous combination plates that bring a colorful assortment of flavors to the table, perfect for those who want a little bit of everything. And no meal is complete without their freshly fried Sopapillas drizzled with honey, a sweet and fluffy finale that captures the essence of Southwestern cuisine.

Families feel right at home here, thanks to a thoughtfully curated children's menu featuring beloved staples like Corn Dogs, Grilled Cheese, and Chicken Nuggets—all served at prices that ensure everyone can enjoy a hearty and satisfying meal.

Customers repeatedly praise Jerry’s Cafe for its authentic flavors and approachable prices. Nicole Pryer describes it as a "must-stop in Gallup with legendary service," while Scott Clark revels in the genuine bite of their red chile enchiladas, a hallmark of true New Mexican cooking that others often miss. Ryan highlights the speedy, perfectly served signature breakfast burrito, a USDA-sized portion bursting with sausage and a perfect balance of red and green chiles. Rod Gamble’s account of being welcomed into a bustling local hotspot underscores Jerry’s reputation as much more than just a restaurant—it’s a community experience.

Whether you're driving along historic Route 66 or simply craving that unmistakable New Mexican flavor, Jerry’s Cafe delivers all the comforting traditions wrapped in warm hospitality and honest cooking. It's a place where every dish tells a story, every bite is packed with passion, and every visit feels like coming home.

Jerry’s Cafe
406 W Coal Ave, Gallup, NM 87301
Phone: +1 505-722-6775

Service options
Takeaway Dine-in Delivery
Highlights
Great coffee Great tea selection Serves local specialty
Popular for
Breakfast Lunch Dinner Solo dining
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible entrance Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
Coffee Comfort food Quick bite Small plates
Dining options
Breakfast Brunch Lunch Dinner Dessert Seating Table service
Amenities
Toilet
Atmosphere
Casual Cosy Historic Lively Trendy
Crowd
Family friendly Tourists
Planning
Usually a wait Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cards
Children
Good for kids High chairs Kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking Free parking lot Parking

Opening Hours

  • Monday
    08:00 AM - 08:00 PM
  • Tuesday
    08:00 AM - 08:00 PM
  • Wednesday
    08:00 AM - 08:00 PM
  • Thursday
    08:00 AM - 08:00 PM
  • Friday
    08:00 AM - 08:00 PM
  • Saturday
    08:00 AM - 08:00 PM
  • Sunday
    Closed

Map & Directions

Visitor Reviews

  • Nicole Pryer
    2 week ago

    A Must-Stop in Gallup with Legendary Service! If you are traveling through Gallup, New Mexico, Jerry's Cafe is an absolute must-stop. This little restaurant provided one of the most enjoyable dining experiences we've had on our road trip, and it's entirely thanks to their incredible team. We truly had the best service from our friendly and outgoing server, who consistently went above and beyond to make sure we had everything we needed. She was attentive, cheerful, and clearly took pride in her work. The highlight of our visit was a small misunderstanding with one of our orders. Instead of a problem, it turned into the most interesting and flavorful dish! We were so impressed with how our server handled the situation. What could have been a disappointment became a fun, memorable surprise that showcased our server's care & creativity. We thoroughly enjoyed our entire meal, the helpful staff, and appreciated the authentic, small-business feel. I highly, highly recommend stopping at Jerry's Cafe. You'll be well taken care of.

  • Scott Clark
    1 month ago

    This place is absolutely delicious! I have been craving REAL New Mexican food and you can really only get true NM food in NM. I was so worried I would be disappointed but let me tell you what.... This place knocks it out of the park! I got red chile enchiladas they had great flavor and just enough spice. I can't stand when you get a =Ed Chile with no bite at all .. it's just not okay! The beans and rice were fantastic. I got a hard shell taco and I would recommend the soft. That's soft tortilla will help for edible utensils. (If you know you know) We also got the green Chile chicken enchilada and they were b{mv as well. The sopapillas were perfect so I would highly recommend this place. I don't live in NM anymore so when I am in NM I don't want to be disappointed. Thank you Dani for the great service. Sorry also the service was very fast. This is a small sit down old school style dinner. Large parties are going to be hard for them to accommodate. But I went and we were a party of 2 and sat immediately. Get a phone order for a large party because you don't want to pass this up.

  • Ryan
    1 month ago

    Fantastic find! Packed with locals on a Monday morning is always a good sign. I went with their signature breakfast burrito with sausage, & half red chile/half green chile. The staff were very friendly, and the food came fast and the perfect temperature. Delicious! Very reasonable price for the portion. Highly recommended!

  • Rod Gamble
    2 month ago

    Jerry’s Mexican American Food Café This place was a great find. A small locals spot. Pretty sure we were the only travelers there that night, and the place was packed, but we were seated fairly quickly. Jerry’s starts you out with the traditional chips and 3 salsas. All were addicting. My wife ordered the enchilada, topped with an egg over easy. It came with rice, beans and salad plus she ordered a taquito as a side. That turned out to be enough for at least two people. Everything on her plate looked to be made from scratch and authentic Mexican food, far removed from anything one might end up with from Taco Bell. She said everything on her plate was delicious. I ordered a combination plate that included a chili relleno, a chicken enchilada, a taco carne, that came with rice and beans (I think that might be standard with every plate of Mexican food). Again the portions were generous nearly enough to feed a family and everything was most tasty. But we didn’t stop there. Since we were in New Mexico we had to once again have an order of sopapillas with honey. Hot and fresh out of the oven, and each about the side of a small loaf of bread. We only managed to eat two of the three on the plate. They were outstanding but we had maxed out on consumption for the day. Do yourself a favor and make Jerry’s Café a prime destination whenever you find yourself in Gallop.

  • Nikki A
    2 month ago

    People say that when a diner looks like a dive, the food must be great! And that is so true for Jerry’s café. We were visiting from out of town as we drove through on historic Route 66. Holy cow! The food was incredible. I had a taco and my husband had the chile Rellano and sopapilla. The food was excellent. It was served very quickly. And we spent under $20! All the staff were smiling and happy and the other patrons were chatting and enjoying their meals as well. I highly recommend this delicious stop

  • Brooks F
    2 month ago

    Absolutely delicious. One of those places that is frequented by locals. A bit off the interstate, but well worth the drive. The chili burger was devine. The red chili was spicy and had a nice kick to it. My son said his patty melt was delicious and the rye they used was a thick cut bread. The wattress was friendly, polite and prompt. The hostess was nice. All in all, a great place to stop off on a trip and sample some great local food and if ever I am back in Gallup, I would not hesitate to go back there.

  • Billy Childress
    3 month ago

    Fantastic! We were staying the night in Gallup on our way to Phoenix and this popped up as a suggestion. Originally we were planning to go the southern route back to Dallas but changed our trip so we could eat here on the way back. It’s that good. The green chile sauce is to die for….

  • Catbite
    3 month ago

    we stopped in on our drive from Philly to Phoenix after having soooo many recommendations! It went above and beyond all of our expectations!! Extremely friendly and quick service, and the food was unbelievable!!!! The Sopaipilla was incredible! And the green chile made me cry it was so good!!! Gonna come back any time we are anywhere nearby!

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