Journal Restaurant Review: Gaona’s Taco House & Restaurant
Gaona’s Taco House
& Restaurant
(830) 757-3223
484 Washington St.
Eagle Pass, Texas
I found a neat family restaurant in downtown Eagle Pass about three years ago. At that time, I found it to be small, cozy, and friendly. Since my workplace is basically out of the way, I had not visited Gaona’s in some time. Recently I received positive comments from friends that this was a busy and popular eatery for breakfast and lunch. Therefore, I decided to visit Gaona’s again.
First visit was for lunch and I was pleasantly impressed that the restaurant had expanded. (Business has been good for the Gaona family.) Tables were all occupied and it had a good, pleasant and “busy” sound to it.
The waitress that attended on us demonstrated a good friendly attitude. She had good knowledge of the menu and answered our questions about the different items in a positive friendly manner.
The menu was filled with many different Mexican food items. Lunch plates are very reasonably priced ranging from $5.50 for a Taco Plate to $7.50 for a Steak Ranchero. I was impressed with a “Picadillo or Carne Desebrada Tacotote” on the menu for $3.00. Additionally, Gaona’s is well known with the regulars for their “Hamburgaonas” and “Caldo de Res.”
The Chile Relleno ($6.50) is different than what we are used to, but it was my favorite. It was not battered and was served natural with a special “divine” light tomato sauce over it. I usually have a problem with what can be a greasy battered chile relleno, but this was not. It was light, fresh, tasty and pleasantly different. It is served with rice, beans, and a fresh side salad.
I found the” Tampiqueña Estilo Gaona” presentation to be very creative. It was served with tasty cut up fajita strips and grilled green bell peppers & onions, beans, rice, and a picadillo filled gordita topped with lettuce and tomato. I can summarize this plate as being filling, tasty, and most importantly, creatively different.
The (3)Enchilidas Verdes ($5.99) are filled with chicken and topped with a green sauce and melted white cheese. Very tasty and complimented with refried beans, rice, and a fresh side salad.
The (3)Enchiladas Suizas ($5.99)are ground beef filled and the same as the “Verdes” are topped with a green sauce and melted white cheese. Very tasty and complimented with refried beans, rice, and a fresh side salad.
Both Enchilida plates have good portions and are very filling. The plates are served steaming hot. Therefore, be careful when you put pieces into your mouth so you won’t burn your tongue.
The Picadillo plate’s presentation was not very attractive to the eye. However, I deducted that this is the picadillo fill for their “gorditas”. The picadillo I prepare at home is watery & runny. Therefore I’m not used to having picadillo that is thick like this one was; but I wouldn’t want my “gordita” picadillo to be runny. Nevertheless, it was very tasty and filling.
Gaona also serves delicious and reasonably priced breakfast plates, including the Machacado, Chicharron, Chilaquiles, huevos bolteados with pork chops, and huevos enchorizados among many other. It also offers assortment of breakfast tacos for the most discriminating connosieur.
I would like to congratulate the owners of this restaurant. Their work ethics and business savvy is exemplified through their growth and loyal customers. If you have not visited Gaona’s, come on over, YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPOINTED. For more information about Gaona’s Taco House & Restaurant, please call them at (830) 757-3223.
