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- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good for:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
15 reviews for Casa Gamino
I was craving chicken enchiladas with green sauce today, ALL today and was trying to decide where I was going to go. I had decided on somewhere else but we stopped at my grandmother's house on the way home and my mom's cousin told me about this place. He said it had the best shredded beef enchiladas and it was better than Burnt Tortilla in Gardena [[where I was going to go]]. He also told me the carne asada was bomb but because i was craving those chicken enchiladas, that's what I had to get.
I ordered over the phone and the girl was really nice. She repeated my order and gave me my total. When I went into the restaurant, it wasnt crowded and I was greeted immediately. It sort of had a home feeling to it. The girl gave me my food and I was on the way.
My meal came with chips and salsa and albodingas soup. I ate the soup in the car because I was really hungry and couldn't wait until I got home [[which was a 45 minute ride anyway]]. It was my first time having this soup and I thought it was really good. The broth was tasty and so were the meatballs. However, there was no rice in it, but the menu advertised it as "meatball and rice soup". But I wasnt too concernced since it did come on the side for free. When I finally got home, I was able to dig into my enchiladas. I thought they were good and the meat was pretty juicy. Unfortuantely it had to be reheated because of the long drive and semi traffic so I couldnt see how it tasted freshly made :/ The rice and beans tasted pretty standard.
This place is good enough to come back to, however it is out of the way so I cant say I personally will
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Long over due review!
It's been years since the first time. I like this place yet admit that I have had better but still enjoy this place because I know what I am getting and what to expect. I would not compare this place to a big chain which is messed up.
First off- I like that it's family owned and everything is fresh and yummy.
Second- In my eyes only down fall is they don't have the best rice and beans, they are marginal but not up to my standards.
Large menu everything is really good. I used to always get the Flatas (giant taquitos topped with stuff) every time I went because I love anything topped with sour cream, shredded cheese, guacamole and lettuce. But I have ventured out a little more these days. Tons of great seafood too. Very good salsa!
Third- Lovely atmosphere, private and full bar. Every Sunday they have Mariachis.
Best for family dinner's not great for first dates. Been there and done that, private but not private or dark enough for a 1st date. I have always had the best of service here and the food taste genuine.
But the 2 extra stars I did not dish out because over the years the rice and beans just arent the same as they used to be I think they cut cost somewhere and most people wouldn't care but I sure as hell do!
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This review is based on my last visit and while I enjoyed the food entrees and atmosphere the previous few times, this last time it was not too good.
First the restrooms, smelly and wet floors, 0 star.
The 3 inch long chipped edge on the serving platter, 0 star. When I mentioned it to the server, he did not seem too concerned that I might cut my fingers on it and probably was told by customers before by his "oh yeah.." reaction. I really wanted to ask him if he was serving a guest at his home, if he would serve it in that platter but it would not have made any difference at that point. That shows some disrespect IMO if they know about it. I guess new plates are not in their budget.
No apologies, 0 star.
The Mexican pizza, 1 star for too much grease from the overly generous cheese topping.
Greasy chips, 0 stars (3 stars for the tasty salsa, though)
Getting the bill for someone else's table, 0 star... they should check their table numbers carefully, this happened before and will probably happen again.
Stomach ache alllll night long, 0 stars. I noticed something a bit odd when I first tasted the pizza, maybe it was a bit too greasy for my taste, or the chicken or sauce was off, but something was defintely sour tasting and it wasn't the humongous scoop of sour cream on top. I should have known when the server asked only me how my food was(and not my family and friend), that's a way to see if I might have noticed that they probably used off ingredients...
I'm petty now, but the eye appeal for the pizza is 0 star, not appetizing at all, should have taken a photo but just imagine a plate with melted yellow/orange cheese and a huge scoop of sour cream and two whole olives. It may appeal to others but not for me.
I thought this restaurant was a 3 or 4 star in my book and a must for my neighborhood but after this last visit, it has gone down to pretty much OUT of my book unless I become very, very desperate for Mexican food.
...and that's the way my stomach ache turns...
Casa Gamino, I would like to rename you Hell Torito...It makes sense now, why before my visit the only photos from the place were of their disposable place mat, their folded napkins and their Aztec calendar...never food.
I remember when I first moved to Wrong Beach, my buddy Rudy lived locally and we'd go out and hit up some local restaurants. He had told me that he had heard good things about the bar at Casa Gamino...I told him, "bro, I've been to a couple Casa Gaminos in OC, and it's no better than Don Jose's". I talked him out of it and we ended up at Mazatlan, my favorite mariscos spot...
He has since moved away, so these days I often find myself exploring the streets of Wrong Beach alone...Last night, after checking out the reviews on Yelp, I decided to give this place a chance. What was I thinking?! Is it racism or is it sound judgment that reminds you that trusting the reviews of non-Latinos on a Mexican restaurant is as cursed as asking a non-Asians about excellent Chinese food. This dilemma is how you end up at Panda Express, or in my case, Hell Torito...
So I walk in alone and immediately look for the bar. Sadly it doesn't exist, so I was seated by their hostess in a booth. I kept looking around...how is there no bar/cantina area? This is Paramount!, where the city's slogan is "We've Got Shanks & Dranks!" Classy place, huh? Oh well...I'm handed a menu and look at it with the hope that the food will help balance out my already disappointing experience. A busser brings me some chips and salsa, as I look down at the menu and see that additional chips are an additional 75c. It's not much, but be aware, since other reviews call their chips bottomless...AFAIK, the only thing bottomless at Hell Torito is the kid getting his diaper changed on at a nearby booth...
The chips were warm, but oily...the kinda chips that make you want to blot your lips and wipe your fingers after...the salsa, bland =(
Further investigation revealed that Hell Torito has some great sounding items like albondigas, cocktels, oh...and there it was, the Molcajeta Mexicana. I immediately thought of the my magic meal at Gloria's in Downey, a $12.95 molcajete (a hot, porous, volcanic rock-like bowl) stuffed with carne asada, chicken, chorizo, cactus and cheese all boiling in its own juices. That thing steamed the entire time it was on my table and literally fed me for 3 meals. With that memory in my head, I ordered the molcajete at Hell Torito...
As the table next to me talked about sex parties and peeing in the shower, I saw as they were served their meal...the guy had mole, the gal had enchiladas. It looked great! Within 10 minutes, my moclajete arrived...I immediately notice the lack of boiling juices and steam, but think, this meal is really attractive (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) and "looks" way better than the molcajete at Gloria's. Sad, sad, sad how looks can be so deceiving...I learned the truth, as soon as I unwrapped the foil from my corn tortillas...these are not tortillas a mano...this isn't right at all! The meats only luke warm...the best thing in the molcajete was the cheese!
Served with rice, beans and sides of guacamole and a different salsa, I had hoped to rescue this meal...no luck...Sorry Rudy, even crappy Don Jose's is way better -- I should have gone to Gloria's!
_________________
Confessions of a Pocho:
-- In the Chicano/Latino world, we have a word for Latinos that have lost their way (lost culture, language, etc)...they're called "Pochos", which literally translates to "spoiled fruit"...Really, what's worse than a once ripe & juicy fruit that has rotted to the point that a scavenger bird won't eat it? Nothing! The unspoken shame is quite similar to being ABC (American born Chinese) in the Chinese community. --
1) I don't speak a lot of Spanish, not because I don't understand it, but because I'm shy/embarrassed and do not wish to destroy someone else's precious heritage. At this restaurant, it was pretty clear that I don't speak Spanish as I'd often respond in English, but the waiter spoke to me in Spanish the entire time...this isn't a complaint, but an observation as the restaurant was filled mostly by white patrons. I had asked for extra napkins, but had to correct myself and ask for servilletas instead.
2) I realize that in Paramount, you may need to offer foods that are mild enough for area whites to eat, but there must be Mexicans eating here that have the same issues that a pocho like me does...Please, add some flavor to your food! After my experience, I have zero interest in your mole...
¡Que Triste!
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This place is great during the lunch hour. A lot of booth space for privacy to talk about coworkers, great specials, ample parking and fast service.
Their endless baskets of chips are always fresh and the salsa is pretty good if you like it on the chunky side with medium heat, which I do.
Over the years I've sampled quite a few items on the menu and they are all good. But what stands out is their albondigas soup. It's YUM! and I don't even consider soup a food.
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I love their food, been going since I was a kid.
The only complaint I have is in their service! Like, it seems that they give good service to non- latinos, but they totally ignore their own people sometimes.
One time, I just ordered an horchata and a bowl of albondiga soup which is the BEST I have ever had (beats the hell out of my mom's).
Anyways, the guy NEVER brings out my drink. He didn't even bother to ask if I wanted more water and we ignored my husband (bf at the time) and I and we had the crappiest service. At the end I asked him for the check and then he told me, "Oh, you want me to bring your drink?" I was like WTF? Are you serious? The many years I know this guy's been working at this place, he should certainly know you get your drinks at the beginning.
I'm a sucker for their food and cocktails though. I never get that server now after I coldly told him to stick that drink where the sun don't shine figuratively.
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I probably won't be able to finish this review because half way through it I'll be at Casa!
When I first Came here I was with my boyfriend and his "family" so I was a little held back, these were the people that thought El Torito is good Mexican, so as you can see my point.
Then the chips and salsa arrived and I thought "Really! wow this is delicious" and after a few moments later my Sierra Mist came that was delicious too! I ordered something out of their $7.95 section which was enchilada, beef taco, and of course beans and rice. EXPLOSIONS OF TASTE!, Then i thought oh I was just lucky, but no I was wrong Everything is good.
My Fav Dish is Banderilla's oh! I crave this in my sleep
I just have to say ..............................
I've been going to Casa Gamino's since forever since I grew up in P-mount. This is really good Mexican food! I love the camarones suizos, which is this cheesy shrimp dish. Their beans are good and have melted cheese on top. Their chips and dip are good, my girls love it. The service is pretty good too.
I would recommend this place to anyone.
38 years... when an eatery has remained open for that long, you know they have a well established fan base of repeat customers. This afternoon the craving for Mexican food hit my work-compadre Christoph and me, and I remember seeing Casa Gamino in passing. After brushing up on the prior Yelps, we decided to give it a whirl.
Parking was no problem, and upon walking in we were greeted and seated in short order. We had beverages together with chips and salsa brought out in two shakes and a shimmy. Nice! Chris opted to try out the Mexican Pizza (which is nothing like the Taco Bell version), and I went with a combo containing a Chile Relleno, Cheese Enchilada, and Beef Taco. The portions were good sized, and everything was quite tasty. The combo also came with a cup of their Albondigas Soup, which I am a superfan of. We were checked up on frequently to make sure we had enough chips and that the beverages were ample. This spot definitely earned a slot on the work lunch rotation list. =)
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This place has some of the best Mexican food I've ever had. They start you off immediately with warm tortilla chips and salsa. The salsa is perfect in my opinion. Not too hot or chunky. Their Cadillac margaritas are so good that I had three within the hour and a half we were there. Ahhh! I want one right now!
I got the flautas and they were really good. Check it out. It's a nice place.
The best friggin place on earth. I think that I died and went to Mexican heaven.
There is a helluva lot of cheese on everything, and gawd knows that I love cheese. They have crunchy fresh chips and the perfect blend (not to chunky, not too swishy) of salsa.
The Mexican Pizza could feed an army. The nachos could feed two hungry hombres.
But the very best are the cheese enchiladas.
The ambience is low key hide out--dark, but with enough lighting to see what you're eating.
Which is good since it all looks yummy. And booyah, it also tastes yummy!
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This is one of those reviews that brings about shame. You all know about it because we have all been there. In fact, that is the problem. We all have been going to certain places for YEARS, places that our parents have been going even before we have been born. Places we enjoy, tried and true staples that seem to have defied time. Yet why is it that none of us have Yelped about them until, oh say, review number 87? Shame, shame... I guess it's a good thing that I lost my sense of shame a looong time ago.
This restaurant has been open since the late 1960's and has since branched off with several other restaurants. I've been to a few of them and the Paramount location trumps them all. It's not nostalgia flapping it's big lips either, the food is just better at this location. That and it is nice to see that it is still run by the same family that started it all.
As far as food goes, I used to just get the Albondigas soup and rice and beans. As I got older my tastes grew (i.e. parents beat me) so I started eating the beef enchiladas. These bad boys are made from shredded beef, not ground beef a-la take out. After that it was all about pilling up sour cream, guac, and veggies on top of hot Carnitas. Sizzling fajitas are another winner and you can't go wrong with any of their seafood.
Oh and for all you cheapy Yelpers out there (you know who you are!) you get pickled carrots, salsa, and a warm basket of chips at your table. Once your basket gets low they bring out another, and another, and another! Rejoice.
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One of the better Mexican restaurants out there, service is fast and friendly. The food is excellent, I always get the carne asada plate and let me tell you I've never had a bad meal here. The chips & salsa are fresh, I like getting the albondigas soup (meatball soup) it's really good, lots of little meatballs, onions, celery & cilantro... very tasty. The refried beans w/melted cheese on top is delicious, I usually don't like beans, but they are so good here I have to eat them. Can't say enough nice things about this place, come by and check it out sometime. I just went there for lunch today! Boy was it good!
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Since today is Mother's Day, the wait to be seated was about "10 minutes" according to the hostess up front. The real wait was about 20 minutes, which isn't that bad considering they don't take reservations.
The restuarant owner's son was really nice. He promised to give us "special hookups" and he followed through. He hooked it up with 2 plates of Chimichanguitas (spelling?). They were absolutely delicious. I pretty much filled myself on that. My main meal was suppose to be a carnitas burritos and a cheese enchilada. But I took about 2 bites each and was full. The burrito was delicious and the enchilada was too "greasy" to my liking. I know, I know... It's full of cheese, but it was overdone.
A great great service and a great great experience.
I didn't like the fact that I smelled of lard when I left the restuarant and on the drive home.
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we had heard of this place and drove by a few times. we decided to try it out. it is on the corner and easy to find. good location. there is plenty of parking in two lots close by. we were promptly greeted and seated. our booth was close to the kitchen. our server quickly attended to us. there were live musicians playing mariachi style music. they were very good. he took our drink order right away. a few moments later, chips and salsa arrived. they were fresh and hot. a bad point was the bottom of the basket was filled with small crumby chips unable to be dipped in salsa. the salsa was spicy and tasty. however, during the meal a new basket, with more chips should have been supplied. the server took our food order right away. i had taco and chile relleno combo and my lady had flautas. the flautas were really long taquitos as the tortillas were not flour like flautas usually are. but they told us that in the menu. she really like her dish and said the guacamole was super tasty. she ordered ice tea to drink and said it was bland, tasteless. my taco was good not great, same for the chile relleno. the rice was flavorful. we saved the beans for home. the water ran out and the server did not refill the glasses. our mouths were on fire. bad form on the part of the waiter. i like the decor of the place. i did not like being seated too close to the kitchen as there was too much traffic, and a bad odor coming out. i was hoping to find a replacement, or an addition to enriques, in bellflower, but this is not better.
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