El Gallito restaurant to close after 39 years in Cathedral City

This season marks 39 years for El Gallito in Cathedral City and restaurant owners say it will be the last.

The duplex turned authentic Mexican food restaurant on Grove St and E Palm Canyon is a landmark and Coachella Valley favorite. It’s one of the longest standing restaurants in the desert and behind its legendary recipes of cheese enchiladas, chips and salsa is the late Juan Cantu, his wife Petra Cantu and their children.

“Our customers have kept us going through the economy the ups and the downs. Ee have been very blessed to keep our same employees, as well. We have managed to have a good run,” said co-owner Cynthia Cantu Rodriguez.

El Gallito survived economic turmoil and demolition in Cathedral City, but the run for the family-owned business will come to an end for good. Depending on business, doors may close in April or June, according to Cynthia Cantu Rodriguez. She said the city isn’t forcing the restaurant to close, but as small business owners only renting the building, they worry redevelopment plans eventually would push them out.

“It’s been ongoing for Cathedral City redevelopment for the last 20 some years. It’s reached our front door, it is knocking. It is time probably for us to make this 39th season our last season,” said Cantu Rodriguez.

City spokesperson Chris Parman said Cathedral City is currently in negotiations and could not comment on revitalization plans or a potential Saxony hotel at this time, but buying out the unique property of El Gallito isn’t part of the plan.

Meanwhile, the Cantu’s don’t plan to relocate, but you can still enjoy El Gallito’s homemade Tex-Mex for the next four to six months.

“It will be sad to go, but we’re ready. We’re ready for the changes. We’re hoping our customers will realize we truly, truly appreciate their loyalty to us and we will be thinking of them, always,” said Cantu Rodriguez.

Although they won’t be a part of it, the longtime employees are excited for what’s next for the city and hope the restaurant’s never changing menu and flavors will leave a delicious legacy.

“If we go down in the history books of Cathedral City, that would be great that we were able to bring people to town not just to Palm Springs, but to bring them to Cathedral City to know who we are,” said Cantu Rodriguez. “Hopefully the new businesses that come into this area will remember who we were when we were here.”