So when you next hanker to break with your usual routine, you might keep these places in mind. Like an enchanting country house in Mexico's heartland, Gallo's Grill sets the tone for relaxing meals. Sizzling platters blanketed with steak are the primary focus at this primo Mexican grillery, but on weekends, Gallo's prepares an entirely different menu for breakfast. Sopes, unlike the usual thick, oil-soaked fried masa bowls, are thinner, larger and grilled. No shortcuts are taken.
Cooks grind whole dry chiles and buy whole tripe, cleaning it scrupulously.
The soup never has that barnyardy flavor that results from using frozen, pre-cut tripe. Besides dim sum, the cafe has true breakfast items, served only Saturday and Sunday. Almost everyone orders bowls of warm sweet or savory soy milk to accompany various buns and cakes. Some diners spike the savory version with chile oil, or use it for dipping the chung yo bien, Chinese doughnut rolls that come wrapped in scallion-flecked flat bread. Weekends from 9 a.m. to noon.