This week’s featured restaurant partner is Gallo Pizzeria, owned and operated by Jeremiah “Mack” and Stephanie Alejandro McMillan. As you may have guessed by the name, it is a pizzeria. But this isn’t just any old pizza place. First of all, how many other pizza places do you know that have a pizza full of hot sauces? Secondly, they have some amazingly delicious pizzas, and they’re all available gluten free!
Stephanie and “Mack”
Owner “Stephanie” comes from a heritage of restaurateurs—her family ran El Greco Molino, a Baracoa restaurant in San Antonio for over 30 years. In fact, it was located right where Gallo Pizzeria is located today! When the family business closed, Stephanie and Mack “wanted to carry on the tradition of serving excellent food at a great price.” However, instead of Barbacoa, they focused on pizza, wings and salads. Throughout their journey as restaurateurs, Stephanie’s father Eddie Alejandro, Sr. has mentored them and given guidance and encouragement. Mack and Stephanie truly believe in the importance of family and say that family is the reason they are where they are today.
In fact, they decided to offer both gluten free and vegan options because of family members with dietary restrictions. They also had many requests from customers and even their employees for more allergen-friendly options. All these requests “moved us and opened to our eyes to a group of people not always acknowledged in pizzerias,” says Mack, “We think everyone should be able to enjoy delicious pizza!” They now have a completely gluten-free menu, as well as many great vegan options.
A piano with hot sauce. Why not?
While their gluten free pizzas are prepared in the same kitchen as the gluten-full pizzas, they do their utmost to prevent cross-contamination. They pride themselves on training all staff members in the dangers of even small amounts of gluten for a gluten free customer, and everyone takes extra precautions when preparing gluten free meals. All equipment and surfaces are washed and sanitized before preparing the pizza, and the same is done with knives and other serving utensils before the pizza is cut and served.
Gallo Pizzeria is probably most well-known for its famous “El Diablo,” a pizza with jalapenos, habaneros, and ghost peppers, the hottest organic peppers in the world. It’s so spicy that customers must sign a waiver before ordering it! If you’re looking for something a little less fiery, try Mack and Stephanie’s personal favorite pie: the “Al Greco,” topped with feta cheese, black olives, gyro meat, spinach, and tomatoes. It pairs perfectly with their Greek Salad and our house dressing. And don’t forget to top off your pizzas with their selection of hot sauces from the piano!
“We love food and we love our customers,” say Mack and Stephanie, “even though having a restaurant is tough work, we wouldn’t have it any other way. We’re right where we’re supposed to be.”
Head on over to 164 Castroville Rd in San Antonio to say hi and to taste some of Gallo Pizzeria’s unique pizzas. You can also keep up to date on their blogs at gallopizzeria.tumblr.com and gallopizzeria.blogspot.com. Or get social and find them on Instagram, Pinterest or Twitter: @gallo_pizzeria.
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