El Gato Gordo

1241 W. Foothill Boulevard

Upland, CA 91786

(909)981-8380

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El Gato Gordo (Spanish for The Fat Cat) is one of many reasonably priced, mid-range Mexican restaurants in the Claremont/Upland area. El Gato Gordo is part of the Cask and Cleaver chain, which usually ensures quality service and food and a good dining experience. The restaurant, located on the corner of Mountain Avenue and Foothill Boulevard in Upland, combines a bar, restaurant and a banquet room in the back. The full-service bar features complimentary happy hour buffet (aperitivos).

On our recent visit we sampled the aperitivos with a draft Newcastle and a low-end Chardonnay. For dinner, we chose the Tostada Grande with shredded chicken ($6.99) and the Chimichanga Cucamonga with shredded beef ($8.79). Our dinners were served promptly and the food was well presented. Both dinners were very large with extra portions of Mexican rice and refried beans. The tostada was the better choice, as the chimichanga was only of average chimichangosity.

El Gato Gordo is a good place to bring a group of friends, celebrate a birthday, or cheer your favorite team (Go ’Hens!) on one of several TVs around the bar. While the food is good and not great, the prices are reasonable. This Fat Cat earned 2.5 chef’s hats for ambience and 2 hats for food!