The BBQ Chicken Crepe at Gabino’s Creperie

For the past decade, Gabino’s Creperie has been serving distinctly savory crepe sandwiches to Coachella Valley locals. What started as a roaming pop‑up eventually settled into a tiny walk‑up window in Palm Springs, where the concept found its footing and its following. The lines grew, word spread, and the little crepe shop evolved into a full‑blown tourist icon. If you haven’t tried them yet, you’re in for a treat.

Gabino’s Origins & Rise 

Gabino’s began with founder Marcel Ramirez, who grew up making crepes with his family and later blended that nostalgia with the street‑food energy he picked up living in Chile, New Jersey,  and San Francisco. Initially operating as a pop-up across the Coachella Valley, Gabino’s found a home in a tiny Palm Springs neighborhood hole‑in‑the‑wall. It quickly became one of the city’s most recognizable indie food spots. The savory cone‑style crepes caught national attention when Guy Fieri featured Gabino’s on Diners, Drive‑Ins and Dives, pushing the little window into cult status and cementing its identity as one of Palm Springs’ most distinctive comfort‑food stops. It has since expanded to 2nd and 3rd sit-down locations in Indio and La Quinta.

A Tight, Focused Menu 

That menu stays intentionally tight. Six to eight savory crepes form the core lineup, including flavors like Buffalo Chicken, Chicken Pesto, and Veggie wraps. Variations to a few of the Crepes are available in Salad format. And they do have a sweet treat in the Nutella and Banana Crepe. It’s a simple concept that’s been successful.

The BBQ Chicken Crepe Experience 

The BBQ Chicken Crepe is one of the shop’s most popular savory choices, and it’s easy to understand why once you unwrap it. The crepe arrives cone‑folded, warm in the hand, with a crunchy Parmesan frico exterior — a golden, lacy cheese crust fused to the crepe that adds structure, flavor, and a satisfying crackle. Beneath that crisp shell, the crepe itself has a soft, spongy texture, marginally thicker than a traditional French crepe, giving each bite a gentle chew that balances the crunch on the outside.

Inside, the fillings stay true to the shop’s straightforward style: BBQ chicken breast pieces, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and Mama G’s secret sauce. The first bite hits with smoky, bright BBQ and tender chicken, followed by the cool crunch of lettuce and tomato. The onions add a clean snap, and Mama G’s sauce ties everything together with a creamy tang that keeps the crepe from feeling heavy. The Parmesan crust deepens the flavor and reinforces the cone so the saucy filling stays contained, creating a contrast of crisp exterior and soft interior that makes the crepe feel both sturdy and indulgent. It’s slightly messy, but not excessively so — just enough to feel fun and street‑food authentic without falling apart.

Why Gabino’s Works 

The BBQ Chicken Crepe sets the tone for Gabino’s entire concept. The fillings follow a familiar pattern with small variations from crepe to crepe, but the real magic is the crepe itself. The sandwich‑wrap idea is something you won’t fully grasp until you’ve tried it — part tortilla wrap, part savory French crepe, but bigger, firmer, crispier, and far more structural than either. The flavors meld together easily: the smoky, bright BBQ chicken against the fresh crunch of the vegetables, all tucked inside that crisp‑soft crepe.

It’s tasty across the board, but unlike most sandwiches, you’ll find yourself talking more about the wrapper than the filling. Gabino’s Crepes are a unique experience everyone should try at least once — and realistically, more than once. They’ve become a small but unmistakable niche in Palm Springs’ growing food landscape and culture.

You’ll find Gabino’s Creperie included in: Where Palm Springs Eats Lunch