Every great meal begins with discovery—an unexpected burst of flavor that evolves into comfort, nourishment, and joy. At Gabino’s Creperie in Palm Springs, that discovery comes wrapped in one of the city’s most beloved creations: the savory, handheld crepe.
Owned and operated by Marcel Ramirez, Gabino’s Creperie has quickly become one of the most talked-about Palm Springs restaurants, known for its inventive crepe dishes, walk-up window service, and strong sense of community.
A Palm Springs Local Returns Home With Global Flavor
“When people ask me, ‘What is it?’ I say, ‘Think of a French burrito,’” Ramirez jokes when describing his signature crepe style. The playful comparison has become part of the shop’s charm—and its claim to fame among visitors searching for unique Palm Springs food experiences.
Ramirez grew up in Palm Springs but spent years absorbing global food culture. He lived in New Jersey, Chile, and San Francisco, developing a passion for street food and crepe-making along the way. When he returned home, he brought that international perspective—and a lifelong family tradition—to the desert.
“I grew up in a South American home,” he says. “My dad made crepes on the weekends. It was something everyone looked forward to. That tradition stuck with me.”
The Evolution From Catering to One of Palm Springs’ Most Popular Takeout Spots
Gabino’s Creperie began as a catering concept, which allowed Ramirez to experiment. One of his most sought-after creations—the off-menu cheesesteak crepe—became a sensation. Made with ribeye, Cheez Whiz, house chimichurri, grilled onions, and peppers, the limited-run item sells out quickly whenever it appears online.
Ramirez’s crepes are intentionally unlike the soft, delicate versions often found in Europe. “Ours have a crunch,” he explains. “But they still have that soft, gooey inside. It's a handheld crepe with texture.”
During his travels through Europe, including Barcelona and Ireland, Ramirez explored countless crepe shops—research that affirmed what he already believed: his savory style stands out.
Savory Crepes That Redefine the Genre
The obsession transformed into a vocation when Ramirez opened a shop in Palm Springs. “We started as a catering business,” he explains. “The sky was the limit to what we could create and make. Our biggest hit was, and is still, the cheesesteak. It's made with rib-eye. We have our Cheez Whiz that goes in there. We put our house chimichurri and grilled onions and peppers. That's our biggest hit. We don't have that on the menu all the time. We'll randomly throw that out there. If you don't order online quickly enough, we sell out quickly.”
Marcel specializes in yum-on-demand, crafting culinary concoctions that are truly unique. “Our crepes are not like any other crepe you would have anywhere in the world, to be honest with you. We were just in Europe, Barcelona, and Ireland, and obviously, since we have our crepe shop, we like to check out other crepe shops wherever we travel.”
The verdict: Ramirez can confidently match his menu items against the global competition. “They're not that soft, bland, crepe. This handheld has an exciting consistency, I would say. It's different. It has a crunch, but it still has a little bit of that gooey, soft touch.”
A Walk-Up Window With a Community Heart
Gabino’s operates from a walk-up window tucked into an alley at 170 E Palm Canyon Drive, offering quick service and gourmet flavor without a dine-in space. Despite its compact footprint, the shop has earned a loyal following among locals and visitors looking for the best Palm Springs takeout.
“Community is everything to us,” says Ramirez. “We welcome everybody, no matter your background or where you’re from. Palm Springs is an open, inclusive place, and we want to reflect that.”
Ramirez stays actively engaged with community causes and local businesses. For him, food is more than a product; it’s a way of connecting with people.
Gabino’s Creperie is a standout destination for:
- Savory crepes inspired by global flavors
- Locally owned Palm Springs dining
- Creative comfort food made from scratch
- Quick, walk-up window service perfect for takeout
- A welcoming, community-driven atmosphere
This is the kind of place that becomes a tradition, one you look forward to revisiting on every Palm Springs trip.
Gabino's Creperie 170 E Palm Canyon Drive