El Gaucho
(503) 227-8794
319 SW Broadway
Portland,
OR
97205
45.5219
-122.6784
Neighborhoods: Neighbors West - Northwest, Downtown
Reviews & Ratings for El Gaucho
92 reviews
What users are saying:
Showing 1-10 of 92 reviews
Expectations exceeded
by lloydholm
June 14, 2009
The evening began with anticipation. We arrived early and took a temporary seat in the lounge where we were treated very graciously. We were finally seated but, half an hour past our reservation time. We inquired but did not complain. Sometimes you just can't control everything. We were finally seated accompanied by a very sincere apology and we were apprised that the Manager would be with us shortly. (I really didn't want to make a fuss). Moments later the Manager came to our table presenting crab cakes (the most amazing I have ever tasted) and two flutes of Champaigne. The Manager deeply apologized and took personal responsibility to make sure we were comfortably accomodated. The rest of the evening, the dinner, the service, the lovely table-side manner and personable demeanor of the servers, was truly memorable and heart warming. We had the most amazing Fois Gras, Caesar prepared table side, and Chateaubriand presented table side. The artisan combination of subtle flavors were kaleidoscopic and deliciously memorable! I can't wait to return!
Thank you El Gaucho!
- Pros: Marvelous fare prepared and presented with genuine care!
- Cons: Honestly, I don't have a single negative comment!
Oh so pampered
by froggymama
May 20, 2009
My husband took me here for a birthday dinner, trying to recapture the experience of our favorite steak restaurant in Florida. Although not the same, it was a wonderful experience - very, very old school personal service with the table side ceasar salad and flambe desserts. Our server was phenominal! She had my mouth watering with everything we ordered. Lobster mash and ostrich were PHENOM!!! Duck appetizer just melted in your mouth. The complimentary fruit and cheese plate was a treat, but had to have the creme brule - light and refreshing. Very romantic, great wine list (although pricey), ala cart for more variety, sides sized for sharing. I highly resommend this for special occasions or all around treating yourself.
- Pros: Outstanding Service
- Cons: Can be pricey for some
Over-rated for the price
by NotJeff
January 29, 2009
We have eaten here on several occasions and the service here is perfect and everything you would expect from a restaurant charging over $300 for dinner for two. The steak and lobster has good lobster but the steak has been one tough chew toy after the next. After four bad steaks in a row, we have given up the hope of having food you could actually swallow. The salads and side dishes are good but are not as overwhelming as the prices. This restaurant is not on the same level as New York or San Francisco, only the prices are.
- Pros: Beautiful restaurant and friend service
- Cons: Steaks are often poor quality, prices to the moon
Just OK Not Worth the Price
by ricochet112
January 13, 2009
44-5 star ratings and 14-4 star ratings out of 83 (total ratings) very low IMO. Our visit reflected that. Nothing special just OK-good, and with as much as they charge it should be exceptional, but it wasn't. Maybe the people that rave about El Gaucho don't eat at a nice steakhouse often!? One gets just as good (or better) cut of beef at an Outback Steakhouse than what our party received at El Gaucho! Got to Morton's (or Ringside) if you want good meat, if it's ambience or a stuffy server you crave, than by all means go to El Gaucho, but don't go there for good beef.
- Pros: At least it wasn't BAD
- Cons: OK-Good at best
Not worth the price!!
by waterdog22
January 12, 2009
I found the food to be average. The Caesar salad had to much dijon. The escargot was bland.
My filet was stringy. My guest's steak was dry. The creme brulee had a hard, thick crust one had to dig through. Best dish-- French onion soup. Overall, not recommended for the price. Try Morton's instead for a meal worth the price.
- Pros: French Onion Soup
- Cons: Poor steaks
Great Steak House
by iwritereviews
December 14, 2008
I go to El Gaucho about a couple of times a year. I'm from NY, so I made a point of trying out all the supposedly good steak restaurants in Portland when I first moved here several years ago. So here's my review of El Gaucho: I've never had a bad service from valet, coat check to wait staff, they've always treated me and my company incredibly well. If you sit close enough to the kitchen, you'll see the steaks being cooked over the open charcoal flame which is fun but you'll be warm :)
Now on to food... admittedly, I've had better steaks in other cities (NYC, Chicago, LA and Dallas), but if you're looking for a good steak in Portland, El Gaucho does it well. They always have about a dozen sides to choose from (quite shareable portion, btw) and if you're at a loss for what to get, you can't go wrong by asking your wait staff.
Their table side Banana Foster is quite the show, but the taste wise, it's nothing you've never had it before - so save the money and just stick with their complimentary (read: free) cheese and fruit they give you after dinner.
Final note: their valet parking = $7
- Pros: prompt attentive service, great date spot
- Cons: it can get bustling on weekends
like a steak-shaped poo on your plate
by eli123
November 11, 2008
they actually have the in-house dog that they take straight to your table to pinch a fresh loaf on to your steamin dinner plate. Enjoy.
- Pros: great if you like feces
- Cons: e-coli
Best Resturant in Portland If you want good steaks
by love94
November 10, 2008
The Cooks at Elgaucho are hard workers they make the food very presentable, flavorable and worth the wait.
El Gaucho by Donald L. at InsiderPages
Contributor
October 01, 2008
Expensive, but worth every penny. I would recommend the Porterhouse everytime. The service is top notch, and it's located in a great part of town. If you want to be seen among the local celebs this is the place for you.
Incredible...simply incredible.
by wineisdevine
September 23, 2008
There are very few things that I love better than a phenomenal meal served with a fantastic bottle of wine and great service. Every time I travel I plan my meals before anything else.
El Gaucho is hands down the best steak house I have ever been to. Their Chateaubriand is incredible, the Tuna Tartare is perfect, and the Ceasar Salad is to die for. If you live in Portland and want an absolutely incredible dining experience, you need to try it. Ignore the negative reviews knocking this place for thier speed of service...if you want fast food, go to McDonalds. Dining here is not something you rush. The timing has been impeccible on each of my visits and if you don't have a few hours to put aside for this meal, it's probably better to eat somewhere else because you probably won't enjoy it if you're trying to rush it.
The wine list is very good. I am wine lover and while I would personally have a little different selection, I think their variety is terrific. They have plenty of selections for everyone's budget and a few excellent hard to find bottles if you feel like going crazy.
As far as pricing, it is on the spendy side. There's no arguing that. But for the service, atmosphere, selection, and most of all, the incredible food, it is still a good value in my opinion if you can afford to splurge for a meal. It will not be a meal you soon forget.
(My tip, use the valet parking. It's only a few bucks more than paying for parking and trying to find a spot down there on a weekend night is tough.)
- Pros: Incredible food, impeccible service, great atmosphere
- Cons: None, this place is top shelf.
