Reviewed By
Perry Anastasakis, posted on
Jul 16, 2010
Our last meal of our trip was here and it we ended on a high note. I had the 16oz El Gaucho and it was incredible! Loved the sides especially the sweet plantains. Enjoyed the empanadas for starters as well. Was really suprised by the mini steaks for kid meals with sides...those were bigger than some adult meals I have had. The mariachi never stopped at our table but he sounded good nonetheless. Cool feel to the place and it was really bustling. The kids room is nothing more than a few arcade games and a lego chest. A bit pricey but worth it! Will be back next year!
Food:
Dessert:
10
9
Presentation:
Environment:
10
9
Service:
Toilets:
9
6
Childfriendly:
Wheelchair:
9
-
Reviewed By
K.M, Staten Island, NY, posted on
Jun 28, 2010
I just returned from a vacation in Aruba. I dined at El Gaucho twice during the vacation. The first time, my husband and I enjoyed a wonderful dinner.
Later in the week, our friends - two families with a total of ten people, plus my husband and I - making it 12, celebrated Father's Day at El Gaucho. We did so at my urging and I was quite embarrassed with the outcome.
First we were told that the special price fixed dinner was not available after 5:00 pm (despite the advertisement which stated all day). After that was sorted out and management said it was available, we all ordered the "mini pincho tenderloin" with the exception of one who ordered the grouper. The grouper was fine but the size of the portion of tenderloin we were given was comical. Three or four tiny pieces of meat on a kabob. We were also given potato fries, and about 1/4 piece of corn on the cob. We all wanted the warm chocolate crepes, but it was not available.
Although the dinner was reasonable, we ordered bottles of wine - and each couple spent in the $100 range - hardly a cheap dinner. We wouldn't have minded if the portions were sufficient and if the service was better. It did not compare to the fine service I received on my first visit this year. The waiter gave us plenty of attention the first visit. The second time, he brought us the wrong bottle of wine, did not pour it for us, never returned for water, etc....
All my friends wanted to go to Texas de Brazil, but I insisted on El Gaucho. What a mistake! They have timeshares in Aruba and visit every year. Judging by this evening, I don't think they will ever return.
Instead of El Gaucho's promotion bringing in people, in the long run I think they have lost future customers.
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Reviewed By
Boston Food Expert, posted on
Jun 27, 2010
Overall a very very dissapointing experience. This is clearly not a restaurant on part with establishments in most major US cities. The service was particularly poor. It was slow and disorderly, provided by a callous staff with poor understaning of the dining experience. The ambiance was chaotic. The food however was the largest dissapointment. The steaks were dry, flavorless and overall very low quality. Do not dine here.
Food:
Dessert:
3
3
Presentation:
Environment:
1
3
Service:
Toilets:
1
-
Childfriendly:
Wheelchair:
-
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Reviewed By
Uglyhat, posted on
May 23, 2010
My wife and I visited El Gaucho on our honeymoon and were not disappointed. I'm not normally a fan of Mariachis, but the two serenading tables during our visit were quite good, offering up songs requested by the patrons. The food was excellent, far better than we experienced at the in-house resort restaurants on the island. The staff was gracious and anticipatory til the end, when our waiter seemed a bit distracted (we were a late seating). Highly recommended.
Food:
Dessert:
9
-
Presentation:
Environment:
8
8
Service:
Toilets:
8
8
Childfriendly:
Wheelchair:
-
-
Reviewed By
Dan R, posted on
Mar 23, 2010
We haven't been to El Gaucho in a 3 years, but we were travelling with Aruba newbies and wanted to bring them to our favorite place. Very happy to report they did not disappoint. The Gaucho steak was cooked and seasoned perfectly, my sister had the roasted half chicken and said it was the best she has had. The staff was very attentive.
Will definitely be back on our next trip.
Food:
Dessert:
9
8
Presentation:
Environment:
8
9
Service:
Toilets:
9
-
Childfriendly:
Wheelchair:
9
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Reviewed By
karen, posted on
Mar 17, 2010
We went to El Gaugho last night and were very disappointed. My son enjoyed his steak and it did look delicious although not seasoned at all. My husband and I shared the Land and Sea for Two. It was pretty close to awful. For over $66 you got a couple of mushy shrimp, some tough conch, a pitiful piece of what they called steak and a few other things - you get the picture. If we didn't have a certificate from a timeshare presentation to pay for part of this mess we would have been really angry. For a place that is supposed to be so good, it was very poor. I guess if we had stuck to steak it might have been better but even the well seasoned steak at The Outback wins over this place. Also, as you try to eat some musicians go around singing so loudly that you cannot even have a conversation and the want to be paid, of course. At these prices they should buy a sound system!
Food:
Dessert:
3
-
Presentation:
Environment:
7
10
Service:
Toilets:
10
-
Childfriendly:
Wheelchair:
-
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Reviewed By
Wilma and Jerry, posted on
Mar 16, 2010
DELICIOUS!! The food is amazing, we had the T-Bone and the mixed grill, very tastefull. The service is very good also and we liked the mexican live musik very much, they come on the table to sing for you.
We highly recommened El Gaucho if you are looking for a perfect steak. If you don't want to go to Oranjestad, our second favourite restaurant for steak is Daniels - Palm Beach.
Food:
Dessert:
9
8
Presentation:
Environment:
8
7
Service:
Toilets:
9
7
Childfriendly:
Wheelchair:
6
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Reviewed By
Bill and Lisa, posted on
Feb 25, 2010
El Gaucho still has some of the finest steaks around. Their flavor and tenderness is wonderful.
HOWEVER, if you are looking for a romantic, calm, environment...one that is a good place for a couple...this is NOT your place to eat. They have expanded to a point where eating here is like eating at a Chucky-Cheese or a Cracker-Barrel. It has totally lost its charm and is more like a cattle call for tourists. Which is really a shame.
Food:
Dessert:
9
-
Presentation:
Environment:
6
1
Service:
Toilets:
7
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Childfriendly:
Wheelchair:
-
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Reviewed By
John C., posted on
Feb 14, 2010
We have friends that go to Aruba regularly and told us this is one of their favorite restaurants on the island. We were very pleased to eat there. I can only comment on the steaks, since that is essentially what we all ate since that is what they are known for.
The 28oz Porterhouse was absolutely fantastic, and reasonably priced at $49! (Other restaurants closer to the beaches had the same steak for $65). We didn't come with hearty appetities, so we shared a couple of the entrees. We actually shared the Porterhouse between two men and one woman, and it was just about perfect. If you go hungry, I would share it between two people. I live in the greater New York City area, so I have had excellent steaks in my time. This truly was one of the best I've had.
My wife got the surf and turf. Her filet mignon was very good. The jumbo shrimp were huge and tasty but not incredible.
The location being in town as opposed to the beach is perhaps the only downside. However, their food is slightly cheaper than many other comparable restaurants on the island. Additionally there is a cool cigar bar directly across the street that sometimes has live music as well. Women can enjoy it despite the cigar smoke. The ventillation is excellent and is pulled directly upward through the ceiling. Go there for a drink either before or after your meal. I would definitely recommend this restaurant to everyone, and I will happily plan to eat there again and again.
Food:
Dessert:
10
-
Presentation:
Environment:
9
9
Service:
Toilets:
9
10
Childfriendly:
Wheelchair:
9
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Reviewed By
Wilma Grandys, posted on
Jan 26, 2010
Very nice place to eat a nice steak! The service is very friendly.
