El Gaucho Portland

First time here. Really enjoyed the atmosphere, food and service. My steak was cooked perfectly and the chicken meal was super tender. Drinks and dessert was delicious. I will definitely be coming back to try more items on the menu.

This was such an incredible experience. The service here is top notch. Our server Michael did such an amazing job. We went for our 5th wedding anniversary and it didn’t disappoint. The food was incredible and drinks were delicious. Sign up for their loyalty program it’s worth it.

The only place in town where one can eat and have a cigar at the same table. The food and service are top notch and this will definitely be a regular stop for me going forward. Shout out to Brandon for his meticulous care during service and to Julie for getting us a seat in the cigar lounge. Had the crab bisque, Brussels sprouts, lobster mashed potatoes and shared a rib eye, with key lime pie for dessert. Everything was exactly as it should be and all exceeded my expectations .

My wife and I celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary and the way the staff treated us was perfect. Mind you we are a gay couple but they didn’t see it that way. We were treated like every other couple. It was so respectful and kind. The food was the best in Portland we’ve had at a very nice restaurant. The waitress Meg was the best I’ve ever experienced in in general for waitressing. They were attentive without being too in your face at the table so you could enjoy your conversation. There were free decorations like rose pedals, and a card signed by the entire staff. The price is high but you get what you pay for. We would be back sooner but need to replenish the wallet.

Stayed downtown last weekend and had made a reservation for my lady birthday here. I did the reservation online and it was bugging me about special occasions but I didn't put anything down. So, when we arrived, the host was like "special occasion" and I was like yeah her birthday was a few days ago, so he goes and put rose petals on the table, leaves a card and also the menu's have Happy Birthday written on them. We sat in the bar area which is elevated and could see the entire place. I have not been to this place in about 15 years or longer and it seemed like it had more light this time, so no longer a good place to take your mistress as everyone can see you. The seating at the bar looked very small also. We ordered some oysters on half shell for appetizers, had some of the garlic bread, and we shared the Chateaubriand meal that came with asparagus and baked potato. It was the perfect amount of food and cooked perfect with table side carving...and I can still taste the gravy...so good. Wait staff was super nice and drinks came from the bar with a quickness. Will have to put this place on my list to go again as I've basically been to every steakhouse in Portland but obviously it's been a while since I've been here. And they have a cigar bar which I def need to go back and check out and I couldn't smell any cigar smoke while in the restaurant. We went on a Friday and there was a gentleman in the bar playing a guitar and you would recognize the songs.

Alex took great care of us for our very enjoyable dinner. The ahi tune tar tar was a great start. Our chateaubriand was so tender and the cliff sauce was amazing.Looking forward to our next visit

We recently celebrated our wedding anniversary at El Gaucho, and it was a wonderful experience! The atmosphere is perfect for couples, and the steak was absolutely fantastic. While we enjoyed our time there, we did notice that the restaurant isn't particularly kid-friendly, as we had to change the high chair three times due to it being spoiled. It would be great if they could improve in this area. That said, the prices are quite reasonable, and the service was excellent. Overall, we’d rate our dining experience an 8/10. Definitely a place worth visiting!

Ordered A5 Miyazaki Wague and it literally melted in my mouth. One of the best steak I’ve had. Seating was close to the bar. It was so loud that hard to have conversation. Otherwise, food is pretty good!

This had to be to date one of my top 3 meals. Michel was my server and was polite, professional, knowledgeable, and very personable. I was sitting in the bar area and the music from the artist staged near the door was excellent! The steak was perfectly cooked with an amazing addition of PNW crab. The salad was crisp and refreshing, the brussels sprouts were seasoned to perfection. The drinks were spot on. The entire experience was amazing. With a minimal background of me, I was a chef for 10 year and CIA trained (Culinary Institute of America not the spies ;-) I can not say enough good things of this visit. Worth every penny!

The environment was nice, drinks good and employees were friendly. Unfortunately, I took my partner there for her birthday and we had a few issues. When we entered we were told it would be a few minutes while they set up a special booth for us. We got a table right next to the kitchen which was pretty loud, and didn't feel that special as they had said. We ordered food and it took a long time to come out, which I can understand as it seemed busy. They problem was after the wait, they got the cook wrong on both our steaks. My partners was undercooked and mine was over. I asked for a new one, but my partner said she was fine with the lower temp. When my next steak came out it was rare (I had asked for med rare). I did not want to send it back again. Server came to check on the new one, and I told them this time it was rare (especially the further I got as it was a filet). I said I would eat it though, and they didn't seem to really care it was prepared wrong again, had just said okay and left. Normally I wouldn't have even said anything, It Just felt like a lot for what we were paying for the steaks, and being a steakhouse. Everything else was okay. Probably won't come back for another special occasion.

I'm so disappointed in my experience at El Gaucho. The Seattle location is my favorite restaurant and the El Gaucho name implies excellence, so I had really looked forward to celebrating my birthday at the Portland location. While Portland had the same dimly lit ambiance and live music, it wasn't kept as clean as I had expected. This was especially true for the restrooms, which had toilet paper strewn all over the floors, dirty mirrors, and water all over the counters. This was truly the least of my concerns, but it was a notable difference from what I've experienced at other locations. Onto what's important here - the meal. I ordered my steak medium-well and mentioned my preference for "more towards the well side." My steak came out much closer to medium rare, very red and bloody. At a place of this caliber, I expected my meal to be prepared as I ordered it. This may be an unpopular opinion, but I prefer my beef cooked thoroughly and it grosses me out a bit when it's still bleeding on my plate. $80 to be grossed out by a meal I had been looking forward to was disappointing, to say the least. We also ordered the brussel sprouts, calamari, and my date got the steak El Gaucho. The calamari was delicious! The brussel sprouts were burnt and cooked in a spicy sauce that we did not enjoy. We picked out a couple pieces that weren't totally burnt, but most of the sprouts went uneaten. My date prefers his steak on the rare side and he enjoyed his main course, but he agreed the dishes (both main and sides) didn't live up to the meals we've enjoyed at other El Gaucho locations. We also ordered a bottle of pinot noir, which was great. Our host allowed us to taste a couple wines. He was knowledgeable (and brutally honest) about which wines he recommended. This was a nice touch and allowed us to make a great choice. At the end of our meal, we paid cash. We anticipated the service charge being factored in, and we expected to tip more on top of it- as we usually do. From my understanding, the service charge is not fully in-place of a tip, however it does benefit the employees and an extra tip on top is encouraged yet not necessarily expected unless the staff goes above and beyond. My boyfriend handed the waiter a few hundreds. The amount he gave our waiter covered significantly more than the total cost of our meal and the included service charge. The service was so-so, the meal was disappointing, and the service charge had been paid. We paid in large bills, so the waiter should have given back a few $20 bills, and we intended to leave a couple on the table as his tip. Instead, he made the assumption that it was all a tip and kept it in full. While we expected to drop a decent amount on a nice meal, the arrogance shown by the waiter by keeping all of the change (which amounted to nearly $100) really rubbed me the wrong way.

Ate here for a holiday party. The server was very charismatic and created a great experience. The food was "okay" for me, as I am a vegetarian. Everyone who ordered steak was pleased. They do prepare things a bit more rare, so ask for a bit more well done than you expect.

Mmm mmm, EL 'effin' Gaucho is more like it! I'm gonna start by saying that my lasting impression of this steakhouse was simply thinking, "Whoa! When the scallops taste as soft and as tender as the steak, then that's perfection!" Here's the gist: :: Location & Parking :: At the corner of Broadway and Harvey Milk St, in the heart of downtown. You're gonna need to whip out that Parking Kitty app to find street parking. We did find parking at a small garage across Broadway, but it might be safer to park on the street versus a garage in my opinion. Just realize you're in the heart of downtown. ::: Dining & Atmosphere ::: White table cloth dining. It's like your typical steakhouse experience; Low lighting, but not super low to where you can't see the menu. Just right. Wine flowing, but I didn't see your common wine refrigeration display. I only saw big wine bottles around the tables, but also not a big deal. Happy patrons dressed to the nines, but also dressed comfortably. You can come here wearing a t-shirt, but you'll stand out as the odd one. Everything else appeared pretty clean. Even with a restroom break, I'd say it was fairly clean inside as well. :::: Starters, Steak & Service :::: My party wanted to share a few sides. So we did the Gaucho Mac n Cheese ($14) and mmm mmm what a great starter indeed. Loved the toasted bread crumbs on top. We tried the Grilled Sweet Corn ($14) which was also a pleasant honeyed sweet choice. And finally we gave the good ol' fashioned Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes ($14) a try, and yeah "light and lovely!" I'm not a fan of the "Lets add some seasoning to mashed potatoes" type. They kept it basic, and the side itself was truly golden! As for me, I kept eyeing the French Onion Soup ($16), so I'm glad I gave it a try. It wasn't overly salty and the cheesiness level was just full of stretchy ropy fun! The way it should be. Since I've never been here, I did their signature plate, the Steak El Gaucho ($89). An 8oz aged filet with Maine lobster medallion on top covered with this creamy bearnaise sauce. And of course an asparagus companion. I had the steak medium-rare, took one bite, and ugggh heaven! Grilled perfectly! Honestly, I could do without the toppings which were also delectable, but the filet was one of the best I've ever had in a long time. My friend ordered a side of scallops, and I had one with my steak. And man, that tenderness comparison just topped it all! Finally, with service. Maaan, I cannot thank Mathisen enough. He was serious when I asked him snooty question, but also hospitable when I threw stupid 'dad jokes' at him. He made an excellent wine pairing to go with my steak, and he definitely kept our party entertained. Mathisen deserves a promotion. He brings a lot to the table! (: hehe :) At the end of our dinner, we were also greeted by Gillian, the manager. She too was very courteous and another reason why we plan to come back someday. Thank you Mathisen and Gillian, it was a pleasure dining here.

My wife and I have been going here for special occasions over the past 15 years, and it never disappoints. The steaks are done exactly as you ask, and the scallops are to die for. There are a wide variety of side dishes, salads, and entrée add-ons. The wine list is extensive, and the bartender can make anything you can describe. The ambience is top-notch, with dim lighting, comfortable seating, live music, and customized recognition of your special event. The wait staff are professional and attentive. They also remind you that the 20% service charge added to all tickets goes towards their gratuities, but of course they also allow you to tip above and beyond that.

Five star meal with five star service by Melissa Perfect anniversary experience and meal!

Unfortunately, we left extremely disappointed. While we dropped a ridiculous amount of money, we were unsatisfied and irritated. We came for my wife's birthday and they immediately treated us like their own special guests. They had rose petals on the table and a card, great touch. The service here was impeccable, however, that was the only highlight. We waited 2 hours for our food. Yes, you read that correctly, 2 hours for our food. We ordered the table side Caesar salad which was done fairly quickly after we ordered. Somehow the salad came out spicy? My wife is very sensitive to spice so she couldn't even eat it. $17pp so that was money down the drain. 2 hours later, the rest of the food came. We ordered lobster mashed potatoes, mac n cheese, brussell sprouts and the bone in rib eye. The rib eye was cooked perfectly but all of the side dishes were not seasoned well. We ended up taking a bite or two then packing it up to take home and fix later. By the time we got all of our food it was 9:30 (we were sat at 7pm) so we were exhausted and no longer hungry. We walked away with two bags full of food. They also gave us a complimentary platter of cheese and fruit. They chose a very strong bleu cheese and they didn't even slice the apple. Just a weird choice. Overall, while the service was impeccable, the food and the wait was bad enough for us to never want to come again

I have been to most of the locations in the Pacific Northwest. It is a chain that I enjoy very much. From the food, service, and ambiance. It has not disappointed me, ever! Came here on a Wed night. There was live music. I ordered the table side cosmo, table side beef tartare and oysters. I always get the escargots. Dinner for 1 or 10, this is a great place. Make sure to sign up for their rewards program as well!

The service is amazing! I felt so welcomed, the environment there since I stepped on the restaurant was very friendly and kind. My server was the best, so helpful and considerate with our questions. The food was so delicious , I was speechless. Also the wait for our food was so fast, definitely coming back.!

We had dinner last week on Wednesday before Thanksgiving. The food was amazing and the attention we received was outstanding if you want something special I suggest an evening at El gaucho downtown Portland.

My dining experience at El Gaucho Portland was nothing short of extraordinary, marked by culinary excellence and a distinctive ambiance. The Crab Bisque stood out as a decadent and delicious starter, showcasing the restaurant's commitment to high-quality ingredients and expert preparation. The richness of flavors in the bisque left a lasting impression, setting a high standard for the rest of the meal. The complimentary Garlic Bread was a delightful surprise that added an extra layer of satisfaction to the dining experience. Its enticing aroma and mouthwatering taste elevated the anticipation for the main course. This thoughtful touch demonstrated El Gaucho's dedication to providing a memorable and enjoyable meal from start to finish. The true star of the evening was the Steak El Gaucho. It was nothing short of amazing, perfectly cooked to my preference and bursting with flavor. The attention to detail in preparation and the quality of the cut were evident, making this dish a standout highlight of the entire dining experience. The presentation was impeccable, further enhancing the overall dining pleasure. Beyond the exceptional food, the restaurant's ambiance played a crucial role in creating a memorable evening. The warm and inviting atmosphere, coupled with attentive and knowledgeable staff, contributed to a sense of luxury and comfort. The attention to detail in service further underscored El Gaucho's commitment to providing a top-tier dining experience. In summary, El Gaucho Portland exceeded expectations in every aspect. From the decadent Crab Bisque to the complimentary Garlic Bread that tantalized the taste buds, and finally, the extraordinary Steak El Gaucho, each element of the dining experience showcased a commitment to culinary excellence. The restaurant's inviting atmosphere and attentive service complemented the exceptional cuisine, making El Gaucho a must-visit for those seeking an unforgettable and indulgent dining experience.

Very disappointed in this place, I last came here with my wife before covid and had a subpar experience including a long wait for our food that led to dinner for two being a 2 hour dinner. I decided to come by here again on Tuesday, june 6th to celebrate my birthday with my friend. Ironically, the service again was ridiculously slow. Took about 70 minutes after ordering to get our steaks - both being rare and medium rare. We ordered a Caesar salad and that came out right away upon ordering. Dinner ended up being nearly 2 hours long and they decided to give us a sorry fruit-cheese platter with the apple unsliced. It honestly looked like they just grabbed a bunch of random stuff they could find and put it together as an apology. Unfortunately this will be my last time attending this restaurant. Steaks were 3.5/5, service was 1/5. If you're looking to dine here for a party of 2, expect to take 2+ hours of your time for dinner.

By far the most expensive and least memorable steak I've had. The tab for 5 of us cost more than $600 at the end, I think their cheapest steak was $80. Nothing tasted bad per se but I was hoping for an amazing steak at those prices and it was just decent. The ambiance inside is very dark and classy w/ some cozy looking booths but they put us at a big circle table in the middle of the floor cause one of us didn't have her ID (even tho she's over 30 and wasn't drinking.

One of my favorite places for dinner in the Northwest States is El Gaucho. I enjoyed a bottle of Pinot Noir with my meal, as well as the table-side Caesar salad, the filet, and the table-side banana foster dessert made with Bacardi. The service, atmosphere, and food and wine were all incredible. Be prepared to spend a little (expect to spend over $700), however it's definitely worth it. I can't wait to go back.

Excelente encantada lo recomiendo la comida exquisita los cócteles y el postre el servicio excelente, el restaurante muy elegante muy acogedor romántico y la música en vivo

The epitome of hospitality! So impressed with every staff interaction and every bite. Staying at The Ritz Carlton, it was a nice walk. And El Gaucho surpassed The Ritz in hospitality. We loved the table side Caesar salad, the flaming tenderloin, the lobster mashed potatoes and our perfect Manhattan cocktails. They really went the extra mile for our Anniversary!

My boyfriend and I came in on Fathers Day as a sort of going away gift for me. Ambiance: I loved the dark lighting and the live guitar. Our seats were perfect for the two of us. It was really cool that we could see the chef and the kitchen out in the open. They all looked so focused and were in sync with eachother. Service: Daniel was incredible. He explained everything so thoroughly and made us want to try new foods. I even got a fancy mocktail, which I never do. The water was always full and it actually tasted so good. The food did take a while to get there (about 1hr) but it was really busy and the bread was soooooo good so I can't complain. The food: Ok, this is where I was a tiny bit disappointed but to be fair, I should have listened to Daniel when he said the medium rare was slightly more rare than I would be used to. We ordered the roasted corn 10/10 yum, the Yukon potatoes 10/10 yum, the Diablo steak bites 8/10 still yum, and the ribeye 7/10. I guess maybe I've never had 28 day aged steak because I thought it would be something different. It wasn't very juicy but it wasn't dry if that makes sense. It definitely had a cool red center so my boyfriend wouldn't eat it but I did and it was pretty good. I feel like it could have been a little more seasoned but again, I'm not a steak expert so I don't know. Overall, we had a really good experience and would definitely come back. They had a peach tomato salad and some French onion soup on the menu that I saw come out of the kitchen and I kicked myself for not getting that too. It was also fun to watch other people get the table side food made so I would probably do that next time.

Is it possible to give more than 5 stars to El Gaucho and their Amazing Team!! This old school restaurant provided old-school fine dining service mixed with high quality ingredients. This place is a gem! We learned about this restaurant while staying at the historical Benson Hotel in downtown Portland. Dining at El Gaucho like stepping back in time by offering table side dining, live music, and exemplary service that goes above and beyond. The El Gaucho team is truly like a family. Isaac took excellent care of us during our two dining experiences. We were so blessed! Isaac is not only charming, knowledgeable, detailed oriented, and has a photographic memory; Isaac is talented and makes The BEST table side Cesar Salad. Yum! Everything we ordered was delicious! Beverages: Smoked Boulevardier - Smokes Table Side Espresso Martini - dessert in a glass DeLille Cellars D2 red wine (by the glass & bottle) Appetizers: Baked Oysters - classic and comforting Escargot - Oh la la! Garlicky Buttery and Delicious! Cesar Salad - Table Side & Delicious! Garlic Parmesan Goodness! Steaks - The steaks are cooked on a charcoal grill giving them extra flavor. They were cooked to perfection! - A5 Wagyu 4 oz - Japanese steak that melted in my mouth - Bone-In Ribeye 18 oz (my partner ordered this both visits; He said it may be the BEST ribeye he has ever eaten) - Trio of Steak Special 3x 4 oz (baseball, new york, and filet cuts, each served with a different sauce and preparation...fun to try!) Sides: Scalloped Potatoes - Comforting - Delish when reheated the next day! Asparagus with Béarnaise - some veggies Desserts: Creme Brulee - Classic and Delicious Cherries Jubilee- Table Side by Jim Cheese Course - Complimentary We loved El Gaucho so much that we dined 2 evenings in one week. It was our last meal in Portland before returning to LA. The food is the best of classic dishes! Literally every dish we ordered was pure perfection! This is a special place with true love for great food! To take the experience to a whole new level, and with heart, Isaac sent a beautiful hand Thank You written card to our home. It truly warmed my heart. I look forward to returning. thanks

This place has always been a solid place to get some good food and superb service. I think the staff here does a great job at providing a wonderful experience. Every time I've dined here, I've received excellent customer service. The food is still good, and my favorite is still the Tenderloin Diablo and their garlic cheese bread. Both are simple, but there's something about those two items that I just love.

Top 5 steakhouse in the country for me...and I've been to a lot of them. This place has everything. Great service. Great ambience and most importantly...the star of the show....great food! Went here for our anniversary and the wife and I shared a 16 ounce bone in ribeye (oh man is that so damn good!!) We also shared some au gratin potato and Brussels sprouts-- both ridiculously good...especially the sprouts. And even the house cheese garlic bread was amazing. The prices include tip...and dinner for two with a couple of drinks was about $225...on par with the top steakhouses in Portland and worth every penny!

Excellent service that is rare today. amazing polite caring servers, and the meal was delicious too

Excellent service, great food and an awesome atmosphere. This place lived up to the hype and I am glad I got the opportunity to dine here. From the time we walked in the door u til we left everything was great.! I highly recommend this place!!

Solid 4 stars here. I would have given them 5 stars but I think the food is just a little too expensive in comparison to other establishments in the area. I had great service and the food was delicious. Steak was cooked well and the clam chowder was great. You will get a 20% service charge already in your bill so keep that in mind. Worth checking out but you will pay a higher price.

El Gaucho is our favorite steakhouse in Portland. We have a wonderful tradition of coming here for New Year's Eve and sharing a truly delicious meal with friends to ring in the new year. We make a late reservation so we can celebrate with complimentary champagne and noise makers at midnight. I would really give it 4.5 stars, but it falls short of 5 stars just because of issues with the cramped location. The tables are too close together, and with the noise of patrons plus the live music, it can become difficult in certain parts to have a quiet conversation. My only other complaint is that when they are very busy, once in a while I have felt like the service was rushed and I didn't have enough time between my courses. As far as the food, here are my recommendations. I always get the filet, medium rare. It comes in 8 oz and 12 oz portions, but you can split a 12oz portion between two people and it's the perfect amount for me. I usually get bordelaise, peppercorn, or Roquefort sauce on the side, which are also good with various side dishes as well often. I highly recommend the table side Caesar salad. The dressing has a very strong flavor which I love, but you can ask them to tone down the garlic or the anchovies if you prefer a milder flavor since they are making it right in front of you. I wish it also had toasted pine nuts- I feel like that would take it to the next level flavor wise. For another appetizer, the wicked shrimp is delicious- spicy and buttery, served with bread for dipping in the sauce. For sides, they have seasonal and rotating options for vegetables, but of the standard ones the baked potato and mashed potatoes are standouts, and I have high standards for potatoes. This is the only restaurant that consistently makes mashed potatoes that are better than mine. My husband likes the Mac and cheese, but I often find at the Portland location it is too dry and sometimes the pasta is over cooked. At best it's good but not as special as the other sides they offer. You get a small complimentary cheese plate after your meal, after which I am often too full for dessert, but once in a while I indulge. Their dessert menu changes often but any type of molten cake or ice cream is always amazing. The bananas foster (or Sherwood, with nuts) is also a favorite. They have excellent cocktails, with the G-22 dark Manhattan being my favorite, and a great wine list, even if the markups are high. You can bring your own bottle for a corkage fee.

This is one of my favorite restaurants to visit when I want a fancier dinner but this last visit I was just wanting some appetizers and a good drink in the bar are and I was not disappointed. Food: 8.5-9/10 overall rating 1. Wicked Shrimp- 9/10nice jumbo shrimp in a light sauce that has a little bit of a kick on the back end (I like spicy food so to me this wasn't spicy but if you don't this might be spicy for you). 2. Diablo tenderloin- 9/10 I love the creamy sauce this comes in, it is seasoned just right and of course the beef is delicious. I would say there is a slight kick to it but not much. I love dipping the table bread in the sauce 3. Table side Caesar- 9/10 absolutely loved!! Just the right amount of dressing and very leafy fresh lettuce! 4. Mac and cheese- 6/10 this is my second time having this and I must say this time around it missed the mark for me, I couldn't put my finger on it but it didn't taste as great as the first time I had it. 5. Old fashioned- 10/10 HIGHLY recommend Service: 10/10 Dennis took care of us for the evening and he was great, extremely personable and great at his job. Props to you Dennis, thank you for great service! Extra brownie points for making an amazing table side Caesar. Final note, the live music in the bar was an added bonus and helped to set the note for a great evening.

It was our anniversary and my birthday, they treated us to a complimentary glass of champagne! The server, Mindy was so nice and welcoming, knowledgeable about the menu, drinks etc. it was such a beautiful experience from start to finish. First class staff, food and atmosphere

I've been to El Gaucho a handful times now for a nice night out, and have always had an amazing experience. Going to a steakhouse as a vegan can be difficult. The staff here are always able to create a delicious meal for me though! I typically get the sautéed mushrooms (without the butter) to go along with the complimentary bread. For my entree they're able to make a delicious risotto with some extra vegetables thrown in. I would definitely recommend coming to El Gaucho for a lovely evening out.

El Gaucho does not miss. The food, the drinks, the service - always top notch. This is easily my husband and I's go-to steak house in Portland. You cannot go wrong with anything on the menu and I could fill myself up on appetizer's alone, but I always have to pick and choose so I can get to my steak & banana's foster. The diablo bites and the French onion soup are staples for me along with the Caesar salad (made table side for wonderful added touch). They typically also have a seasonal salad which has always been delicious. Side staple for us and undoubtedly the lobster mashed potatoes but we have yet to find something we don't enjoy. The steaks speak for themselves. Dessert is always a joy. They end your meal with the cheese and fruit plate, but we typically go for the bananas foster (also made tableside). The bananas foster may be my favorite dessert and not something you can find at most places. Will recommend to anyone and everyone.

Food was top tier. Service was excellent and vibe was amazing. Highly recommend this place. I love food and this place did not disappoint.

We love going to this restaurant for our birthday celebration every single year. We've never had a bad experience, but this year was superior. Our server, Steve, and his assistance were so helpful. Never a dull moment in that place. The food, the friendly atmosphere from start to finish, and the music from the guitarist made for a very special evening.

This is a "white tablecloth" restaurant. We made reservations for dinner and informed them ahead of time that we were celebrating our 10 year wedding anniversary. When we got there we were greeted and multiple employees said happy anniversary. When we got to the table there was a card signed by the staff with rose peddles on the table. Our server was Alex, and he was great. He read our humor/personality and was a pleasure to talk to. He also gave great recommendations for wine and which type of potatoes to have as a side. (Definitely get the mashed potatoes) For our appetizer we had oysters and they were amazing. For dinner we got the Chateau Briand meal for two with mashed potatoes and asparagus. We order our steak medium rare and it was cooked beautifully. Mashed potatoes were creamy and well flavored. The asparagus was nothing special, seemed to lack salt. If you are looking for a nice steak house with amazing service and food; El Gaucho is the place to go.

Our food was superb! Our waiter Aaron was attentive and fun so glad to be back! It is fun to watch the lane cooks sling steaks!

Amazing and memorable experience as always. We have never had any issues in the 20+ years with any restaurants in the Fire & Vine Hospitality Group. This past weekend we changed our normal ordering and took advantage of the tableside Steak Diane. Was not disappointed. Entertaining and somewhat of a treat. And of course, our waiter Matheson was top notch, professional and very engaging. We were greeted warmly upon entry and sat promptly. Food was served at a great pace. In and out with starters, entrees and dessert for two within less than 90 minutes. Look forward to our next return in the months to come. Thank you to all the staff for a fantastic part of our mini vacay!

Oooooo I'm a huge El Gaucho fan. Been to the Seattle El Gaucho and loved it. I was in Porland for a few days to attend the Warriors Blazers game. My compadre and I wanted to hit a steakhouse. El Gaucho was an easy decision. This El Gaucho is located in a hotel. Cool ambiance, but different from the very dimly lit Seattle outpost.We had a great dinner at the Portland location. Arrival: Reservations for 7:30. Manager said they were running a bit behind. Suggested a drink in the bar , but the bar was full. He suggested to hit the lobby bar in the hotel, and they would text us when our table was ready. After about 15 minutes we received a text that our table was ready. What we ordered: Old Fashined/Local Hazy Ipa: Started with an Old Fashioned. Delicious and well-made. Followed it up with nice haxy ipa. Wicked Shrimp: One of their signature appetizers. Grilled Shrimp with their signature spicy sauce. Simply delicious. One of my favorite appetizers at any restaurant anywhere. Wedge Salad: Nice tasty cold salad. Good dressing. Chateaubriand for two carved tableside: Another El Gaucho signature dish. Nice hunk of tenderloin carved at the table. Comes with baked potatoes, asparagus, tomato, and cliff sauce. This dish is phenomenonal. Great cook and flavor on the meat. We got some creamy horseradish with it. I LOVE the Baked Potatoes at El Gaucho. Why you ask? They use cheese sauce on their baked potatoes which is amazing ! I haven't seen any other steakhouse do this. Asparagus was very nice. Double Espresso: Ended the meal with a pick me up to snap me out of my food coma. Strong and tasty. Service: It was great. Our waiter was a professional. He made sure we were take care of. Outro: Great Choice for a steakhouse. Old School flair and great food. Lots of good signature dishes. You can't go wrong. Highly recommended. W

I travel a lot for work and enjoy trying out new steakhouses in each city that I visit. I had been very happy with all of the steakhouses I had tried in Portland...until this one. First of all, it took a while for the bartender to acknowledge me after I sat down at the bar. I'll give him a pass because he was the only bartender making drinks for the entire restaurant, and there was this poorly placed pillar in the middle of the bar that obstructed the view when he was at the other end...and the restaurant was busy. He was friendly and apologetic, and I kinda felt bad for him because he was clearly working very hard. To start, I ordered the spicy crab bisque. This was actually delicious and the only positive part of this experience. For my main course, I ordered the bone-in ribeye "El Gaucho" style (lobster medallions, asparagus, and bearnaise) and asked for the bearnaise to be put on the side. I asked for medium rare and was told that their medium was like medium rare at other places. I thought that was weird and said I'd stick with medium rare. When the steak first came out, the gaucho style (including bearnaise) was on top of the steak, so I sent it back to get fixed. They must have used the same steak because when they brought it back out, the steak was overcooked to medium. So I sent it back again. Side note, their bearnaise tasted like mayonnaise. When the steak came back for the third time, it was still mooing. Back again. As they should, the restaurant said that they would not charge me for the steak. Finally, on the 4th try, it was cooked properly at medium rare. Then I tasted it... I can honestly say it was the most flavorless steak I have ever had at a steakhouse. I don't think it was seasoned at all. If you're looking for a good steak in Portland, try Ringside or Ox.

This was our first time dining at El Gaucho. Our server was Amy and she did a fabulous job. She was pleasant and made our dining experience that much more enjoyable. We ordered the table side Caesar and table side châteaubriand and both were delicious. We will definitely eat here again if we are in the Portland area.

I had an exceptional experience here with my mom. Everything from the appetizers to soups and salads to steaks and pasta were delicious but the service was outstanding. I want to say our waiter's name was Mathison. We did not order the best bottle of wine or the most expensive entrees, but still we were treated like his top billers. He had great recommendations and perfect amount of personality. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience in every way and would highly recommended!

Great but I stopped going there because they tack on 25% tip automaticaly. When I use to go there I sometimes tipped 40% but it was my choice

I arrived at El gaucho for my birthday dinner in 2022, as my girlfriend had recommended because I'd never had a good birthday experience in all my 38 years. The dinner was average at best. The ambiance was overly Loud and rather an ungracious annoyance. The service was read on... I would expect much more of the quality, ambiance, and experience for paying over $500 for two dinners and drinks. As I stated before it was supposed to be a wonderful evening and I believe the experience was the initiating spark to end our 16 year relationship. My partner had asked to pay for the experience herself as a gift to me for my birthday, it happened to be her time of the month and while she was using the restroom the server and manager began encircling me like vultures. I relayed the payment situation and what my significant other and I had agreed upon. Not 1 minute later the manager began his decent yet again. I then reluctantly expressed that I have a crippling anxiety disorder. Not 10 seconds hence, the server broke off formation and the manager began double time. He directly and purposefully initiated a panic attack and so I paid for the bill and relayed what he had done. He did not bat an eyelash, and a sneer surfaced upon his face as we left the establishment. service was : -98/10 ambiance : -90/10 food : 3.5/10 dinner 1: Steak, seasonal vegetable, and mashed potatoes and five drinks over a three hour period. dinner 2: steak, rice, and a potato. we ordered dessert but did not eat it. I can not in good conscience recommend this establishment.

Outstanding service and amazing food to add, wish I would have taken pictures. Had a great dinner last night, Brandon provided the best service, very attentive to my gluten free needs. Highly recommend if you are visiting the Portland area.

Oh my goodness! A perfect petite filet, cooked exactly as asked and no extra sauces or preparation! It was perfection only made better with my baked potato Gaucho style. That and a wonderful glass of a delicious Willamette cab rounded out the meal. Then I was met with a surprise - cheese, crackers, almonds, grapes. Thank you it was just what I needed, a bit of pampering. The staff was perfect and made me feel very comfortable in my meal for one!

The food and ambiance were amazing and worth 5 stars on their own but somehow our server Alex stood out above everything else!!! We will definitely be back anytime we're in town. Thank you Alex for an amazing evening.

Talk about a hidden gem, El Gaucho is as classy as an old school cigar lounge / room gets !!! Stopped by while in town for business and can't wait to come back . Originally, I was thrown off by the need to have a reservation but once I got in , I completely understood. The cigar room was quaint but not over crowded . Drinks were reasonably priced and the service was excellent. Additionally, the ventilation was very good ( clothes didn't smell line smoke the next morning). There is nothing that beats good old fashioned customer service and El Gaucho hits the nail on the head!!!

Ambience is nice, food is great. What you'd expect from a high end steakhouse. Drinks aren't a highlight.

The service is impeccable. Michael Cook is the absolute best! We always ask to seat in his section. The wagyu steak was so delicious and melted in your mouth. My mother loved the seafood tower and all our appetizers were so good, especially the steak tartare. Always a very special treat when we dine at El Gaucho. Love it!

Gaucho is a standard steakhouse in many ways. There is a wedge salad. There are potatoes in various states of undress. There is meat served on a flaming sword. The food is creamy, buttery, delicious. The ambiance is muted and relaxing--lots of dark wood, dim lights, and white tablecloths. We sat up front by the guitar player and enjoyed watching other diners being served. We saw a few flaming swords. That is not a double entendre, btw. The service is where Gaucho stands out. D, our server, was awesome. Friendly, efficient, accommodating. This is one of those places where a cadre of workers swarms the table. One brings the bread, another the sides. Watch out for another pouring water over your shoulder. It was all nicely choreographed and unobtrusive. D made our ceaser and baked potato tableside, and was lovely to chat with while they worked. If we make it back we hope to be put in their section again. This place isn't cheap, so I'd save it for a special occasion. It will be worth it.

Steak was terrible. Overcooked, and tough. Scallops and escargot were acceptable. Service was very average. He seemed too busy to care much. We have many better places in Portland.

Revisited El Gaucho last night and it remains the reigning champ as the Iconic Supreme Dining Experience of Portland. You want to talk about attentive service? I looked over my shoulder to scope out the chef action and a staff member was at my side within 3 seconds to ask if I needed something.... Because he saw me glancing around. THREE seconds. I let him know I was just admiring the skills of the kitchen and went on to ogle the table side experiences including the FLAMING SWORD of steak, flaming bananas foster, table side Caesar salad, and table side baked potato. Those last three may sound silly but honestly the baked potato was the best I've ever had. My second favorite part was their cocktail of the week. This week it was an incredibly spicy Negroni ..... not hot, spicy and it was perfection of ancho. They did not miss a beat and I was in foodie Heaven from start to finish.