El Gaucho

An oldie but still a goodie ! El Gaucho still has it. Our recent meal was delicious. My husband had steak and I had the pork loin and both were terrific. The service was seamless. We have been going to El Gaucho for over 10 years now and we will continue to go each time we visit Aruba. Make sure you visit Garufa (the cigar bar across the street) after your meal. They have live entertainment and it's a great place to "dance off your meal". The bartender at Garufa, Bianca, is one of the nicest people you will ever meet and she makes the best martinis.

Food was delicious and our waiter was friendly and attentive without being intrusive. The sangria was ok, certainly not the best I've had, but not bad.

We ordered the early bird lunch on 9/25/10 and we were pleasantly surprised and the how much food we got for the $20 (US). This was the best meal I had in my 7 days in Aruba. The skirt steak was delicious, and the sides were also very good. Desert was OK, and the service was spotty. (Other tables seemed to get more attention from their waiter than we got from ours.) However, I would go back because the meal was so tasty and priced favorably.

Does El Gaucho need any more flattering reviews to boost its business? Will the lack of it do otherwise? This is one of the oldest steak houses on the island, if not the oldest. It stays in business and sees a full house everyday for a reason. Other restaurants come and go. Not El Gaucho.

In my recent three week trip to Aruba I visited El Gaucho only once. Because that particular day I was hungary for a suculent piece of steak. I have to admit I have been to El Gaucho more than a dozen times but never had anything else except the 16 oz. Churrasco medium rare. The restaurant decor may need a face lift. The roving guitar playing duo's number may sound a little old. But if you want Argentinian steaks that satisfy your craving El Gaucho will not disappoint you. If you order the 16 oz. Churrasco don't order anything else. You can't finish it.

I think you still need to make a reservation to get into El Gaucho or faced being turned away at the door. But I always go with my local Aruba friend who gets in no matter the crowd. You'll find out for yourself, there is always a crowd in the restaurant every night.

I had the Lamb Loin, which was good. If I should choose – less meat and more refined side orders. I see a meal as whole, not as meat with something. My wife had Shrimp Scampi which was okay. Wine list was good and service okay. What wasn’t good was – photographer interrupting dinner and asked to take pictures(which we had to pay for, of course) and an insistent guitarist. Some may like it, but I find it intrusive and kitschy.

This was our 4th visit to El Gaucho. It's just what you'd expect: slightly tacky decor, very good steaks and pretty good service. This restaurant is definately a keeper.... dependable very good Argentine beef. Great flavor with good portions served by very busy.... very nice people! We'll be back!

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!

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.

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.

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.