El Gaucho Portland Reviews

I have been a loyal diner of El Gaucho in Seattle and Portland for more than 10 years. Both locations are exceptional. The personal service alone is great. The steaks and seafood are prepared to perfection, the staff’s knowledge of their wine selection is key when entertaining. The table side food preparation is not only impressive but very tailored to the diner. Most staff have been loyal employees for a decade or more. So...it’s a great place to host a business dinner AND if you want one of the most romantic places for an I Tim are dinner, you cannot miss!

Came here for a nice steak dinner before leaving Portland and while the food itself was good, their wine menu isn't printed correctly and as a result, the consumer gets charged extra for the wine they order. When I received my bill I asked the server about this and he responded with an "oh yeah that's a printing error, you see this is the actual price" which is something they could have said when you sit down. Additionally, when I brought this up to the hosts as I was leaving they just started to laugh and said "yeah we'll fix that" which is not only disrespectful but leads me to believe this is on purpose. If this is a problem, alert your customer beforehand. If they call you out on it, fix the issue. It wasn't even a big dollar amount, roughly $10, but the principle of not listening and just laughing as it's brought up is pretty bad. I'll stick to Ringside or another steakhouse when in town

We had heard about this restaurant for a long time and had always wanted to go so we were excited when we finally got around to making reservations. We did have to wait in the bar, but we didn't really mind that and the service was quick in the crowded time of evening. Our meal wasn't anything special. Nothing stood out as excellent or unique. Even the steaks didn't have that nice juicy, beefy flavor of a high quality steak that we were expecting for the price we were paying. The service was good, but waiter didn't seem very excited about his job and not all that attentive. My husband and I always have a nice time together when we go out so we can make any date tops, but this date night wasn't a success because of El Gaucho. We won't be going back. There are way too many excellent restaurants in Portland to revisit. This is not one of them.

I have literally stopped ordering steaks anywhere else. When I travel, I just order other dishes. That is how good the steaks are at Gaucho. The Chateaubriand is perfection. (They prepare quite rare so if you typically like medium rare, order medium and you'll be set.) Phenomenal service over the past 15 years, the most amazing appetizers in town and a cool setting. Restaurant perfection, in my opinion.

We were in Portland for a concert and had an early reservation. Although not normally a big eater at 5:30, the early time turned out to be an added benefit. We had a great waitperson Gwynn, all to ourselves for a bit. She was funny and interesting on top of being great at her job. The wine steward really knew her wine and being so early we were able to have her undivided attention. She certainly knew about what she spoke. The wine she recommended was a wine I could drink forever - perfect for what we asked and with our meal. (Dollarhide 2005 Napa Valley). Our steaks were delicious. The Caesar Salad made at the table was perfection. Thank you so much El Gaucho. Hated to hurry off but Aaron Neville was phenomenal.

We were staying next door at The Benson so it was convenient for us. The staff was excellent and very friendly. We had table side Ceasar salad. It was good but not the best I’ve ever had. My mushroom risotto was delicious. My husband had a steak. Be aware they undercook the steak. Everything is ala carte so it is spendy and they add on 20% for the tip. I would do it again. Everyone needs to splurge once in awhile!

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.

My spouse and I visited El Gaucho for our first time, to celebrate a wedding anniversary. We were excited and had looked forward to our evening, hoping that El Gaucho would live up to the hype. Sadly, it did not. The ambience to begin with was nowhere near romantic as imagined. Candles were not real flame, thereby cadting the fake orange glow of incandescent tealight. Decor was like an upscale Olive Garden. It was in need of a much-needed makeover. Business deals were abounding. It felt like a scene from the movie, Wallstreet. The service was absolutely impeccable! But the $70 steak was not. I had a better steak at a family barbecue a week before. The steak I ordered was a tough, dry, stringy piece of beef and therefore inedible. They were absolutely lovely and took it off the bill. Save your coins for a local boutique steak house instead.

This review is for the select remaining few who still enjoy a fine cigar in a comfortable and 'critic free' setting. This is one of the few places left in Portland to have a cigar and a nice glass of scotch. El Gaucho is a fine steak house in downtown Portland, but they also have a very classy cigar lounge, that is separate from the main dining room. The room has it's own filtration system and is totally separate from the main restaurant. The room can handle about a dozen or so people comfortably. It has a couple of tv's and a very nice setup for cigar smoking. One is catered to by attendants in tuxedos who serve food, drinks and assist with the cigars. There is a small humidor and they don't seem to mind if you have your own cigars. Tables may be reserved and they also serve food in the lounge. They have an excellent selection of both cigars and whiskeys. The night I was there, a group of 4 had table service of crepes suzette, which was quite the show. If you'd like to relax and have a stick with some 'class' and attention, this is a place to try. (Be advised, there is a 20% service fee that is attached to the bill, but they make it quite obvious that it's being added to your bill.)

I've been to this place twice and it has not let me down. The food is fantastic and the service is phenomenal! The whole feel of the place is very inviting and relaxing. Definitely recommend this place for a work meeting or romantic date. Definitely a place to splurge on.

We usually stay at the Benson when we're in Portland and El Gaucho is convenient (since it's in the same building). However, every time we stay, the wait is so long that we just wander off to search for something else. this time, I actually made reservations. We used to go to El Gaucho in seattle and it was always a sedate, high end experience. The portland location is high end in its service, wine selection and food quality but it is a long way from being sedate. This is a hopping busy restaurant. Given the number of customers, they still pull off good and personable service. The tuna main course was spectacular. Highly recommended. Reserve.

Steak was tough and overcooked; we ordered medium rare, it was well done. They never came back to ask. The escargot and three scallops were acceptable. The service was very average for the average restaurant. Too bad we were celebrating our 27 th anniversary there. We thought it would be really special. It was far from it. Waaay overpriced for what you get! Don’t even try. R Brady Robert.brady@aol.com

We were with a large group of members from the Wine & Food Society of Oregon and seated in their Wine Room. It's a working wine cellar with a long table down the middle. Everyone pretty much ordered something different. And the food all came out at the same time and cooked to perfection. Everything was wonderful. And the service was amazing.

This was the second business meal we've had in the private room at el gaucho's. I arrived a few minutes late but just in time for delivery of the exceptional appetizers and pouring of the finest wines! Wait staff is top of the line and continuously making sure we were taken care of. Entrees were delicious! This is a classy restaurant.

We popped in for a light meal and drinks and grabbed a seat at the bar. The bar tender was entertaining and shared his signature drink as an option. Live music and great ambiance. It's a dark restaurant so take a flashlight so you can see the menu!

This restaurant was right across the street from my hotel and was recommended by the concierge. I went there not expecting anything other than routine but was pleasantly surprised at how great the food was. The killer shrimp appetizer was amazing. The steak was cooked perfectly and the sides were traditional - old fashioned but high quality. Flavor on everything was just right. Service was outstanding.

Is it expensive? Yes. Is it worth it? 100%!!! Our server Michael was as amazing as all the food was. My husband took me there to celebrate my 40th birthday as well as me being listed for a heart transplant. The environment and staff were so elegant yet welcoming. The food from the bread, apps, steaks to dessert was beyond exceptional. I love my steaks cooked black and blue and nearly no restaurant cooks it right but it was perfect here! A perfect well seasoned hard sear on the outside with a lovely rare in the center. My husband had the rack of lamb which was so tender. We are huge fans of oysters and have them frequently at restaurants or just getting them at the coast and the ones served were exceptional petite fresh oysters. The table side Caesar salad wasn't just a gimmick, they explained the history of it, showed us how they made the dressing and it was amazing. Perfectly dressed fresh and crisp lettuce. The crème brûlée was so silky and by the far the best we've ever had topped with some fresh raspberries. The sides, wow, so much fresh crab on the max and cheese which was creamy with so much flavor. The scalloped potatoes had a perfectly crisp top and was so well seasoned. We used the valet parking which was so nice and convenient. When they brought our car back after dinner they left us some cookies in the console! After leaving I immediately reached out to all my friends and posted on social media how much we loved our dinner and experience. We both absolutely feel it's the best restaurant in Portland and plan to make it a regular even for our birthdays and anniversary and hopefully more times through the year. Thank you so much for making it an incredible experience and one of my best birthdays!

Recommended by a friend, so glad he did!!! Service was top notch, food was pricy but delicious, great beverage selection, cigar lounge attached with equally great service and a great selection of cigars if you indulge. Ventilation was excellent and great atmosphere. El Gaucho goes on the “must do” rotation whenever in Portland!

A first rate classic steakhouse, great steak, superb sides & fine service. A classic Caesar salad done tableside almost a floor show in itself. Good wine list including some inexpensive Oregon ones. Steaks done as ordered.

At first glance loved this place. We sat at the mink booth and had a great server (forgot his name, has a place in Croatia). Nice menu and live music. Where things went south was wait time for food and a raw $75 steak that had to be sent back to be returned even worse if that’s possible. Food items ran out, drinks forgotten. It was a very expensive dog and pony show with just ok food. They did comp us dessert for our trouble but by that time (3 hours from sitting) we just wanted to leave. Don’t need to return.

Even if you go for a lighter snack the food and service is great. i had a variety of starters for my meal since I wasn't that hungry and they were all excellent with some wine. I sat near the kitchen and saw a lot of great looking steaks walk by.

I shared a birthday dinner at El Gaucho with my son. An excellent experience, with most of the well-trained staff dropping by to wish me happy birthday (and no, they didn't sing). I had the filet and my son, the NY Strip steak; both were perfectly done. I recommend highly the roasted brussels sprout addition - the scalloped potatoes were delicious, but a little too creamy for my taste. I eat in about one steak house a year, but wouldn't hesitate to come back to El Gaucho - especially if someone else is paying. Figure on more than $100-$150 per person

My family comes here often and loves the restaurant. I attended a birthday dinner and loved the atmosphere, the delicious entrees offered, shared sides and of course the entertainment of several guitars playing spanish melodies. Our bill for 8 of us, was a hefty $1200. But it was an unforgettable dining experience with perfectly prepared food and the entertainment of several spanish guitarists. Of couse I will go again.

It’s definitely premium prices but if you’re looking for quality steak this place is really good. The wine list is really good and lots to choose from. Oddly, the staff aren’t great - which is surprising for a high priced place like this.

One of the best steaks I've ever had. The chateubriand is worth every penny. The service with Michael--a woman with passion, made it our evening.

We had dinner here and although we arrived an hour earlier than our reservation, they seated us immediately. The chateaubriand was incredible, with a delightful preparation and presentation. The server was a little pretentious, but did attend to our needs.

We made our reservations online through their website. When we made the reservation we were asked if celebrating any special occasion. We were celebrating my wife's birthday. After we utilized the valet parking, we entered the restaurant and upon giving the hostess our name, my wife was whished a happy birthday by all staff that came in contact with us and a birthday card was on our table. We had an appetizer of scallops which were great and then we enjoyed chateaubriand for two that was carved table side and included steamed asparagus and a baked potato. Even the potato is prepared tableside to order and is wonderful. Our server was very attentive. This was a terrific dining experience and well worth the one hour drive each way for us. We will definitely be back and can not recommend it highly enough. The live flamenco guitar music ads to the atmosphere and heightens the experience.

This is a restaurant known for it's steak. However, we were too full from our days activities to eat a heavy meal. So we ate the vegetarian entry. Outstanding!!

Great reviews, online and all over town. We planned El Gaucho as the grand finale of a 10 day trip. Nice people, nice enough atmosphere. NOW, the bread was cold, hard and inedible. Drinks and soup ok. While we ordered the server, doing his best to help us to answer correctly, went on about how their temperatures run quite cold and a medium is a cold red center. We ordered accordingly, when he brought the potato out, he had to throw it out, it was burnt and hard inside. Steaks came out, burnt and hard inside. They offered to make more, but after all that over effort to make us order them that way, and the extensive time it would take to start over, we were just too frustrated. So, no steaks, and still walked out with a bill over $150. LUNACY! It's one thing to make a little mistake, but to ruin the meal on a special occasion and then still expect a payment like that, AND we had still to go elsewhere for dinner. One of the biggest dining disappointments of our lives. We felt stolen from, and cheated out of a more than promised experience.

When we stay at the Benson Hotel in Portland we make it a habit to eat at El Gaucho which is attached to the hotel. The restaurant is warm and beautiful. Our most recent visit was Saturday night before the super bowl and the place was bumping. We were told on arrival out table would be a bit late and if we wanted we could wait in the hotel lobby and they would come get us when it was ready. So 25 minutes later the visit was off to a rocky start. When our waiter Christopher arrived at the table he was so personable he had all 5 of us smiling and laughing in a few minutes. Once the complimentary garlic toast arrived along with our complimentary champagne toast for staying at the Benson we knew it would be another great night at El Gaucho. The menu is somewhat diverse for a steakhouse and we started with a warm spinach salad prepared table side by the Christopher then we shared a rib-eye for 2 carved table side, a filet, the steak bits diablo, baked potato "El Gaucho" and the amazing corn. All complimented by a red red wine from their well stocked list All of this was followed by the complimentary fruit and nut plate. We still had room for chocolate cake, a glass of great port and Far Niente Riesling. Followed by and easy elevator ride to the suite. Highly recommend for a great steakhouse experience or a celebration of any kind

My wife and I just got back from our Anniversary dinner at El Gaucho; our first time there. The reviews about the amazing scalloped potatoes were right on as they were definitely a hit. The steaks were all cooked well, tinder, and the sauces were delicious. My wife had the special which was 3 small steaks of different types with separate sauces and she loved each. The best thing of the night was the friendly service that helped us have a great time on this special day. They put rose petals on the table and everyone that came by wished us a happy anniversary. I really appreciated the valet parking (for only $8) since parking in Portland on a Friday night can be difficult. Great time and we'll be back!

have a hard time getting past the surcharge on menus. if it were not for the history of the orginal El Gaucho in Seattle might bot go as often Food is good to excellent depending on the trip prices are expensive and the surcharge adds even more. Still go occasionally just not as much

This is one of the best dining experiences in the country! The menu is known for their steaks and seasonal seafood! Nothing better than Northwest seafood!!!! The service is truly unmatched in this town. I highly recommend this dinning experience above all others in this town!

Took a client here for dinner (thumbs up for expense accounts) and it was the perfect spot. A nice, comfy place, where you can actually hear each other and have a conversation. The service is excellent and the food was fabulous. Absolutely everything we ordered was top-notch. The cocktails were a little disappointing taste-wise and for a craft beer town the options were highly lacking. Live flamenco music was a nice bonus.

Excellent. Perfect steak. Great service. Nice atmosphere. Perfect place for a special occasion, or to impress a date!

This is an extraordinary steakhouse. Expensive, yes, but food is fantastic and the service excellent. We visited for a business dinner and tried many of the starters and sides as well as various different steaks. Waiter Ian was very entertaining (in a great way) and gave excellent recommendations. Wine list is also extensive and the sommelier did a great job too. Don’t miss the lobster mashed potatoes.

Atmosphere is friendly waitress was excellent food was delicious. You are treated like a guest . We had wonderful Cesar salad made in front of us. Our steaks were prepared as we asked and sides were delicious. They have a cigar lounge were you can relax and smoke and have drinks . A wonderful dining experience.

El gaucho was a vey pleasant and dimly lit fancy restaurant with friendly waiters and staff. it wasnt so packed and the price was fair considering the freshness of the ingredients. the cesar salad is amazing ,but i must say every was great highly recommanded

Went with a party of 4 and everyone had a good time. The food was excellent, the service spot on and fun. The table side preparation of the Caesar Salad and the flambé desert are a nice touch for a special evening. Highly recommend.

You definitely need deep pockets to enjoy the high end steaks at this place. You get excellent service and the quality of the food is top notch. This was actually a business dinner for us. I would say - no one was shy about ordering plenty of food and drinks and our bill reflected about $200/person. We ordered 3 appetizers to share....crab cakes, escargot and peruvian scallops. I did not care for the crab cakes but the scallops were tasty and tender. Others at my table said the escargot was great. Everyone at the table also got the Spicy Oregon Crab Bisque and it was delicious and just a little spicy. Most people got some sort of steak at my table. My husband got the New York Strip and he said it was cooked perfectly and tender. I ordered the Flaming Sword Mixed Grill. It had filet mignon and some other cuts including a sausage. I wasn't a huge fan of the red chimichurri sauce that was on the plate but it was not terrible. I also did an add-on of the seared Foie Gras and it was delicious. I could have had more of that and been totally satisfied! We also shared a couple of veggies.....Brussel Sprouts, Mac & Cheese and Asparagus. All very good. My only problem was with dessert. I ordered the Chocolate Creme Brulee. Can't they just make the normal old fashioned creme brulee......oh well. Wasn't worth it. I only had a couple of spoonfuls.

I spent a lot of time on business in Portland and never failed to visit this restaurant with clients. The decor is nice and the staff is excellent, the flamenco guitar music sets the mood, but you come here for the beef. Some of my clients have tried the seafood and rated it excellent, but again - beef! The appetizers are worth eating here alone - we have tried the Wicked Shrimp, Ahi tuna tartare and the pancetta wrapped shrimp. All are amazing. But don't fill up on these. The caesar salad is made tableside and from scratch - the best I have ever had and the Salad 410 with crab and shrimp tossed table side is excellent also. I have no experience with the soup, but one of my clients described the lobster bisque as the best he has ever had. Now for the entrees. My wife and I have shared the Chateaubriand, and can honestly say we have never had better, but my favorites are still the specialty entrees - in order of my preference - Steak el Gaucho, Flaming sword brochette of tenderloin and Filet Medallions Oscar. Not a fan, but many clients have ordered the Anderson Farms rack of lamb and declared it 5 star. They serve typical steak house sides, but I am very partial to the lobster mashed potatoes. I almost never have room for dessert, but we have tried the bananas foster on occasion, and it is classically decadent! The tab is not for the faint of heart, but if you want to celebrate a special occasion with one of the best meals of your life, I cannot recommend it highly enough.

A Night to Remember. The valet perfect. Hostess/Coat check perfect. Douglas and crew perfect. Food and drinks perfect. Everything was perfect.

Food was ok, service - ok, the place is clean, toilets - clean. Price through the roof! Will never go there again. One big prob. for me was mandatory 20% tip. Tipping has always been voluntary. When tipping becomes mandatory, it is a tax. I am out, never again, because of high price and mandatory tip. BTW, my steak was undercooked. Service was slow. They can can keep their steak.

This place is just as mind blowing and fancy as they say it is. Is it pricy? Oh, lord yes. But whoowee; if you're looking for a fancy restaurant for a special evening, then this my friend - is the place. First off, beautiful ambiance. First class service from everyone. Low lights, calm music, wine. Delicious (and expensive) food options. I got to eat so many absolutely amazing things here....escargot, King crab, Alaskan lobster, scallops, fresh salad, warm buttery bread, roasted sweet corn, French onion soup - everything here was exquisite. Eating out here is like dinner and a show. Definitely a MUST do, in my opinion.

Great service with lots of great cuts of beef. Lots of sides to go with your steak. The sweet corn and scallop potatoes are a must. Dinner does not come cheap great for a special occasion.

This is one of those rare restaurants that makes you salivate just at the thought of it! Dimly lit, fabulous professional service, and fish/steaks that are amazing.

We had a wonderful and very special dinner with delicious steaks, great ambiance and superb service. Need I say more? First time we have seen so many suits and ties in Oregon 🤪 Pricey but worth it.

Probably one of the best meals we have eaten out in a long time. This old style steakhouse provides brilliant steaks backed up by stunning service. The cook at table dishes such as Steak Diane and Cherries Jubilee are mouth-wateringly great and the staff who finish them off are skilled and perfectly schooled in the art of food preparation. We loved the menu and the recommendations from the staff were fantastic both at a food and drink level. We were worried that it was possibly a one off experience that we had, but we did return 2 nights later and had as equally great time. Make sure you book as the restaurant is always busy and full.

Low lighting has live music and its nice on the inside but for the amount of money you have to pay and the portion of food you recieve, it's not worth it in my opinion I can get a much bigger steak for less money in a just as nice if not nicer restaurant in Pdx.

We went next to our hotel for location. Great atmosphere, great service, great server, great price. While the experience and food sides are outstanding, meat is just ok. Seasoning marginal and quality of meat not up to price. Salad, potato incredible. Michel made experience good.

Unbelievable experience. Brandon was server in both cigar bar and for dinner. He. Is. A. Pro. Great descriptions of the menu, and all exceeded expectations. Probably best steak I've ever had, peppercorn NY strip, cooked perfectly. Bearnaise sauce was incredible as were the mushrooms. Fantastic wine selection. Before dinner spent an hour in cigar bar. One of only 2 in Portland, and had a glass of Elmer T. Lee bourbon. If ever back in Portland will eat here again.

I went here for dinner. I had the pork belly app. It was great. The shrimp and crab cocktail. Also great. The bread they served was also great. The waitress was very nice. And the Steak Diane came with a flaming show at the table and was also very good. I would go here again for sure.

For Cigar Aficionados come in the front door and slip into the lounge on the right. Great place to smoke when in downtown Portland. They are known for their food, but they specialize in quality service - with a good cigar selection.

Classic steakhouse with no windows, dark tones and wood, and dim lighting. In reading my other steakhouse reviews, you will know I’m not a fan of al la carte, but that seems to be more the norm that not. El Gaucho is al la carte We had crab cakes for an app, she had the filet and I had the bone in rib eye. We both opted for ”el gaucho” style which tops the steaks with lobster medallions and bernaise sauce. Dessert was bananas foster. Everything was excellent. Wait staff was impeccable. It was our 22nd anniversary and there was a card on our table, surrounded by rose petals, which was signed by the entire staff Price was a bit more costly than we are used to, but it was a special night and we have no regrets.

Was there with a business group and El Gaucho did not dissappoint we had steaks and the restaurant also had a large selection of wines. Sides and desserts did not disappoint and the servers and waiters are good helping you navigate the menu.

My girlfriend and I decided to try El Gaucho on our date night prior to a Cirque Du Soleil show. We had heard that it was worth the visit somewhere through the grapevine. The setting was decent, darker ambiance, and clean. We arrived right on time for our reservations and were seated right away. The staff was professional, spoke well, and seemed knowledgeable. The food was decent, not extraordinary, not memorable. Our service was good and our waiter was on task. My biggest concern is the pricing. We had crab cakes(ok), Caesar salad(ok), El Gaucho Steam(under cooked), peppered New York(fair), corn(decent), and baked potatoes(decent). Our bill was $275.00. I expected to pay more for a reputable swanky restaurant, I really wanted to like it but I walked away from the restaurant feeling like the only thing that was extraordinary about the experience was the bill. I don't often leave reviews and again really wanted to like the experience, however I didn't experience anything that would justify the bill. In contrast, everytime that I have been to The City Bar & Grill... I have had a great experience. I guess that the take away that I would offer is that this is a decent place, however if you are looking to visit then be prepared to have an extremely over-priced OK experience. There are many other restaurants that I would recommend before returning to El Gaucho again. I guess that the abiance, the food, the experience did not equal the bill. The staff were attentive... But the overall experience was lacking and NOT what I was hoping to experience. I regret feeling the need to write this review, but I do feel the need to share this experience and hopefully save someone else the buyers re order that we walked away with. Sorry El Gaucho this is one man's opinion but I can't possibly believe that I would be alone with these feelings.

First of all, I dined here a few months back for my uncle's birthday. It was my first expensive dining experience, and I can say for a fact that they did not disappoint. The service was amazing. Every question was answered with no hesitation, and we were never without beverages. Secondly, the food was astounding as I have heard from others before my visit. My steak was topped with lobster and was most definitely the most delicious thing I have ever eaten. I definitely recommend because of the atmosphere and the overall attitude of all of the employees. I look forward to returning hopefully in the near future!

The great live music and atmosphere are exceeded by the food and service. Best steak in town. And, coincidentally, one of the best lobster tails in town. It's easy to over order because everything is so darned good.

Food, service and ambiance are wonderful. The musicians is a perfect touch to a very nice dinner. The bartenders are the best as well. The tableside Cesar salad was one of the best that I have had along with the Bananas foster.

This was a delightful surprise finding. I had not read a review before going, and did not have any expectations. It is really underwhelming on the outside. But, on the inside, it is a different story. Very upscale! My husband and I sat at the bar to listen to the live music, and have drinks. A couple of guys were playing guitars which was entertaining. We ended up having appetizers. Absolutely delicious! I had the tenderloin tips in a spicy sauce (Diablo). My husband had shrimp which was also excellent. And, the bartender was outstanding. Very attentive without being intrusive.

Look beyond the large chain steakhouses. Look at El Gaucho as a Northwest boutique steakhouse with about 4 locations. Service is outstanding. I experienced the French Rib Chop (bone in ribeye) medium rare. Minimal marbling and prepared exactly how it should be. In addition try to flaming sword brochette of tenderloin. Prepared with crimini mushrooms and bearnaise.

Amazing food, top notch service. The filet is perfectly cooked!! It is expensive, so expect to pay for a first class experience. It is one of the best steak houses I have visited. Lobster is not the same as New England, but still delicious!

This is our second anniversary dinner that has been ruined by El Gaucho!!! Unfortunately this isn't the first bad review I have been forced to write about this place... Apparently the A/C is out at the restaurant, or just not running at full capacity, who knows I've gotten a different story from different people on the phone. I appreciate the call in advance but the lack of understanding for the inconvenience is very disappointing...not to mention the rude manager on the phone who basically told us we could come sit in the 85 deg restaurant and they wouldn't even comp us a dessert when we are paying $300 for dinner. Even a little understanding that you put us in a bind, it's not easy to get a babysitter on a Friday during the summer, not to mention the plans that were made for after dinner in advance. The food here is excellent but the service has SUCKED on multiple occasions...the last time they stuck us in the back room and forgot we were back there when the bus boys came in and started to clean the room up for the evening, we felt as though we couldn't even stay long enough to order dessert. After that incident we were trying to give it another chance since we were given a gift card for our anniversary but now our options are to either sit in their sweat lodge or spend more money and try to find a new reservation at the last minute. I didn't expect a free meal (which is what the manager rudely accused me of wanting) I just wanted to know that there would be an effort to make things right if conditions were worse than what I was being told. Once again I'm left disappointed...

Upscale steakhouse with an Argentinian vibe in the heart of the Pearl District in Portland (Oregon). The ambience is very nice with live music, the service is precise and accommodating, a lot of table side involved which makes it even more interesting. The food is delicious and the portions are very reasonable, special mention to the fillet mignon cooked to perfection and also the banana dessert. The wine list is nice and fairly extensive. Please note that the 20% of gratuity will be added to your bill but the service is so on point that you will not be disappointed because of that. This place is a must in Portland for meat lovers.

Celebrated a milestone birthday and the service was excellent and the food was delicious. This is our second time eating there and we will be back.

We live in Washington but went here to celebrate my 40th birthday and upon arrival the host wished me a happy birthday. When we got to our table it has a birthday card and rose petals. Ever staff member that stopped by wished me a happy birthday as well. We ordered the crab cakes which were delicious. Tons of crab and fried to perfection. We also has the tables identified Caesar salad which was absolutely delicious. Next came the chateaubriand. We ordered ours medium and it was still pretty rare in the middle. They also prepare that tableside. The baked potato was fluffed to perfection and the cheese sauce was so good. The food was fantastic, the staff were so friendly. This has become one of my go to restaurants for special occasions.

I was very excited to come here.... I heard great things.... so I sat down.....alone... (which was perfect). and ordered the filet mignon....blue (I mean reeeeaaalllllllyyyyyy rare). that is the way I like it! had the potatoes and a Caesar salad....(which they made at the table...love that). topped everything off with a creme brûlée. it really was a perfect meal.... the service was outstanding.... and I was perfectly satisfied when I was done... not to full.... the perfect amount of satisfaction from a meal that makes you smile. this is not a cheap place... and the add the tip to the check.... but totally worth it...this was a meal for the books!

Service was amazing. Always on top of everything. Interior is really nice. Reason for the 3 out of 5 is simply that this place is SUPER overpriced. Been to places all over that are way better and not as pricey. My personal opinion tho!

This restaurant is definitely 5 stars! The atmosphere is classy. The service is always amazing (every time we are in town we go have dinner here). The scallops for an appetizer was great, so is the crab cocktail. We love the table side steak for 2. The experience of it is great. The bring it out, season it and slice it for you. It also comes with sides. All the food here is delicious! You also get a complimentary cheese plate after dinner, which was lovely. I definitely recommend coming here! I know we will definitely be back!

Was attending a conference at the Benson that was catered by El Gaucho. The meals were set for us each day, but they were wonderful. Would highly recommend going here in the evening. Can't wait to go back.

We went with a group to celebrate a special occasion. In a function room we had our own wine and food service people. The food was at the high end or surf and turf. Alaskan Crab legs were special. Steaks, were as expected, superbly selected and cooked. Service was very good and the "at the table" preparations done well. Great place for excellent food and a great night out.

Some people claim that this place is pricey. It is, but it's WORTH IT. You get what you pay for, and at El Gaucho, Portland - as well as their other locations in Seattle - you get a lot. Great food, GREAT steaks, excellent atmosphere, service, and music. We only come for special occasions since we have to drive almost a hundred miles to get there - but even THAT'S worth it.

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!

The cigar lounge is top shelf. Small, comfortable with excellent waiters and waitresses. Would come back.

My husband and I went to Portland for the weekend and decided to have dinner at El Gaucho. We've enjoyed their Seattle location so thought it was a safe bet in Portland. We arrived for our 6:15pm reservation and the restaurant was full. Their vibe was similar to the Seattle location. Our server was excellent and the menu was the same as Seattle's. We brought a bottle of wine with us and paid a $30 corkage fee. Our choice for dinner was the Chateaubriand. It's always what we order at El Gaucho considering it's always wonderful but one of the best values when ordering. Entrees included and a lovely 20 ounces of steak that's more than enough for two people. We ended with a Mississippi Pie dessert. A lovely evening with excellent food and great service. It's one of the few places in the Pacific Northwest that you can dress up or down and still feel comfortable.

We had a wonderful meal. The food was amazing, and the portions much larger than I expected. The servers all wished us a happy anniversary, and wanted to know how many years we had been married. We had the Caesar salad and chateaubriand prepared tableside, and it was a treat to see how it was made and hear the server talk about what they were doing. We were so full we had to split a dessert. The server made a point to be sure we were aware that a 20% gratuity was part of the bill. Our water never got below half-full, and the cocktails were delicious. We enjoyed ourselves immensely, and felt like it was money well spent for a once-in-a-lifetime special evening.

The atmosphere was good with some nice live music. The menu was relatively expensive. The Salmon was good with nice sauce and mushrooms. I was disappointed with the 20% service charge that was taken for two people.

Had dinner after a business trip for the day in the bar area which they serve full menu. Bar area is great with a couple Tv's and great service. Food always top notch with El Gaucho standard as they have restaurants in Seattle that are also fantastic. Highly recommend for Steak lovers who want quality meat cooked high and served as requested. Dark ambience which I enjoy for a steak house. Similar to Mortons or Chicago style steak houses.

I have many mixed emotions about El Gaucho. First of all, we wanted to order salmon from the menu that was posted on their website. The salmon and halibut were not available. Last year we experienced the same situation. Our waitress was nice during the start of our dining experience. The next thing we noticed is that she was taking care of another table of over 15 people at the same time. My salad came before before my husband's salad. I was finished eating before he received his salad. Our steak and chicken came 30 minutes later. The chicken was good, but had one small spoonful of potatoes. My husband's steak was overcooked for $58.00. The water server spilled water on the table and myself. Since we had another waitress to continue the meal, she was confused about what to do next. We were excited to dine at the restaurant since we stay at the Benson Hotel for the holiday each year and attend the Nutcracker Ballet. My husband ate 2 bites of his steak and it was very dry and tasteless. I was finished with my chicken before he received his steak. Even though we were excited to dine at the restaurant, the manager came to talk with us. She immediately put me on the defense and questioned our integrity about a website complaint the year before. We wanted to talk about the events that took place at our table. Instead she would not listen. As I read the reviews from this restaurant, I did not know that there was a 20% charge for employees and we also paid a 20% tip. I would not recommend this restaurant as I felt a lack of respect from the manager.

I have been to dinner at El Gaucho many times...solo, with friends or family. The food is always outstanding! Good wine selection. Good bartenders. Friendly and knowledgeable wait staff. Nice atmosphere. A great special occasion restaurant! It is expensive!

My son graduated from OSU, so we came up to Portland for the night to celebrate with steak, his favorite thing. The restaurant that we picked was quite far from our hotel, so we decided to go to El Gaucho which was right across from our hotel and we are so glad that we did. The atmosphere is a bit historic, not modern or trendy at all, but it goes so well with the presentation of food and entertainment. They had a small combo band playing which was wonderful background music. The food is pricey, but beyond good. They prepare certain salads table side and no one does that anymore!!! So delicious and fresh. My sons are calamari aficionados and they declared this the best that they ever had. Steaks were perfection and our sides of Mac & Cheese, Asparagus and Scalloped potatoes were very good. We were full and had food to go, but when they brought the complimentary fruit and cheese plate, we all partook and were delighted with the quality of the selection. Cocktails were also delish and served in chilled glasses. Portions are large and everything was so very, very good, including the service. Would definitely come again. For 3 of us, we spent about $300 with tip.

Can't think of a better place to watch Sunday (or Monday) night football savoring your favorite stooge, watching the game on a big screen TV. It's not expensive either. $8.00 Evan Williams house bourbon served in a glass with a BIG round ice cube!

We were seated upon arrival. We ordered oysters Rockefeller. When they arrived they were barely warm with a big amount of cheese on top. Ugh! My husband ordered crab bisque which was good but very spicy. My salad, 410, was prepared table side and was excellent. We ordered tenderloins, asparagus, and a baked potato. Our steak was undercooked and taken back to the kitchen. The asparagus was cold and the baked potato tasted like it had cheese whiz dumped on top of it. 25th anniversary dinner. What a bust. Almost $300 with the bottle of wine. Will never return. Don't waste your money. No apologies or comps for a miserable experience.

we loved the food and service (we are vegetarian) so we enjoyed all the sides. we got nice recommendations for wine and the bartender was super. This pairs well with the Benson hotel as a throw back to the days of fine dining. sip your martinis take your time and enjoy a simply elegant time with people that enjoy what they do

First time in this place. We were surprised by the ambiance, very Cosy. The food was excellent. They prepared the beef tartare in front of me . Whaou ! Great . I highly recommend this place in Portland.

We went here on my birthday and it was a great experience. My husband and I ordered the Tableside Chateaubriand (shared meal) and it was amazing. We ordered it cooked medium but it came out medium rare. We requested it to be cooked a little longer but I was dreading that it would come back charred. It came back perfect. There were still a few pieces on the rarer side but my husband loved those. Everything else was fantastic. We even got a glass of champagne for my birthday! Or it might have been for the mistake. Either way, great service and the mix up was fixed immediately. Hefty bill at the end of the night but worth it (we did buy a bottle of wine too).

My wife's Grandma turned 70 yesterday and we wanted to take her somewhere "special." Well, no place in Portland is more special to us than El Gaucho. 28-day aged beef cooked to perfection. Grandma really liked the Ahi Tartare, Escargot (she'd never had before), and Lobster Mashed Potatoes. Of course, the Lobster Tail on her steak didn't hurt anything either.

Good steak, good service, live music and good selection of beer and wine. Very busy so you better make a reservation.

They were able to accommodate same day (last minute) reservation for two. Prompt seating and perfect service. We started with drinks - one of the house custom cocktails and a glass of wine. Both were excellent and prompt. We skipped the "starters" seeing how healthy the bread basket was on the table. We both went with a filet and shared two sides - mac n cheese and scalloped potatoes. Everything was cooked and seasoned to perfection. I will add photos. The setting is quite dark so if you like light and bright, pick another venue. I love the cozy atmosphere and quiet so you can visit. I would highly recommend this classic restaurant.

In Portland for a few days for meetings staying at the Benson Hotel. Learned of the attached cigar bar. Had a nice selection of cigars and whiskeys. Wound up going there two nights.

Had dinner at the bar one night during our stay at the Benson, and had a great time. Great food, great service, just like the location in Belltown, back in Seattle. Pricey, but it just feels so sophisticated and luxurious. My only disappointment is that I can’t afford to dine like that every night….

Have dinner here several times over the past few years. All were great times, except this visit. The Valet staff and Hostesses are poorly trained on hospitality. The Valet is to greet the guests by opening the car doors, and welcoming the guests. I had to go to the Valet to get my ticket. My guests had to open their own doors. Fail. The Hostesses did not offer to take our coats. I had to ask. Then they stuffed us in the bar when we had reservations in the dining room. Fail We we're later taken to a table in the dining room when they figured it out. I made the table request online at their website. Ryan, our server was top notch. He saved the evening. He's been our server before, and understands what hospitality is. After dinner, there was no one at the podium to get our coats from coat-check. A server stopped to ask if we needed help. The Valet took my ticket inside their lobby, and pointed to my car. Failed again. What the F? I'm no high roller, but did spend over $600 for 4 people. I'm I asking too much for a little consideration? I gave online feedback, and heard nothing back after a few days, so I called. I was told, the Floor Mgr. would call me to discuss. Never happened. Great food. Great wait staff, but the rest Failed. Disappointed, and slighted.

Great place attached to the Benson. Excellent steaks with good entertainment. Steaks are cooked in an open grill in the middle of the dining room. Good quality, great service. EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE!

We celebrated our son's 25th birthday here. This is an old school steak house meeting the high standard you might expect. Table side Caesar Salad was perfect. Rack of Lamb and Tuna Steak were well presented and temped exactly. Three od us split the Chateaubriand. Tableside preparation was professional and all accompaniments were as good as the meat. We finished with a Bananas Foster tableside. Very pleased with the meal. When we made the reservation with Open Table, we noted the birthday celebration. Our group of five was set in their wine room. It was a nice unexpected touch for the evening.

Excellent, professional service. Good food, convivial atmosphere, best night in Portland. Thank you El Gaucho!

Way over rated restaurant. There is so much attention focused on their musicians (who were good) and flambeing cherries jubilee and bananas foster that you're supposed to overlook the terrible cooking. My wife ordered the diablo steak while I had veal Marsala. Both were not done correctly.....the steak was not cooked as requested.....it was overcooked and was dry and pretty much tasteless....we speculate that they were counting on the diablo sauce to hide the overcook.....the veal Marsala was a joke....the sauce separated.....probably due to being held too long or more likely to being done carelessly with too much heat.....but the veal was not tender, which of course, is why you order it....it was thin enough to read through but managed to be tough to cut and also tasteless.....a way overpriced meal for what we got....for $150 for 2 I expect a superior meal......and they definitely did not deliver....very disappointing....

Great steak and atmosphere. I ordered the Tenderloin Medium rare and it came out perfect. The staff is johnny on the spot.

We celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary here and they made it so special. We are not fancy restaurant people (this was definitely the most expensive restaurant we've ever been to), but our experience created a beautiful memory. Our waiter, Dennis, went above and beyond. The service was second to none. I did expect to have the best filet mignon of my life, and although it was very delicious, it wasn't the best ever. The tableside service was fun too. Try the Bananas Foster. We were allowed to take our time savoring every moment. I highly recommend for your next special occasion.

El Gaucho is one of our favorite restaurants, and we're not Portland (or Seattle) locals. Due to travel schedules it worked to meet in Portland to celebrate a birthday and our trip was centered on a great meal here. We were not disappointed. Every team member we encountered was nothing less than outstanding, food was delicious, and the atmosphere just as expected. We enjoyed the following: *Chateaubriand—great cut of steak for two prepared perfectly with tasty cliff sauce, baked potatoes with the “Full Gaucho” treatment (butter, cheese sauce, green onions + we added bacon), tasty grilled tomatoes, and expertly prepared asparagus spears. *Crab Cocktail—fresh, tasty, and beautifully presented. *Corn—you’ve got to try El Gaucho corn. It is delicious. *Sauteed Spinach—cannot say we were blown away, but wanted to be sure to have some greens. *Bananas Foster—the best! Nobody we’ve found does it better. We skipped the tableside Caesar salad this time as we were concerned we’d eat too much of it and not have room for the rest of the meal. We’ve enjoyed it previously though and definitely recommend it. We look forward to our next visit!

We were able to eat here a couple of times during our visit. the service was above expectations - great wine selection and good food. Our staff (Raymond & Brandon) were diligent and professional.

Looking for an old fashion dining experience? Check out the cigar lounge at El Gaucho. Large tables or small, draped in white linen, all with a view of the large screen TV to cheer on your favorite team. The room smells great in my opinion, it has an awesome ventilation system. The full menu is available, great service all around. When I relax here I go straight for the Bourbon served with a Big Round Ice cube. Starting at $9.00 for Bulliet Bourbon, why drink wine? which is easily double the price. Buy a cigar here or bring your own, they accommodate witha big ashtray at every table. Pretty tough to beat.

What a fantastic restaurant. Beautiful wood decor and live music. Our waiter was fantastic--very knowledgeable, fun and helpful. The steak tartar is world class. French fries that were homemade, crispy and delicious. We all had different steaks and they were amazing--cooked to perfection. We finished it off with Banana Fosters and tawny port. This is an easy 5 star restaurant.

We had a fabulous meal at El Gaucho! Delicious food, excellent service, and cozy ambiance — this restaurant was a treat. The Oregon wine recommended by our waiter and French onion soup were total standouts. And, of course, the steak and sides were heavenly. If we lived in Portland, El Gaucho would be our go-to special occasion restaurant.

We had oysters Rockefeller, shell fish pasta and steak. Good but not over the top. Complimentary fruit nut and cheese platter nice after dinner touch. Left us yearning for fine NYC restaurants.

I am not sure why this place has such a good reputation I would have to completely disagree Very efficient at booking and getting you seated once you arrive but then it all goes downhill ordered the crabcakes no idea what they were some sort of green something or other inside of them dry crispy just terrible My spinach salad was OK actually better than OK but when the meals arrived at shop one bite of my steak skewer And it was so salty I had to actually spit it out my wife’s steak which was supposed to have crab on it came completely drenched in some sort of white béarnaise sauce or something you couldn’t even see the steak it just looks awful she tried to get as much up off of it as she could but once it’s ruined it’s ruined My other friend also grabbed a skewer and I asked him if it was just salty and he said yes it’s just terrible so we sent them back and then I noticed our last guest is just looking at what was supposed to be the scallops they were some sort of breadcrumbs covered goo Very unappetizing and went uneaten I very rarely if ever send food back but to send three things back out at four at what is an outrageously priced restaurant is pretty bad the prices are just disgusting I don’t know what else to say I’m certainly not cheap and I eat and very expensive restaurants all over but $58 for a salmon and $135 for a châteaubriand is beyond the expensive side and I’m talking this is 2030% more than what you would pay in New York I could go on and on but it was pretty bad my bill only ended up being $472 we did have 160 bottle of wine which probably should have cost more about 100 but like I said everything is completely overpriced here Including the 20% tip that they very nicely put on for you not that the staff didn’t deserve it they did their best but they need to go and have a talk with the guy in the kitchen he does make a good mud pie though I have to admit always try to end on a positive note but this place is definitely more than not recommended you to have to be crazy to spend that kind of money here

El Gauchos is great. This place ranks just as high or higher than the higher end steak houses in NYC. Everyone is very friendly and they sometimes have live music at night. The steak came out perfect. Ordered the appropriate wine pairing. This is great for couples, friends, and large crowds. There is also a cigar lounge for those who smoke cigars. This probably the only place in Portland that has an indoor cigar lounge.

Wow! What a place to eat! Fine dining at its best. Waiter was friendly and got to know us. Recommended some great things on the menu to try. We started with the crab cakes and cocktails. Then table side caesar salad (all made from scratch) Then the main dishes New York steak and filet medallions oscar. We got sides of crispy brussels sprouts (a bit spicy) and lobster mashed potatoes. All very good. We finished with coffee and a warm mud cake. If you got the money to spend and want a nice steak, this is the place. Everything was top notch!

If you want the very best steak (not just good, but the best) this is the place to go. The service size is not big - that's not their aim. But the food is rich and delicious! Keep this place for a special celebration or a fancy treat because the bill gets up to $80 per person (being conservative). The staff are true professionals. They prepare the salads table side and have among the best customer service I've come across. Is it worth it? 100% worth it..

Decided to try el gaucho after hearing about it on the radio, and am glad we did. The steak was phenomenal, perfectly cooked. The atmosphere was amazing, the staff were amazing, everything was amazing. It truly made for a memorable experience. Will recommend to anyone.

Good food. Service is excellent...until it gets busy. Then the service falls mediocre, which, given the prices charged for the food, it should never do. Atmosphere is nice, but not commensurate with the expense1.

Cigar room recommended to us by employees at Rich’s. Great atmosphere and service. Brandon was excellent. Dinner and drink menus available. Great place to enjoy a smoke and libation while watching sports. Reservations a must.

Special dinner place. Nice formal but cozy atmosphere. Menu has many choices and the sauces are a don't miss! Also loved the calamari in a unique sauce and cooked to perfection. They do have a different rating system for cooking -medium rare is rarer- but they will explain the system and find your perfect choice. We eat only farm raised grass fed beef as a norm so we recognized the lower fat and slightly firmer texture of an excellent quality beef. Also loved the calamari in a unique sauce and cooked to perfection. Staff dress is formal and they are courteous and cordial. Quality, hand crafted meals take time-this is not McDonalds. Let them make their art!

Very nice high end dinning in the Benson Hotel in downtown Portland. Had a delightful dinner. Great service. Highly recommended!

This is the place to celebrate a special occasion or enjoy a nice dinner with top notch service. From the moment we stepped in and throughout our dining experience we were made to feel like royalty. We celebrated my Boyfriend’s retirement from the Army (Over 20 years of service) and the El Gaucho helped to make it an unforgettable experience. To start, there was card on our table addressed to my boyfriend. It was signed by the staff thanking him for his service. Next, our server Brandon greeted us and explained menu options. His recommendations were spot on. I have never experienced such class and sophistication from a server. Brandon went above and beyond to make our night memorable. My Boyfriend enjoyed the rib eye which was cooked to perfection. I enjoyed the Flaming Sword Mixed Grill Brochette which is served tableside on a sword with flames. It was quite the show! After dinner, Brandon escorted us to the cigar lounge and was our server there. The cigar lounge is very swanky. My boyfriend was assisted by the cigar caption to find the perfect cigar paired with some fine Irish whiskey. I was incredibly happy with how our experience turned out and blown away by the amazing service but the El Gaucho took a step further; they gave us a substantial gift to acknowledge by boyfriend’s service. I was moved to tears by their generosity and for making us feel like family in their establishment. We will definitely be back to celebrate milestones with them. Thank You El Gaucho for making this a night we will never forget!

Perfect steaks, Classy bar, adult cocktails. Connected to The Benson Hotel. Background music with a professional wait staff.

My boss invited me to dinner at El Gaucho in Portland two weeks ago. My expectations were high and the restaurant and food really exceeded what I had thought. A medium well aged ribeye, the flavor and tenderness were excellent. I highly recommend the Caesar salad prepared on the spot in front of your table.

One funny thing about El Gaucho that i still dont get is why they only serve dinner, why they start sitting at 4:30pm and not serve lunch and open earlier? They would certainly have the business, the restaurant is awesome, staff is friendly and well trained and the menu is wonderful. I recommend trying the Steak Tartare and the Steak " El Gaucho", two of my favorites.

The service here is wonderful The waitstaff is very attentive without being pushy. We came with $250. in gift cards. I had a drink and my husband had two glasses of wine. The drink was seasonal and delicious. We had an appetizer and then I had salad. I ordered their version of a ribeye steak, While it was cooked perfectly, it was not my favorite. I still cannot beat the ribeye at the other steakhouse in downtown Portland. My husband had seafood and a side. We were too full for dessert, although I did get coffee. We took guesses as to the amount of the final bill. They add an additional 20% onto every bill. The total was over $300. My husband did not pay attention to the wine and two glasses ended up being $70.00. My cocktail was only $16.00. This place has pluses, just too expensive for my pocket book.

El Gaucho is the answer to the question by any potential steak aficionado who wonders about the great place for great cuisine, prompt service and live flamenco guitar music... taking into consideration that he is not on tight budget, because the prices are indeed high ($180 Chilled Seafood Tower for appetizer, anyone?). Located inside historic Benson Hotel, El Gaucho recreated the magical image of Argentina right here in in Downtown Portland. The menu is not overly abundant, but still will make you wonder what is more worth than anything else to order. While pondering about it, don't forget to look through the wine list - $500 or $600 bottle is nothing unusual. One of us decided for New York steak which was thick and grilled to my perfection], other - for El Gaucho's famous Flaming Sword Brochette of Tenderloin, served at the tableside by magical flame-thrower/waiter. Tender pieces of tenderloin on a sword alternated with cremini mushrooms, creating really well mixed bouquet of flavor, which became especially distinctive with addition of chimichurry sauce. For a side, we shared big, fluffed and buttery baked potato. Expensive, yet worth it and memory-creating - El Gaucho will get our business again.

Eaten here before 3times. This time I finally had enough. Clam chowder was so bland the on,y thing I could taste was fresh ground pepper and the salt I was forced to add. I never Salt food! The service was mediocre, the spinach grossly undercooked, the asparagus not properly trimmed. I had to ask for bread....a mistake. The entire meal was bland, mediocre and I didn’t even get a proper plate for my sides. If you are pretentious and love to throw money at overpriced mediocrity, then this is the place for you. On top of that, they add 20% to their already grossly inflated bill and expect you to add a tip for the waiter, as the house keeps the 20%! How fundamentally dishonest. In and Out burgers Far outshine this overpriced, pretentious tourist trap. You couldn’t pay me to eat there again. I am used to paying top buck in Manhattan, Boston et al in 5 star restaurants. Two stars in generous for this tourist trap!

The ambiance is amazing and the service is solid. The beef is prime so you can't really go wrong. But, when I pay as much as I paid for a steak as I did at Gaucho, I expect everything to be pretty much perfect. A lot of steak houses undercook your beef and ask you to check to see if it works for you. If it doesn't they can give it a bit more time. My steak was ordered medium rare and came out medium so no turning back from that. Other than that, a really good experience.

Our son got married at the Portland courthouse and afterwards we all went to dinner at El Gaucho's to celebrate. Top notch restaurant. Food was excellent (very pricey...good for special occasions) When I called to make the reservation, I mentioned the occasion.....it was very nice of the restaurant to have the table set with rose petals all over the table. Very nice touch that was much appreciated.

The dining room is gorgeous and the Staff great. But on each of my visits here the food, though of high quality, tasted no better than average. My $80 NY Strip with peppercorn sauce arrived too rare and when I sent it back to be cooked a bit more it was well done and tasteless. The scalloped potatoes floated in buttery oil and were too rich to eat more than a spoonful. Ringside continues to be a better bet.

While known (justifiably) for their steaks, I had the special of the night which was halibut. It was amazing! First it was a very thick cut which was cooked beautifully...it was almost 3 inches thick! The sauce was lightly done and beautifully complemented the fish. Service (Doug and JoJo) was exceptional and the cookies left in our car by valet put it over the top!

Thank goodness for the luscious salad bar! Not a big meat eater and it was a little salty for my taste but, my carnivore sons were in heaven! 4 adults, a 10 yr old and a baby... all we could eat (and the guys ate a lot) and the bill was $280 + a large tip for excellent service. A little pricey but, the 3 guys loved it after walking the streets of Portland all day so, it was very much worth it if you have big eaters.

Went on our anniversary. The staff knew in advance and were very congratulatory to us. Our table was ready with rose pedals. It's very very expensive and you should expect top notch quality food. The shrimp w/crab meat was delicious. My husband ordered the rib eye, unfortunately it was sinewed heavily. They apologized and offered us a gift card. We will give them another try. The atmosphere was nice but noisy.

We arrived about 20 minutes early and checked in, and were told it would be “a few minutes” so we initially waited in the “lobby” eventually asking if we could wait in the lounge, and were assured we’d be called when our table was ready. We waited about 20 minutes past our reservation time before checking back with the host. It was clear he had forgotten us, and so now that he remembered us, we were were seated at a tiny table in the middle of the floor. First, the bar didn’t have sufficient clean flute glasses for my Bellini, so it was served in a regular wine glass. No big, but knowing drinks are about $20 a pop, I naturally expected stellar service. Employees were friendly, but both Old Fashioned and margarita were horrible. Literally undrinkable. Finally, after inquiring about our reservation, we were seated at a tiny table in the middle of the floor. We ordered two appetizers, the Diablo shrimp and the crab cakes. Diablo shrimp is spicy but lacked any other flavor whatsoever. The crab cakes were on par with Sysco crab cakes we’ve had elsewhere for far less. We ordered a T-Bone streak Oscar and the medallions Oscar (filet with Dungeness crab and bernaise sauce). The well-done steak medallions were cooked properly but just didn’t taste good. The t-bone, ordered medium well was rare in the center and not tasty. We didn’t eat the bulk of our food, and not a single person asked if we liked it or what we thought about the food. We walked out with a bill of over $400 and were sorely disappointed. With so many top notch restaurants in Portland., we will definitely eat elsewhere in the future. If you want an amazing Filet for less, try Feast 316 in Camas. Beat steak around, hands down.

To Dark - Slow Service My wife and I stopped in for drinks. They just opened and we were seated at the bar promptly. My first impression it so dark. After about 8 minutes we were asked what we would like to drink. We were never asked if we would like refills. So to wrap this up. Service - 2 Star Atmosphere - 2 Stars Cost - 2 Stars Food - N/A Value - 2 Star Overall 2 Star Average

Absolutely fantastic the was was perfectly cooked and the tastes were amazing. The clams and oysters were so fresh and delicious and the steaks were cooked to perfection and the crepe brûlée was so delicate and creamy like eating a piece of a cloud. This experience is worth every penny.

Everything was perfect from the superb service, tableside Caesar salad, steak, side dishes and dessert. The Caesar salad had just the perfect amount of dressing which is all made from scratch at your table. My mom had the clam chowder and said it was delicious. We all had steak and the filet mignon melted in my mouth. The side dishes we ordered were the shitake/crimini risotto and asparagus. Both were very good. Then for dessert, we all shared the Mississippi mud cake. What a way to top off our perfect meal! The service is top notch from beginning to end.

The short summary- every employee was entirely professional in every way; well-trained, knowledgeable and courteous. Atmosphere is right out of the 1920's old school like they say in their marketing. Dark wood throughout and just the right lighting. Live flamenco guitar was top-notch, cool old guys providing soothing, world-class rhythms. Crab bisque and garlic bread the beer I've had; NY strip was good but didn't blow me away for $75 like it should have. The "sweet corn" was delicious but wasn't actually sweet corn. It was regular, slightly tough yellow corn seasoned and cooked very well. Red wine by the glass at $24 (in the lower end) was pricey, as everything was. But given the vibe, service and attitude by the staff, we had a very enjoyable experience overall. I would've given 5 stars if the steak was better. It had a fair amount of gristle and I've honestly had better strip steaks cooked at home from Costco. I'd definitely go back again.

The food and service never disappoint! The steaks were perfectly cooked. We recommend the lobster mashed potatoes and grilled corn for sides Wonderfull evening!

Mouthwatering steak, tasty side dishes. We ordered several sides to share between a group of 5 people. Service was outstanding. Friendly and knowledgeable waiter.

I recently went to this restaurant as part of a large group. The appetizers were good, but the entrees were extremely disappointing, particularly given the prices. We were never asked how we wanted out steaks cooked, which was very surprising given the reputation of this restaurant. The plates were cold, and the food was cold. Very disappointing.

A nice steak house in heart of portland,try their famous Caesar salad ala minute,delicious.as steak house the Malbec wine is there,the meat is tender and melt in the mouth,Services is great with nice live music.

Went here recently with my wife for a high end dinner but were somewhat underwhelmed by the food and service. We've eaten at plenty of other premium steakhouses (Capital Grill, Morton's, Ruth's Chris etc) and based on their online description and prices we were expecting something similar but we found the service to be almost pushy/rushed and the food quality was good but not great for this price point.

When traveling for business, I almost always try a local steakhouse. El Gaucho has a nice menu, good ambiance and the server was attentive. But despite these good points, there were some odd practices that left me feeling El Gaucho is a step below most of its peers. We had an early reservation and the dining room was mostly empty. Despite this, the hostess led us to a table that was obviously one of the least desirable in the dining room. After sitting for a few minutes, we decided to move or have a diminished experience. The hostess obliged. Our new table had a view of the old one and we watched here continually try to seat it, only relocate each party. It seems like poor customer service to force this choice when others are readily available. (It was still open at the end of our meal) The other odd custom was to automatically add a gratuity to small parties. This is a custom for tourist traps, not white tablecloth restaurants. I don't think the clientele is that crass as to require auto-gratuities for all. All things considered, I'll probably dine art Ruth's Chris or Morton's next time I'm in Portland.

We arrived here based on the recommendation of a vineyard owner. We had dinner as a group of two couples. All four of us, who all dine out often, stated the service provided by Mark was outstanding and he was one of the best, if not the best servers we have had. While making our table side salads, Mark overheard us discussing the menu and one person was discussing ordering the halibut. Mark excused himself and stated how there was only one serving of halibut left and if our friend wanted it, Mark would reserve it for him. Our friend stated he would like the halibut and Mark reserved it for him. In addition to Mark's service, the assistant waiter kept our water glasses full and the empty plates cleared. The table side Cesar salad was wonderful. We had fun watching Mark make it beside our table, and he answered our questions about the making of the dressing. Be warned it has plenty of garlic....but very tasty. Our two friends had the salmon and halibut. My wife had the shrimp and crab cocktail as an entree. I had the baseball cut sirloin. Everyone enjoyed their meals. The mac and cheese and au gratin potatoes were good as well. We noticed a few lobster tails being prepared. None of us ever saw lobster tails that large....they were bigger than a baby's arm. We were too stuffed to have dessert but the menu looked good. By far our best meal in Portland with a nice wine list as well.

Everything was wonderful. The food was delicious. The staff from the host to the person who flames the bananas Foster we gracious and entertaining. The atmosphere was comfortable. Couldn’t have asked for a better time

Great place to enjoy dinner out. String band in the background, a nice atmosphere. Evening at the Benson is complete with before dinner drinks and always a great steak. A platter of cheese and nuts is always served as a desert which pairs well with an after dinner drink. Valet parking is available. Airport shuttle also available if one is flying out the next day and spending the evening downtown.

This is a first class steak house that knows how to prepare filet “bleu”. The sides are also appropriate. The spinach was sautéed so that it was still green. The bread pudding had a wonderful blueberry sauce. There is an excellent wine list with many first rate Pinots from Oregon at reasonable markups.

Managed to get a table by calling the restaurant as there was no availability showing online. We were seated promptly on arrival in the center of the restaurant which has a cigar lounge vibe hence is on the darker side.. Considering one of the highlighted features on their website is the live flamenco music you would expect to find a good selection of Spanish or South American wines on the menu. there was a total of 3 Argentine wines and they were sold out of 1 of those! the main wines offered were Italian or French??? The tableside Caesar side was worth the performance as the dressing was tailored to our tastes. My husband ordered the clam clowder - more about that later.. 3 of the party had steak which was greatly undercooked for my daughter who had ordered a medium well which was more medium rare, blood oozing out of it. We sent it back and it came back prepared the same way... I ordered the crabcakes which were on the appetizer menu as my entree and they literally brought me the appetizer size which was 2 crabcakes about 3 inches across. Saving grace was the dessert and coffee which were delicious! Downside was that the clam clowder made my husband sick so the evening didn't end well!

This wasn't our first time and we eat fine dining at least 3 times a week but I must say it just fell off our first choice for steakhouse.We arrived on 2/15/96 a day after Valentines as we had to cancel our VD reservation for a medical emergency,anyways we were seated next to the floor beam in a half empty restaurant which was sad,the appetizer was AMAZING shrimp El Gaucho the chowder was TOO hot but tasty but onto the main course our Filets which were supposed to be a perfect Medium Rare were PERFECT on the outer edges but the centers were RAW so after enjoying the outside and eating our potatoes we concluded our server must have went on break as 15-20 minutes passed before we waved her down and brought to her attention the BEST she could do was ask us if we would like to send them back for a refire of course w answered NO a box would do and we would ruin them at home in a microwave but for the signature Steak El Gaucho which I have had several times and it was DELICIOUS in the past they should be embarassed to say the least but we were ready for our favorite Bananas Foster tableside YUM.The only problem with that was we paid for the show at 12.00 per person but due to the pillar next to the table the booth across from us got the entertainment and we got the grub and it was DELICIOUS.Too bad this took place as what used to be our place to bring our premier friends in town just fell dwon the ladder and became average with 8 ounces of Filet Mignon RAW in a box and a HUGE bill for a let down.Its gonna have to be a while as the other top notch steakhouses got my business for now SORRY love you guys but average just didnt cut it for me.

I dined at El Gaucho on January 15, 2021 and was shocked by the lack of social distancing in the midst of the Omicron wave. Although staff were wearing masks, tables were not distanced and the restaurant appeared to be at normal capacity. We were not asked to provide proof of vaccination and it is very likely that this restaurant is a super-spreader location if any guests or staff are COVID+. Additionally, we were assessed a 20% service charge that did not include tip for the wait staff and while the note on the bill indicated that we did not need to tip in addition to the service charge, this felt loaded and unfair to the staff. Finally, we were solicited to join a frequent diner club, which felt tacky considering how expensive the meal was. We will not be back.

I have dined here twice now, and each time, no disappointment. The food is delicious, service is great, and the atmosphere is romantic and a nice step away. I highly recommend the filet mignon and the mashed potatoes!

Hubby and I wanted something special on our last night in Portland. As steak lovers, we settled on this place. First, if you are over the age of 30, you will need your flashlight app for sure. Ambiance is one thing...inability to easily read the wine list and menu is another. I will start ba giving them cuffs on cocktails. Well done. We ordered wedge salads and they were good. The filets we ordered were cooked perfectly, but could have come from different planets. Mine was flavorless, tough, and full of gristle. Hubby had a much better one, but still nothing to warrant the he high price tag. A ginormous baked potato arrived for $7, and we giggled at the "hand fluffing" by another waiter. Sadly, even the huge amount of butter he used couldn't mask the watery and tasteless spud. It came in handy to conceal my poor quality steak! I recommend going elsewhere for a steak. And don't even get me started on their over priced wine list. Bad experience all around.

Visiting Portland on business and had an early evening meal. Very busy restaurant which is always a good sign. Had the baseball cut sirloin which was a first for me but really enjoyable. However a steak, one side and a glass of wine still came to $90 plus tip. Service was good but would definitely regard this as somewhere to go if you are prepared to spend at least $50 a head.

We decided to do a Christmas Dinner Special with a few friends and we splurged and went to El Gaucho's. My wife and I have been there only a couple of times as its fairly expensive, but we always get the Chateaubriand. Its a Dinner for Two that they bring and prepare at your table. Somewhat cost effective and the atmosphere is terrific. Once again, they did not disappoint, as the food was perfect and the service was spot on. I highly recommend trying the restaurant and the Chateaubriand.

I’ve wanted to eat here for years and it did not disappoint. The service, ambiance and food were great. It was first class in all ways, including price so be warned. On our way out a very famous NFL player was walking in. Definitely a special occasion dinner.

This is one of the places I wanted to check out during a recent visit to Portland. I had dinner there on a Friday night recently. I went a little later in the evening. The place is dark and had a two piece guitar act playing during dinner. The music was interesting and appropriate. I ordered the tableside Caesar which was great and I watched my server make it from scratch in front of me. I love that, dont get to see that very often. They give you garlic bread too which was delicious. I ordered a bone in rib steak at $74.00 It was nice sized and cooked just right, still a little steep it seemed even for Portland standards and compared to other cities such as Austin and even Denver, it was high. Service was tops, my server Doug had been there 16 years I think he said. Old school, professional, done just right. The place adds an automatic 20% service charge to every bill. They make a note to tell you that and circle in on the bill and even give you a card explaining why with your bill. I have not see that anywhere except in some New York places and in Maui it seems, but no where else, and then on top of that, they leave the gratuity line open so you can tip more if you would like. None of this is explained up front and I didnt know this until the bill came, I probably would have tipped more than this as I most often do, still this just didn't sit quite right with me. I get that this is their business model and support their right to do this, but still, I would not go back given that this is how they do this without saying this up front... when you walk in....Not at the end of the meal.

From the moment you step through the front door, you're feeling the quality of service in their welcome. My wife and I had an incredible dinner without a single snag. Would for sure come again when I feel rich enough.

We were shown to our table where our waiter welcomed us warmly. Austin was terrific and made us feel like old time customers. We splurged and had chateaubriand for two and cherries jubilee which was flamed tableside. We always had full water glasses and the bar was nicely equipped. It was a wonderful dinner that needs to be experienced by all.

We love visiting here for dinner whenever we come through Portland. We always have an outstanding meal and service that cannot be compared anywhere. I enjoy an after dinner cigar in the lounge, a treat that can't be found many places.

The service was fantastic and made you feel like a queen. Unfortunately, the lamb that was suggested had way too much pepper on it and was very tough. The dish was taken off our bill and the steak we also had was good---not excellent. I would say it's a good steakhouse---but not a great one!

Great atmosphere and delicious food in downtown Portland- Service is great they make you feel special

I've been coming to this place off/ on for years. Nice people, good food, nice drinks but i don't understand how they think its ok to automatically add 20% service to EVERY bill? Isn't that up to the customer to determine based on their impression of the service? Could you imagine if every restaurant did this? wow.. they have some nerve! I guess they have 100% consistency that every day of the year they provide incredible, professional service to every single customer. So arrogant to believe they are that perfect. Its unfortunate.. for that reason alone, i will not be going back nor taking my team outings to El Gaucho in the future.

Although the food was great we didn't appreciate the additional 20% added on to our bill (our server said it was to pay for the staff's health insurance!!!) and then we were told anything else added would be for her service. Unbelievable!!! What should've been a $500 dinner, turned into a $750 dinner! WE WILL NOT BE GOING BACK! We have plenty of other options for a good steak!

Though they did not have a table available for walk in customers, They did offer a nice table in the cigar lounge. My Wife and I do not smoke Cigar's but enjoy the smell. It was not being used during our time so it was still a nice dining experience. Food was absolutely amazing and the waitress was very attentive to our needs. We will definitely visit again soon.

This is suppose to be a fine dining restaurant. This was the second visit and last visit to ElGaucho. We had gone less than a year ago for my Birthday. My husband didn't want to go because of our last experience, I made reservations a month ahead of time and thought we needed to give then a second chance.Reservations mean nothing to them! Just be aware. They will direct you to the Bar, not tell you how long the wait is, serve you a strong drink and feed you bread to passifey you. There was no place to sit and they even had a little table close to the lobby for people waiting. They obviously over book the tables. Riding to the Restaurant the Uber Driver said his wife and him had the same experience. This is not a cheap restaurant. You can easily drop $250.00 plus for two people. I think their food is probably fine, but it is not worth it. There are too many other good restaurants with great service in Portland. Never again. The manager was loud and brought attention to us, they did say they would stick a table in the banquet room and let us sit there. We ended up leaving and went to another fabulous Steak house got serve in a timely manner and got our picture taken for our anniversary. We were treated like we should be treated and had a fine dining experience.

Jenn and Nicholas did a great job taking care of us, and social distancing along with necessary Sanitation requirements met due to COVID-19. Most of all, the meal was excellent! Connected to the Benson Hotel, another plus.

Awesome service...thank you Katie and Henry! Katie you always make us feel so special! The food just seems to get better with every visit. Valet always leaves yummy cookies in the car. Thank you!!!

The food and service are impeccable. It is a large restaurant, but arranged so that about 6-7 tables are seen. We had a Chateaubriand. Fabulous with an unbelievable sauce. Would definitely go again. $$$$$. But worth it.

Service was great and the caesar salad was too but our steaks were served on a cold plate and our steaks were cold before we could finish eating them and that's not how you like your steaks when you're paying the price they're asking for them!

A party of 5 had dinner (birthday party for grandson). Was advised dinner would take 1.5 to 2. hours, which turned out to be true, but well worth the time spent. Best steak I have ever had, and the other four attendees felt it was the best dining experience they had ever had. Somewhat spendy, with the final bill being $500 for the party of 5, which included a mandatory 20 % tip for the staff.Well worth the expense. Our family will definitely return, as the staff was great, tableside preparation was outstanding, and the meal was definitely great. Highly recommended.

All the staff are attentive and personable. We were warmly greeted and seated at an intimate booth, yellow rose petals and a birthday card decorating the table. The tableside Cesar salad was performance art and delicious!! Our server, Gabriel, was simply thee best! But really, all the staff gliding around were exceptional and sparkley and excellent at what they do. Crab cakes for starter-OMG-fantastic! The roasted red pepper pesto had me wanting to lick the plate! I had the Steak El Gaucho 8 oz custom-aged filet mignon, Maine lobster medallions, asparagus, béarnaise sauce....cooked to perfection and utterly stunning...again I wanted to lick my plate! We also tried the Roasted Sweet Corn with chipotle honey butter. No kidding, every single thing we ordered was over-the-top psycho-crazing amazing! We also enjoyed a cheese and fruit and nut plate (so fun!!) and Happy Birthday bread pudding for desert! SO much personal attention made this birthday dinner an unparalleled celebration....not to mention the shimmering soft light, the live flamenco guitar music, the smiling faces and stunning food. What a marvelous evening! We can't wait to go back!